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UNIVERSAL. H1STOB.Y 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNITED STATES 
 
 or 
 
 AMERICA. 
 
 EMBRACING THE WHOLE PERIOD FROM THK 
 
 EARLIEST DISCOVERY 
 
 DOW> TO THE PRESENT TIME 
 
 I\i T\\iee Parts. 
 
 BY A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES 
 
 HARTFORD. 
 PUBLISHED BY EZRA STRONG 
 
 MDCCCXXVin, 
 

 DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT, ss. 
 
 ^>:;::o-:::x: ::;::::. -BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the 
 x fourth day of September, in the Jifty third 
 L g . A year of the Independence of the United States 
 of America, Ezra Strong, of the said Dis- 
 }.( trict, hath deposited in this office the title of a 
 ifo:-:::-::::-::::-::::-::::-::^ book, the right whereof he claims as Propri 
 etor in the words following, to wit : A Universal History of 
 the United States of America, embracing the whole period from 
 the earliest discovery down to the present time. In three parts. 
 By a citizen of the United States. In conformity to the act of 
 Congress of the United States, entitled, " An act for the encour 
 agement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts and 
 Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the 
 times therein mentioned. And also to the act, entitled, " An 
 act supplementary to an act, entitled An act for the encourage 
 ment of learning , by securing the copies of maps, charts, and 
 books, 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 historical and other 
 prints." 
 
 CHARLES A. INGERSOLL, 
 
 Clerk of the District of Connecticut. 
 A true copy of Record, examined and sealed by me, 
 CHARLES A. INGERSOLL ; 
 
 Clerk of the District of Connecticut; 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 THE writers of the following pages have used their best 
 endeavours to present for public patronage, a correct and 
 interesting narrative of the most important events which 
 have transpired in our country. Their design is to ex 
 hibit, in a strong point of light, those principles of political 
 and religious freedom, for which our progenitors fought, 
 bled, and conquered. While we behold them braving the 
 gloomy horrors of the desert, the appalling terrors of untu 
 tored savages, the distresses of famine and war, we admire 
 their constancy, courage and perseverance, and rejoice in 
 their escape from danger. While we contemplate the ob 
 stacles surmounted, the hardships endured, and the un 
 shrinking firmness of purpose which turned a wilderness 
 into fruitful fields, established a government of laws, and 
 provided an asylum for the oppressed of all nations, we are 
 lost in wonder and astonishment. 
 
 Feeling the value of those blessings which have descend 
 ed to the posterity of the Pilgrims, the writers have en 
 deavoured to contribute their mite for the benefit of the 
 risen and rising generation. The work is designed for a 
 family and school book, intended as a substitute for those 
 more voluminous works which find their way to the few 
 only, whose time and resources are sufficient to afford them. 
 This, though in a condensed form, will be found to con 
 tain a considerable fund of information, avd if well studied, 
 will impress more strongly on the minds, the important 
 points in our general history, than a more laborious and 
 minute detail. The size of the type on which the volume 
 is printed, has enabled them to present much more matter 
 than was originally contemplated, and to give the amount 
 of a common octavo volume, at a reduced price. Such 
 are the advantages of history, and such its absolute neces 
 sity in a republican form of government, that no parent 
 should be satisfied, until his family is supplied, and his chil 
 dren taught to lisp the name of our great, our heroic 
 Washington. - 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 That the work might be more particularly interesting, 
 especially to the young, certain events and personal anec 
 dotes of the revolution are given in a separate chapter, that 
 the thread of the history might not be interrupted. Of 
 these, the number is greater than is to be found in any 
 other similar work. These are of a character truly inter 
 esting, and numbers of them affecting. Feats of the most 
 heroic courage, and the most consummate tact, are related 
 on unquestionable authority ; and the more retired, but 
 highly amiable traits of character are displayed 
 
 The comparative population, wealth, resources, and pro 
 gressive improvement in the several states and territories, 
 will be found particularly useful to those who may design 
 to change their places of abode, and it is fully believed, 
 that as a family book, on this subject, it has a claim to the 
 most liberal patronage. 
 
 The publisher is well aware of the objections which are made 
 to an anonymous work. This work was prepared by several 
 hands, capable of the undertaking 1 , and to avoid the necessity of 
 giving credit to several names, it was thought best to state the 
 whole under the general title of A Citizen of the United States, 
 which circumstances will be considered as a sufficient apology. 
 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 DISCOVERIES 
 
 Christopher Columbus, who was destined (o the high honour 
 uf revealing a new hemisphere to the Europeans, was by birth 
 a Genoese, who had early trained himself to a seafaring life, 
 and, having acquired every branch of knowledge connected with 
 that profession, was no less distinguished by his skill and abili 
 ties, than for his intrepid and persevering spirit. This man 
 when afrout forty \ ears of age, had formed the great idea ot 
 reaching the East Indies by sailing westward ; but, as his for 
 tune was very small, and the attempt required effectual patron 
 age, desirous that uis native country should profit by his suc 
 cess, he laid his plan before the senate of Genoa ; but the 
 scheme appeared chimerical, it was rejected. He then repair 
 ed to the court of Portugal : and although ihe Portuguese were 
 at that time distinguished for their commercial spirit, and John 
 II. who then reigned, was a discerning 1 and enterprising prince. 
 yet the prejudice? of the great men in his court, to whom the 
 matter was referred, caused Columbus finally to fail in his at 
 tempt there also, lie next applied to Ferdinand and Isabella, 
 king and queen of Arragon and Castile, and at the same time 
 ^ent his brother Bartholomew (who followed tho same profes 
 sion, and who was well qualified to fill the immediate place under 
 such a leader) to England, to lay the proposals before Henry 
 VII. which likewise, very fortunately for the future well being 
 of the country, met with no success. Many were the years which 
 Christopher Columbus spent in ineffectual attendance at the 
 Castilian court; the impoverished state into which the finances 
 of the united kingdom were reduced, the war with Grenada, 
 repressing every disposition to attempt too great designs. 
 But the war being at length terminated, the powerful mind of 
 Isabella broke through all obstructions ; she declared herself 
 the patroness of Columbus, while her husband Ferdinand, de 
 clining to partake as an adventurer, in the voyage, only gave it 
 the sanction of his name. Thus did the superior genius of 
 woman effect the discovery of one half of the globe ! 
 
 The ships sent out on this important search were only three 
 in number, two of them very small : with ninety men, victualed 
 
6 , v> ; .; DISCOVERIES. 
 
 for ayeai s voyage. Although .the expense of the expedition hau 
 long temftine d^the ssoTs obstacle to this undertaking, yet, when 
 eyry tiling \jras prcvidecf, -iho cost did not amount to more than 
 sixteen thousand five hundred dollars, for which purpose the 
 queen disposed of her jewels to raise the amount. 
 
 Columbus set sail from port Palos in the province of AudalU* 
 sia, on the 3d of August, 1492 : He proceeded to the Canary 
 Islands, and thence directed his course due west, in the latitude 
 of about 28 N. In this course he continued for two months, 
 without falling in with any land, which caused such a spirit of 
 discontent and mutiny to arise, as the superior address and 
 management of the commander became unequal to suppress, al 
 though for those qualities he was eminently distinguished. He 
 was at length, reduced to the necessity of entering into a solemn 
 engagement, to abandon the enterprise and return home, if land 
 was not discovered in three days. Probably he would not have 
 been able to retain his men so long from acts of violence and 
 outrage, in pursuing so untried and dreary a course, had they 
 not been sensible that their safety in returning home, depended 
 very much on his skill as a navigator, in conducting the vessel. 
 
 About midnight of the llth of October, 1492, the cry was 
 land, land, which proved to be one of the Bahama islands, which 
 Columbus named San Salvadore ; it was only 3 deg. 30 min. lat. 
 to the south, of the island of Gomora, one of the Canaries, 
 whence he took his departure. This navigator was still so con 
 fident in the opinion ho had formed before he undertook the 
 voyage, that he believed himself then to be on an islaud which 
 was situated adjacent to the Indies. Proceeding towards the 
 S. he saw three olhur islands which he named St. Mary, Ferdi 
 nand, and Isabella. At length he arrived at a very large island, 
 and as he had taken seven of the natives of San Salvadore on 
 board, he learned from them that its name was called Cuba, 
 bnt he gave it the name of Juanna. He next proceeded to an 
 island which he called Espagnola, in honour of the kingdom 
 by which he was employed, and it still bears the name of His- 
 paniola. 
 
 Here he built a fort, and formed a small settlement ; he then 
 returned home, having on board some of the natives whom he 
 had taken from the different islands, on the passage. He was 
 overtaken by a storm which had nearly proved fatal. During 
 the storm, Columbus hastily enclosed in a cake of wax, a short 
 account of his voyage and discovery, which he hoped, should 
 he perish, might fall into the hands of some navigator ; or be 
 cast ashore, and thus the knowledge of his discovery be preser 
 ved to the world. But the storm abated, and he arrived safe in 
 Spain, March 15th, 1493, having been seven months and eleven 
 days on this most important voyage. 
 
DISCOVERIES. 7 
 
 On his arrival, letters patent were issued by the king and 
 queen, confirming to Columbus and to his heirs, all the privi 
 leges contained in an agreement which had been enacted be 
 fore bis departure. 
 
 Not only the Spaniards, but the other nations of Europe, 
 seem to have adopted the opinion of Columbus, in considering 
 the countries which he had discovered as a part of India. 
 Whence Ferdinand and Isabella gave them the name " Indies" 
 in the ratification of their forme r agreement with Columbus, 
 even after the error waj- detected, the name was retained, and 
 the appellation of * West Indies." Nothing could possibly 
 tend more effectually to rouse P very active principle of human 
 nature, than the discoveries which Columbus had made ; no 
 time was lost or expense ^pared, in preparing a fleet of ships, 
 with which this great man should revisit the countries he had 
 made known. Seventeen ships were made ready in six months, 
 and 6fteen hundred persons embarked on board of them, among 1 
 whom were many noble families, who had filled honorable sta 
 tions. Ferdinand, now desirous of securing the benefits of 
 these discoveries, applied to the Pope to be invested with a 
 right in their newly discovered country, as well as to all future 
 discoveries in that direction ; but as it was necessary that there 
 should be some favor of religion in the business, he founded his 
 plea on a desire of converting the savage natives to the Romisu 
 faith, which plan had its desired effect. 
 
 Alexander VII, who then filled the papal chair, it ought to be 
 mentioned, was the most profligate and abandoned of men, being a, 
 native of Arragon,and desirous of conciliating the favor of Fer 
 dinand, for the puruose of aggrandising his family, he readily 
 granted his request; which, ai no expence or risk tended to ex 
 tend the consequence and authority of the papacy : he therefore 
 bestowed on Ferdinand and Isabella all the countries inhabited 
 by infidels, which they had discovered. But as it was necessary 
 to prevent this grant from interfering with <>ne not ong before 
 made to the crown of Portugal, he appointed that a line suppo 
 sed to be drawn from pole to pole, one hundred leagues to the 
 westward of the Azores should serve as a limit between them : 
 and in the plenitude of his power, conferred all to the east of 
 this imaginary line upon th Portuguese, and all to the west of 
 it upon the Spaniards. 
 
 Columbus sailed from the port of Cadiz, on the 25th of Sep 
 tember, 1493. When he arrived at Espagniola, he had the af 
 fliction to find that all the Spaniards whom he had left there, 
 amounting to thirty-six in number, had been put to death by the 
 natives in revenge for the insults and outrage which they had 
 commit ted. After tracing out the plan of a town in a large plain 
 near a spacious bay, and giving it the name of Isabella, in honor 
 
DISCOVERIES. 
 
 of his patroness, the queen of Castile, and appointed his brother 
 to preside as deputy Governor in his absence ; Columbus, on 
 the 24th of April, 1494, sailed with one ship and two small barke, 
 to make further discoveries in those seas. In this voyage he was 
 cmyloyed five months, and fell in with many small islands on the 
 coast of Cuba, but none of any importance except the island of 
 Jamaica. 
 
 Soon after his return to Hispaniola, he resolved to make war 
 with the Indians, who amounted to 100,000 rnet), then having 
 experienced every lawless act of violence from their invaders-, 
 were rendered extremely inveterate, and thirsting for revenge, 
 a disposition which appears to have been foreign to their natures. 
 Having collected his whole force, he attacked them by night, 
 whilst they were assembled on a wide plain, and obtained a most 
 decisive victory, without the loss of a single man on his part. 
 Besides the effect of. cannon and fire arms, the noise of which 
 was appalling, a,nd their effect against a numerous body of Indi 
 ans, closely drawn together, was in the highest degree destruc 
 tive. Columbus had brought over with him a small body of ca 
 valry. The Indians who had never before seen such a creature, 
 imagined the Spanish horses to be rational beings, and that each 
 with its rider formed but one animal ; they were astonished at 
 their speed, and considered their impetuosity and strength as ir 
 resistible. Besides these they had another formidable enemy 
 f o terrify and destroy them : a great number of the largest and 
 fiercest species of dogs which were bred in Europe, and had 
 ieen brought hither, which being set on by their weapons, with 
 out attempting resistance, the Indians fled with all the speed 
 which terror could excite. Numbers were slain and many made 
 prisoners, who were immediately consigned to slavery. 
 
 At the departure of Columbus from Spain, he was appointed 
 (jovernor of the New World ; but by false representations from 
 his enemies*, the king was persuaded to appoint another in his 
 place. The king also gave orders that Columbus should be 
 seized and sent to Spain ; this was executed, and the heroic Co- 
 iumbus returned to Spain in irons. He was set at liberty by 
 the king on his arrival, but never recovered his-authority, after 
 his return from his fourth voyage, and finding Isabella, his pa 
 troness dead, he sunk beneath his misfortunes, and died May 
 20th, 1506, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. 
 
 In 1497, John Cabot and his son, commenced a voyage of dis 
 covery, and on the 24th of June discovered the island of New 
 foundland, which they gave the name of Prima Vesta. Leaving 
 ihis they fell in with a small island which they called St. Johns. 
 The French attempted no discoveries until 1524. In 15P.4, Sir 
 Walter Raleigh under commission of Queen Elizabeth, arrived 
 in America, entered Pamplico Sound, now in North Carolina 
 
DISCOVERIES. 
 
 and sailed thence to Roanoke, of this country ; he took posses 
 sion, and on his return to England gave so splendid a description 
 of it, that Queen Elizabeth bestowed upon it the name of Vir 
 ginia, in allusion to her being unraaried. 
 
 In 1602, Bartholomew Gosuold discovered some part of New 
 England. He first touched on its eastern coast, in about 43 de 
 grees of north latitude; he made some discoveries of the adja- 
 cient ports, and gave them the name of Cape Cod, and Martha s 
 Vineyard. 
 
 In 1603, the French made some small discoveries, and began 
 to settle at Port Royal, on the Bay of Funda. 
 
 In 1608, Henry Hudson discovered Long Island; he also dis 
 covered and gave name to Hudson river, which retains this name 
 to the present time. 
 
 In the story of Columbus we are introduced to a man of ge 
 nius, energy, and enterprise, who surmounted every obstacle, 
 and at length spread his sails upon the unknown waters of -the At 
 lantic. A kind Providence auspiciously guides his way, and 
 crowns his enterprise with the discovery of a new world. 
 
 The character of Columbus stands very high in the estima 
 tion of mankind ; he is venerated not only as a man possessing 
 superior fortitude, and such a steady perseverance, as no impe 
 diments, dangers and sufferings could shake ; but as equally dis 
 tinguished for piety and virtue. His second son Ferdinand, who 
 wrote the life of his father, apologised for his severity towards 
 the natives on account of the distressed state into which the co 
 lony was brought : the change of climate, and the indispensa 
 ble labor which was required of men unaccustomed to any ex 
 ertion, had swept away great numbers of the new settlers, and 
 the survivors were declining daily ; whilst such was the irre 
 concilable enmity of the natives, hat the most kind and circum 
 spect conduct on the part of the Spaniards, would not have been 
 effectual to regain their good will. 
 
 This apology seerns to have been generally admitted, for all 
 modern writers have bestowed upon the discovery of the New 
 World the warmest commendation, unmixed with censure. It 
 is an unpleasant task to derogate from exalted merit, and to im 
 pute a deliberate plan of cruelty and extirpation to a man re 
 vered for moral worth ; but although a pert affectation of novel 
 opinions could only originate in weak minds, and can be counte 
 nanced onl> by such, yet a free and unreserved scrutiny of facts 
 can alone separate truth from error, and apportion the just and 
 intrinsic degree of merit belonging to any character. 
 
 Columbus having found the natives peaceable and well dispo 
 sed, he had no retson to apprehend that any would commence 
 unprovoked hostilites; the cavalry which he took over, whilst 
 it tended to impress those people with the deepest awe and ven* 
 
10 DISCOVERIES. 
 
 eration, was fully sufficient for the security of the new colony, 
 if the friendship of the natives had been sincerely meant to be 
 cultivated by a kind, equitable deportment; but to treat them as a 
 free people, was inconsistent to the views which he had of plant 
 ing a colony; Columbus is celebrated for histiumanity and good 
 ness, but should he not rather be considered as a most consummate 
 dissembler; professing moderation whilst he meditated subver 
 sion, and like most of the heroes and conquerors whom history 
 records, renouncing every principle of justice and humanity when 
 they stopped the career of his ambition ! Ferdinand Columbus, 
 his son and biographer, has with great address covered the shame 
 of his father, whilst the admiring world has been little disposed 
 to censure a man, the splendor of whose actions so powerfully 
 fascinates and dazzles. We see him forming a new, and in those 
 days a mighty project; having matured his plan, we see him set 
 himself rigorously about executing it, after being baffled by 
 opposition, rejected by his friends, yet the RULER of the Uni 
 verse guides his course, and crowns his vov age with valuable 
 discovery. 
 
 While wp admire the lofty qualities of Columbus, and look 
 with wonder at the consequences which have resulted from his 
 discovery, let us emulate his decision, energy and perseverance. 
 Many are the occasions in the present world, on which it will be 
 important to summon these to our aid ; and by their means, ma 
 ny useful objects may be accomplished, which, without them, 
 would be unattained. 
 
 But, while we thus press forward in the career of usefulness 
 while we aim to accomplish for our fellow men all the amount 
 of good in our power, let us moderate our expectations of re 
 ward here, by the consideration that Columbus died the victim 
 of ingratitude and disappointment. 
 
 Another consideration, of still deeper interest, is suggested 
 by the story of Columbus. In his first voyage, he contemplated 
 chiefly the discovery of a passage to India. We who live to 
 mark the wonderful events which have flowed from this disco 
 very, within the short space of three centuries, cannot but ad 
 vert with awe to HIM, who attaches to the actions of a single 
 individual, a train of consequences so stupendous and unexpec 
 ted. How lightly soever, then, \ e may think or our conduct, 
 let us remember that the invisible hand of Providence ma^ be 
 connecting with our smallest actions the most momentous re 
 sults, to ourselves and others. 
 
 With respect to Americus Vespucius, it may be observed, that 
 although he deprived Columbus of the merited honor of giving 
 his name to the new world, and gained this distinction for him 
 self still, his name will ever remain stigmatized as having ap 
 propriated that to himself, which fairly belonged to another- 
 
DISCOVERIES. 11 
 
 A peculiar trait in the rich and varied character of Columbus, 
 remains to be noticed ; that ardent and enthusiastic imagination 
 which threw a magnificence over his whole style of thinking* 
 Herrera intimates that he had a talent for poetry, and some 
 slight traces of it are on record, in the book of prophecies which 
 he presented to the Catholic sovereigns. But his poetical tem 
 perament is discernible throughout all his writings, and in all 
 his actions. It spread a golden and glorious world around him, 
 and tinged every thing with its own gorgeous colours. It be 
 trayed him into visionary speculations, which subjected him to 
 the sneers and cavillings of men of cooler and safer, but more 
 grovelling minds. Such were the conjectures formed on the 
 coast of Paria about the form of the earth and the situation of 
 the terrestrial paradise; about the mines of Ophir in Hispanio- 
 la, and of tbe Aurea Chersonesus in Veragua ; and such was 
 the heroic scheme of a crusade for the recovery of the holy sep 
 ulchre. It mingled with his religion, and filled his mind with 
 solemn and visionary meditations on mystic passages of the 
 scriptures, and the shadowy ponents of the prophecies. It ex 
 alted his office in his eyes, and made him conceive himself an 
 agent sent forth upon a sublime and awful mission, subject to 
 impulses and supernatural intimations from the deity; such as 
 the voice which he imagined spoke to him in comfort, amidst 
 the troubles ot Hispamola, and in the silence of night on the 
 disasteroub coast of Veragua. 
 
 He was decidedly a visionary ; but a visionary of an uncom 
 mon and successful kind. The manner in which his ardent, im 
 aginative and mercurial nature was controlled by a powerful 
 judgment, and directed by an acute sagacity, is the most extra 
 ordinary feature in his character. Thus governed, his imagina 
 tion, instead of exhausting itselt in idle soarings, lent wings to 
 his judgment, and bore it away to remote conclusions, at which 
 common minds could never have arrived, nay, which they could 
 not percieve when pointed out. 
 
 To his intellectual vision it was given to read the signs of the 
 times, and in the conjectures and reveries of past ages, the in 
 dications of an unknown world ; as soothsayers were said to 
 read predictions in the stars, and to foretell events from the 
 visions of night. "His soul," observes a Spanish writer, " was 
 superior to the age in which he lived. For him was reserved 
 the great enterprize to plough a sea which had given rise to so 
 many fables, and to decipher ihe mystery of his time." 
 
 With all the visionary fervor of his imagination, its fondest 
 dreams fell short of the reality. He died in ignorance of the 
 real grandeur of his discovery. Until his last breath, he enter 
 tained the idea that he had merely opened a new way to the old 
 resorts of opulent commerce, and had discovered some of the 
 
12 DISCOVERIES. 
 
 wild regions of the east. He supposed Hispaniola to be the an 
 cient Ophir, which had been visited by the ships of Solomon, 
 and that Cuba and Terra Firma were but remote parts of Asia. 
 What visions of glory would have broke upon his mind, could 
 he have known that he had indeed discovered a new continent, 
 equal to the whole of the old world in magnitude, and separa 
 ted by two vast oceans from all the earth hitherto known by ci 
 vilized man : and how would his magnanimous spirit have been 
 consoled, amidst the chills of age and cares of penury, the neg 
 lect of a fickle public, and the injustice of an ungrateful king, 
 could he have anticipated the splendid empires which were to 
 spread over the beautiful world he had discovered, and the na 
 tions, and tongues, and languages, which were to fill its lands 
 with his renown, and to revere and bless his name to the latest 
 posterity ! 
 
 When we read of the remains of Columbus, thus conveyed 
 from the port of St. Domingo, After an interval of nearly three 
 hundred years, as sacred national reliques, with civic and mil 
 itary pomp, and high religious ceremonial ; the most dignified 
 and illustrious men striving who most should pay them reve 
 rence ; we cannot but reflect that it was from this very port 
 he was carried offloaded with ignominious chains, blasted ap 
 parently in fame and fortune, and followed by the revilings of 
 a rabble. Such honours, it is true, are nothing to the dead, 
 nor can they atone to the heart, now dust and ashes, for all the 
 wrongs and sorrows it may have suffered ; but they speak vol 
 umes of comfort to the illustrious, yet slandered and persecu 
 ted living, encouraging them bravely to bear with present in 
 juries, by showing them how true merit outlives all calumny, 
 and receives its glorious reward in the admiration of after ages. 
 
UNIVERSAL HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNITED STATES- 
 
 Part \rat. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Front the settlement of Jamestoicn to the embarkation of the 
 Plymouth Company. 
 
 The discovery of America by Columbus, gave a new impulse 
 to that bold spirit of adventure which characterised the hardy 
 age in which lie lived. Although several men of rank and for 
 tune were concerned in the companies which had been formed 
 in England for colonising America, their funds appear to have 
 been very limited, and their first efforts were extremely feeble. 
 The first expedition for the southern colony consisted of one 
 vessel of 100 tons, and two barks, with 105 men destined to re 
 main in the country. The command of this small fleet was 
 given to Captain Newport, who sailed from the Thames the 
 l^thof December, 1606. At the time his instructions were 
 given, three packages, sealed with the seal of the council, were 
 delivered, one to Captain Newport, one to Captain Bartholomew 
 Gosnald, and the third to Captain John Ratcliffe, containing the 
 names of the council for the colony. They were directed not 
 to open these packages within 24 hours after their arrival on 
 the coast of Virginia, and the names of his majesty s council 
 were then to be proclaimed. The council were then to proceed 
 to the choice of a president, who should have two votes. To 
 this singular and unaccountable concealment have been in a 
 great degree attributed, the dissension which distracted the col 
 onists on their passage, and which afterwards considerably im 
 peded the progress of their infant settlement. Newport, whose 
 place of destination was Roanoke, took the circuitous route by 
 2 
 
14 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 the West India islands, and had a long passage of four months. 
 The reckoning had been out for three days, without perceiving 
 land ; and serious propositions were made for returning- to Eng 
 land ; when they were overtaken by a storm which fortunately 
 drove them to the mouth of the Chesapeake. On the 26th of 
 April, 1607, they discerned cape Henry, and soon after cape 
 Charles. Impatient to land, a party of about 30 men went on 
 shore at cape Henry, but they were immediately attacked by 
 the natives, who considered them as enemies, and in the skir 
 mish which ensued, several were wounded on both sides. The 
 first employment of the colonists was to explore the adjacent 
 country, with the appearance ofwhichthey weregreatly delight 
 ed, and to select a spot on which their settlement should be 
 made. They proceeded up alarge, beautiful river, called by the 
 natives, Powhatan, and to which they gave the name of 
 James ; on a peninsula on the north side of which they immedi 
 ately agreed to make the first establishment of their colony. 
 This place, as well as the river, they named after their king, 
 and called it Jamestown ; there they debarked on the 13th of 
 May, and the sealed packets being opened, Mr. Wingfield was 
 by the council elected their president; but under frivolous and 
 unjustifiable pretexts, they excluded from his seat among them, 
 John Smith, whose courage and lalentsseem to have excited 
 their envy, and who on the passage had been imprisoned on the 
 improbable and unsupportable charge of intending to murder 
 the council, usurp the government, and make himself king of 
 Virginia. 
 
 The colonists soon found themselves embroiled with the In 
 dians, who attacked them suddenly while at work ; but were 
 Irightened by the fire from the ship, and in a short time a tem 
 porary accommodation with them was effected. Although 
 Newport was named of the council, he was ordered to return 
 with the vessel to England, and the time of his departure ap 
 proached. The accusers of Smith affecting a degree of hu 
 manity which they did not feel, proposed that he should return 
 with Newport, instead of being prosecuted in Virginia ; but, 
 with the pride of conscious innocence, he demanded his trial, 
 and being honourably acquitted, took his seat in the council. 
 About the 15th of Juno, Newport sailed for England, leaving 
 behind him one bark and about 100 persons, the only English 
 then on the continent of America. Thus about one hundred 
 and ten years after this continent had been discovered by Ca 
 bot, and 22 years after a colony had been conducted to Roanoke 
 by Sir Richard Grenville, the English possessions in America, 
 designed soon to become a mighty empire, were limited to a 
 peninsula of a fe\v thousand acres of land, held by a small body 
 of men, who with difficulty maintained themselves against the 
 
THE UNITED STATE-. 15 
 
 paltry tribes which surrounded them, and looked in a great 
 measure to the other si Je of the Atlantic for the bread on which 
 they were to subsist. The stock of provisions for the colony 
 had been very improvidentially laid in; it was entirely inade- 
 equate to their wants, and in addition to this original er 
 ror, it had sustained great damage in the holds of their vessels, 
 during their long passage. On the departure of Newport (du 
 ring whose stay they managed to partake of the superfluity of 
 sailors) they were reduced to the necessity of subsisting on the 
 distributions from the public stores. These were at the same 
 time scanty and unwholesome. They did not amount to more 
 per man than a pint of worm eaten wheat, and barley boiled in a 
 common kettle. This wretched food increased the malignity of. 
 the diseases generated by a hot, and at tint time (the country 
 being entirely uncleared and undraincd,) a damp climate, among 
 men exposed from their situation to all its rigours. Before the 
 month of September, 50 of the company, and among them Bar 
 tholomew Gosnald, who had originated the expedition, and so 
 much contributed towards its being carried on, were buried. 
 This scene of distress was, heightened by internal dissension. 
 The president was charged with having embezzled the best stores 
 of the colony, and with feasting at his private table with beef and 
 bread, then deemed luxuries of the highest order, while famine 
 and death devoured his fellow adventurers. No crime in the 
 public opinion, could have been more atrocious. In addition to 
 this, he was detected in an attempt to escape from them and their 
 calamities, in the bark which had been left by Newport. The 
 general indignation, could no longer be restrained. He was 
 deposed, and Ratcliffe chosen to succeed him. Misfortune is 
 not (infrequently the parent of moderation and reflection, and 
 this state of misery produced a system of conduct towards the 
 neighbouring Indians which for the moment disarmed their re 
 sentment, and induced them to bring in sucii supplies as the 
 country at that season afforded, and therebv preserved the rem 
 nant of the colony. It produced another effect, not less impor 
 tant. Their sense of imminent and common danger, called 
 forth and compelled submission to those talents which were fitted 
 to the exigence, and best calculated to extricate them from the 
 difficulties to which they were surrounded. Captain Smith, who 
 had been imprisoned and expelled from the council by the envy 
 of those who felt and hated his superiority, and who "after evin 
 cing Iris innocence, had with difficulty been admitted to the sta 
 tion assigned, preserved his health unimpaired, his spirits un 
 broken, and his judgment unclouded, amidst this general misery 
 rind dejection. In him, by common consent, all actual authority 
 was placed, and ho. by his own example, soon gave energy and 
 efficiency to others in the execution of his commands. 
 
16 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 He immediately erected at Jamestown such rude fortifications 
 as were necessary to resist the sudden attack of the savages, 
 and with great labour, in which he always took the lead, comple 
 ted the construction of such dwellings as could shelter the peo 
 ple from the weather : contributed to restore and preserve their 
 health while his accommodation gave place to all others. In 
 the season of gathering corn, which with the Indians is a sea 
 son of plenty, putting himself at the head of small parties, he 
 penetrated into the country, and by presents and caresses to 
 those that were well disposed, and attacking with open force and 
 defeating those who were hostile, he obtained for his country 
 men the most abundant supplies. While thus actively and use 
 fully employed abroad, he was not permitted to withdraw his at 
 tention from the domestic concerns of the colony. However 
 unfit men may be for command, there are few examples of their 
 descending willingly from exalted stations once filled by them, 
 and it is not wonderful that the late president saw with displeas 
 ure, another placed above him. 
 
 A3 unworthy minds most readily devise unworthy means, he 
 sought by intriguing with the factious, and fomenting their 
 discontents, to regain his lost authority ; and when their at 
 tempts were disconcerted, plans were laid, first by Wingfieid and 
 Kendal, and afterwards bvthe president himself, in conjunction 
 with Martin, the only remaining member of the council, except 
 Smith, to escape in the bark, and thus abandon the country. 
 The vigilance of Smith detected all these machinations, and his 
 vigour defeated them. The hope was now indulged of preserv 
 ing the colony in quiet and plenty, until supplies could be re 
 ceived from England, with the ships which were expected in 
 the spring. This hope was in a considerable degree defeated, 
 by an event which threatened at first, the most disastrous con 
 sequences. In an attempt to explore the head of Chickaho- 
 miny river, Smith was discovered and attacked by a numerous 
 body of Indians, and in endeavouring to make his escape, after 
 a most gallant defence, his attention being directed to the ene 
 my whom he still fought in retreating, he sunk up to his neck 
 in a swamp, and was^obliged to surrender. Still, retaining his 
 presence of mind he showed them a mariner s compass, at 
 which, especially at the playing of the needle, and the impossi 
 bility of touching it, although they saw it so distinctly, they 
 were greatly astonished ; and he amused them with so many 
 surprising stories of its qualities as to inspire them with ^ a de 
 gree of veneration which prevented their executing their first 
 design of killing him on the spot. They conducted him in tri 
 umph through several towns to the palace of Powhatan, the 
 most potent king in the country. There he was doomed to 
 be put to death, by laying his head upon a log, and beating his. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 17 
 
 brains out with club?. He was led to the place of execution, 
 and his head bowed down for the purpose of death, when 
 Pocahontas, the kind s daughter, then about thirteen years of 
 age, whose entreaties for his life had been ineffectual, rushed 
 between him and the executioner, and folding his head in her 
 arms, and laying hers upon it, arrested the fatal blow. Her 
 father was then prevailed on to spare his life, and after a great 
 many savage ceremonies, he was sent back to Jamestown. On 
 his arrival thither, haung been absent seven weeks, he found 
 the colony reduced to 3H persons, most of whom seemed deter 
 mined to abandon the country which appeared to them so un 
 favourable to hum-in life. He was Justin lime to prevent the 
 execution of this design. Alternately employing persuasions, 
 threats, and even violence, he at length with much hazard to 
 himself induced the majority to relinquish the intentions they 
 had formed, and then turning the guns of the forJs on the bark 
 on board which were the most determined, compelled her to 
 remain, or sink in the river. By judicious regulation of 
 their intercourse with the Indians, among whom Smith was 
 now in high repute, he preserved plenty in the colony, until the 
 arrival of two vessels which had been despatched from England 
 under the command of Captain Newport, with a supply of pro 
 visions, instruments of husbandry, and with a reinforcement of 
 120 persons, consisting of many gentlemen, a few labourer?, 
 and several refiners, goldsmiths, and jewellers. The Joy of the 
 colony on receiving this accession of force and supply of pro 
 visions, was extreme. But the influence of Smith disappeared 
 with the danger which had produced it, and an improvident re 
 laxation of discipline, productive of the most pernicious conse 
 quences succeeded to it. Among the unwise practices which 
 they tolerated, an indiscriminate traffic with the natives was 
 permitted, in the course of which, some obtained for their com 
 modities much better bargains than others, which inspired those 
 who had been most hardly dealt by, and who thought them 
 selves cheated, with resentment against the English generally, 
 and a consequent thirst for revenge. 
 
 Abou* this time was found washed down by a small stream 
 of water, back of Jamestown, a glittering earth, which by the 
 colonists was mistaken for gold dust. All that raging thirst 
 for gold which accompanied the first Europeans who visited the 
 American continent, seemed re-excited by this incident. Mr. 
 Stith, in his history, says, there was nothing thought of but to 
 dtg gold, wash gold, refine gold, and load gold. And notwith 
 standing Captain Smith s warm and judicious representations, 
 how absurd it was to neglect all other things of immediate sse 
 and necessity, to load such a drunken ship with gilded dust, yet 
 was he overruled, and her returns were made with a parcel of 
 2* 
 
18 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 glittering dirt, which is to bo found in various parts of the 
 country, and which they very sanguinely concluded to be gold 
 dust. 
 
 One vessel returned in the spring of 1608, the other the 2d 
 of June, laden one wilh dust, the other with cedar. This is 
 the first remittance ever made from America by an English 
 colony. The effects of this fatal delusion were such as might 
 have been foreseen, and were soon felt. The colony began to 
 suffer the same distress from scarcity of food, which had be 
 fore brought it to the brink of ruin. The researches of the Eng 
 lish settlers had not yet extended beyond the countries adja 
 cent to James river. Smith had formed the bold design of ex 
 ploring the great bay of Chesapeake, examining the mighty riv 
 ers which empty into it, opening an entrance with the nations 
 inhabiting them, and acquiring a knowledge of the state of 
 their cultivation and population. This hardy enterprise, he un 
 dertook, accompanied by Doctor Russell, in an open boat of 
 about three tons burthen, and with a crew of 13 men. On the 
 2d of June, he fell down the river in company with the last of 
 Newport s two vessels, and parted with her at the capes. Be 
 ginning his survey at cape Charles, he examined with immense 
 fatigue and danger, every river, inlet, and bay, on both sides 
 the Chesapeake, as far as the mouth of the Rappahannoc, from 
 whence, their provisions being exhausted, he returned to 
 Jamestown. He reached the place on the 21st of July, and 
 found the colony in the utmost confusion and disorder. Those 
 who had arrived" last with Newport, were all sick, and general 
 scarcity prevailed, an universal discontent with the president, 
 whom they charged with riotously consuming the stores, and 
 unnecessarily fatiguing the people, with building a house of 
 pleasure for himself, in the woods. The seasonable arrival of 
 Smith, prevented their fury from breaking out in acts of per 
 sonal violence. Their views were extended and their spirits 
 revived, by the accounts he gave of his discovery. They con 
 tented themselves with deposing their president, and Smith 
 was urged, but refused to succeed him. 
 
 Having made in three days, arrangements for obtaining reg 
 ular supplies, and for the government of the colony, his firm 
 friend Mr. Scrivner, was appointed vice president, and on the 
 14th of July, he again set out, with 12 men, to complete his 
 discoveries. 
 
 From this voyage he returned on the 7th of September. He 
 had adventured as far as the river Susquehanna, and visited 
 all the countries on both sides f the bay ; he entered most of the 
 large creeks, and sailed up many of the great rivers to their falls. 
 
 When we consider that he sailed above 300 miles in an open 
 > when we contemplate the dangers and the hardships he 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 19 
 
 encountered, and the fortitude, courage and patience with 
 which he met them ; when we reflect on the useful and impor 
 tant additions which he made to the stock of knowledge res 
 pecting America, then possessed by his countrymen, we shall 
 not hesitate to say that few voyages of discovery, undertaken 
 at any time, reflect more honour on those engaged in them, 
 than this does on Captain Smith. It may not be entirely un 
 worthy of remark, that about the bottom of the bay, Smith 
 went with a party of Indians from St Lawrence, coming to war 
 with those of that neighbourhood ; and that he found among 
 Indians on the Susquehannah, hatchets obtained originally from 
 the French in Canada. 
 
 On the 10th of September, immediately after his return from 
 his expedition, he was chosen president by the council, and ac 
 cepted the office. 
 
 Soon after Newport arrived with an additional supply of in 
 habitants ; among whom were the two first females who had 
 ventured into the country : but he came without provisions. 
 The distinguished, judidious, and vigorousedministration of 
 the president, however, supplied their wants, and restrained 
 the turbulent. Encouraged by his example, coerced by his au 
 thority, a spirit of industry and subordination appeared to be 
 created in the colony, which was the parent of plenty and 
 peace. In the mean time, the company in England became 
 excessively dissatisfied with their property in America. They 
 had calculated on discovering a passage to the south sea, and 
 mines of the precious metals ; which might afford to individu 
 als the same sudden accumulation of wealth which had been ac 
 quired by the Spaniards in the south. In all their hopes they 
 had been previously disappointed, rnd had as yet received 
 scarcely any advantage for the heavy expenses they had incur 
 red ; yet hope did not altogether forsake them, and they still 
 indulged in golden dreams of future wealth. 
 
 On the 23d of May, 1609, a new charter was granted them, 
 gome of the first nobility and gentry of tlie country, and most of 
 the companies of London, with a numerous body of merchants 
 and tradesmen, were now added to the former adventurers, 
 and they were all incorporated, by the name of the Treasurer 
 and company of adventurers of the city of London, for the first 
 colony in Virginia. To them was granted, as their property, 
 the lands extending from cape or point Comfort along the sea 
 coast, 200 miles northward, and from the same point along the 
 eea coast 200 miles southward. 
 
 The corporation was authorised to own under its common 
 seal particular portions of these lands to subjects or denizens on 
 such conditions as might promote the intentions of the grant. 
 The powers of the president and council in Virginia were 
 
20 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 abrogated, and a new council in England was established an<l 
 ordained in ihe charter, with power to the company to fill all 
 vacancies therein by election. This council was empowered 
 to appoint and renew all officers for the colony, and to make 
 all ordinances for its Government, provided they be not con 
 trary to the laws of England. License was given to trans 
 port all persons that were willing, and to export merchandize 
 free from custom to Virginia, for seven years. There was 
 also granted for twenty one years, freedom from all subsidies 
 in Virginia, and from all impositions on importations and ex- 
 portations, from or to any of the king s dominions, except only 
 the five pounds in the hundred due for custom. The company 
 being now enlarged, was enabled to take more efficient meas 
 ures than heretofore for the settlement of the country ; they 
 soon fitted out nine ships with 500 emigrants, and such supplier 
 as were deemed necessary for them. Lord Delawar was con 
 stituted governor and captain general for life, and several oth 
 er high sounding and useless offices were created. The direc 
 tion of the expedition was again given to Captain Newport, 
 George Somers, and Thomas Gates. Power was severally 
 granted to govern the colony until the arrival of Lord Dela 
 war. 
 
 With singular indiscretion, the council omitted to establish 
 precedence among these gentlemen, and being totally unable to 
 settle this point between themselves, they agreed to embark on 
 board of the sa,ne vessel, and to be companions during the 
 voyage. They were parted from the rest of the fleet in a storm, 
 and driven on Bermudas, having on board 150 men, a consider 
 able portion of the provisions, and the new commission and in 
 structions of the council. , The residue of the squadron arrived, 
 safe in Virginia. The great part of the new company consis 
 ted of unruly sparks packed off by thoir friends to escape worse 
 destinies at home ; and the rest chiefly made up of poor gen 
 tlemen, broken tradesmen, rakes and libertines, footmen, and 
 such others as were more ruinous to the commonwealth, than 
 to help to raise or maintain it. They assumed to themselves the 
 power of disposing of the government, and conferred it some 
 times, on one and sometimes on another. To day the old com 
 mission must rule, to morrow the new, and next day neither. 
 So all was anarchy and distraction. The judgment of Smith 
 was suspended but for a short time. He soon determined that 
 his own authority was not legally revoked until the arrival of 
 the new commission, and therefore resolved to continue itsex,- 
 ercise. He boldly imprisoned the chief promoter of the sedi 
 tion, and thereby restored for a time regularity and obedience. 
 Having effected "this, he detached 100 persons to the falls of 
 James river, under the conduct of West, and the same nuna~ 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 21 
 
 bcr to Nansemond, under the command of Martin. These set 
 tlements were conducted with so little judgment, that they 
 soon converted all the neighbouring Indians into enemies, had 
 several parties cut off, and found themselves in need of the sup 
 port and direction of Smith. These were always afforded un 
 til a melancholy accident deprived the colony of the aid of a 
 man, whose talents had more than once rescued it from that 
 desperate condition info which folly and vice had plunged it. 
 Returning from the company at the falls of James river, his 
 powder bag, while he was asleep in the boat, took fire ; he was 
 wounded so as to be confined to his bed. Being thus wound 
 ed, and unable to obtain the aid of a surgeon in the colony, ho 
 determined to return to England, fur which place he embarked 
 about the beginning of October. At his departure, the colony 
 consisted of about 500 inhabitants ; they were furnished with 
 three ships, 7 boats, 10 weeks provisions in the public store, 
 6 mares and a horse, a lara e stock of hogs and poultry, with some 
 fcheep and goats ; utensils for agriculture, nets for fishing ; 100 
 trained and expert soldiers, well acquainted with the Indians, 
 their language and habitations : 24 pieces of ordnance, and 
 three hundred muskets, with a sufficient quantity of other arms 
 and ammunition.. The present fair prospect was soon blasted. 
 The Indians understood that the man whose conduct and vig 
 our they had so often experienced, and so much dreaded, no 
 longer remained in the country ; they fell upon them. Captains 
 West and Martin having lost their boats, and nearly half of 
 their men, were driven back to Jamestown ; the stock of pro 
 visions was lavishly wasted, and a famine, tho most dreadful 
 with which they had ever been afflicted, raged among them. 
 After devouring the skins of their horses, and the Indians they 
 had killed, the survivors fed on those of their companions who 
 had sunk under such accumulated calamities. This period was 
 long remembered by the name of the Starving Time. In six 
 months, the colony was reduced to 60 persons; who were so 
 feeble and dejected, that they could not survive ten days iou- 
 ger. In this calamitous state, they were relieved by Thomas 
 Gates, George Somers, and Captain Newport, who arrive i 
 from Bermuda, 24th of May, 1610. It was immediately deter 
 mined to abandon the country ; and for this purpose th > 
 wietched remnant of the colony embarked on board the vessel 
 just arrived from Bermuda, and set sail for England. None 
 dropped a tear, because none had enjoyed one day of happiness. 
 But they met Lord Delawar in the river, with 3 ships, and a 
 recruit of new settlers and persons from England, who prevailed 
 on them to return ; and on the 10th of June, re-settled them at 
 Jamestown. 
 
52 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 On the 10th of May, 1611, Sir Thomas Dale, who had been 
 appointed to the government, arrived with fresh supplies of 
 men and provisions, and found tl>e colony relapsing into its for 
 mer state ofidleness and penury. It required all the authority 
 of the new governor to maintain public order, and to compel 
 the idle and the dissolute to labour. Some conspiracies having 
 been detected he proclaimed martial law, and instantly executed 
 it, by punishing the most guilty. These severities, which in 
 the ordinary state of society would not and ought not to have 
 been submitted to, were then deemed necessary, and are spoken 
 of as having probably saved the settlement. In the beginning of 
 August, Sir Thomas Gates, who had been appointed to suc 
 ceed Thomas Dale, arrived with six ships, and a considerable 
 supply of men and provisions. The colony being now greatly 
 strengthened, began to extend itself up the James river, and 
 several new settlements were made. In March 1612, a new 
 charter was issued, granting to the treasurer and company all 
 the islands situate in the ocean, within three hundred leagues 
 of the coast of Virginia. 
 
 It was ordained that four general courts of adventurers should 
 be holden annually, for the determination of affairs of importance, 
 and weekly meetings were appointed for the transaction of 
 common business. 
 
 To promote the settlement, which had already cost such 
 considerable sums, license was given to open lotteries in any 
 part of England. These lotteries, which were the first ever 
 drawn in England, brought twenty nine thousand pounds 
 into the treasury of the company. Captain Argal arrived from 
 England, with two vessels, and was sent round to the Potomac, 
 for a cargo of corn. Here he understood that Pocahontas, who 
 had saved the life of Smith, and ever had been steadfast in her 
 attachments to the English, having absented herself from her 
 father s house, now lay concealed. By bribing some of those 
 in whom she had confided, Captain Argal prevailed on her to 
 come on board his vessel, where she was detained respectfully, 
 and brought to Jamestown. His motive was the hope that the 
 possession of Pocahontas would give the English an ascendancy 
 over her father, Powhatan. In this", however he-was disappointed. 
 Powhatan offered corn and friendship, if they would first restore 
 his daughter, but would come to no terms until reparation was 
 made for what he resented, as an act of unhandsome treachery. 
 During her detention at Jamestown, she made an impression on the 
 heart of Mr. Rolfe, a young gentleman of estimation in the colony 
 who also suceeded in gaining her affections. They were mar 
 ried, with the consent of Powhatan, who ever after continued 
 to be a sincere friend to the English. This led to a treaty with 
 the Chiccahom mies a brave and powerful tribe, who submitted 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 23 
 
 to the English, and became their tributaries. In 1613, Sir Thom 
 as Dale divided a considerable portion of the lands into lots of 
 three acres each, and granted one of these to each individual in 
 full propriety. Althoughthey \verestillrequired to devote a great 
 portion of their labour to the public, yet a sudden change was 
 made in the appearance and habits of* the colony. Industry ad 
 vanced with rapid strides, and the colonists were no mure fear 
 ful of wanting bread, either for themselves or the emigrants 
 who came annually from England. Early in the year 1614, 
 Sir Thomas Gates returned to England, leaving the govern 
 ment again with Sir Thomas Dale. In 161 5, fifty acres of land 
 were alloled to each individual, which was actually laid olf and 
 delivered to the persons having titles to them, who were per 
 mitted toexercifaover them, in such a manner as was agreea 
 ble themselves, all the rights of ownership. About the same 
 time tobacco was first cultivated in Virginia. 
 
 This plant was detested by the king, who used all his influ 
 ence to prevent its use. He even wrote a pamphlet against it 
 which he styled the counter blast. It was discountenanced by 
 the leading members of parliament, and also by the company, 
 who issued edicts against its cultivation. And although on a 
 first experiment it was unpleasent in its taste, and disagreeable 
 in its effects, it surmounted all difficulties, and has, by an un 
 accountable caprice, been brought into general use, and be- 
 cocne one of the most considerable staples of America. 
 
 In the spring of 1616, Sir Thomas Dale sailed for England, 
 having placed the government in the hands of George Yeardly, 
 his deputy, who after a very lax administration of one year, was 
 succeeded, in May 1617, by Captain Argal, who had been ap 
 pointed deputy governor by the company. He was a man of 
 great talents and energy of mind, but selfish, haughty, and ty 
 rannical. He provided with ability, for the wants of the colony. 
 Martial law was continued during a season of peace, ar,d Mr. 
 Brewstcr, who was tried under this arbitrary system !or con 
 temptuous words spoken against the governor, was sentenced 
 to suffer death. A respite of execution was with difficulty ob 
 tained, and on an appeal to the council in England, the sen 
 tence was reversed. While martial law was, according to 
 S*ith, the common law of the land, the deputy governor seems 
 to have been the sole legislator. His edicts mark the severity 
 of his rule, but some of them evince an attention to the public 
 safety. He ordered that merchandise should be sold at the ad- 
 rance price of 25 per cent, and tobacco taken in payment at 
 the rate of three shillings per pound, under the penalty of three 
 year s servitude to the company ; that no person should traffic 
 with the Indians, or teach them the use of fire arms, under pain 
 of death ; that no person should hunt deer or hogs without leave 
 
24 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 from the governor; that no person should shoot, unless in his 
 own defence, until a new supply of ammunition arrived, on pain 
 of a year s personal service ; that no one should go on board the 
 ships without the governor s leave ; that every person should 
 go to church on Sundays, under the penalty of slavery during 
 that present week, for the first offence; a month for the second, 
 and a year for the third. The rigour of this administration 
 necessarily excited much discontent, and the complaints of the 
 Virginians at length made their way to the company. Lord 
 Delawar, being 1 now dead, Mr. Yeardly was appointed" captain 
 general, with instructions to examine with attention the wants 
 of the people, and to redress them. 
 
 The new governor arrived in April, 1619, and soon after, to 
 the inexpTessible joy of the inhabitants, declared his intentions 
 to convoke a colonial assembly. This is an important era in the 
 history of Virginia. Heretofore, all legislative authority had 
 been exercised, either by the corporation in England, or by 
 their officers in this country. The people, either personally or 
 by their representatives, had no voice in the government of 
 themselves, and their most important concerns were decided by 
 persons unacquainted with their situation, and always posses 
 sing interests different from theirs. This first assembly met 
 at Jamestown, on the 19th of June, 1619. The colony was not 
 then divided into counties, and the members were elected by 
 the different boroughs, amounting to seven in number. The 
 assembly, composed of the governor, the council, and burgesses, 
 met together in one apartment, and there debated all matters 
 thought conducive to the general welfare. The laws then 
 enacted, which it is believed are no longer extant, were trans 
 mitted to England for the approbation of the treasurer and 
 company, and were said to have been judiciously formed. The 
 emigrations from England continued to be very considerable, 
 and were made at great expense to the company ; but as yet 
 few females had ever crossed the Atlantic. Men without wives 
 could not contemplate Virginia as a place of permanent resi 
 dence, and proposed, after amassing some wealth, to return to 
 their native land. To put an end to a mode of thinking in its 
 effects so ruinous to the colony, it was proposed to send out 100 
 maids as wives for the colony. 90 young; girls were transported 
 in the beginning of the year 1620, and 60 more in the subse 
 quent year. They were immediately disposed of to the young 
 planters. The price of a wife was estimated first at one hun 
 dred and afterwards, atone hundred and fifty pounds of tobac 
 co ; then selling at three shillings per pound : and a debt so 
 contracted, wos made of greater dignity, than any other. The 
 education of the children was likewise attended to, and several 
 
 ps were taken towards founding- a college, afterwards com- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 25 
 
 pletely established by William and Mary. About the same 
 time, the company received orders from the king to transport to 
 Virginia 100 idle and dissolute persons then in custody of the 
 Knight Marshal. These men, dispersed through the colony, be 
 came a useful and acceptable addition of labourers, and were the 
 first convicts transported to America. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 From, the embarkation of the Plymouth Company, to the close of 
 the Pequot War. 
 
 We have seen with what slow and difficult steps, the first, or 
 southern colony, although supported by individuals of great 
 wealth, and influence in the nation, advanced to a firm and se- 
 c ure establishment. Let us now employ our attention in view 
 ing the establishment of the Plymouth Company. King- James 
 first granted Letters Patent to this company, in 1606, to pos 
 sess all the lands in America, lying between 34 and 45 degrees 
 of North latitude. They applied for leave to go under the roy 
 al sanction, but were refused. At length they obtained permis 
 sion from the Virginia company to make a settlement near the 
 mouth of Hudson river. It was resolved that part of the con 
 gregation should remove first, and the remaining part with their 
 pastor after the new settlement had commenced. This produ 
 ced a scene at parting, not to be described. They took their 
 leave of one another, which proved to be their last leave, with 
 many of them. They sailed from Holland to Southampton, in 
 England, where they met the other ships, and their friends who 
 were to accompany them from England in July 1620. 
 
 On the fifth of August they sailed from Southampton, but on 
 account of bad weather and the Jeakiness of one of their ves 
 sels, they were obliged twice to put back. The poorer vessel 
 they were compelled to leave, while as many as could be accom 
 modated, one hundred and one persons of the adventurers, en 
 tered on board the other ship, and took their last leave of the 
 land of their fathers, on the sixth of September. Called to go 
 out into a place which they should after receive for an inheri 
 tance, they obeyed ; and they went out, not knowing whither 
 they went. 
 
 3 
 
26 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 After a tedious voyage, safely housed in the ark which God 
 in his providence had directed them to prepare, protected by 
 him who directs the storm, on the tenth of November, they ar 
 rived at Cape Cod. The Dutch, intending to keep possession of 
 Hudson s River, had bribed the ship master to carry these ad 
 venturers so far northward, that they should not find their in 
 tended place of residence. They had found land, and it was too 
 late in the season to put to sea a^ain ; they were in good har 
 bour but on a most barren and inhospitable shore. 
 
 On their arrival, they stepped upon the strand, and with ben 
 ded knees gave thanks to God who had preserved his church in 
 the ark, who had preserved their number entire, and brought 
 (hem in safety to those unhallowed shores. Being without 
 the limits of their patent, as to civil government, they were 
 in a state of nature. They therefore procured and signed a 
 civil compact, by which they severally bound themselves to be 
 obedient to all ordinances made by (he body, acknowledging 
 (he King of Great Britain to be their lawful sovereign. They 
 say in the preamble, Having undertaken for the glory of God, 
 and advancement of the Christain Faith, and honour of our king 
 and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern 
 parts of Virginia, do by these presents," &c. This instrument 
 was executed on board their ship on the eleventh of November. 
 Mr. John Carver, a man of distinguished abilities and eminent 
 piety, was chosen their governor. 
 
 The prospects now before them were such as to appal any 
 other than our fathers. In a most howling wilderness, inhab 
 ited by pagan savages and wild beasts, a dreary winter ap 
 proaching, no shelter from the tempest, and, as yet, no place of 
 abode. They had one resting place, and that was all. Their 
 trust was in him who hath said to his chosen, The eternal God 
 is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms ; and hk 
 shall thrust out the enemy from before thee, andshall say, destroy 
 them. 
 
 After several unsuccessful attempts to find a convenient 
 place for their residence, a party sent out for discovery, enter 
 ed the harbour of Plymouth. In a severe storm on a Decem 
 ber night, having with their little barque, narrowly escaped a 
 shipwreck, (hey were cast upon an island in the harbor. This 
 was on Friday night. The next, day tney dried their clothes, 
 concluding- to remain on this little island, till after the Sabbath. 
 This little band, about, twenty in number, observed the next day 
 BS a Sabbath, which was the first Sabbath ever observed in a 
 religious manner, on the New-England shore. Having exam 
 ined the harbor, they returned to the ship, which weighed an 
 chor and brought in their consecrated cargo in safety. Here 
 these pious pilgrims landed on the twenty-second of Decem 
 ber, 1620, They crimed the place Plymouth, the- name of the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 27 
 
 town from which they last sailed in England. They now had 
 a country and a home, but they had a better country on high. 
 
 They had now to contend with the inclement seasons, with 
 innumerable privations, in a constant fear of a savage foe. But 
 God had prepared their way before them. A desolating 
 plague, which prevailed among the natives about three years 
 before, had nearly depopulated those parts of the country. On 
 this account, they received very little molestation from the sav 
 ages for many years. Had they been carried to Hudson s Riv 
 er, according* "to their intention, where the savages were nu 
 merous, there is much reason to believe the little colony would 
 have been cut oii. Infinite wisdom directed their course to 
 their prepared habitation. We have heard with our ears, O 
 God, out fathers have told us, how thou didst drive out the 
 heathen with thy hand, and planted them. 
 
 The severities of the season, their unwholesome-food, and 
 their incessant labours, brought upon this little ilock a general 
 and very mortal sickness, so that forty-six of their number died 
 before the opening of the ensuing spring. Of those wno survi 
 ved the most had been severely sick. Who can contemplate 
 this little band, in an uncultivated wilderness, with no promise 
 of support from their mother country, exposed to the inclement 
 ekiesof a dreary winter, with scanty supplies of food, utterly 
 unskilled and destitute of the means for the cultivation of a new 
 country, with no security for future harvests ; surrounded with 
 a savage enemy whose seats and prowess they cou d not know ; 
 visited TV i 111 a raging disease, committing, at times, two or three 
 in a "day to. the grave ; of the living scarcely enough who had 
 strength to perform the rites of sepulture ; without despon 
 dency, firmly determined to abide the just appointments of 
 Heaven, and not admire a virtue which the religion of the Lord 
 Jesus alone can furnish, and a patriotism to which the canon 
 ized heroes of Rome could never attain. Had their object been 
 to obtain a property, for themselves and for their posterity, or 
 to obtain a name among the heroes of enterprize, they had sunk 
 under their sufferings. Their souls were strengthened with 
 other prospects. They confided in the wisdom of Heaven ; 
 they firmly believed that the Most High would here plant and 
 maintain his church ; that he would make the American wil 
 derness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord. 
 Buoyed up by faith, strengthened by the promises, obstacles 
 vanished before them. They knew God had often led his 
 church into the wilderness, but he had never forsaken her. He 
 raised up the righteous man from the east, brought him to a 
 strange country, the Canaanite was then in the land, but he 
 gave them as the dast to his sword, and as driven stubble tc 
 i;is how. 
 
28 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 On the fifth of April after their arrival, the Plymouth Com 
 pany were called to mourn the loss of their excellent gover 
 nor, and a deacon of the church, Mr, Carver. Mr. Bradford, 
 a gentleman of distinguished worth, was chosen to succeed 
 him, and excepting four years, he was annually elecled to the 
 office till his death, in 1657. A little before the death of Mr. 
 Carver, the Indian Sachem, Massasoit, came into Plymouth in 
 a friendly manner, and entered into a treaty of friendship with 
 the Colony, which he observed inviolably till his death. He 
 was father of the famous Sachem, King Philip. 
 
 After the first desolating sickness, the people of Plymouth 
 were, generally, very healthy, and the most of the first plan 
 ters who survived that epidemic, lived to old age. Their priva 
 tions, however, and their sufferings, inseparable from the 
 circumstances of their situation, were great in the extreme. 
 Their property was, principally, held in common stock for the 
 support of the whole. And the wants of the few first years, 
 consumed the most of their store. Through fear of the na 
 tives, having received some threatening intimations from some 
 of the tribes, they were necessitated to erect a fort, to empale 
 their whole village, and to keep a constant guard. In their 
 excursions to find a proper place for settlement, while their 
 ship lay at the Cape, they found about ten bushels of Indian 
 corn which had been buried, for which they afterwards paid 
 the owners, which helped to preserve their lives the first win 
 ter, and afford them seed for planting in the ensuing spring. 
 Some friendly Indians taught them the manner of raising their 
 corn, but their crop was very unequal to their necessities. Mr. 
 Hutchinson is of opinion that no English grain was raised in 
 the colony previous to the year 1633 ; when a few ears of rye 
 were produced. The first domestic cattle were brought to the 
 colony in 1624, previous to which, they had none for milk or 
 labour. The most credible historians affirm that these pil 
 grims subsisted in repeated instances, for days and weeks to 
 gether without bread, feeding upon the wild nuts of the woods, 
 and shell-fish. Their difficulties for clothing were equally 
 great. Some of the ancient writers intimate, that the great 
 mortality in the first winter appears to have been the means, 
 under a wise Providence, of preserving the colony from perish 
 ing by famine. 
 
 The second summer after their arrival, the settlement was 
 threatened with a famine by a severe drought. From the third 
 week in May to the middle of July, there was no rain. Their 
 corn, for which they had made their inmost exertions, withered 
 under the heat of a scorching sun, the greater part of it ap 
 peared irrecoverably lost. The Indians, seeing their pros 
 pects, observed they would soon be subdued by famine, when 
 
THE UNITED STATES. oof 
 
 they should find them an easy prey. A public Fast was ap 
 pointed and observed with great solemnity. The morning and 
 most of the day was clear and hot, but, towards evening, the 
 clouds collected, and like the gracious influences of God, the 
 rain descended in moderate, yet copious showers. This 
 revived their expiring crop, and produced a plentiful harvest. 
 After which they observed a day of public Thanksgiving. I 
 believe this to be the origin of our annual Thanksgivings. 
 This event made an astonishing impression on the minds of the 
 Natives, who saw and acknowledged that the God of Christians 
 was great,, and good, and a hearer of prayer.* 
 
 In the autumn of 16-21, the plantation received an accession 
 of settlers, of about thirty-five, of tiieir friends from Holland. 
 In the year 16-25, their venerable and beloved Psstor, the Rev. 
 Mr. Robinson, died at Leyden, in the fiftieth year of his age. 
 He was thus prevented irom ever seeing his much loved Amer 
 ican church. After his death, (he most of his congregation 
 came over to Plymouth. 
 
 Trie Planters who first came to Plymouth were accompanied 
 by Mr. William Brewster, a Ruling Elder in the church, who 
 supplied, in a good degree, the absence of their Pastor. He 
 was a man of abilities and learning, having been liberally edu 
 cated at the University of Cambridge, and of great piety. Be 
 ing an able and useful preacher, he served the congregation in 
 that capacity the greater part of the time till his death, about 
 twenty-three years after the first settlement. The congrega 
 tion, however, enjoyed the labours of other ministers during 
 this period. 
 
 This little colony continued for many years in harmony, and 
 were, perhaps, as eminent as any people which have appeared 
 in modern time, for continning stedfasily in the apostles doc 
 trine and fellowship,- an! in breaking, of bread, and in prayers. 
 
 LIFE OF REV. JOHN ROBINeOX,- 
 
 That we may be enabled to form a correct opinion of the 
 venerable founders ofthe New-England Colonies, it is necessa 
 ry for us to have a more distinct view of those individual?, 
 whose virtues and services rendered them conspicuous, than can 
 be taken from a general iiistory of events. Though sensible 
 that the task is arduous, and the subject worthy of the la 
 bours ofthe ablest Biographer ; under the persuasion that some 
 account ofthe characters of those great and good men, whom 
 we love to denominate our forefathers, will be acceptable to my 
 readers, the work will be attempted. 
 
 *See Morton, and other;. 
 
30 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Of the early settlements of New-Engiand, the Colony o? 
 Plymouth, the first in standing, led the way in the establish 
 ment of the most important civil and religious institutions. 
 The fathers of that colony, therefore, for their zeal and inde 
 fatigable labours, will always be held in the most grateful re 
 membrance ; while their practical wisdom and rational piety 
 can never cease to be revered. The eminent characters of 
 that colony, may, very justly, be the subject of our first atten 
 tion. 
 
 The most distinguished person of that extraordinary compa 
 ny, who made the settlement of Plymouth, and commenced the 
 first colony which in its early state had the appearance of per 
 manency, within the present limits of the United States, was 
 their venerable minister, the Rev. John Robinson. Through 
 the interesting vicissitudes of about twenty years, he was their 
 leader, their shield, and the only common bond which gave a 
 unity to all their pursuits. 
 
 Mr. Robinson was born in the cast of England, about the 
 year 1575. Possessed of a strong and discriminating mind, un 
 der the advantages of a liberal education, he made an early and 
 distinguished progress in those branches of science which were 
 the principal subjects of learning in that day. Having been 
 early inducted into the work of the gospel ministry, he applied 
 with great diligence to the study of the Scriptures, and to the 
 constitution and character of the national church. Of that 
 church he was a member, ha\ing received episcopal ordination, 
 and was settled over a small congregation near Yarmouth. Ho 
 entered upon the work of the ministry about the time when the 
 debates between the advocates of high episcopacy and the Pu 
 ritans, managed by those able champions Whitgift and Cart- 
 wright, were carried on with the utmost vigour! The minds 
 of all men were affected with those discussions, and such as 
 were of an inquisitive turn, necessarily examined the subjects 
 which so greatly agitated the nation. From a careful atten 
 tion to the existing order of the religious establishment, Mr- 
 Robinson became convinced tlat many of the ordinances and 
 ceremonies of the church were unsupported by divine precept, 
 and inconsistent with the word of God. Finding that rites of 
 human invention were maintained and enforced with as much 
 pertinacity as any of the express precepts or ordinances of 
 Christ, that he was denied the privilege of conscientious omis 
 sion of forms andceremonies confessedly unessential, Mr. Rob 
 inson determined, at the hazard of all temporal good, to sepa 
 rate from the established church. 
 
 About the year 1580, a sect of violent separatists arose in 
 England, the principal leader of whom, was Robert Brown, 
 from whom the sect was denominated Brownists. These ab- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 31 
 
 sofutely disowned the Church of England as a church of Christ, 
 and held it to be unlawful to hold any communion with that 
 church. Mr. Robinson, on a discovery of the numerous fac 
 titious rites which are imposed by the church, of arbitrary 
 measures and high usurpations of the hierarchy, fell into the 
 same mistaken sentiments, and connected himself with the 
 Brownists. The sentiments which he embraced and publicly 
 maintained, were generally adopted by his congregation. En 
 lightened by his luminous mind, allured by his ardent piety, at 
 tached by his unfeigned worth, the congregation ever adhered 
 to their faithful, beloved pastor. Mr. Robinson published some 
 small tracts in vindication of the lawfulness of separation, and 
 in opposition to many of the ordinances of the ecclesiastical 
 establishment. Many of the Browtiisls, unable to endure the 
 persecuting zeal of Archbishop Whitgift and his successor Ban 
 croft, fled to Holland and set up several churches. Those chur 
 ches enjoyed the labours of several excellent divines, whose 
 names are still eminent in the depar iments ofdivinityand science. 
 
 Mr. Robinson and his people made many efforts to enjoy and 
 perform the pure worship and ordinances of the gospel, in a 
 private manner, without giving offence to those who sought to 
 enforce a general uniformity. But t:,e zeal of the ecclesiasti 
 cal courts, and the vigilance of the pursuivants rendering this 
 impracticable, they were compelled to look ior an asylum in 
 foreign countries. The removal of Mr. Robinson and his con 
 gregation to Amsterdam,, in the year 1607 ; and in the year 
 following, to Leydun, has been particul uly described. 
 
 Mr. Robinson was a man of an independent mind, who made 
 truth and duty his great object^ of pursuit, and was not to be 
 governed by the prejudices of a sect. On a more near ac 
 quaintance with the principles and practices of the Brownists 
 than he could obtain in his native country, aided by the light of 
 the holy Scriptures and an intercourse W:th some eminent Pu 
 ritan divines-, he became sensible of the unreasonable bio-otry 
 and many errors of the Brownists, and undertook to eifect a 
 reformation in their sentiments and churches. In this impor 
 tant undertaking, he was eminently successful. Many of the 
 Brownists gradually came into his sentiments, and, that they 
 might be distinguished from those who tenaciously adhered to 
 the sentiments of Brown, and went even greater lengths in 
 error, they were distinguished by the name of Indeper-.dcnti. 
 The leading principles on which Mr. Robinson s church in 
 Ley den was established, was these : They acknowledged the 
 doctrinal Articles of the Church of England to contain the es 
 sential doctrines of the gospel ; they held that, that was a true 
 church of Christ, and, as such, to be venerated and esteemed ; 
 that every individual church had received authority from Christ 
 
32 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 to enjoy all (he privileges, to exercise all the rights, which lie 
 has appointed for his visible people; and that such a church is 
 not amenable to any external or superior ecclesiastical au 
 thority. They held a cordial communion with the reformed 
 churches of Holland, with the churches of Geneva, with the 
 French Protestants who were regulated by the Walloon con 
 fession, and with the mast of the reformed churches, they 
 agreed in the essential principles of doctrine and practice. They 
 held it lawful to unite with the church of England in Christian 
 intercourse and divine worship, but not to commune with them 
 in their then existing state, in sealing ordinances. This state 
 ment is made from a confession of faith and a general account 
 of that first Independent church, drawn by Mr. Robinson, with 
 great ability and learning, and published at Leyden in Latin, in 
 the year 1619. It is entitled An Apology for the English exiles 
 who are vulgarly called Brownist/i. In this confession it is sta 
 ted, " We hold the Reformed Churches to be true and genu 
 ine, we profess communion with them in the sacraments of 
 God, and, as far as we are able, cultivate their fellowship." 
 Dr. Mosheirn observes, " Instead of differing from all other 
 Christian societies ; it may rather be said of the Independents, 
 that they were perfectly agreed with by far the greatest part 
 of the reformed churches." The religions sentiments, in doc 
 trine and practice, which were received by Mr. Robinson s 
 church at Leyden, under the instruction of that great man, and 
 afterwards brought to America, were remarkably coincident 
 with those which have been so ably vindicated by Dr. Hop 
 kins in his incomparable System ; a work which will be ad 
 mired in the latest periods of the church, notwithstanding the 
 censures it now receives from many by whom it was never 
 read. The sentiments of Mr. Robinson which have been men 
 tioned, which were adopted by his people, afford a satisfactory 
 reason for an extraordinary remark of that ac ite historian, Mr. 
 Hume. He says, of the Independents, " Of all Christian sects 
 this was the first, which during its prosperity, as well as its 
 adveisity, always adopted the principle of toleration." 
 
 At the lime that Mr. Robinson removed to Leyden, the cele 
 brated Arminius was professor of divinity in the eminent uni 
 versity of that city, and publicly inculcated his peculiar reli 
 gious sentiments. After his death in 1609, he was succeeded 
 in the divinity chair by Episcopius, who maintained the reli 
 gious sentiments of his predecessor with great ability and 
 learning. An occurrence during his professorate, deserves a 
 particular mention in this place. It is related in an historical 
 tract of Governor Bradford. " Episcopius, the Armenian pro 
 fessor, put forth his best strength and set forth sundry theses, 
 which by public dispute he would defend against all men. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 3.3 
 
 Xo\v, Poliander, the other professor, and the chief preachers of 
 the city desired Mr. Robinson to dispute against him ; but he 
 was loth, being a stranger ; yet the other diJ importune him 
 and told him that such was the abilities aud nimbleness of the 
 adversary that the truth would sulfor if he did not help them ; 
 so that he condescended, and prepared himself against the time;, 
 and when the day came, the Lord did so help to defend the 
 truth and foil his adversary as he p it him to an apparent non 
 plus in this p;reat and public audience, and so he did a second 
 and a third tune upon such like occasions, which procured him 
 much honour and respect." 
 
 Mr. Robinson appears to have had no less influence with his 
 people in the regulation of their m>ral conduct, than in the di 
 rection of their religious sentiments. A little previous to their 
 removal to America, the Magistrates of the city of Leyden, in a 
 public address to the members of the French church in that 
 city, observe, " These English have lived among us these 
 twelve years, and ye(. we never had any suit or accusation come 
 against anv of them ; but your strifes and quarrels are continu 
 al." 
 
 The plan of a removal to America, projected by the congre 
 gation at Leyden, met with the cordial approbation of their re 
 vered Pastor. He considered the reasons for a removal suf 
 ficient, and resolved to accompany his beloved flock to the 
 western wilderness. After attending to the nature of the ne 
 cessary preparations, it was found that the whole company could 
 not remove at one time, and it was agreed thafc the Pastor 
 should attend the greater number. At the time of the first em 
 igration, the greater number remained in Holland, with whom 
 Mr. Robinson continued. He remained, however, in the full 
 expectation of removing with the residue of his people, to 
 America. This confident expectation was never relinquished 
 till his death. 
 
 When the first emigrants were prepared for their embarka 
 tion, the congregation observed, with great solemnity, a day of 
 fasting and prayer. After preaching from Ezra viii. 21. Mr. 
 Robinson addressed the adventurers in the following manner : 
 u BRETHREN, 
 
 tk We are now quickly to part from one another, and 
 whether I may ever live to see your faces on earth any more, 
 the God of Heaven only knows ; but whether the Lord has 
 appointed that or no, I charge 3*ou before God and his blessed 
 angels, that you follow rne no farther than you have seen me 
 follow the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 " If God reveal any thing to you by any other instrument of 
 his, be as ready to receive it as ever you were to receive any 
 truth by my ministry ; for I am verily persuaded, the Lord has 
 
34 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 more truth yet to break : <)rth out of his holy word. For my 
 part, I cannot sufficiently bewail the condition of the reformed 
 churches, who are come to a period in religion, .and will go at 
 present no farther than (lie instruments or. their reformation. 
 The Lutherans cannot be drawn to go beyond what Luther 
 saw; whatever part of his will our God has revealed to Cal 
 vin, they will rather die than embrace it ; and the Calvinists, 
 you see, stick fast where they were left by that great man of. 
 God, who yet saw not all things. 
 
 " This is a misery much to be lamented, for though they were 
 burning and shining lights in their times, yet they penetrated not 
 into the whole counsel of God, but were they now living would 
 be as willingto embrace further light as that which they first re 
 ceived. I beseech you remember, it is an article of your church 
 covenant, that you be ready to receive whatever truth shall be 
 made known to you from the written word of God. Kernember 
 that, and every other article of your sacred covenant. Eut I must 
 herevvithall exhort you to take heed what you receive as truth, 
 examine it, consider it, and compare it with other scriptures of 
 truth, before you receive it ; for it is not possible the Christian 
 world should come so lately out of such thick anti-christian 
 darkness, and that perfection of knowledge should break forth 
 at once. 
 
 ki I must also advise you to abandon, avoid, and shake off the 
 name of Brownist ; it is a mere nick-name, and a brand for the 
 making religion, and the professor of it, odious to the Christian 
 world. 5 " Uitfothis end, I should be extremely glad, if some 
 godly minisier would go with you, or come to you, before you 
 can have any company. For there will be no difference be 
 tween the unconforruable ministers of England and you, when 
 you come Lothe practice of evangelical ordinances out of the 
 Kingdom. And I would wish you, by all means, to close with 
 the godly people of England ; study union v\iih them in all 
 things, wherein you can have it without sin, rather than in the 
 least measure to affect a division or separation from them. 
 Neither would I have you loth to take another Pastor beside 
 myself; inasmuch as a rlock that hath two Shepherds, is not 
 thereby endangered, but secured." This judicious address 
 was closed with a most affectionate farewell. 
 
 TiS- company who were to sail for America, being composed 
 of the younger part of the congregation, Mr. Robinson and 
 their elder brethren accompanied them to Delfthaven, where 
 
 *Had Judge Marshall been favoured with sufficient time for the 
 compilation of his History, he would not have stated that the first 
 settlers of Plymouth were Browuists. 
 
I 
 
 THE UNITED STATES. 35 
 
 they embarked, July 2d, 1620. Having spent the preceding 
 night in Christian converse and social worship, in the morning, 
 after exchanging 1 the endearments of a rrutual affection, which 
 nothing- less than common suffering s in a strange land could 
 have produced, the beloved Pastor kneeled down on the sea 
 shore, and, with a fervent, prayer, committed the adventurers 
 to the care and mercy of heaven. The pilgrims stepped on 
 board, he srave thorn his blessing. that voice to which they 
 had always listened wilh delight, they were not to hoar again, 
 till they hear it in the heavenly praises of redeeming love. 
 
 The emigrants were to make some stay in England, before 
 their final depaiQTre for the western continent. After they had 
 sailed from Holland, Mr. Robinson wrote and sent to them a 
 most, affectionate and judicious pastoral latter, which was pre 
 served by them with the tendsrest remembrance, and was of 
 great benefit to them through the residue of their lives. IP. 
 this, he counselled them, above all things else to make their 
 peace with God and their own consciences, by a sincere repen 
 tance of ail sin, and a life of faithful obedience to the divine 
 commands. As the next most important duty, he exhorted 
 them to live in peace with one another. To be very cautious 
 of giving offence, and equally cautions of indulging an irritable 
 temper, whereby they would be liable to take offence from oth 
 ers. He observes, " In my own experience, few or none have 
 been found that sooner give offence, than those that easily take 
 it ; neither have they ever proved sound and profitable mem- 
 society, who have nourished this touchy humour." He 
 h great earnestness, against the indulgence of 
 a private selfish spirit, whereby any one should be seeking 1 , ex 
 clusively, his own personal interest. He reminds them that 
 they are the house of God, and cautions them not to be shaken 
 with unprofitable novelties and innovations. 
 
 For a few succeeding years, Mr. Robinson continued with 
 the part of his congregation remaining in Holland, enioyirgthe 
 utmost confidence of his own people, and rising consini: 
 the esteem and affection of all to whom he was knovn. In 
 and 1623. small companies of emigrants removed from the 
 congregation to join their friends in Plymouth. So many ob 
 stacles were thrown in the way of the emigration of the prin 
 cipal part of the company, by the Plymouth company in Eng 
 land, who liked not the religious sentiments of the Puritans, 
 that their removal, the o! ject of their earnest and constant 
 hope, was delayed from year to year. 
 
 In the year 1025, the "providence of God ca=t a sudden gloom 
 upon all their prospects, by removing their beloved pa=tor to his 
 eternal rest. This event, which threw the company in both 
 continents into the deepest mourning, was coramunica ed to 
 
36 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Plymouth in a letter from Leyden, of which the folllowing is an 
 extract ; " It has pleased the Lord to take out of this vale of 
 tears, your and our loving pastor, Mr. Robinson. He fell 
 sick, Saturday morning 1 , Feb. 22d, next day taught us twice, 
 on the week grew weaker every day, feeling little or no sen 
 sible pain to the last. Departed this life the first of March. 
 Had a continual ague. All his friends came freely to him. 
 And if prayers, tears or means could have saved his life, he had 
 not gone hence. We will still hold close in peace, wishing that 
 you and we were together." He died in the fiftieth year of 
 his age. 
 
 Mr. Robinson was a man of great dignity of manners, of a 
 very grave deportment, and possessed in an eminent degree, 
 that solemn piety which was characteristic of the distinguished 
 Puritans of his time. He had a singular talent at securing the 
 affections and commanding the minds of men. Very few of his 
 friends or followers ever forsook him, for every additional 
 knowledge of his character increased their attachment and 
 confidence. Such was his acquaintance with the human char 
 acter and such his knowledge of truth, that he seldom failed 
 of the accomplishment of his purposes. He possessed the 
 rarest talent in polemical writers, a candour of mind, which al 
 ways bowed to the force of truth. Sensible of his own imper 
 fections, he believed that much additional light respecting di 
 vine truth remained in the sacred volume, to be sought .out 
 hereafter, by those that fear the Lord. I apprehend that the 
 history of the church furnishes not another instance in which 
 the founder of an extensive religious denomination has deliver 
 ed such sentiments as we have in Mr. Robinson s farewell ad 
 dress to the emigrants for America. He requires them not to 
 make his opinion their standard, but to be always ready to re 
 ceive the truth which God in mercy should lay before them. 
 And expresses his confidence that much remains to be exhibit 
 ed. 
 
 A certain Mr. Jacob, an English divine, compelled like many 
 others to leave his own country, after residing- several years in 
 Holland, fully imbibed the sentiments of Mr. Robinson, return 
 ed to England in 16 1C, and established the first independent 
 church in that country. In a few years they increased to a 
 great number. The venerable Synod who composed the Sa 
 voy confession in 1658, which has since been acknowledged by 
 conventions of the churches in Massachusetts and Connecticut, 
 were Independents. 
 
 An English historian, who was a great enemy to all Non 
 conformists, observes, " Mr. Robinson was a man of excellent 
 parts, and the most learned, polished, and modest spirit that ev 
 er separated from the church of England. The apologies he 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 37 
 
 wrote were very handsome. By his connexion with Dr. 
 Ames and Mr. Parker, he was brought to a greater moderation 
 than he at first expressed. He ruined the rigid separation by 
 allowing the lawfulness of communing with the church of Eng 
 land in the word and piayer, though not in the sacraments and 
 discipline.* 
 
 Such was the man, who under God, laid the foundation of the 
 eldest church in the United States. 
 
 LIFE OF GOVERNOR CARVER. 
 
 The first governor of the colony of Plymouth, was Mr. John 
 Carver. During the period of the residence of Mr. Robinson 
 and his congregation at Leyden, Mr. Carver was much distin 
 guished for his talents and piety ; and for his activity, zeal, and 
 fidelity in the service of the company. In early life, his heart 
 was, apparently, sanctified bv the grace of God, whic .. was 
 evinced by a life faithfully devoted to the service of the Re 
 deemer. He possessed a gra\e rather than an ardent tempr 
 yet he deliberately embraced the religious sentiirents of the Pu 
 ritans, and resolved to submit to the privations of worldly good, 
 rather than neglect or abuse the religion of a divine Saviour, 
 by being subject to ordinance?, after the ccirrr.anilments and 
 doctrines of men. He rejoiced in the privileges of a British sub 
 ject, and remembered with humble gratitude the great things 
 which God had done for his church in his native land, in deliv 
 ering it from the bondage of papal superstiiion and tyranny. 
 Yet perceiving that the national church, pertinaciously retain 
 ed errors, after they had been most clearly pointed out by af 
 fectionate and faithful friends ; that it persisted in enforcing, 
 by penal sanction?, rites of human prescription, unwarranted, if 
 not inconsistent with the gospel of. Christ; tiiat it would allow 
 
 *Dr. Ames, here mentioned, was the celebrated Professor at the 
 Uuiversily of Franquer, and author of the Medulla Theoioijise. He 
 was one that fled from the persecution of Archbishop Bancroft, anil 
 wund an honourable asylum in Holland. H s friendship was of 
 foeat advantage to Mr. Robinson, a* he helped to convince h;ni of 
 gre errors of the Brownists, and afforded him much assistance in es- 
 thblishing 1 the order of the Leyden church. He intended to have re- 
 taoved to America, but was prevented by death, wiich took place in 
 1633. His widow and children removed to New-England, and 
 brought his library, which was of jp-eat value. Ii -i possessed a very 
 acute mind and an extensive learning, and wns ae of the ablest 
 ministers of his time in opposition to the sentiment? of the Armin- 
 ians. A lineal descendant from him, was that greut ornament of our 
 country, the late Fisher Ames. 
 4 
 
38 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 no indulgence to those who begged an exemption from those 
 burdensome services, while they would accord with all essen 
 tial ordinances; he felt himself called, in the Providence of 
 God, to bear a temperate testimony against such impositions, 
 and to exercise those rights which Christ has given to all his 
 people. Mindful of the high precept, Stand fast in the liberty 
 wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again 
 with the yoke of bondage ; and knowing that no human author 
 ity was paramount ; believing- that many of the ordinances to 
 which his obedience was required were an abridgement of this 
 liberty, he felt authorized and bound to follow Christ alone. 
 Thus he became one of the pillars, one of the most able and 
 faithful supporters of Mr. Robinson s church. 
 
 Mr. Carver was a deacon of the church in Leyden, and re 
 tained the office after his removal to America. As an officer 
 in the church, by his clear understanding, his sound judgment, 
 his exemplary character, he possessed much influence, and waa 
 eminently useful in the performance of his many important du 
 ties. When we contemplate this little church standing alone 
 in the Christian world, with no friends or sister churches for its 
 support, without the enjoyment of any ecclesiastical constitu 
 tion, without any ancient and established usages for their regu 
 lation, the passions of individuals highly excited by oppression; 
 while we adore the merciful care of the great head of the church, 
 in preserving them from ruin, we cannot but admire the wis 
 dom, the prudence, the moderation, of the officers and influen 
 tial members, by whose instrumentality they were thus preser 
 ved, and led to such an eminent purity of gospel order. The 
 experience of two centuries has discovered no material defects 
 in the system which they established. And no churches in the 
 Christian world, according (o their number, have, more emi 
 nently, enjoyed the divine blessing, than those which have been 
 regulated according to their model. 
 
 When the congregation at Leyden had become generally dis 
 posed to a removal from Holland, Mr. Carver and Mr. Cushman 
 were deputed to make application to the Virginia company in 
 England, for some lands within their Patent, for the establish 
 ment of a colony. On account of the many prejudices existing 
 in England against this congregation, their first application 
 was unsuccessful. The year following, 1619, they obtained 
 the grant. Mr. Carver, for his education, his discretion, his 
 gravity of manners, and his activity in the business of the emi 
 gration, was looked upon by the adventurers as the proper per 
 son for their chief magistrate, before their departure from Hol 
 land. 
 
 The emigrants arrived in the harbor of Cape Cod, November 
 9th, 1620. A political compact, which was their civil constitu- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 39 
 
 tion for many years, was soon formed, and on the eleventh of 
 that month, was signed by forty-one persons, all the males who 
 were of age. Mr. Carver is the first signer, and immediately 
 after was unanimously chosen Governor. No other magistrate 
 was appointed. In the perils and distresses of the succeeding 
 winter, all that could be done by the benevolent man, by the 
 illustrious patriot, by the exemplary Christian, was performed 
 by Mr. Carver, to support the settlers under their accumulated 
 Bufferings, to preserve them from despondency, to provide every 
 practical relief, and to preserve the colony from ruin. He 
 cheerfully submitted to an equal share of privation and labour, 
 afforded every possible assistance to the sick, counselled the 
 dying, and comforted the mournful survivors ; his serene coun 
 tenance inspired confidence in every beholder, his humble sub 
 mission directed all souls to God. During the most of the pe 
 riod of the raginrr sickness, in which one half of the whole num 
 ber died, Gov. Carver enjoyed ?ood health, and was able to 
 discharge the important duties devolving i,pon him. 
 
 The Governor having been informed that Massasoit, a pow 
 erful Indian Sachem, not far distant from the plantation, was 
 amicably disposed towards the settlement, sent him a message, 
 inviting him to an interview at Plymouth. He accordingly 
 came with great state, attended by a numerous train, and on 
 the 22d of March, halted at the entrance of the town. The 
 Governor, attended by a file of armed men, advanced to meet 
 the royal savage, and after much ceremony, they proceeded to 
 a friendly interview. The colony, very providentially, were 
 provided with an Indian interpreter. After partaking- of an en 
 tertainment provided for that purpose, " they entered into a 
 perpetual league of friendship, commerce, and mutual defence. 
 The natives manifested the highest satisfaction at the scene. It 
 was an event of uncommon interest, as the existence of the col 
 ony depended on the issue. This treaty was maintained invio 
 lably by MassosoiMill his death ; and was the foundation of that 
 peculiar harmony which long subsisted between the Plymouth 
 Colony and the natives. 
 
 The negotiation of this important treaty was the last pub 
 lic service performed by their worthy Governor. On the fifth 
 of April, 1621, after a short illness, a mysterious providence re 
 moved him from the afflicted colony, whose cup of sorrows now 
 was full removed him to the rest which remaineth for the peo 
 ple of God. Notwithstanding the low state of the colony, they 
 gave their lamented Governor all the funeral honors which were 
 in their power to bestow : the men were under arms, and fired 
 several volleys over his grave. 
 
 Mr. Carver was a man of singular piety, of great fortitude 
 and public spirit ; grave ia his manners, yet open, condescend- 
 
40 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 ing, and affectionate. He possessed a good estate, the greater 
 part of which was spent in the service of the colony. As a 
 magistrate, he was firm, upright, and watchful; as a Christian, 
 humble and exemplary. By his virtues, he was endeared to all 
 his acquaintance, but especially, to the infant colony of which 
 he was a most distinguished ornament and support. By the re 
 moval of such pillars, God taught our venerable fathers that his 
 Almighty arm, and that alone, must " sustain the children 
 of his love." 
 
 Mr. Carver s wife, who was distinguished for her piety, over 
 come with grief, died about six weeks after her husband. > 
 His posterity have been numerous ana respectable in the Plym 
 outh colony, and distinguished for health and longevity. One 
 of the towns in the county of Plymouth, now bears his name. 
 
 LIFE OF GOVERNOR BRADFORD. 
 
 The infant colony of Plymouth, after the decease of their first 
 Governor, the worthy Mr. Carver, in the spring of the year 
 1621, unanimously elected Mr. William Bradford to be their 
 chief magistrate. The reflection often occurs, to every atten 
 tive reader of history, that God, in his infinite wisdom, always 
 provides illustrious characters, endued with all requisite qual 
 ifications, for the performance of the extraordinary services, 
 which, in his holy providence, he designs to accomplish. This 
 thought is forcibly illustrated in the characters of Julius Csesar, 
 Columbus, Luther, Washington, as well as in most of the emi 
 nent actors in human affairs. In the character of the man 
 whose life is now to be given, though his sphere of action was 
 less extensive than"that of most of the heroes of history, we dis 
 cover, no less clearly, the special operations of Divine Provi 
 dence, in providing those peculiar qualifications which were ne 
 cessary to the discharge of the important duties which he waa 
 called to perform. And as every mind enlightened with re 
 vealed truth, will contemplate all human characters as acting 
 in connexion with the interests of the church of God, many of 
 the fathers of New England will be considered as occupying 
 more important places, than many of the long-laboured subjects 
 of historic eulogy. The conquerors of the world have aided 
 the interests of the Redeemer s kingdom by destroying its ene 
 mies; but its humble, faithful friends, have ever stood as pillars 
 in the temple of God. 
 
 Mr. Bradford may be said to have been the most eminent 
 instrument in divine Providence, of establishing and preserving 
 the first colony of New-England, and the first church of the 
 United States. He was a native of Yorkshire in England, born 
 in the year 1588. In that part of England, the people were at 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 41 
 
 that time, exceedingly destitute of religious instruction, and the 
 Scriptures were scarcely known among them. Just emerging 
 from the darkness of Romish imposture, the practical effects of 
 the reformation had scarcely begun to appear. Mr. Bradford de 
 scended from a respectable ancestry, who had long been em 
 ployed in the business of husbandry. He enjoyed a competent 
 inheritance from his parents, which, in consequence of their 
 death, fell to him in his childhood. The care of his education 
 devolved upon his grand-parents ; and after their death, upon his 
 uncles. At an early age, a loner and severe sickness had the 
 effect of turning his mind to the truths of religion. At the age 
 of twelve years, by a divine blessmg on careful reading- of the 
 Scriptures, his ;nind became deeply impressed with the reality 
 of divine things, and, under the faithful ministry of the pious 
 Mr. Clifton, he became, apparently, a subject of divine grace. 
 At this time, he formed a connexion with a number of pious 
 people who were called Professors. These were Puritans, 
 svho found the ordinary foims of the religious establishment un 
 satisfying to an ardent piety, who held private meeting s for re 
 ligious worship, and improvement, but were the subjects of 
 strong popular odium. Naturally of a studious turn, Mr. 
 Bradford, in his youth, applied himself to a serious investigation 
 of the order and practices of the religious establishment, care 
 fully comparing its various ordinances with the word of God. 
 From a deliberate and prayerful attention to this subject, he 
 became convinced of his duty to separate from the established 
 church, that he might perform the duties of religion, unembar 
 rassed, with ordinances of human invention. Having taken a 
 deliberate resolution to this effect, he soon found that it met 
 with the decided disapprobation of his friends, particularly of 
 his uncles, from whom he received severe and angry reproach 
 es. To these he made the following- temperate reply : " Were 
 I like to endanger my life, or consume my estate by any un 
 godly courses, your counsels to me were very seasonable. 
 But you know that I have been dilig-ent and provident in my 
 calling, and desirous not only to augment what I have, but to 
 enjoy it in your company ; to part t rorn which, will be as great 
 a cross as can beta! me. Nevertheless, to keep a good con 
 science, and walk in such a way as God has prescribed in his 
 word, is a thing which I must prefer before you all, and above 
 life itself. Wherefore, since it is for a good cause that I am 
 like to suffer the disasters which you lay before me, you have 
 no cause to be either angry with me, or sorry for me". Yea, I 
 am willing, not only, to part with every thing dear to me in this 
 world for this cause, but I am thankful that God has given me 
 an heart so to do, and will accept me so to suffer for him." He 
 aow saw that he was clearly addressed iu the providence of 
 4* 
 
42 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 God, Get thee out of thy country , and from thy kindred^ and from, 
 thy father s house, unto a land that I will shew thee. And I will 
 bless thee and thov shall be a blessing. 
 
 At the age of eighteen years, Mr. Bradford left the place of 
 his nativity, and connecting himself with the people of Mr. 
 Robinson s congregation, was one of the first company who en 
 dured so many sufferings and disasters in getting to Holland, in 
 the year 1607. He there served as an apprentice to a silk 
 manufacturer, till he became of age. He then converted his 
 estate in England into money, and continued in the same em 
 ployment. Being, however, more fond of study than business, 
 and improving every opportunity to increase his stock of sci 
 ence and general information, his employment was not attend 
 ed with great success. The facilities for obtaining extensive 
 learning, in the city of Leyden, were many, and they were 
 much improved by Mr. Bradford. He spoke the Dutch and 
 French language with ease, in the Latin and Greek he was well 
 skilled, but paid more particular attention to the Hebrew. He 
 often observed, * I would see with my own eyes the ancient 
 oracles of God, in their native beauty." 
 
 At the time of the projected removal of Mr. Roinson s con 
 gregation to America, Mr. Bradford engaged with ardour in the 
 important enterprise. He was one of the first company of em 
 igrants, who arrived on the American coast in November, 1620. 
 In the political compact which was formed on their arrival, Mr. 
 Carver is the first subscriber, and Mr. Bradford is the second. 
 At the time of the landing of the planters at Plymouth, the wife 
 of Mr. Bradford, to whom he was tenderly attached, fell from 
 the vessel, and was drowned in the harbor. In the distressing 
 sickness with which the plantation was afflicted, the first win 
 ter, he was a sufferer. His disease was iong and severe, and 
 he was not recovered at the death of Mr. Carver, in April. He 
 was then, however, by the unanimous suffrage of the people, 
 elected their governor ; and he retained their undiminished 
 confidence till his death. 
 
 As he recovered his health, and began to contemplate the 
 weight of cares devolving upon him, the innumerable difficul 
 ties with which he must contend, the arduous labours that were 
 before him, the many dangers in which he must be involved; 
 had he not possessed a constancy of mind equal to the greatest 
 patriots, a wisdom and prudence seldom equalled, a resource in 
 difficulties adequate to every emergency, a reliance on God 
 steady as his promises, he must have sunk under the overwhelm 
 ing prospect. He was the chief magistrate of a feeble peo 
 ple surrounded with many enemies ; he was the leader of a 
 colony in an uninhabited wilderness, without any prospect of 
 support from the mother country ; he was tUe father of a fami- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 43 
 
 ly possessed of the most scanty supplies, by innumerable losses 
 almost wholly dispirited. But he had that hope which casts 
 anchor within the veil, a hold which never yet was broken. 
 
 In the early part of his administration, Gov- Bradford took 
 effectual measures to secure the friendship of the natives, in the 
 vicinity of the colony, and succeeded in a remarkable manner, ia 
 securing their confidence. Another measure of great im 
 portance to the colony, he undertook to accomplish, which 
 required the exercise of all his skill and authority. The plant 
 ation was com nenced on the principle of a convntinity of prop 
 erty. The Governor soon perceived the evils of this state of 
 things, and notwithstanding the strong attachment to such a 
 course which was felt by many, and the insidious insinuations 
 which must necessarily fall upon any ono that would advocate 
 a division of a common property, he firmly prosecuted the meas 
 ure, and effected a division to such an extent as was thought 
 expedient. In the year 1627, a further distribution of the 
 Jands and the small property of the colony, xvas made among the 
 planters. 
 
 For several years after the commencement of the settlement, 
 the people suffered greatly for want of the necessaries of life. 
 Mr. Bradford cheerfully submitedtoan equal share of privations 
 and labour, living 1 , several time?, some weeks in succession, 
 without any bread ; labouring in the fields, at the buildings, at 
 the fortifications, taking part in the watchings which were of 
 ten maintained for a security against a surprise from insidious 
 enemies. When any came to complain of their sufferings, the 
 readiness which he manifested to be an equal sharer in all ne 
 cessary privations, his dignified composure in the greatest dan 
 gers, his cheerful serenity in the dirkest times, his uniform re 
 liance on that God who had planted them in a land not sown, 
 quieted, if they could not relieve every mind. And in these 
 times of distress, all that could be effected by the most active 
 exertions, by persevering labour or (bring enterprise, by the 
 most watchful prudence or sagacious forethought, was done by 
 their worthy governor, to preserve the existence of the colony, 
 and to relieve the distresses of the people. Without his vigi 
 lance and exertions, it would seem that this infant colony, like 
 several plantations which had been commenced at the south 
 ward, would have been broken up, and, for a long period, all at 
 tempts for the settlement of New-England must have been 
 discouraged. But he was prepared for the work appointed for 
 tiim to perform. 
 
 The early character and circumstances of the Plymouth set 
 tlement were such, that it would seem no person could have 
 been their enemy. They were weak and few, struggling with 
 ivery difficulty, their prospects very unpromising, on a bleak. 
 
44 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 and barren shore, surrounded with a multitude of savages, and 
 eminently distinguished for the virtues of integrity, justice, and 
 charity. But for the same reason that the faithfui witnesses of 
 old had trials of cruel mockings, and were subjected to innu 
 merable sufferings, these humble servants of God could not 
 escape the insidious designs of malignant enemies. Many of 
 their savage neighbours ever viewed them with an eye of hos 
 tility, waiting a favourable opportunity to exterminate the colo 
 ny. But these were not the most dangerous foes. The reli 
 gious order of the church and colony of Plymouth were entirely 
 different from the determined sentiments of the civil and eccle 
 siastical government of England. They were therefore con 
 stantly watched with a jealous eye. Their small consequence 
 in the estimation of the English hierarchy, seems to have been 
 the great reason, under the favour of Heaven, that they were to 
 such a degree left unmolested. Some vicious characters who 
 came from tiio mother country, hoping to obtain a consequence 
 in a new plantation which they -could never reach in their na 
 tive land, found themselves rejected by the church of Plymouth, 
 and could obtain no encouragement from the government of the 
 colony. Some of these returned to England and propagated 
 with malignant zeal, the most malicious calumnies against the 
 new plantation. To counteract the effect of these slanderous 
 accusations, required all the skill, all the address and fidelity of 
 the governor. The English government declared that Mr. 
 Robinson professed in his Apology, that they accorded with the 
 reformed churches on the continent. They were accused of 
 substantial deviations from those principles. Gov. Bradford, in 
 a very able memorial, clearly showed that they agreed with tho 
 reformed churches in the essential particulars of faith and prac 
 tice, that they were not Brownists, and that they did not dis 
 own the church of England as a church of Christ. These ef 
 forts of the governor, supported by the known purity of his 
 character, proved successful. 
 
 In the first year of Mr. Bradford s administration, the Nar- 
 raganset Indians, a very powerful tribe, sent him an angry mes 
 sage, threatening to make war upon the colony. The Gov 
 ernor sent them an answer, " If they loved war rather than 
 peace, they might begin when they would ; the colony had 
 done them no wrono-, and did not fear them, nor should they 
 find them unprovided." By this well timed decision, the ene 
 my were prevented from the execution of their hostile attempts. 
 
 In the year 1633, Mr. Edward Winslow was chosen the 
 governor of the colony; being solicited by Gov. Bradford to 
 accept of the office. Mr. Winslow was also called to the same 
 trust in 1636, and 1644. In 1634, Mr. Thomas Prince was 
 elected to the same office. In all of I hose years, Mr.. Bradford. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 4i 
 
 stands first among the Assistants. He held the office of gov 
 ernor, himself, every othes year, from 1621, to 1657, the year 
 of his death. Such an instance of the steadiness of a popular 
 annual election, in a new settlement, founded in principles of 
 the purest equality, unsupported by any established usages, 
 while it stands as a prodigy in popular governments, declares 
 more for the character of the individual, than can be done by 
 all the eloquence of historic eulogy. 
 
 In the latter period of the life of Gov. Bradford, we find an 
 instance of disinterestedness, not exceeded in the character of 
 Aristides/Cincinnatus, or Publicola. The patent of the Colo 
 ny \vas made out in his name, " To William Bradford, His heirs, 
 Associates, and Assigns." With such an authority? he pos 
 sessed every opportunity which a selfish heart could desire. 
 Cut when the freemen became numerous, and several new 
 towns were established, the General Court desired Mr. Brad 
 ford to transfer the patent, with all its privileges, to them and 
 their successors. With their request, he cheerfully complied, 
 confirming tho act with a legal instrument, without any con 
 sideration. Notwithstanding his disinterestedness, and his 
 long employment in the public service, and though he spent the 
 most of his paternal estate for the support of the colony, he 
 was much prospered in his individual circumstances, and left a 
 good estate to his posterity. 
 
 In the latter part of his life, Gov. Bradford devoted much 
 of his time to study, in which he arrived to very profitable at 
 tainments. He left several historical pieces, which, judging 
 from those parts which remain, must have been very valuable ; 
 but the most of them are unfortunately lost. His favourite 
 study was Theblogv, in which he made great proficiency. He 
 was well versed in the religious controversies of his time, and 
 was an able advocate for truth. 
 
 In his Chris.tian character, Mr. Bradford was no less dis 
 tinguished, than as a Magistrate, and the founder of a prosper 
 ous colony. In early life, he became a subject of a sanctifying 
 grace. His religious sentiments were formed on mature re 
 flection, and a careful examination of the holy Scriptures as the 
 only standard of truth. His opinions on gospel documents, and 
 the order and discipline of the Christian church, were such as 
 have been generally maintained by the New-England church 
 es. During the lono- destitute state of the Plymouth church, 
 the wisdom and steadfastness of Gov. Bradford were eminently 
 instrumental in preserving them from disorder, and from a de 
 parture from the truth." He often assistEd in the duties of 
 divine worship, in public, as well as in a more private manner, 
 when deprived of the iabours a minister. He was a faithful 
 observer of the private dutie.3 of the Christian character; con- 
 
46 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 stant in the services of religion; grave and bumble in his de 
 portment ; yet cheerful and singularly uniform. No changes 
 diverted him from the path of duty; no disappointments shook 
 his confidence in God. His attainments in grace were eminent. 
 For several months preceding his death, he was in a weak and 
 declining slate, from which he was convinced he should not re 
 cover. As he grew worse, contemplating-, on a certain night, 
 the character and truths of the Redeemer, his soul was filled 
 with ecstatic joy, longing to be with Christ. He informed his 
 friends, the next morning, that the good Spirit of God had 
 given him the first fruits of his eternal glory. His work on 
 earth was done, his soul was allied to the church in heaven. 
 The day following, May 9th, 1657, in the 69th year of his 
 age, he slept with his fathers. 
 
 There is no character among the fathers of New-England, 
 transmitted to us as more unexceptionable, than that of Gov, 
 Bradford. For thirty-six years, he was the pillar of the Ply 
 mouth Colony. His patriotism was ardent and incorruptible, 
 without haughtinebs or self-interest. His wisdom was practi 
 cal, enlightened by science, and guided by accurate observation. 
 His care embraced all objects within the compass of his duty, 
 and his attention escaped none. His firmness was above the 
 reach of casualty or craft. His demeanor always inspired con 
 fidence, and he could ever command the minds of men. The 
 virtues of his private life were no less conspicuous than those 
 of his public character. For these, no less than for his public 
 services, he was always beloved. He possessed a perfect com 
 mand of himself. We find no record of any hasty or rash 
 measure in his conduct, or of any passionate speech to have 
 fallen from him. As a Christian, he was meek and faithful, 
 and now rests in the inheritance of the just.* 
 
 The illustrious coadjutors of Gov. Bradford, who united with 
 him in laying the foundation of the Plymouth Colony, and sup 
 porting through the first age the work which they had reared, 
 richly deserve the tribute of historic memorial. Gov. Wins- 
 low was their faithful and successful agent in all foreign 
 embassies; to the Indian tribes, and to the parent country. 
 Gov. Prince was a judicious statesman, an upright magistrate, 
 and a valuable historian. Capt. Standish was their undaunted 
 hero, who led all their military expeditions, not less skilled in 
 conduct than vigorous in action. Their worthy Elder, the 
 Rev. Mr. Brewster, who, through modesty declined the pasto 
 ral office, distinguished for his learning and piety, performed 
 
 * A silver Cup, an armed Chair, with several other articles, 
 brought by Mr. Bradford from England, are now possessed by hi* 
 descendants in Plymouth.. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 47 
 
 the ministerial duties for many years, to great acceptance, ever 
 enjoying the confidence and the attachment of the people, and 
 rested from his labours in a good old age. Though it would 
 be highly pleasing to have a nearer view of these eminent 
 fathers, equally illustrious for vigour of mind, for Christian 
 piety, and eminent usefulness, in our present historic sketch, 
 they must be passed \viih the bare mention of their nnmes, and 
 the willing tribute of grateful remembrance. 
 
 In 1621 ,theVirginia company passed an ordinance establishing 
 the constitution of the colony. This provided that thenceforth 
 there should be two supreme councils in Virginia, the one to be 
 called the council of state, to be appointed and displaced by the 
 treasurer and company, and to assist the governor with advice 
 on executive subjects ; the other to be denominated the general 
 assembly, and to consist of the governor, the council and two 
 burgesses, to be chosen for the present by the inhabitants of 
 every town. The assembly was empowered to consult and 
 determine on matters respecting the public weal. It was de 
 clared that no acts passed by the assembly should be in force 
 until confirmed by the general court in England, and the ratifi 
 cation returned under its seal, and that on the other hand no 
 order of the general court should bind the colony until assented 
 to by the assembly. In 1622, the controversy which had for 
 some time existed between the crown and the company con- 
 cering the importation of tobacco, was at length adjusted by 
 amicable agreement. The king had demanded high duties on 
 that article while he admitted its importation from the domini 
 ons of Spain, and had also restrained the company from trans 
 porting it directly from Virginia to their warehouses in 
 Holland, to which expedient, his exactions had driven them. 
 It was now agreed that they should enjoy the sole right of 
 importing that commodity into the kingdom, for which they 
 should pay a duty of nine-pence per pound, in lieu of all 
 charges, and that the whole productions of the colony should 
 be brought to England. The industry of the colony had now 
 greatly increased. At peace with the Indians, their settlements 
 had extended not only along the banks of James and York 
 rivers, but to the Rappahannoc, and even to tJie Potovvmac. 
 It now became extremely inconvenient to bring- all causes to 
 Jamestown before the governor and council. Thus originated 
 the present county couits of Virginia. In this year the cup of 
 prosperity of which the colony now began to taste, was dashed 
 from their lips, by an event which shook to iis foundation, and 
 nearly destroyed the colony. In the year 1618, Povvhatan, the 
 most powerful of the Indian kings in" Virginia, who after the 
 marriage of his daughter to Mr. Rolfe, had remained faithful 
 to the English, departed this life, aud was succeeded b/ 
 
48 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Opechancanough, a bold and cunning chief, remarkable for his 
 jealousy and hatred of the new settlers ; but for a considera 
 ble time the general peace remained undisturbed. The Indians 
 were furnished with fire arm?, and taught ihe use of them ; 
 they were admitted at all times freely into the habitations of 
 the English, as harmless visitants; were fed at their tables, and 
 lodged in their chambers. The 22d of March was designated 
 as the day on which all the English were to be at the same 
 instant attacked. Thus, in one hour, and almost at the same 
 instant, fell 347 men, women and children. The massacre would 
 have been still greater, had not information been given the pre 
 ceding night, to a Mr. Pace, by an Indian, who disclosed to him 
 the plot. He immediately cat ried the intelligence to James 
 town, and the alarm was- given, to some of the nearest settle 
 ments, which were thereby saved. 
 
 As seon as intelligence reached England of these calamities 
 of the sufferers, relief was ordered. Arms from the tower 
 were delivered to the treasurer and company, and several ves 
 sels were immediately despatched with articles for their relief. 
 While the Virginians were mourning their losses, the Plymouth 
 company began to experience I he distress of famine. By the 
 time their planting was finished, 1623. iheir provisions were so 
 far exhausted, that they had neither bread nor corn, for three 
 or four months. A drought continued from May until some 
 time in July. Under these afflictions, they appointed a day of 
 fasting and prayer, to Immbie themselves before God. But a 
 plentiful harvest soon followed, which was noticed by a day of 
 thanksgiving-. 
 
 Mr. White, a non-conformist minister at. Dorchester, who 
 had prevented some few of Ins countrymen who had settled 
 around the bay at Massachusetts, from returning to England, 
 by his assurances of procuring them relief and assistance, 
 formed by great exertions an association of several gentlemen, 
 who had imbibed puritanical opinions, for the purpose of con 
 ducting thither a colony, and rendering it an as) him from the 
 persecution of his own pei>u;isioo. In prosecution of iheir 
 views, a treaty was -concluded wnh the council of Plymouth, 
 for the purchase of part ofNtw England ; and that corporation, 
 in March 1G27, conveyed to Sir Henry Roswell and others, all 
 that part of New England lying 1 three rr.iles to the south of 
 Charles River, and three miles north of Merrirnack river, and 
 extending from the Atlantic to the south sea. A small number 
 of planters and servants were soon afterwards despatched under 
 Endicot, a deep enthusiast, who, in September, 1628, laid the 
 foundation of Salem, ihe first peirnanent town in Massachu- 
 etts. In the year 1629, soon after the organization of the 
 company, under the eauction of the royal charter, they resolv- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 49 
 
 d a second embarkation for their new colony, to support the 
 expenses of which, it was resolved that every person who 
 should subscribe fifty pounds, should be entitled to two hun 
 dred acres of land, as the first dividend. Five ships were pro 
 vided for the purpose, and being laden with cattle and other 
 necessaries, tor the supply of the colony, with three hundred 
 persons, men, women and children, they sailed from the Isle of 
 Wight, in May, and arrived at Salem in June, where they 
 found Endicot, to whom they brought a confirmation of his 
 commission as governor. The colony now consisted of three 
 hundred persons, of whom one hundred removed and settled 
 the town of Charlestown ; and the remainder continued at 
 Salem. Mr. Husfginson and Mr. Skelton, distinguished far 
 their learning and piety, both of them, resolved to lend im 
 portant services in laying the foundation of the American 
 Church. These faithful servants of Christ cordially engaged 
 in the great design ; they embarked with the second party, and 
 arrived at Salem, in 1629. 
 
 Early in the following year, John Winthrop, who had been 
 appointed governor, and Thomas Dudley deputy governor, with 
 one thousand five hundred persons, embarked on board of 
 seventeen vessels at an expense of upwards of twenty thou 
 sand pound?, and arrived at Salem in July, 1630. Dissatisfied 
 with this situation, they explored the country in quest of a 
 better station, and settled in many places around the bay ; 
 and laid the foundation of several towns, among others of 
 Boston. 
 
 On the arrival of Gov. Winthrop, in July, who was from 
 that time to his death, the head and father of the colony, he 
 found the plantation in a suffering state. In the preceding 
 autumn the colony contained about three hundred inhabitants ; 
 eighty of them died, and a great part of the survivors were in 
 a weak, sickly state. Their supply of corn was not sufficient 
 for more than a fortnight, and their provisions nearly exhaust 
 ed. Friday, Febuary 6th, was appointed as a day of fasting 
 and prayer ; but on the fifth of Febuary, a ship arrived with 
 provisions > and a day of thanksgiving was appointed by the 
 governor, 
 
 The succeeding winter commenced in December, with great 
 severity ; few of the houses which had been erected were 
 comfortable. Unused to such severities of climate, the people 
 suffered severely from the cold. Many of them died from the 
 cold. On the opening of the Spring of 1631, health was 
 generally restored in the settlements; but the colony was 
 greatly impoverished. All the provisions that were brought 
 from England, were purchased at a very high rate. By the 
 length of the passage and the severity of the winter, the great- 
 5 
 
50 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 er part of their cattle died. The materials for building and 
 implements of labor were obtained with great difficult) and 
 expense. This year, great exertions were made for a crop of 
 Indian corn, which was their whole dependance; and it plea 
 sed God to give them an abundant harvest. 
 
 In the commencement of all the individual settlements, the 
 planters were mindful of their great errand into the wilder 
 ness; and directed their first exertions to the establishment of 
 the church of Christ, and the institution of the gospel. The 
 ilrst church after the one at Salem was gathered at Charles- 
 town, August 27th, 1630. Soon after this, a church was or 
 ganized at Dorchester. The next was at Boston; one at 
 Roxhury, one at Lynn, and one at Watnrtown. In less than 
 two years from the organization of the first church in Salem, 
 there were in the colony seven churches, which were indeed 
 golden candlesticks. 
 
 In 1633 came over Mr. Hayncs, afterwards the first gover 
 nor of Conrieclicut, and Mr. Stone, Mr. Hooker and Mr. 
 Cotton ; three of the most eminent lights of the New England 
 churches* 
 
 On the 21st of February, an order was made by the king in 
 council, to stop the ships at that time ready to sail, freighted 
 with passengers and provisions for New England. But this 
 order seems never to have been strictly executed, as the 
 emigrations still continned, without any sensible diminution. 
 
 To the religious dissensions which distracted Massachusetts, 
 and to the rigour with which conformity was exacted, is in 
 great measure to be attributed the first settlement of the other 
 colonies of New England. As early as 1634, Roger Williams, 
 a very popular preacher of Salem, who had refused to hold 
 communion with the church at Boston, because its members 
 refused to make a public declaration of their repentance for 
 having held communion with the church of England, during 
 their residence in that country, was charged with many ex 
 ceptionable tenets. The divines of Massachusetts opposed 
 Mr. Williams ; he was accordingly summoned to appear be 
 fore the genera! court, and the ministers of the colony. Mr. 
 Hooker was appointed to dispute with him, but, being unable 
 to change his sentiments, it was decreed by (he court, arid 
 npproved by the ministers, that he should depart out of this 
 jurisdiction within six weeks. Many of his disciples followed 
 him into exile ; and travelling south until they passed the line 
 of Massachusetts, they purchased a tract of land of the Nar- 
 ragansetts, then a powerful tribe of Indians ; where, in 1635, 
 they made a settlement, to which they gave the name of Pro 
 vidence. Having fixed their place of residence, they entered 
 into a voluntary association, and framed a government, com- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 51 
 
 posed of the whole body of freemen, for the preservation of 
 peace, and the making of such laws as their situation might 
 require. They created a church after the manner of Massa 
 chusetts, by collecting a religious society; but as one of the 
 causes of their migration, had been the tenet that all were 
 entitled to freedom of conscience in worship, the most entire 
 toleration in matters of religion was established. 
 
 Williams long retained his authority. He employed himself 
 continually in acts of kindness; affording relief to the distress 
 ed, and an asylum to the persecuted. It was not long aUer 
 the banishme nt of Williams, that the controversy between 
 those who maintained the covenant of works, and those who 
 maintained the covenant of grace, divided and distracted 
 Massachusetts. This controversy having been decided in 1637 
 against the Antinoraians, or those who supported the covenant 
 of grace, Mrs. Hutchinson, a woman of deep enthusiasm, and 
 the leader of that sect, was banished. She with many of her 
 disciples, followed the steps of Williams, r. id arrived in his 
 neighbourhood. They purchased a tract of land from the same 
 tribe, where they founded Rhode Island. They formed a simi 
 lar association, and adoptc 1 the same principles of toleration. 
 They afforded protection to those who resorted thither. In 
 consequence of this conduct., the Island soon became so popu 
 lated as to send out colonists to the adjacent shores. 
 
 Let me now call the attention of the reader to the settlement 
 of Connecticut. The first discovery of the country of Connec 
 ticut River, was made by the enterprising people of Plymouth, 
 in 1633. The Plymouth people determined to undertake the 
 enterprise at their own risk. Preparations were made for 
 erecting a trading house, and establishing" a small company 
 upon the river. In the mean time the master of a vessel from 
 Massachusetts, who was trading at New Netherlands, shewed 
 to the Dutch rro\ernor. the connnis? cn the English bad to tradtf 
 and settle in Ne\v Englard ; and th;^ :he kin^ imd granted these 
 parts to his own subjects : he also desired that the Dutch would 
 not build in Connecticut. The Dutch governor requested that 
 the English would not settle in Connecticut until the affair 
 should be determined between them. This appears to have 
 been a piece of policy i: the Dutch governor, to keep the 
 English back, until the Dutch had got a firm footing upon 
 the river. 
 
 In September, several vessels went into Connecticut river, to 
 trade. John Oldham, from Dorchester, with a few men, tra 
 velled through Connecticut to view the country, and trade with 
 the Indians. He found that the Indian hemp grew in great 
 abundance in the meadows, and purchased a quantity of r 
 which upon trial, was found to exceed that which grew in 
 
52 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 England. William Holmes, of Plymouth, with his company, 
 having prepared a frame of a house, and boards and materials 
 for covering it, immediately put them on board a vessel, and 
 sailed for Connecticut. When he came into the river, he 
 found that the Dutch had got in before him, and made a light 
 fort, and planted two pieces of cannon at the mouth of the 
 little river, since called Hartford. The Dutch forbade Holmes 
 going up the river, stood by their cannon, and ordered him to 
 strike his colours, or they would fire upon him ; but he was a 
 man of spirit, and assured them that he had a commission from 
 the governor of Plymouth, to go up the river, and go he would. 
 They still threatened, but he proceeded, landed an the west 
 side of the river, and erected his house, a little below the 
 mouth of the little river in Windsor. This was the first house 
 erected in Connecticut. It was covered with the uimost des 
 patch, and well fortified. The Sachems who were original 
 owners of the soil, had been driven from this point of the coun 
 try, by the Pequots, and were now carried home on board 
 Holmes vessel. The Dutch, about the same time, erected a 
 trading house at Hartford. It was with great difficulty that 
 Holmes and his company erected and fortified their house, and 
 kept it afterwards. The Dutch, before the Plymouth people 
 took possession of the river, had been invited to trade with 
 them at Connecticut; but when they found that they were 
 preparing for a settlement there, they repented of the invita 
 tion, and did all in their power to prevent them. On the 8th of 
 June, the Dutch purchased about twenty acres of land at 
 Hartford, of a Pequod captain. Of this the Dutch took posses 
 sion ; they protested against Holmes, the builder of the trading 
 house. Some time afterwards, the Dutch governor despatched 
 a reinforcement from fort Amsterdam to Connecticut, designing 
 to drive Holmes and his company from the river. A band of 
 seventy men assaulted the Plymouth house; but they found it 
 too well fortified, and gave up their design. 
 
 In November and December, the small pox raged among the 
 Indians ; two Sachems, with a great part of their Indians, died. 
 When their own people forsook them, the English, who lived 
 near them, went to their wigwams, and ministered to them. 
 Some families spent almost their whole time with them. One 
 Englishman buried thirty of their dead in one day. 
 
 In 1634, at a meeting of the General Court, in September, the 
 people of Nevvtown made application for liberty to remove to 
 Connecticut River. Mr. Hooker, acting as principal advocate 
 for the people, the court refused to give their consent ; and the 
 design was given over. In 1635, permission was granted, on 
 condition that the new settlement should continue subject to 
 the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. The people of Newtown, 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 53 
 
 Dorchester, and Watertown, now began to prepare for their 
 new habitation. In the course of the season, several people 
 went to Connecticut river; some by water, some through the 
 wilderness. The Dorchester men sat down at Windsor, near 
 the Plymouth trading house. They purchased the building and 
 land owned by the Plymouth people. The people from New- 
 town, of whom but few removed till the following year, settled 
 at Hartford. The Watertown settlors began the town of 
 Wethersfield. In 1636, about one hundred persons, men, wo 
 men and children, led by the Rev. Messrs. Hooker and Stone, 
 together with their horses, cattle and swine, commenced their 
 journey through the wilderness to Connecticat river. They 
 travelled about two weeks, on foot ; during which time they 
 lived upon the milk of their cows. By the 25th of November, 
 Connecticut river was frozen over ; heavy falls of snow suc 
 ceeded, and the season was very severe. Several small ves 
 sels, which hid been laden with their furniture and provisions, 
 sailed from Boston, and were wrecked on the coast. By the 
 last of November, provision began to fail in the settlements 
 on the river, and death looked them sternly in the face. Thii- 
 teen in one company, driven by hunger, attempted their way 
 in this severe season. In passing the river, one of their com 
 pany fell through the ice, and was drowned, the other twelve 
 were kept from perishing by the Indians, and arrived in Mas 
 sachusetts in ten days. Their distress was so great that by 
 the first of December a considerable part of the men settlers 
 were obliged to abandon their habitations. As the only means 
 of preserving their lives, about seventy persons, men, women 
 and children, left their settlements, and went down the river, 
 in hopes of meeting with their provisions. As their expecta 
 tion failed, they went on board the Rebecca lying near the 
 mouth of the river. This, but two days before, was frozen in 
 twenty miles up the river, but was released by the falling 1 of a 
 small rain, and reached Boston in five days. Had it not beea 
 for a very quick passage, the people must have perished. The 
 people that kept their situations on the river suffered extremely. 
 After all the help they were able to obtain by hunting, and 
 from the Indians, they were obliged to subsist on acorns, malt 
 and grain. The number of cattle that could not be got over 
 before winter, living upon what they found in the woods and 
 meadows, wintered better than those which were brought over; 
 however, a great number of them perished. Early in the 
 spring, those who went from Connecticut to spend the winter 
 with their friends, began to return to their new habitations. 
 
 The first court held in Connecticut, was held at 
 April 26th, 1636. 
 
34 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Towards the last of the year 1635, Mr. Winthrop,son of the 
 Massachusetts governor, the worthy character who afterwards 
 procured the Connecticut Charter, arrived at Boston with a 
 commission from Jords Say and Seal, lord Brook, and others, to 
 take possession of Connecticut river ; and built a fort, which 
 they had named Saybrook. 
 
 In a few days, a Dutch vessel appeared off the harbour, sent 
 to take possession of the entrance of the river, and erect for 
 tifications ; but the English had by this time mounted two can 
 non, and prevented their landing. Thus providentially was 
 this fine tract of country preserved for our venerable ancestors, 
 and their posterity. 
 
 In September 1636, Mr. Pynchion, with a part of the people 
 of Roxbury, began the settlement of the town of Springfield^ 
 but no sooner had the English begun to trade, and make set 
 tlements in Connecticut, than the Pequods began to murder, 
 and kill their cattle. In 1634, they murdered captains Stone 
 and Norton, with their whole crew, consisting of eight men ; 
 they then plundered and sunk the vessel. 
 
 In November following, the Pequods sent a messenger to 
 Boston, for the purpose of obtaining peace with the English. 
 He made an offer of a great quantity of beaver skins, to pur- 
 suade the governor to enter into a league with them. The 
 governor assured them that the English were willing to make 
 peace on condition that they would give up the murderers of 
 Captain Stone and iiis men ; the Indians assured him that the 
 murderers were all dead but two, and they would give them up 
 to justice; they offered to give up their right at Connecticut 
 river, if the English desired to settle there, and engaged to 
 assist them as far as was in their power in making settlements ; 
 they also agreed that they would give the English forty beaver 
 and thirty otter skins. The governor and council entered into 
 a treaty with them on the conditions they proposed. Whatever 
 their designs were at that time, they soon afterwards became 
 rnore and more mischievous, hostile and bloody. 
 
 In 1636, John Oldham was murdered near Block Island. He 
 had witli him two boys and two Narraganset Indians ; these 
 were taken and carried off. John Gallup, as he was going from 
 Connecticut to Boston, discovered Mr. Oldham s vessel full of 
 Indians, and saw a canoe go from her laden with goods. Sus 
 pecting they had murdered Mr. Oldham, 1m hailed them, but 
 received no answer. Gallup was a bold man ; and although 
 he had but one man and two boys with him, he immediately bore 
 down upon her, and fired duck shot so thick among them, that 
 he soon cleared the deck. The Indians all got under the hatch 
 es. He then stood oft , bore down upon her, with a brisk gale, 
 and nearly overset her, which so frightened the Indians, that 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 55 
 
 several jumped overboard and were drowned ; he then stood 
 off, and running down upon her the second lime, raked her fore 
 and aft with his shot, and running down upon her a third time, 
 lie gave her such a shock, that five more jumped overboard and 
 were drowned. He then boarded her, and took two of the In 
 dians and bound them. Two or three others, armed with 
 swords, in a little room be ow, could not be driven out. Mr. 
 Oldham s corpse was found on board ; his head split, and the 
 body mangled in a barbarous manner. Gallup and his men, 
 thru, as decently as possible, put the corpse into the sea. Af 
 ter taking her rigging and goods which had not been carried 
 off, they were obliged to let her go adrift, and she was lost. 
 The Indians who committed the murder were chiefly Block 
 Islanders, and Narragansets. The governor and council of 
 Massachusetts, despatched captain Endicott with ninety volun 
 teers to avenge the murder. The Narraganset Sachems sent 
 home Mr. Oldham s two boys, and made peace with them ; 
 but the other Indians made no compensation. Captain En 
 dicott was ordered to proceed to Block Island, put the men to 
 the sword, and take possession of the Island, but to spare the 
 women and children. They sailed from Boston 25th of Au 
 gust. When they arrived at Biock Island, forty or fifty In 
 dians appeared on shore, and opposed his landing. After a 
 short skirmish, the Indians fled to the woods. After the Eng 
 lish had spent two days on the Island, burning the wigwams, 
 destroying the corn, and staving their canoes, they sailed for 
 the Pequot country ; when they had arrived in Pequot harbour, 
 Captain Endicott acquainted the Pequots with his design ; in 
 a few hours, about three hundrtd Pequots appeared upoo the 
 shore ; but as soon as they were fully informed of his business, 
 they began to withdraw into the woods. He landed his men 
 on both sides the haibcur, burnt their wigwams, destroyed 
 their canoes, killed one or two Indians, and returned to Bos 
 ton. This measure, instead of allaying, seemed to increase 
 their hostility ; several persons were taken near Saybrook fort, 
 ,and tortured with savage barbarity. About the beginning of 
 October, the enemy concealed themselves in the grass in the 
 meadow, and surprised five ofthe garrison at Saybrook, as they 
 were carrying home their hay. One Butterfield was taken and 
 tortured to death ; the rest made their escape. Eight or ten 
 days after, Joseph Fiiley, a m isterof a small vessel, w*e taken 
 as he was going down the Connecticut river. He came to an 
 chor about three miles above the fort, and taking a canoe and 
 one man with him went a fowling. No sooner had he dischar 
 ged his piece, than a large number of Pequots, arising from 
 their concealment, took him and killed his companion. The 
 iudians used him in the cao;t baibarous manner, first cuuir^ 
 
56 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 off his hands, and then his feet ; thus torturing him to death. 
 As he did not groan, they pronounced him a stout man. 
 
 In March, 1637, Lieutenant Gardiner, who commanded the 
 fort at Saybrook, going out with about twelve men, to burn 
 the marshes, was waylaid near a narrow neck of land ; the en 
 emy rose upon him, killed three of his men, and wounded seve 
 ral. The enemy pursued them in great numbers to the fort, 
 and compassed it on all sides. They challenged the English to 
 come out and fight ; they boasted that tiiey could kill the Eng 
 lish-men, all one flies ; mocked the groans of the wounded. 
 But the cannon being loaded with grape shot was fired among 
 them, which caused them to groan in reality. Soon after, the 
 enemy, in a number of canoes beset a shallop, going down the 
 river, with three men on board ; the men fought bravely, but 
 were overpowered by numbers, and taken. The Indians rip 
 ped them up from the bottom of their bellies to their throats, 
 and cleft them down their backs. They then hung them upon 
 trees beside the river in full view of the English, as they pas 
 sed up and down, on the river. 
 
 At a court holden at Hartford, it was decreed that the plant 
 ation of Newtown should be named Hartford, and that Water- 
 town should be named Wethersfield, and tbat Dorchester should 
 be called Windsor. 
 
 In April, the Indians waylaid the people at Wethersfield, as 
 they were going into the fields to labour, and killed six men and 
 three women ; two maids were taken captive, twenty cowa 
 killed, and other damages done to the inhabitants. 
 
 The court holden at Hartford, May 1st, 1637, resolved to 
 prosecute the war with the Pequots ; that ninety men should 
 be raised ; forty two from Hartford, thirty from Windsor, and 
 eighteen from Wethersfield. Massachusetts determined to 
 gend two hundred, and Plymouth forty men to assist Connec 
 ticut in prosecuting the war. 
 
 The troops being assembled at Hartford, May 10th, Rev. Mr. 
 Hooker delivered the following address. 
 
 " Fellow soldiers, countrymen and companions ! yon arc 
 this day assembled by the special providence of God ! you 
 are not collected by wild fancy, nor ferocious passions. It is 
 not a tumultuous assembly, whose actions are abortive, or if 
 successful, produce only theft, rapine and murder : crimes incon 
 sistent with nature s light inconsistent with a soldier s valor. 
 You my dear hearts, were selected from your neighbors, by the 
 godly fathersof theland, foryourknown courage, toexecutesuch 
 a work. Your cause is the cau?6 of heaven ; the enemy have 
 blasphemed your God, and slain his servants ; you are only the 
 ministers of his justice. I do not pretend that your enemies are 
 earelcss or indifferent ; no, their hatred is inflamed, their lipi 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 57 
 
 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 cruelty is notorious ; and 
 cruelty and cowardice are always united. There is nothing, 
 therefore, to pr event your certain victory, but their nimble feet, 
 their impenetrable 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? 
 mope 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 se 
 cure (he liberties, the privileges and the lives of Christ s church* 
 in this new world. You will procure safety for your affection 
 ate wives, safety for your prattling-, harmless, smiling babes : 
 you will secure all the blessings enjoyed by the people of God, 
 in the ordinances ofthe gospel. Distinguished was the honor 
 conferred 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 ; 
 you will bind their kings in chains, and their nobles in fetters 
 of iron. But perhaps some one may fear that 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 everlasting crown is set upon his head, because the 
 rewards of this life are insufficient. March then with Christian 
 courage, in the strength of the Lord ; march with faith in his 
 divine promises, and soon your swords shall find your enemies, 
 soon they shall fall like the leaves ofthe forest under your feet." 
 
 On Wednesday, the 10th of May, the troops from Connecti 
 cut fell down the river, for the fort at Saybrook. They consis 
 ted of 90 Englishmen, and about 70 Mohegan andriver Indians. 
 They embarked on board a pink, a pinnace and a shallop. The 
 Indians were commanded by Uncas, sachem of the Mohegans. 
 The whole was commanded by captain John Mason, who had 
 been bred a soldier in the old countries. The Rev. Mr. Stone 
 of Hartford went their chaplain. On Monday the 15th, the 
 troops arrived at Saybrook fort. As the water was low, this 
 little fleet several times ran aground. The Indians, impatient 
 of delays, desired to be set, on shore, promising to join the Eng 
 lish at Saybrook. The captain therefore granted their request. 
 On their march they fell in with about forty ofthe enemy, near 
 the fort, killed seven, and took one prisoner. 
 
 The prisoner had been a perfidious villian. He had lived in 
 the fort, some time before, and could speak English well. But 
 after thePequots commenced hostilities against the English, ha 
 
58 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 became a constant spy upon the garrison, and acquainted Sas- 
 sacus with every thing tie could discover. He had been pres 
 ent at the slaughter of all the English who had been killed at 
 Saybrook. Uncas and his men insisted upon executing him 
 according to the manner of their ancestors ; and the English, 
 in the circumstances in which they then were, did not judge it 
 prudent to interpose. The Indians, kindling a large fire, vio 
 lently tore him limb from limb. Barbarously cutting his flesh 
 in pieces, they handed it round from one to another, eating it, 
 singing and dancing round the fire, in their violent and tumul 
 tuous manner. The bones and such | arts of their captive, as 
 were not consumed in this dreadful repast, were committed to 
 the flames and burnt to ashes. 
 
 This success was matter of joy, not only as it was a check 
 upon (he enemy, but it v\ as an evidence of the fidelity of Uncaa 
 and his Indians, of which the English had been before in doubt. 
 There were other circumstances, however, which more than 
 counterbalanced this joy. The army lay wind bound until 
 Friday, and Captain Mason and his officers were entirely divi 
 ded in opinion, with respect to the manner of prosecuting their 
 enterprise. The court, by the commission and instructions 
 which it had given, enjoined the landing of the men at Pequot 
 harbour, and that from thence they should advance upon tho 
 enemy. The captain was for passing by thorn, and sailing to 
 the Narraganset country. He was fixed in this opinion, be 
 cause he found that, expecting the army at Pequot harbour, they 
 kept watch upon the river night and day. Their number of 
 rnen greatly exceeded his. He was informed, at Saybrook, that 
 (hey had sixteen fire arms, with powder and shot. The har 
 bour was compassed with rocks and thickets, affording the ene 
 my every advantage. They were upon the land, and exceed 
 ingly light of foot. He was therefore of the opinion, that they 
 would render it very difficult and dangerous to land, and that he 
 might sustain such loss, as would discourage his men and frus 
 trate the design of the expedition. If they should make good 
 their landing, he was sure, that while they directed their march 
 through the country, to the enemy s forts, they would waylay 
 and attack them, with their whole force, at every difficult pass. 
 Besides if they should find, on t.rial, that they were not able to 
 defeat the English, they would run off to swamps and fastness 
 es, where they could not be found ; and they should not be able 
 to effect any thing capital against them. He was not without 
 hopes, that, by going to Narraganset, he might surprise them. 
 There was also some prospect, that the Narragansets would join 
 him in the expedition, and that he might fall in with some port 
 of the troops from Massachusetts, 
 
THE UJNITED STATES. 59 
 
 Hig officers and men in general were for attending their in 
 structions, and going at all hazards directly to the forts. The 
 necessity of their affairs at home, tne danger of the Indians at- 
 tacking their families and settlements, in their absence, made 
 them wish, at once to despatch the business, on which they had 
 been sent. They did not relish a long march through the wil 
 derness. They also imagined that they might be discovered, 
 even should they determine to march from Narraganset to the 
 attack of the enemy. In this division of opinion, Mr. Slono 
 was desired by the officers most importunately to pray for them, 
 that their way might be directed, and that, notwithstanding 
 the present embarrassment, the enterprise might be crowned 
 with success. 
 
 Mr. Stone spent most of Thursday night in prayer, and the 
 next morning visii : " captain Mason, assured him, that he had 
 done as he was desired ; adding, that he was entirely satisfied 
 with his plan. The council was again called, and, upon a full 
 view of all the reasons, unanimously agreed to proceed to Nar 
 raganset. It was also determined that twenty men should be 
 sent back to Connecticut, to strengthen the infant settlements, 
 while the rest of the troops were employed in service against 
 the enemy ; and, that Captain Underbill, with nineteen men 
 from the garrison at Saybrook fort, should supply their places. 
 
 On Friday. May 19th. the Captain sailed for Narraganset 
 bay, and arrived on Saturday at the desired port. On Monday, 
 captain Mason, and captain Underbill marched with a guard 
 to the plantation of Canonicus, and acquainted him with the 
 design of their coming. A messenger was immediately des 
 patched to Miantonimob, the chief sachem of the Narragansets, 
 to acquaint him also with the expedition. The next day Mian- 
 tonimoh met them, with his chief counsellors and warriors, 
 consisting of about 200 men. Captain Mason certified him, 
 that the occasion of his coming with armed men, into his coun 
 try, was to avenge .the intolerable injuries which the Pequots, 
 his as well as their enemies, had done the English : and, that 
 he desired a free passago to the Pequot forts. After a solemn 
 consultation in the Indian manner, Mian toni mob answered, 
 That he highly approved of the expedition, and that he would 
 send men. He observed, however, that the English were not 
 sufficient in number to fight wi h the enemy. He said the Pe 
 quots were great Captains, skilled in war, and rather slighted 
 the English. Captain Mason landed his men, and marched 
 just at night to the plantation of Canonicus, which was ap 
 pointed to be the place of general rendezvous. That night 
 there arrived an Indian runner in the camp, with a letter from 
 captain Patrick, who had arrived with his party at Mr. Wil 
 liams plantation in Providence. Captain Patrick signified his 
 
60 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 desire, that captain Mason would wait until he could join him. 
 Upon deliberation it was determined not to wait, though a 
 junction was greatly desired. The men had already been de 
 tained much longer than was agreeable to their wishes. When 
 they had absolutely resolved the preceding day to march the 
 next morning, the Indians insisted that they were but in jest ; 
 that Englishmen talked much, but would not fight. It was 
 therefore feared, that any delay would have a bad effect upon 
 them. It was also suspected that, if they did not proceed im 
 mediately, they should be discovered, as there were a number 
 of squaws who maintained an intercourse between the Pequot 
 and Narraganset Indians. The army therefore, consisting of 
 seventy seven Englishmen, sixty Mohegan and river Indians, 
 and about two hundred Narragansets, inarched on Wednesday 
 morning, and that day reached the eastern Nihantic, about 
 eighteen or twenty miles from the place of rendezvous the night 
 before. This was a frontier to the Pequots, and was the seat 
 of one ofthe Narraganset sachems. Here the army halted, at 
 the close ofthe day. But the sachem and his Indians conduct 
 ed therm-pelves in a haughty manner towards the English, and 
 would not suffer them to enter within their fort. Captain Ma 
 son therefore placed a strong guard round the fort ; and as the 
 Indians would not suffer him to enter it, he determined that 
 none of them should corne out. Knowing the perfidy ofthe In 
 dians, and that it was customary among them to suffer the near 
 est relatives of their greatest enemies to reside with them, he 
 judged it necessary, to prevent their discovering him to the 
 enemy. 
 
 In the morning, a considerable number of Miantonimoh s 
 men came on and joined the English. This encouraged many 
 ofthe Nihanticks also to join them. They soon formed a cir 
 cle, and made protestations, how gallantly they would fight, 
 and what numbers they would kill. When the army marched, 
 the next morning, the captain had with him nearly five hundred 
 Indian?. He marched twelve miles, to the ford in Pawcatuck 
 river. The day was very hot, and the men, through the great 
 heat, and a scarcity of provision, began to faint. The army, 
 therefore, made a considerable halt, and refreshed themselves. 
 Here the Narraganset Indians began to manifest their dread of 
 the Pequots, and to inquire of captain Mason, with great anxi 
 ety, what were his real designs. He assured them, that it was 
 his design to attack the Pequots in their forts. At this they ap 
 peared to be panic-struck, and filled with amazement. Many 
 of them drew off, ami returned to Naraganset. The army 
 marched on about three miles^ and came to Indian corn fields ; 
 and the captain, imagining that he drew near the enemy, mad 
 a halt : he called his guides and council, and demanded of the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 61 
 
 Indians how far it was to the forts. They represented, that it 
 was twelve miles to Sassacus s furt, and that bo h forts were in 
 a manner impregnable. We q nosh, a Peqnnt Captain or petty 
 pache n, who had revolted from Sassams to the Narragansets, 
 was the principal guide, and he proved faithful. He gave such 
 information, respecting the distance of the forts from each oth 
 er, B ij the distance which they were then at, from the chief 
 fachem s, as determined him and his officer? to alter the resolu 
 tion which they had before adopted, of attacking them both at 
 once; and to make a united attack upon that at Mistic. He 
 found his men so fatigued, in marching through a pathless wil 
 derness, with their provisions, arms, and ammunition, and so af 
 fected with the heat, that this resolution appeared to be abso 
 lutely necessary. One of captain Underbill s men became 
 lame, at the same time, and began to fail. The army, therefore, 
 proceeded directly to Mistic, and continuing their inarch, came 
 to a small swamp between two hills, just at the disappearing of 
 the day light. The officers, supposingthat they were now near 
 the furt, pitched their little camp, between or near two large 
 rocks, in Groton, since called Porter s rocks. The men were 
 faint and weary, and though the rocks were their pillows, their 
 rest was swee t. The guards and sentinels were considerably 
 advanced, in the front of the army, and heard the enemy sing 
 ing, at the fort, who continued their rejoicings even until 
 midnight. They had seen the vessels pass the harbor, some 
 days before, and had concluded, that the English were afraid, 
 and had not courage to attack them. They were therefore, 
 rejoicing, singing, dancing, insulting them, and wearying them 
 selves, on this account. 
 
 The ni<rht was serene, and, towards morning, the moon shone 
 clear. The important crisis wns now come, when the very ex 
 istence of Connecticut, under providence, was to be determin 
 ed by the sword, in a single action j and to be decided by the 
 good conduct of less than eighty brave men. The Indians 
 who remained, were now sorely dismayed, and though, at first, 
 they had led the van, and boasted of great feats, yet were 
 now all fallen back in the rear. 
 
 About two hours before day, the men were routed with all 
 expedition, and briefly commending themselves and their cajse 
 to God, advanced immediately towards the fort. After a march 
 of about two miles, they came to the foot of a large hill, where 
 a fine country opened before them. The captain, supposing 
 that the fort could not be far dis anl, sent for the Indians in 
 the rear, to come wp. Uncas and Wequosh,at length appeared. 
 He demanded of them where the fort was. They answered on 
 the toy oi thc hill. He demanded of them where were theothr 
 *r Indians. Tbey answered, that they were ranch afraid. 
 6 
 
62 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 The captain sent to thorn not to fly, but to surround the fort- % 
 at any distance t!my pleased, and see whether Englishmen 
 would fight. The day wis nearly dawning, and no lime was 
 to be lost. The men pressed on, in two divisions, captain Ma 
 son to the noith-eastern, and captain Underbill to the western 
 entrance. As the object which they had been so long seeking, 
 came into view, and while they reflected they were to fight 
 not only for themselves, but their parents, wives, children, und 
 the whole colony, the martial spirit kindled in their bosoms, and 
 they were wonderfully animated. As captain Mason advanced 
 within a rod or two of the fort, a dog barked, and an Indian 
 roared out, Owanux ! Owanux ! That is, Englishmen ! En 
 glishmen ! The troops pressed on, and as the Indians were ral 
 lying, poured in upon them, through the pallisadoes, a general 
 discharge of their muskets, and then wheeling off to the princi 
 pal entrance, entered the foil sword in hand. Notwithstanding 
 the sudilenness, of ihe attack, tie blaze and thunder of 
 their arms, the tnemv made a manly ami desperate resistance. 
 Captain Mason and his party, drove the Indians in the main 
 etrett towards the west part of the fort, where some bold men 
 who bad forced their way, met them, and made such slaughter 
 among them, that the street WPS soon clear of the enemy. 
 They secreted themselves in and behind their wigwams, and 
 taking 1 advantage of every covert, maintained an obsinate de 
 fence. The Captain and his men entcied the wigwams, where 
 they were beset with many Indians, who took every advantage 
 to shoot them, and lay hands upon them, so that it was with 
 great difficulty that they could defend themselves with their 
 swords. After a severe conflict, in which many of the Indians 
 were slain, some of the English kilhd, and ethers sorely 
 wounded, the victory still hung in suspense. The captain find 
 ing himself much exhausted, and out of breath, as well as bis 
 men, by the extraordinary exertions which they had made ; in 
 this critical state of action, had recourse to a successful expe 
 dient. He cries out to his men, We must iurn them. He im 
 mediately entering a wigwam, took fire, and put it into the- 
 mats, with which the wigwams were covered. The fire in 
 stantly kindling, spread with such violence that all the Indian 
 houses were soon wrapped inflames. As the fire increased, 
 the English retired witKout the fort, and compassed it on every 
 side. Uncas and Ins Indians, with such of ihe Narraganseta as 
 yet remained, took cournge, from the example of the English, 
 and formed another cucle in the rear or them. The enemj 
 were now seized with astonishment, and foiced, by the flamea^ 
 from their lurking places, into open light, became a fair mark 
 for the English soldiers. Some climbed the paUisadoes, and 
 were instantly brought down by the fire of the Englisk cuus- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 63 
 
 kets. Others, desperately sallying forth from their burning 
 cells, were shot, or cut in pieces with the sword. Such (error 
 fell upon them, that th.*y wouid run back from the English, into 
 the very flames. Great numbers perished in the conflagra 
 tion. 
 
 The greatness and violence of the fire, the reflection of the 
 light, the flashing and roar of the arms, the shrieks and vei 
 lings of the men, women and children, in the fort, and tne 
 shoutings of the Indians without, just at the dawning of the 
 morning-, exhibited a grand and awful scene. In a little more 
 than an hour this whole work of destruction was finished. 
 Seventy wigwams were burnt, and five or six hundred Indiana 
 perished, either by the sword, or in the flames.* A hundred 
 and fifty warriors had been sent on, the evening before, who 
 that very morninir, were to have gone forth against the English. 
 Of th^se, and ail who belonged to the fort, seven only escaped, 
 and seven were made prisoners. It had been previously con 
 clude I not to burn the fort, but to destroy the enemy, and take 
 the plunder ; but the captain afterwards found it the only ex 
 pedient to obtain the vic ory, and save his men. Thus parents 
 and children, Hie sannup and squaw, ths old man and babe, 
 perished in promiscuous ruin. 
 
 Though the victory was complete, yet the army were in 
 great danger and distress. The men had been exceedingly fa 
 tigued, by the heat, and long marches through rough and difficult 
 places ; and by thai constant watch and guard which they had 
 been obl ged to keep. They had no A* been greatly exhausted, 
 by the sharpness of the action, and the exertions winch they 
 had been necessitated to make. Their lo?s was very consider 
 able. Two men were kilieJ, and nearly twenty wounded. 
 
 This was more than one quarter of the English. Numbers 
 fainted by reason of fatigue, the heat. anJ want of necessaries. 
 The surg-con, their provisions, and the articles necessary for 
 the wounded, were on board the vessels, which had been or 
 dered to sail from the Natraganset bay, the night before, for 
 Pequot harbour ; but there was no appearance of them in the 
 sound. They weie sensible that, by the burning of the fort, 
 and the noise ol" war, they had alarmed the country ; and there 
 fore were in constant expectation of an attack, by a fresh and 
 numerous enemy from the other fortress, and from every quar 
 ter whence the Peq iots might be collected. 
 
 A number of friendly Indians had been wounded, and they 
 were so distracted with fear, that it was difficult even to tpeak 
 
 *Captain Mason, in his history, says six or seven hundred. From 
 the Dumber of wigwams, anJ the reinforcement, the probability is 
 that about six hundred were destroyed. 
 
64 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 with their guide and interpeter, or to know any thing what 
 they designed. The English were in an enemy s country, and 
 enlire strangers to the vvay in which they must return. The 
 enemy were far more numerous than themselves, and enraged 
 to the highest degree. Another circumstance rendered their 
 situation still more dangerous, their provisions and ammunition 
 were nearly expended. Four or five men were so wounded 
 that it was necessary to carry them, and they were also obli 
 ged to bear about twenty fire arms, so that not more than for 
 ty men could be spared for action. 
 
 After an interval of about an hour, while the officers were in 
 consultation what course they should take, their vessels, &s 
 though guided by the hand of providence, to serve the necessi 
 ties of these brave men, came full in view ; and, under a fair 
 gale, were steering directly into the harbour. This in the sit 
 uation of the army at that time, was a most jo> ful sight. 
 
 Immediately, upon the discovery of the vessels, about three 
 hundred Indians came on from the other fort. Captain Mason, 
 perceiving their approach, led out a chosen party to engage 
 them, and try their temper. He gave them such a warm re 
 ception, as soon checked and put them to a stand. This gave 
 him great encouragement, arid he ordered the army to march 
 for Pequot harbour. The enemy, upon this, immediately ad 
 vanced to the hill, where the fort stood ; and viewing the de 
 struction which had been made, stamped and tore their hair 
 from their heads. After a short pause, and blowing them 
 selves up to the highest transport of passion, they leaped down 
 the hill after the army, in the most violent manner, as though 
 they were about to run over the English. Captain Uiiderlnl!, 
 who, with a number of the best men, was ordered to defend 
 the rear, soon checked the eagerness of their pursuit, and. 
 taught them to keep at a more respectful distance. The 
 friendly Indians who had not deserted, now kept close to the 
 English, and it was believed, that after the enemy came on. 
 they were afraid to leave them. The enemy pursued the ar 
 my nearly six miles, sometimes shooting at a distance, from 
 behind the rocks and trees, and at other times, pressing on 
 more violently, and desperately hazarding themselves in tha 
 open field. 
 
 That the English might be enabled to fight, captain Mason 
 eoon hired the Indians to carry the wounded men and their 
 arms. The English killed several of the enemy while they 
 pursued them, but sustained no loss themselves. When they 
 killed a Pequot, the other Indians would shout, run and fetch 
 his head. At length, the enemy finding that they could make 
 no impression upon the army, and that wounds and death at 
 tended their attempts, gave over the pursuit. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 65 
 
 t*he army then m-uched to the harbor, with their colors 
 flying, and were received on board the vessels, with great mu 
 tual joy and congratulation. 
 
 In about three weeks from the time the men embarked at 
 Hartford, they returned a^ain to their respective habitations. 
 They were received with the greatest exultation. As the peo 
 ple had been deeply afflicted with their danger, and full of anx 
 iety for their friends, while nearly half the effective men in the 
 colony were in service, upon so hazardous an enterprise, so 
 sudden a change, in the groat victory obtained, and in the safe 
 return of so many of their children and neighbors, filled them 
 with exceeding joy and thankfulness. Every family, and eve 
 ry worshipping 1 assembly, spoke the language of praise and 
 thanksgiving. 
 
 Several circumstances a tending this enterprise, were much 
 noticed by the soldiers themselves, and especially by all the 
 pious people. It was considered as very providential, that the 
 army should march nearly forty miles, and a considerable part 
 of it in the enemy s country, and not be discovered until the mo 
 ment they were ready to commence the attack. It was judg 
 ed remarkable, that the vessels should come into the harbour 
 at the very hour in which they were most needed. The life 
 ol captain Mason was very signally preserved. As he entered 
 a wigwam for fire to burn the fort, an Lid:an was drawing aa 
 arrow to the very head, and would have killed him instantly ; 
 but Divis, one his sergeants, cut the bow string with his cut 
 lass auJ prevented the fatal shot. Lieutenant Ball received an 
 arrow into a hard piec? of cheese, which he had in his clothes, 
 and by it was saved harmless. Two soldiers, John Dyer and 
 Thomas Stiles, both servants of one mm, were shot in the 
 knots of their a ec it lotus, a.iJ by them preserved from instant 
 death. 
 
 Few enterprises have ever been achieved with more person 
 al bravery or go xl conduct. In few have so great a proportion 
 of the effective ^n MI or* a whole cjlony, stale, or nation been put 
 to so great an 1 i nuiedhte danger. In few, have a people been 
 BO deeply an 1 im nedtateiy interested, as the whole colony of 
 Connecticut w is i i this, iu thai uncommon crisis. In these 
 respects, even the great armaments and battles of Europe are, 
 comparatively, of linle i nportance. In this, under the divine 
 conduct, by seventy-seven brave men, Connecticut was saved, 
 and the moat warlike and terrible Indian nation iu New-Eng 
 land, defeated and ruined. 
 
 The body of the P^q-io s, returning from the pursuit of cap 
 tain Mason, repaired to &issac..s, at the royal fortress, and re 
 lated the doleful s oiy of their misfortunes. They charged 
 them all to hLs haughtiness and misconduct, and threatened 
 6* 
 
66 UNIVERSAL HISTO&Y OF 
 
 him, and his, with immediate destruction. His friends and 
 chief counsellors interceded for him ; and, at their entreaty, his 
 men spared his life. Then, upon consultation, they concluded, 
 that they could not, with safety, remain any longer in the coun 
 try. They were, indeed, so panic siruck, that, burning their 
 wigwams and destroying their fort they fled and scatter 
 ed into various parts of the country. Sassacus, Mononotto* 
 and seventy or eighty of their cliief counsellors and warriors, 
 took their route towards Hudson s river. 
 
 Just before captain Mason went out upon the expedition 
 against the Pequots, the Dutch performed a very neighbourly 
 office for Connecticut. The two maids, who had been capti 
 vated at Wethersfield, had, through the humanity and media 
 tion of Mononotto s squaw, been spare! from death, and kindly 
 treated. The Dutch governor, receiving intelligence of their 
 circumstances, determined to redeem them at any rate, and 
 despatched a sloop to Pequot harbour for that purpose. Upon 
 its arrival, the Dutch made large offers for their redemption, 
 but the Pequots would not accept them. Finally, as the 
 Dutch had a number of Peq iots on board, whom they had ta 
 ken, and finding that they could do no better, they offered the 
 Pequots six of their own men for the two maids. These they 
 accepted, and the Dutch delivered the youug women at Say- 
 brook, just before captain Mason and his party arrived. Of 
 them ho received particular information respecting the enemy. 
 
 An Indian runner, despatched by Mr. Wiliums, at Provi 
 dence, soon carried the news of the success of Connecticut 
 against the Pequots, to the governor of Massachusetts. The gov 
 ernor and his council, judging that the Peq lots had received a 
 capital blow, sent forward but a hundred and twenty men. 
 These wore commanded by Mr. Stonghion, aud ihe Ilev. Mr. 
 Wilson, of Boston, was sent his chaplain. 
 
 This party arrived at Pequot turbo >r the latter pirt of June. 
 By the assistance of the Narragansel Indians, the party under 
 captain St-Might on surround- d a laige body of Pequots in a 
 swamp. They took eighty captives. Tliiuywere men; t he- 
 rest were wom^n and children. The nr:n. except two sa 
 chems, wore killed, but the women and children were sar*d. 
 Tne sachems promised to conduct the English to Sassacus, and 
 f>r that purpose were spared for the present. 
 fc The court at Connecti Ut ordered that forty men should bo 
 raided forthwith for the further prosecution of the war against 
 Ihe Pequjts. to be commanded by captain Mason. 
 
 The troop* from Connecticut made a junction with the party 
 under the? command of captain Stougtiton, at Pequot. Mr. 
 Lndlow, with other principal gentlemen fiom Connecticut, 
 went also with the army, to advice with respect to the measure* 
 to l>e adopted in the 1 urUicr prod^sutioa of the war. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 67 
 
 genera! consultation, it was concluded to pursue the Pequota, 
 who ha- l fldd to the westward. Tiie army marched immediate 
 ly, and soon discovered the places, where the enemy had 
 rendezvouz-^d, at their several removes. As these were not 
 far distant from eac i other, it appeared that they moved slow 
 ly, having their women and children with them. They also 
 were without provisions, and were obliged to dig for clams, 
 and to range the groves for such articles as they afforded. 
 The English found som-j scattering 1 Peqnois, as they scoured 
 the country, whom th captivated, and from whom they ob 
 tained intelligence rd .tive to the Peq iots whom they wero 
 pursuing. But finding, that the sachems, whom they had spar 
 ed, would give them no information, they beheaded them, on 
 their march, at a place called Alenunkaiuek, since Guiitord; 
 from which circumstance, the spot on which the execution 
 waa done, bears the name of Sachem s Hjad to the present 
 time. In three days they arrived at New Haven harbour. 
 The vessels sailed along the shore while the troop? marched 
 by land. At New Haven, then called Quinnipiack, a great 
 smoke, at a small distance, was discovered in the woods. The 
 officers supposing, tint they had now discovered the enemy, 
 ordered the army immediately to advance upon them; but 
 were soon informed that they were not. in that vicinity. The 
 Connecticut Indians had kindled the fires whence the smoke 
 arose. The troop* so >n embarked 0:1 b iard the vessels. After 
 staying several days at New Hiveu, -officers received in- 
 intelligence from a P q i>r, whom t .,vl previously sent to 
 make discovery, that the erit-tny \vre at a considerable dis 
 tance, in a great swamo, to the westward. Upon this infor 
 mation, the ftrmy marched with al possible despatch to a great 
 ewanip, in Fairl! >IJ, where were eijh v or a hundred Pequot 
 warriors, and nearly tw > h.ui-lr -d other Indians. The ssvamp 
 was such a thicket, so deep and boggy, that it \vas difficult to 
 enter it, or make anv movement without sinking in Hie mire, 
 lieutenant Davenport and otli.-rs, rushing eagerly into it, 
 were sorely wounded, and several were soon so de^p in the 
 mud, that th^y could not set on*, v,-i hout assistance. The 
 enemy pressed thorn so hard, that they were j i*t r^ady to seizo 
 them by th<3 h ; iir of their b^ad. A nu nber of brave men were 
 obliged to rescue them ^wo-.lin hand Some? of the Indians 
 were slain, and the men w ;re drawn out of the mire. The 
 swamp was surrounded, an 1 after a cuAsidarable skirmish, the 
 Indians desired a pirlr;/. As the officers were not willino- to 
 make a promiscuous destruction of mon. woiwn and ciiildren, 
 and a the sachem and Inti .vis of the vicimtv had fled into thm 
 *wam;>, thonorh tl-.ey had J >ne the colonies no injury, a parley 
 was granted. Thomas fc) uotou, a cuan well acqj-aitlca witk 
 
68 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 the manners and language of the Indians, was sent to treat 
 with them. He was authorized to offer life to all the Indians 
 who had shed no English hlood. Upon this offer, the sachem 
 of the place came out to the English, and one company of old 
 men, women and cidldren after another, to the number of about 
 two hundred. 
 
 The sachem of the place declared for himself and his Indiana^ 
 that they had never shed the blood of the English, nor done 
 them any harm. But the Pequot warriors hud too great a 
 spirit to accept of the offer of life, declaring-, that they would 
 fight it out. They shot their arrows at Stanton, and pressed so 
 hard upon him. that the soldiers were obliged to fly to his res 
 cue. The fight was then renewed, the soldiers firing upon 
 them whenever an opportunity presented. But by reason of an 
 unhappy division among the officers, a great part of the enemy 
 escaped. Some were for forcing the swamp immediately, but 
 this was oppo-ed, as too dangerous. Others were for cutting 
 it down, as they had taken many hatchets, with which they 
 were of the opinion it might be effected! Some others were 
 for making a pallisado and hedge round it, but neither of these 
 measures could be adopted. As night came on, the English 
 cut through a narrow pa; t of it, by which the circumference 
 was greatly lessened ; so that the soldiers, at twelve feet dis 
 tance from each other, were able completely to compass tho 
 enemy. In this manner they enclosed and watched them until 
 it was nearly morning. A thick fog arose just before day, and 
 it became exceedingly dark, At this juncture, the Indian* 
 took the opportunity to break through the English. They 
 made their first at empt upon captain Patrick s quarters, yelling 
 in their hideous manner, and pressing on with violence, but they 
 were several times di iven back. As the noise and tumult of 
 war increased, enp ain Mason sent a party to assist captain 
 Patrick. Captain Tra:ik itl-o matched to reinforce him. A* 
 the bailie greatly increased, the siege broke up. Captain. 
 Mason marched to give assistance in ihe action. Advancing 
 to the turn o! the swamp, ho found that the enemy were press 
 ing 1 out upon him ; but he gave them so wuim a reception, that 
 the) were soon glad to retire. While he u a-; expecting thut 
 they would make another a t-mpt uptni him, they faced about, 
 and falling violent.lv on captain Puirick, bi oke through hi* 
 quarters and fled. Tln^e were their bravest warriors, t-ixty or 
 evenly of whom made their escape. About twenty wero 
 killed, and one hundred and rig! ty were taken prisoners. Th 
 English also took hatchets, wampum, kettles, trays and other 
 Indian utensils. 
 
 The Pequot women and children, who had been captivated, 
 were divided among- the troupe. Sumu were cairicU to 
 
THE UNITED STATB3. 69 
 
 necticut, and others to the Massachusetts. The people of 
 Massachusetts s?nt a number of ihe women and boys to the 
 West-Indies, and sold them for slaves. It was supposed that 
 about seven hundred Pequots were destroyed. The women 
 who were captivated, reposed, tlr.it thirteen sachems had been 
 ilain, and that thirteen yet survived. Among ihe latter wero 
 Sassacus and VTononotto, Ihe two r lief sachems. These with 
 about twenty of their b -st men fl .<! to the Mo iav ks. They 
 carried off with them wampum to the amount of 500 pound*. 
 The Mohawks surprised and slew them ail, except Monouotlo. 
 They wounded him, but he made hi.s escape. Tiie scalp of 
 6a?sacus was sent to Connecticut in the fall, and Mr. Ludiow 
 and several other gentlemen, go in.^ into Massachusetts, in 
 September, carried a lck of it to Boston, as a rare sight, and 
 a sure demonstration of the death of their mortal enemy. 
 
 Among the Peq-iot captives were the wife and children of 
 Mononotto. She w<is particularly noticed, by the English, for 
 her gr.-at modesty, humanity and good sense. She made ii aa 
 her only request., thv she migiit not be injured either as to her 
 offspring or person ;i I vmor. As a requital of her kindness lo 
 the captivated maids, ii -r life and the lives of her children wore 
 not only spared, but they were particularly recommended to 
 the care of governor \Vinthrop. lie gave charge for their 
 protection and kind treatment. 
 
 After the swamp fight, the Pcquots became so weak and 
 scattered, that the Narragaasets and Moheag.ins constantly 
 killed thorn, and brought in iheir heads lo Windsor and Hart 
 ford. Those who :-iirvived were so hun f ed and harassed, that 
 a number of their rviief men repaired to the English, at Hart 
 ford, for relief. Th- y offored, if their lives might be spa-ed. 
 that they would become the servaiits of the En^isti, and bd 
 disposed of at their pleasure. This was granted, and the court 
 interposed for their protection. 
 
 Uncas ami MianUmimoh, with the Pequots, by ihe direction 
 of the magistrates of Connecticut, met at Ilartftrd; and it 
 was demanded by them, l;o\v many of thu Pequots were yet 
 living? they answered, about two hundred, besides women and 
 children. The magistrates then entered into a fr m covenant 
 with them, to the following cff ct : that there should be per 
 petual peace between M lantpitimoh and Uncas, and their res 
 pective Indians ; and that all past injuries should be remitted, 
 and for ever buried : that if any injuries should be done, iu 
 future, by one party to the other, lhat they should not im 
 mediately revenge it, but appeal to the English to do them 
 justice. It. was stipulated, that they should submit to their 
 determination, and that if ei ; her party should be obstinate, that 
 then they might enforce submission, to tbeir decisions. It wu 
 
70 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 further agreed, that neither the Moheagans, nor Narragansete 
 should conceal, nor entertain any ot their enemies ; but. deliver 
 up or destroy nil such Indians as had murdered any English 
 man or woman. The English (hen gave the Pequot Indians to 
 the Nanajransets and Moheagnns ; eisrhty to Miantonimoh, 
 twenty to Ninnigret, and the oilier hundred to Uncas ; to bo 
 received and treated as their men. It was also covenanted, 
 that the Pcquots should nevt r more inhabit their native coun- 
 tiy, nor he called Peqtiofs, but Narraganets and Moheagans. 
 It was also further stipulated, that neither the Narrag-anseti 
 nor Moheagans should pos-ess any part of tiie Pequot country 
 without the consent of the English. The Pequots were to 
 pay a tribute, at Connecticut, annually, of a fathwm of wam- 
 pumpeag for every Sannop, of half a fathom for every young 
 man, and of a hand for every male papoose. On these con 
 ditions the magistrates, in behalf of the cubny, stipulated a 
 firm peace with all the Indians. 
 
 The conquest of Ihe Pequots struck all the Indians in New- 
 England with terror, and they were possessed with such fear 
 of the displeasure and arms of the English, that they had no 
 open war with -hem for nearly forty years. 
 
 This happy event gave great joy to the colonies. A day of 
 public thanksgiving was appointed ; and, in all the churches of 
 New England, devout and animated prases were addressed to 
 Him, who givetli his people the victory, and cuuseih them to 
 dwell safely. 
 
 Th^ war with the Pequots led to the discovery of Quinna- 
 piack (now New Haven.) Air. Eaton, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Da 
 venport, and several others commenced a settlement ; and on 
 the 18th of April, 1638, they kept the first sabbath in that 
 place. They assembled under a large spreading oak; and 
 Mr. Davenport pi cached to them from iVIalthew 6: 1. 
 
 On the first, of June, about three or fnir o clock in the after 
 noon, Wcis a g reai earthquake throughout New England. The 
 chock w:is so grvat, that a number of chimneys were thrown 
 down; the earth by turns was unquiet for fifteen days. 
 
 In addition to the town of New Haven, several other towna 
 were soon commenced, which were included in this colony. 
 In 1633, commenced the towns of Guilford, and Milford. 
 Stamford was settled in 1641 : soon after began the town of 
 Branford. Some sett ements on Long Island were included in 
 the colony of New Haven. 
 
 The colony of New-Hampshire, which now holds a distin 
 guished rank among the New-England States, though it 
 eetilement began at a very early period, did not become a 
 separate colony till many years alter that settlement commen 
 ced. Capt. Smith, of Virginia, who sailed along the shore ef 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 71 
 
 New England in 1614, and published a chart of the coast, 
 with some account of the country, discovered the river Fiscal- 
 aqua. He found the river to be large, tr.e harbor capricious 
 and safe, and grave a favourable representation of the place as 
 a Eite for a new plantation. 
 
 Gorjres and Ma; on, two mrmbrrs of the council of Plymouth, 
 in England, having obtained from the council a jrrant of that 
 tract of country, attempted the estish i.-liment of a colony and 
 fishery at the river Pise taqui. In the spring of the year 
 1623, tliey sent over n f,-w persons fur this purpose, who sat 
 down on the south side of the river near its? mouth, and there 
 fixed a temporary residence. This u as t he brainning of the 
 excellent and flourishing town of Portsmouth. The >aine year, 
 two of the company erected a n>h-house at the pl.ice of the 
 present town of Dover. These sot t laments, fr several years, 
 were small, and srorcely permanent. In 1629, smne of the 
 settlers about the Massachusetts-Bay, wUhiiiir to unite with 
 the settlement at. P^cat; q<ia, they assembled the chiefs of 
 teveral Indian tribes at b qsutmscot fiills, now Exeter, and, for a 
 valuable consideration, made n purchase of an ex ensive tract 
 of land. In the instrument of conveyance, th; natives express 
 a desire to have the English come and settle among them, 
 as among their count rymen in iNUtssacnusetts." After this 
 purchase, the plantation had a moileia e increase, but no new 
 settlements were made till the \rar 1638, which \\as tlie be 
 ginning of the town of Exeter and Hamp on. 
 
 The people at Dn-er early erected a convenient meeting 
 house, which was afterward*) improved as a fortification. A 
 church was soon organized, of a character similar to the church- 
 es in the neighbouring eoloriie< ; an 1 Mr. Wiihain Leverich, 
 a worthy and able puritan divino, came from Emrhnd in 1633, 
 and became their minister. Tne settlement at Portsmouth, in 
 their infant state, erected a house for divine wo? ship, and en 
 joyed, successively, the labours of several faithful minister.". 
 The mini.-tn of one of these. Mr. James Parker, was attended 
 with much success. But the town had no settled minister till 
 a number of years after its settlement. 
 
 The people who made the set:lemcnt of Ev j ter, in 1633, 
 were mostly from Boston. Having been regularly dismissed 
 from the church in that town, they immediately united in a 
 church relation, on the principles of their mother church. As 
 they judged their settlement to be without the jurisdiction of 
 Massachusetts, they formed themselves into a body politic, 
 chose rulers and assistants, who were sworn to the proper ex 
 ecution of their respective offices, and a coi respondent oath of 
 obedience wa& taken by the people. In this political compact, 
 we have an instance of civil government in its simplest, per* 
 
72 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 haps, in its pvirest form. The magistrates, who were few, were 
 vested with Iegislative.judici.il, ami executive authority. The 
 settlements at Portsmouth and Dover, for several years, wera 
 governed, principally, by airtMits sent < ver by the proprietors in 
 England. Having experienced many inconveniences from this 
 mode of government, they, separately, forming u civil-compact, 
 after the example of their neighbour* at Exeiei, enacted and 
 enforced their own laws. The combination at Dover was 
 similar to the one at Exeter; at Iporternouth they had a chief 
 magistrate, annually elected, styled a. govoinor. 
 
 These settlements for many years, lived peaceably with tho 
 natives, and, from their great advantages for fishery, ex 
 perienced less of the evils of famine than the neighbouring 
 colonies. Placed in distinct civil communities, ihey soon found 
 themselves exposed to a vaiie.ty of difficulties, and peculiarly 
 defenceless it) the event of trouble frcru an enemy. Their cor 
 porations were necessarily weak, and exposed to the intrusion 
 of vagrants and outlaws, who would not submit in the steady 
 government which was maintained in the c ionies of Massa 
 chusetts and Plymouth. Had these political combinations been 
 left to the management of their original framers and their 
 posterity, they might have exhibited an example of the finest 
 republics on historic recotd. But the constant influx of immi 
 grants, and of demagogues invited by their weakness, rendered 
 ttiis expectation hopeless. These considerations induced the 
 settlement to desire a union with the coli ny of Massachusetts. 
 The subject having been for some time in agitation, in the year 
 1641, the settlements on and near ihe PL-cataqua, submitted to 
 the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, on condition pf enjoying equal 
 privileges with the people of that colony, and having a court 
 of justice maintained among themselves. They were cordially 
 accepted by that government, and thus, by a solemn compact, 
 became a part of the colony of Massachusetts. From this 
 time, the settlements advanced in a more rapid progress, and 
 in greater security ; and their civil and ecclesiastical history 
 becomes one with the colony of which they now constituted a 
 respectable portion. This union continued till the year 1679, 
 when, by the authority of the King of Great Britain, New- 
 Hampshire was separated fiom the government of Massachu 
 setts, and became a ro\al province. 
 
 One of the most prominent characters in the early history of 
 New-England, was Roger Williams. He was a man of con 
 siderable ability and learning, active and diligent in his pur 
 suits, humane and benevolent in his character* ever fond of 
 novelty and change. Previous to his comirg to America, Mr. 
 Williams was a minister in the Ghurc!. of England. He came 
 to New-England in the year 1631, and resided two year* at 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 73 
 
 Plymouth. He there exercised his ministerial functions, oc 
 casionally, to good acceptance. During his residence at Ply 
 mouth, his conduct was inoffensive, and his character naturally 
 mild, to that he ever after retained the esteem of the people of 
 that colony. In 1633, he removed to Salem, and, on the death 
 of their excellent minister, Mr. Skelton, the church in that 
 town invited Mr. Williams to become their pastor. During 
 his connexion with the church at Salem, Mr. Williams incul 
 cated many opinions which were disapproved by the govern 
 ment and churches of the colony, which it was thought would 
 prejudice their interests in the view of the met ier country, 
 and destroy that system of civil and ecclesiastical polity on 
 which the colony existed. After much faithful and friendly 
 dealing, Mr. Williams heirs; ... Ailing to renounce or conceal 
 the sentiments which he e^;er:ained, in 1635, ho was directed 
 by the government to depart from the j ir .diction of Massachu 
 setts. He removed with a few follovA.:r-s and sat down within 
 the Plymouth jurisdiction, in t -ie present town of [lehoboth. 
 The year following, at tin; d.-Mre of Governor Winslow, lest 
 the government of ;Vlassncltu-;i Us slmuM take umbrage at his 
 remaining 1 within the Pymouth jurisdiction, he crossed the 
 Pawtucket River, and. with about iwc-nfv seMlers, laid the 
 foundation of the present opulent and fl-nirislii -o- town >f Pro 
 vidence, flies*; dissensions were conducted in suci> a manner, 
 that no personal alienation ai pears to have taken pi .c 1 between 
 Mr. Williams ami Governor Winthrnp, and a constant inter 
 change of good office.- rxi-rU-d between the Providoii -e Phnta- 
 tion and the Massacliosflfs : id PlTDiotith Colonies. In the 
 war with the PequniJ-s iu 1^. ". theie was a c^niial co-orora- 
 tion of all the p uuNitioii:- P:;. . ..- ihe common enemy. Proba- 
 bly no individual of the ni ..:"do greater and n:oie Kiiccessful" 
 exertions to maintain thy pence of \\\r- coloniis with the natives; 
 and, living in the vieinry of several powerful tnbes, lie was 
 vigilant in discovering iheif d -.-i^ns, ;tud avo the oilier colonies 
 timely notice of their hos ili- maeiiinali Ui-. 
 
 Mr. Williams, for fame yeso*, established no particulr church 
 o^der, inviting jiersous uf :ill religious &uiuiiu-.-ivs to unite with 
 his rising plantation. After a few years, ho and several of h is 
 people renounced ih i lp i> i of rh-ir iufancv, wore re-bap 
 tized, and united in :i cmitcli, whicli was. I h !i^v, t!ie first 
 Baptist church in N*MV E:sg! \nd. On cconnt of differoncea 
 of sentiment whicii, su!i--.- > n i r-nrly, p : vailHi iu the church, in 
 the year 1353, it w.-is <h\ i ! o I :\nl became tw.> churches Mr. 
 Williams pu Cuas. d in-; ^-uis of hi-* i I i ;M i M of the lii Jian 
 proprietors, and no m v\ c .j >ye(l iln-ir c.uifiilence in n higher 
 degree. Ho w;is ;h . Vtlit-t ot ih" c )iny, snJ. fir some time, 
 he appear* to have poj^s^ed and exercised the pritrcrpal ptfweri 
 
71 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 t" government which existed. In some of the first years of 
 the Providence plantation the people suffered very sensibly 
 trom scarcity- The product of their forests and rivers saved 
 them from perishing by famine. The most of the fathers of 
 New-England experienced the evils of war and famine, in a 
 degree of which their posterity are unable to form any ade 
 quate conception. 
 
 At the time of the banishment of Mrs. Hutchinson from 
 Massachusetts, several people who had favoured her religious 
 opinions, and of course, differed in principle from the prevailing 
 sentiments of the churches, chose to remove from the colony. 
 One of these was Mr. William Coddington ; a gentleman of 
 education and affluence, who had been for several years an 
 assistant, and one of the most worthy magistrates of the Mas 
 sachusetts government. In the year 1638, Mr. Coddington 
 with a few others, removed to Narraganset Bay, and commen 
 ced the settlement of Rhode Island. These planters immedi 
 ately, united in a civil compact, to which Mr. Coddington and 
 seventeen others subscribed their names. This infant planta 
 tion furnishes an instance of something of the simplicity and 
 natural existence of a patriarchal government. Mr. Codding 
 ton, a man of great virtue and natural dignity of character, 
 possessing the confidence of all, was created their magistrate, 
 to whom were delegated the necessary powers of civil govern 
 ment. By the friendly assistance of Mr. Williams, he pur 
 chased the island of the Indians, and in consequence of ita 
 pleasantness and fertility, in a few years, it became a flourish- 
 ing settlement. In the year 1644, a Baptist church was formed 
 in Newport, which was afterwards divided into two. A con- 
 gicgational church was formed in Newport in 1720; and a 
 second one, in 1728. These two churches afterwards enjoyed 
 the ministry of two of the most eminent American divines of 
 the last century, President Stiles and Dr. Hopkins. 
 
 These settlements being destitute of any chartered govern 
 ment from the mother country, in 1643, Mr. Williams went to 
 England, and by the assistance of Mr. Vane, who had been 
 governor of Massachusetts, obtained a liberal charter of incor 
 poration of Providence and Rhode Island Plantations. The 
 form of government provided by this incorporation was essen 
 tially similar to that established in the adjacent colonies. Mr. 
 Williams lived to a great age, and was chosen several timeg 
 governor of the colony. 
 
 As early as the year 1607, some of the Patentees of the 
 northern colony of Virginia began a settlement at the mouth of 
 the river Sagadahock, now Kennebeck. They laid the plan of 
 an extensive and opulent state. But in consequence of the 
 of the principal patrons, and the severities endured by 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 75 
 
 the planters, the settlement broke up the following year, and 
 those who were living returned to England. The first perma 
 nent settlements made within the District of Maine, commen 
 ced about the year 1630. The oldest (owns are Kittery and 
 York. In the year 1635, Sir Ferdinando Gorges obtained from 
 the council of Plymouth a grant of the tract of land lying 
 between the rivers Saaadahock and Piscatciqua. It is suppos 
 ed that he instituted civil government in the province. Courts 
 were held as early as 1636, who appear to have exercised legis 
 lative and judicial powers. In 1639, Gorges obtained from 
 the Crown a charter, conveying the amplest powers of juris 
 diction. He appointed a governor and council who administer 
 ed justice to the people to iheir general satisfaction, for a num 
 ber of years. Alter the death of the proprietor, these powei 
 of government were generally supposed to have expired. The 
 different settlements formed some kind of voluntary compact?, 
 and elected their own rulers. But the people, soon perceiving 
 the inconveniences of this state of things, in the year J652, 
 united with the government of Massachusetts, and became an 
 integral part of that Colony. 
 
 In the first settlements, churches were early established, who 
 enjoyed the labours of some of the worthiest ministers of their 
 time. In general, their early civil and religious institution 
 were very similar to those of Massachusetts. 
 
 No part of New-England has suffered so much from the hos 
 tility of the natives, as the District of Maine. Many ferocious 
 tribes of savages were settled on the rivers with which trie 
 country abounds, and fiom the small progress made by the 
 settlements for a lonor period, they were unable to subdue 
 their power, or prevent their predatory incursions. From tt> 
 proximity of that district to Canada, in all the wars between 
 England and France for a century after its first settlement, 
 they were exposed to the hostile incursions of the savage--, 
 stimulated by a most artful and unfeeling enemy. Many of 
 their towns have been pillaged and burnt, and many of the peo 
 ple made captives and s ain. So late as the war of 1745, inauv 
 of the towns suffered severely from savage hostility. 
 
 The State of Vermont, the youngest of the New-Engiuod 
 Sta es, has advanced in population and wealth more rapid]*-, 
 than either of the others, and holds a respectable rank in llu ir 
 number. The tract of country composing that etate, lying 
 between the states of New Hampshire and New-York, to 
 which both laid an imperfect claim, remained long unoccupied. 
 In the year 1724, in the time of a severe Indian war, the go 
 vernment of Massachusetts erected Fort Dummer, within ff, 
 present town of Brattleborough, and commenced a small set 
 tlement near the foit, This was then supposed to be w .thiu 
 
76 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 the limits of Massachusetts; but, on running the province line 
 in 1741, it fell within the state of Vermont. In the year 1731, 
 the French from Canada erected the well-built fort at Crown 
 Point, on the west side of Lake Cliamplain, and, soon after 
 began a settlement on the eastern side of the lake opposite to 
 the fort. 
 
 From the time in which the provincial line between Massa 
 chusetts and New- Hampshire was ascertained, till after the 
 peace of 1763, when it became a subject of controversy, the 
 territory of Vermont was considered as belonging to JNew 
 Hampshire. The town of Bennington, as it is one of the best, 
 is considered the oldest town in the state. This township waa 
 granted to certain proprietors, in the year 1749, by the Gover 
 nor* of New Hampshire, and called after his name. Soon 
 after this grant, the settlement of that town commenced. In 
 four or five of the following- years, a few other towns were 
 granted by the government of New Hampshire, on the western 
 side of Connecticut River. The war of 1755 put a stop to 
 these grants and settlements. In the progress of the war, the 
 territory of Vermont became the scene of military operations. 
 These events produced a general acquaintance with many- 
 parts of the country, and towards the conclusion of the war, 
 extensive grants of townships were made by the New Hamp 
 shire government, and numerous openings were made in the 
 wilderness. From 1764 to the commencement of the American 
 war, the new setilers were harassed with conflicting claims to 
 their territory, maintained by the provinces of New Hampshire 
 and New-York. Notwithstanding 1 these embarrassments the 
 infant settlements gradually increased by emigrations from the 
 several New-England provinces. At the commencement of 
 the war of 1775, the people of Vermont warmly espoused the 
 American cause, and during its continuance performed many 
 important services. As the authority of the royal governments 
 became disavowed, the people finding themselves wholly des 
 titute of any bonds of civil government, public sentiment natu 
 rally adverted to the necessity of some political regulations for 
 the general safely. There having been several conventions of 
 committees of towns, to deliberate on measures to be pursued, 
 in January, 1777, a convention of delegates from the respec 
 tive towns, held at Westminster, resolved that the territory 
 now included in that state, should " be considered as a free 
 and independent jurisdiction of state : to be for ever hereafter 
 called, known, and distinguished, by the name of New Con 
 necticut, alias Vermont." From this period, Vermont became 
 
 * Cenaing Went worth. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 77 
 
 tin independent state; and in 1791, was admitted a member af 
 the American union. 
 
 Tiie settlers of Vermont were mostly emigrants from Con 
 necticut, and for several years afier the peace of 1733, their 
 number increased with an unprecedented rapidity. Their civil 
 and religious institutions ^ere generally copied fiom those ex 
 isting in Connecticut. A congregational church was early es- 
 tabiu-hed at Benniugton, and continued many years under the 
 ministry of the pious and worthy Mr. Dewey. In most of the 
 town?, churches were established at an early period of their 
 settlement, who have enjoyed the labours of many able and 
 faithful ministers of Christ. The churches and ministers in 
 Vermont have been remarkable for uniformity in religious sen 
 timent and practice; conformable to the CulvinUlic system, 
 and to the doctrines of the gospel so ably vindicated by several 
 New-England divines of tin; last century. The late Dr. Job 
 Swift, who has been styled the Apotle of Vermont, not more 
 distinguished for abilities and piety than for indefatigable la 
 bours, was an eminent instrument of organizing and establish 
 ing the churches and religious institutions of the state, and was 
 an unshaken pillar of divine truth., in the midst of his labours 
 in the service of his -Master and his fellow-men, was suddenly 
 removed to his eternal rest. The churches and people of the 
 e ate have been favoured with many gracious manifestations of 
 ti.e special influences of the Holy Spirit, in reviving the in 
 terests of vital religion, and bringing many souls into the holy 
 .kingdom of the Redeemer. 
 
 Probably no instance can be found in the history of men, 
 where ail public institutions, of a civil, moral and religious 
 character, are held so entirely under the constant control of 
 pab;ic sentiment, as in the state of Vermont. It is earnestly 
 lioped, that though the merciful fivour of Heaven, that people 
 may be long worthy of the postescion ef the .many psivilege* 
 which they now enjoy- 
 
 Remirkt upon the Religion of the Colony* 
 
 It is a verjvsingular fact, that, while the Eng ish govern 
 ment, and all the ecclesiastical authority, were usinor their 
 most vigilant exertions to suppress evangelical religion, and 
 put an effectual stop to the progress of psirilanism, and while 
 the New-England colonies wtre formed for the express purpose 
 of the promotion of these objects, they were suffered to pro 
 ceed with very little molestation. The company that formed 
 the settlement of Plymouth, having 1 long experienced the se 
 verities of ecclesiastical tyranny, vvpre fearful of forming a 
 
78 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 settlement in any of the dominions of the British king, without 
 a promise that they should not be obstructed in the free ex 
 ercise of their religion. Frequent and earnest solicitations 
 were made to the royal court for such a permission. But aa 
 such a concession would not comport with the maxims of 
 a bigoted prince and a persecuting 1 prelate, it was never ob 
 tained. The adventurers, therefore, committed their case ttv 
 the protection of God, and they were not disappointed. The- 
 succeeding companies, though many important civil privileges 
 were secured to them by patent, could obtain no more than in 
 direct intimations that they might enjoy liberty of conscience 
 in the services of religion. They hoped, indeed, that the God 
 whom they served, would remember their want?, and that the 
 distance of three thousand miles would mitigate the rage of 
 persecution. The religious order which they established was 
 directly opposed to the sentiments of the government, and was 
 such as they had long laboured to fcuppress. But through the 
 interference of various causes, in which the hand of God was 
 peculiarly visible, thoy were left undisturbed, till their churches 
 had become firmly established. Archbishop Laud resolved at 
 length, to interfere, and subject the colonies to the earne 
 ocCiesiastieal order as the mother country. But his death 
 soon put an end to the design. The long period of the civil 
 war?, and the commonwealth which then succeeded, enabled 
 the ecclesiastical institutions of the colonies to acquire such a 
 consistence as could noi easily be dissolved. That remarkable 
 interval in the English monarchy, of which there has been no- 
 equal in ten centuries, was the occasion of the establishment 
 of the gospel order in the New England churches. How un 
 searchable and holy are the appointments of God ! 
 
 The diyine interposition in favour of the early settlement of 
 this land, was signally manifest in the removal and restraint of 
 the natives. Their disposition is naturally jealous, and almost 
 every cause existed to excite their hostility ugainst the colo 
 nies. This, however, was in a great measure prevented. 
 Three years before the landing of the planters at Plymouth, 
 n epidemical disease raged in all that part of the country 
 with such violence, that many of their principal stations were 
 nearly depopulated, and many of tho tribes almost annihilated. 
 Had not God thus driven out the heathen before them, that 
 little band, few, sickly, and almost famished, to human ap 
 pearance, must, have become the victims of savage cruelty. In 
 1634, the sm ill-pox made great desolation among the native* 
 in the viciniiy of the Massachusetts and Plymouth colonies. 
 A little previous to the commencement of he Christian settle 
 ments, lon^- wars had prevailed among several of the tribof, 
 tvbich had been attended with great animosity, and the aevtrmt 
 
THE UNITED STATES. ?f 
 
 acts of injustice and cruelty. These animosities continued, 
 and proved an insuperable obstacle to a general union for the 
 extirpation of the colonies. While many of the most artful 
 and implacable savages were erer labouring to effect such a 
 combination, their enemies would reveal their machinations to 
 the English, and would frequently form alliances with them 
 cgainst the power of their ancient oppressors. Thus, there 
 was never any general Indian war till more than forty yeari 
 after the settlement of the colonies. They had then become 
 able to resist all their force. 
 
 In many individual occurrences, the special interposition of 
 Heaven, in favour of our ancestors, was eminently manifest. In 
 everal instances, they were in the utmost danger of perishing 
 by famine, but were providentially relieved. Relief frequently 
 appeared, when, according to all human calculations, it could 
 not have been expected. The first winter after the arrival of 
 the numerous company in Massachusetts, the weather was very 
 evere, and in the depth of winter, their provisions universally 
 failed ; the first families were reduced to the last baking of 
 bread. At this juncture, while all knees bended before God, 
 the ship Lion, with a large supply, arrived at Boston. She hed 
 had a stormy passage, and rode amid heavy drifts of ice in the har 
 bour. But its great Pilot brought her safe to shore. In the 
 drought at PI) mouth, the second summer of the settlement, 
 their corn, which was their whole dependence, appeared irre 
 coverably gone, the leaves and stalks were generally withered. 
 On a day of solemn fasting, the rains of heaven began to de- 
 cend in a gentle and copious manner, and contrary to all ex 
 pectation of English and Indians, produced a plentiful crop. 
 The first winter of the settlement of Connecticut, on the fail 
 ure of the expected supplies, about seveistv persons travelled 
 down the river, as the only means of saving their lives, in hopes 
 to meet their provisions. Being disappointed, they went on 
 board a vessel, firmly bound in the ice. By a eudden thaw the 
 vessel was soon released, and with a favourable passage, sailed 
 in five days to Boston. They could not have subsisted five 
 days longer. In the war with the Pequots, it was scarcely lesi 
 evident that God fought for his people, than in the most suc 
 cessful wars of his ancient Israel. 
 
 The special agency of God in behalf of our fathers, appear* 
 in preserving them from sinking in despondency. Never were 
 euch trials, such discouragement?, euch fearful dangers, ap 
 pointed for any other peop>e Hut they wore never dishearten 
 ed ; they never sunk under th<;ir d fficulfifs or prospects ; they 
 never regretted that they had undertaken this great design, 
 tnd they never lost their confidence that God would do good 
 for hii churches in IS ew England. Oftentimes, nothing 
 
80 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 apeared before them but remediless ruin, yet their great maxim 
 ever was, Although the Jig-tree shaft not blossom, neither shall 
 fruit be in the vine ; the labour of the olive shall fail, and ths 
 fields shallyield no meat ; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, 
 and there shall be no herd in the stalls ; yet I nil I rejoice in thi 
 Lord) I will joy in the God of my salvation. 
 
 In 1656, Quakers made their first appearance in the Massa 
 chusetts colony ; but the Legislature passed laws for their ban 
 ishment ; but as the colony continued to be molested, it was 
 enacted, that any Quaker return ; ng from banishment to renew 
 his practices against the colony should be put to death. Under 
 this law four persons were executed. 
 
 Any master of any vessel that should bring any of this sect 
 into the jurisdiction of Massachusetts should be subject to a 
 fine of one hundred pounds. 
 
 The Roman Catholics first came to America in 1632. 
 
 The first Baptist Church in America, was formed at Provi 
 dence, in 1639. 
 
 Manners and Customs. The laws of the colonies, in 1639, 
 prohibited the custom of drinking healths. In 1651, the legis 
 lature passed laws prohibiting all persons whose estate did not 
 exceed two hundred pounds, from wearing any gold or silver 
 luce or any bone lace that cost above two shillings per yard, 
 the selectmen was authorised to take notice of the fashions the 
 apparel of the people eripecially in wearing of ribands and great 
 boots. 
 
 In 1647, it was ordered, that no person under the age of 
 twenty years, should use any tobacco, unless he should bring 
 a certificate from a Physician, that it was useful to him. 
 
 Agriculture was first attended to by clearing the forests; 
 by cutting down the trees, and digging up the sunups, befora 
 tillage. The first neat cattle were brought into New England 
 by Mr. Winslow in 1624. In 1633 the cattle in Virginia bad 
 increased to about 1000 head. They also raised a large quan 
 tity of wheat and rye ; some peas, beans, flax and hemp. 
 
 Commerce. The colony imported all their merchandise from 
 England : and exported thither peltry, tobacco, beef, pork, 
 grain, and fish. The importations from England much ex 
 ceeded the exports thither. The skins of deer, elk, buffalo, and 
 the furs of others, hare, fox, muskrat, and beaver, were pur 
 chased of the Indians, for ruin, blankets, &c. and exported to 
 England. 
 
 Arts and Manufactures. In 1620, 100 persons came from 
 England, lo carry on the Manufacture of silk, potash, tar, pitch, 
 gla^s, and salt.; but did not succeed. All cordage, sail cloth, 
 and mats, came from England. Brick and fiamtd houses were 
 won built in large tew RE. Tie first mill was a wind will, 
 
THE UNITED STATES, 81 
 
 near Waterfown. The first vessel was built in Massachusetts ; 
 which was called the Blessing of the Bay. In 1633, a ship of 
 60 tons was built at Medford. In 1636, one was built of 120 
 tons at Marblehead. In 1641, one was built at Salem, of 300 
 tons, and another of 160 tons, at Boston. 
 
 Printing- was fir^t introduced in 1639. The first thin? print 
 ed was the Freeman s Oath ; the next an Almanac ; the third 
 a collection of Psalms. 
 
 Education. Scacely had the people opened the forest, nnd 
 constructed habitations, before they directed their attention to 
 wards the education of their children. Schools were free to 
 all classes of people ; the poor had the same advantage in edu 
 cating their children as the rich. 
 
 Population of Massachusetts Connecticut, Rhode Island, 
 New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont was estimated at about 
 75000. 
 
 But it is impossible to ascertain very exactly the population 
 of the American colonies at the close ofthis period. The esti 
 mates made by writers are vague, and often contradictory. 
 It is worthy of particular notice, that so small a population, 
 scattered over such an extent of country, should have been abl* 
 to conquer so many Indians and thereby save themselves from 
 *uyage destruction. 
 
UiNIVERSAL HISTORY 
 
 or THE 
 UNITED STATES. 
 
 Part Second. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 and Progrets of the Middle and Southern State*. 
 NEW YORK. 
 
 The reader s first attention in this second part, will be di 
 rected to the settlement of New York. 
 
 Captaiu Henry Hudson, commissioned by the King in 1608, 
 sailed in the employment of several London merchants, to 
 North America. He came upon the coast in about forty de 
 grees of north latitude, and made a discovery of Long Island 
 and Hudson river. He proceeded up the river, as far as the 
 latitude of forty-three, and called it by his own name. 
 
 About two 3 ears after, he made a second voyage to the rir- 
 cr iu the service of a number of Dutch merchants ; and gome 
 time after, sold his right to them. The right to the country 
 however belonged to king James, by virtue of the discovery 
 which Hudson had made under his commission. The English 
 protested against the sale. But the Dutch in 1614, built a fort 
 nearly on the same ground where Albany now stands, which 
 they called fort Auranea. 
 
 Sir Thomas Dale, governor of Virginia, directly after de 
 spatched captain Argallto dispossess the Dutch, and they sub 
 mitted to the King of England, and under the governor of Vir 
 ginia. 
 
 l> But receiving a reinforcement the next, year, they again a- 
 perteJ the right of Holland to the country, and erected fort 
 Amsterdam on the south end of the Island. The English for 
 many years d.d not interfere. 
 
 In 1621, fin extensive territory on both sides of the Hudsoa 
 wa* granted to the Dutch West India company, and callri 
 
THE UNITED STATES* 83 
 
 Kew Netherlands. The boundaries were considered by the 
 company as including Connecticut river on the North, and Del 
 aware river on the South, tn 16-23, they erected a tort on the 
 Delaware, which they called Nassau ; and in 1633, they erect- 
 eel another on Connecticut, which they called Good Hope. 
 Near the former the Swedes had a settlement ; and a quarrel 
 trose between the settlers which continued for many yeari 
 which terminated in the subjugation of the Swede*. 
 
 NEW JERSEY. 
 
 The first settlement of New Jersey was made by the Dane*. 
 about the year 16-24. Soon afterwards, several Dutch families 
 seated themselves in the vicinity of New York. In 1626, a 
 company was formed in Sweden, under the patronage of King 
 Gustavus Adolphus, for the purpose of planting a colony ;n 
 America. 
 
 The next year a nurrber of Swedes and Finns came over, 
 and made a settlement on the west bank of the Delaware fir- 
 er. 
 
 In 1640, the English began a plantation on the eastern bank. 
 The Swedes in concert with the Dutch who possessed N*SY 
 York drove them out the country. 
 
 DELAWARE. 
 
 This state was settled by a company of Swedes and Finnj, 
 under the patronage of of King Gustavus A(k;l;>hus. 
 
 In 1627, they landed at Cape Henlopen, and were so charm 
 ed with its appearance, that they gave it the name of Paradise 
 Point. The country they called New S.veden, and the river Dela 
 ware New Swedeland stream. They purchased ofthe Indians 
 the lands on both sides of that river, "from the sea to the falls ; 
 and seated themselves at the mouth of Christian creek, nc -r 
 Wilmington. Being frequently molested by the Dutch, who 
 claimed a right to the country, they for their protection, built 
 for!s at Christian, Lewi.stown, and Tinicnm. The last wag 
 their aeat of government, and John Printz, their Governor, 
 erected an elegant mansion at this place, which be naoioil 
 Priul* Hall. 
 
 MARYLAND. 
 
 This state waa settled by one Calvert, who sniled for Ameri 
 ca near the close of 1633, accompanied by about two hundred 
 emigrant3, chiefly Roman Catholics. 
 
 Twe/ arrived in February, 1634, at the mouth of tl. rittr 
 
84 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Potomac. At a conference with the Indians, who dwelt on the 
 fhore, they purchased Yoamaco, a considerable village ; the 
 site which St. Mary s now occupies. 
 
 This colony as we ll as all others, in the early period of thei/ 
 existence, was afflicted with troubles; they were principally 
 caused by one William Clayborne. While a member of the 
 Virginia council, he had obtained a license from the King to 
 traffic in those parts fcf America where no other person enjoyed 
 the exclusive right of trade. Under this license he had made 
 a small settlement on the Island of Kent, and when the grant 
 was made to Lord Baltimore, refused to submit to his authori 
 ty. He persuaded the natives that the new comers were Span 
 iards, and enemies to the "Virginians. An Indian war \v. s the 
 consequence, which continued for several years, with great 
 distress. Clayborne wns imlicted tmd convicted of muider, 
 piracy and sedition, and fleeing from justice his estate was con 
 fiscated. He applied to the King lor redress, but did not suc 
 ceed. When the civil war between the King and Parliament 
 began, he embraced the cause of the laiter ; returned to Mary 
 land, and by his intrigues fon.enU d in 1645 a rebellion against 
 its rulers, who were attached to the ivyai cause. Calvert the 
 Governor was compelled to fly to Virginia, and the insurgent* 
 eixod the reins of government. The next year, however, tho 
 revolt was suppressed and tranquillity restored. 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA. 
 
 In 1630, CharlosT. grnnted to Sir Robert Heath nil the ter 
 ritory between the 30 h and 36th decrees of north latitude, and 
 extending from the Atlantic ocean to the south sea, by tho 
 name of Carolina. Under this gnmr no settlement was made. 
 In 1640, some persons fled I <un Virginia and without license 
 from any source, occupi< d that portion of North Carolina no.th 
 of Albemarle sound. In 1661, aim Jn.:r settlement was made 
 near the mouth of Clarendon river, by adventurers from Massa 
 chusetts. The land being sterile, und the Indians hobtile, they 
 oon abandoned it. 
 
 GEORGIA. 
 
 In June 1732, several gen lemeu in England proposed to 
 transport thither all 1 ho. indigent S -bji-rt? of Grunt Britain. 
 To a project springing from so g ><><! motives, t .e people and 
 the government exu. ndi-d their rncouriiurmrnt and patronage. 
 A patent was granted by ilielvng, conve, ing to twenty on 
 trustees the territory in; w constimtijio the elate of Georgia, 
 wbich wa to be apportioned gratu.oualy among tho 
 
THE UNITED STATE3. 85 
 
 and donations were made for the purpose of conveying them 
 thither and their support the first season. 
 
 In November one hundred and thirty emigrants embarked 
 for Georgia; in January they arrived at Charleston. The Car 
 olinians gave the adventurers a cordial welcome ; they sup 
 plied them with provisions and boats to carry them to the 
 place of their destination ; and on the 9th of February, they 
 erected the first house, where Savannah now stands. 
 
 History of the ickote colonies of America, Combined, from 1661. 
 
 Whalley and Goffe, two of the judges who had sentenced 
 king Charles I. to be beheaded, having fled before his succes 
 sor s return, arrived at Boston, and were treated with great 
 respect. But no sooner was it known that the judges had been 
 condemned as traitors, than governor Endicott called a courtof 
 Magistrates to consult on measures for apprehending them ; 
 but the majority opposed it. Some of the council declared, that 
 they would stand by (hem ; others advised them to move out of 
 the colony. Accordingly they removed to New Haven, and 
 made Mr. Davenport s house their residence. They were 
 treated with the same esteem and friendship at New Haven as 
 at Massachusetts, but it was not long before orders were re 
 ceived from the King to arrest them, wherever they might be 
 found. The governor of Massachusets issued his warrant to 
 arrest them, but the judges had such faithful friends, that a 
 search was made to uo purpose. 
 
 Before the session of the general assembly of Connecticut, in 
 October, 1662, the charter was brought over. Upon the day 
 of the election, the charter was publicly read to the freemen, 
 and declared to belong to them and their successors. They 
 then prodeeded to make choice of Mr. Wyllys, Mr. Talcott, 
 and Mr. Allen, to receive the charter into custody, and keep it 
 in behalf of the colony. 
 
 In 1663, a tax of three hundred pounds was levied upon the 
 colony. A day of fasting and prayer was appointed ; the col 
 ony was much in debt ; many were dissatisfied with the gover 
 nor, and refused to pay any thing fer his support. 
 
 No sooner did the officers begin to distrain the rates of those 
 who refused to pay, lhan it produced the most alarming conse 
 quences. The gentlemen from Connecticut remonstrated 
 against collecting taxes from those who had been taken under 
 the protection of that colony, and desired New Haven to sus 
 pend the affair for further consideration. 
 
 Colonel Nichols arrived at Boston with a fleet and troops 
 tinder his command, July 23, 1664. He immediately commu 
 nicated his commission to the colonies, and requested the troept 
 3 
 
gg UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 to assist him against the Dutch. He then sailed for New 
 Netherlands and on the 20th of August made a demand upon 
 the town snd forts upon the Island of Manhadoes, Gov 
 ernor Wiuthrop, with several gentlemen from Connecticut, 
 joined him, according to his wishes. Stuyvesant, the Dutch 
 governor, was an old soldier, and had lie been prepared, doubt- 
 Tess would have made a brave defence. He was extremely op 
 posed to a surrender of the fort and town, but the opposition 
 party outnumbered him, and he was obliged to submit on tho 
 27th of August. 
 
 After the reduction of the Dutch, colonel Nichols fixed^his 
 residence at New York, to manage the affairs of Government. 
 About 1664 r a settlement commenced on the east side of Connec 
 ticut river. In 1667 Lyme was made a distinct town. In this and 
 the next year several new settlements were made and neur 
 towns incorporated. On the 20th of May 1662, a purchase 
 was made of the Indians, and East Haddarn settled by twenty 
 eight persons. In the session of May 1670, it was enacted that 
 Massacoe should be called Simsbury. At the same term New 
 Haven village was incorporated, and made a town by the name 
 of Wallingford. la 1643, war had been declared in England 
 against the Dutch. The colony was put into a state of de 
 fence, and it was ordered that a troop of horse should be raised 
 in each county. On the 30th of July, a small Dutch fleet arri 
 ved at New York. One John Manning, who commanded the 
 fort and Island treacherously delivered them to the enemy, 
 without firing a gun or attempting the least resistance. 
 
 Scarcely had the colonies recovered from their calamities, 
 before new and more terrible alarm and destruction presented 
 themselves to nil the colonies of New England. On the first of 
 July, 1674, the Duke of York commissioned Sir Edmund Andros* 
 to be governor of New York, and all New England. Sir Ed 
 mund was a tyrant over the people, but New England refused 
 to submit to this man as their ruler. It was soon discovered 
 that Sir Edmund Andro s was about to make a hostile invasion 
 on the colony, and to demand its surrender. Detachments 
 from the military were sent <o New London and Saybrook. 
 Captain Thomas" Bull of Hartford, commanded the party a Say- 
 brook. About the 9(h of July 1675, the people of that town 
 were suprised by the appearance of Mojor Andross, with an 
 firmed force in the sound, making directly for the fort. The 
 fort^was soon manned, and militia called out for its defence ; at 
 this moment, Captain Bull arrived, which gave them fresh 
 courage. On the Hth Major Andreas hoisted the King s flag 
 on board, and demanded a surrender of the fortress and town ; 
 Captain Bull raised his majesty s colors snd prepared for de 
 fence. The MajjoF did not like to fire on the King s colors, and 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 7 
 
 thought it would be a bloody affair to reduce the (own by force- 
 Early in the morning of the 12th, Sir Edmund desired to be ad 
 mitted on shore, 
 
 Captain Bull met the Major at his landing-, and requested a 
 treaty. The major rejected the proposal, and commanded in 
 his majesty s name that the Dukes patent and his commission 
 should be read. Captain Bull, in his majesty s name, comman 
 ded him to forbear reading 1 . When his clerk attempted to pro 
 ceed, Captain Bull arrain repeated his command with such en 
 ergy, that it convinced the Major it was not safe (o proceed. 
 The Captain then acquainted him that he had an address from 
 the assembly and read his protest. 
 
 Governor Andross pleased with his bold and soldier like ap 
 pearance, said " What is your name ?" He replied " My name 
 is Bull, Sir." " Bull," said the Governor, " It is a pity your 
 horns are not tipped with silver." Finding he could ma&e no 
 impression upon the people he soon sailed for New Yorki 
 
 In the year 1675, began the famous Indian war; which was 
 termed Kin? Philip s war. 
 
 The leading one was Philip, sachem of the tribe living within 
 the boundary of Plymouth, Rhode Island. His brother being 
 .suspected of plotting against the whites, was seized by a de- 
 tacement of soldiers. Philip ever sought to revenge the treat 
 ment of his brother. He succeeded in forming a confederacy 
 -able to send into action between three and four thousand war 
 riors. 
 
 The immediate cause of the war was (he execation of three 
 Indians by the English, whom Philip had excited to murder one 
 "Sausaman, an Indian missionary. Sausatrmn, being friendly 
 to the English, had informed them that Philip, with several 
 tribes, was plotting their dt^struction. 
 
 The execution of these Indians roused the ansrer of Philip, 
 who immediately armed his men, and commenced hostilities. 
 Their first attack was made June 24th, upon the people of 
 Swanzey, in Plymouth colony, as they were returning home 
 from pubhc worship, on a day of humiliation and prayer, un 
 der the apprehension of the approaching war. Eight or nina 
 persons were killed. 
 
 The country was immediatclv alarmed, and the troops of the 
 colony flew to the defence of Swanzey. On the 28th, the com 
 pany of horse and company of foot, with one hundred and ten 
 volunteers from Boston, joined the Plymouth forces at Swan 
 zey. The next morning 1 an attack was made upon some of 
 Philip s men, who were pursued, and five or six of them killed. 
 This resolute conduct of the English made a deep impression on 
 *he enemy. Philip *ith his forces left Mount Hope the 
 
88 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 night marking his route, however, with the burning of hous 
 es, and the scalping of the defenceless inhabitants. 
 
 It being known that the Narragajisets favoured the cause of 
 Philip, he having sent his women and children to them for 
 protection, the Massachusetts forces under Capt. Hutchinson, 
 proceeded forhwilh into their country, to renew a treaty with 
 them or to give them battle. Fortunately, a treaty was con 
 cluded, and the troops returned. 
 
 On the 17th of July, news arrived that Philip, with his war 
 riors, was in a swamp at Pocasset, now Ttverton. The Mas 
 sachusetts and Plymouth forces immediately marched to that 
 place, and the next day resolutely charged the enemy in their 
 recesses. As tho troops entered the swamps, the Indians con 
 tinued to retire. The English in vain pursued, till the ap 
 proach of night, when the commander ordered a retreat. Ma 
 ny of the English were killed, and the enemy seemed to take 
 courage. 
 
 It being impossible to encounter the Indians with advantage 
 in the swamps, it was determined to starve them out; but Phil 
 ip, apprehending their design, contrived to escape with his 
 forces. 
 
 He now fled to the Nipmucks, a tribe in Worcester county, 
 Massachusetts, whom he induced to assist him. This tribe had 
 already commenced hostilities against the English ; but, in the 
 hope of reclaiming them, the Governor and council sent Cap 
 tains Wheeler and Hutchinson to treat with them. But the 
 Indians, having intimation of their corning, lurked in ambush 
 for them, fired upon them as they approached, killed eight men, 
 and mortally wounded eight more, of whom Capt. Hutchinson 
 was one. 
 
 The remainder of the English fled to Quaboag, Brookfield. 
 The Indians however, closely pursued them into the town, and 
 burnt every house excepting one, in which the inhabitants had 
 taken refuge. This house at lengtii they surrounded. " For 
 two days they continued to pour a storm of rnusket balls upon 
 it, and although countless numbers pierced through the walls, 
 but one person was killed. With long poles, they next thrust 
 against it brands, and rags dipped in brimstone ; they shot ar 
 rows of fire ; they loaded a cart with flax and tow, and with 
 long poles fastened together, they pushed it against the house. 
 Destruction seemed inevitable. The house was kindling, and 
 the savages stood ready to destroy the first that should open 
 the door to escape. At this awful moment, a torrent of rain 
 descended, and suddenly extinguished the kindling flames." 
 
 August 4th, Major Willard came to their relief, raised the 
 iege, and destroyed a considerable number of the assailants. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. $g 
 
 During 1 the month of September, Hadley, Deerfield. and 
 :ield, on Connecticut river, were attacked ; several of the 
 inhab rants were killed, and many buildings consumed. On 
 the ISth, Captain Lathrop, with several "teams and eighty 
 young men, the flower of the county of Essex, were sent to 
 Deerfield to transport a quantity of grain to Hadley. On their 
 return, stopping to gather grapes at .Muddy Brook, they were 
 suddenly attacked by near eight hundred Indians. Resistance 
 was in vain, and seventy of these young men fell before the 
 merciless enemy, and were buried in one grave. Captain 
 Mosely who was at Deerfield, hearing the report of the guns, 
 hastened to the spot, and with a few men, attacked the Indians, 
 killed ninety-six, aad wounded forty, losing himself but two 
 men. 
 
 Early in October, the Springfield Indians, who had hitherto 
 been friendly to the English, concerted a plan, with the hos 
 tile tribes, to burn thatTlown. Having, under cover of night, 
 received two or three hundred of Philip s men into their fort, 
 the assistanca of these, they set fire to the town. The 
 plot, however, was discovered so seasonably, that troops arri 
 ved from Westfield, in time to save the tovrn, excepting thirty 
 two houses already consumed. 
 
 Soon after hostilities were commenced by Philip, the Tarren- 
 teens began their depredations in New Hampshire, and the 
 Province of Maine. They robbed the boats and plundered the 
 houses of tiie English. In September they fell on Saco. Scar 
 borough, and Kittery, killed between twenty and thirty of th 
 .t.r.s, and consigned their hoases, barns, and miLs to tba 
 flames. 
 
 Elated wi h these successes, they next advanced towards 
 Piscataqua. committing the same outrages at Oyster river, 
 Salmon Falls, Dover and Exeter. Before winter, sixty cftbe 
 English, in that quarter, were killed, and nearly as many 
 buildings consumed. 
 
 The Indian? in tliose parts, however, had real ground of 
 complaint. Some seamen, hearing it reported that Indian 
 children could swim by instinct, overset the canoe of Sqnando, 
 Fuciiem of the S; co Indians, in which were ins squaw and in 
 fant child. This act Sq undo could not overlook, especially & 
 eomo lime after the child died, and, as the sachem believed , on 
 accouunt of some injury that it then received. Besides this, 
 eerer.il Indians had been enticed on board a vessel, carried off, 
 and sold into slavery. To redress these wrongs, the Indiani 
 commenced hostilities. 
 
 Notwithstanding the Narrajansets had pledged themselves by 
 their treaty, not to engage in the war against the English, it 
 was discovered that they were taking part with the enemj. 
 S* 
 
90 ^UNIVERSAL HISTORY O^ 
 
 It uras deemed necesary, therefore, for the safety of the cold- 
 Hies, early to check that powerful tribe. 
 
 Accordingly, governor Winslow of Plymouth, with about 
 *pne thousand eight hundred troops from Massachusetts and 
 Connecticut, and one hundred and sixty friendly Indians, com 
 menced their march from Pettyquamscot, on the 19th of Do- 
 dember, 1675, through a deep snow, towards the enemy, who 
 were in a swamp about fifteen miles distant. 
 
 The army arrived at the swamp at one in the afternoon. 
 Some Indians at the edge of the swamp were fired upon, but 
 fled. The whole army now entered and pursued the Indiana 
 to their fortress. 
 
 This stood on a rising ground, in the middle of the swamp. 
 It was a work of great strength and labour, being composed of 
 palisades, and surrounded by a hedge about sixteen feet in 
 -thickness. 
 
 One entrance only led to the fort, through the surrounding 
 thicket. Upon this the English providentially fell ; and with- 
 out wanting to form, rushed impetuously towards the fort. 
 The English captains entered first. The resistance of the In 
 dians was gallant and warlike. Captains Johnson and Daven- 
 port, with many of their men, fell at the entrance. At length 
 the English gave back, and were obliged to retreat out of the 
 fort. 
 
 <At this crisis, the army being on the point of a fatal repulse, 
 some Connecticut men, on the opposite side of the fort, disco\- 
 ered a place destitute of palisades ; they instantly sprang into 
 the fort, fell upon the rear of the Indians, and, aided by the 
 rest of the army, after a desperate conflict, achieved a com 
 plete victory. Six hundred wigwams were now set on fire- 
 The scene was awful. Deep volumes of smoke rolled up to 
 heaven, mingling with the dying shrieks of mothers and infants, 
 while the aged and infirm were consuming in the flames. 
 
 Even at this distant period, we cannot recall this scene with 
 out pain, and can justify tlrs severity of our ancestors, only bjr 
 admitting its necessily for self-preservation. 
 
 The Indians in the fort were estimated at four thousand ; of 
 these seven hundred warriors were killed, and three hundred 
 died of their wounds ; three hundred were taken prisoners, and 
 ; 43 many women and children. The rest, except such as were 
 Consumed, fled. 
 
 The victory of the English, complete as it was, was purchas 
 ed with blood. Six brave captains fell ; eighty of the troops 
 were killed or mortally wounded ; and one hundred and lift/ 
 were wounded, who recovered. 
 
 From this defeat, the Indians rever recovered. They were 
 -act yet, however, effectually subdued. During the winUr 
 
THE UNITED STATES. $1 
 
 till continued to murder and burn. The towns of Lancaster, 
 Medfield, Weymouth, Groton, Springfield, Northampton, Sud- 
 burv, and Marlborough, in Massachusetts, and Warwick and 
 Providence in .Rhode-Island, were assulted, and some of them 
 partly, and others wholly destroyed. In March, Captain 
 Pierce, with fifty English, and twenty friendly Indians, were 
 attacked, and every Englishman, and most of ihe Indians were 
 eiain. In April, Captain \Vads\vorth, marching: with fifty men 
 to the relief of Sudbury, was surrounded, and all either killed 
 on the spot, or reserved for long and distressing tortures. 
 
 The success ot the Indians, during the winter, had been 
 great ; but on the return of spring the tide turned against them. 
 The Narraganset country was scoured, and many of the natives 
 were killed, among whom was Cnnonchet, their chief sachem. 
 
 On the 12th of August, 1676, the finishing stroke was given 
 to the war in the United colonies, by the death of Philip. Af 
 ter his flight from Mount Hope, he had attempted to rouse the 
 Mohawks against the English. To effect his purpose, he killed 
 et several times, some of that tribe, and laid it to the English. 
 But his iniquity was discovered, and he was obliged hastily to 
 flee. He returned at length to Mount Hope. 
 
 Tidings of his return were brought to Captain Church, a 
 man who had been of eminent service in this war, and who 
 was better able than any other person to provide against the 
 wiles of the enemy. Capt. Church immediately proceeded to 
 the place of Philip s concealment, near Mount Hope, accom 
 panied by a small body of men. On his arrival, which was in 
 the night, he placed his men in ambushes ronnd the swamp, 
 charging them not to move till daylight, that they might distin 
 guish Philip, should he attempt to escape. Such was his con 
 fidence of success, that taking Major SanJford by the hand, ha 
 eaid, " It is scarcely possible that Philip should escape." At 
 that instant, a bullet whistled over their heads, and a volley 
 [followed. 
 
 The firing proceeded from Philip, and his men, who were in 
 riew. Perceiving his peril, the savage chief, desperately snatch 
 ed his powder horn and gun, and tan fiercely towards the spot 
 where an Englishman and In lian lay concealed. The English 
 oldier levelled his gun, but it missed fire: the Indian fired, and 
 shot Philip through the heart. 
 
 Captain Church ordered him to be beheaded, and quartered. 
 The Indian who executed this order, pronounced the warrior s 
 epitaph, " You have been one very great man. You hare 
 made many a man afraid of you. But so big as you be, I will 
 aow chop you to pieces." 
 
 Thus fell a savage hero and patriot of whose transcendant 
 -abilities our history furnishes myla icholy evidence. The ad- 
 
#8 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 vantage of civilized education, and a wider theatre of action, 
 might have made the name of Philip of Mount Hope, as memo 
 rable as that of Alexander, or Csesar. 
 
 After the death of Philip, the war continued in the province 
 of Maine, till the spring of 1678. Bat westward, the Indiana 
 having lost their chiefs, wigwams, and provisions, and perceiv 
 ing further contest vain, came in singly, by tens, and hundreds, 
 end submitted to the English. 
 
 Thus closed a melancholy period in the annals of New Eng 
 land history; during which, six hundred men, the flower of her 
 strength, had fallen ; twelve or thirteen towns had been des 
 troyed, and six hundred dwelling houses consumed. Every 
 eleventh family was houseless, and every eleventh soldier had 
 sunk to his grave. So costly was the inheritance which our 
 fathers have transmitted to us. 
 
 Never was peace more welcome; for never had war been 
 more distressing. The whole population was mourning for 
 their relatives slain. The colonies had contracted a large debt, 
 which, their resources having been so much diminished, they 
 found an almost unsupportable burden; yet they forebore to 
 apply to their mother country for assistance, which excited 
 jealousy. "You act," said a privy counsellor: "as though, 
 you were independent;" although poor, you arc proud. 
 
 In 1680, it appears that there were twenty-six towns in New 
 England : that the mili h, including horse and foot consisted of 
 two thousand five hundred and seven men ; that the annual 
 exports were about nine thousand pounds. There were in the 
 colony about twenty small merchants, trading to Boston, New- 
 York, Newfoundland and the West-Indies ; and the shipping 1 
 consisted of four ships, three pinks, eight sloops, and other 
 email vessels, amount ing to about twenty-seven in number, tho 
 tonnage of which was only one thousand and fifty. The num 
 ber of inhabitants was nearly twelve thousand. 
 
 In 1682, East Jersey passed from Carteret to William Penn, 
 end twenty three associates, mostly of the Quaker persuasion. 
 
 In April, Perm published a frame of government. The chief 
 object was declared to be, to support ptv.ver and reverenco 
 among the people. This year, William Pemi laid out Phila 
 delphia, for his capital, which grew rapidly. In 1683, Penn 
 held the second assembly in his new capital, and presided in 
 the council. The lasting prosperity of Pennsylvania the foun 
 dation of which must be traced to his wisdom and benevolence, 
 is an eloquent eulonfium upon his character. 
 
 In 1684, king James established a .temporary government 
 over the colony, first appointing Joseph Dudley ; and in 1680 
 he appointed Sir Edmund Audross to be governor of New 
 England. Sir Edmund had been governor of New-York, suu4 
 
THE UNITED STATES. Q3 
 
 it was known that his conduct there had been arbitrary and 
 tyrannical. In October, Sir Edmund, with a guard of about 
 eixty regular troops, went to Hartford. 
 
 The assembly met, as usual, in October, and the government 
 continued according to charier, until the last of the month. 
 About this time, Sir Edmund, with his suit, and more than 
 fixty regular troop?, came to Hartford, when the assembly 
 were sitting:, demanded the charter, and declared the govern 
 ment under it to be dissolved. The assembly were extremely 
 reluctant and slow with respect to any resolve to surrender tho 
 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 colonies, in planting the coun 
 try ; the blood and treasure which they had expended in de 
 fending 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 giving up his life, now to surren 
 der the patent and privileges so dearly bought, and so long 
 enjoyed. The important affiit 1 was debated and kept in sus 
 pense, 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 suffi 
 ciently bold to enterprise whatever might be necessary or ex 
 pedient. The lights were instantly extinguished, and one 
 captain Wadsworth, of Hartford, SM the most silent and secret 
 manner, carried off the charter, arid secreted it in a large hol 
 low tree, fronting tho Mouse of the Hon. Samuel Wyllys, then 
 one of the magistrates of the colony. The people appeared 
 all peaceable and orderly. The candles were officiously re 
 lighted; but the patent was gone, and no discovery could he 
 made of it, or of 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 Andross, knight, and captain-general 
 and governor of his majesty s territories and dominions in 
 New-Enjriand, by order from his mnjestv, James the second, 
 king of England, Scoflan I, France, and Ireland, the 3Ist of 
 October, 1687, took into his hands the government of the 
 colony of Connecticut, it being, by his majesty, annexed to 
 Massachusetts, and other colonies under his excellency s go 
 vernment." 
 
 Sir Edmund appointed officers civil and military, through 
 the colony, according to his pleasure. He had a council, at 
 first, consisting of about forty persons, and afterwards, of 
 Dearly fifty. Four of this number, governor Treat, John Fit- 
 
$4 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 Winthrop, Wait Winthrop, and John Allen, Esquires, were of 
 Connecticut. 
 
 Sir Edmund began his government with the most flattering 
 professions of his regard to the public safety and happiness. 
 He instructed the judges to administer justice, as far as might 
 be consistent with the new regulations, according to the for 
 mer laws and customs. It is, however, well observed, by 
 governor Hiitchinson, that "Nero concealed his tyrannical 
 disposition tnoie years, than Sir Edmund and his creatures did 
 months." He soon laid a restraint upon the liberty of the 
 press ; and then, one far more grievous upon marriage. This 
 was prohibited, unless bonds were previously given, with sure 
 ties, to the governor. These were to be forfeited, in case it 
 should afterwards appear, that there was any lawful impedi 
 ment to the marriage. Magistrates only were allowed to join 
 people in the bands of wedlock. The governor not only de 
 prived the clergy of the perquisite from marriages, but soon 
 suspended the laws for their support, and would not suffer any 
 person to be obliged to pay any tiling to his minister. Nay, 
 he menaced the people, that, if they resisted his will, their 
 meeting-houses should be taken from them, and that any per 
 son who should give two pence to a non-confonnist minister, 
 should be punished. 
 
 The fees of all officers, under this new administration, were 
 exorbitant. The common fee for the probate of a will waa 
 fifty shillings. The widow and fatherless, how distant soever, 
 were obliged to appear at Boston, to transact all business re 
 lative to the settlement of estates. This was a grievous 
 oppression of the poor people; especially, of the fatherless and 
 widow. 
 
 Sir Edmund, without an assembly, nay, without a majority 
 of his council, taxed the people at pleasure. He and Ran 
 dolph, with four or five others of his creatures, who were 
 sufficiently wicked to join with him, in all his oppressive de 
 signs, managed the affairs of government, as they pleased. 
 But these were but the beginnings of oppression and sorrow. 
 They were soon great.ly increased and more extensively spread. 
 
 In 1688, Sir Edmund was made governor of New York, as 
 well as of New England, and the same kind of government 
 was exercised in that department. As the charters were now 
 either vacated, surrendered, or the government under them 
 suspended, it was declared, that the titles of the colonists to 
 their lands were of no value. Sir Edmund declared, that 
 Indian deeds were no better than " the scratch of a bear s 
 paw." Not the fairest purchases and most ample conveyances 
 from the natives, no dangers, disbursements nor labors, in cuK 
 rivaling a wilderness, and turning it into orchards, gardens t 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 95 
 
 and pleasant fields, no grants by charter, nor by legislatures 
 constituted by them, no declarations of preceding kings, nor 
 of his then present majesty, promising them the quiet enjoy 
 ment of their houses and lands, nor fifty or sixty years undis 
 turbed possession, were pleas of any validity or consideration 
 with Sir Edmund and his minions. The purchasers and cul 
 tivators, after fifty and sixty years improvement, were obliged 
 to take out patents for their estates. For these, in some in 
 stances, a fee of fifty pounds was demanded. Writs of intru 
 sion were issued against persons of principal character, who 
 would not submit to such impositions, and their lands were 
 patented to others. Governor Hutchinson observes, with res 
 pect to Massachusetts, that ** men s titles were not all question 
 ed at once. Had this been the case, according to the compu 
 tation then made, all the personal estate in the colony would 
 not have paid the charge of the new patents." 
 
 The governor, and a small number of his council, in the 
 most arbitrary manner, fined and imprisoned numbers of the 
 inhabitants of Massachusetts, and denied them the benefit of 
 the act of habeas corpus. All town meetings were prohibited 
 except one in the month of May, for the election of town offi 
 cers, to prevent the people from consulting measures for the 
 redress of their grievances. No person indeed was suffered 
 to go out of the country, without, leave from the governor, lest 
 complaints should be carried to England against his adminis 
 tration. At the same lime, he so well knew the temper and 
 views of his royal master, that he feared little from him, even 
 though complaints should be carried over a gainst him. Hence 
 he and his dependants oppressed the people, and enriched 
 themselves without restraint. 
 
 The most humble petitions were presented to his majesty, 
 from corporations of various descriptions, beseeching him, that 
 the governor s council might consist of none but men of con 
 siderable property in lan ls; that no act might be passed to 
 bind the people, but by a majority of the council; and that he 
 would quiet his good subjects in the enjoyment of all property 
 in houses and lands.* But, in the reign of James the Second, 
 petitions so reasonable and just could not be heard. The 
 prince, at home, and his officers abroad, like greedy harpies, 
 preyed upon the people Mithout control. Randolph was not 
 ashamed to make his boast, in his letters, with respect to 
 
 * Sir Edmund, with all his vigilance, could not prevent the carry 
 ing oves of complaints against him. Mr. Increase Mather, got oa 
 board a ship, and sailed to England, for this very purpose, and de 
 livered the complaints, which be carried over, iato his majesty t 
 
96 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 governor Andro?s and his council, " that they were as arbitrary 
 as the great Turk." Ail New England groaned under their 
 oppression. The heaviest, share of it, however, fell upon tha 
 inhabitants of Massachusetts and New Plymouth. Connec 
 ticut had been less obnoxious to government, than Massachu 
 setts, and as it was furl her removed from the seat of govern- 
 ment, was less under the notice and influence cf those op 
 pressors. 
 
 Governor Treat was a father to the people, and felt for 
 them, in their distressed circumstances. The other gentle 
 men, who were of the council, and had the principal manage 
 ment of affairs, in Connecticut, were men of principle, lovers 
 of justice and of their fellow subjects. They took advantage 
 of Sir Edmund s first instructions, and as far as they possibly 
 could, consistently with the new regulations, governed the 
 colony according to the foimer laws arid customs. The people 
 were patient and peaceable, though in great fear and despon 
 dency. They were no strangers to what was transacted in 
 the neighbouring colonies, and expected soon fully to share 
 with them, in all their miseries. It was generally believed, 
 that Andross was n papist ; that he had employed the Indians 
 to ravage the frontiers, and had supplied them with ammunition; 
 and that he was making preparations to deliver the country 
 into the hands of the French. All the motives to great ac 
 tions, to industry, economy, enterprise, wealth, and popula 
 tion, were in a manner annihilated. A general inactivity and 
 languishment pervaded the v hole public body. Liberty, pro 
 perty, and every thing, which ought t.o be dear to men, every 
 day, grew mere and more insecure. The colonies were in a 
 state of general despondency, with respect to the restoration 
 of their privileges, and the truth of that divine maxim, " when 
 the wicked beare h rule the people mourn," was, in a striking 
 manner, every where exemplified. 
 
 In 1690, war was declared between France and England. 
 Count Frontinac was appointed Governor in Canada. In Jan 
 uary he despatched several parries against the English settle 
 ments. One of them was sent against Albany, but resolved 
 to attack Schenectady. The inhabitants of this village got 
 information of their danger, but they judged it impossible for 
 the enemy to march several hundred miles in the depth of win 
 ter, and disregarded the intelligence. No regular watch wa 
 kept, nor military order observed. The French and Indians ar 
 rived near the town on the 8th of February. ; On Saturday night, 
 at eleven o clock they entered the gates which they found open ; 
 universal silence reigned. In a few moments all the house* 
 were in flames. Women weie butchered, and children thrown 
 alive into tiie flames ; fcixty persons perished in the flames ; 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 97 
 
 -<ive persons made prisoners; while the rcit of the in 
 habitants fled naked. A furious storm came on. Albany, their 
 only refuse was, at a distance. A part arrived in safety, twen 
 ty-five lost their limbs by the severity of the cold. No tongue 
 can express the cruelties which were committed. The second 
 party directed their course to New-Hampshire, burned the vil 
 lage" at Salmon Falls, killed twenty-six of the bravest men, 
 and took fifty prisoners. The third party destroyed Casco in 
 Maine, and killed and captured ninety-five people. 
 
 To avenge these barbarities, and others perpetrated in New- 
 England, a combined expedition against Canada was proposed. 
 An army was raised in New- York and Connecticut, which pro 
 ceeded as far as the head of Lake Champ-lain, but not finding 
 boats to cross the lake, were obliged to return. Sir William 
 Phipps, with a fleet of about 30 vessels, sailed from Boston into 
 the St. Lawrence, and landing a body of troops, made an at 
 tack bv land and water upon Quebec; but was unsuccessful. 
 
 Sir William Phipps, to whom the above expeditions were en 
 trusted, was a native of New-England. The extraordinary inci 
 dent of his life will serve to exhibit the powerful spirit c; 
 sonal enterprise, which the peculiar circumstances of the colo 
 nies called forth. 
 
 The place of his birth, which happened in 1650, was a small 
 plantation on the river Kennebeck, at that time nearly the 
 limit of the English settlements on the east. His father was 
 a gunsmith, who had a family of twenty-six children by one 
 wife, twenty-one of whom were sons, of which William wa3 
 nearly the youngest. His father dying while he was quite a 
 lad, he lived with his mother until his eighteenth year, during 
 which time he was chiefly concerned in the care of shoep. Con 
 trary to the wishes of his friends, he now indented himself as 
 an apprentice to a ship-carpenter, for four years, in which 
 time he became master of his art. Upon the expiration of his 
 service he went to Boston, where he followed his trade about a 
 year, during which he learned to re-^d and write, and in which 
 time he was respectably married. 
 
 Failing of that success in his trade, which his enterprising 
 genius coveted, he turned his attention to the sea, and during 
 his first voyage, hearing of a Spanish wreck near the Bahamas, 
 he directed his course thither, but obtained from it only suffi 
 cient to furnish himself with a voyage to England. On his 
 arrival in that country he heard of another Spanish wreck, 
 in which was lost an immense treasure ; but the precise spot of 
 which was as yet undiscovered. Being sanguine in the belief 
 that he should be more successful than those who had preceed- 
 ed him, in their attempts to discover it, he solicited the patro- 
 age of several persons in office, through whose influence he 
 9 
 
93 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 was appointed to the Algier Rose, an English frigate of eigh 
 teen guns and ninety-five men, in which, in sometime alter, he 
 bailed inquest of the wreck. 
 
 It often happens that Divine Providence, previously to crown 
 ing a man s exertions with success, involves him for a season 
 in difficulties, and tries him with disapointments. This was 
 strikingly verified in the case of Capt. Phipps. Not meeting with 
 the success which he had promised his crew, they at length 
 became mutinous, and on a sudden rushed upon him, while on 
 the quartet deck, wilh diawn swords, and demanded of him as 
 Hie only condition of life, that he should join them in escaping 
 to the South Seas, to engage in piracy. Although entirely un 
 armed, he stood firm and collected until he had fixed his plan, 
 and then with a courage bordering on rashness, rushed in 
 upon their pointed swords, dealing his blows so judiciously, 
 that lie felled numbers to the deck, and so awed the rest, 
 tiiat they consented to yield. At another time, finding it ne 
 cessary to careen his vessel, he put into a desolate Spanish 
 island, near to a rock from which a temporary bridge was ex 
 tended to ihe ship. Mutiny was secretly working among his 
 crew. While preparations were making by the carpenter for 
 repairing the vessel, ninety of his men left her, and retired in 
 to the adjoining wood, under pretence of diversion, but in reali 
 ty for mutinous purposes. Here a plan was formed, which was 
 to seize Capt. Phipps, and the nine or ten men who were known 
 to be friendly to him, and to abandon them to their fate on the 
 island. 
 
 Apprehensive that the carpenter might be necessary on their 
 voyage, they sent to him, then at work on the vessel, and re 
 quested that they would come to them. On his arrival he was 
 apprised of their design, and threatened with death should he 
 not second their views. The carpenter, being an honest man, 
 requested an half hour to think upon the proposal, and re 
 turning to the ship, accompanied by u spy from the mutineers, 
 resumed his work. On a sudden, feigning himself severely 
 distressed with pain, he excused himself, while he should hasten 
 to the captain, who was below, for a dram. In a few words, 
 whilst the dram was getting, he discovered the plot to Capt, 
 Phipps, and sought his advice. The captain bid him go back.to the 
 rogues, sign their articles, and leave the rest to him. No soon 
 er had the carpenter gone, than Capt. Phipps summoned the 
 men on board, of whom the gunner was one, and having briefly 
 stated the plan in agitation, demanded of them whether they 
 they would share his fortune; to which they unanimously agreed. 
 All their provisions were on V-hore in a tent, round which several 
 jruns had been planted, to defend them from the Spaniards, 
 would any chance to pass that way. These guns Capt. Phipps 
 ordered his men to charge, and silently to turn in the direction 
 
THE UXITED STATED. 99, 
 
 of the mutineers, while he should pull up tfieVridge, and with* 
 the assistance of two or three others bring the guns on board 
 to bear on every side of the tent. 
 
 Scarcely were these preparations ended, when the muti 
 neers, flushed with ttieir anticipated success, made their ap 
 pearance. On their nearer approach, Capt. Phipps bade them ad 
 vance at their peril ; at the same time directing his men to fire, 
 should a single one come forward. Awed by his decision, and 
 the death like preparations visible, (hey paused ; upon which 
 Capt. Phipps informed them that their plot was discovered 
 and that he was determined to leave them to that fate, whicil 
 they had designed for him, and those of the crew who were 
 too virtuous to second their villainous purposes. At the same time 
 he directed the bridge to be let down, and the provision to be 
 brought on board while some of the men should stand with 
 matches at the <rmis with orders to fire should a single mati- 
 neer advance. This unexpected reverse, and especially the 
 prospect of a certain, but a lingering death on a desolate shore, 
 had the effect to subdue the mutineers, who now on their knees 
 besought his pardon, and promised obedience to his orders. 
 Unwilling, however, to trust them, Capt. Phipps tied their arms 
 one after another ; and when all were on board immediate 
 ly weighed anchor, and sailed for Jamaica, where he dismissed 
 them. From this place having shipped another crew, he sailed 
 for Hispaniola, intending to proceed in search of the Spanish 
 wreck ; but his crew proving unfit, he returned to England. 
 
 Through the ass Stancc of the Duke of Albemarlo, and other 
 pei sons of quality, he was furnished with another ship and a tender 
 with which he sailed for Porto de la Plata, where after com 
 pleting- his preparations, he proceeded in search of the wreck. 
 Having for a long (line fruitlessly sought the object of his voy 
 age, in the neighborhood of a reef of rocks called the B nlers, 
 further search was about being abandoned, when, as one of the 
 boats was returning t-j the ship across the reef, one of the men 
 looking over the side, spied as he thought a sea-feather, grow 
 ing out of a rock ; whereupon an Indian diver was directed tc 
 descend and fetch it up. But what was their surprise and joy, on 
 his return, to learn that he had discovered several guns, h ing 
 on the bottom of t .ie deep. A second descent of the Indian 
 increase! their joy still more, for on his rising, he was bearing 
 in his hand a sotc, as they called it, or a mass of silver of the 
 value of several hundred pounds sterling. Tidings of the dis 
 covery were immediately conveyed to Capt. Phipps, who with 
 his men, repaired to the spot, and upon leaving the place, car 
 ried with him thirty tons of silver bullion, besides a large quan- 
 ity of gold, pearls, and jewels, over which the billows had 
 teen roiling for more than half a century. On his arrival in 
 
,^ ^ UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 London, the property thns rescued was valued at nearly three 
 hundred thousand pounds sterling- ; yet of this sum, such was 
 his exemplary honesty and liberality, that partly by fulfilling his 
 assurances to his seamen, and partly by conscientiously paying 
 over to his employers all their dues, he hat! left to himself less than 
 sixteen thousand pounds. As a reward to his fidelity, however, 
 he received a large present from the Duke of Albemarle, and 
 upon a representation of his enterprise to the king, his majesty 
 conferred upon him the honour of knighthood. Liberal offers 
 were made to him by the commissioners of the navy to continue 
 in England, but, he had too great an attachment for his native 
 country to think of a permanent residence in any other land 
 than that of New-England. 
 
 James II. was at this time on the throne of England, by 
 whom the colonies in America had been deprived of iheir char 
 ters, and under whose governors they were severely suffering 
 from arbitrary laws and excessive exactions. Pleased with 
 Phipps, the king gave him an opportunity to ask of his majesty 
 what he pleased; upon which, forgetting personal aggrandize 
 ment, he besought for New-England, that her lost privileges 
 might be restored to her. This was too great a boon to be grante4, 
 and the king replied, "any tiling but that" His next, request was, 
 that he might be appointed high sheriff of the country, hoping 
 that by means of his deputies in that ofSce, he might supply 
 the country with conscientious juries "which was the only 
 method, says Mather " that (he New-Englanders had left 
 !h?r to secure any thing that was dear to them." 
 
 Having at some expense obtained his request, after an ab 
 sence of "five years, he arrived in his native country ; but the 
 king s government found means not only to set aside his com 
 mission as high sheriff, but also to raise against him such a 
 tide of opposition, that he had nearly been assassinated before 
 his own door. Finding affairs in so unsettled a state, and his 
 own situation uncomfortable, he not long after, took another 
 voyage to England. Soon after his arrival in that country, 
 Jarnes abdicated the throne, and the Prince of Orange ascended 
 it. This event was the harbinger of better things to New Eng 
 land. Having tendered his services to William, and rejected 
 with disdain the government of New England, proffered to him 
 about this time by the abdicated king, he hastened his return to 
 America, hoping now to be of some service to his country. In 
 the unsettled state of the colonies, his wisdom and influence 
 were of great importance, and contributed not a little to for 
 ward the revolution, which issued in freeing the colonies fro n 
 the tyranny of James and his minister s. 
 
 The latter part of the life of Sir William Phipps is rendered 
 doubly interesting, by his openly espousing the cause of reli- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. :\ : iOl/ 
 
 At the acre of forty he was publicly baptized in one of 
 the churches of Boston, and received into her communion. In 
 an address on that occasion, in conclusion he observed, " I have 
 had proffers of baptism elsewhere made to me, but I resolved 
 rather to defer it until I could enjoy it in the communion of 
 these churches. I have had awful impressions from the words 
 of the Lord Jesus, VVnosoever shall be ashamed, of me, and 
 of rny word, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed. When 
 God had blessed me with something of the world, I had no 
 trouble so great as this, lest it should not be in mercy ; and I 
 trembled at nothing more than being put off with a portion here. 
 That I may be sure of better things, I now offer myself unto the 
 communion of the faithful." 
 
 King William s war breaking out at this time, he sailed upon 
 the expedition against Port Royal and Quebec, related above. 
 fn the following year he received a commision as captain gene 
 ral and governor in chief over the province of Massachusetts 
 Bay. No appointment could have been mo e acceptable to the 
 people. He came to the government, however, in unsettled 
 tim-is, and though his administration was marked by disinter 
 estedness and liberality, it was his fortune, as it is the fortune of 
 all-in high stations, to have enemies. Too restless to remain 
 at ease* they at length preferred charges against him to the 
 king, who, though satisfied of his fidelity, considering it expe 
 dient to inquire into the case, directed Sir William to appear in 
 England. In obedience to : he royal command, he took leave of 
 B Hion, in Nov. 1694, attended with every demonstration of 
 respect from the people, and with addresses to their Majesties, 
 that he might be continued in his present respectable and use 
 ful station. 
 
 On his arrival in England, the cloud, which had hun over 
 him, was dispelling, and the prospect flattering of his speedy 
 return to h ? g >v 3rii!n?iH, uninjured by the accusation of preju 
 dice and cjla iiMv. But Providence had now accomplished its 
 designs in re-poet to him. He was suddenly attacked by a 
 malignant disease, which terminated his life, in February, to 
 the great grief of all who were acquainted with the generoiity 
 and patriotism, integrity, and piety, that distinguished him. 
 
 The life of such a man is always replete with instruction. 
 It reveals to tho^e in the humbler waiks of life, the means by 
 which they may not only arrive at distinction, but to that which 
 is of far higher importance an extended sphere of usefulness 
 in chu ch and state. Enterprise, exertion, integrity, will ac 
 complish every thing-.* 
 
 * Mather s Manalia. 
 
102 UNIVERSAL HISTOLY OF 
 
 This year, 1691, colonel Henry Sloughter succeeded colonel 
 Leisler, Governor of New York. Leisler, when informed of 
 this appointment, onglit to have relinquished the authority he 
 had exercised. Although twice required he refused to surren 
 der the fort. Sloughler caused Leisler and Milborneto be ar 
 rested and executed for high treason. 
 
 In July, 1691, Piter Schuyler, al the head of three hundred 
 Mohawks, made a sudden and bold attack upon the French 
 settlements at the North end of Lake Charr plain. An army of 
 eight hundred men was despatched from Wontreal to oppose 
 him. \Vith1hem he had several singular but successful con 
 flicts, iu which he killed a greater number of the enemy than 
 his whole party. 
 
 In 1692, colonelFletcher, succeeded governor Sloughter, and 
 was authorised bv his commission to take command of the mi 
 litia of Connecticut. This power haxing been given by the 
 charter to the Governor of the colony oi ISew England, he de 
 termined not to relinquish it, and was supported by the people. 
 
 On the 26th of October, colonel Fletcher came to Hartford, 
 while the assembly were sitting, and, in his majesty s name, 
 demanded their submission of the militia to bis command, as 
 they would answer it to his majesty; and that they would give 
 him a speedy answer in one word, Yes or Mo. He subscribed 
 himself his majesty s lieutenent, and commander in chief of the 
 militia, and of all the forces by sea or land, and of all the 
 forts and places of strength in the colony of Connecticut. 
 He ordered the militia of Hartford under arms, that he 
 might beat up for volunteers. It was judged expedient to 
 call the trainbands in Hartford together ; but theassembly 
 insisted, that the command of the militia was expressly vest 
 ed, by charter, in the governor and company ; and that 
 they .could, by no means, consistently with their just rights 
 and the common safety, resign it into any other bands. They 
 insinuated, that his demands were an invasion of their essen 
 tial privileges, and subversive of their constitution. 
 
 Upon this, colonel Bayard, by his excellency s command, 
 sent a letter into the assembly, declaring, that his excellency 
 had no design upon the civil rights of the colony; but would 
 leave them, in all respects, as he found them. IB the name of 
 his excellency, he tendered a commission to governor Treat, 
 empowering him to command the militia of the colony. He de 
 clared, that his excellency insisted, that they should acknowl 
 edge it an essential right, inherent in his majesty, to command 
 the militia ; and that he was determined not to set his foot out 
 of the colony until he had seen his majesty s commission obey 
 ed : That he would issue his proclamation, showing the n:eans 
 he had taken to give ease and satisfaction to his majesty s sub- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 103 
 
 jacts of Connecticut, and that he would distinguish the disloy 
 al from the rest. 
 
 The assembly, nevertheless, would not give up the command 
 of the militia ; nor would governor Treat receive a commission 
 from colonel Fletcher. 
 
 The trainbands of Hartford assembled, and, as the tradition 
 is, while captain Wadsworth, the senior officer, was walking 
 in frunt of the companies, arid exercising the soldiers, colonel 
 Fletcher ordered iris commission and instructions to he read. 
 Captain Wadsworth instantly commanded, " Beat the drums ;" 
 and tiiere was such a roaring of them that nothing- else could 
 be heard. Colonel Fletcher commanded silence. But nosoon- 
 er had Bayard made an attempt to read again, than Wadsworth 
 commands, " Drum, drum, I say." The drummers understood 
 their business, and instantly beat up with all the art and life of 
 which they were masters. " Silence, silence," says the Colo 
 nel. No sooner was there a pause, than Wadsuorth speaks 
 with great earnestness, * Drum, drum, I say ; and turning to 
 hi=; excellency, said, " If I am interrupted a^ain I will make 
 the sun shine through you in a moment." He spoke with such 
 energy in his voice and meaning in his countenance, that no 
 further attempts were made to read or enlist men. Such num 
 bers of people collected together, and their spirits appeared so 
 high, that the Governor and his suite judged it expedient, soon 
 to leave the town and return to New Vork. 
 
 No pen can describe the cruelties which were practised du 
 ring the French and Indian war. Wonvn soon expecting to 
 become mothers were ripped up, and their unborn offspring 1 , 
 dashed against a stone or tree. Infants, when troublesom 
 were despatched in the same manner. Some of the captives 
 were roasted alive ; others received deep wounds in the flesh, 
 and sticks on fire thrust into them, and were thus tormented to 
 death. 
 
 169-1. Upon the solicitations of governor Fletcher and Sir 
 William Phipps, agents, with a number of!n;ops were sent to 
 attend a treaty with the Five Nations. The expense of it was 
 about four hundred pounds. 
 
 December 10th 1697, closed the horrid scene, by a treaty of 
 peace between Great Britain and France. 
 
 The winter of 1696 was unusually severe. Never had the 
 country sustained such losses in commerce , nor had provisions 
 ever been so scarce, or borne a higher price. 
 
 The surprise of Dover, in New Hampshire, was attended by 
 circumstances of the most shocking barbarity. That the na 
 tives had been cruelly injured by major Waldron, the princi- 
 palcitizen.may account for it, if not extenuate their ferocity, in 
 obtaining revenge. Having determined upon their plan of 
 
104 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 attack, they employed more than their usual art to lull the 
 suspicions of the inhabitants. So civil and respectful was their 
 behaviour, that they often obtained permission to sleep iu the 
 fortified houses in the town. 
 
 On the fatal evening- they assembled in the neighbourhood, 
 and sent their women to apply for lodgings at the houses devot 
 ed to destruction ; they were not only admitted, but were 
 shown how they could open the doors, should they have oc 
 casion to go ot-it in the night. When all was quiet, the doors 
 were opened, and a signal ^iven. The Indians rushed into 
 Mr. Waldron s house, and hastened to his apartment. Awa 
 kened by the noise, he seized his sword, and drove them back ; 
 but when returning for his other amis, he was stunned with a 
 hatchet, and fell. They then dragged him into the hall, seated 
 him in an elbow chair, upon a large (able, and insultingly asked 
 him, " who shall judge Indians now ?" each one, with his knife, 
 cut gashes across his breast, saying, ^ I cross out my ac 
 count." When weakened with the loss of blood, he was 
 about to fall from the table, his own sword was held under him, 
 which put an end to his misery. 
 
 At other houses, similar acts of cruelty were perpetrated. 
 In the whole town twenty-three persons were killed, twenty- 
 nine carried prisoners to Canada, and sold to the French. 
 
 The details of individual Bufferings that occurred during this 
 war, were they faithfully recorded, would excite the sympathies 
 of (he most unfeeling bosum. One instance only will serve 
 to confiim the remark. 
 
 In an attack, by a body of Indians, upon Haverhill, New- 
 Hampshire, in the winter of 1G97, the concluding year of the 
 war, a party of the assailants, burning with savage animosity, 
 approached the house of a Mr. Dustau. Upon the first alarm, 
 he flew from a neighboring field to his family, with the hope 
 of hurrying them to a place of safety. Seven of his children 
 he directed to nVe, while he himself went to assist his wife, 
 who was confined in her bod with an infant a week old; but 
 before she could leava the bed, thes avages arrived. 
 
 In despair of rendering her assistance, Mr. Dustan flew to 
 the door, mounted his horse, and determined in his own mind 
 to snatch up the child wh.ch he loved best. He followed in 
 pursuit of his little flock, but on coming up with them, he 
 found it impossible to make a selection. He determined, there 
 fore, to meet his fate with them ; to defend and save them 
 from the knife of the pursuing savages, or die by their side. 
 
 A body of the Indians soon came up with them, and from 
 short distances, commenced a fire upon him and his little com 
 pany. For more than a mile he continued to retreat, placinr 
 himself between the fire of the Indians and his children, ari< 
 
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 they 
 
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 2 
 
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100 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 1 at Cambridge, and 1 at Boston. For almost 30 years after 
 wards the subject rested. Bat in 16M7, or 1668, it was revived 
 in Boston ; four of the children of John Goodwin uniting in ac 
 cusing a poor Irish woman with bewitching 1 them. Unhappily, 
 the accusation was regarded with attention, and the woman 
 was tried and executed. Near the close of February, 1692, 
 the subject was again revived, in consequence, of several chil 
 dren near Danvers and Salem, beginning to act in a peculiar 
 and unacoimtable manner. Their strange conduct continuing 1 
 for several days, their friends betook themselves to fasting and 
 prayer. During religious exercises, it was found that the chil- 
 were generally decent and still; but after service was ended, 
 they renewed their former inexplicable conduct. This was 
 deemed sufficient evidence that they were laboring under the 
 influence of witchcraft. 
 
 At the expiration of some days, the children began to accuse 
 several persons in the neighborhood of bewitching them. Un 
 fortunately they were credited, and the suspected authors of the 
 spell were seized and imprisoned. 
 
 From this date the awful mania rapidly spread into the neigh 
 boring country, and soon appeared in various parts of Essex, 
 Middlesex, and Suffolk. Persons at Andoyer, Ipswich, Glou 
 cester, Boston and various other places, were accused by their 
 neighbors and others. 
 
 For some time the victims were selected only from among the 
 lower classes. Bat at length, the accusations fell upon per 
 sons of the most respectable rank. In August, Mr. George 
 Burroughs, sometime minister in Salem, was accused, brought 
 to trial, and condemned. Accusations were also brought against 
 Mr. English, a respectable merchant in Salem, and his wife ; 
 against Messrs. Dudley and Bradley, sons of the then late 
 governor Bradstreet ; against the wife of Mr. Hale, the lady of 
 Sir Wm. I hipps, and against the secretary of Connecticut. 
 
 The evil had now become awfully alarming 1 . One man nam 
 ed Giles Corry, had been pressed to death for refusing to plead, 
 and nineteen persons had been executed. More than one 
 third of. these were members of the chu -ch. One hundred and 
 fifty were in prison, and two hundred were accused. 
 
 At length, the inquiry was anxiously suggested, where will 
 this accumulated mischief and misery end? The conviction 
 soon followed, that the proceedings had been rash and indefen 
 sible. A special court was held on the subject, and titty who 
 were brought to trial were acquitted excepting three, who were 
 afterwards reprieved by the governor. These events were follow 
 ed by a general release of those who had been imprisoned. " Thus 
 the cloud," says the late president Dwight, "which had so long 
 hung over the colony, slowly and sullenly retired ; and like the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 107 
 
 darkness of Egypt, was to the groat joy of the distressed inhabit 
 ants, succedeed by serenity and sunshine." 
 
 We who live to look back upon this scene, are wont to con 
 template w ith wonder the seeming madness and infatuation, 
 not of the weak, illiterate, and unprincipled, but of men of 
 sense, education, and fervent piety. Let us consider, however, 
 that at this period, the actual existence of witchcraft was taken 
 for granted, and that doubts respecting it, were deemed little 
 less than heresy. The learned Baxfer, who at this time in Eng 
 land, where the same notions on this subject prevailed, pro 
 nounced the disbeliever in witchcraft, an " obdurate sadducee ; 
 and sir Mathew Hale, one of the brightest ornaments of the 
 English bench, repeatedly tried and condemned those as crimi 
 nals who were accused of witchciafl. Let us then rather 
 advert with gratitude to our own freedom from such delusions, 
 than bestow invectives upon those who can plead, in excuse for 
 their error, the spirit of the age in which they lived. 
 
 In 1693, the earl of Bellamont was appointed governor. He 
 was particularly instructed to clear the Arneiicen seas of the 
 pirates who infested them, and who it was suspected had even 
 received encouragement from governor Fletcher. 
 
 The government declining lo furnish the necessary naval force, 
 the earl, with others, engaged in a private undertaking against 
 them. The associates procured a vessel of war : gave" the 
 command of it to a captain Kidd, and sent him to cruise against 
 the pirates. He had been but a short time at sea, when disre 
 garding his instruction^, he made a new contract with his crew, 
 and on the Atlantic and Indian ocean became himself a daring 
 atrocious, and successful pirate. Three years afterwards, 
 he returned, burned his vessel, and appeared publicly in Boston. 
 He was apprehended and sent to England, where he was tried 
 and executed. 
 
 When Gov. Bellamont had settled the affairs of that Govern 
 ment, he returned toNew-Yuik, where he died in 1701, greatly 
 lamented. 
 
 Scarcely had the colonies recovered from the war which 
 ended in 1697, before they were again involved in the horrors of 
 another war with the French, Indians and Spaniards, which 
 continued from 1702 to March 31, 1713. 
 
 In February 1704, DeM field, in Massachusetts was sur 
 prised in the night. About 40 persons was killed, and 150 
 made prisoners, among whom wero Mr. Williams, the minister, 
 and his fam.lv. They cair.e lo the house of Mr. Williams, 
 forced open the doors and entered the room where Mr. Wil 
 liams was sleeping. Awaked bv the noise, he seized his pis 
 tol, and snapped it at the first Indian, hut it missed fire, the 
 house was then plundered, and two of his children and the 
 
108 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 black female servant, were butchered before his eyes. The 
 savages at length suffered his wife and himself, with five chil 
 dren, to put on their clothes, and prepare for a long- journe} . 
 Every house but the one next to Mr. Williams was consumed. 
 
 " One house still remains, as a painful memento to posterity. 
 The front door was hacked and hewn with hatchets, until the 
 savages had cut a hole through it ; through this hole they fired 
 into the house ; this door, which still bears its ancient wounds, 
 and the hole, (closed only by-.a board, tacked on within.) remains 
 now as the savages left it, and is a most interesting monument. 
 
 " Through the windows they also fired, and one bullet killed 
 the female head of the family, sit ting up in bed, and the mark of 
 that bullet, as well as of four otiiers, is visible in the room : in 
 one of the holes in a joist, another bullet, remains to this day. 
 This family were all killed, or cam s d into captivity." 
 
 The second day, Mrs. Williams began to fail, and could go 
 no farther. Her husband requested permision to remain with 
 her ; but they plunged a hatchet into her head, and compelled 
 him to proceed. Before the termination of their journey, 
 twenty more shared the same fate. Those who reached Cana 
 da, were treated with humanity by the French. 
 
 At the end of two years, Mr. Willliams, and fifty-seven oth 
 ers, were redeemed, and he returned to Deerfield, where he 
 continued his labors in the ministry twelve years, and died. 
 His eldest daughter was married to an Indian in Canada, where 
 she lived many years. She came into IN ew England onc e or 
 twice, with her sannup and children, to visit her friends, and at 
 her death left, a numerous family. 
 
 In 1707, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, 
 despatched an armament against Port Royal, in Nova Scotia, 
 which was in possession of the French. The expedition, con 
 sisted of one thousand men ; but returned without accomplish 
 ing its object. 
 
 General Nicholson visited England, and proposed an expedi 
 tion against Canada. In June 1711, Admiral Walker, with a 
 fleet of fifteen ships of war, and forty transports, arrived at 
 Boston, and taking on board two additional regiments, he sailed 
 from Boston the last of July. At the same time, general Nich 
 olson proceeded from Alhany. at the head of four thousand 
 men, from Connec ieut, New- York, and New Jersey, against 
 Canada. 
 
 The fleet had advanced about ten leagues up the river St. 
 Lawrence, when the weather became foggy. Different opin 
 ions arose, Concerning what couse to take ; the English Pilots 
 recommended one course, the Americans another. The admiral, 
 like all other English officers, adopted the advise of his own pi 
 lots ; and about midnight, nine transports were driven upon the 
 
THE UiNITED STATES. 109 
 
 Tocks and dashed to pieces. Abo - 4 one thousand men sunk to 
 rise no more. Not a single American was lost. The Ad 
 miral returned to England, and on the 15th of October, his 
 ship blew up, and four hundred seamen perished. Trie New 
 England troops returned home, and when Nicholson, \vlio had 
 advanced as far as lake George learned the fate of the fleet, 
 he led back his troops to Albany. The next year, 1713, 
 France and England made peace at Utrecht; this relieved the 
 northern part of the country, and in the same year, peace was 
 concluded with the Indian?. 
 
 Such was the destruction of lives in this war, that the popu 
 lation of New England was sensibly decreasing. Their expen 
 ses were great, which obliged them to issue bills of credit, or 
 paper money, which perplexed the government in all their 
 transactions. 
 
 In 1716, -Samuel Street, a colonel in the army of the celebra 
 ted duke of Marlborough, was appointed governor. On his 
 arrival in the province, he found the people divided into parties; 
 one in favour. of a public Bank, which had just been established: 
 the other for a private Bank. 
 
 He joined the former ; the latter became hostile, and led by 
 a Mr. Cook opposed with virulence all his measures. 
 
 In 1715, after several years of profound peace, an Indian war 
 broke out in South Carolina. All the tribes from Florida to 
 Cape Fear had been long engaged in a conspiracy against the 
 whites. On the morning of the 15th of April, the first blow was 
 struck, at the settlements ar^ur l Tort Royal. Ninety persons 
 were massacred. Some oft? - .i;tbitants escaped by embark 
 ing on board a vessel which then lay in the harbour, and sailed 
 directly for Charleston. At a plantation on Goose Creek, 
 seventy whites and forty faithful negroes being protected by a 
 breast work, determined to maintain their post ; but on the fir^t 
 attack, their courage failed them, and they agreed to surrender. 
 The instant they fell into the power of the enemy, all were 
 barbarously murdered. 
 
 Governor Craven, from North Carolina, at the head of one 
 thousand men, marched against the savages. He discovered 
 several small parties, who fled before him. At Saltcatchers, he 
 found them all assembled, and there an obstinate and bloody 
 battle was fought. The whites were victorious, and compel 
 led the enemy to leave the province. Most of them fled to 
 Florida, and were kindly received by the Spaniards. 
 
 In 1719, at a general review of the militia at Chariest on, oo- 
 casioned by a threatening invasion of the colony from Florida, 
 the officers and soldiers bound themselves by a solemn compact, 
 to support each other in resisting the tyranny of the proprie 
 tors ; and the assembly which was then in session, requested 
 10 
 
] 10 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 the Governor, by a respectful address, to consent to administer 
 the government in the king s name. He refused, and by proc- 
 lamaiion dissolved the assembly. The members immediately 
 met and elected colonel James Moore their governor. He was 
 a bold man, and exceedingly well qualified for a popular lead 
 er, in aturbuient season. He accepted the appointment, aiul 
 administered the affairs of the colony. 
 
 The conduct c.f the proprietors and people was brought be 
 fore his mnjesty s council. After a full hearing, it was decided 
 that both colonies should be taken under the protection of the 
 crown. In 1719, Hunter, governor of New York, quitted the 
 province, and Irs authority devolved on Peter Schuyler. The 
 next }ear, William Burner., son of the celebrated bishop, was 
 appointed governor. Turning his attention towards the wil 
 derness, he perceived that the French, in order to secure them 
 selves the Indian tsade, arid confine the English to the st.a 
 coast, were erect in:; foris, from St. Lawrence to the Mississippi. 
 He endeavoured to defeat these designs, by building a trading 
 house and fort at Os-wego, on lake Ontario. But the French 
 applied with great activity in accomplishing their object ; they 
 launched two vessels upon the lake, and erected a fort at 
 Niag-ara ; they had previously erected fort Frontinac, com- 
 mandir g the outlet. 
 
 The peace of 1713, was of short duration. In 1722, the 
 eastern Indians began to be hostile, murdering several per 
 sons, and burning 1 the town of Brunswick- In 1723, Dover 
 was surprised, and several persons killed, and a number carried 
 into captivity; and in 1724, repeated attacks were made, and 
 the English kept in a continual alarm. Numbers were killed. 
 The English in their turn made an attack upon Norridgewa) ; 
 killed Railed the Jesuit, and about eighty-seven Indians. The 
 war now raged with violence, until 1726, when peace was 
 restored. This treaty was greatly applauded, and under it, 
 owing to the more pacific feelings of the Indians, and more 
 faithful observance of the English, the colonies experienced 
 unusual tranquillity for a long time. 
 
 The settlement of Georgia, in June 1732. Continued. 
 
 Several benevolent gentlemen in Englard suggested a plan 
 of conveying all the indigent subjects of Great Britain thither. 
 To a project springing tiom rnoiive-s so noble, the people and 
 the government extended their patronage. In November, 
 1732, one hundred emigrants embarked for Georgia. The 
 next year, five hundred persons arrived at that place. But it 
 was soon discovered, that these people had become poor by 
 their idleness, and were not titted to fill the groves of Georgia. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. Ill 
 
 The trustees therefore offered to receive such as had become 
 poor by unavoidable misfortune, and grant to each one who 
 should repair to ihe colony fifiy acres of land. This offer 
 brought more than four hundred persons in o Georgia. 
 
 In 1736, John Wesley, a celebrated Methodist, made a vi.-: : t 
 to Georgia for the purpose of preaching to the colony. Two 
 years after, George Whitefield, another celebrated Methodist, 
 arrived in the colony ; but both created more enemies thaa 
 friends, and returned. 
 
 In 1733. a disturbance was created among the negroes in 
 South Carolina. A number of them assembled at Stono, sur 
 prised and killed two while men who had the charge of a 
 warehouse, from which they took guns and ammunition. They 
 then chose a captain, and wish drums proceeded Southward, 
 burning every house, and killing all the whites that fell in 
 tiioir way ; and com.-eljed all the negroes to join them. Go- 
 \\ rnor 13;;!!, who was returning from tiie southward, accidently 
 mot them, hastened out cf the way, and spread the alarm. 
 ]S-3 ,vs oo!i reached Wiltown, where a larje congregation were 
 attending divine service. The men, according to the law, 
 brought their arms to the place of worship, and marched 
 directly in quest of the negroes. While in a:> open field, they 
 were dancing with frantic exultation at their late success, they 
 .vere suddenly attacked by the whites ; a number were kill- 
 ;.!, e < me fled, and the remainder taken. They who had been 
 compelled to join them, were pardoned ; but all the leaders 
 eufF red death. About twenty whites were murdered. 
 
 In 1744, war again broke out between England and France, 
 Mid the co o: ies were involved. Their commerce ami fisheries 
 suffered great injury from privateers fifed out at Louisburg, 
 a French port <;n cape Breton. I s situation was impoitant. 
 Nearly six millions of dollars had been expended on its fortifi 
 cations.* It was of great importance ihat tiie colonies should 
 
 * The harbor of Louisburg lies in latitude 45 deg. 55 min. ; its en 
 trance is about 40 yards wale. The anchorage is uniformly safe, and 
 ships tnay run ashore on a soft, muddy bottom. The depth of water at 
 the entrance is about nine to twelve fathom. The harbor lies open 
 to the southeast. Upon a neck of land upon the south side of the 
 har rir >r, v/a? buiit the town, two miles aud a quarter in circumference ; 
 fortified in every accessible part, with a rampart of stone, from thirty 
 to sixty feet high, and a dstch ei;;h.t feet wide. A space of about two 
 hundred yards v, as lelt without a rampart; on the side next to the sea, 
 it v/as enclosed with n simple dike, and a line of pickets ; the sea was 
 so shallow in t:iis place that it made only a narrow channel, inaccessi 
 ble from its numerous reefs, to any shipping whatever. The side-fire 
 from the bastions secured this spot from attack. There were six bas- 
 l;ons and three batteries, containing eiabrazures for one hundred aud 
 
UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 destroy or take possession of this strong- hold, although it was* 
 considered impossible. Having exacted of the general court 
 ii oath of seciecy, the governor, in January 1745, communica 
 ted to them the project. Many heard it with amazement. So 
 strong was the place, and so weak were the colonies, that the 
 thoughts of attacking it seemed rash and pit --juiptuous. The 
 secret was disclosed by an honest member, who prayed for 
 divine blessing on the attempt, if it should be made. The 
 people were instantly struck with the advantage of possessing 
 the place. When the decision was made known, a petition, 
 signed by a large number of merchants, was presented to the 
 general court, praxing them to comply with the governor s pro 
 posals. The subject was again discussed, and the vote in favour 
 of the expedition was only one majority." 
 
 The question was now decided, and all who xvere before 
 averse to the enterprise, united heartily with the supporters, to 
 carry it into r-xecutioe. The other New England colonies 
 agreed to furnish ast-istu ce, and a boat was despatched to com 
 modore Warren in the West-Indies, to invite him to their as 
 sistance. In t .vo months, an army of more than four thousand 
 men were enlibtrd, clothed, victualled, and equipped for ser 
 vice, in the four New England colonies, which did not contain 
 
 forty-eight (:;-. v,>n, of which sixty -five only were mounted, and sixteen- 
 mortars. On u.a island at the entrance of the harbor was planted a 
 battery of thirty cannon, carrying twenty-eight pound shot; and at 
 the bottom of the harbor, directly opposite to the entrance, was the 
 r royal battery, of twenty eight cannon, forty-two pounders, 
 and tv/o eighteen pounders. On a high cliff opposite to the island 
 battery, stood a light-house; and within this point, at the northeast 
 part of the harbor, was a careening wharf, secure from all winds, and 
 a magazine of naval stores. 
 
 The town was regularly laid out in squares ; the streets were broad,, 
 the houses mostly of wood, and some of stone. On the west side, 
 near the ramprrt, was a spacious citadel, and a large parade; on the 
 one side of which were the governor s apartments ; under the rampart 
 were casement to receive the women and children, during a siege. 
 The entrance of the town on the land side, was at the west gate, 
 over a draw bridge, near to which was a circular battery, mounting 
 sixteen guns of twenty-four pound shot. 
 
 Thes v orks had been twenty-five years in building, and had cost 
 the croAva of France not less than thirty millions of livres. The place 
 was so strong as to be called the u Dunkirk of America." It was in 
 peace a safe retreat for the ships of France, bound homeward from the 
 East or West-Indies ; and in war a source of distress to the northern 
 English colonies; its situation being extremely favourable for priva 
 teers to ruin their fishery, and intercept their coasting and foreign 
 trade ; for which reason the reduction of it was as desirable to 
 athe reduction of Carthage was to the Romans, 
 
tME UNITED STATES. 113 
 
 four hundred thousand inhabitants. On the 23d of March, the 
 despatch boat returned from the West- Indies, with information 
 that commodore Warren declined furnishing any aid, without 
 orders from England. This intelligence was kept a secret. 
 About the 19th of Apiil, the troops, too ether with those from 
 Connecticut and New Hampshire, arrived safely at Canso. 
 Commodore Warren had but just despatched his answer, when 
 he received orders to repair to Boston with such ship? as he 
 could spare, and concert measures with governor Shirley for 
 hi;: majesty s service in North Arnenca. He sailed immediately 
 but learning 1 that the transports had sailed for Canso, he steer 
 ed directly for that place. He added much to the naval 
 strength. Several vessels of war, which had been sent to 
 cruise before Louisbnrg, had captured several French ships, 
 and prevented any intelligence of the expiditioo from reaching 
 them. Those vessels were daily within sight of the place, 
 but were supposed to be privateers, and caused no alarm. 
 The appearance of the fleet on the 30th of April, gave the 
 French the first intimation of their danger. The troops im 
 mediately landed, and the next day, four hundied marched 
 around the hills, approached within a mile of the grand battery, 
 setting fire to all the houses and stores on the way. Many of 
 these contained tar and pitch, which produced a thick smoke, 
 that completely enveloped the invadors. The fears of the 
 French were increased by their uncertainty. They imagined 
 all the army was coming upon them, and throwing their pow 
 der into a well, destroyed the battery, which the English took 
 without loss. 
 
 This was uncommon good fortune ; but the most difficult 
 labour of the siege remained to be performed. The cannon 
 were to be drawn nearly two miles over a deep morass, in 
 plain view, and within gun shot of the enemy s principal 
 fortification. For fourteen nights the troops with straps over 
 their shoulders, and sinking to their knees in mud, were em 
 ployed in the service. By the 20th of May, they had erected 
 five batteries, one of which mounted five forty-two pounders, 
 and did great execution. Meanwhile, the fleet cruised in the 
 harbor, and was equally successful. It captured a French ship 
 of sixty-four gnn, loaded wiih stores for the garrison, to whom 
 the loss was distressing-. English ships of war were continual 
 ly arriving, and added su^li strength 10 the fleet, that a com 
 bined attack upon the town was resolved upon. The enemy 
 discovering this design, deemed it unwise to rim the hazard 
 of an assault. On the 15th of June, the French commander 
 proposed a cessation of hostilities ; and on the 17th capitulated. 
 Intelligence of this event spread like lightning through the 
 country. The French fiagf still standing upon the walls of 
 10* 
 
UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Louisburg 1 , which decoyed several India ships, supposed to be 
 worth six hundred thousand pounds. Well might the citizens 
 ofNevv England be elated with these glad tidings. Without 
 even a suggestion from the mother country, their commerce 
 and fisheries were now secure. 
 
 France, fired with resentment at her loss v made extraordina 
 ry exertions to retrieve it, and to inflict chastisement on New 
 England. The next summer, she despatched to the American 
 coast a powerful fleet, carrying a large number of soldiers. 
 The news-of its approach spread terror throughout New Eng 
 land. But an uncommon succession of disasters, which the 
 pious of that time attributed to the special interposition of 
 Providence, deprived it of all power to inflict injury. After 
 remaining a short time on tlte coast, it returned to France. 
 Having lost two admirals, both of \vhom it was supposed, put 
 an end to their lives through chagrin ; having al^o by tempest 
 been reduced .to one half its force, and effected nothing. In 
 1748, peace was concluded ; each party restored all its priso 
 ners arid conquests. A striking, but not uncommon illustra 
 tion of the folly of war. Louisburg, though conquered by the 
 colonies, was exchanged by Great Britain for territories which 
 she had lost in Europe. New England murmured at this in 
 justice, but what avail the murmurs of the weak? 
 
 In 1750, an act was passed, prohibiting the exportations of 
 hats, out of the plantations of America, and to restrain the 
 number of apprentices taken by hat makers ; also an act pro 
 viding a penahy of one hundred pounds for the erection of 
 any mill for slitting or rolling of iron, or any plating forgo to 
 work with a tilt hammer. 
 
 CHAPTER V^ 
 
 French and Itidian War which commenced in 1766, and contin 
 ued to 1763. 
 
 The war which ended in 1748, for a short period gave 
 peace to America, and the population in the thirteen colonies, 
 amounted to one million and one hundred thousand. Scarcely 
 had the colonies time to reap the benefits of peace, before their 
 prospect was clouded, and the sound of war filled the land with 
 general anxiety and distress. In 1756, the IHth of May, C r jat 
 Britain declared war against France. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 115 
 
 The general cause leading- to this war, commonly called the 
 French and Indian war, was the encroachment of the French 
 upon Nova Scotia, which had been ceded to Great Britain by 
 the 12th article of the treaty of Utrecht. About this time a 
 company of English traders established trading houses on the 
 banks of the Ohio. 
 
 The French seized some of the traders, and conveyed them 
 prisoners to Canada. A tribe of Indians in Oiiio, among whom 
 the English had been trading resented the seizure, and by wav 
 of retaliation, took several French traders, and sent them to 
 Pennsylvania.. The Ohio company complained to Dinwiddie, 
 governor of Virginia, who laid the subject before the assembly, 
 which ordered a messenger to be despatched to the French 
 Commmander in Ohio, and require him to withdraw his troops. 
 The person entrusted with the service, was George Washing 
 ton. 
 
 Our beloved Washington happening to hear -it, instantly wait 
 ed on his excellency, and offered his services, but not without 
 beiag terribly afraid lest his want of a beard should go against 
 him. However, the Governor was so charmed with his modes 
 ty and manly air, that he never asked him a syllable about his 
 age, but after thanking him for a mble ynith-," and insis ing 
 on his taking a glass of wine with him, slipped a commission 
 into his hand. The next day, accompanied by an interpreter 
 and a couple of servants, he set out on his expedition, which 
 was, from start to pole, as disagreeable and dangerous as any 
 thing Hercules himself could have wisheJ. Soaking rains, 
 chilling blasts, roaring floods, pathless woods, and mountains 
 clad in sniws, opposed his course, but opposed in vain. The 
 glorious ambition to serve his country imparted an animation to 
 his nerves, which rendered him superior to all difficulties. 
 
 Returning homewards, he wa^ waylaid and shot at by a 
 French Indian, and though the copper-colored rufiian was not 
 15 steps distant when he fired at him, yet not even so much os 
 the sm^ll of lead passed on the riot lies of our young hero. On 
 his return to Virginia, it was found that he had executed his 
 negotiations, both with the French and Indians, with such 
 fidelity and judgment, that he received the heartiest thanks of 
 the Governor and Council for the very important services he 
 had done his country. 
 
 He was now ( : n trie 20th vear of his age) appointed major 
 and adjutant general of tne Virginia forces. ISoon after this, 
 the Indians continuing the encroachments, orders were given 
 by the English government, for the colonies to arm and unite 
 in one confederacy- Virginia took the lead, and raised a 
 regiment of four hundred mea, at the head of which she placed 
 her darling Washington. 
 
116 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 With this handful of brave fellows, Col. Washington, not yet 
 23 years of age, boldly pushed out into the Indian cauntry, and 
 there for a considerable time, Hannibal-like, maintained the war 
 against three times the number of French and Indians. At 
 the Red-Stones he came up with a strong- party of the enemy, 
 whom he engaged and effectualjy defeated, after having killed 
 finll taken thirty one men. From his prisoners tie obtained un 
 doubted intelligence, that the French forces on the Ohio con 
 sisted of upwards of a thousand regulars and many hundreds of 
 Indians. But notwithstanding this disheartening- advice, he 
 still pressed on undauntedly against the enemy, and at a place 
 called Little Meadows, built a f >rt, which lie called Fort Ne 
 cessity. Here he waU?d, hourly and anxiously looking for 
 succours from New York, -and Pennsylvania ; but he looked in 
 vain nobody came to his assistance. Not long- after this his 
 small force, now reduced to three hundred men, were attacked 
 by an army of 1100 French and Indians. Never did the true 
 Virginian valor shine more gloriously than on this trying oc 
 casion. 
 
 f* To see three hundred young fellows commanded by a 
 JFmoo.th-faced boy all unaccustomed to the terrors of war far 
 from home, and from all hopes of help shut up in a dreary 
 wilderness, and surrounded by four times their number of sav- 
 nge foes, and yet, without sign of fear, without thought of sur 
 render, preparing for mortal combat. Oh! it was a noble 
 sight ! Scarcely since the days of Leonidas and his three hun 
 dred deathless Spartans, had the sun beheld its equal. With 
 hideous whoops and yells the enemy came on like a host of ti 
 gers. The woods, and rocks, and tall tree tops (as the Indians 
 climbing to the tops of the trees, poured down their bullets in 
 to the fort ) were in one continued blaze and crash of fire-arms. 
 Nor were our young warriors idle, but, animated by their gal 
 lant chief, plied their rifles with such spirit, that their little fort 
 resembled a volcano in full blast, roaring and. discharging thick 
 sheets of liquid fire and of leaden deaths among their Iocs. For 
 three glorious hours, Salamander like, enveloped in smoke and 
 flame, they sustained the attack of the enemy s whole force, and 
 laid two hundred of them dead on the spot ! Discouraged by 
 puch desperate resistance, the French general, the Count d 
 Villers sent in a firig to Washington, extolling his gallantly to 
 the skies, and offering him the most honorable terms. It wa 
 stipulated that Col. Washington and bis little baud of heroes, 
 should march away with all the honors of war, and carry with 
 them their military stores and baggage. 
 
 The conduct of the French against the Ohio company, soon 
 reached England. The English were convinced, that their 
 elaims to the country through which that river flows must be 
 
 - 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 117 
 
 relinquished, or maintained hy the sword. They soon .chose 
 the latter, and early in the spring -jf 1755, they despatched gen 
 eral Braddock with a respectable force to America, to expel 
 the French, and keep posies-ion of the territory. In April, 
 Braddock met tire Governors of several provinces to confer up* 
 on the plan of the ensuing campaign. Three expeditions were 
 resolved upon ; one against. Dn Q>ies e, to be commanded by 
 General Bradu ock : one agaius! f.rfs Niagara and Frontinac ; 
 to be commanded Governor Shirley ; an 1 one against Crown 
 Point, by General Johnson. This last expedition was to be 
 executed by t r oops raised in New England and New York. 
 
 In th<? Spring of 1755, Washington, while busied in the high 
 est military operation?, was summoned to aitend Gen. Brad- 
 dock who in the month of February, arrived at Alexandria, 
 with two thousand British troops. The assembly of Virginia 
 appointed eight hundred pfoviiiciala to join him. Theohject of 
 this urmy was to march through the country, by the way of 
 Will s Creek, to fort Da Qnesne (now Pittsburgh, or Fort 
 Pitt.) As no person was so well acquainted, with the frontier 
 country as Washington, and none stood so high . in miLlary 
 fame, it was thought he woull be infinitely serviceable togpenc- 
 ral Braddock. At the request of the Governor and Council he 
 cheerfully quitted his own command, to act as volunteer aid de 
 camp to that very imprudent and unfortunate general. The 
 army yearly three thousand strong, marched from Alexandria and 
 proceeded unmolested within a few inilfs of Fort Pitt. On 
 the morning of the day in which th^y expc-crod to arrive, the 
 provincial scouts discovered a large parly of French and In 
 dians lying in ambush. Washington with bis usual modesty, 
 observed to Gen. Braddock what port of enemy ho had now to 
 deal with. An enemy who would not, like the Europeans, 
 come forward to a fair" content in the field, but, concealed be 
 hind rocks and trees carry on a deadly warfare with their ri 
 fles. He concluded v ith bilging that Gen. BradJock would 
 grant him the honor to U.-t him place himself at the head of the 
 Virginia riflemen, and fight them in their own way. And it / 
 -was generally thought that our young hero and his eight him- ; 
 dred hearts of hickory, would \ery easily have- beaten them , 
 too, for they were not superior to the force, which, (with only / 
 three hundred) he had handled so roughly a twelve month be 
 fore. But Geri. Braddock, who had all along treated the 
 American officers and soldiers with infinite contempt, instead 
 of following this truly salutary advice, swelled and reddened 
 with most unmanly rage. tk High times, by G d " he ex 
 claimed, strutting to and fro with arms a kimbo, " High times ! 
 when a young buckskin can teach a British general how to fight !" 
 Washington withdrew, biting his lips with grief and ind gna- 
 
118 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 tion, to think what numbers of bravo follows would draw short 
 breath that day, through the pride and obstinacy of one epau- 
 lettrd fool. The troops \vero ordered [ufortn and advance in 
 columns through the woods ! ! ! In a hliie time the ruin which 
 Washington had predicted en.-urnl. This poor devoted army, 
 pphed on by their mad-cap genera], fell into the fatal snare 
 which \vns Hd for them. A!! at once a thousand rifles began 
 {!:<> vork ofdoftth. The pToun.d was instantly covered with the 
 r \ in;>- and the df-ad. The British troops, thus slaughtered by 
 hundreds, and by an enemy whom tho_\ could not see, were 
 thrown irreenverabty into panic and confusion, and in a few 
 minnUs their haughty general with 1200 of his brave but un 
 fortunate countrymen, bit the ground. Poor Braddok closed 
 the iraredy with great decency, lie was mortally wounded in 
 the beginning < f the action, and Washington had him placed in 
 a cart rendy for retreat.. Close on t!je left, where the weight 
 of the French and Indian fl. e principally fell, Washington and 
 his Virginia rith:rsen, dressed in blue, sustained t lie shock. At 
 every discharge of their rifles thr wounded general cried out, 
 11 O m>/ brrtvG Virginia hfitt.v ! tT^ou d to God J tould live to re- 
 v-nrfl you for such-gallantry. * Biu he died. Washington bu 
 ried him in the road, and to save him from discovery and the 
 BCaJpng knife, ordf-red the uag-ponson their retreat to drive 
 over his grave ! O Gud ! what is man? Even a thing of 
 nought ! ! 
 
 Amidst all this fearful consternation and carnage, amidst all 
 the uproars and horrors of a rout, rendered still more dreadful 
 fey the groans of tjbe dying, -the gCTenms of the wounded, the 
 pjr-jcing shrinks of the women, snd the veils of the furious as- 
 ? aiiitint; savages WashipgtojQj calm and self -coUi-c ed, rallied his 
 fmbf . l rificmen, led them on to the charge, k lied numbers of 
 the enemy who were rushing on with tomahawks, checked their 
 pursuit, and brought off. the shattered remains of the British 
 ai my. 
 
 With respect to our beloved Washington, we cannot but men 
 tion here two very extraordinary speeches that were uttered 
 about him at this time, and which, as things have turned out, 
 look a good deal like prophecies. A famous Indian warrior 
 who assisted in the defeat of Braddock, was often heard to 
 swear that Washington vas ru.-t lorn to be killed by a bullet, 
 4u ybr." continued lie, li / had sewnh-en fair fires at Jam with 
 trty rifle, and, aftir al , I could not bring him to the grownd." 
 And, indeed, w .-cever considers that a good rifle, levelled by 
 a proper tr>ark?nan, harily ever misses its aim, will readily, 
 enough conc iule with 1 1: is unlettered savage, that some in 
 visible hand must have turned aside his bullets. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 119 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Davies, in a sermon occasioned by Gerie ral 
 Braddock s defeat, lias these remarkable words l> I beg- leave 
 to point the attention of Vie public to that heroic youth. Colonel 
 George Wcuhington, whom I cannot but hope providence h:is 
 preserved for some ?real service to this country. 
 
 Governor Shirley proceeded to Oswe^o, on lake Ontario. 
 His army was poorly supplied with provisions, and the rainy 
 season approaching, lie abandoned the expedition, and retain 
 ed to Albanv. Tiiearrny unJer General Johnson, arrived at 
 the south end of lake George, the hitler part of August, when 
 he received information thai two thousand of the enemy com 
 manded by Baron Dieskau, were marching against Fort Ed- 
 warJ. Accordingly, Colonel Williams was detuched to in 
 tercept him. 
 
 Coljuei \Vi;!h;r,< party, which left the camp between eight 
 and nine o clock in tne morning of Sept. 8th, 1755, very unex 
 pectedly foil in with the army of baron Difskau ; the two ar 
 mies met in the road, front to front; the Indians of D.esktiu s 
 army were in ambuscade, upon both declivities of the moun 
 tains, and ?hns it was a complete surprise, lor Col. Williams 
 had unhappily neglected to place any scouts upon his winjs. 
 A bloody battle ensued, and a deadly fire was ponred in upon 
 i\ .inks. Col. Williams, endeavouring to lead his men 
 against the unseen enemy, was instantly shot 1 through tue head, 
 and be and hundreds of his party, iuclu.iing old Hendrick. the 
 chief of the Mohawks, and forty Indians, were slain. The 
 remainder of the patty, under the command of Col. Whiting, 
 retreated into the camp. They came running in, in the u most 
 confusion and consternation, and peihaps owed their safety, in 
 a great measure, to anotner party, which, ivhen the firing was 
 heard, and perceived to be growing louder and nearer, was sent 
 out to succor them. 
 
 Nor did this bailie terminate the fighting O f this blood} day. 
 The remains of Dieskan s army retreated about four miles, to 
 the ground where colonel Wi^iams h.-ul been defeated in the 
 morninrr, the rear of the army were there siuiog upon Ibd 
 groundThad opened their knapsacks, and were refreshing them 
 selves, when capt. McGinnies, who with two hundred men, \\\\ 
 been despatched from fort Ed war 1, to succor the main bodv, 
 came up with this portion of the French army, tnus sitting in 
 security, and attacked and totally defeated them, althou.. 
 was himself mortally wounded. Thus: were three buttle;* 
 fought in one day, and almost upon the same ground. This 
 ground I went over. The neighboring mountain, in which 
 the French so suddenly un.de their appearance, is to this day, 
 called French Mountain ; and this name, with the tradition of 
 the fact, will be eeut d.jvvn to the latest posterity. I waa 
 
120 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 shown a rock by the road, at which a considerable slaughter 
 took place. It was on the east side of the road near where 
 col. Williams fell, and 1 am informed is, to this day, called, 
 Williams Rock. 
 
 Just by the present road, and in the midst of these battle 
 grounds, is a circular pond, shaped exactly like a bowl ; it. may 
 be two hundred feet in diameter, and was when I saw it, full 
 of water, and covered with the pond lily. Alas! this pond, 
 DOW so peaceful;, was the common sepulchre of the brave; the 
 dead bodies of most of those who v\ere s ; ain on this eventful 
 day, were thrown, in undistinguished confusion into this pond ; 
 from that time to the present, it has been called the Bloody- 
 Pond, and there is not a child in this region, but will point you 
 (o the French Mountain and the Bloody Pond. I stood with 
 dread upon its brink, and threw a stone inio the unconscious 
 waters. After these events, a tegular fort was constructed at 
 the head of the lake, and called fort William Henry. 
 
 Early in the vspring, 1756, the enemy, invited by the success 
 of the preceding- year, made another irruption into the in 
 habited country, and did great mischief. The number of troops 
 on the regular establishment was totally insufficient for the 
 protection of the fi on tier. The Indian*-, divided into srn^ll 
 parties, concealed themselves wiih so much dexterity^as sel 
 dom to be perceived until the blow wa-- struck. These murder* 
 were frequently committed in the very neighbourhood of the 
 forts, and the detachments which were employed in scouring 
 the country were generally eluded or attacked to advantage. 
 In one of the<=e skirmishes in the neighbourhood of a stockade, 
 the Americans were totally routed, and captain Mercer killed.. 
 
 The smaller foils were very frequently assaulted and attack 
 ed. The people either abandoned the country, or attempted 
 to secure themselves in small stockades, where they were in 
 great distress for provisiows, arms, and ammunition. Lord 
 Loudon arrived in America, in July 1756, as commander in 
 chief. He was clothed with t^e highest civil authority, having 
 been appointed governor if the colony. A complimentary 
 address from the regiment, stating their pleasure at his arrival 
 and appointment, and the readiness with which they would 
 execute his commands, was presented to him : also a statement 
 of the distress of the colony, and a particular description of 
 the situation of the military points. 
 
 An army was raised of about twelve thousand men, which 
 was better prepared for tl.e field than any army that had been 
 assembled in America. But the change of commanders de 
 layed the operations of the English army. The French were 
 active, and on the 12th of July, jrercral Abcrcrombie received 
 intelligence that they meditated au attack upon Oswego, a 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 121 
 
 post of the ;, tarrce. General Webb was ordered 
 
 to prepare to muich uith a regiment to support the defence of 
 that place, but was detain*, d until the 12th of August. Before 
 he had proceeded far he learned it was too late. 
 
 By the loss of Oswego, all the western country was -laid 
 open to their rava-irs. There was r:asrn to fear that the 
 frontier posts would be swept away, one alter another, and that 
 all the preparations which had been made for an early attack 
 on the enemy, would be lost with them. Besides, the enemy 
 would have an- ; . md strengthen their posfs, 
 
 and to render the reduction uf them much more hazardous and 
 difficult. 
 
 The colonies were obliged to submit, and lord London sailed 
 from New-York for Halifax, with six thousand land ibices, 
 and there made a junction with Holbourn and Hopson. Here 
 was now an army of twelve thousand men, exclusive of offi 
 cers, aided by a powerful fleet; but they were so dilatory in 
 their measures ihat, before they were ready to sail, the Brest 
 fleet, with seventeen sail of the line, besides frigates and trans 
 ports, arrived at Louisburg. The garrison was so reinforced 
 as to amount to nine thousand men. On the reception of this 
 intelligence, it was judged inexpedient to proceed, and the 
 expedition was given up. 
 
 Had the earl of Loudon been a man of enterprise, had he 
 wished to distinguish himself in his majesty s service, or to 
 have rendered himself popular in the colonies, he might hare 
 conducted this powerful army to Ticonderoga, and carried all 
 before him, in tli.it quarter. At least, he might have sent on 
 large detachments for the defence of the frontiers. With his 
 Prussian majesty, an Amherst, or a Wolfe, these would have 
 been but natural and common achievements. But he returned 
 leisurely to New-York, and effected nothing. 
 
 The British generals, in America, did more, in two year?, 
 by the pusillanimity, weakness and inconsistency of their 
 councils, to injure the colonies, than the French could have 
 done with all their force. The provincials would, probably, 
 have advanced to Crown Point the last year, and made them 
 selves masters of the country south of lake Champlain. They 
 would undoubtedly have kept their own posts and prevented 
 the evils which followed. The British generals and officers 
 not only lost Oswego, but they destroyed the fortifications at 
 the great carrying place; and filled Wood Creek with log s 
 and trees. They cut off all communication between the colo 
 nies and the five nations, the only body of Indians which pre 
 served the appearance of friendship to them. They abandoned 
 their whole country to the mercy of the enemy. Nothing 
 11 
 
122 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 could be done to prevent (heir collecting the Indians, from all 
 quarters, to act against the colonies. 
 
 Monsieur IMon calm, did not neglect (o improve the advanta 
 ges ho had gained, and which the conduct of the British gene 
 rate afforded him. Finding that the troops were drawn off io 
 Halifax, he at once determined on the siege of fort William 
 Henry, and the destruction of the vessels, boats, and batteaux, 
 at the south landing of lake George. Bodies of Indians, with 
 Ins xvholc force, were collected for this purpose. 
 
 Colonf I Monroe, who commanded at fort William Henry, 
 having intelligence that an advanced party of the enemy lay 
 at Ticonderoga, detached colonel Parker with four hundred 
 men to surprise them. Having landed at ni^ht, not far distant 
 from the enemy, he sent three boats to reconnoitre, directing 
 them where to meet him in a general rendezvous. The enemy, 
 waylaying and intercepting the boats, obtained a pefi ct know 
 ledge of the colonel s designs, and concerted measures to decoy 
 him into their hands. They laid an smbu^h behind the point 
 where they knew he designed to land, and having- been rein 
 forced to nearly double his numbers, they sent three boats to 
 llio place appointed for the general rendezvous. The colonel 
 mistaking- them for b ; s own boats, eagerly put to shore, and 
 was instantiy surrounded by the enemy. They attacked him 
 on all sides with such incessant violence, that seventy privates 
 and two officers only made their escape. 
 
 Elated with this success. Monsieur Mnntcalm hastened to 
 the seige of fort William Henry. Havr ir drawn together all 
 his forces from Crown Point, Ticonderoga, and the adjacent 
 posts, with a greater number of Indians than the French had 
 ever employed on any oihcr occasion, he passed the lake and 
 regularly invested the foil. The whole army consisted of 
 nearly eight thousand men. The garrison consisted of about 
 three thousand, snd the fortifications were said to be good. 
 At fort Edward, scarcely foiii oen miles distant, lay general 
 Webb, with four thousand troops. The regular troops at the 
 two posts, wero probably more than rqurl to the regular force 
 of the enemy. A considerable proportion of their army con 
 sisted of Canadians aid Indians. Yet. in about six da\s, was 
 this important post delivered up into the hands of the enemy. 
 All the vessels, boats, and i-aUeanx, which, at so much ex 
 pense and labor, had been for two years preparing, fell into the 
 power of the enemy. Though general Webb had timely notice 
 of the appror.ch of the enemy, >et he neve* sent to alarm the 
 country, and bring on the militia. He never reinforced tho 
 garrison, nor made a single motion for its Y< lief. So far was 
 he from this, that he sent a letter to colonel Monroe, who com> 
 manded the fort, advising him to give it up to the enemy. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 123 
 
 Monfcalm intercepted the letter, and sent it into the fort to the 
 colonel. He had acted the part of a soldier and made a brave 
 defence ; but having 1 burst a number of his cannon, expended 
 a considerable part of his ammunition, and peicciving 1 that he 
 was to have no relief from general Webb, he capitulated on 
 terms hcnorable for himself and the garrison. It was, to 
 march out with arms, baggage, and one piece of cannon, in 
 honor to colcm 1 Monroe, for the brave defence he had made. 
 The troops were not to serve against the most Christian king 
 under eighteen months, unless exchanged for an equal number 
 of French prisoners. The French and Indians paid no regard 
 to the f-.rticles of capitulation, but falling on the English, 
 stripped them of ilieir baggage and few remaining effects ; and 
 the Indians, in the English service, .were dragged from the 
 ranks, tomahawked and scalped. Men and women had their 
 throats cut, their bodies ripped open, and their bowels, with 
 insult, thrown in their faces. Infants and children were bar 
 barously taken by tho heels, and their brains dashed out against 
 stones and trce^. The Indians pursued the English nearly 
 i;a!f the way to fort Edward, where the greatest number of 
 taem arrived in a most forlorn condition. It seems astonishing, 
 that between two and three thousand troops, with arms in their 
 hands, should, contrary to the most express stipulations, suffer 
 these intolerable insults. 
 
 When it was too late, general Webb alarmed tho country, 
 and put the colonies to great expense in sending on large de 
 tachments of the militia for the defence of the northern fron 
 tier. The sudden capture of the fort, the massacre made by 
 the enemj s Indians, and suspicions of general Webb s trea 
 chery, and an apprehension that general Montcalm would 
 force his way to Albany, put the country into a state of great 
 alarm and consternation. People were never more alarmed 
 during the war. At the same time, there was never a more 
 general and manly exertion. Connecticut detached and seat 
 on, in a few days, about five thousand men. She had raised 
 and sent into the field, fourteen hundred before, which wat 
 more tiian her proportion. Large reinforcements were inarch 
 ed on to Albany and fort Edward from New-York, and the 
 other colonies. General Webb, notwithstanding the great 
 numbers of me,n with which he was reinforced, did not make 
 any effectual piovision for the defence of the frontier settle 
 ments. No sooner was one expedition finished by the enemy, 
 than another was undertaken. Soon after the reduction of 
 tori William Henry, the enemy, with fire and sword, laid vaste 
 the fine settlements at trie German flats, and on the Mohawk 
 river. 
 
124 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 On the American station th<>ro wore nrruly twenty thousand 
 regular troops, and a large number of provincials in service ; 
 and yet one fortress and set I lenient after another were swept. 
 away; and every where the enemy ri i ed ;u;d triumphed wild 
 impunity. Tiio army spent the remuin. ler of the campaign in 
 inactivity. The provincials, as i he :-<. ,i-on for winter quarters 
 approached, returned to their respective colonies. The regu 
 lar troops were stationed at Albany and iurt Edw<ird. Thus 
 ended (he inglorious campaign of 17.17. 
 
 By this time, under the repeated losses th^y had sustained, 
 tlie colonies had very much lost their confidence i > the nritish 
 commanders in Aineriea. Tluy for two ynrw had wit;, 
 their dilatory mea-ures, their inconsistency", want of foresight 
 and a spirit of enterprise, and h;ul such bitter- experience of 
 the consequences, that they considered them as utterly dis 
 qualified for the important command which (hey held. To 
 their incapacity and pusillanimity wholly, did they impute the 
 loss of Oswego, fort William Henry, and their other losses on 
 the frontiers. 
 
 Not with stan ding all the reinforcements which France had 
 sent to Canada, they, every campaign, had a force much supe 
 rior to the enemy. Had they IK- ri men of military <_ 
 skill and enterprise, instead of the losses they sustained, they 
 might have led on their troops to conquest and glory. Had 
 the colonies been left to them.-elves, they would probably have 
 done better. The fir. t year of the war, when left to ihem- 
 eelves, their achievements were honorable and useful to the 
 nation: but now they had sustained two years of great ex 
 pense, which had been worte than lost. Indeed, such were 
 the ministry, and (.he men whom they employed, that misfor 
 tune and disaster attended them in almost every quarter of the 
 globe.* A British historian observes, with respect to this third 
 campaign in America, " That it ended to the eternal disgrace 
 of those who then commanded the armies, and directed the 
 councils of Great Britain." 
 
 By this time the disputes relative to the Ohio, Crown Point, 
 and territory in America, had involved a great part of Eu 
 rope in the flames of war. It had kindled in both the Indies, 
 and extended its destructive nifinence beyond the Ganges. 
 The disappointments and lo.-s<;.s of the Uritish nation for a uc- 
 ces.-iiori of years, and its present exigences, absolutely deman 
 ded a change of men and measures. Men of capacity and en 
 terprise were necessary to retrieve its honor, and prevent its 
 
 * There was one exception : admiral Watson and colonel Clive 
 acted with great magnanimity and success upon the Ganges, in the 
 East-ladies. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 rain. By a most happy turn in providence, those incomparable 
 men, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Leg, and iheir friend?, had been chosen and 
 established in the ministry, and had time to concert their tneas- 
 
 ind choose the meu to carry them into execution. Now 
 therefore, every thing relative to the nation, in Europe and 
 America, took a new and surprising torn. Now men were 
 brought forward, upon whose fidelity, skill, and spirit of enter 
 prise, confidence might be place* 1 . 
 
 Notwithstanding the disappointments and losses of th past 
 years, they determined on the reduction of Louieburg, with a 
 view of cutting off the communication between France and 
 Canada, olYestroyinir the French fishery, and of securing the 
 trade and fisheries rf Great Britain, and her colonies in Amer 
 ica. At the same time, to gratify the colonies, and to draw 
 forth iheir whole strength into exertion, they also determined 
 on expeditions a _ .n Point and fort Du Quesne. 
 
 .at ions of his majesty s des-i^n?, and of hU expectations 
 from the colonies, were, at an earl? period, given to them by 
 letters from the ri^ht honorable Mr. Pilt. These were writ 
 ten in a s yle which animated their courage, and drew forth 
 liitir most spirited exertions. The people of Connecticut, in 
 particular, exerted themselves in an extraordinary manner. 
 A special assembly was convened on the 8th of March, at 
 
 ilaven, when the right honorable Mr. Pitt s letter was 
 communicated to the legislature, importing, that his majesty 
 had nothing m ire at heart than to repair the losses and disap 
 pointments of the last inactive and unhappy campaign, and by 
 the mo.-t vigorous and extensive efforts, to avert, by the bles 
 sings of God ur>on his arm*, the dangers impending over North 
 America ; and not doubting but his faithful and brave subjects 
 here would cheerfully co-operate with and second, to the utmost, 
 the large expense and extraordinary --ipplied by bis 
 
 kingdom, for thf*ir preservation and defence : And that his ma 
 jesty, judging that this c- lony. together with Massachusetts 
 Bay, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York and New 
 Jersey. wer able to furnish twenty thousand men, to join a 
 body of the king s fore?.* for invading Canada, and carrying the 
 war into the heart of the enemy s possessions ; and tha p . it waa 
 bis majesty s pleasure, :,*. with all possible despatch, there be 
 raised as large a body of men as the number of inhabitant* 
 would alietr. to begin the operations of the campaign, as soon 
 as practicable. And that no encouragement might be wanting 
 to so great and salutary an attempt, that strong recommenda 
 tions vrould be made to parliament, to graut compensation for 
 the expenses f paid provinces, according as their aciirt vigor 
 auVgtrnuous efibrs should appear justly to merit. 
 11* 
 
126 UNIVERSAL HISTOYR OF 
 
 The legislature resolved, That, notwithstanding this colony, 
 when acting with the several provinces aforesaid, in the three 
 several expeditions undertaken the preceding years, against 
 Crown Point, hath raised a much greater number of men than 
 itsjust proportion, in comparison with what they then raised, 
 by means of which the number of men is greatly diminished 
 and its strength much exhausted, yet that nothing be wanting, 
 on the part of this colony, to promote the great and good de 
 sign proposed by his majesty, and relying on his royal encour 
 agement, five thousand good and effective men, including offi 
 cers, shall be raised wiihin this colony, as soon as may be, for 
 the service aforesaid. It was resolved at the same time, that 
 the assembly is sensible, that it is really more than the .num 
 ber ofmen this colony can allow, without great difficulty ; and 
 much exceeds this colony s proportion, even of twenty thousand 
 men, when compared with the other provinces. 
 
 It was resolved that the said five thousand men should he 
 formed into four regiments, consisting of twelve companies 
 in each regiment. That there should be one colonel, one lieu 
 tenant colonel, one major and one chaplain to a regiment. The 
 honorable Phinehas Lyman, Esq. who had a general s command 
 in 1755, Nathan Whiting. Esq. Eliphalet Dyar, Esq. and John 
 Read, Esq. were appointed colonels, to command the respec 
 tive regiments.* The Rev. Messrs. George Beckwith, Joseph 
 Fish, Benjamin Pomeroy and Jonathan Ingersoll, were ap 
 pointed chaplains. 
 
 To encourage the speedy enlistment of men for the service, 
 the bounty was increased much beyond what it had been in 
 former years. All proper measures were adopted to raise the 
 troops with expedition, and to have them seasonably in the 
 field. 
 
 To provide forthe expense ofsuch a number of troops, the as 
 sembly enacted that thirty thousand pounds lawful money in 
 bills of credit, at five per cent interest, should be immediately 
 printed : and that for a fund for the sinking of said bills, a tax 
 of eight pence on the pound should be levied on the grand list 
 ofthe colony to be brought in, Anno Domini, 1760. It was 
 provided, however, that such monies as should arrive from 
 Great Britain for the reimbursement of the expenses of the 
 war, should be applied, by the treasurer, for the purpose of 
 sinking the said bills, and that if a sufficient sum should arrive 
 
 * Each colonel was allowed forty pounds for his table, and the de 
 cent support of his chaplain. Their wa;es as colonels, and captain* 
 for one company, was fifteen pounds per month. The bounty for 
 each man who would equip himself for the field was four 
 The waga were the same as in the preceding years. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 127 
 
 before the time fixed for the payment of said tax, to sink the 
 whole, that then said tax should notbs levied, and that the act 
 respecting it should be null and void. 
 
 That the treasurer might be able to pay the troops on their 
 return from the public service, the assembly laid a tax of nine 
 pence on the pound on the whole rateable estate of the colony, 
 according to the list brought in to the assembly in October 
 last, and ordered that it should be collected by the last of De 
 cember then following. And as it was uncertais whether mon 
 ey would arrive, sufficient to reimburse the expenses of the 
 colony, in season, a committee was appointed to borrow the 
 svim of twenty five thousand pounds, to be paid before the 20th 
 of May, 1761. For an ample fund to repay the sum to be bor 
 rowed, a tax of five pence on the pound was levied on the list 
 which should be brought in to the assembly in 1759, to be paid 
 into the treasury by the last of December, 1760. It was enac 
 ted also, that any of the notes given for the money borrowed, 
 might be received in payment of said tax. But, as considera 
 ble sums of money were expected from England, for provisions, 
 furnished for the troops under the command of lord London, in 
 1756, it was enacted that said money, as fast as it should arrive, 
 should be applied to discharge the notes given for the money 
 borrowed ; and that, if a sufficient sum should seasonably ar 
 rive to discharge all the notes, that then said tax should not be 
 collected. 
 
 That nothing might be left undone, which could be attempted 
 for his majesty s service, the commissioners appointed in Octo 
 ber, to meet those from the other colonies, were now authorised 
 to meet them at Hartford on the 19th of April, or as near that 
 time as mi^ht be, to consult on measures for the genera! safety, 
 and to excite the several colonies to the most vigorous and 
 uuited exertions to cary his majesty s designs into execution.* 
 As it appeared by Mr. Pitt s letter that major general Aber- 
 crombie was chief commander of the troops for the northern 
 expedition, the Governor was desired to give him the earliest 
 information of the measures adopted by the colonies, and their 
 rigorous preparations for an early and successful campaign. 
 
 While the colonies were employing the most vigorous exer 
 tions for an early campaign, such effectual measures had been 
 pursued in England, that, in February, the armament designed 
 for the reduction of Louisburg, was in readiness, and Bailed for 
 America. Admiral Bo^cawen commanded the naval, a nJ gen 
 eral Arnherst the land operations. Under general Amherst, 
 wag brigadier general Wolfe. These were men of singular 
 haracters. General Amhersl had the coolness and abilities of 
 
 * Records of the colony for March 8th, 1758. 
 
128 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 the Roman Fabius, while general Wolfe possessed the magna 
 nimity and fire of the Scipios. From such men, great achieve 
 ments might reasonably be expected ; and their successes equal 
 led the most sanguine expectations. 
 
 Admiral Boscawen and general Amherst, with the armament 
 under their command, arrived safely in America ; and on the 28th 
 of May, (he whole fleet, consisting of one hundred and fifty-sev 
 en sail, with about fourteen thousand troops on board, took ita 
 departure from Ilalifa^, and on tlte second of June appeared be- 
 fere Louisburg. For six days the landing of the troops wa* 
 impracticable. The surf was so great, that no boat could livs 
 near the shore. On every part of the coast, where a landing 
 was judged possible, the enemy had made entrenchments : ana, 
 in places most convenient for the purpose, they had erected 
 batteries and mounted cannon. During the whole time after 
 the discovery of the fleet, un il the landing of the troops, th 
 enemy employed themselves in strengthening their line?. 
 7 hei?e they manned with a numerous infantry. General Am 
 herst, with a number of his officers, reconnoitered the shore. 
 
 On the eighth the weather became more favourable, though 
 there was yet a great sweil and surf. The General, detet min 
 ing 1 not to lose a moment seized the opportunity. Before the 
 break of day the troops were embarked in three divisions. Th 
 admiral and general made their dispositions with consummate 
 judgment. To distract the enemy, and diaw their attention 
 to different parts, the dispositions were made in this manner: 
 The divisions on the right, and in the centre, were designed 
 only for feints, while that on the left, was appointed for the real 
 attack. This was commanded by general Wolfe. Before the 
 landing, five frigates, and some other ships of war, commenced 
 a furious fire, not only on the centre, but en the right and left 
 of the enemy, to rake them in their flanks. When these had 
 fired about fifteen minutes, general Wolfe pressed to the short?. 
 The enemy reserved his fire until the boats were nearly in shore, 
 and then poured upon them the united blaze and thunder of 
 their musketry and cannon. Many of the boats were overset, 
 and others dashed in pieces. Some of the men were thrown, 
 and others leaped into the water ; and while some were killed, 
 and others drowned, the main body, supported and animated by 
 the noble example and conduct of their commander, pushed to 
 the land, and with such order and resolution rushed on the en 
 emy, as soon put them into confusion, and drove them from their 
 entrenchments. When general Wolfe had made good his lan 
 ding, the centre division having moved to the left, and the right 
 following the centre, the landing was completed in excellent *r- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. J?9 
 
 For many days, the weather was so bad, and the swell and 
 surf so great, that scarcely any of t ie artillery or stores could 
 be laruKl. It was with irre:U difficulty that even the tent?, 
 provision?, and implement:? for the siege, were got on shore. 
 The weather was so bnd, at the time of landi"g, and during the 
 siegr>, that a hundred boats were lost in the service. The en- 
 cmv had fiveshifw of the line, and one or more frigates, in the 
 harbour, and could brinor their <_ r uns to bear upon the troops, in 
 their approaches. T : >- ground was excci dingly bad ; in some 
 places rough, in c ;y, u f :t, and miry. These obstacles, 
 
 with a brave resistance from the enemy, caused the sieofe, for 
 some time to proceed slowly. But no di-courasrcments were 
 judged insurmountable, by such general- as Amherst and 
 Wolfe. By the twelfth of June, general Wolfe had secured the 
 point called the light house battery, and al! the posts in that 
 quirter. On the twenty-fifth, he had silenced the island batte 
 ry ; but the shipping- in the harbour kept up the fire upon him 
 until the twenty firal of July. One of the ships then took fire 
 and blew up. This set two others on fire, which burnt to the 
 wa : This was to the enemy an irreparable loss. 
 
 13 y this time general Arnberst had made his approaches near 
 to the city ; so that he was in jjood forwardness to make lodg 
 ments on the covered way. The town, in many places, was 
 consumed to the ground, and in others, was much damaged. 
 The fire of the enemy greatly languished, yet no proposals of 
 capitulation were made. One bold action more was necessary 
 to bring them to terms. That was to destroy, or bring off, the 
 ships remaining in the harbour. For this purpose, the admiral 
 sent in a detachment of six hundred men, under the command of 
 two enterprising youn^ captains, Laforey and Bilfour. Be 
 tween the 25th and 26th of the month, under (he darkness of 
 the night, they made their way through a terrible -fire of can 
 non and musketry, and, sword in hand took the two ships. 
 One ran aground, and was burnt ; the other they rowed out of 
 the harbour, in triumph, 
 
 The next morning, the governor proposed terms ofc-ipilula- 
 tion. The garrison, consisting of five ihousind seven hundred 
 and thirty seven men, surrendered p i-^oners of war. One hun 
 dred and twenty one cannon, eighteen mortars, and large quan 
 tities of stores and a-nrmriiM on, were taken. The enemy 1 <-t 
 five ships of the line and four frio-ates, besides other vess - s. 
 St. John s, with Louisburg, was given up, and the English be 
 came masters of the whole coast from St. Lawrence^to Nova 
 Scotia. This was the most eff ctual blow to France, which 
 she had received since the commencement of the war. It was 
 a deep wound to her navy, and especially to her colonies and 
 interests in America. Ir. very much cut offber commnunication 
 
130 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 with Canada, and greatly facilitated the reduction of that 
 country. 
 
 As the reduction of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, was a fa 
 vorite object with the northern co!oni?s, they made early and 
 great exertions for carrying it into effectual execution. Be 
 sides ihe assistance which they gave to the reduction of Louis- 
 burg, they furnished about, ten thousand troops for the northern 
 expedition. These in conjunction with between six and seven 
 thousand regular troops, hud, by the beginning of July, got in 
 to lake George- more than a thousand ooats and batteaux, a 
 lino train of artillery, provisions, and every thing necessary for 
 an attack on the fortresses of the enemy. 
 
 On the fifth of July, the army, consisting of fifteen thousand 
 three hundred and ninety effective men, embarked in nine hun 
 dred batteaux, and one hundred and thirty five whale boats, 
 for Ticonderoga. Besides, there were a number of rafts, on 
 which cannon we.-e mounted, to cover the landing of the troops. 
 Early the next morning, they landed at the north end of lake 
 George, without opposition. The army formed in four col 
 umns, and began their march for Ticonderoga. But as tha 
 woods were thick, and the guides unskilful, thy troops were be 
 wildered, and the columns filling in one upon another, were en 
 tirely broken. In this confusion, lord Il.nve, advancing at tha 
 head of the right centre column, fell in with the advanced 
 guard of the enemy consisting of a but alion of regulars and a 
 few Indians, who had deserted their advanced camp near tha 
 lake, and were precipitately fleeing from our troops ; but bad 
 lost their way, and were bewildered in the same manner as they 
 were. The enemy discharged, and killed lord Howe the first 
 fire. The suddenness of the attack, the terriblencss of the In 
 dian yell, and the fall of lord Howe, threw the regulars, who 
 composed the centre columns, into a general panic and confu 
 sion ; but the provincials, who flanked them, and were ac 
 quainted with their mode of fighting, stood their ground and 
 soon defeated (hern. The loss of the enemy, was about three 
 hundred killed, and one hundred and forty eight taken. Tha 
 loss of the English was inconsiderable as to numbers, but in 
 worth and consequences, it was great. The loss of that gal 
 lant officer, lord Howe, was irreparable. From the day ot his 
 arrival in America, he had conformed himself, an:l made his re 
 giment to conform, to that kind of service which the country 
 required. He was the first to endure hunger and fatigue, to 
 encounter danger, and to sacrifice all personal considerations 
 to the public service. While he was rigid in discipline, by hi* 
 affability, condescending and easy manners, heconciliated affec 
 tion, anil commanded universal esteem. Indeed, he was con 
 sidered very much as the idol arid life of the army. The loss 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 131 
 
 a man, at such a lime cannot be estimated. To tin?, 
 the provincials attributed the defeat and unhappy consequen 
 ces which followed. 
 
 As the troops for two nights had slept li tle, were c.eatly fa 
 tigued, and needed refreshment, the general ordered them to 
 return to the landing place, where they arrived at eight in the 
 morning. 
 
 Colonel Lrcdstreet was, FOOD after detached \viih a strong 
 corps, to take possession of the sawmill, about two miles from 
 Ticonderege, which the enemy had absndonct . Towards ihe 
 clpse of the day, the whole army marched to the niil. The 
 genera] having received information, that the garrison at Ti- 
 conderoga consUled ol about MX thousand men, and that a re 
 inforcement of three thousand ir.cic was daily expected, deter 
 mined to lose no time in attacking their lines. He ordered hi? 
 engineer to reconnoitre the giound and intrenchments of the 
 enemy. It seems .that he Lad not so approached and examined 
 them as to obtain any proper idea of them. He made a favora 
 ble report of their weakness, and of the facility of forcing them 
 without cannon. On this groundless report, a rash and fatal 
 resolution was taken, to attack the lines without bringing up 
 the artillery. 
 
 The aimy advarced to tie charge with the greatest intrepid 
 ity, and for more then four hours with incredible obstinacy 
 maintained the attcck. But the works where the principal 
 attack was made were eight or nine feet high, and impregna 
 ble even by field pieces ; and foi i early an hundred yards from 
 the brers \\oik, trees were f. lied so thick, and so wrong! t to 
 gether with their limbs (ointirg e.utv.ard, that it rendered the 
 approach of the troops in a great measure impossible. In this 
 dreadful situation. i:ndi r the fire of fcbout three thousand of 
 lite enemy, these gallant troops were kept, without the leasl 
 prospect of success-, until nearly t\\o thousand were killed and 
 wounded. They wete iheu cslkcl iff. To this ra.-h and pre 
 cipitate attack H, CM tied a ntnru fqrnlly rr.advisrd and pre 
 cipitate. By the eveuijig of the m xt-eoy the aimy had re 
 treated to their former < i c;-r j ru<m, at the south &nd of lake 
 George, 
 
 Nothing could have been rr,o;e contrcrv to tlie op.niong, or 
 more mortifying to the frciings of he provincials, than this 
 whole affair. They vicwid tl; att;:ck u} on the lines without 
 the artillery as the height of madness. Besides, it was mado 
 under every disadvantage to the assailants. Tho enemy s linei 
 were of great exieru, iiearly three quarters of a roile. On 
 the right of tl^e con mun patii towards south bay, and especial 
 ly on the north, they weie weak and of little consideration. 
 1 both these quarters they might have been approached undwr 
 
132 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 the cover of a thick wood. The army was sufficiently nume 
 rous to have attacked the lines in their whole extent at once, 
 or at least in a very great, part of them, and to have drawn 
 their attention to various parts of their lines. But, unhappily, 
 the attack was made upon a umill part of them where they 
 were far the strongest, and most inaccessible. As no attacks 
 or feints were made in olher paits, the enemy were left to pour 
 their whole fire on a small spot, while the whole army could 
 not approach it. Besides, the general never approached the 
 field, where his presence was indispensably neces.^-ary ; but re 
 mained at the mill, where he could see nothing- of the action, 
 nor know any tiling only by information at a distance of iwo 
 miles. By reason of this, the troops for hours after they 
 should have been called off, were pushed OQ to inevitable 
 slaughter. 
 
 But especially did the provincials reprobate the retreat. 
 They considered themselves as more than a match for the en 
 emy, should their pretended reinforcements arrive. The army, 
 after this bloody affair, consisted of fourteen thousand effective 
 men. After all the pompous accounts of the numbers of the 
 enemy, they amounted to little more than three thousand. 
 When the general retreated, he had more than four effective 
 men to one of theirs. He hotl a fine train of artillery, and 
 there were strong grounds on which he might have encamped 
 with the utmost irately. There were eminences which com 
 manded all the works of the enemy, whence he might have en 
 filaded their front, and poured destruction on their whole lines 
 and camp. 
 
 The provincial officers were therefore clearly of the opinion 
 that there was the fairest prospect of success, notwithstanding 
 their misfortune, could the expedition only be prosecuted with 
 energy and prudence. But the general took his own way, 
 without advising with them, and appeared to retreat with the 
 utmost perturbation. 
 
 The general never had been high in the estimation of the 
 provincials after the loss of Oswego ; but now he sunk into 
 contempt. They generally called him Mrs,Nabbycromhie, im 
 porting that petticoats would much better become him than 
 breeches. To repair as far as might be, the disaster at Ticon- 
 deroga, the general detached colonel Bradstreet, with three 
 thousand provincials, on an expedition against fort Frontenac, 
 It was planned by the c Jonel, and undertaken at his desire. 
 Notwithstanding the gnat distance of this post from Lake 
 George, and the numerous obstacles in his march, he reached 
 lake Ontario, embarked his troops, and landed them in the 
 short term of about a month, within one mile of the enemy s 
 post. Having secured his landing, lie immediately invested 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 133 
 
 the fort. The enemy made no opposition, but, after two days, 
 surrendered themselves prisoners of war. This important 
 post was on the north side of the river St. Lawrence, just 
 where it takes its rise from lake Ontario. The fort not only 
 commanded the entrance of the river from the lake, bnt was 
 the grand magazine lor supplying Niagara, du Quesne, and all 
 the enemy s southern and western garrisons. But as no attack 
 had heen expected in this quarter, and the enemy had been 
 drawn off, for the defence of Ticonderoga, and their southern 
 posts, the garrison consisted only of one hundred and thirty 
 men. But there were in the fort sixty cannon, sixteen small 
 mortars, and an irrmense quantity of provisions and goods. 
 They were valued by the French at eight hundred thousand li- 
 vres. Mine armed vessels, from eight to eighteen guns ware 
 taken. This was the whole naval force which the enemy had 
 on the lake. After tins enterprising officer had destroyed the 
 fort, stores, provisions and shipping, except two vessels, and 
 what he could carry on board of them, he returned with them, 
 richly laden, toOswr^o. 
 
 This fortunate event, with the attempt on Ticondaroga, was 
 attended with very impoitant consequences. It frustrated tho 
 expedition of Monsieur Levi against the settlements on the 
 Mohawk river, rec >vcred the communication between Albany 
 and Oswego; and once more gave us the command of lake On 
 tario. Itgreatly obstructed the communication between Ca 
 nada, Niagara, and the southern and western settlements. 
 
 General Arnherst having placed a strong garrison at Louis- 
 burg, and having made the dispositions necessary for the secu 
 rity of the adjacent country, p r ceeded to B )-ton, with six 
 regiments, and thence marc .ed through the country, to re ; n- 
 force the army at Jake George. He designed, if the season 
 should not be too far advanced, to achieve something further for 
 the service of his country. 
 
 While these events were taking place in the northern di-pa t- 
 ment, general Forbes, who had been appointed to command the 
 expedition to the southward, was advancing with great activity 
 and labour, to the conquest, of fort du Quesne. About eight 
 thousand men had been assigned to this service. In June, the 
 general marched from Philadelphia for the Ohio. His march 
 lay through a vast tract of country but little known, destitute 
 of roads for the marching of armies, anu encurnbered-with wood, 
 morasses and mountains almost impassable. It was with in 
 credible difficulty that he procured provisions and carriacres for 
 the expedition ; that he formed new roads, extended scouti"? 
 parties, secured his carnp, from time lo time, and surmounted 
 the numerous obstructions which presented themselves in his 
 tedious march. In addition to the other difficulties, which im- 
 12 
 
1 34 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 peded his march, tlie hostile Indians kept a constant watch upon 
 all his movements, and, in small detachments, neglected no 
 opportunity to obstruct and harrass him as he advanced. 
 
 When he had arrived at Ray s town, about ninety miles ft on? 
 du Quesne, he sent forward colonel Bouquet, with a detach 
 ment of a thousand rrrtn, to Lyal Henning, within about forty 
 miles of the fort. The colonel, from this post, detached major 
 Grant, with eight hundred men, to reconnoitre the situation and 
 works of the enemy; and, if practicable, to reduce the post by 
 a coup de main. The enemy Discovered them as they ap 
 proached, and detached a body of troops sufficient completely 
 to surround them. A severe action ensued, which, for three 
 hours, the English, with great spirit maintained against so 
 great a superiority. But, finally, they were overpowered, 
 obliged to give way, and retreated with disorder to Lyal Hen 
 ning. About three hundred men were killed and taken. Among 
 the latter was major Grant, and nineteen other officers, who 
 were carried prisoners to fort du Q,uesne. This severe check 
 made no alteration in the resolution of general Forbes. He 
 still advanced, with that persevering firmness and -circumspec 
 tion, which had marked his whole conduct. The enemy, per 
 ceiving that it was impossible to surprise and defeat him on hi* 
 march, and that their numbers were not sufficient to maintain 
 the post against him, on the twenty-fourth of November, de 
 stroyed their works and abandoned the post to the general. His 
 light troops took possession the following evening. The next 
 day the general arrived with his whole army, and the British 
 flag was once more erected at. fort du Quesne. The French 
 made their escape down the river, partly in boats and partly by 
 land, to their settlements on the Mississippi. 
 
 General Forbes repaired the fort and named it FORT PITT, 
 in honor to secretary Pitt. Having concluded treaties of friend 
 ship and alliance with the Indian nations of that fine and exten 
 sive country, and apparently reconciled them to the English 
 government, he committed the care of the fort to a garrison of 
 provincials, and took hie departure for Philadelphia. On hii 
 returti. he erected some small fortresses at Lyal Henuing, for 
 the defence of the western frontiers of Pennsylvania. 
 
 The incredible fatigues of this campaign so broke the consti 
 tution of this vigilant and brave commander, that he returned 
 to Philadelphia in a very enfeebled state ; where, after languish 
 ing a short time, he died, universally lamented. 
 
 When general . Amherst arrived with his troops at the lake, 
 the season was so far advanced, and such a body of troops had 
 been drawn off, for the expedition under colonel Bradstreet. that 
 he judged it (inadvisable to make any further attempts against 
 tVe enemy during that campaign. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 135 
 
 Notwithstanding the defeat at Ticonderoga, the campaign 
 closed with great honour and advantage, not only to the colo 
 nies, but to the nation in general. In this fourth year after the 
 commencement of hostilities, the English had not only reduced 
 Louisburg, St. Johns, and Frontenac ; but had made themselves 
 the undisturbed possessors of that fine tract of country, the con- 
 ten tion for which had kindled the flames of war in so general 
 and destructive a manner. Success had attended the British 
 arms, not only in America, but in almost every quarter of the 
 globe. The successes in America, besides many other important 
 advantages, paved the way fur that series ofs uccessfui events, 
 which terminated in the entire reduction of Canada. 
 
 Another favourable occurrence of this year, which had ita 
 influence in that great event, was a general treaty and pacifi 
 cation with all the Indian nations, inhabiting bet .veen the Appa 
 lachian mountains and the lakes. This was completed at Eas- 
 ton, on the eighth of October. 
 
 In review of the events of the present and past years of the 
 war, the immense importance of having men of capacity, fideli 
 ty, and enterprise, at the head of government, appears in a 
 convincing and striking point of light. Under the old ministry 
 and their generals, for three successive years, nothing but loss, 
 disappointment, and shame, attended every enterprise. Not ono 
 general officer, of their appointment, in America, ever achieved 
 anything magnanimous or honourable; but hesitation, delay, 
 and disappointment, attended all their measures. On the con 
 trary, under the new ministry, and the generals and officers 
 originally of their appointment, every enterprise was crowned 
 with success. A series of most important and brilliant successes, 
 from every quarter, like a steady, all cheering stream, flowed 
 in upon the nation. 
 
 1749. It wa^ proposed to attack Canada, and it was deter 
 mined that three powerful armies should enter the country by 
 different routs, and commence an attack at the same time. Gene 
 ral Amherst, who commanded one division, in his rout attacked 
 Ticonderoga. The garrison soon surrendered, as the principal 
 part of them had retired to Crown Point. General Amherst 
 proceeded against this place, and took possession of it, but the 
 enemy before their arrival, fled to Lie aux Noix, in the northern 
 part of lake Cham^lain. The second party, commanded by 
 general Prideaux, was destined against Ni^ara, but he was 
 killed by the bursting of a cohorn. Sir William Johnson, on. 
 whcir the command now rested, successfully put in execution 
 the plans of his lamented predecessor; and on the twenty-fourth 
 of July, a genera! battle took place. The action was warm 
 and bloody, and th-3 carnage was groat; but the conflict was 
 short, which placed Niagara in the hands of the Enjflis i. An 
 expedition against Quebeck was the most during and important. 
 
136 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 That place wa? so well strengthened, that all expeditions against 
 it had failed. It was commanded hy Montcalm, who was post 
 ed below the town, with a strong force, and the town was 
 covered by an army of 10,000 men. General Wolfe was deter 
 mined to try his skill in this case. He soon took possession of 
 Point Levi, on the southern bank of the St. Lawrence, and 
 erected batteries. By means of these, he destroyed many 
 houses, but made little impression on the fortifications of the 
 town ; he resolved to quit his post. 
 
 General Wolfe made several attempts to reduce the place, 
 but they all proved unsuccessful!. He also attempted to des 
 troy the shipping; this attempt also proved abortive. Stung 
 with chagrin at his own disappointment, general Wolfe deter 
 mined to nssend a precipice of about one hundred and seventy 
 five feet, by which he might gain the heights of Abraham. And 
 on the night of the 12t.h of September, he dropped down 
 river, and at the break of day, September 13i.h, the army was 
 formed on the heights of Abraham, ready to meet the erieJiy, 
 ere Montcalm, the French general, was aware of it. 
 
 On the 12th of September, one hour af^ ; midnight, general 
 Wolfe, with his army, leaving the ships, embarked in boats, and 
 silently dropped down with the current, intending to land a 
 league above cape Diamond, and thus to gain the heights of 
 Abraham. But, owing to the rapidi y of the current, they fell 
 below their intended place, and disembaiked at what is now 
 called Wolfe s cove, a mile, or a mile and a half, above the 
 city. The operation was a most critical one they had to na 
 vigate in silence, down a rapid stream to hit upon the right 
 place for a landing, which in the dark, might be easily mistak 
 en the shore was shelving, and the bank to be ascended was 
 steep and lofty, and scarcely practicable, even without opposi 
 tion. Doubtless, it was this combination of circumstances, 
 which lulled the vigilance of the wary and discerning Montcalm: 
 he thought such an enterprise absolutely impracticable, and 
 therefore had stationed only sentinels and picket, guards aloug 
 this precipitous shore. 
 
 Indeed, the attempt was in the greatest danger of being de 
 feated by an occurrence, which is very interesting, as marking 
 muoh more emphatically, than dry official accounts can do, the 
 very great delicacy of the transaction. 
 
 One of the French sentinels, posted along the shore, chal 
 lenged the English boats in the customary military language of 
 the French; * Qui vit !" who gees there! to which a captain 
 of Frazer s regiment, who had served in Holland, and was 
 familiar with the French language and customs, promptly re 
 plied, " la France." The next question was much more em- 
 barrassino, for the sentinel demanded, " a quel regiment ?" " to 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 137 
 
 what regiment." The captain, who happened to know the 
 name of one of the regiments which was up the river, with 
 Bougainville, promptly rejoined, " de la Reine, 1 " the queen s." 
 The soklier immediately replied, " passe ," for he concluded at 
 once, that this; was a French convoy of provisions, which, as 
 ihe English had learned, from some deserters, vvas expected to 
 pass down the river to Quebec. The other sentinels were 
 deceived in a si niiar manner ; but one, less credulous than the 
 rest, running 1 down to the water s edge, called out. " Pourquoi 
 est ce que vous tie p^Hez plus haul?" why donl you speak 
 louder?" Tne same captain, wi;h perfect self-command, re 
 plied, Tai t>i, nous, serons, entendues!" " hu?h, we shall be 
 overheard and discovered." The sentry, satisfied with this 
 caution, retired. The British boats were on the point of being 
 fired info, by the captain of one of their own transport ships, 
 xvho, ignorant of what was going on, took them for French ; 
 but general Wolfe perceiving tiie commotion on board, rowed 
 along side in person, and prevented the firing, which would 
 have alarmed the town, and frustrated the enterprise. General 
 Wolfe, although greatly reduced by a fever, to which a dysen 
 tery was superadded, was nevertheless the first man to leap 
 ashore. The rugged precipices, full of projections of rocks and 
 uf trees, and shrubs growing every where among the cliffs, into 
 which the bank was broken, presented a most forbidding ap 
 pearance, and general Wolfe familiarly speaking to an officer 
 who stood by, said, " I don t believe there is any possibility of 
 getting up, but you must do your endeavour." There was 
 ouly a narrow path, leading obliquely up the hill; this had 
 been rendered by the e<iemv unpayable, in consequence of be- 
 iugbrofcen up by cross ditches, and there was besides an en 
 trenchment at the top, uefendt d by a captain s guard. This 
 guard was easily lii.-persed, and the troops then pulled theiri- 
 selvcjs up by taking hold of the boughs and stumps of the 
 ti-ees, and or the projections of the rocks. 
 
 This precipice, (which nay be in different places, from one 
 hundred and (my to iwo hundred feet high,) is stiil vvry rude 
 and rugged, but probably much less so than- in 1750; it can 
 now bo su! mounted, without very great difficulty, bv m-jn who 
 are unmolested. 
 
 Wni;e slaking all, upon a very hazardous adventure; had 
 he been discovered prematurely, through a s-py, a inserter, or 
 an alarmed sentry, his army would hove been im^ -ifiioiv lost : 
 but having gained the heij i t, iie limned las iruo.a, and n,et 
 the enemy in good order. 
 
 The plains of Abraham lie south and west of Quebec, and 
 commence the moment you leave the walls of the citv. They 
 area very elevated tract of Around; this ratut of course IM 
 
138 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 the fact, as they are on the summit of the heights which ter 
 minate at the river; they are nearly level free from trees and 
 all other obstacles, and I presume were nearly so at the time 
 
 of the hattle. Our military friend, captain , with true 
 
 professional feelings, remarked, that it was "a fine place for a 
 battle." I went to the brink of the precipice, where my guide 
 assured me that Wolfe and the army came up; a footpath, 
 much trodden, leads through lo\v bushes to the spot. I pre 
 sume, that five hundred men, ported on this edge, would have 
 repelled the whole army. 
 
 It was about an hour before the dawn, that the army began 
 to ascend the precipice, and by day light, they were formed and 
 io perfect preparation to meet the enemy. 
 
 When Montcalm first received information that the English 
 occupied the heights of Abraham, he was gre itly surprised. He 
 saw that a battle was inevitable, and prepared to fight. The 
 French advanced briskly; the English reserved their fire, until 
 the enemy were near, and then gave it with decisive effect. 
 Early in the engagement, Wolfe received a slight wound in 
 hrs wrist, but binding- his handkerchief around it, he continued 
 to encourage his men. 
 
 Sooo after r!;is he received another in his groin. This he 
 also concealed, and continued to urge on his troops, until a 
 third ball pierced his breast, which obliged him to quit the 
 command, which fell on Monckton. He was soon vVounded, and 
 the Command devolved upon Towoshead. At this moment, 
 Montcalm, fighting at the head of his men, was mortally 
 wounded, and general Jennezergus, his second in command, 
 also fell. The loss of their commanders caused the French te 
 give way. Wolfe, who was reclining his head on the arm of 
 an officer, was aroused by the cry of " they fly they fly !" the 
 hero eagerly asked, " who fly ?" being informed the French 
 were routed, u then," said he, " I die in peace/ and expired. 
 
 This death, says professor Silliman, has furnished a grand 
 and pathetic subject for the painter, the poet, the historian, 
 and undoubtedly, considered as a mere military glory, it is one 
 of the most sublime that the annals of war afford. In five 
 days after the battle, the city surrendered, and received an 
 English garrison. 
 
 The following anecdote may serve as a specimen of the 
 sufferings then common to French and Indian wars. 
 
 "Captain Ochterlony, and ensign Peyton, belonged to the 
 regiment of brigadier-general Monckton. They were nearly 
 of an age, which did not exceed thirty ; the first was a North- 
 Briton, the other -a native of Ireland. Both were agreeable 
 in person, and unblemished in character, and connected to 
 gether by the ties of mutual friendship and esteem. On tha 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 139 
 
 day that preceded the battle, captain Ochterlony had been 
 obliged to fight a duel with a German officer, in which, though 
 be wounded and disarmed his antagonist, yet he himself re 
 ceived a dangerous hint under the right arm, in consequence 
 of which, his friends insisted on his remaining- in camp during 1 
 the action the next day; but his spirit was too great to comply 
 with this remonstrance. He declared it should never be said 
 that a scratch, received in a private rencounter, had prevented 
 him from doing his duty, when his country required his service ; 
 and he took the field with a fusil in his hand, though he was 
 hardly able to carry his arms. In leading up his men to the 
 enemy s entrenchment, he was shut through the lungs with a 
 musket ball, an accident which obliged him to part with his 
 fusil ; but he still continued advancing, until, by loss of blood, 
 he became too weak to proceed further. About the same time, 
 Mr. Peyton was lamed by a shot, which shattered the small 
 bone of his left leg. The soldiers, in iheir retreat, earnestly 
 begged, with tears in their eyes, that captain Qcbtef Ion y would 
 allow them to carry him and the ensign off the field. But he 
 was so bigoted to a severe point of honor, that he would ndt 
 quit the ground, though he desired they would take care of his 
 ensign. Mr. Peyton, with a o-enerous disdain, rejected their 
 good officas, declaring he would not leave his captain in such 
 a situation; and, in a little time, they remained sole survivors 
 on that part of the field. 
 
 " Captain Ochterlony sat down by his friend, and, as they 
 expected nothing but immediate death, they took leave of each 
 ether ; yet they were not al ogether abandoned by the hope 
 of being protected as prisoners; for the captain, seeing a 
 French soldier, with -two Indians, approach, started up, and 
 accosting them in the French language, which he spoke per 
 fectly well, expressed his expectation that they would treat 
 him and his companion as officers, prisoners, and gentlemen. 
 The two Indians seemed to be entirely under the conduct of 
 the Frenchman, who, coming up to Mr. Peyton, as he sat on 
 the ground, snatched his laced hat from his head, and robbed 
 the captain of his watch and money. This outrage was a 
 signal to the Indians for murder and pillage. One of them, 
 clubbing his firelock, struck at him behind, with a view to 
 knock him down ; but the blow, missing his head, took place 
 upon his shoulders. At the same instant, the other Indian 
 poured his shot into the breast of this unfortunate young gen 
 tleman, who cried out, O Peyton! the villain has" shot me. 
 Not yet satiated with cruelty, the barbarian sprung upon him, 
 and stabbed him in the belly with his scalping knife. Tho 
 captain having parted with his fus;l, had no weapon for hia 
 defence, a* none of the officers wore swords in the action. 
 
HO UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 The three ruffians finding him still alive endeavored to strangle 
 him with his own sash ; and he was now upon his knees, 
 struggling against thorn with surprising exertion. Mr. Peyton, 
 at this juncture, having a double barrelled musket in his hand, 
 and seeing the distress of his friend, fired at one of the Indians, 
 who dropped dead on the spot. The other, thinking the en 
 sign would now be an easy prey, advanced towards him, and 
 Mr. Peyton, having taken gcod aim, at the distance of four 
 yards, discharged his piece a second time, but it seemed to take 
 no effect. The savage fired in his turn, and wounded the en 
 sign in the shoulder; then, rushing upon him, thrust his bay 
 onet through his body ; he repeated the blow, which Mr. Pey 
 ton attempting to parry, received another wound in his left 
 hawd ; nevertheless, he seized the Indian s musket with the 
 same hand, pulled him forwards, and, with his right, drawing 
 a dagger which hung by his side, plunged it into the barbarian s 
 side. A violent struggle endued; but at length, Mr. Peyton 
 was uppermost, and with repeated strokes of his dagger, killed 
 his antagonist outright. Here he was seized with an unac 
 countable emotion of curiosity, to know whether or not his 
 shot had taken effect on the body of the Indian ; he according 
 ly turned him up, and stripping off his blanket, perceived that 
 the ball had penetrated quite through the cavity of the breast. 
 Having thus obtained a dear bought victory, he started up on 
 one leg, and saw capfain Ochteilony standing at the distance 
 of sixty yards, CIOFO by the enemy s breastwork, with the 
 French soldier attending him. Mr. Peyton then called aloud, 
 captain Ochterlony, I am glad to see you have at last got 
 under protection. Beware of that villain, who is more bar 
 barous than the savages. God bless you, my dear captain. I 
 see a pa;(y of Indians coming this way, and expect to be 
 murdered immediately. A number of those barbarians hud 
 for some time been employed on the left, in scalping and pillag 
 ing the d) ing and the dead, that were left upon the field of 
 battle ; and above thirty of them were in full inarch to destroy 
 Mr. Peyton. This gentleman knew he had no mercy to ex 
 pect; for, should his life be spared for the pr< sent, they WMild 
 ha\e afterwards insisted upon sacrificing him to the nruines of 
 their brethren whom he had slain; and in that case, he would 
 have been put to death by the most excruciating tortures. 
 Full of this idea, he snatched up his musker, and, notwithstand 
 ing his broken leg, ran above forty yards without halting, and 
 feeling himself now totally disabled, and incapable of proceed 
 ing one step funher, he loaded his piece, and presented it to 
 the two foremost Indians, who stood aloof, waiting to be joined 
 by their fellows ; while the French, from tlteir breast- works, 
 kept up a continual lire of canuon and small arms upon this 
 
THE UNITED STATES. * 141 
 
 poor, solitary, maimed gentleman. In this uncomfortable situ 
 ation he stood, when he discerned at a distance, a Highland offi 
 cer, with a party of his men, skirting the plain towards the 
 field of battle. He forthwith waved his hand in signal of dis 
 tress, and being perceived by the officer, he detached thr^e of 
 his men to his assistance. These brave fellows hastened to 
 him through the midst of a terrible fire, and one of them bore 
 him off on his shoulders. The Highland officer was captain 
 Macdonald, of colonel Fiazer s battalion ; who, understanding 
 that a young gentleman, his kinsman, had dropped on the field 
 of battk?, had nut himself at the head of this party, with which 
 he penetrated to the middle of the field, drove a considerable 
 number of tiie French and Indians before him, and finding his 
 relation still unscalped, c Tried him off in triumph. Poor cap 
 tain Ochterlony was conveyed to Quebec, where, in a few 
 days, he died of his wounds. After the reduction of that place, 
 the French surgeons who attended him, declared that, in all 
 probability, he would have recovered of the two shots he had 
 received in his breast, had lie not been mortally wounded in the 
 belly, by the Indian s scalping knife. 
 
 " As this very remarkable scene was acted in sight of both 
 aunies, general Townsend, in the sequel, expostulated with the 
 French officers upon the inhumanity of keeping up such a se 
 vere fire against two wounded gentlemen, who were disabled, 
 and destitute of all hope of escaping. They answered, that 
 the fire was not made by the regulars, but by the Canadians 
 and savages, whom it was not in the power of discipline to 
 restrain." 
 
 In September, 1760, Montreal fell into the hands of the En 
 glish, and soon after, all the French posis in Canada fell into 
 their power. Thus ended a war which had continued six 
 years, which had cost many thousand lives, and much distress. 
 In 1763, Nova Scotia, Canada, the Isle of Cape Breton, and all 
 other islands in the gulf and near St. Lawrence, were ceded 
 to the British crown. 
 
 REMARKS ON PART SECOND. 
 
 Manners and Customs. The rapid increase of wealth began 
 to introduce among tiie colonies the tastes and fashions of the 
 Europeans countries, but their continuance was short among 
 the Americans. 
 
 Religion. The Dutch reformed religion generally prevailed 
 in New- York during this period, Shakers and Friends arrived 
 in America. During the French and Indian war, infidelity was 
 introduced into tiie army by the English officers and soldiers 
 who came into this country, and froru the army it spread through 
 society generally. Population 2,500,000. 
 
UiNIVERSAL HISTORY 
 
 or THE 
 
 UMITZSB STATES 
 Part T\UY<\. 
 
 CHAPTER Vf. 
 
 A tummnry view of the Causes that led to the American Revo 
 lution. 
 
 Although the narrow and illiberal policy of the British gov 
 ernment towards her North American colonies, from their first 
 settlement, was calculated to alienate the affections of the colo 
 nies from the parent country ; yet from their exposed situation, 
 and habitual loyalty, this unworthy conduct, long perserved in, 
 produced no sensible impression on the Americans : their loy 
 alty and attachment to the interests of Britain were not in the 
 smallest degree impaired, down to the period of the peace of 
 Paris in 1763. Never had they shewn so much zeal, or made 
 such great sacrifices in the cause of their country, as during 
 the preceding war; having lost more than twenty-five thousand 
 men, expended all the revenues they could raise, and involved 
 themselves deeply in debt. Almost the whole burdens of the 
 war in America had fallen on the colonies; and their exertions 
 were altogether disproportionate to their means, and tended 
 greatly to impoverish and distress them. After eight years 
 arduous struo-gles, attended with the greatest sacrifices, the 
 successful termination of the war the dominion of France 
 in America being relinquished forever occasioned universal 
 joy throughout the colonies ; they forgot their sufferings and 
 distresses, in the fair prospects which the peace afforded. 
 
 But these prospects were of short duration ; the peace of 
 Paris formed a now era in the views and conduct of Great 
 Britain towards her colonies in America. The possessions of 
 France, in America, having been ceded to Britain, and having 
 no longer any ft ar of her power in this hemisphere, a system of 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 143 
 
 measures was pursued towards the colonies, originating in jeal 
 ousy, and tending to despotism. As soon as the colonies had 
 fought their way to a condition which afforded the prospect of 
 rapidly increasing in population and wealth, attempts were 
 made to restrict their commercial and political privileges, and 
 gradually to reduce them to the most wretched state of coloni 
 al vasalage. For a century and a half, the-co!on : es had been 
 left to themselves as to taxation ; their own local assemblies had 
 provided the necessary revenues to defray the expenses of their 
 
 fovernments ; and the parliament of Great Britain had neither 
 irectly or indirectly ever attempted to derive a dollar of reve 
 nue from America ; although various acts had from time to 
 time been passed, regulating the trade and commerce of the 
 colonies, yet none of these were designed or regarded, either in 
 Britain or America, as revenue laws. 
 
 But in an inauspicious moment, the British ministry con 
 ceived the idea of taxing the colonies, under the pretence of 
 providing for their protection, but in reality to relieve the na 
 tion from the immense debt, the weight of which hung heavily 
 upon it. This iniquitous scheme, originating- with the cabinet 
 was easily introduced into parliament ; and in March, 1764, as 
 a prelude to (he memorable Stamp Act, the house of commons 
 resolved, " That towards further defraying the necessary ex 
 penses of protecting the colonies, it nuy be necessary to charge 
 certain stamp duties upon them; and this resolution was follow 
 ed by what was commonly called the Sugar Act, passed on tha 
 5th of April, and introduced by the following truly alarming 
 preamble : " Whereas it ifju^t and necessary that a revenue 
 be raised in America, for defraying the expenses of defending, 
 protecting and securing the same ; we, the commons, &c. to 
 wards raising the same, give and ^ rant unto your majesty, af 
 ter the 29ih day of September, 1764, on clayed sugar, indigo 
 and coffee, of foreign produce, [and various other article:?] the 
 eum of," &C. This was the first act. adopted by parliament, for 
 the avowed object of raising a ivvtMiue in the colonies. The 
 justice of this measure, which appeared so clear to the I3,itish 
 parliament, was regarded in America as oppression and ty run 
 ny ^ and occasioned great excitement and alarm. The decep 
 tive pretension, that the revenue was to be raised fir the pur 
 pose of protecting the colonies, was o-ily adding iosulr to in 
 justice ; as the colonies supposed that they were capable of 
 protecting themselves, anjl they apprehended that the ohj^.-t 
 was rather under the pretence of afford, n^ them projection, to 
 maintain a military force in America, for the purpose ofJrauoon- 
 ing them into submission, and enforcing an unconstitutional sys 
 tem of taxation ; thereby rendering them the instruments of 
 forging their own chains. This act was rendered more di- 
 
144 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 gusting, by a provision that the money raised by it must be paid 
 in specie, and another, that those charged with having violated 
 the revenue laws, might be prosecuted in the courts of admi 
 ralty ; whereby they were deprived of the privilege of trial by 
 a jury, and were liable to be condemned by a single officer of 
 the crown, whose salary was to be paid from the very forfeit 
 ures decreed by himself. And this was not all, or even the 
 worst; as the trial was conducted on such principles, that the 
 accused, contrary to the well known maxims of the common 
 law, and repugnant to every idea of justice, was obliged to 
 prove himself innocent, or suffer the penalties of the law. These 
 iniquitous proceedings destroyed all security of property, and 
 left every one at the mercy of the minions of the British crown. 
 Their pernicious influence was soon felt extensively in the ccjo- 
 nies, they no longer regarded Great Britain as an affectionate 
 mother, but viewed herin the light of a selfish, cruel and impe 
 rious step-mother. The designs of I he ministry were penetra 
 ted, and occasioned great alarm, which spread wider and wi 
 der, until it became universal. The press, that great engine of 
 truth and liberty, was called into requisition ; the subject was 
 ably and elaborately discussed ; and tlie more it was discussed, 
 and the belter it was understood, the more strong and deter 
 mined the opposition became. All the colonies petitioned and 
 remonstrated against these obnoxious rnea urcs, and most of 
 them appointed agents to present their memprialsto parliament, 
 or the king. 
 
 But notwithstanding the excitement and opposition in Ame 
 rica, and the remonstrances of the colonies, Mr. Grenville, 
 who was at the head of the treasury, prepared the Stamp-Bill, 
 and introduced it into parliament in February, 1765; and al 
 though opposed with all the powers of eloquence, by Alderman 
 Beck;ord, Mr. Jackson, Colonel Barre, Sir William Meredith 
 and others, it was adopted by a great majority ; fifty only vot 
 ing 1 in opposition, out of about three hundred members, who 
 were present. On the second reading of the bill, various peti 
 tions, not only from the colonies, but from the London mer 
 chants interested in the American trade, were pi evented ; but 
 the petitions were not even received, being refused, on the 
 plea that no memorial could be received on a money bill. 
 Having passed both hou c es of parliament, on the 22d of March, 
 the Stamp- Act received the royal assent. Dr. Franklin, then 
 in England, as agent for Pennsylvania, wrote to ChurleJ 
 Thompson, afterwards secretary of congress C1 The sun of 
 liberty is set; you must light up the lamps of industry and 
 economy." Mr. Thompson, in a spirited reply, observed, " That 
 he thought other lights would be lighted up to resist these un 
 constitutional measures." It is unnecessary to add, that this 
 prediction was toon fulfilled. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 145 
 
 This unjust and impolitic act was the first great cause which 
 led to the American revolution ; indeed it was substantially the 
 first scene in the bloody drama of that revolution. It was pas 
 sed in parliament, on the 7th of February, 1765, under the min 
 istry of Lord Grenville, and was repealed on the 18th of March, 
 1766, from the influence of Mr. Pitt. This period of thirteen 
 months was the most eventful and tumultuous of any which 
 had hitherto occurred ; the apprehensions of the people were 
 roused to the highest pitch, and the most determined spirit of 
 opposition prevailed throughout the colonies. The Americans 
 had not believed that the act would be passed, and on receiv 
 ing the intelligence, every one was struck with astonishment, 
 and filled with consternation ; they looked at each other with 
 amazement, and for a short interval, hesitated what course to 
 pursue ; but soon recovering from their consternation, they de 
 termined not to submit to such a flagrant outrage on their 
 rights. In Boston, the ships in the harbor, in token of the 
 deepest mourning, suspended their colours half-mast high; the 
 bells were rung muffled ; and the obnoxious act. with a death s 
 head in front of it, with the motto "Thejolly of England and 
 the ruin of America," was carried in solemn procession about 
 the streets. The discontents soon spread throughout the colo 
 nies, and the opposition became general and determined ; the 
 spirit of the people gave a tone to the colonial assemblies, and 
 bold and decided resolutions were adopted against the iniqui 
 tous scheme of parlimentary taxation. Virginia took the lead, 
 and ontheSSthof May, 1765, Patrick Henry introduced his cel 
 ebrated resolutions into the house of burgesses, which de 
 clared that the inhabitants of that colony were entitled to, and 
 had possessed and enjoyed all the rights, liberties and privi 
 leges of the people of Great Britain ; that the general assem 
 bly of the colony had always exercised and alone possessed the 
 power to levy taxes and imposts on the inhabitants of the colo 
 ny, and that they " were not bound to yield obedience to any 
 law or ordinance whatsoever, designed to impose any taxation 
 whatever upon them other than the law and ordinances of the 
 general assembly." So bold and unexpected were these resolu 
 tions, that whilst they were reading, one of the members cried 
 out * treason ! treason !" 
 
 These resolutions were communicated to all the colonies, and 
 the spirit they breathed spread from one legislature to another, 
 and their sentiments were reiterated in resolutions adopted by 
 the legislatures and the freemen in public meetings. Commit 
 tees were appointed, by the assemblies of the colonies, to cor 
 respond with each other, and to meet for consultation ; the ob 
 ject of which was to secure harmony of feeling and concert of 
 ation. These measures had a very happy effect; in the menn 
 13 
 
146 ; UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 time, the press teemed with constant publications, vindicating 
 the rights of the colonies ; and many of them were of a highly 
 inflammatory character, calculated to raise thepublic mind to the 
 highest pitch. The pulpit also, particularly in New-England, 
 labored in the same cause with great zeal and effect ; the flame 
 of liberty kindled from breast to breast, and spread from prov 
 ince to province, until the conflagration became general. The 
 spirit of opposition ran so high as to break out into acts ef tu 
 mult and disorder. In Boston the effigy of Mr. Oliver, the stamp 
 master, was burnt and his house assailed, partly demolished, 
 and his furniture destroyed ; and soon after, the house of Wil 
 liam torer, deputy-regisler of the court of admiralty, was at 
 tacked, and the books and files of the court destroyed ; and the 
 house of Benjamin Hallowell, comptroller of the customs, 
 shared ihe same fate. These outrages were followed by a 
 more bold and daring attack upon the dwelling of Mr. Hutch- 
 inson, lieutenant-governor of the province ; be was obliged to 
 flee to save his lii e, and his house was entirely demolished, ex 
 cept the walls, and every thing in it destroyed or carried off. 
 Similar outrages were committed in other places. In Connec 
 ticut, Mr. Ingersoll, the stamp officer, was burnt in effigy in 
 many towns ; and whilst he was proceeding from New Haven 
 to Hartford, where the assembly was in session, he was pursu 
 ed and overtaken by a large concourse of people, some from 
 more than thirty miles, and compelled to resign his office, which, 
 was followed by three hearty cheers of liberty and property. 
 This took place at Wethersfield, from whence the people, who 
 were headed by militia officers, proceeded to Hartford, where 
 Mr. Ingersoll was compelled to read his res.gnation in the hear 
 ing of the assembly, which was succeeded by loud acclama 
 tions of liberty and property. In New York the stamp officer 
 was compelled to resign, and Lieutenant Governor Coldea was 
 burnt in effigy, with a stamp bill in his hand, suspended from 
 his own coach, and the whole was consumed together. 
 
 In the southern colonies, the public feeling did not lead to 
 the same excesses ; but in all of them, means were found to 
 compel the stamp officers to resign ; and in all the colonies the 
 assemblies adopted resolutions in opposition to the stamp 
 act, although in mauy of them the ro} al governors prorogued 
 and attempted to stop their proceedings. The members of the 
 colonial assemblies were animated and encouraged by the peo 
 ple, who, in most of the towns, instructed them to oppose the 
 stamp act. But the most important measure to unite the colo 
 nies and give energy and effect to their opposition, was con 
 vening a continental congress, consisting of deputies appointed 
 by each colony. This measure was first proposed by the assem 
 bly of Massachusetts. The meeting was appointed to be hoi- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 147 
 
 den in New York, in October, 1765. All the colonies, except 
 New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia, sent 
 deputies ; the three last of these colonies were prevented by 
 their governors, and tUe first excused itself on account of its pe 
 culiar situation. The congress, after mature deliberation; 
 adopted a declaration of rights, and a statement of the grievan 
 ces of the colonies, and asserted in the strongest terms, their 
 exemption from all taxes not imposed by their own represen 
 tatives. It also prepared a petition to the house of commons. 
 
 As the first of November, the time when the stamp-act was 
 to go into operation, approached, pnblic feeling became still 
 stronger, and was excited to the utmost to prevent the execu 
 tion of the law. In New York, ten boxes of stamps, which had 
 arrived tliere for Connecticut, were seized by the populace and 
 burned ; and in other ports, the masters of vessels, which 
 brought out stamps, were compelled to return with their de 
 testable cargoes, or deliver them up to the people to be destroy 
 ed. In Boston and many of the principal towns, the first of 
 November was kept as a day of mourning and deep distress ; 
 all the shops were shut, the bells were tolled muffled, and the 
 effigies of the authors and abettors of the act were carried in 
 procession through the streets, and then torn to pieces and con 
 sumed by the flames. 
 
 The lawyers of the supreme court in New Jersey resolved 
 that they would not purchase the stamps in their professional 
 business, and that they wonld relinquish their practice as a sac 
 rifice to the public good ; and the principal merchants in the 
 colonies, and great numbers of other classes of the inhabitants, 
 entered into solemn engagements not only to refuse to use the 
 stamps, but also not to import any more goods from Great Brit 
 ain until the stamp act should be repealed. Associations were 
 formed, called the " Sons of Liberty," the object of which was, 
 to assist and protect with force, if necessary, every one who 
 might be in danger front his resistance or opposition to the 
 stamp act. This bold association originated in New York, and 
 prevailed throughout New England, and, bad not the act been 
 repealed, must have led to civil war. The restrictive meas 
 ures produced distress and tumults in England ; large numbers 
 of the manufactures beingthrown out of employment, and more 
 than foity thousand, with black flags, appeared in the streets ; n 
 London, and surrounded the royal palace and parliament house. 
 Fortunately a change of ministry took place, in consequence of 
 what was called the regency bill, and Lrd Grenville was suc 
 ceeded by the Marquis of Rockirigham, as first lord of the treas 
 ury, and the Duke of Grafton and General Conway wero ap 
 pointed secretaries of state. In January the parliament met ; 
 tbe affairs of America occupied the principal attention, and the 
 
148 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 first talents of the house were engaged in the discussion. Mr. 
 Pitt, who had been confined to his bed by sickness, when the 
 stamp act was passed, now came forward as the great cham 
 pion of the rights of the Americans, and with his manly and all 
 powerful eloquence, opposed the unjust, unconstitutional, and 
 dangerous measure ; he even justified the Americans in their 
 resistance of an act of tyranny and oppression. After a long 
 and animated discussion, the act was repealed, accompanied, 
 however, with a declaration, " that the king and parliament 
 had, and of right ought to have, full power and authority to 
 make laws and statutes of sufficient force to bind the colonies, 
 and his majesty s subjects in them, in all cases whatsoever." 
 An act of indemnity was also passed. 
 
 The repeal of the obnoxious act occasioned universal joy, 
 both in Great Britain and America ; the ships in the Thames 
 displayed their colours, and the whole city of London was illu 
 minated ; and in the colonies, notwithstanding the declaratory 
 act, asserting the principle of taxation, the joy and rejoicings 
 were uoiveisal ; the nonimportation resolutions were rescin 
 ded ; animosities, ill treatment, and every thing nast, were for 
 gotten, and commercial intercourse with Great Britain was re 
 sumed with greater activity than ever before had been witness 
 ed. The colonies hoped and believed, that harmony, would 
 now be restored, and did every thing in their power to promote 
 this desirable object. But the officers of the crown, the min 
 ions of power, and the expectants of place, kept up a correspon 
 dence with the officers of the British government at home, and 
 attempted to promote their own selfish views by misrepresent 
 ing their countrymen. Governor Bernard, of Massachusetts, 
 was the head of this party, which contributed so much to breed 
 difficulties and bring matters to a crisis. Notwithstanding 
 that the declaratory act still hung over the heads of the colo 
 nies, like a portentous cloud, it was not generally expected that 
 the British government would very soon make another so dan 
 gerous an experiment. But these reasonable expectations, 
 however, soon proved to be fallacious, and all reliance on the 
 justice or liberality of Britain, were found to be deceptive and 
 dangerous. Notwithstanding the distraction into which the 
 colonies had been thrown, by the stamp act, within a few 
 months after its repeal, and before the wounds it had occasion 
 ed had had time to heal, the chancellor of the exchequer, 
 Charles Townsend, came forward with a new scheme of tax 
 ing America, and was so sanguine in his views, that lie 
 pledged his character for the success of the project. The 
 new revenue scheme was, to takeoff the duties on teas, which 
 were paid in Great Britain, and to levy three pence per pound 
 on all that was purchased in America, and also a duty on pa- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 149 
 
 per, glass and several other articles. A board of customs was 
 established, and commissioners appointed to set in Boston to col 
 lect the duties; and the custom-officers were to be paid from 
 the revenue thus rajsed ; and the governor, judges of the supe 
 rior court, and other officers in Massachusetts, who had hith 
 erto been dependant for their salaries on the assembly, to ron- 
 der them independent of the people, and more devoted to Great 
 Britain, were also to be paid from these revenues. And to 
 carry the iniquitous system into effect (as unjust laws can on 
 ly be enforced by unjust means,) the powers of the court of 
 admiralty were greatly extended, so as to deprive the people of 
 trial by jury in prosecutions for violating the revenue laws. 
 Writs of Assistance, as they were called, issued by the gover 
 nor, or any officer of the revenue, authorised searching the 
 liouse of the most respectable inhabitant in the province, on 
 suspicion of the concealment of contraband or smuggled goods. 
 When intelligence of these new parliamentary regulations 
 reached America, they occasioned universal astonishment, and 
 revived all the excitement and alarm which prevailed during 
 the stamp act. In the tninds of reflecting men they were re 
 garded as more dangerous than that obnoxious act, as an indi 
 rect and disguised system of taxation had a more certain and 
 fatal tendency to undermine the liberties and enslave the peo 
 ple, than direct taxes. The colonies, assailed by the same in 
 juries, had recourse to their former measures of complaint and 
 supplication ; but their petitions were not even read, and their 
 remonstrances treated with contempt, thus adding insult to in 
 justice. These accumulated injuries and indignities aroused 
 the fears and spirit of the colonies; and a circular letter, ad 
 dressed to the other colonies, by the assembly of Massachusetts, 
 contributed to diffuse the flame and lead to concert of action. 
 This letter was dated the 1 1th of February, 1768, and the sen 
 timents it contained were reiterated by most of the colonial as 
 semblies. From the bold and determined conduct of the as 
 sembly of Massachusetts, it was prorogued by the governor. 
 Another assembly was convened in May following, to which 
 the governor, in hi 1 ? first communication, insolent! v demanded of 
 them, as required by the British Secretary of State, to rescind 
 the resolutions of the preceding assembly, which led to the cir 
 cular letter, and intimated that unless th*y complied immedi 
 ately, they would be dissolved at once. But the assembly act 
 ed with a firmness which became the defenders of liberty ; and 
 instead of complying with this haughty mandate, petitioned tha 
 king for the removal of the royal governor, and charged upon 
 him a long catalogue of crimes. The governor, exasperated at 
 their conduct, immediately dissolved the mutinous assembly, 
 and applied to the commander in chief of the king s troops, 
 13* 
 
150 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 then in New York, to have several additional regiments sent to 
 Boston. Alarmed at these circumstances, the inhabitants of 
 Boston besought the governor to convene another assembly ; 
 but he treated their request with contempt. The crisis requi 
 red something to be done, without delay, and accordingly, let 
 ters were written to every town in the colony, requesting the 
 appointment of delegates to meet in convention at Boston, be 
 fore the arrival of the troops. Delegates from ninety six towns 
 met on the 22d of September. The governor instantly sent 
 them an angry message, commanding them to disperse, threat 
 ening, in case of refusal, that they would suffer the consequence 
 of their temerity. The convention, however, was not frightened 
 into submission, but gave their reasons for convening, continued 
 .their deliberations, and prepared a petition to the king. 
 
 On the first of October, the troops arrived and landed ; and, 
 gword in hand, paraded through the streets of Boston, which 
 v ere filled uith vast crowds, who with sullen silence, denoting 
 the deepest resentment, witnessed this, the first act in the great 
 .and bloody drama about to be performed. No tumult or resist 
 ance however, ensued, notwithstanding the troops were quarter 
 ed i?) the houses of the inhabitants. The assembly met in May, 
 1769, and immediately adopted several spirited resolutions; 
 that the placing an armed force where the legislature was con 
 vened, to overawe their deliberations, was a breach of privilege, 
 and that the quartering of troops on tiie inhabitants in time of 
 peace, was illegal, and a violation of the rights and liberties of 
 British subjects. 
 
 A standing army was now stationed in the capital of Massa 
 chusetts, for the avowed object of coercing the inhabitants into 
 submission ; their commerce fettered, their characters traduced, 
 the assembly prevented from meeting, and the petitions of all 
 classes to have the assembly convened, treated with contempt 
 by an insolent governor, who threatened to augment the troops, 
 and enforce at all hazards, his arbitrary and tyrannical mea 
 sures ; it cannot be surprising that the fears and exasperations 
 of the people exceeded what had ever been witnessed before. 
 At this alarming 1 conjuncture, something must be done, and 
 there was no other alternative but submission or resistance, as 
 petitions had been treated with such contempt, that to memo 
 rialize any branch of the British government would be equiva 
 lent to submission ; and there were but two ways of resistance, 
 either an appeal to the sword, or an entire suspension of ail 
 commercial intercourse with Great Britain, which, as was said 
 by Mr. Pitt iu his speech, furnished the means whereby Britain 
 had carried on the war with France, and which if continued, 
 would afford the means of their own oppression. As all the 
 Colonies were involved in one common danger, they readily 
 entered into the most solemn engagements, that no British or 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 15 1 
 
 India goods should be imported, except a few specified arti 
 cles of necessary use. The effects of these arrangements were 
 soon felt in England, and produced clamors, and even tumults 
 in some parts of the kingdom. But the partisans of the crown 
 in America, endeavoured by their correspondence, to induce 
 the ministry to persevere in their oppressive measures, and re 
 presented in the strongest terms, that the interruption of com 
 merce was only an effort of desperation, which could not last 
 long. They ad vised the ministry, to purchase large quantities 
 of goods, designed for the American market, and also to allow 
 the merchants engaged in the American trade, a premium 
 equal to the profits of their stock in business. ** If these mea 
 sures are adopted," said Mr. Oliver, secretary in Massachu 
 setts, in one of his letters, " the game will soon be up with my 
 countrymen." 
 
 The assembly which convened at Boston in May, set several 
 weeks without doing any business, as they refused to act as 
 long as an armed force was quartered in the town, and sur 
 rounded the h"use where they were in session ; they were 
 finally adjourned to Cambridge. They sent several messages 
 to the governor to have the troops removed, but after evading 
 the matter for ?ome time, he declared that he had no authority 
 over the king s troops; thus admitting that the military was 
 above the civil power in the province. Governor Bernard sent 
 a provoking- message, stating the expenditures of quartering 
 the troops on the town, and requesting that provision be made 
 for the payment of the same, and also for their future support ; 
 the assembly were thus called on to maintain the instruments 
 bv which they were to be oppressed ami enslaved. But instead 
 of Complying with this request, they passed several spirited 
 resolutions, censuring the conduct of the governor and General 
 Gage, for their rash an I oppressive measures, their wanton 
 violations of the constitution, tl e introduction of a standing ar 
 my in time of peace, and r.heir encroachments on the liberties 
 of the citizens and of the province. The governor had re 
 ceived an order to repair to England, and lay before the king 
 the state of the colony ; which he communicated to the assem 
 bly, with a request that his salary might be continued during 
 his absence, as his office would remain. But the assembly in 
 formed him in decided terms, that they couH not comply with 
 either of his requests. On receiving this answer, be immedi 
 ately, after a short, angry, and threatening speech, prorogued 
 the legislature. He soon after set sail for Europe, then littla 
 thinking that he should nev* r return to a country that by his 
 violent temper and arbitrary conduct, he had brought to the 
 brink of civil war. His reception at court convinced the Ame 
 ricana of the truth of what they feared, that the governor had 
 
152 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 been sent for, as a mischievous emissary, rather than for an 
 impartial inquiry into the real situation of the province, or an 
 investigation of his own conduct. 
 
 Thomas Hntchinson, the lieutenant-governor, was appointed 
 to succeed Governor Bernard. Hutchinson was a native of 
 Boston, and had run a career of popularity ; whilst, however, 
 he was courting the people at home, he was not less assiduous 
 in ingratiating himself into the favor of the British government, 
 by misrepresenting his countrymen. He was artful and plausi 
 ble, and possessed or popular talents; but was insidious, dark, 
 intriguing and ambitious; and the extreme of avarice marked 
 every feature of his character. His appointment was announc 
 ed at the close of the year 1769. He immediately assumed a 
 more haughty tone, and aimed at more high handed measures 
 than his predecessor, and commenced his administration by in 
 forming the assembly that he was independent of them and the 
 people, as his majesty had made provision for his salary. Se 
 cure of the favor of his sovereign, he treated the people and 
 the assembly with contempt, and answered their repeated so 
 licitations to remove the troops from the capital, by withdraw 
 ing the garrison from a strong fortress in the harbour of Bos 
 ton, who were in the pay of tlie province, and replacing them 
 by two regiments of the king s troops. The ebullitions of po 
 pular feeling, were so high as to occasion great alarm with the 
 leading patriots, that it would break out into acts of violence, 
 which might injure the cause of the people. The miserable 
 minions or power in America, endeavored to promote this re 
 sult, and openly avowed, " that the only method to restore 
 tranquillity, was to take off the original incendiaries, whose; 
 writing had instilled the poison of sedition into the people." 
 James Otis, the most active, bold, and influential patriot of the 
 day, having published under his proper signature, some severe 
 strictures on the conduct oi the officers of the crown, was as 
 saulted in a public room, by a band of hired ruffians, with 
 swords and bludgeons; and being covered with wounds, was 
 left for dead. The assassins made their escape, and took re 
 fuge oo board the king s ships in the harbor. Mr. Otis surviv 
 ed, but the lamp of bis understanding which had glowed with 
 such effulgence, was overcast with clouds arid darkness. Mr. 
 John Adams says that he "laid the foundation of the American 
 revolution, with an energy, and with those masterly talents 
 which no other man possessed ;" and he is justly considered aa 
 the first martyr to American liberty. 
 
 The insults which the inhabitants constantly experienced, 
 from the soldiers, increased their animosity towards them to 
 uch a degree, as to le,ad to violence and blood-shad. On the 
 scond of March, 1770, an affray took place between a party 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 153 
 
 of soldiers of the 29th regiment, and some rope-makers, in 
 front of Mr. Gray s rope- walk. This was followed by a more 
 alarming outrage on the 5th : the indignant populace pressed 
 upon and insulted the soldiers, while under arms, and assailed 
 them with clubs, sticks and snow-balls, covering stones. Be 
 ing dared to fire by the mob, six of the soldiers discharged 
 their muskets, which killed three of the citizens, and wounded 
 five others. The effect of this was electric; the town was in 
 stantly in commotion, and the mass of the people were so ex 
 asperated, that it required the utmost exertions to prevent 
 their rallying and driving the British myrmidons out of town; 
 and nothing but an assurance that the troops should be with 
 drawn, prevented this resort to force. The captain of the 
 party and eight men were brought to trial ; two of the men 
 were found guilty; the captain and the other men were ac 
 quitted. A general meeting of the inhabitants was immediate 
 ly assembled in Faneuil Hall, who unanimously resolved that 
 no armed force should be suffered longer to reside in the capi 
 tal; and a committee was appointed to wait on the governor, 
 and request the immediale removal of the troops. The go 
 vernor refused to act, under pretence of want of authority ; 
 but Colonel Dalrymple, alarmed at the state of things, pro 
 posed to withdraw the 29th regiment, which was more culpa 
 ble than any other ; but he was informed that not a soldier 
 should be left in town ; he was reluctantly compelled to com 
 ply, and within four days not a Red-coat remained. This tra 
 gical affair produced tiie deepest impressions on the minds of 
 the people; and the anniversary of the massacre of the 5th of 
 March, 1770, was commemorated for many years, and orations 
 delivered, which unfolded the blessings of civil liberty, the 
 horrors of slavery, the dangers of standing armies, and the 
 rights of the colonies. These annual orations administered 
 fuel to the fire of liberty, and kept it burning with an incessant 
 flame, and in no small degree promoted the cause of the colo 
 nies, in a manner that served to give a deeper glow to the 
 flame of liberty. In the spring of 1773, the schooner Gaspee 
 was stationed at Providence, to prevent smuggling ; and the 
 conduct of the commander having exasperated the inhabitants, 
 two hundred men entered on board the schooner at night, ;ind 
 compelled the captain and crew to go ashore, and then set re 
 to the vessel. The government offered a reward of five hun 
 dred pounds, for the apprehension of any of the persons en 
 gaged in this outrage ; but such was the spirit and unanimity 
 of the people, that this pecuniary inducement produced no 
 effect, and the authors of the outrage could not be discovered. 
 About this period, the letters of Governor Hutchiuson and Mr. 
 Oliver, to their friends in England, urging the government to 
 
154 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 adopt more decisive and vigorous measures, to coerce the colo 
 nies into submission, were discovered and sent back to Ameri 
 ca by Dr. Franklin, which, being published by the assembly of 
 Massachusetts, greatly contributed to inflame the public mind, 
 and exasperate the people against these officers of the crown, 
 who were justly charged with having shamefully betrayed 
 their trust, and the people, whose rights it was their duty vigi 
 lantly to guard. Whilst the other duties were repealed, that 
 on tea was retained, for the sole and avowed object of main 
 taining the power, which parliament had asserted, of collecting 
 a revenue in America. The ministerial scheme was cunning 
 and artful ; but did not, in the least degree, deceive the vigi 
 lance of the Americans. The object was to cheat the colonies 
 out of their rights, by collecting an indirect, imperceptible 
 duty, little more than nominal in amount, which, however, if 
 acquiesced in, would have been an admission of the principle 
 or right of Britain to raise a revenue in America. It was an 
 attempt to obtain, covertly and by fraud , what they had at 
 tempted, but fulled to obtain, openly by force. In the first 
 place, measures were adopted, openly and explicitly, for taxing 
 the colonies, the duties to be paid directly by the consumer; 
 but being unable to enforce this act, it was repealed, accompani 
 ed with a declaration of the right of parliament to tax the 
 Americans, in all cases whatsoever. This naked assertion of 
 a right, when the application of it had been attempted and 
 abandoned, did not give the Americans much concern : they 
 would not have cared, if the British had kept that assertion of 
 a rigid to do wrong on their statute-book, as long as the two 
 countries existed, provided they had not attempted to exercise 
 their assumed right. But the advocates of American taxation 
 seemed to be sensible, that the bare assertion of a right, after 
 an unsuccessful attempt to enforce it, would amount to but 
 little, and that conclusions, obviously following the abandon 
 ment of the first attempt to tax the Americans, would be left 
 in their full force. Under the circumstances in which the two 
 countries were placed, therefore, the right must be enforced, 
 or it must be considered as virtually abandoned. But this had 
 been once attempted, without success ; a more ingenious mode, 
 therefore, must be devised, or one less likely to give alarm to 
 the colonies. The stamp duties were a direct tax, as the duty 
 constituted the entire value of the sum paid ; but a trifling im 
 post would not be perceived, as the duty would scarcely make 
 any sensible difference in the price of the article. The bitter 
 pill, which it was intended to make the colonies swallow, was 
 gilded with sugar. The duty was more artfully disguised* 
 than a simple impost. It was, in fact, no additional burden on 
 the consumers of tea, it being only a different mode of collect* 
 
THE UXITED STATES. 155 
 
 ing the duty which had before been paid ; yet this alteration 
 of the mode involved the right and power of parliament to es 
 tablish a revenue system in America. According to the former 
 regulations, the teas of the India Company were first brought 
 to England, where a duty was paid before they were sent to 
 the colonies. The scheme was merely to change the place 
 and mode of collecting the duty ; it was to be paid in America, 
 instead of England ; for which purpose custom regulations 
 were established, and officers appointed. A duty of three pence 
 on a pound of tea, would not be felt by the people, and this, 
 or rather a greater duty, had been paid before in England ; so 
 that, instead of the burdens of the people being increased, 
 they were rather lightened by this new regulation. So artfully 
 disguised was this scheme. It is a maxim with many politi 
 cians, and too generally correct, that the people will not be 
 alarmed or excited by any principle, however it may be fraught 
 with danger ; that they must feel and suffer, before their fears 
 will arouse them into action. But this maxim did not hold 
 true with the Americans ; they saw the danger, and resolved 
 to resist, at the hazard of their lives, a principle, calculated to 
 undermine the foundation of their liberty ; although its opera 
 tion at the time was not felt, in the slightest degree. The re 
 sistance of the Americans to the scheme of collecting a duty on 
 tea in America, instead of England, was the resistance of the 
 principle which that scheme involved, solely : as no additional 
 burden was thereby imposed on the people. 
 
 It is believed that this is the only instance in history, of an 
 entire people being roused to resistance, from measures which 
 were not burdensome or oppressive in their immediate opera 
 tions, and dangerous only from a principle on which they were 
 founded. This consideration affords the highest evidence of 
 the intelligence of the Americans, as well as of their extreme 
 jealousy and vigilance, in guarding their rights. That the ex 
 perienced poliliciau should forsee the ultimate desigrv-astl ten 
 dency of measures, not immediately oppressive, is natural 
 enough; but that the common people, or rather the entire pop 
 ulation of a country should bearoused to resistance, ou account 
 of measures noi burdensome or oppressive, but dangerous only 
 from the principle on which they were founded, is unparalleled. 
 It is not, however, to be supposed that the colonists would have 
 been so alarmed and aroused to such a spirit of resistance, by 
 the new regulations as to tea, had it not been for the previous 
 measures of the parent country, evincing, in the clearest man 
 ner, a settled design to exercise the power of taxation orer 
 them. They considered the new regulations as to tea, as an 
 artful and disguised revenue s\ stem, although it imposed no ad 
 ditional duty, and they were determined Dot to be cheated out 
 
150 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 of their liberties, as they had before resolved not to be fright 
 ened out of them. 
 
 Measures were immediately adopted to prevent the introduc 
 tion of the tea into the country, so as to avoid the payment of 
 the duty; and such was the strength and unanimity of public 
 opinion, that without the aid of law, or rather in opposition to 
 law, they were enabled to render their measures efficient, sole 
 ly by the force of public sentiment, although measures of all 
 others the most difficult to enforce, as interfering both with 
 the interests and the established habits of the people. In most 
 of the towns from New*Hampshire to Georgia, the people as 
 sembled and resolved to discontinue the use of tea, which was 
 now regarded as an herb, (however agreeable as a beverage) 
 noxious to the political constitution. In the large commercial 
 towns, regulations were adopted to prevent the landing of tea ; 
 committees 4 were appointed to inspect merchant s books, propose 
 tests, and make use of other means to defeat the designs of 
 Britain. Where it could be done, the consignees of the teas, 
 were persuaded or compelled to resign, or to bind themselvos 
 not to act in that capacity. The cargo sent to South-Carolina, 
 was stored, the consignees being constrained to enter into an 
 engagement not to offer any for sale ; and in many of the colo 
 nies, the ships were compelled to return without discharging 
 their cargoes. So vigorously were these measure enforcad, that 
 during one year, eighty-five pounds was the whole amount 
 of duties received. The teas consumed in the colonies, were 
 principally smuggled into the country, by the Dutch and French, 
 who were favored by the inhabitants in evading the revenue 
 laws. During the four or five years that the new system had 
 been in existence, very trifling quantities of teas had been in- 
 trqduced into the colonies, and instead of the restrictive mea 
 sures being relaxed as was expected in England, they increas 
 ed in vigor and efficacy, and the quantity of tea introduced had 
 constantly diminished. 
 
 AB had been the ca?e with other matters, of difference be* . 
 tween the two countries, the principal struggle, growing out 
 of the regulations as to tea, occurred at Boston. The other 
 provinces had avoided the alternative which was reserved for 
 this, of either suffering the teas to be disposed of, or to destroy 
 them, by violent means. Knowing the spirit of the inhabitants 
 of Boston, the India Company had been more cautitusas to tha 
 cargoes shipped for tlirr port, than those sent to the other prov 
 inces ; and the zeal c.f Covernor Hutchinson, and the other of 
 ficers of the crown Thorp, greatly * ;rpassed that of the crown 
 officers in the other colonies, and was calculated to frustrate 
 the measures of the inhabitants. The tea ships destined t 
 Boston, were all consigned to the sous, cousins, and person* 
 
THE UNITED STATES, 35* 
 
 T>ho were the merest tools of Governor Hutchinson. When 
 called on to resign, the only answer they would give was, 
 " that it was not in their power." As the consignees could 
 not be induced or frightened to resign, the next plan was, to 
 compel the vessels to return without landing their detestable 
 cargoes ; but the collector refused to give a clearance without 
 the vessels were discharged of dutiable articles, and the gov 
 ernor refused to give a pass for the vessels, until they were 
 properly qualified from the custom house ; and to guard against 
 the vessels being taken possession of, and conducted out of thr- 
 harbor, the governor ordered Admiral Montague, who com 
 manded the nava! force, to keep a vigilant look out, and to suf 
 fer no vessel, coasters excepted, to pass the fortress from the 
 town, without a pass signed by himself. The rigorous adhe 
 rence to these measures, afforded great satisfaction to the gov 
 ernor and his minions, and all thp British party ; they flattered 
 themselves that the " Sons of Lreerty," afier all their clamour, 
 resolutions, and schemes to resist the tea system, were out- 
 managed, and that it would be impossible for them to prevent 
 the landing and sale of the obnoxious cargoes. Their meas 
 ures had been planned so wisely, and their execution was en 
 trusted to agents of such known fidelity to the crown, and 
 who were under the immediate influence and control of the 
 governor, they thought there was not a loop-hole whereby the 
 rebellious Americans could escape paying tha hateful tax. 
 They did not even dream that an attempt would be made to 
 destroy or throw overboa-d the offensive article, which cover 
 ed a tribute to Britain ; for if they had, the vessels would have 
 been guarded. The governor, after all he had witnessed and 
 experienced, judging rattier from his feelings than li? krr.wl- 
 edge, was entirely ignoraut of public sentiment, and of the 
 spirit of the people : he had no idea that they had determined 
 to resist the obnoxious measure, at every hazard, even thnt of 
 life. Nothing short of this bold step, could prevent the deep 
 laid scheme, against the liberties of the country from succeed 
 ing. It had been rendered impossible that the vessels should 
 return with their cargoes ; and to surfer the tea to be landed 
 and trust to the spirit and unanimity of the inhabitants not to 
 purchase it, would have been to yielc) the point; fora small 
 portion of the citizens vyerein favor of the British, and would 
 of course consume the article, and by fair means or foul, it 
 would have been distributed among others. And it would 
 have been equally impracticable to prevent the tea from br-ircr 
 landed ; the most -unwearied \vatching day and night, cou!d 
 not prevent this, as it might be conveyed ashore by mail 
 quantities in boats in the night season, and at such places a* to 
 eseape the utmost vigilance. Every other measure had been 
 14 
 
1 58 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 attempted without success ; the consignees had been urged to 
 decline the commission, and a numerous public meeting of the 
 citizens had been held, who presented a remonstrance to the 
 governor, and urged him to order back the ships without suf 
 fering any part of their cargoes to be landed. But his answer 
 satisfied them that he was the adviser of the measure, and de 
 termined to carry it into execution. The parties were at issue 
 on the great question, on which the liberties of the country 
 hung suspended; whether Great Britain should exercise the 
 power of taxing the Americans in anyway, or not. This 
 question depended on the landing of a few cargoes of tea, 
 which had become contaminated with an unconstitutional tax. 
 The colonists were determined that they would not pay the 
 tax, and the British party were determined to carry into effect 
 the tea regulation, and to frustrate the plans of the Americans. 
 Both parties had taken their measures, and the British party 
 were confident of success, the contest was advancing to a 
 crisis; alarm and dismay prevailed; the deepest anxiety was 
 depicted in every countenance; had an invading army been in 
 the neighbourhood, threatening to sack the town, or had the 
 pestilence which walks in darkness, ravaged its pavilions, great 
 er gloorn could not overspread the town, or stronger indica 
 tions been exhibited, of a pending event big with the fate of 
 three millions of people. During this deep and awful sus 
 pense, a report was started, which spread with the rapidity of 
 lightning through the town, that Admiral Montague was about 
 to seize the ships and dispose of their cargoes, at public auc 
 tion, within twenty-four hours; which was believed to be a 
 cunning device of Hutchinson,as this would as effectually have 
 secured the duties, as if the teas had been sold at the stores of 
 the consignees. This rumour was like an electric shock ; 
 leaving their employments, the people rushed into the streets, 
 and with amazed and terrified countenances, every one seemed 
 to say, what shall we do to prevent the consummation in so bold 
 and daring a manner, of this iniquitous scheme. In a few mo 
 ments, as from an instinctive impulse, a vast crowd repaired to 
 one of the most spacious churches in Boston, and organized 
 themselves into a public meeting. Previously to taking any 
 other step, a message was sent to the governor and the con 
 signees, who with difficulty could be found, as they were afraid 
 to encounter even the looks of an indignant and injured people. 
 No satisfactory answers were returned; but instead of com 
 plying with their wishes, whilst the assembled multitude were 
 quietly, notwithstanding the excitement which prevailed, con 
 sulting on their critical situation, and the measures proper to 
 be adopted, the sheriff entered with an order from the govern 
 or, styling them an illegal and seditious assembly, and ordering 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 159 
 
 them immediately to disperse. But he did not bring with him 
 ihe posse comitatus, as the power of the county was already as 
 sembled, and it was that, the sheriff was ordered to disperse ; 
 this mandate was treated with deserved contempt, and the 
 sheriff hissed out of the house, mortified and chagrined, and a 
 confused murmur followed not only in the house but among the 
 vast multitude from without ; but soon order was restored, and 
 the meeting adjourned, without adopting any vote or resolution. 
 The leaders probably supposed that such a meeting was not 
 the place to discuss and devise measures to meet the crisis. 
 
 The bold measure was now conceived, and immediately pro 
 posed for execution, which surprised and agitated the two coun 
 tries, and hurried on that memorable revolution which made 
 them " enemies in war, and in peace friends." The success 
 of it, as well as the danger attending it, required secresy and 
 despatch. It has never been known with certainty, either who 
 contrived or executed this bold ee.3ient ; but there is no rea 
 son to doubt, but that Mr. Samuel Adams, and many of the 
 leaders in the political affairs of the day, were its contrivers, 
 and it is known, that the hall of council was in the back room 
 of Edes & Gill s printing office, at the corner of the alley lead 
 ing from Court-Street to Brattle-Street Church. It is a singu 
 lar circumstance, that this daring and desperate measure, for 
 the maintenance of the liberties of the country, should have 
 been counselled and contrived in an editorial closet of a news 
 paper, which was one of the organs of the public voice, and a 
 vigilant sentinel of the liberties of the people. Since this peri 
 od many political schemes have originated, in the " back rooms" 
 of printing offices, but in general of a very different char 
 acter. 
 
 In a few hours after the adjournment of (he public meeting, 
 the bold measure, on the success of which the great question 
 of taxation hung suspended, was contrived, matured, and ripen 
 ed for execution ; and the public were surprised with the sud 
 den appearance in the streets, of a large number of savages, 
 or persons disguised, clad, and every way counterfeiting the 
 aborigines of i he country ; armed with a tomahawk in one 
 hand, and a club over the shoulder, who, in a silent and solemn 
 manner, not a voice being heard, marched in Indian file, 
 through the streets, amidst a crowd of astonished spectators, 
 who knew not what to think of so unexpected and strange an 
 exhibition ; and its novelty and the surprise which it occasion 
 ed, may have prevented any steps being taken to oppose their 
 design. The Indians, whilst strongly attached to tobacco, in 
 this instance at least, appear to have had a mortal antipathy to 
 tea ; and as though a-ttracted by its noxious qualities, they pro 
 ceeded directly towards the whaives where the tea ships lay ; 
 
160 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 boarded them, demanded the keys, and without the least hesi 
 tation or delay, knocked open the chests, and emptied their 
 contents, duties and all, into the ocean, comprising several 
 thousand weight of the finest teas. The deed was done in the 
 face of the world, and although surrounded by the king s ships, 
 no opposition was made or attempted ; all was silence and 
 amazement. Thus the teas which were designed as a 
 means of extorting tribute from the Americans, became 
 an offering to the " spirits of the vasty deep/ and a sac 
 rifice to the liberties of the country.. The " Indians" hav 
 ing effected their object, shewed no marks of triumph ; no 
 savage warwhoop was heard; nor did they commit any other 
 violence or disorder, but in the same silent, solemn and order 
 ly manner, marched back through the town, followed by a 
 vast crowd. No movements on the part of the government, or 
 disturbance by the people, followed this event ; and it was ob 
 served at the time, that the !01est night succeeded, which Bos 
 ton had enjoyed for several months. 
 
 No person3 assisted the savages, in the destruction of the 
 tea, except some boys or young men, who had assembled on 
 the occasion, and voluntarily took a part in what was going on ; 
 one of these youths, collected the tea which fell into his own 
 shoes and those of several of his companions, put in a phial and 
 sealed it up ; which is now in his possession, containing the 
 same obnoxious tea, which in. this instance was considered as 
 mere dangerous to the political health and constitution of the 
 people, even than strong drink. The number of savages, manu 
 factured for the occasion, has been variously estimated, from 
 sixty to eighty : although several persons have been mentioned 
 as among the number, none of them have ever been known with 
 certainty ; there are many and obvious reason?, why secrecy 
 then, and concealment since were neceseary. Not any of those 
 who ii has been confidently asserted were of the party have ad 
 mitted the fact except some of the boys. Nearly all of the 
 disguised persons have left this scene of strife, and their secret 
 has died with them ; and what few remain, if any, will proba 
 bly be as prudent as those who have gone before them, and 
 like them will suffer their knowledge to be buried with them, 
 so that the greatest secret will shortly be beyond the reach of 
 human research. The success of this bold and daring measure, 
 astonished Governor Hutchinson and the British party, and 
 seemed to convince him, that the " Sons of Liberty" were not 
 quite so contemptible as he had represented them in his letters 
 to the ministry ; and it even astonished the whigs, in the other 
 colonies, and contributed to fan the flames of liberty, and give 
 them a deeper glow, and more intense heat. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 161 
 
 When the intelligence of this event readied England, accom 
 panied wit!) all (he exaggeration and colouring which Hutch- 
 inson could give to it, it produced the utmost excitement, and 
 indignation with the ministerial party, and even the opponents 
 of the American revenue system, could not justify so rash and 
 desperate a measure. Putliament at once determined to crush 
 the devoted town, which was the seat and cause of this high 
 handed resistance to its supremacy. Its omnipotent power, 
 and all the terrors of its wrath, were to be concentrated and 
 directed against this rebellious town. A bill was immediately 
 introduced to" discontinue the landing and discharging, landing 
 and shipping of goods, wares and merchandise, at the town of 
 Boston, or within the harbor." This bill, called the <% Boston 
 Port Bill/ passed on the 25th of March, 1774, and when it was 
 known, threw the inhabitants into the utmost consternation. 
 A general meeting was called, and spirited resolutions adop 
 ted, expressive, in strong terms, of their sense of the oppres 
 sive measure, and they requested all the colonies to unite in an 
 engagement to discontinue al! importations from Great Britain; 
 and most of the colonies resolved to make common cause with 
 Massachusetts, in her opposition to the unconstitutional meas 
 ures of parliament. The first of June, when the port bill was to go 
 into operation was appointed to be kept as a day of fasting and 
 prayer. This act was soon followed by another, " for the better 
 regulating gov t. in the province of Mass. Bay ;" the object o^F 
 which was to alter the charter, so as to make the judges and 
 sheriffs dependant on the king, and removeable at his pleas 
 ure. And this act was soon succeeded by another, which pro 
 vided, that any persons indicted for murder, or other capital of- 
 fenee, committed in aiding the magistrates, in enforcing the 
 laws, might be sent by the governor either to any other colony, 
 or to Great Britain for his trial. The Quebec Bill followed in 
 rapid succession, enlarging the bounds of that province, and con 
 ferring many privileges on the Roman Catholics ; the design of 
 which was to secure the attachment of that province, and pre 
 vent its joining with the colonies in their measures of resis 
 tance. These measures instead, ofintimidating the colonies into 
 submission, only confirmed their fears of the settled designs of 
 Great Britain to deprive them of their chartered rights, and re 
 duce the colonies to the lowest state of political degradation and 
 oppression. A sense of common danger led to an extensive 
 correspondence, which resulted in the opinion that it was ex* 
 pedient to convene a general congress, to consist of deputies 
 from all the colonies. This congress met at Philadelphia oa 
 1 he 5th of September, 1774; and comprised among its mem 
 bers, some of the most distinguished patriots, statesmen and 
 orators in the country, or perhaps in anr other. Notwithataodiag 
 14* 
 
162 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 the ferment which prevailed in most of the colonies, their pro- 
 ceedino-g were characterised by coolness, unanimity and firm 
 ness. 
 
 They published a long and solemn declaration of rights, as 
 British subjects, and maintained in the strongest terms, their 
 exemption from taxation by parliament ; besides which, they pre 
 pared a petition to the king-, which was refused to be answer 
 ed ; an address to the people of Great Britain, and another to 
 the people of America. These documents were drawn up 
 with a masterly hand,, and exhibited great dignity and ability, 
 and wore in every respect worthy of the men who had confided 
 to them the liberties of their country, and the destinies of three 
 millions of their countrymen, threatened with slavery. 
 
 The proceedings of congress did not tend to allay public feel 
 ing, and as the royal agents in jMassachusetts seemed deter 
 mined to push matters to extremities, and reduce the people to 
 unconditional submission, by arbitrary and forcible means, eve 
 ry thing now wore the appearance of civil war. A new coun 
 cil, and new judges were appointed by the crown ; and the.lat- 
 ter attempted to enter upon the execution of their offices ; but 
 the juries refused to be sworn under them ; the people in some 
 counties assembled to prevent their proceedings, and in Berk 
 shire succeeded, in thus setting an example, which was after 
 wards followed by Shays men, in violation of the laws of the 
 state. About this time the famous " Tree of Liberty," in Bos 
 ton, which had been pruned and ornamented with so much 
 pride and care, " fell a victim to British vengeance, or to some 
 individual to whom its shade had become offensive."? 
 
 Previously to this period, General Gage had succeeded 
 Hutchinson as Governer of Massachusetts ^ and, apprehending 
 danger from a general muster of the militia, he caused the mag 
 azines and ammunition at Charlestown and Cambridge, to be 
 removed to Boston, and fortified the neck of land which joins 
 Boston to the main land, at Roxbury. These measures occa 
 sioned a universal panic ; delegates from all the towns in the 
 county of Suffolk met, and spirited resolutions, and a remon 
 strance to the Governor, were adopted. The general assem 
 bly had been summoned to meet at Salem ; bat from the turbu 
 lence of the times, the governor issued his proclamation, coun 
 termanding their meeting; yet, in defiance of the governor s 
 mandate, ninety members mei;, resolved themselves into a pro 
 vincial congress, chose Mr. Hancock president, and adjourn 
 ed to Concord, nineteen miles from Boston. They fearlessly 
 proceeded to business; after addressing the governor, and re 
 iterating their grievances ; in the face of British law and Brit 
 ish troops, they proceeded to adopt the first measures, which 
 were taken, directly and avowedly preparatory to an appeal to 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 163 
 
 the ?vrord, in defence of their rights and liberties. They regu 
 lated the militia, made provision for furnishing the people with 
 arms, and for supplying the treasury ; and such was the enthu 
 siasm of the people, that their recommendations had the force of 
 law. Governor Ganfe was filled with rage at these daring pro 
 ceedings, and issued a proclamation, in which he insinuated that 
 they amounted to rebellion. 
 
 Early in 1775, parliament passed the fishery bills, which pro 
 hibited the colonies from trading in fish with Great Brita : n, Ire- * 
 land and the West Indies, and frcm taking fish on the banks of 
 Newfoundland. These acts were intended to operate on the 
 town of Boston, which had become the devoted object of min 
 isterial wrath. The various statutes, which were passed, occa 
 sioned deep and general distress in Boston and its vicinty ; but 
 their bretheren in the other colonies sympathized with them, 
 and promptly supplied them with provisions of every descrip 
 tion for the relief of the sufferers. 
 
 This policy of the British government was not only oppres 
 sive, but mean and contemptible. Partial legislation is al 
 ways odious and tyrannical ; yet it consisted with the justice 
 and dignity of the British nation ; and a series of acts were pas 
 sed, and the power of the nation exerted, to crush the town of 
 Boston, because it had shown a more determined spirit of re 
 sistance to their oppressive and unconstitutional measures than 
 had appeared in other places. The ministry were not sensible 
 that the colonies considered themselves all engaged in a com 
 mon cause; they were in hopes to humble and crush the re 
 bellious inhabitants of that devoted town, which they thought 
 would be such a terrific example as wouid frighten all the col 
 onies into submission. But their wicked designs recoiled on 
 the heads of their authors; for these oppressive measures to 
 wards the Bostonians, only served to exasperate the people 
 throughout allthe colonies, who regarded them as cruel and de 
 testable. 
 
 In March 1773, the public indignation was greatly excited 
 bv the following base and most shameful transactions : 
 
 " The people from the country, whose business called them 
 into Boston, were suspected by the officers of purchasing gnns 
 from their soldiers. In order to furnish an opportunity to in 
 flict punishment, and to raise occasion for a serious quarrel. 
 Lieutenant Colonel Nesbit, of tbe forty seventh regiment, or 
 dered a soldier to offer a countryman an old rusty musket. A 
 man fromBillerica was caught by this habit, and purchased the 
 gun for three dollars. The unfortunate man was immediately 
 seized by Xesbit and confined in the guard house all night. 
 Early next mroning they stripped him entirely naked, covered 
 him over with warm tar, and then with feathers, placed him on 
 
164 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 a cart and conducted him through the streets as far as liberty 
 tree, where the people began to collect in vast numbers, and 
 the military, fearing for their own safety, dismissed the man, 
 and retreated to their barracks. The party consisted of about 
 thirty grenadiers, with fixed bayonets, twenty drums and fifes 
 playing the rogue s march, headed by the redoubtable N esbit with 
 a drawn sword ! What an honorable deed for a British field of 
 ficer and grenadiers ! The selectmen of Billerica remonstrated 
 with General Gage respecting- this outrage, but obtained no sat 
 isfaction. 
 
 The breach between Britain and the colonies had now be 
 come so wide, as with the mass of the people, nearly to exclude 
 all ideas of conciliation ; and both parties began to make prepa 
 rations for an appeal to the sword. No alternative was left 
 the Americans but slavery, or resistance by force ; measures 
 were adopted for training the militia to the use of arms, to en 
 courage the manufacture of gun powder, and for collecting all 
 kinds of military stores ; and committees of public safety were 
 appointed in all the towns in the province. The British gov 
 ernment sent out a re-inforcement of troops to Boston, and in 
 the mean time Governor Gage attempted to counteract the de 
 signs and treasures of the provincials, and particularly to seize 
 or destroy their military stores, and thus deprive the m of the 
 means of resistance. To destroy the military stores at Concord, 
 General Gage despatched, in a secret mariner, a regiment of 
 grenadiers, who undertook to disperse, and fired upon a party of 
 militia at Lexington, several of whom were killed, which was 
 the first blood spilt in that memorable war and revolution, that 
 separated Great Britain and America forever ; and gave to the 
 latter, not only a rank among the nations of the earth, but what 
 only can exalt a nation Liberty and free institutions, which 
 are the durable foundations of its glory and rising prosperity ; 
 its tranquillity and happiness, its increasing population and 
 wealth, the rapidity of which is unexampled in the annals of 
 the world. 
 
 Thus, dear reader, I have given^vou a summary view of the 
 causes which led to the America^ revolution. I shall com 
 mence the revolution by giving you an account of the battle of 
 Lexington. 
 
 On the ICth of April, 1775, Lieut. Colonel Smith and Major 
 Pitcairn left Boston with 800 chosen men from the British ar 
 my, for the purpose of destroying the American stores at Con 
 cord. On their arrival at Lexington, they found about se\en- 
 ty militia under arms upon the green. Major Pitcairn, seeing 
 the Americans on parade, rode up to them, and exclaimed, 
 disperse, you rebels, throw down your arms, and disperse. His 
 orders not being instantly obeyed, he discharged bis own pis- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 165 
 
 tol, and ordered his men to fire. His orders were obeyed, and 
 three of the Americans were killed. The detachment procee 
 ded to Concord. The militia of that town had also assembled 
 to oppose them, but their number was so small that they retir 
 ed and waited for aid from the neighboring 1 towns. The Brit 
 ish destroyed ail the stores that were to be found, and then be 
 gan their retreat towards Lexington. But the whole country 
 was in arms, and pressed upon their roar. The Americans 
 kept up a continual fire from behind hedges, stone walls, &.c. 
 Major Pi ? cairn, fearing his carcass would be picked from his 
 borse, dismounted, and led his division on foot ; but his horse 
 and equipments were taken bv the provincials. At sun-set, the 
 regulars, overcome with fttigue, secured their retreat over 
 Charlestown neck, and found on Bunker s Hill a place of secu 
 rity and repose. 
 
 The loss of the British in killed, wounded and taken prisoner?, 
 amounted to 273, while the American loss in killed, wounded 
 and missing, was only 88. 
 
 The battle of Lexington spread like a conflagration, and 
 aroused the hardy sons of the country to a manful resistance. 
 The agriculturist left his plough in the furrow, and the 
 mechanic dropped his tools in the shop, and the great mass of 
 the people repaired to Boston with such arms as could be found. 
 Within a few days a large army was collected under the com 
 mand of generals Ward and Putnam. This alarmed general 
 Gage for the safety of his garrison. When the tidings of 
 these events reached the south, the population were aroused 
 to the contest with the same animated zeal which had been dis 
 played at the north, and the tocsin of alarm spread far and wide 
 through the country. 
 
 On the 28th of April, 1776, the provincial congress of Mas 
 sachusetts issued the following general circular: 
 
 " We conjure you by all that is dear, by all that is sacred, 
 that you orive all possible assistance in forming an army, in de 
 fence of~the country. Our all is at stake. Death* and de 
 struction are the certain consequences of deJay. Every mt- 
 ment is infinitely precious; an hour lost, may deluge your 
 country in blood, and entail perpetual slavery upon the few of 
 your posterity that survive the carnage. We beg and entreat, 
 as you will answer it to your country, to your consciences, and 
 above all, as you will answer it to your God, that you will has 
 ten, by all possible means, the enlistment of men, to form en 
 army; and send them forward to head-quarters, at Cambridge, 
 with that expedition, which the vast importance, and instant 
 urgency of the affairs demands." 
 
 This, as might be expected, aroused the energies of the coun 
 try, and inspired the people with the most heroic feelings. The 
 
166 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 call was promptly obeyed, and the sons of liberty enlisted them 
 selves with the greatest alacrity for the defence of their rights. 
 
 The responsibilities which now rested on the fathers of the 
 revolution were great, and their services important. Theyhad 
 to imbody and discipline new and inexperienced troops, bring 
 order out of confusion, and to supply both arms and ammuni 
 tion being without funds, and almost without authority to resist 
 them. Besides this, the army was to he supplied with pro 
 visions, in the face of a formidable, well disciplined, and well 
 furnished enemy. But the zeal and ability of the officers were 
 equal to the crisis. Of some it is even recorded, that for a 
 succession of days and nights, they were constantly at the hsad 
 of their respective guards, without a change of raiment. 
 
 At this critical epoch, General Ward directed colonel Ethan 
 Allen to raise four hundred Green Mountain Boys, on the New 
 Hampshire grants, since then composing the state now called 
 Vermont. With this force he was to surprise the garrisons 
 of the English on lake Champlain. The colonel raised two 
 hundred and thirty of the number, with which force he repaired 
 to Castleton, where he met one hundred and seventy two 
 more, by concert with certain officers of the militia. In this 
 plan, Dean, Wooster, and Parsons, with others in Connecticut, 
 co-operated, and sentinels were posted on the different routes 
 to Ticonderoga, to intercept intelligence of the intentions of 
 the Americans. 
 
 About this time, Colonel Benedict Arnold, who had arrived 
 to assist in the enterprise, consented to act in concert with 
 colonel Allen, and no unnecessary delay prevented them from 
 moving forward to the object which they determined to ac 
 complish. 
 
 Colonel Allen crossed the lake on the 10th of May, with 
 a detachment of only eighty three men, with which he attack 
 ed fort Ticonderoga early in the morning. With this small 
 number he rushed into the fort, while the garrison was asleep. 
 Captain Delaplace was ordered to surrender the garrison in 
 stantly, as he would save them from immediate destruction. 
 The captain inquired by what authority, to whom colonel Allen 
 icplied " In the name of the Great Jehovah, and the continen 
 tal Congress." The fort was immediately surrendered, and 
 the soldiers paraded without arms. The prisoners consisted of 
 four officers, forty-four privates, with several women and chil 
 dren, who were sent into Connecticut for security. 
 
 The fruits of this victory were 120 iron cannon, 50 swivels, 
 more than three tons of balls, two 10 inch mortars, and a 
 quantity of shells, flints, gun carriages, powder, flour, pork, 
 c. with two brass cannon, and many other valuables. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 167 
 
 With the remainder of the party, Colonel Seth Warner, a 
 native of Connecticut, crossed the lake, and took the fortress 
 of Crown Point by surprise, with more than one hundred pieces 
 of cannon. Colonel Arnold, who had embaiked on the lake, 
 in a small schooner, captured an English armed vessel, and 
 returned to Ticonderosra with his prize. Thus was a free 
 communication with Canada secured by the command of the 
 lake. 
 
 While the tide of success thus waited on the American arms 
 in the north, general Gage contemplated an attack upon the 
 American troops at Roxbury, under the command of general 
 Thomas. The number of troops at this place, amounted in 
 all, to but seven hundred militia, and they were nearly des 
 titute of both arms and ammunition. What was wanting in 
 force, however, was supplied by stratagem. The Americans 
 were marched round a hill in full view of the enemy, and dis 
 played to such advantage through the day, that the British 
 general was completely hoaxed, and the attack was not made. 
 Reinforcements soon arrived, and the place was saved. 
 
 The success which attended the American arms in their fre 
 quent skirmishes >vith the foraging parties of the British, 
 among the small islands which abound in Massachusetts bay, 
 gave them confidence and courage to face the English forces 
 with confidence and success in more important undertakings. 
 
 On the 25th of the month, the three British generals, Howe, 
 Clinton, and Burgoyne, arrived at Boston. They were able 
 and experienced, and to them was committed the task of put 
 ting down all opposition, and of bringing the revolted colonists 
 to a state of absolute and unconditional submission, during the 
 first campaign. 
 
 Two days after this, the provincials, under Putnam and War 
 ren, defeated a strong force of the enemy on the islands, and 
 destroyed the vessel, armed and stationed for their defence. 
 The same success attended their arms on the 30th, and the 
 British were greatly distressed by a removal of the cattle from 
 the island, and the communication with Boston was now closed. 
 
 On the part of the continentals, *.he sufferings were severe. 
 The small pox had been communicated from Boston, and raged 
 in the army to an alarming degree. Money was exceedingly 
 scarce; and the whole foice, including officers and soldiers, did 
 not exceed eight thousand. Under all their discouragements, 
 and in their undisciplined state, nothing could keep them 
 together, but the mest ardent zeal for the cause of their com 
 mon country. 
 
 A proclamation was issued by General Gage, on the 12th of 
 June, in the king s name, offering a general amnesty, exclud 
 ing only John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Those who should 
 
168 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 refuse these gracious offers, or correspond with, or aid and 
 assist the refractory, were denounced as rebels, and threatened 
 to be treated as such. Martial law was also declared in the 
 province. 
 
 The proclamation was very properly considered as a public 
 declaration of war, and the precursor of hostile operations, and 
 the enemy was watched with the utmost vigilance. Colonel 
 Prescott, with a detachment of one thousand men, was ordered 
 to fortify Bunker s Hill, in Charlestown ; but as the operation 
 was in the night, he fortified a place which lay contiguous to 
 it, called Breed s Hill, which was nearer to Boston. The bold 
 ness of this movement both perplexed and astonished general 
 Gage, who saw that it jeopardized his own safety in Boston. 
 He determined to dislodge them from this possition without 
 delay; and on the 17th, about, noon, he detached a train of 
 artillery, ten companies of grenadiers, and four battalions of 
 infantry, for this purpose. On this occassion, Major general 
 Howe and Brigadier general Pigot commanded. At (Charles- 
 town, a re-inforcement added to their members, and the force 
 amounted to three thousand men. This force formed on the 
 beach, and marching in battle array, a terrible cannonade was 
 commenced. The first shock of the battle was firmly sustained 
 by colonel Prescott, aided by colonel Stark of New Hampshire, 
 and captain Norton, of Connecticut. The detachment was 
 soon joined by generals Putnam, Warren, and Pomeroy, who 
 imparted enthusiasm and energy to the conflict. Charlestown 
 was wrapped in flames as the British advanced. 
 
 In imitation of the heroes on the plains of Abraham, the 
 fire of the Americans was reserved until the English arrived 
 to within seventy yards. A well directed fire of musketry was 
 then op&ned, which spread destruction in the ranks of the as 
 sailants, and kept them in check. The discharge of the mus 
 ketry was dreadful, and the enemy fled in disorder. The cha 
 grin and mortification of the officers was extreme, and the 
 men were rallied to another charge. They were again repul 
 sed, cut to pieces, and put lo the rout. At this crisis, general 
 Clinton came up, and the troops being once more rallied, re 
 newed the charge, and the carnage became dreadful. The 
 time was a critical one. The powder of the provincials was 
 nearly expended, and the cartridges of the dead were searched, 
 that the fire might be continued, when their wings were out 
 flanked b) the enemy, and the trenches were exposed to a rak 
 ing fire from the British artillery. 
 
 A terrible cannonade was now commenced from the British 
 ships and batteries, and the exertions of the enemy were re 
 doubled. Thti troops were pressed on by the swords and bay 
 onets in the rear, and the points of British bayonets were met 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 1C9 
 
 Ijy clubbed muskets, until numbers prevailed, and the Ameri- 
 
 ?re compared fo retire. The retreat was conducted in 
 
 r- der, and the camp at Cambridge was regained, under 
 
 a well directed fire from ships and batteries, which raked them 
 
 severely as they crossed over the neck at Charlestown. 
 
 Of this baitle it may be said, that in all the records of British 
 valour, not one action occurred, in which they were met by a 
 more dauntless courage, or a more obstinate resistance, or in 
 which they obtained a harder victory. 
 
 In this battle, the Americans lost 139 killed, 278 wounded, 
 and 36 mis? g ; in all 453. Among the killed, were Gen. 
 Warren. ("</,. Gardner, Lieut. Col. Parker, and Majors Moore 
 and McClaney, whose loss to the nation was severely felt, anil 
 shed a gloom over the country. 
 
 The British loss, as reported by General Gage, was 226 kil 
 led, nineteen of whom were commissioned officers, and seventy 
 officers wounded. Total loss of the British, 1054. 
 
 The result of the American loss in this battle, is said to equal 
 that of Wolfe in the captnre of Quebec, but in the loss of offi 
 cers, it stands as eighteen to thirteen in kPled, and as seventy 
 to sixty-six in wounded. From this some estimate can be 
 made of the comparative resistance in the two conflicts. 
 * On the 10th of May the day on which Col. Alien deman 
 ded the surrender of Ticonderoga in the name of the Arm ri- 
 can Congress, tint illustrious body assembled in Philadelphia, 
 and commenced its session. The Hon. Bey ton Randolph was 
 re-appointed President, and Charles Thompson, Secretary. 
 
 In June, by a special resolve, the Congress interdicted 
 tercourse with the enemy, and assumed the style of the Twelve 
 United Colonies, under sanction of which, a day of fasting was 
 appointed for the 30th of July following. On the 15th, Gen. 
 Washington, than a member from Virginia, was appointed to 
 the responsible station of Commander in Chief of the " 
 can forces. He accepted the trust with great diffidence. In 
 reply to the President, after accepting the appointment, he 
 added " But lest s:/,ne unlucky event should happen ur; 
 able 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 
 honoured with. 
 
 " As to pay, sir, I br>g 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 happiness. I do not wish to make any profit from it. I will 
 keep an exact account of my expenses. Those I douU not 
 they will discharge, and that is all I desire. 
 
 15 
 
170 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 On presenting this special commission to Gen. Washington, 
 a resolution was unanimously adopted, that " they would main 
 tain and assist him, and adhere to him, with their lives and 
 fortunes in the cause of American liberty." Immediately af 
 ter this, was the appointment of four IvJajor Generals, Artemas 
 Ward, Charles Lee, PhiJip Schuyler, and Israel Putnam ; and 
 eight Brigadier Generals, Seth Pomeroy, Richard Montgome 
 ry, David Wooster, William Heath, Joseph Spencer, John 
 Sullivan, and Nathaniel Green. 
 
 On the 2d of July, fifteen days from the date of his commis 
 sion, Washington arrived at Head Quarters, in Cambridge, ac 
 companied by General Lee, and several other gentlemen. 
 The sentiment felt and expressed throughout the country was, 
 that " under God, Washington must be the Saviour of his 
 country." What was their presentiment, is now historic re 
 cord. 
 
 General Washington entered on the duties of his new office, 
 under the most discouraging circumstances. He was indeed 
 at the head of 14,000 men, but without discipline, without or 
 der, and nearly destitute of military stores, and o f most of tha 
 conveniences necessary to the well being of an army. New 
 efforts and new energies became necessary, and they were ap 
 plied with effect. * 
 
 At this time, general Howe commanded the main body of 
 the British army, which was posted on Bunker s Hill. Anoth 
 er division was securely stationed near Roxbury. The fleet 
 covered the reserve, and Boston. 
 
 The main body of- the American army was posted at Cam 
 bridge, under the guardianship of the commander in chief. 
 The right rested on Iloxbn-y, under General Ward, and the 
 left was securely posted on Prospect Hill, under general Lee. 
 About 3000 men filled the intermediate spaces, under the com 
 mand of genera] Putnam and o .hurs. The American army, 
 thus posted, held a controlling power, which left the British in 
 a state of sir.-g-"-, or at. least of a land blockade. 
 
 On the 14! h und 22d of June, Congress ordered a battalion 
 of riflemen to be raised in Virginia and Pennsylvania, and 
 such was the spirit of patriotism in these States, that on the 
 7th of August, they were raised, accoutred and embodied 
 with the army, without drawing- on the public treasury for a 
 single cent. 
 
 At this time the wants of the army were truly embarrass 
 ing, and exposed the Americans to great danger, in the event 
 of an attack, which was anticipated. Among the most impor 
 tant, were the want of ammunition and bayonets. Carnp 
 equipage and engineers we/ N in great request, and the disaf 
 fection of officers, occasioned by certain appointments of Con- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 171 
 
 gress, \vere truly distressing. Added to this, that many of the 
 troops were to be disbanded in November, and the longest 
 term of service wouid close with the year. But the zeal which 
 was the fruit of a righteous cause, prevailed, and they were 
 enabled to conquer their difficulties. Had the enemy known 
 their vulnerable points the result, might have been very differ 
 ent. 
 
 The British force had lately been augmented by a reinforce- 
 ment of 8000 men, and the commander in chief of course cal 
 led a council to settle on a plan of operations for the summer 
 campaign. This council determined on a blockade, as the 
 want of ammunition precluded the idea of an assault on the 
 town. Of the British force it had been well ascertained, that 
 siace the 19th of April 2500 of the army had, by various 
 means been lost, and it was thought thai before the recruits 
 should arrive in the spring the army would be much weak 
 ened. 
 
 About this tims, an invitation was sent (o New York, by 
 general Gage, to enlist as volunteers the foreign seamen who 
 might be there. In October, Falmouth, in Massachusetts, 
 was burnt by order of the English government, which directed 
 that i he towns on the sea coast should be laid waste for the sin 
 of rebellion. But the step was as impolitic as it was inhuman. 
 The flames of Fahnouth, like those of Charlestons, roused the 
 spirit of the colonies afresh, and called forth more union and 
 greater exertions. Frigates and privateers were fitted for sea 
 and commissioned against the commerce of the enemy, and 
 two battalions of marines were raised for that service. Crui 
 sers were sent out to intercept supplies for t he British a spir 
 it of adventure was raised, and success attended them. Capt. 
 Manley, of the privateer Lee, took a rich store ship laden with 
 supplies for the army in Boston, which encouraged the Ameri 
 cans, in proportion as it disheartened and distressed the enemy, 
 for whose use the supplies were much needed. 
 
 On hearing tidings of the battle at Lexington, the spirit of 
 South Carolina awaken^ to the situation of the nation. Her 
 provincial Congresfe was convened, and the following covenant 
 was passed) by an unanimous resolution. 
 
 " Thoroughly convinced, that under our present distressed 
 circumstances, we shall be justified before God and man, in re 
 sisting force by force : \Ve do unite ourselves under every tie 
 of religion and honor, and associate as a band of brothers, in 
 defence of our injured country, against every foe ; hereby sol 
 emnly engaging, that whenever our continental or provincial 
 councils shall decree it necessary, we will go forth and be ready 
 to sacrifice our lives and fortunes to secure her defence and 
 safely. This covenant to continue in force, until a reconcilia- 
 
172 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 tion shall take place between Great Britain and America, upon 
 constitutional principles ; an event, which we most heartily de 
 sire. And we will hold (hose persons criminal to the liberty 
 of these colonies, who shall refuse to subscribe to this associa 
 tion." 
 
 The result of this resolution was such as might be expected. 
 Two regiments of infantry, and one of rangers was raised for 
 common defence, and the language of the day was in unison 
 with that of the other colonies, nearer the seat of danger. 
 Having organized their affairs with a view to the situation of 
 the country, they adjourned. But we must here remark, that 
 South Carolina was noi alone in the spirit of resistance. The 
 king s governors were removed from office in the neighbouring 
 colonies, and the people assumed the responsibility of self gov 
 ernment. Committees of safety were appointed, and means 
 taken to attend to their own business in their own way. 
 
 The efforts of the colonies generally, were directed to the 
 supplies wanted by the army near Boston. Powder was pur 
 chased in foreign ports, some was obtained from Bermuda, ana 
 about three and a half tons was received by General Washing 
 ton from the British forts on the coast of Africa. The colonies 
 also, set about the manufacture of this article. 
 
 Intelligence was received at head quarters, that the Cana 
 dians had received the addresses from Congress in a favourable 
 manner, and that they would not act against the colonies. An 
 expedition was set out for Quebec on the 19lh of September, 
 consisting of one thousand men, under Col. Arnold, by way of 
 Kennebec. lie arrived at his place of destination on the 9th 
 of November, after traversing a pathless wilderness, and en 
 countering the greatest hardships and privations. About the 
 same time, general Montgomery entered Canada byway of 
 Lake Chan* plain, in company with general Schuyler. He laid 
 siege to St. John s on the 8th of October. Sir Guy Carleton, 
 Governor 01 Canada, with eight hundred men, went to the 
 relief of the place, but the green mountain boys, under colonel 
 Warner, defeated him. Chamblee was surprised and taken, 
 with six tons of powder, by Brown and Livingston, which was 
 used to reduce St. Johns, which surrendered on the 2d of No- 
 ve.mber and the garrison was made prisoners. During the 
 siege, col. Allen invested Montreal, but was defeated, taken 
 prisoner, and sent to England in irons, to be tried for trea 
 son. 
 
 General Montgomery entered Montreal in triumph, on th<* 
 12th of November, and but five days afterwards, eleven sail of 
 vessels, general Prescott. several other officers, and one hun 
 dred and twenty privates, a large supply of flour, beef, butter, 
 &c. cannon, tmall arms, and military stores, were taken. AH" 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 173 
 
 of these were useful in the nrosr-c :ition of the war. In the 
 night Governor Carleton escaped in a canoe, with muffled pa(J- 
 d!es, and shaped his course tor Quebec, where he arrived in 
 safely. 
 
 On the first of December, general Montgomery formed a 
 junction with colonel Arrioll, before Quebec, and operations 
 to carry it by storm were commenced on the fifth. The garri 
 son of tiiis second Gibraltar consisted of fifteen hundred men, 
 under command of the governor. Trenches were opened in 
 the depth of a Can ul an winter, and the siege was commenced. 
 A council of war was now called, which acceded to the views 
 of the general, and were nearly unanimous in resolving to 
 take the city by assault. Arrangements were made, and on 
 tho morning- of the 31st, the signal was given for the attack, 
 by a discharge of rockets. The soldiers advanced with firm 
 ness, but tiie rockets had s^\en warning, and the garrison was 
 prepared to receive it. The n st division commanded by gen 
 eral Montgomery, attempted to enter the lower town by the 
 margin of the river, The first battery was carried, and the 
 guard dispersed. The discharge of a single gun from the 
 abandoned batter; 7 , killed general Montgomery, captains Mac- 
 pherbon and Cheesman, with several others, and the trcops 
 being 1 appalled, retired, and the enterprise was abandoned. 
 The second division was commundod by colonel Arnold, who 
 entered the Uwer town, on the opposite side of the city. A 
 solitary field piece, mounted on a sled, commanded by captain 
 Lamb, and guarded by a co npany of artillery, next entered, 
 and the main body brought up the rear. Colonel Arnold was 
 wounded by a musket ball in the leg, at the head of the brave 
 band, while forcing the first barrier. The bone was fractured, 
 and he- re tired from (he combat. Caloncl Morgan now took 
 the command, curried the first barrier by storm, and assaulted 
 tiie second with a prospect of success, not knowing the fate of 
 general Montgomery. 
 
 Majors Bigelow and Meigs now came up with abotit two 
 hundred men. The second barrier was char?d, amidst a 
 shower of musquetry, and the barrier was mounted. But to their 
 astonishment, a forest ofbri-tly bayonets for bade their en trancing. 
 On the advance, death was certain, and the danger of a retreat 
 was great. They retired into adjacent buildings, and de 
 fended themselves until overpowered by numbers, when they 
 were compelled to surrender. The general was killed, about 
 four hundred men killed and wounded, and, after all their la 
 bours and privations, the daring enterprise entirely failed. The 
 loss of General Montgomery was severely felt by the nation, and 
 Congross voted to erect a monument to aid memory, which 
 
 15* 
 
174 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 was accordingly done, and may be seen in St. Paul s Church, 
 New-York. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Revolution continued. 
 
 In October, 1775, Gen. Gage was succeeded by General 
 Howe, in command of the British troops at Boston, which 
 had boon blockaded through the winter by the army under 
 Washington. Congress being- desirous to support the views 
 of the commander- In-chief, resolved, " That if General Wash 
 ington ar.d his council of war shall be of opinion that a 
 successful attack may be made upon the troops in Boston, he 
 should make it in any manner he might think expedient, not 
 withstanding the town and property in it might be destroyed. 
 
 In the reply of the general, he thus speaks: "It is not in 
 the pages of history to furnish a case like ours. To maintain a 
 post within musket shot of the enemy for six months together, 
 without ammunition, and at the same time to disband one army 
 and recruit another, within that distance of twenty odd British 
 regiments, is more than probably ever was attempted; but if 
 we succeed in the latter as we have done in the former I shall 
 think it one of the most fortunate events of rny whole life." 
 
 That we may be able to judge of the means at this time possess 
 ed by Washington, for offensive operations, it i s merely neces 
 sary to observe, that his whole force consisted of less than nine 
 thousand men, two thousand of whom were utterly destitute of 
 arms. The general pressed Congress to raise a regular army for 
 a stipulated time as a safe project on which the country might 
 securely rely. The propriety of this step was seen by Con 
 gress, and on the first of March the army numbered fourteen 
 thousand, and was soon reinforced by six thousand of the militia, 
 amounting in all to twenty thousand. His operations now com 
 menced in good earnest. The detachment at Roxbury was or 
 dered to take possession of Dorchester Heights, while the 
 commander in clrief was to cover this motion by a bombard 
 ment of the town. Oo the night of the fourth of March, this 
 was accomplished, and works thrown up which would secure 
 them from the guns of the enemy. 
 
 The light of day opened the eyes of the commanding gen 
 eral to the danger of his situation. One of two things must be 
 done, and that immediately. Either the American troops must 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 175 
 
 be disloged, or Boston must be evacuated. The English Admiral 
 eaw that the fleet was at the mercy of the provincials, and the 
 General determined to attempt a dislodgement. Three thousand 
 men were detached for the service, and Lord Percy, who was 
 to command the expedition, actually embarked for (he execu 
 tion of the project. He was however, providentially prevent 
 ed from the attempt, by the roughness of weather. In expecta 
 tion of this, however, Washington, had made preparations to 
 attack Boston, the moment the British General should com 
 mence a hostile step in this quarter. 
 
 Gen. Howe, finding himself very unpleasantly situated, sent 
 a flag of truce to tl-.e American head quarters, notifying gene 
 ral Washington of his intention to evacuate Boston, but threat 
 ened to destroy the town, in case he should be molested. On 
 the 16th, at night, the British troops embarked, and the next 
 day sailed for Nantasket Roads, and, in a few days, the whole 
 fleet set sail for Halifax. Immediately after the evacuation of 
 the English army, Washington entered the town, and spread 
 joy through the colonies. 
 
 "The joy of the inhabitants was excessive, and the general 
 was received with every demonstration of gratitude. They 
 were now relieved fro n tiie abuses of an insolent soldiery, and 
 from the distresses occasioned by hunger. A resoluMon was 
 passed in congress, expressing the thanks of he naiioti, and a 
 gold medal was ordered to be struck with an appropriate de 
 vice, commemorating f ha event, which should b presented to 
 the commander in chief. 
 
 In the mean time, the royal governo-s at the south were aot 
 idle. Lord Dunmore, of Virginia, endeavoured to counterwork 
 the revolution. But he was compelled by the patriots of that 
 state, to relinquish the attempt, and to go on board the fleet 
 for safety. Chagrined at his defeat, he determined to avenge 
 The affront, and on the night of the first of January, 1776, 
 he caused fire to be set at Norfolk, which was destroyed. 
 These depredations were continued until they disgusted the 
 most loyal of his party, when lie departed with his booty of 
 aboyt one thousand negroes, when he departed for Florida and 
 the Bermudas. In Nerth Carolina, the governorattempted the 
 same play, btit his plot was defeated, and the insurrection wa 
 suppressed by the patriotism and intelligence of the people. 
 
 About the middle of February, the American navy, under 
 commodore Hopkins, set sail from cape Henlo^ n, and soon 
 surprised and dismantled aTort in New Providence, taking off 
 forty pieces of iron ordnance, and fifteen brass mortars. The 
 governor, lieutenant governor and one counsellor ieli into the 
 power of the commodore- In the fore part of March, the fleet 
 captured a British schooner, and the next day, Uuk a bomb brig, 
 
176 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 laden with arms and military stores. On the day preceding-, 
 the fleet engaged a sloop of wv, carrying 20 guns, but night 
 separated them, and the next day the sloop escaped into New- 
 poit. 
 
 When the intelligence of the two first battles between the 
 and the colonists reached Great Britain, with the infor 
 mation tLat general Washington \vas appointed commander in 
 chief, the impros-ions on the people and the government were 
 riouf. The king and the ministry however, determined 
 to carry on the war. On the 26th of October, the parliament 
 livened, and the speech of the king evidently supported 
 the unnatural controversy. In both houses, the opposition was 
 strong, but the ministry prevailed, and the supplies wereg-rnt- 
 ed. Sir Peter Parker and Earl Cornwailis sailed from Ports 
 mouth in December, for Ireland, with Hie ships Acteon and 
 Thunderbomb. a? a convoy for the transports, with four thou 
 sand troops, intended for service in the col nies. In this fleet, 
 came colonel Allen, who had been confined in Pendinnis castle, 
 Cornwall, and treated with much seven y. A subscription was 
 opened for him and his companions in Ireland, which was the 
 first humane attention which he had received since his impri- 
 Bonment. 
 
 About this time, the bargain with the king of England, for 
 17,000 men to be employed in this war, by the prince of Hesse 
 Cassel, the duke of Brunswick, and other German princes, \vaa 
 sanctioned in parliament, by a vote of 242 to 58. In the spring 
 of 1776, two dirisioi.s of these mercenaries sailed to America. 
 The estimate for the service against the liberties of America, 
 amounted to 60,000 men. 
 
 The Cork fleet, under theconroy of Admiral Parker, arrived 
 in cape Fear river, on the 3 i of May, where they were joined 
 by General Clinton, from the northern army. On the 5th, the 
 offer of pardon, on certain conditions, was published by th-> 
 general, but finding his efforts to stem th tide of popular feeling, 
 of little avail, the fleet sailed for Charleston, S. C. and anchor 
 ed off Sullivan s Island, about the first of June. Tr e siege of 
 Charleston was opened by the offer of pardon, as in North Car 
 olina, and with equal effect. The day of proclarnations and 
 smooth words had come too late. Governor Rutledge had pre 
 pared for a vigorous defence, and the militia cheerfully rallied 
 around the flag of their country. At this critical moment, 
 general Lee appeared at the head of some northern regiments, 
 and took the command of Charleston. The enemy crossed the 
 bar on the 26lh of June, with a number of ships arid frigates, 
 aod operations were commenced with little delay. The fire 
 from the American fort and batteries, however, was too galling, 
 &nd the squadron was compelled to withdraw, after the loss of 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 177 
 
 one fifty gun ship, and a damage to o hers, which rendered them 
 for the . - w. O.ie may form an es< . .-: coa- 
 
 test, by learning the fact, that 7009 loose ball.- :--d up 
 
 on Sullivan s Island, after the b . 
 
 Tife garrisoii in i lie fort consisted of about three hundred and 
 seveiv ;. "ars, and . . . . ..lonel 
 
 Moultrie. The: * -) mounted but twenty six, nine, and 
 
 eighteen pounders. Tue British force was three thousand uiea 
 on board i.wy snips of fifty gun- e^ch, four frigates of t 
 eight guns each, and some saial. 
 
 This severe repulse obtainei a respite from the calamities of 
 war, for more than two years in the southern states. 
 
 Of those who deserve an honourable notice ia tins action, 
 sergeant. Jasper must not be forgotten. During the iisat of the 
 engagement, the fl ig-,staff was shot away, and fell into the ditoh. 
 The inhabitants of Charleston considered this aS a token of sub 
 mission. Wnen the intrepid sergeant discovered it, he j imped 
 -:- ditch, seized the flaj, st-cuied it to a sponge-staff, and 
 erected it again in the heat of the action. For this act of 
 bravery, the governor the next day, presented him a sword. 
 
 The result of this battle led to the declaration of indepen 
 dence. It had blown ihespark of liberty into a steady fl ime, 
 and prepared the minds of the people for an event to which 
 many looked with the deepest solicitude. Tiie spirit which lived 
 in congress, was united bv instructions from the colonies, and 
 the country now secerned ripe for entire separation from the 
 mother country. A resolution was moved in congress by Rich 
 ard Henry Lee, and seconded by John Adams, in the following 
 words, which passed unanimously. 
 
 Resolved, that ihe*e United Colonies are, and of right ought 
 to be free and independent stale* ; and that all political con 
 nexion between them and Great Bri .am is, and ought to be 
 dissolved." 
 
 In defence of this motion, Mr. Lee addressed the house in ;\ 
 very animal ed strain, which he closed in the following- language; 
 Why then do we longer delay, why still deliberate ? Let this 
 happy day give birth to the American republic. Let her arisi% 
 not to devastate and conquer, but to re-establish the reign of 
 peace and of the laws. The eyes of Europe are fixed upon us ; 
 she demands of us a living example of freedom, that may GJO- 
 trast, by the felicity of the citizen?, with the ever increasing 
 tyranny which desolates her polluted shares. She invites us to 
 prepare an asylum, where the unhappy may find soloce, and 
 the perecout-e<l repose. She entreats us to cultivate a propi 
 tious soil, where that generous plant, which first sprang up and 
 -!i England, but is now withered by the poisonous blasts 
 ofScottish tyranny, may revive and flourish, sheltering under 
 
178 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 its salubrious and interminable shade, all the unfortunate of the 
 human race. 
 
 " This is the end presages by so many omens, by ouv first vic 
 tories, by the present ardour and union, by the flight of Howe, 
 and the pestilence which broke out amongst Duninore s people, 
 by the very winds which baffled the enemy s fleets and trans 
 ports, and that terrible tempest which ingulphed seven hundred 
 vessels upon the coast of Newfoundland. If we are not this 
 day wanting in our duty to our country, the names of the 
 American legislators will be placed, by posterity, at the side of 
 tiiose of Theseus, of Lycurgus, of Romulus, of Numa, of the 
 three Williams of Nassau, and of all those whose memory has 
 been, and will be forever dear to virtuous men, and good citi 
 zens." 
 
 The members of congress from Pennsylvania and Maryland 
 were not present, and the deliberations on the subject were 
 postponed to the first of July. On that day the discussion was 
 renewed, and on the Fourth of July, 1776, the report of the 
 special committee was adopted, dissolving the allegiance of the 
 colonies to the Beitish crown, and declaring therm Free and la- 
 dependent, under the style of the Thirteen United States of 
 America. The committee who drafted this instrument, consisted 
 of Messrs. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, 
 Roger sherrnan, and Philip Livingston. 
 
 This declaration was signed by all (he members of congress, 
 whose names, and the states to which they respectively belong 
 ed were as follows. 
 
 John Hancock, President, from Massachusetts. 
 JVeio Hampshire. Delaware. 
 
 Joeiah L>artl<-tt, Cesar Rodney, 
 
 William Whipple, George Road. 
 Mat hew Thornton. Marylarid. 
 
 Massachusetts. Samuel Chase, 
 
 Samuel Adams, William Paca, 
 
 John Adams, Thomas Stone, 
 
 Robert Treat Paine, Charles Carroll of Carrollton. 
 Elbridge Gerry. Virginia. 
 
 Rhode-Island. George VVythe, 
 
 Stephen Hopkins, Richard Henry Lee, 
 
 William Ellery, Thomas Jefferson, 
 
 Connecticut. Benjamin Harrison, 
 
 Roger Sherman, Thomas Nelson, Jun. 
 
 Samuel Huritington, Thomas Lig-htfoot T.eo, 
 
 William Williams, Carter Braxton. 
 Oliver Vtolcott. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 179 
 
 New-York. James Smith, 
 
 William Floyd, George Taylor, 
 
 Philip Livingston, Jamss Wilson, 
 
 Francis Lewis, George Ross. 
 Lewis Morris. ^Vorth Carojjna. 
 
 A~ew Jersey. William Hooper, 
 
 Richard Stockton, Joseph Ilewes, 
 
 John Witherspoon, John Penn. 
 Francis Hopkinson, South Carolina. 
 
 John Hart, Edward Rutledge, 
 
 Abraham Clark. Thomas Hayward, Jun. 
 
 Pensylvania. Thomas Lynch, Jun. 
 
 Robert Morris, Arthur Middleton. 
 Benjamin Rush, Georgia. 
 
 Benjamin Franklin, Button Gwimiett, 
 
 John Morton, Lyman Hall, 
 
 George Ciymer, George Walton. 
 
 This declaration was received by the people with transports 
 of joy- Public rejoicings took place in various part:- of (he 
 Union. In New York, the statue of George III. was taken 
 down, and the lead, of which it was composed, was converted 
 into musket balls. In Bo.ston, the garrison w?.s drawn up in 
 King s street, which from that moment, took the name of State 
 street, and thirteen salute-, by thirteen detachments, into which 
 the troops were formed, were fired ; the bells of the town were 
 rung, in token of felicitation, and the evening concluded with 
 the tearing in pieces, and burning, the ensigns of royalty 
 lions, sceptres, and crowns. 
 
 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 PREAMBLE. 
 
 " When, in the course of human event?, it becomes neces 
 sary for one people to dissolve the political bands that Iwve 
 united them with another, and to assume among the powers of 
 the errih, the separate and equal stations, to which the laws 
 of nature and of nature s God, enti le them, a decent respect 
 to the opinions of mankind requires, that they should declare 
 the causes which impel them to a separation. 
 
 " We hold these truths to be self-evident ; that all men are 
 
 created equal: that they are endowed by their Creator, with 
 
 .:i unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, 
 
 ttiiii the pursuit of happiness ; that to secure these rghis, go- 
 
180 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 vernmcnts are instituted amongst men, deriving their just 
 ers from the consent of the governed : that whenever any form 
 of government becomes de^ructive of these ends, it is the 
 right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new 
 government, laying its foundation on such principles, and or 
 ganizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most 
 likely to effect their safety and iappimss. 
 
 " Prudence indeed, will did e, that governments long es 
 tablished, should not he cha: d ibr light and transient causes: 
 and accordingly all experiei.: e liath shewn that mankind are 
 more disposed to suffer, while, nvils are gufTerable, than to right 
 themselves, by abolishing the forms to which they are accus 
 tomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pur 
 suing invariably the some object, evinces a design to reduce 
 them under absolute despotism ; it is their right, it is thf-ir 
 duty, to throw off such a government, pnd to provide new guards 
 for their fu ure security. Such has been the patient sufferance 
 of these colonies, and such is the necessity now that constrains 
 them to alter their former sjstrms of government." 
 
 Having already recapitulated the causes which principally 
 led to the separation of the colonies from Great Britain, they 
 nef d not here be repeated. We shall therefore proceed to that 
 part of the instrument which exhibits the course taken by the 
 colonies, in consequence of British aggressions, arid their 
 determination, at all hazards, to dissolve the ties which bound 
 them to the mother country. 
 
 " In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for 
 redress, in the most humble mariner. Our repeated petitions 
 have hern answered only by repeated injury. Nor have we 
 been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have 
 warned them, from lime to time, of attempts by their legisla 
 ture, to extend an i mvarranu.hlc jurisdiction over us. We 
 have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration 
 and settlement here. We have iippr-aled to their native, justice 
 and magnanimity, and we have, cot jured them by the ties of 
 our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations, which would 
 inevitably interrupt our c< nriexions and correspondence. They 
 too nave been deaf to the voice of jut- ice, and of consanguini 
 ty. We must therefore acquiesce in the necessity, which 
 denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rett 
 of mankind, enemies iu war, in prace, friends. 
 
 "We, theiffore, the reprc-peinutivcs "f the United States of 
 America, in conjrress assembled, nj p .;. , g to the Supreme 
 Judge of the world for I he rrciitudc ot our intentions, do, in 
 the name, and by the authority of the good people of these 
 colonies, solemnly publish at.d declare, that these united eolo- 
 are, aijd of right ought to be, free and Independent states; 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 181 
 
 that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown ; 
 and that all political connexion between them and Great Bri 
 tain, is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that as free and 
 independent stales, they have full power to levy war, conclude 
 peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all other 
 acts and things, that independent states may do. And for the 
 support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on Divine Pro 
 vidence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our for 
 tunes, and our sacred honors." 
 
 The effects produced on the people of the United Stales by 
 this declaration, were uniformly those of joy and exultation. 
 The flame wuich had been smothered during ten years of suffer 
 ings, now burst forth in acts and expressions v hich could not 
 b6 misunderstood. In various parts of the union, public re 
 joicings were the result. In New York the equestrian statue 
 of George III, in Bawling Green, was hauled dwn and con 
 verted into bullets. The garrison at Boston was paraded in 
 King s street, which was thenceforward named State street. 
 Thirteen detachments fired as many salutes, and the bells rung 
 in merry peals, felicitating the citizens on the joyous intelli 
 gence. To conclude the evening, the ensigns of royalty were 
 either torn to pieces or consumed. But in no place was the 
 excitement greater than in Virginia. The convention was 
 then in session, and decreed, among other things, that " the 
 name of the king should be suppressed in all public prayers. 11 
 The great seal of the commonwealth was aiteit-d. The 
 tutelary genius of the province was represented by Virtue, 
 " robed in the drapery of an Amazon, resting ne iiand upon 
 her lance," while the other grasped a sword. She was repre 
 sented as trampling on tyranny, characterised by a prostrate 
 man, from whose head a crown had fallen, carrying " in one 
 hand a broken chain, and in the other a scourge." J irgir.ia 
 was at the foot, and round the figure of Virtue " sic semper 
 tyrannis. On the reverse was a group of figures, m the 
 midst of which stood Liberty, with her wasd and cap; on one 
 side was Ceres, with a horn of plenty in the right hand, and a 
 sheaf of wheat in the left. On the other side appeared E er- 
 nity, with the Globe and the Phoenix At the loot are these 
 words : Dt us tiobis hose otia facil. 
 
 The Americans now made a permanent stand; they had 
 gone too far to recede ; and the Tree of Liberty could thrive 
 only, when nurtured oy the blood of the country. The blow 
 had now been struck ,il<l not be recalled, and it was 
 
 aimed at British power and influence in America, and the blow 
 ataV 
 
 16 
 
182 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Revolution Continued. Capture of New York. 
 
 On the evacuation of Boston by general Howe, Washington 
 euspected that the possession of New York would be a favourite 
 object. To prevent this, if possible, he determined to make 
 that city his head quarters, and thus to prevent its occupation 
 by the British general. He accordingly soon removed to that 
 city, with the principal part of bis army. 
 
 On the 28th of June, general Howe arrived at Sandy Hook, 
 near New York, with his armament from Halifax, where he 
 was joined by his brother, lord Howe, on the 12th of July, 
 with another armament. By the latter arrival, the two bro 
 thers were clothed with powers to treat with the United States, 
 collectively or separately. A flag was despatched to Amboy, 
 to announce his commission. This circular was communicated 
 to Congress by general Washington. 
 
 The American army at New York, amounted to little more 
 than seventeen thousand men, a part of which force was en 
 camped at Brooklyn, on Long Island. The combined forces 
 of the British amounted to twenty four thousand, which were 
 landed near the Narrows, nine miles from the city, on the 2d, 
 of August. On the 27th, the British forces, under Sir Henry 
 Clinton, Percy, and Cornwallis, attacked the American camp 
 at Long Island, which was defended by brigadier general Sul 
 livan, who was defeated, with the loss of more than a thousand 
 men, while the loss of the British was less than four hundred. 
 Brigadier generals lord Stirling and Woodhull fell into the 
 hands of the English. General Washington perceived with 
 anguish, what would be the result of the battle, but he dare 
 not draw off more troops from the city, as he would not even 
 by that measure, be able to cope with the British. On both 
 sides this battle was expected. On the 22d, the British effect 
 ed a landing, at Utrecht, near the Narrows, under cover of the 
 ships, and every preparation was made to meet them manfully. 
 Colonel Hand was ordered to the high ground, in order to 
 protect the pass leading to Flatbush. Lord Cornwallis wa 
 ordered to secure this pass, if it could be done without an en 
 gagement. He hailed at the village, finding that the pass wa 
 secured by the Americans. On this occasion, Washington 
 issued the following ordeis: 
 
 " The enerny have now landed upon Long island, the hour ig 
 fast approaching in which the honor and success of this army, 
 and the safety of our bleeding- country depend. Remember, 
 

 that JOT are 
 of liberty: that riai 
 ef ytw posterity, if yoa ob mot 
 
 I-; :- i.rj: :: -.-::.. ::.; 3:.-. - -:-: ;- :i 
 
 i : i :"-" :..- i r~: :: := ^::.",:T: -. I "".--. " 
 to New York, udcr euro of a dense fog 
 
 : :j : " 
 
 :- 
 On titt i of September, two regiments of 
 
 Gorcraot s biaW, aear New York, with their arac aW 
 of the Britfih fleet, wah the 
 
 7- i- :: Ar.-.Ti 
 of a gie battle. The re- 
 
 :- : ~: -ri :: ^ 
 i-: i:-!:-: 
 the armr , aa 
 
 .1:1 ,T: -:. !- 
 
 i- i 
 
 toed to While Plaim, IB 
 
 of the ei j, as the A 
 at fen \V 
 
184 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 General Howe, being 1 reinforced by a division or two of Ger 
 mans, marched towards tbe American army, encamped at 
 White Plains. On the 28th of October, a general skirmish 
 commenced between the advanced parties. On the 29th, the 
 genera] moved in columns to the support of his van, and to 
 bring on a general engagement. General Washington kept 
 him at bay until the 31st, when he retired to higher ground, 
 and left a strong rear guard to cover White Plains. The 
 British now abandoned the enterprise, and on the 8th of Novem 
 ber, drew off his army towards Kingsbridge. On the 15th, he 
 sent a summons to colonel Magraw, commanding Fort Wash 
 ington, and the next day stormed the fort, and put the garrison 
 to the sword, 
 
 General Washington beheld the awful scene, and wept with 
 the feelings of a compassionate father. The shock was felt 
 with the keenest sensibility, throughout the American army, 
 and even general Lee wept with indignation, at the news of 
 the merciless butchery, and cursed the unrelenting foe. 
 
 On the 18th, lord Cornwallis moved to the attack of Fort 
 Lee ; but general Greene drew off the garrison, abandoned the 
 Fort, and joined general Washington. On the 22d, general 
 Washington crossed North river, and retired to Newark, where 
 he found himself almost abandoned by the army ; and left to 
 the mercy of a victorious, pursuing enemy, with only about 
 three thousand five hundred men, to accompany him in his 
 flight. On the 28th, general Washington retired to Bruns 
 wick, and lord Cornwallis entered Newark, with his victorious 
 army. His lords-hip pursued to Brunswick, and general Wash 
 ington retired to Princeton, December 1st. Lord Cornwallis 
 halted one whole week at Brunwick, agreeable to orders; and 
 in the mean time, general Washington saw himself abandoned 
 by the Jersey and Maryland brigades of militia, whose terms 
 of service then expired. 
 
 On the 7th, his lordship pursued to Princeton, and general 
 Washington retired to Trenton. The next day his lordship 
 entered Trenton, just at the critical moment that general 
 Washington, with his remnant of an army, had crossed the 
 Delaware,* and secured the boats to prevent his passing f 
 December 8th, 1776. 
 
 General Howe had joined lord Cornwallis at Newark, and 
 now made a stand at Princeton, and issued the proclamation of 
 
 * General Washington could muster only two thousand two hun 
 dred men at this time. 
 
 t The same day general P/escott, with a strong British force, took 
 possession of Newport, (Rhode-Island.) 
 
THE UNITED STATES/ 18o 
 
 the king s commissioners, proffering pardon and peace to all 
 such as should submit in sixty days. 
 
 Sucfi were the distresses of the* army and the country, when 
 they saw their liberties about to expire under the pressure of 
 an overwhelming foe, that men of the first distinction, in great 
 numbers, in tbat part of the country, embraced the overture, 
 and made their submission. 
 
 To add to the distresses of this most trying scene, general 
 Lee> who had harrassed the rear of the British army, with 
 about three thousand m n, was now surprised in his quarters, 
 aud taken by the enemy, December 13. The troops of general 
 Lee. now under the com.nand of general Sullivan, joined gene 
 ral Washington. 
 
 During the delay of genera! Howe at Trenton, general Wash 
 ington, with the assistance of genera) Miffl ; n, collected a body 
 of Pennsylvania miiitia, and resolved to in ke a stand, to re 
 cover, if possible, the spirits of the army and nation. 
 
 On th.2 night of the -25th, general Washington, under cover 
 of a violent snow storm, recfossed the Delaware, commenced 
 an attack upon the British army, and g.dnod a signal victory; 
 took about one thousand prisoners, including an entire regiment 
 of Germans, with their whole encampment, and secured his po 
 sition at Trenton. 
 
 The enemy soon recovered their sho,k by large reinforce 
 ments, and genera! Washington retired to Prinscton. by a circui 
 tous march ; triumphed over the enemy again, and pursued them 
 to Brunswick. Lord Cornwailis collected all his forces at 
 Brunswick, and made a stand. General Washington took up 
 his position at Morristown, and wruched the motions of the 
 enemy, 
 
 During these operations in New Jersey, the British army had 
 thrown up the rein, and given full scope to the brutai passions. 
 Tni- roused the indignation of the peop e, and rekindled the 
 fire of Lexington, which spread like lightning through the 
 country. New Jersey then exhibited a scene whie i was con 
 sidered but the miniature of \vlrit the nation would exhibit, 
 should Britain prevail. Ilusbamk eaw the fate of their wives ; 
 parents of their daughters; and the nation beefKTte most serious 
 ly alarmed ..feiy, and more immediately alive to the 
 interest of the common cause. New J>ssey felt the wound 
 she had received, and roused to the combat, to avenge her 
 wrongs upon the brutal foo. 
 
 General Washington surprised lord Cornwallis at Elizabeth- 
 town, and he retired to Am boy, where he was closely invested 
 through the winter. In June following, general Ho>ve drew 
 off this army to Statea island, and the Jerseys were cleared. 
 16* 
 
186 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 In April, general Howe detached governor Tryon, with the 
 command of a major-general of provincials, at the head of about 
 two thousand men, to destroy the American stores at Danburv. 
 The general executed this commission, and destroyed one 
 thousand ei^fht hundred barrels of beef, two thousand bushels 
 of wheat, eight hundred barrels of flour, one thousand seven 
 hundred tents, one hundred hogsheads of rum, &c. with the 
 loss of about four hundred men, killed, wounded, and taken by 
 the Americans. 
 
 But this expedition cost the British a severe loss. Three 
 generals were in the neighbourhood, Wooster, Arnold, and 
 Sullivan. About six hundred militia were collected in great 
 haste, and followed in pursuit about two miles, during a heavy 
 rain. The next morning tiie troops were divided. Wooster 
 fell in the rear of the enemy, while Arnold was posted at 
 Ridgefield,in their front. Wooster attacked the enemy, and 
 was mortall} wounded in the contest; the troops had to re 
 treat. Arnold gave them a severe reception at Ridgefield, and 
 was repulsed, but renewed the attack during the next day. 
 The yeomanry of the country through which they passed 
 towards the Sound constantly annoyed them, and they made a 
 precipitate retreat to their ships, which conveyed them to 
 New York. They lost in killed, wounded, and missing, about 
 one hundred and seventy ; while the loss of the Americans did 
 not exceed one hundred. General Wooster lingered until the 
 2d of May, and expired in his seventieth year. A monument 
 was voted" to his memory by congress, and a horse, splendidly 
 caparisoned was presented to Arnold, as a token of respect for 
 hig intrepidity and good conduct. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Eeacuation of Canada Capture of Burgoyne, and fall of 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 We must now return to the affairs in the north. General 
 Montgomery fell at Quebec, and the command devolved on 
 colonel Arnold, who had been badly wounded. But he was 
 removed to Montreal, and was preceded by general Thomas. 
 He soon died, and general Sullivan was appointed in his place. 
 The small pox, with other diseases, reduced the number of 
 men to four hundred. The siege was raised, and this hand 
 ful of men was compelled to retreat for Montreal. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 187 
 
 A reinforcement had arrived from England, and the army in 
 Canada was now thirteen thousand strong. With this force 
 governor C. arleton, with generals Burgoyne, Frazer, Phillips, 
 and Reidesel, advanced in different divisions, in pursuit of Sul 
 livan. General Frazer took post at Troies Riviers, when the 
 Americans attempted a surprise, but it miscarried, and general 
 Thompson was left in the hands of the English. Carleton pur 
 sued with his whole force, but the retreat of Sullivan was se 
 cured, and he reached the river Sorel in safety, where he was 
 met by Arnold, from Montreal. The troop.s, baggage, and 
 cannon were embarked, and they made a stand at Crown Point, 
 on the 15th of June, 1776. 
 
 In the fore part of July, general Sullivan left the command 
 of the northern army, and was succeeded by general Gates. 
 The army was diminished more than 5000, and the ravages of 
 the small pox were dreadfully alarming. About three hun 
 dred sick were removed to fort George. The exertions of 
 governor Carleton to prepare his fleet to meet the Americans 
 on the lake, were great and unceasing. Early in October, 
 troops were embarked, and operations commenced. A sharp 
 action ensued near Valicour island, and much valour was dis 
 played on both sides. But the Americans were overpowered, 
 dispersed, taken, or destroyed, which enabled the enemy to 
 approach Ticonderoga, on the 1 1th of October. But this vic 
 tory was not followed up with spirit. Hostile operations were 
 suspended for the season, and the governor retired into Cana 
 da. To the honour of the governor we would here record his 
 humanity to prisoners, who were often dismissed with kind 
 ness, and furnished with necessaries to reach their friends in 
 the United States. These traits in his character are worthy of 
 perpetual remembrance and gratitude. 
 
 General Gates discharged the militia, and the campaign wai 
 closed. 
 
 General Burgoyne succeeded to the command after Carle- 
 ton, in the spring of 1777. Operations were commenced early 
 at the head often thousand mn, English and German, com 
 manded by ger>erals Phillips, Frazer, Powel, Hamilton, and by 
 the German generals, Reidesel and Spicht. The army wag 
 well appointed, and well supplied wi .h every facility to ensure 
 a successful compaign. Th-; troops were in fine health and 
 high spirits. To this powerful armament were attached seve 
 rs! tribes of Indians, who were to take the field on condition* 
 of humanity ; they were not to scalp the wounded, nor their 
 prisoners ; but a bounty was to be given for every prisoner 
 UKen and brought in alive. In June the army arrived at 
 Crown Point, and on the 19lh, operations were commenced 
 against Ticonderoga. 
 
138 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 General Gates was succeeded in his command by general 
 Scluiyler, who placed this fortress in good order for defence, 
 and gave the command to general St. Clair. The forl was ap 
 proached on the right wing of the American army on the 2d of 
 July, and possession taktm of Mount Defiance. This lies con 
 tiguous to Ticonderoga, and overlooks the fortress. This 
 mount had hitherto been deemed inaccessible, and had remained 
 unoccupied. Cannon were hoisted by tackles, until the force 
 was sufficient to dislodge the garrison. To save the men, the 
 fort was now abandoned, and the Arnercan force retired to Hub- 
 bardston, and thence to Castleton, where a stand was made, 
 about thirty miles from Ticonderoga. 
 
 General Frazer, supported by general Reidesel, commenced 
 a pursuit in the morning, with the light troop* of the Britisu 
 and Germans, and overtook (he American rear guard under 
 colonel Warner, at Castleton, and commenced an attack on the 
 7th, which became sharp and bloody. The British were rout 
 ed at first, with loss ; but finding that colonel Warner was 
 not, supported by general St. Clair, thvy rallied to the combat, 
 and with the bayonet, charged and dispersed the American 
 rear with the loss of about three hundred men ; and colonel 
 Warner reiired with the remainder of his troops to fort 
 Ann. 
 
 General Burgoyne, with the main body of the "British army,, 
 sailed from Ticonderoga, in pursuit or the American fleet ; 
 destroyed arid dispersed the whole, and landed at Skeensbor- 
 ough, now Whitehall. He there detached lieutenant colonel 
 Hill, with a strong party to dislodge the Americans from fort 
 Ann. The garrison marched out on the morning of the 6th, 
 and commenced an attack upon tbe detachment, which was 
 sharply supported by both parties, for about two hours, with 
 apparent success oo the part of the Americans ; but a paity of 
 Indians appeared and joined colonel Hiil, and the Americans 
 withdrew from the field ; abandoned the fortress, and retired 
 to fort Edward, July 12th. The whole force at this time, at, 
 fort Edward, did not exceed 5000 men. 
 
 The operations of both armies, were now commenced with 
 vigour. In his retreat, the American g-eneral destroyed bridg 
 es, and obstructed the roads, to impede the pursuit of Bur- 
 oo>ne ; but all these difficulties were surmounted, and on tiie 
 30th, the British force reached fort Edward, which h;id been 
 abandoned by Schuyler on the 27th. He retired to Saratoga, 
 and on the first of August, removed to Stiliwater, only twenty 
 five miles north of Albany. The nation saw with deep regret, 
 that this remnant of an army was compelled to flee hefore a 
 victorious enenav. and that those impoitarat .fortresses were 
 
THE U-MTED STATES. 189 
 
 abandoned. These event? greatly depressed the spirits of our 
 counirymen, while the foe exulted in (he triumph. 
 
 On the 3d of August, colonel Si. Ledger waa detached by 
 general Bur^ovne against foil Sranwix, as a diversion. To re 
 lieve the furl, the genera! was ordered down with eight hundred 
 miliiia. Near the fort he tVii into an Indian arifbush, and was 
 killed in a most severe af-.t on. The garrison saiiied out, deci 
 ded the targumaiy congest, drove the Indian?, and relieved the 
 fortress. The co one! sent a summons to the fort to surrender, 
 ! jiiel Gansevoort returned a prompt and spirited reply, 
 and St. Ledger withdrew 7 precipitately, and returned to the 
 lake. 
 
 During these movements, general Washington detached 
 general Lincoln to the northward, to take command of such 
 eastern rmhtia as rnijht join the northern army. General Lin 
 coln arrived at Manchester, on the 2d of August, where he 
 took the command of six hundred militia, and on the 6;h, he 
 wa> joined by general Stark, with eight hundred more. 
 
 General Stark was a soldier of merit, and had deserved well 
 of his country, by his distinguished services in the famous bat 
 tle of Bunker s hill ; but he had felt himself wounded by the 
 neglect of congress, after the battle, and retired from service. 
 He engaged at this time, in the service of his country, upon 
 the express condition, that he should not be constrained to 
 serve under a continental officer ; he accordingly re^sted the 
 pitting solicitations of General Schuyler, to join him in check 
 ing the progress of general Burgoyne. 
 
 Congress interposed in this controversy ; and at this event 
 ful moment, general Burgoyne detached colonel Baum, with 
 five hundred Germans, and one hundred Indians, to seize n 
 the American stores at Bennington, to enable him to pursue 
 his n.arch to Albany. General Stark was apprised of this 
 movement, and sent expresses to collect the neighbouring mi 
 litia, aiid marched to meet the enemy on the 14th, supported 
 by colonels Warner, William-- and Brush. The advance par 
 ties of the two arrries, met, and commenced a skirmishing, that 
 continued through the day. On the 15th, all operations wv re 
 suspended by the excessive rains that fell ; but on the 16th, 
 general Stark was joined by the Berkshire militia, under colo 
 nel Symonds, and he detaciied Niche s to take post in the rear 
 of the enemy, on the left ; col >uel Hendrick to take post in 
 the rpar of his right; to be supported by colonels Hubbard and 
 Shokley, still further on the right. About 3 o clock ;n the af- 
 ternonn, general Stark commenced an attack upon the enemy, 
 strongly entrenched, and supported by two field piece?. The 
 attack became general, an.i <. a.^ valiantly supported o -nth 
 sides ; the Indians fled ; the Germans "were overpowered ; 
 
1 90 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 forced from their erttrer.chments, and put to flight. The mili 
 tia, flushed with the successes ofihe day, abandoned the pur 
 suit, and gave themselves up to plunder. At this eventful mo 
 ment, lieutenant-colonel Breyman joined colonel Baum with a 
 reinforcement ; they rallied to the charge, and renewed the 
 Combat. Colonel Warner led on his regiment of continentals, 
 at this critical moment, and supported (he action until the mili 
 tia could recover their order, and advance to the charge. The 
 action soon became general, and continued through the day. 
 The Germans again gave way, and secured their retreat under 
 cover of the night, leaving their artillery, baggage, &c. with 
 two hundred slain, and seven hundred prisoners, among whom 
 was colonel Baum. This was an important action, and proved 
 ruinous to general Burgoyne 
 
 This action was highly applauded, and a brigadier s com 
 mission was made out for colonel Stark, in the continental ser 
 vice. This success gavefiesh courage to the Americans, and 
 the public pulse beat high with expectation. General Gates 
 now took command of the army, and the militia joined the ar 
 my with alacrity. On the rear of the British army was an 
 American force under general Lincoln, and on the 18th gene 
 ral Brown destroyed the British stores at lake George, releas 
 ing a number of American prisoners. Successful operations 
 were also commenced against Ticonderoga, and Skeensboroughi 
 now Whitehall. General Burgoyne had crossed the Hudson, 
 and finally took post at Still water, but three miles from gene 
 ral Gates. 
 
 On the 18th of September, general Gates detached about 
 3000 men to offer the enemy battle ; but he declined the com 
 bat. On the 19th, the scouting parties of the two armies com 
 menced a skirmishing, that led to a general action, which con 
 tinued through the day, and was supported with great zeal and 
 intrepid bravery. Night closed the scene, and the two gene 
 rals drew off their armies, to protect their camps, and waited 
 with impatience, the returning day. 
 
 In this action the Ameiican loss was about three hundred, 
 and that of the English, about five hundred. 
 
 The American strength was now about seven thousand, not 
 including about, two thousand under general Lincoln, who 
 were then at Benuington. The Indian allies of Great Britain 
 were deserting the standard of general Burgoyne, since the 
 late contest, and four of the six nations favoured the cause of 
 America, and furnished one hundred and fifty warriors. The 
 troops under general Lincoln now added to the force under 
 general Gates, and revived the spirits of the army. 
 
 Until the 7th of October, the armies were within common 
 shot, and skirmishes were frequent and severe. The armies 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 191 
 
 were harrassed and alarmed. Th situation of Burgoyne was 
 becoming critical, and be applied to sir Henry Clinton for re 
 lief. The latter had just received two thousand men from 
 Europe, and commenced operations by the capture of West Point, 
 a strong fortress on the Hudson. He was then enabled to 
 clear the obstructions on the river, and leave a free passage for 
 his shipping-. Of all this general Burgoyne had intelligence, 
 but too late to render him any service. 
 
 As general Burgoyne determined on a retreat, he sent for 
 ward a strong party on one side, while he headed another, sup 
 ported by general Frazer, and a contest was commenced imme 
 diately, and lasted through the day. Victory perched on the 
 American standard, and they were successful at all points. 
 General Arnold fought desperately, and received a wound in 
 the action. General Frazer* and sir James Clark were mortally 
 wounded, and the latter became a prisoner. General Bur 
 goyne changed his position in the night, and the Americana 
 spoiled the British camp. 
 
 The British now expected a momentary attack, and were un 
 der arms all the day on the 8th, and at sunset, the last honours 
 were paid to the remains of the much lamented Frazer. On 
 the 9th the English army was so closely invested, that the 
 commander resolved on a retreat to Saratoga. This was ef 
 fected with no other loss, than that of his hospital of sick and 
 wounded, which he was compelled to abandon to the merey of 
 general Gates, who did honour to bis character, in the display 
 of his benevolent feelings, in behalf of the sufferers. 
 
 General Burgoyne now perceived that all the passes in his 
 rear were strongly guarded, and that further retreat was next 
 to impossible. In this difficulty, he called a council, on the 
 13th. While the council was deliberating, an eighteen pound 
 shot crossed the table, and they resolved unanimously, to pro 
 pose terms with general Gates. The proposals of general 
 Gates were rejected, and general Burgoyne then sent in terms 
 on which the capitulation was finally made. 
 
 The news of the capture in the Highlands is said to have ar 
 rived at this juncture, which led general Burgoyne to hesitate, 
 in expectation of relief from sir Henry Clinton. General 
 
 * ID the heat of the action, colonel Morgan, (the future hero of the 
 battle of Cowpens,) selected several of his sharp shooters , and point 
 ing them to a British officer, who appeared most conspicuously ac 
 tive in his duty, at the head of his division, mounted upon an iron 
 grey charger, thus addressed them: " that gallant officer is gen 
 eral Frazer ; I admire and respect him ; but it is necessary that 
 he should die; take your station in that wood, and do your duty." 
 It is unnecessary to add, that general Frazer soon fell, mortally 
 
UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Gates, seizing the critical moment, drew up his army in battle 
 array, and s nt in a flag demanding a reply in ten minutes. 
 The responsibility was great,, and Burgoyne felt it. The 
 treaty was signed and returned in due time. 
 
 The whole British army marched out of their linos, deposited 
 their arms, and became prisoners of war. General Gates 
 marched in, under the. rune of Yankee Doodle, and took quiet 
 possession. General Gates oidered supplies to be issued to 
 the BriM^h arm}, who were destitute, and the t-o ernn scene 
 was closed. 
 
 Such and so various are the scenes of life, and the fates of 
 men ; such and so fickle is the fortune of war ; but firm and 
 unshaken is the providence of God ; wisdcm, and might, and 
 strength are His. 
 
 Sir Henry Clinton detached sir James Wallace and general 
 Vaughn, with a flying squadron, carrying 3600 troops, to pene 
 trate, if possible, to the camp of Burgoyne, or make a diversion 
 in his favor ; but learning the situation of general Burgoyne, 
 at Esopus, on the 13th, they set h re to the village, and con 
 sumed it. Had they proceeded to Albany, they might have 
 destroyed the place, with the American stores, and Burgoyne 
 might have been relieved. The inquiry has often been made, 
 why this unnecessary delay ? But no other answer can pessi- 
 bly be. given, than this ; it was the special providence of God. 
 
 The army of general Burgoyne was marched directly to Bos 
 ton, where the) were detained as prisoners of war. 
 
 Having thus restored tranquillity in the norUi, the army un 
 der general Gates marched to support general Putnam, at 
 Kingston, aod guard the country from the incursions of the 
 British. The alarm was taken, and the enemy hastened back 
 to New York. 
 
 We will now take a look at the transactions of the conquer 
 ing army f New York. Aboiu the time that victory perched 
 on the British standard on lake Champlain, under the din.ctian 
 of Burgojne, general Howe embarked with about sixteen thou 
 sand troops, with two hundred and sixty sail, and on the 23d 
 of July, went to sta on a private expedition, to .make a diver 
 sion at the south. General Washington then made a move- 
 nieht towards Delaware, that he might cover Philadelphia. 
 Gi-reral Howe manoeuvred on the coast some days, and finally 
 entered the Chesapeake. Washington advanced to meet him. 
 The British troops wen landed ai Elk River ferry, and the two 
 armies met at Chad s Ford, on the Brandywine, where an action 
 was fought, on the llth of September. Victory declared for 
 the Erjghsh. and Washington retired to the high grounds, to 
 watch tiie enemy. Philadelphia was entered on the 26th, when 
 congress retired 10 Lancaster. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 About this time, the Marquis La Fayette arrived in the 
 United States, and tendered rns services to congress, and he 
 received a commission as brigadier general in the service-. He 
 joined the army, and served at his own expense, and soon be 
 came the companion and the friend of Washington. His tal 
 ents as a soldier were first displaced at Chad s Ford, vvherb he 
 received a wound in the leg, the effects of which he still car 
 ries. The count Pulaski, a Polish gentleman, also distinguish 
 ed liimselfin the battle, and was honoured with the comn 
 oT major general. 
 
 The fleet of lord Howe was now ordered in o the De si- 
 ware, that his communication with the ocean might remaio se 
 cure. 
 
 While the fleet was thus employed, Washington attempted 
 to cut off the main body of the British army, encamped at 
 Gorm into wn, seven miles from the city. The attack was well 
 concerted, and executed promptly. 
 
 The British were completely surprised, at break of day, Oc 
 tober 4tb ; at sunrise the action became warm, and tiie Amer 
 icans were successes! at ail points, until they attempted to dis 
 lodge a battalion of the British, who in their flight had thrown 
 themselves into a stone house ; this occasioned a delay, broke 
 the pursuit, and gave the enemv timi- to recover frum their 
 surprise, and rally to the charge; the action soon became warm 
 and bloody. A thick fog arose, whicti covered the courjal- 
 ants, and caused some confusion ; the enemy took ..d vantage 
 of this, the Americans retired, and abandoned the victory they 
 had =o fairly gained. 
 
 The losses of the parlies were about equal ; but it Droved a 
 lesson of caution to general Howe. He collected his army at 
 Philadelphia, where h- j was closely invented bv gt-neral Wash- 
 ihcrton, through the winter ; which occasioned the remark of 
 Doctor Franklin ; " Philnrh phia h/i* taken Howe." 
 
 The privations of the American arm* were truly d-st rising; 
 without clothes, shoes, stockings, & ^ven breeches & <i-inkets ; 
 more than two thousand wer*- marched through tne hrrnv. im 
 printing the roads with their blood stained steps; yet all this 
 wa? endured with a firmness worthy of those valiant - 
 liberty. 
 
 Dr. Benjam n Franklin had new been more than a year is 
 Fiance, urging the jrovernmeni oftha country to ac 
 our independence, and to enter in.o a treaty of alliance. Tr,e-o 
 objects were effected, after the fall of Burguyne had manifes 
 ted the probability that the Ameucan* could na iii *.-) I 
 dependent stand single handed. A treaty was sijn f . 
 6th of February, by which it was a.; i 
 
 Contracting powers was to make war or peace without Uie for- 
 17 
 
J94 UNIVERSAL HISTOKY OP 
 
 mal consent of the other." The treaty was soon known in 
 London, and the British government determined to evacuate 
 Philadelphia, and concentrate the royal forces in New York. 
 On the 18th of June, ihe royal army crossed the Delaware on 
 the road to Mew York. But Washington had foreseen this, 
 and prepared the militia of New Jersey to give the B ritish a 
 troublesome march. 
 
 He crossed the Delaware in pursuit, and the hostile armies 
 met at Monrnouth, on the 28th, sixty four miles from Philadel 
 phia. The contest was si vere, and the weather so hot, that 
 numbers of both armies perished from that cause, and the use 
 ofwaler when it could be obtained. The American army re 
 mained on the battleground, intending to renew the contest in 
 the morning 1 , but the enemy made good a retreat. The less of 
 the Amencans, was eight officers and sixty one privates killed, 
 and one hundred and sixty vroundcd. The British loss in killed, 
 wounded, and missing-, was three hundred and fifty eight men, 
 including officers. One hundred prisoners were taken, and 
 the loss by desertion was one thousand. Sir Henry retired 
 by forced marches to Sand v Hook, where he was taken on board 
 the fleet, and embarked the army for New York. 
 
 General L<>e has been censured by a court martial for diso 
 bedience of orders on this occasion. It appears that he first 
 declined a particular command, and then asked for if. Wash 
 ington directed him to commence the attack, "unless them 
 should be powerful reasons to the contrary," and his disobedi 
 ence, " and doubtful movements" appear to have marred the 
 expected success, and justified *he event in depriving him of his 
 command. 
 
 The French government, by the terms of the treaty, had 
 now entered into the war 
 
 On the Htb of July, couat D Estaing entered the capes of 
 the Delaware, with the Ton Ion fleet, after a passage of eighty 
 seven dajs ; lord Howe had been gone only eleven days, and 
 sir Henry Clinton had evacuated Philadelphia only one month 
 before, and was now embarking his army at Sandy Hook, for 
 New York. The French fleet was about double the fo ce of 
 the English, both in the number of ships and weight of metal. 
 
 Count D Estaing- landed Mr. Gerard, French minister to 
 the United States, who was most cordially received by congress, 
 and on the 9th set sail for Sandy Hoi k, where he arrived on 
 the llth, and blockaded the English squodran in the harbour. 
 The count made -al! possible efforts to attack the English fleet 
 in the harbor ; but found it impracticable to cross the bar with 
 his heavy ships, and on the 22d, agreeable to advice from gen 
 eral Washington, he set sail for Newport, to co-operate in the 
 destruction of the British fleet and army, at Rhode Island. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 19.6 
 
 Admiral Bvron s squadron arrived at Sandy Hook, a few 
 days after the departure of the French fleet, in a very broken, 
 sickly, dismasted, distressed situation. The provision ships 
 fro. 11 Cork, arrived also, and entered the harbor of New York, 
 in safety, to the inexpressible joy of the British army, who were 
 in great want of supplies. 
 
 Count D E^taing arrived off Point Judith, on the 29th of 
 July, and such was the joy upon the occasion, that it diffused 
 the fire and zeal of 1775 and 6, throughout New England. 
 Volun eers by thousands, flocked to the standard of their coun 
 try, to join general Sullivan, and co-operate with llieir illus 
 trious allies, in the reduction of Rhode Island. 
 
 General Washington had detached the Marquis LT Fayetle 
 and general Greene, with two thousand men, to join the general 
 enterprise. Tne American force was now about ten thousand 
 strong. 
 
 Si Robert Pigot, who commanded at Newport, had been re 
 inforced with five battalions, which rendered his force about 
 aix thousand strong 1 . Thus balanced,* the panics commenced 
 their operations. 
 
 The count D Estaing entered the harbor of Newport, on the 
 18th of August, without opposition ; general Pigot having de 
 stroyed the English shipping, on the 5lh, to prevent their fal 
 ling into the hands of the French. 
 
 Oa the 9th, at eight in the morning, general Sullivan began 
 to cross over with his army, from Tiverton ; the enemy having- 
 abandoned their works at fhe north end of t l ie inland. At two 
 ia the morning, lord Howe appeared off Point Judith, with a 
 fle< i t of twenty five sail of the line, where he anchored for the 
 night. 
 
 On the 10th, count D Estaing, eager to meet the British 
 fleet, took advantage of the wind and put to sea. The tsvo 
 fleets manoeuvred through the day, without coming to action. 
 On the 1 1 ih, a violent gale sprang up, and continued through 
 the 12th and 13th, which parted the fleets, dismasted the 
 French admiral s ship, destroyed liar rudder, and greatly dam- 
 ag-ed several others, 
 
 On the 14 h, the gala abated, and close and severe actions 
 commenced between several single ships of the two fleets, but 
 noihing decisive. The count, having collected six of his ships, 
 Covered his disabled fl^et, and stood in for Newport, and came 
 to anchor. 
 
 General Greene and the Marquis La Fax-ette, went on board 
 the admiral s ship, and pressed him to enter the harbour of 
 Newport, and complete the enterprise ; but the flr-et was so 
 shattered by the storm, and the officers were generally se 
 rso, that the count concluded to sail fur Boston. 
 
19U UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 The troops under general Sullivan had gained the north end of 
 the island, and marched down upon the enemy s lines, ready 
 to co-operate with the French fleet, and commence the attack: 
 but their sufferings in the storm were so severe, that the troops 
 were in a deplorable state. 
 
 On the 15th, the American army had recovered from their 
 misfortunes and were again prepared for action. In this situ 
 ation, they continued anxiously waiting the movements of the 
 Frencii fleet, to join in the general attack ; but to their grief 
 and astonishment, they saw them weigh and stand off for Bos 
 ton, on the 24th. The mortification of general Sullivan, was 
 greater than the pride of an American soldier could sustain, 
 and he expressed himself unguardedly, in his general orders 
 upon the occasion. 
 
 On the 2811^ count D Eslaing wrote to congress from Bos 
 ton, and explained his movements to the satisfaction of that 
 honorable body. 
 
 General Sullivan soon saw himself abandoned by most of 
 the volunteers, which reduced his army to a standard below 
 that of the? enemy, and he hastened to secure his retreat. 
 
 On the 25th, general Sullivan sent off his heavy cannon, and 
 on the 29th, he retired to the north end of the island. General 
 Pigot pursued w-ith his whole force, to intercept his retreat. 
 The advance guard of the enemy wa^ soon engaged with the 
 rear guard of the Americans, and a severe action ensued, that 
 continued through the day. The next dav, general Sullivan 
 learnt that lord Howe was again at sea, and that the French 
 fleer was not expected to return to Newport, and he hastened 
 to evaeuare the island. 
 
 General Suihvan, with the advice and assistance of general 
 Greene and the Marquis La Fayette, conducted his retreat in 
 the presence of a superior foe, whose sentries, were not more 
 th^n 400 yards distant from the American sentries : and on 
 the morning of the 1st of September, 1778, the retreat was ac 
 complished without the loss of a man, or any part of the artil 
 lery or baggage. 
 
 The s*rm- (Jay, sir Henry Clinton arrived off Newport, on 
 board of (he fleet under lord Howe, with four thousand troops, 
 to cutoff the A-nerican retreat ; but learning the departure of 
 the French for Boston, and the retreat of the Americans, he 
 set sail for Boston, in pursuit of the French. On the morning 
 of the 3d, he discovered th -i French fleet in the harbor of Bos 
 ton, s rongly posted, "and returned to New York. On the 5th, 
 lord HDWO commenced an attack upon the American shipping 
 in Bedford harbor, and destroyed about seventy sail, besides 
 small craft, store* . dwelling houses, and vessels o<; !ie stocks,, 
 together with the magazine, to the amount of20,000/ sterling. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 19? 
 
 His lordship next commenced an attack noon Martha s Vine 
 yard ; destroyed all the vessels, and carried off the arms of the 
 militia, the public money, 300 oxen, and 10.000 sheep, and re 
 turned to New York. 
 
 The following extract of a letter from general Washington, 
 shall close the chapter : 
 
 u It is not a little pleasing, nor less wonderful, to contem 
 plate, that after two years rnanceuvreing, and undergoing the 
 stra.-igest vicissitudes, tint p^riiap* ever attended any one con 
 test since the cieation, both armies are b~<>u<*ht back to the 
 very point they set out from, and the offending party, in the 
 beginning, is reduced to the spade and pick-axe f.>r detence. 
 Tae hand of providence has been so conspicuous in all this, 
 thU he m-ist be vvorse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more 
 than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge 
 his obligations." 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Operations of the Revolutionary War Continued. 
 
 The British, fin ling the instability of their dependence on 
 the success of their arm--,* determined to accomplish their ob 
 ject by the arts of diplomacy* A;i attempt wa-s made to bribe 
 a M . Reed, a ad other members of Congress, to assist in rec 
 onciling the Americans to the English government. Tne in 
 strument of this attempt was George Johnston, Esq. one of 
 the British coiii.asrisiouers. "Mr. Reed replied "I am not 
 worth buying, but siicu as I am. the ki.ig of E igland is not 
 rich enough to do i ! ." Tne fac<s were disclosed to Congress, 
 an 1 excited considerable feeling-. Congress then resolved, 
 t.iat a!i letters addressed to members of Congress by British 
 commissioners or agents, or a iv ^u:>pcts of the kins of Great 
 B.itain, of a public utture, should bo laid before that b idy 
 To this resolution, a spirited replv was rrnde from New Vo I; 
 bv Johnston, H i i a total iis tvowal of r;i, fa^ts, on tho uart of 
 Sir Meary Clinton, lord Carlisle, and Mr. Elen. At the same 
 time, a ratification of the convention of Saratoga was tender 
 ed, that the troops of Burgoyue might be suffer d to emba r k 
 for fiuglind. Taid was Jeclned by Congress, ualc-ss ratified * 
 by f ; ie British government. 
 
 T leo .11 nissioners then Appealed to the people, and this was 
 favored bv C igress, truti ij taat the good sense of the in 
 habitant would treat it with coaiompt, aad cover the authors 
 
198 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 with lasting disgrace. Chagrined by their failure in this in 
 sidious measure, they denounced the American government in 
 a manifesto, threatening the American people with destruc 
 tion, if determined ta persevere in their rebellion, an d adhere 
 to their alliance with France. This idle threat was fairly 
 met, by Congress, by a developernent of (he mode of warfare 
 adopted by Ihe enemy, and was thus concluded. 
 
 * If our enemies presume toexecute their threats, or persist 
 in their present career of barbarity, we will take such exem 
 plary vengeance as shall deter others from a like conduct. 
 We appeal to that God, who is the searcher of hearts, for the 
 rec itude of our intentions, and in his holy presence declare, 
 that as we are not moved by any light or hasty suggestions of 
 anger or revenge, so through every possible change of fortune, 
 we will adhere to this onr determination. 
 
 Dr. Franklin, till now a commissioner at the French court, 
 was appoiuted minister plenipotentiary to the court of Ver 
 sailles, with instructic ns to negotiate for an expedition to Can 
 ada. About this time, the Sieui Gerard delivered his credent 
 tials to Congress, and was recognized as a minister from the 
 French court. 
 
 The marquis La Fayette, at this time, requested leave to 
 return to France ; to which congress readily consented, and 
 directed the President to express to him by letter, the thanks 
 f congress, for that disinterested zeal that led him to Ameri 
 ca, as well as those services he had rendered the United Slates, 
 by the exertions of his courage and abilities, on many signal 
 occasions. They also directed doc-or Franklin to cause an 
 elf gant sword to be made, with proper devices, and presented 
 to the marquis, in the name of the United States. Congress 
 at the same time, addressed a letter to the king of France ex 
 pressive of tbe high sense they entertained of the talents and 
 services of the marquis. He took his leave of congress, by let 
 ter ; repaired to Boston, and embarked for France. 
 
 Pending these movements, the Indians, in concert with the 
 tories, began their ravages upon the Susquehannah ; entered 
 the settlements, in a body of about sixteen hundred ; defeated 
 colonel Batler, at the head of about four hundred men, and cut 
 off his party with a terrible slaughter. They took one small 
 fort at Kingston, end then carried Fort Wilkesbarre ; butcher 
 ed the garrison, and burnt Ihe women and children in the bar 
 racks. They next proceeded to lay waste the settlements with, 
 fire and tword, and destroyed the cattle io tbe most wanton 
 and barbarous manner ; but spared the persons and property 
 of the tories. 
 
 The following extract from Mr/Gordoo s revolutionary wap, 
 3ay serve as a specimen of the distresses of Wyoming: 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 ** The following are a few of the more singular cruelties 
 practised in the attack upon Wyoming. Captain Braddock, 
 who had been taken prisoner, had his body stuck full of splin 
 ters and pine knots, and then a heap of pine knots piled round 
 him ; the whole was then set on fire, and his two companions, 
 captains Ransom and Durgee, thrown into the flames, and held 
 d->wn with pitchforks. The tones were the most distinguished 
 for th&ir cruelties ; in this they resembled the British forces. 
 One of those Wyoming tones, whose mother had married a 
 second husband, butchered with his own hands both his father- 
 in-law, his own sisters, and their infant children. Another, 
 who during 1 his absence had sent home several threats against 
 the life of his father, now not only executed them in pprson^ 
 but was with his own hands, the exterminator of his family, 
 mother, brothers and sisters, and mingled their blood indis 
 criminately with that of the husband and father." 
 
 But to dwell on this subject is painful, and it is only men- 
 t ouod, that our descendants m^y have a faint picture of the 
 sufferings which have been endured by their progenitors, that 
 they may know the value of the legacy, which is bequeathed 
 to their posterity. 
 
 Such was the general alarm through the Union, on account 
 of these barbarous transactions, and such <he spirit of Virginia, 
 that an expedition was sent into the Indian country, under 
 colonel Clark, against the French settlements on the upper 
 Mississippi, in the Illinois country ; and it was wt-11 under 
 stood that the governor of these settlements WHS the iosttgator 
 of these acts of b*rbarily. 
 
 Colonel Clark traversed the desert with his party, about 
 twelve bunded miles, and reached Ksskaskia, attiiehourof 
 midnight, in a desperate situation, and destitute of provisions ; 
 but being undiscovered, he ro^olved to strike the fata! blow. 
 He entered the town immediately, and secured the whole, 
 consisting of two hundred an fifty houses, with the fort, the 
 governor ami all the inhabitants, without even an alarm, and 
 sent, the governor to Virginia, with all his written instruc ions 
 from Quebec, Montreal, Detroit and Michilimakinac, for exci 
 ting the Indians to war, and offering a bounty on scalps. Co 
 lonel Clark administered the oath of allegiance to this village, 
 and sent detachments to surprise the other villages ; which was 
 done in regular succession, and the oath of allegiance adminis 
 tered, until the whole were subdued to the allegiance of the 
 United Slates. 
 
 A scene of the same stamp of that at Wyoming, but from a 
 very different quarter, is now before us. 
 
 Lord Corirvaliis detached general Grav, with his light in 
 fantry, to surprise and cut off the American forces on North 
 
200 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 river, in conjunction with a detachment from general Kniphau- 
 sen s corps ; but the expedition was defeated by some desert 
 ers, who gave timely notice to general Wayne, and he eluded 
 the attack. General Gray however, conducted his movements 
 with such despatch as to surprise colonel Baylor s troop of 
 horse, asleep and naked in their quarters; (September 27th,) 
 no quarter was the order of the day, and the whole were given 
 up to indiscriminate butchery, and bayoneted in cold blood, 
 whih> begging for tnercv. 
 
 Sir Henry Clinton detached captain Ferguson, with about 
 thrf-e hundred men, upon an expedition to Little Egg-Harbor, 
 under a strong 1 convoy, to destroy the American shipping ind 
 privateers ; but these being 1 removed, captain Ferguson" pro 
 ceeded up to Chesnut Neck, where he destroyed such vessels 
 as wee there, together wth the whole village, arid laid waste 
 the adjacent country, and repined the squadrou. October 
 5th. 
 
 On the 15th, the convoy with the troops, moved round to an 
 other landing place not far distant, and landed two hundred 
 and fif y men und^r the command of captain Ferguson, who 
 advanced into the country, in the silence of night, and surpri 
 sed count Pulawki s light infantry ; killed the baron De Base 
 and lieutenant tie la Broderic, with fifty privates. These were 
 mostly butchered in cold blood, begrgiBi* for mercy, under the 
 order t of MO quarter*, as before ; but count Pulaski closed this 
 horrid scene, by a sudden charge of his cavalry, that put to 
 flight the murderous foe, and thus saved the remnant of his 
 infantry. Captain Ferguson made a hasty retreat, embarked 
 his party, and returned to New Vork. 
 
 Admiral Graves arrived at No-v-York, on the 16th of Oc^o- 
 ber, in a most shattered condition, by a violent storm whir-h de 
 tained him the remainder of tiie month to repair the fl-^t. 
 About the first of November, he put to sea, arid appeared off 
 the harbour of Boston, on a visit to the count D Estaing ; 
 but a violent, storm hore overtook him, scattered his fleet, de 
 stroyed the Somerset of 64 guns on the shores of Cape Cod, 
 ami forced the rest into Rhode Island for shelter. 
 
 From this time the war assumed the most savage aspect, 
 and exhibited the most unrelenting barbarity. Except in few 
 instances, the rules of civi i/ed warriors seemed hardly to be 
 known, and the combatants seemed mutually determined on a 
 war of extermination. The vrar was carried anew into ihe 
 Supquehannah country. Co). VV in. Butler, at the head of a 
 Pennsylvania regiment, with a bvnd of riflemen, Jed an expedi 
 tion to the Indian villages, which he destroyed, and after en 
 during th -greatest hardships, returned in safy in sixteen 
 iia}. To avenge this muursioii, colonel John Bulier, at the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 201 
 
 head of a strong party, surprised colonel Alclen at Cherry Val 
 ley. wii> vva* killed, and the greatest cruelties were perpetra 
 ted. Fifty or sixty men, women, and children were killed or 
 Hiado captives, and e en the dead were made monuments of 
 savage harbari ies. 
 
 All farther designs against the north, seemed now to be 
 abandoned. Clinton and Prescott, wiio commanded in East 
 Florida, isoncerted a plai of operations against Georgia. Be 
 fore tiiis r.ould be carried into effect, <wo parties entered Geor* 
 gU from Florida, one by Uod, and ilie other by water. The 
 Fitter advanced to Sunhury, and summoned the placf to sur 
 render, but receiving a spirited reply from colonel Mackintosh, 
 the aU.jMhut \vns abandoned. The other party made for Sa 
 vannah, b u being firmly opposed by general Screven and colo 
 nel Elbyrt, nothing was effected, if we except the plundering 
 of negroes and caitte, and the commission of the most wanton 
 barbarities. Colonel Screven was killed in the defence. 
 
 On the 27th ofXovo U r >~?r, 1773. colonel Campbell embarked 
 a( Satiily Hook, at the head of one regiment, two battalions 
 of reg-uiars, and fo:ir of lories, with a detachment of artillery, 
 in a! labour, twenty-five hundred men, andarrived ut the mouth 
 of the Savannah, the latter part of December, and soon landed 
 his troops. General R Howe was posted in this place, at the 
 head of about eight hundred militia and regulars, worn down 
 by a fruitless expedition against Florida. He chose a judi 
 cious position to cover Savannah, but was out goueialed, sur 
 prised in carnp, and routed with a considerable loss of men, and 
 arms. The fort wi;h its contents, forty eig^t pieces of can 
 non, twenty three mortars, all the shipping, a large store of 
 provisions, and the capital of the state fell into the bands of 
 the victors. The defenceless inhabitants were bayoneted in 
 the s reets, and the remnant of the troops escaped to South 
 Carolina. Abou ths time, Sunbury fell into the hands of 
 general Prescott, who m trehed to Savannah, and took command 
 of the royal arrny. " ). inhabitants were directed to lay down 
 th"i r arms, or u-;e them in support of the royal cause. 
 
 O the 25th of ^eo einber. general Lincoln was appointed to 
 the command of tii souiii -rn army, but he did not arrive at 
 Cii.i I.^Nin unt i the 4th of D.-C- j mbi?r. He was joined bv g- n- 
 eral-: Asne an.J Rirherforvi, wi^h about two thousand N--lh 
 C:; > ; i ia militia, destined to act in defence of South Carol r-a. 
 As Georgia was the point of atlaok, ireneral Lincoln raised 
 sorneMiing less than a fhn-isruid men, and joined the remains of 
 lhe ; roops under c >i!)n- j i EibiM-t.. ostablisbsir^ his head quarters 
 at Purysbu-g. Here he found h.m>etf Ht the head of b il f o ir- 
 indired m-Mi. and even this small fo/ce -lesntute of arms, 
 cannon, tents, and altnust of powder and lead. The milnia of 
 
202 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 South Carolina were without discipline or subordination, and 
 on the 24th of January, 1779, they had generally returned to 
 their homes. About eleven hundred militia from North Caro 
 lina supplied their place, and the whole force was about twenty 
 four hundred. 
 
 General Prescott had taken possession of Port Royal Island, 
 South Carolina, and general Moult rie, at the head of the 
 Charleston militia, attacked the island, dislodged the enemy, 
 and compelled the colonel to retire into Georgia, with much 
 Joss. He took post at Augusta, and by fomenting divisions, 
 and encouraging insurrections, caused much distress. But a 
 part} from the district of Ninety-six, under colonel P.ckens, 
 pursued the banditti, which they overtook, routed, k<lled, or 
 dispersed, and their leader, colonel Boyd, was slain. The re 
 mainder threw themselves on the clemency of the state. 
 Seventy Were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death, but 
 the sentence was executed on five of the principals only, and 
 the remainder were pardoned. 
 
 General Lincoln determined to dislodge the enemy from 
 Georgia, and directed general Williamson to take a stiong posi 
 tion near Augusta, to walch the motions of co onel Campbell, 
 and general Ashe, was ordered to the support of general Wil 
 liamson, with about two thousand men. On receiving the in 
 telligence of this junction, the BntLsh retired about fourteen 
 miles down the river. Measures were concerted by the Ameri 
 can generals, aad the plan of operations settled. 
 
 About this time, colonej Prevost gained the rear of the Ame 
 rican camp by a circuitous march, and commenced a furious 
 attack. The continentals advanced to the charge, to check 
 the invaders; but the militia were panic struck, and flight en 
 sued. The regulars under general Eibert were cut to pieces, 
 and the militia, under general Ashe, never returned. Ameri 
 cans lost, one hundred and fifty killed, and one hundred and 
 sixty-two captured. The wounded not numbered. About four 
 hundred and fifty rejoined general Liccoln. Georgia now be 
 longed to the enemy, and a free communication was opened 
 with the tories of South Carolina. 
 
 In this slate of alarm, John Rutledge was appointed gover 
 nor of the slate, and to him and the council was given a dicta 
 torial power. A large body of militia was assembled at Orange- 
 burg, near the centre of the state, to act as might be re- 
 f|i;ired. General Williamson sent parties into Georgia to 
 distress and plunder the enemy. On this, general Lincoln 
 remarked to the governor, that the innocent and the guilty, the 
 egj-d and infirm, women and children, would be equally ex 
 posed to the effects of this order. General Lincoln, was novy 
 reinforced at his camp, Black swamp, and advanced into Geor- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 203 
 
 ?ia, leaving a strong guard under general Monlt.rie, at Purys- 
 burg. Prescott permitted the Americans lo advance one hun 
 dred and fifty mile?, that he might surprise general Moultne. 
 Moultne eluded the attack, b\ a change of position. 
 
 General Lincoln, learning the movements of Prescott, moved 
 by forced marche? in support of Moullrie, and to cover Charles 
 ton. The governor took alarm by the movements of Pies- 
 cotf, and destroyed the suburbs, that he might gir.ird against 
 the advance of the enemy. The neighbouring militia were 
 called in to join his troops in defence of Charleston. 
 
 On the llth, general Prescott crossed the terry, and appear 
 ed before Charleston, on which day the count Pulaski arrived, 
 and entered hito the defence of thi-; city with ?f>irit. The 
 object of general Prescott was, to carry the town before gene 
 ral Lincoln could arrive, and his operations were conducted 
 with such vigour, that the civil authority sent out the following 
 proposition. 
 
 u South Carolina will remain in a state of neutrality till the 
 close of the war, and then follow the fate of her ne ghbors, on 
 condition, the royal army withdraw." To which general Pres 
 cott rerlied : " The garrison are in arms, and they shall sur 
 render prisoners of war." 
 
 Before general Prescott could accomplish any thing of im 
 portance, general Lincoln arrived, and the enemy withdrew to 
 Beaufort, and thence TO Georgia. Plunder and devastation 
 marked its steps. Slaves to the number of three thousand 
 were taken, and sent for pale to the West- Indies. 
 
 An expedition was fiued out by Sir Henr\ Clinton, under 
 Sir Gr-orge Collier and general Matthews, from Nc\v York, 
 who took possession of Portsmouth and the remains oi Nor 
 folk, in Virginia, in May. 1779. On the same day, a d t:ich- 
 m--nt was sent to Suffolk, and destroyed provisions, nr.val 
 stores, and vessels, leaving the town in ashes, and gentlt me- s 
 seats, as well as plantations were burnt, and ravaged. On the 
 ooast, the eanit- ravages were committed by the Beet. A /out 
 one hundred and thirty vessels were destroyed or captured, 
 with about three thousand hogsheads of tobacco. 
 
 About this time a successful attempt was made against Stoney 
 Point and Verplank, by Sir Henry Clinton, alter which he weut 
 forward to the Highlands. 
 
 Previous to these operations, sir Henry Clinton had concert 
 ed measures with the toiies and British under his c nun^nd, to 
 assume a general system of predatoiy war in Auierica, and 
 submitted nis plnns to the British ministry, who expressed their 
 approbation. Thi* plan s<;ou reached the American ci. Hi iiis^i- 
 on at Paris, and was Ciiiiunur-icatpd to governor TruiubuJl, of 
 Connecticut, on the Gth of April, 1779. 
 
204 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 Sir Henry Clinton detached general Tryon, (late governor 
 of New York) with 2600 land forces, protected by a squadron 
 under sir George Collier, and supported by general Gar h, to 
 begin their depredations in Connecticut. On the 4th of July*, 
 the armament moved into the sound, and the commanders issued 
 their proclamation to the citizens of Connecticut, offering par 
 don and protection to all such as would return to their allegi 
 ance ; but threatening ruin and destruction to all who should 
 reject this overture. On the morning of the 6th, general Try- 
 on landed his division at East Haven; general Garth landed at 
 the same time, at West Haven, and proceeded directly to INevv 
 Hr.ven, and gave up the town to promiscuous pillage. The 
 miJitia collected so fast on the next day, that the enemy aban 
 doned the town in haste; burnt several stores on long wharf, 
 and embarked their troops. 
 
 Tne infamous Tryon next proceeded to the plunder of East 
 Haven, and then mailed for Fait field. The town and vicinity 
 were laid in ruin:-:, and the enemy embarked forNorwalk, which 
 was next la;d in ashes. He then returned to New York. 
 
 In this incuision, four houses for public worship, near one 
 hundred dwellings, eighty barns, about thirty stores, seven 
 teen shops, four mills, and five vessels were burui. And in 
 addition to this destruction of property, the greatest acts of 
 brutality were perpetrated. Women were instils ed and abused, 
 while their apparel was robbed, a, id desks, trunks, and closets 
 were rifled. 
 
 But a plan was concerted by general Washington, which 
 kf pt in check this hero of rapine and conflagration This plan 
 issufd in the capture of Stoney Point, on the Hudson. 
 
 General V* ayne commenced his moverm nts against Stoney 
 Point, on the 15th, at noon ; and after having crossed the in>un- 
 tairiH, through dangerous and difficult defies, he approached 
 the fort, about eight of the ^anae evening. H: vifg rec<>nn< uer- 
 ed the position of the enemy, the general pui himself at the 
 hend of his brave troops, and at twenty minutes past twelve, 
 precisely, on the night of the 16th, entered the for , v -th 
 screwed bayonets, amidst a moist, tremendous fi/e of muske ><-d 
 grape, and carried the fortress without firing a gun. Li- r te 
 nant- colonel Fleur? entered the fort with his division, upon the 
 opposite side, at the same time, and both parties met in the 
 centre; but the garrison was spared and made prisoners ot war, 
 to the number of five hundred and ./nrfy three. Genet al 
 Wayne dismantled he fort, aud brought off the cannou, stores, 
 &c. ag-reeiible to orders. 
 
 Congress passed a vote of thanks to general Washington, 
 general Wayne, and the officers and soldi. 4 s under their com 
 mand, for the masterly exploit in the capture of Sioney Point. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 The English having persuaded the six nations, excepting the 
 OneidaSi to take up the hntchet against the United States, 
 general Sullivan was sent with a detachment of from four to 
 five thousand men to chastise them. He marched up the Sus- 
 quehannah, and attacked them in their fortifications, which 
 were well constructed. The resistance was obstinate, but they 
 were compelled to yield, and took to flight. According to his 
 instructions, their country was devastated, and one hundred 
 and sixty thousand bushels of corn were consumed. 
 
 The attemion of the reader will now be turned to the ocean, 
 where the brilliant achievements of our hardy tars struck with 
 terror "the mistress of the seas." 
 
 About the last of July, the American captain, John Paul 
 Jones, sailed from port L Orient, in Prance, on a cruise, on 
 board the French ship, the Bon Hornme Richard, of forty guns, 
 and 375 men ; accompanied by frigates Alliance, of thirty-si.\ 
 guns, Pallas, thirty-two guns, and the- Vengeance, an armed 
 brig, of twelve guns, and a cutter. Commodore Jones cruised 
 off the coast of Scotland, with his little squadron, until he fell 
 in with the homeward bound Baltic fleet, under the convoy of 
 the Serapis, captain Pierscn, and Countess of Scarborough, 
 lain Pearcy. When captain Pierson discovered commodore 
 Jones, he made sail to cover the convoy, and gave signal at the 
 same time., for the Countess of Scarborough to join him. which 
 was immediately done, September 23. 
 
 Commodore Jones immediately laid his ship along side of the 
 Serapis, and commenced an action, which soon became des 
 perate; but the Serapis appeared to reap advantage from her 
 superior management. To obviate this, commodore Jones laid 
 his ship across the bow of the Serapis. and the ships grappled, 
 yard arm and yard arm, and the muzzles of their guns were 
 nearly in contact. In this position they lay, vomiting forth 
 death, and strewing the decks with carnage and destruction, 
 about two hours. Both ships were frequently on fire, but the 
 Serapis not less than ten or twelve times. The Alliance at 
 tempted to co-operate in the action, and with some good effect, 
 until the darkness of the evening rendered it impossible to dis 
 tinguish correctly, when she killed eleven men, and wounded 
 several others, on board the Bon Homme Richard. At this 
 critical moment, the Serapis struck, and closed the sanguinary 
 scene. The Bon Homme Richard, at the close of the action, 
 was so much of a wreck, as to have seven feet of water in her 
 hold, which rendered it necessary to remove the crew on board 
 the Serapis, and the wounded on board the Pallas. On the 
 24th, her pumps were closely plied; but on the 25th she went 
 down : fortunately no lives were lost. 
 18 
 
206 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 The Pallas engaged and took the Countess of Scarborough, 
 at the same time, and commodore Jones sailed with his prizes, 
 for the coast of Holland, and anchored off the Texel. 
 
 We shall now return to the operations in the southern states. 
 
 Instead of pursuing general Prescott in his retreat to Geor 
 gia, general Lircoln devoted all his powers and strength, to 
 the defence of Charleston, against any further attack. After 
 learning the success of the count D Estaing in the West Indies, 
 governor Rutledge, general Lincoln, and the French consul, 
 wrote to the count, inviting him to co-operate with the Ameri 
 cans in the reduction of Savannah. The invitation was ac 
 cepted, and on the first of September he arrived off Charleston, 
 with a fleet of twenty sail of the line, two of fifty guns, and 
 eleven frigates. A British eighty gun ship and three frigates 
 were taken by surprise. 
 
 On the arrival of the count, general Lincoln marched with 
 all his troops for Savannah. The fleet , ailed to join him : the 
 French troops were landed in ten or twelve days, and count 
 D Estaing summoned the town to, surrender to the arms of the 
 king of France. General Lincoln remonstrated against this, 
 as the Americans were acting in concert. The count persisted, 
 and general Prescott demanded a cessation of hostilities for 
 twenty-four hours, to deliberate, which was granted. During 
 this time, seven or eight hundred troops arrived from Beaufort, 
 and general Prescott determined to defend the town to the last 
 extremity. The count saw his error, and consulted general 
 Lincoln," and they united their efforts to carry the town by a 
 regular siege. On the 23d of September, the allies broke 
 ground, and commenced their operations. On f he 4th of Oc 
 tober, they opened their batteries, and began to play upon the 
 town with nine mortars, and fifty-four pieces of cannon, which 
 continued four or five days without intermission, but without 
 any apparent effect. On the morning of the 8th, the enemy 
 sallied out and attempted to set fire to the abattis ; but the 
 materials were green, the weather moist, and the attempt fail 
 ed. General Prescott next requested, that the women and 
 children might be removed ; but this was refused, and U^e allies 
 resolved to carry the town by storm. The morning of the 9th 
 was the time agreed upon, and the assault commenced. The 
 attack was well concerted and bravely executed by the allies; 
 yet the fire of the enemy was so destructive, that, the troops 
 gave way, after having planted the French and American 
 standards upon the British redoubts. At this eventful moment, 
 the brave count Pulaski fell, mortally wounded, at ths head of 
 his legion, when charging the enemy in their rear, in the full 
 career of victory. The allies supported thio desperate conflict 
 fifty-five minutes, under a deadly fire, from tne eneim s baite- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 207 
 
 nes, and then made good their retreat, with the loss of six 
 hundred and thirty-seven French, and two hundred and thirty- 
 four continentals, killed and wounded. 
 
 The defence of the place was well conducted by general 
 Prescott, and he certainly deserved the applause of his king 
 and country. 
 
 In consideration of the bravery of count Pulaski, the congress 
 resolved that a monument be erected to his memory. 
 
 The count D Estaing soon embarked, and seven ships were 
 ordered for the Chesapeake, one of which only, arrived at the 
 place of destination, the fleet having been dispersed by a storm. 
 The remainder steered for the West Indies. 
 
 As sir Henry Clinton expected an attack on New York by 
 the French fleet, general Pigot was ordered to evacuate Rhode 
 Island, which order was accomplished, and the troops repaired 
 to head quarters, at New York. 
 
 Near the close of December, as the coast was still clear, sir 
 Henry planned an expedition to South Carolina. He embark 
 ed seven thousand five hundred troops, under convoy of admiral 
 Arbuthnot, and about the last of January, 1780, he appeared 
 off Charleston. As one ordnance ship and several transports 
 had been wrecked and lost on the passage, and several taken 
 by the Americans, he was not prepared to effect a landing, un 
 til February 1 1th, when he landed on the south side of John s 
 island, thirty miles from the city. 
 
 But this expedition had been foreseen by congress, and pre 
 parations were made to meet it. Three continental frigates 
 were to sail for the port, and a trusty officer was despatched to 
 the Havanna, in order to obtain ships and troops for the de 
 fence, promising as a return, two thousand men to co-operate 
 with the Spaniards in the reductioa of St. Augustine. 
 
 To the force of seven or eight thousand men, general Lin 
 coln could oppose but two thousand four hundred, near half of 
 whom were militia ; yet with them he hoped to defend the 
 city. The continental frigates arrived, and landing their crews, 
 guns, and equipments, prepared to act on the defensive. The 
 British admiral entered the harbour with all the ships which 
 could pass the bar. 
 
 On the 10th of April, the town was summoned to surrender, 
 which the commander refused. On the 12th, sir Henry opened 
 his batteries on the town, and his fire was promptly returned 
 during eight successive days. On the 18th, a reinforcement 
 arrived from New York, of three thousand men, and sir Henry 
 approached within three hundred yards of the American lines. 
 A council of war was now called, by general Lincoln, of which* 
 the following was the result , 
 
208 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 A retreat wonld be attended with many distressing incon 
 veniences, if not altogether impracticable, for the undermen 
 tioned causes. 
 
 1. The authority is averse to it, and would counteract the 
 measure. 
 
 2. It must be performed in the face of a superior enemy, 
 across a river three miles wide. 
 
 3. The passes are occupied by the enemy, which must be 
 forced. 
 
 4. All these obstacles being overcome, the Santee must be 
 crossed without boats, in the face of a pursuing enemy. 
 We therefore advise to make immediate terms with the ene 
 my." 
 
 General Lincoln, however, determined to continue the de 
 fence ; but, on the 26th, general Lincoln again smnmone l ano 
 ther council of war, and at the eventful moment, the flag of the 
 enemy was seen to wave on the walls of fort Moultrie. Sul 
 livan s Island fell into the hands of the enemy, on the 6th of 
 May. 
 
 Sir Henry Clinton pushed his approaches, and on the 8th, 
 he opened a correspondence with general Lincoln ; renewed 
 his summons, offered terms, &c. and threatened to renew hos 
 tilities at 8 o clock. The eventful hour arrived : and awful, 
 solemn silence ensued ; neither party fired a gun; all was anx 
 ious suspense for an hour, yet neithtr party moved a proposi 
 tion. At 9, the besieged opened a fire upon the enemy, who 
 in their turn, opened their batteries upon the town, which 
 threatened to bury it in ruins. The town was repeatedly on 
 fire, and many houses were burnt; at the same time, sir Hen 
 ry advanced his last parallel to the distance of twenty yards, 
 and prepared for a general assault, by sea and land. 
 
 The critical moment had now arrived ; the people by their 
 leaders, called on general Lincoln to renew the conference, 
 and make terms with the enemy. The lieutenant-governor 
 and council enforced the request. The militia threw down 
 their arms, and all was submission. 
 
 General Lincoln renewed the conference with sir Henry, and 
 accepted his terms. Sir Henry complied, and the next day the 
 garrison, with all such as had borne arms, marched out and be 
 came prisoners of war, May 12th. 
 
 The French consul, and the subjects of France and Spain, 
 were, with their houses and effects, to be protected ; but they 
 themselves were to be considered prisoners of war. 
 
 At this time, colonel Buford was advancing through the up 
 per country, with a party of 300 Virginians, to the relief of 
 Charleston. When colonel Tarleton learnt the position of this 
 party, he advanced with about 700 cavalry and mounted io- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 209 
 
 fantry, by a forced march of 105 miles, in fifty. four hours, and 
 surprised them at Ihe Waxhaws, and summoned the colonel to 
 surrender. A parley ensued ; and during the conference, colo 
 nel Tarleton surrounded the party, and cut them to pieces, while 
 begging for mercy. Thirty-seven only, were made prisoners, 
 and the remainder were either killed or wounded in the butch 
 ery. Lord Cornwallis highly applauded the act, and recom 
 mended colonel Tarleton specially, to the favor of his sovereign. 
 With this blow, the state of South Carolina was subdued, and 
 a regular British government was organized. 
 
 General Gates, then in Virginia, was appointed to succeed 
 genera] Lincoln, in the southern command. 
 
 Georgia and South Carolina were now wholly subdued, and 
 the enemy saw his way clear, to advance into North Carolina. 
 
 To counteract these movements of Tarleton, and keep up the 
 spirits of the people, generals Marion, and Sumpter, at the 
 head of their flying parties, kept up a system of predatory war 
 fare, that greatly hairassed and annoyed the enemy. So sharp 
 and desperate were their attacks, that in one instance, general 
 Sumpter reduced the prince of Wales regiment, from the num 
 ber of 273 to nine. 
 
 While the brave Sumpter was thus harrassing the enemy, 
 and animating the zeal of the inhabitants, a considerable force 
 was traversing the middle states southward, for the relief cf 
 the British troops. 
 
 On the 6th of June, generals Knip iausen, Robertson, Tryon, 
 and Sterling, crossed over from Staten Inland into New Jersey, 
 at the head of 5000 regulars. On the 7th, they advanced to 
 Connecticut farm?, distant about five miles, in quest of the 
 Rer. James Caldwell, whose patriotic zeal had rendered him 
 peculiarly obnoxious ; wantonly shot his wife in her own house ; 
 then burnt the house and meeting-house,^ with about a dozen 
 other dwelling houses. The royal army next attempted to ad 
 vance to Springfield; but were checked by colonel Dayton, 
 supported by general Maxwell, and they fled in disorder. 
 
 General Washington considered this movement as a feint in 
 sir Henry Clinton, to open the way for an attack upon West 
 Point ; he accordingly detached general Greene, at the head of 
 a strong party, to watch the motions of the enemy. General 
 Washington learning from general Greene, that Springfield 
 was their object of destination, sent forward a detachment to 
 support general Greene. 
 
 The enemy advanced upon Springfield, at five in the morn 
 ing of the 23d of June. General Greene disputed every pass 
 valiantly; but obstinate bravery was constrained to yield to 
 superior numbers; general Greene retired to the high grounds, 
 and the enemy gained the town. Here the ravages of the 
 18* 
 
210 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Farms were renewed; Britannia played the savage again, and 
 Springfield smoked in ruins. 
 
 The commander-in-chie^ sensible of the worth and talents of 
 general Greene, returned the thanks of himself and his suffer 
 ing country, to him and the men under his command. But 
 this skirmish was not to pass off so lightly. The militia rallied 
 in considerable force, and drove the enemy to Staten Island, in 
 a precipatate retreat. 
 
 The marquis La Fayette, who had been to France on leave 
 of absence, now returned to head quarters. He had negotiated 
 for supplies from tho French government, and an armament 
 was soon to follow him. On the 10th of July, the armament 
 arrived at Newport, Rhode Island, consisting of two ships of 
 eighty guns, one of seventy-four, four of sixty-four, two fri 
 gates of forty, a cutter of twenty, an hospital ship, pierced for 
 sixty-four, one bomb-ship, and thirty-two transports, under the 
 command of the chevalier de Ternay. Also four old regiments 
 of land forces, together with the legion of de Lauzern, and a 
 battalion of artillery ; in the whole, about 6000, under the com 
 mand of lieut. general count de Rocliambeau. 
 
 General Heath received the count at his landing, and put 
 him and his troops in possession of the Island, where they were 
 handsomely accommodated. The general assembly, then in 
 session at Newport, by their special committee, presented the 
 count with a complimentary address; to which the count repli 
 ed, with assurances, that a much greater force would soon fol 
 low him, and that his whole powers would be devoted to the 
 service of the United States. 
 
 The French troops," added the count, "are under the 
 strictest discipline, and acting under the orders of general 
 Washington, will live with the Americans as brethren. I arn 
 highly sensible oftne marks of respect shewn me by the assem 
 bly, and beg leave to assure them, that as brethren, not only 
 my life, but the lives of the troops under my command, are de- 
 yotedto their service." 
 
 The marquis witnessed these respectful attentions to his 
 countrymen, and in honour to our French allies, Washington 
 directed in his general orders, that black and white cockades 
 should be worn as a compliment. 
 
 But the wants of the country were pressing, and congress 
 directed, that bills to the amount of twenty five thousand 
 pounds sterling should be drawn on Dr. Franklin, at the French 
 court ; and that bills to the same amount should be drawn on 
 John Jay, mii.ister at the court of Spain, and that the money 
 should be immediately applied to the use of the troops. 
 
 &ftqr the fall of Charleston, sir Henry committed the care of 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 211 
 
 the southern states to lord Cornwallis, at the head of four thou 
 sand men, and returned to New York. 
 
 The arrival cf the fleet under the chevalier Ternay, at 
 Rhode Island, gave admiral Arbuthnot considerable alarm. 
 His whole fores amounted to but four ships of the line. But 
 he was joined by admiral Graves, with six line of battle ships, 
 and felt himself secure from attack in New York. With this 
 reinforcement, sir Honry concerted an attack on the French 
 fleet at Newport, and immediately embarked eight thousand 
 troops. The fleet put into Huntington bay on Long Island. 
 The country was alarmed, and the militia turned out in force. 
 But general Washington made a diversion, by moving his whole 
 force down to Kingsbridge, and threatening New York. The 
 plan succeeded, and sir Henry returned to New York in haste. 
 In the south lord Cornwallis, having settled the government 
 of South Carolina; prepared to subdue the rebellious spirit of 
 the North Carolinians. This was seen by the Americans, and 
 general Gates, with his shadow of an army, moved across 
 Deep River, on the 27th of July, to watch the motions of the 
 enemy. On the 6th of August, he was joined by general Cas- 
 well, at the head of a fine body of North Carolina militia, who 
 were in good spirits, but under bad discipline ; and he encamp 
 ed at the Cross Roads, on his way to Camden. On the 13th, 
 he moved forward his army to Clermont, where he was joined 
 by brigadier-general Stevens, with about seven hundred Vir 
 ginia militia. An express also arrived, informing him that 
 colonel Sumpter would join him at Camden, with a detach 
 ment of South Carolina militia, and that an escort of clothing, 
 ammunition and stores, was on its way from Charleston to 
 Camden, for the use of the garrison posted there. 
 
 General Gates immediately detached lieutenant-colonel 
 Woodford, at the head of the Maryland line, consisting of one 
 hundred infantry, a company of artillery, with two brass field- 
 pieces, and about three hundred North Carolina militia to join 
 colonel Sumpter, reduce the forts, and intercept the convoy. 
 General Gates prepared to support colonel Sumpter with hia 
 whole force ; total about four thousand. 
 
 But Curnwallis had anticipated this movement, and entered 
 Camden the day previous, and an attack was meditated ongen- 
 earal Gates, in his camp at Clermont. Both generals put their 
 armies in motion early in the evening of the 15th, and their 
 advance parties met in the woods about 2 o clock in the morning 
 of the 16th; a conflict ensued, the Americans gave way in 
 some disorder, but they soon recovered, and a skirmishing con 
 tinued though the night. When morning appeared, both gen 
 erals made their dispositions to contest the field. An action 
 commenced ; the regular troops were firm, but the militia be- 
 
212 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 inor overpowered by the British bayonets, gave way, and dis 
 persed as they fled. The victory was complete, and the gene 
 ral and his regulars were abandoned to their fate. Several 
 parties of militia, who were advancing to join the army, turned 
 their arms against the fugitives, and thus completed the over 
 throw. The pursuit continued for more than twenty miles, 
 and the road was strewed with the fragments of this routed ar 
 my, together with the wounded, the dead and the dying. A 
 party of horse, supported by 200 infantry, at the distance of 
 more than eighty miles from the scene of acticn, upon the first 
 intelligence, abandoned their ground, and sought safety by 
 flight. 
 
 The brave baron De Kaib fell in this action, much and de 
 servedly lamented. He was at the head of the Maryland 
 troops, and second in command. Congress ordered that a 
 monument should be raised to his memory, at Annapolis. 
 
 The advantages of this victory were not great. The losses 
 and want of supplies in a sickly season, compelled Cornwallis to 
 return to Camden. 
 
 General Greene now arrived, and succeeded general Gates in 
 the command of the southern army. 
 
 The country still continued to suffer by the ravages of 
 Tarleton, who was detached at the "head of his cavalry to dis 
 lodge general Morgan from his position at the cowpens. 
 
 He commenced his operations with his usual impetuosity ; 
 traversed the country for several days, laying waste every 
 thing in his course, until he arrived at Morgan s position ; and 
 commenced an action with the same impetuosity ; the Ameri 
 cans were dislodged with some disorder, but they rallied to the 
 charge, and were victorious in their turn. Tarleton was de 
 feated, his army routed, his artillery and baggage taken, and 
 he with the mounted fugitives, fled to lord Cornwallis, January 
 7, 1781. 
 
 This defeat roused his lordship ; he comrnersred a pursuit,. 
 and the Americans retired. General Greene had the address to 
 harrass his lordship, and yet avoid a genera! action, until lie ar 
 rived at Guilford, near the confines of Virginia, where he made 
 a stand, and gave him battle. General Greene, with his little 
 army had hopes of success against his lordchip s pursuing for 
 ces, though greatly superior. The movements were well con 
 certed, and well executed, and the conflict wassharp and bloody ; 
 but the militia gave way, the regulars were overpowered, and 
 general Greene drew off his troops in good order, and took a 
 strong position. 
 
 The severity of the action occasioned his lordship to make a 
 retrograde movement, to recover his losses. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 213 
 
 Sir Henry had detached a fleet from New York, with fifteen 
 hundred troops on board, toco-operate with Cornwallis. The 
 troops were lauded in Chesapeake bay, and committed the 
 most alarming depredations. Ineffectual attempts were made 
 to dislodge them. A movement was now made by general 
 Greene towards South Carolina, which had become an ene 
 my s country. He boldly advanced, and gavo battle to lord 
 Rawdon, who was in the vicinty of Camden. A desperate con 
 test ensued, and victory was doubtful. Both withdrew from 
 the conflict, and left the field covered with the dead. Lord 
 Rawdon retired to Camden, and strengthened his position. 
 
 General Greene advanced, and by a desperate assault, was 
 on the point of carrying the strong fortress of Ninety Six, the 
 reduction of which would have recovered all South Carolina, 
 except Charleston. 
 
 At this critical moment, lord Rawden retired in person to 
 Charleston ; put himself at the head of 1700 fresh troops, then 
 arrived from Ireland, an J by forced marches, advanced to the re 
 lief of Ninety Six. The approach of his lordship, compelled 
 general Greene to abandon the assault, when engaged hand to 
 hand, with the enemy, and when victory was ready to decide in 
 his favor. The general drew off his army towards Camden in 
 good order, and his lordship pursued ; but general Greene elu 
 ded his lordship, by filing off towards Charleston and taking a 
 strong position upon the hills of Santee. Lord Rawdon re 
 tired to Charleston. 
 
 The war, during- these operations in the south raged in Vir 
 ginia, under the command of general Phillips, through the 
 month of April, and the ravages of the enemy exceeded all de 
 scription. At Petersburg they destroyed all the shipping and 
 about four hundred hogsheads of tobacco. At Osborn s Mills, 
 they took two ships and ten smaller vessels, laden with cord 
 age, flour, &c. Four ships and a number of smaller vessels 
 were burnt or sunk, besides many others, destroyed by the 
 Americans, to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy ; 
 together with about three thousand hogsheads of tobacco, 
 April 27. On the 30th, they penetrated to Manchester, and 
 destroyed 1200 hogsheads more, thence they proceeded to 
 Warwick, and laid waste the shipping, both in the river and on 
 the stocks, also extensive rope walks, tanneries, warehouses 
 and magazines of flour, mills, &c. in one general conflagration, 
 and then embarked on board their shipping. 
 
 The baron Steuben opposed this party, but his force was in 
 sufficient to make any serious impressions. The Marquis La Fay- 
 ette was detached with troops to succour the town, but such was 
 the state of the military funds, that when he arrived at Baltimore, 
 he was obliged to borrow two thousand guineas, on his owr 
 
2)4 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 responsibility, to enable him to proceed. On the strength of 
 this, he advanced to Richmond, where he joined the baron, with 
 the Virginia militia, and covered Richmond. Here he watch 
 ed the movements of the enemy, though too weak to check all 
 their operations. On the 9th of May general Phillips entered 
 Petersburg 1 , where he died on the 13th. 
 
 Of the sufferings of the southern army we may form some 
 estimate, by reading an extract of a letter from general 
 Greene to the Marquis : 
 
 " You may depend upon it, that nothing can equal the suf 
 ferings of our little army, but their merits. Let not the love 
 of fame get the better of your prudence, and plunge you into a 
 misfortune, in too eager a pursuit after glory. This is the 
 voice of n friend, not of a general." 
 
 Lord Cornwallis had advanced from Guilford to Wilmington, 
 and left general Greene in the rear. From Wilmington he ad 
 vanced to join general Phillips, in Petersburg. The general 
 was dead, but he found eighteen hundred troops, and being 
 thus reinforced, he advanced towards Richmond, in order to 
 dislodge the Marquis. Flushed by recent triumphs, in a letter 
 to sir Henry, he thus wrote" the boy cannot escape me." The 
 marquis did escape, however, and evacualed the place on the 
 27th. 
 
 On the 7th of June, general Wayne joined the marquis 
 with eight hundred of the Pennsylvania militia. While on the 
 march, however, supposing the main army of Cornwallis had 
 crossed the river James, he attacked what he supposed to be 
 the rear guard, when to his surprise, he found the general at 
 the head of the army, ready to receive him. Finding no time 
 was to be lost he advanced to the charge at the head of his 
 column in gallant style. The conflict was sharp, and availing 
 himself of his first impression, he hastily withdrew, leaving the 
 general as much astonished as he found him. He retreated in 
 good order, without pursuit, as Cornwallis probably concluded 
 that it was an ambuscade. His lordship retired in the night, 
 and marched to Portsmouth* 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Treason of Arnold Major Andre taken. 
 
 Immediately after the fall of Charleston, in May, sir Henrj 
 Clinton returned to New York, to commence the operations of 
 the season. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 About the middle of September, 1780, general Washington 
 retired from head quarters, (near New York) with his suite, 
 general Knox and the marquis La Fayette, to meet admiral 
 Ternay and count Rochambeau, at Hartford, (Connecticut) 
 agreeable to appointment ; and about the 21st, the parties met 
 accordingly. The avowed object of their conference was to 
 concert measures, for the reduction of New York. 
 
 In the midst of this conference, an express arrived from West 
 Point, on the Hudson, announcing the raitorous designs of gen 
 eral Arnold. The council was immediately closed ; the par 
 ties retired, and general Washington went to the relief of 
 West Point. On his arrival, he found the fortress dismantled, 
 the cannon dismounted, and that Arnold had fled and taken ref 
 uge on Board the British sloop of war, Vulture, then lying in 
 the river. 
 
 Whilst his excellency was employed in repairing the fortress, 
 a prisoner was announced, who proved to be the unfortunate 
 major Andre, who had volunteered his services to sir Henry 
 Clinton, to negotiate the treacherous design. His character 
 was that of a spy ; his fate was death ! Let us pas tn - this 
 distressing scene. The righteous sacrifice, greatly interested 
 the feelings, and touched the sympathy of every American 
 breast 
 
 The feelings of general Washington upon this eventful occa 
 sion, may be seen in the following extract from his private cor 
 respondence, of October 13th : 
 
 " In no instance since the commencement of the war, has 
 the interposition of divine providence, appeared more remarka 
 bly conspicuous, than in the rescue of the fort and garrison at- 
 \Vest Point. Andre h.a.s met his fafe, and with that fortitude 
 that was to have been expf?cted from an accomplished man, an i 
 a gallant officer ; but I am mislnken if Arnold is not undergoing 
 at this time, the torments of a mental Hell." 
 
 In the month of October, 1780, Sir Henry Clinton detached 
 general Arnold on a marauding- expedition, into Virginia, w uh 
 about 1600 men and a number of armed vessels ; lie laid waste 
 the country upon James river, in several predatory excursions, 
 until his progress was arrested by the appearance of the French 
 squadron from Newport. This fleet put an end to the ravages 
 of Arnold, by capturing and destroying a very considerable part 
 of his fleet ; and would have caused the destruction of -the 
 traitor, had not a British fleet appeared from New York, for 
 the relief of Arnold, and by a naval engagement oft* th-2 capes 
 of Virginia, with the French fleet, afforded him an opportunity 
 to escape to New York. Tne French returned to Newport. 
 
 On the 18th of December, the chevalier Charles Louis de 
 Ternay, Knight of St. John of Jerusalem, late governor of the 
 
216 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Isles of France and Bourbon, and commander of the French 
 squadron in the American seas, died in Newport, and was in 
 terred in Trinity church yard the next day, with military hon 
 ours. 
 
 The frequent changes in the army, owing to short enlist 
 ments ; the want of pay, clothing, provisions, &c. had repeat 
 edly distressed the army, and were at last accompanied with 
 the revolt of the Pennsylvania line, excepting three regiments. 
 In defiance of all the efforts of General Wayne and all the oth 
 er officers, they seized on six field pieces, "and took up their 
 march for Princeton, January, 1781. 
 
 Sir Henry Clinton, upon the first intelligence, made some im 
 portant movements from Staten Island, and sent spies at the 
 same time, to countenance and encourage the revolters. A 
 committee from congress, visited the mutineers at Princeton, 
 with liberal assurances, to persuade them to return to their du 
 ty ; but general Washington sent a strong force and compel 
 led them to return. A general arrangement was soon made (o 
 supply the armies, both with foreign and domestic aid and re 
 sources. 
 
 On the 14th of May, information was given to Washington, 
 that colonel Greene, with his whole detachment, had been cut 
 off by Delancy s troops, near Croton river, about forty miles 
 north of New York. Colonel Greene had been wounded and 
 captured, and was afterwards murdered, and major Flagg was 
 killed in his quarters. 
 
 About this period, general Washington wrote to the gover 
 nors of the northern states : 
 
 " On the calculations I have been able to form, io concert 
 with the most experienced French and American officers, the 
 operations in view, will require, in addition to the French ar 
 my, all the continental battalions from New Hampshire to N. 
 Jersey, to be completed." He afterwards added, " As we 
 cannot count upon their being full, and as a body of militia will 
 also be necessary, I have called upon several slates to hold 
 certain numbers in readiness, to move within one week of the 
 time I may require them." 
 
 These despatches were intercepted, and gave considerable 
 alarm to sir Henry, who renewed his exertions for the defence 
 of the city. 
 
 On the 14th of June, a junction was effected before New 
 York, between general Washington, and a body of fifteen hun 
 dred French troops lately arrived hi Boston. 
 
 On the 21st, genera! Washington wrote to the French Ad 
 miral at Newport, as follows : " I hope there will he no occa 
 sion fora movement, to the southward, for the want of force to 
 act against New York, as I flattered myself that the glory of 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 217 
 
 destroying the British squadron at New York, is reserved for 
 the king s fleet under your command, and that of the land for 
 ces, at the same place, for the allied ar.nies." 
 
 On the evening of the 18th, precisely at eight o clock, the 
 allied armies commenced a grand movement, and marched from 
 their encampments, down to New York, and at four the next 
 morning 1 , they were drawn up in order of battle, while general 
 Washington and count Rochatnbeau,\vith all the general officers 
 and engineers, reconnitred the enemy s works throughout 
 their whole line. The next day they renewed their reconnoi 
 tring, and in the afternoon, drew off their troops and returned 
 to their encampments. 
 
 These movements, together with the removal of the heavy 
 cannon and mortars, left at Boston in 1776, across the country 
 to North river, and down to the army before New York ; as 
 well ns the intercepted correspondence, confirmed sir Henry 
 Clinton in his fears, and led him to withdraw a very considera 
 ble force from lord Cornwallis, for the defence of New. York. 
 
 At this eventful moment, count de Grasse announced his ar 
 rival in the Chesapeake bav, with a fleet of twenty four ships of 
 the line, frigates, &c. The allied commanders forwarded as 
 surances that they would put their troops in immediate motion, 
 to co-operate with him. 
 
 Count de Grasse landed 3,300 troops, under the command of 
 the Marquis de St. Simon, to reinforce the Marquis La Fay- 
 ette. 
 
 Monsieur de Barras, at the same time, sailed from Newport 
 with the French squadron, to join count de Grasse. 
 
 General Washington committed the command of the forces 
 before New York, to general Heath, and put himself at the 
 head of the allied armies, and by a rapid movement, marched to 
 Philadelphia ; and thence to the head of the river Elk. 
 
 Sir Henry Clinton, in the mean time, despatched admiral 
 Graves in quest of count de Grasse. On the 5th of September- 
 he discovered the French fleet in Lynnhaven bay. At sight of 
 the English fleet, count de Grasse slipped his cables and put to 
 sea, and at 4 o clock un action commenced. The French were 
 victorious, and regained the bay ; but the English retired to 
 New York, to repair. 
 
 At this eventful moment, de Barras entered the Bay and 
 joined de Grasse, who sent up their transports to convey the 
 allied armies down the bay. The allied commanders, at the 
 same time, held an interview with the count de Grasse, on 
 board the Ville de Paris, to settle the plan of operations. 
 
 The allied armies, amounting to twelve thousand men, form 
 ed a junction with the marquis, while lord Cornwallis fortified 
 himself at Yorktown, in Virginia. The militia of Virginia 
 19 
 
213 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 took the field under governor Nelson, and the movement seemed 
 to portend some important results. 
 
 On the 27th of September, general Washington issued the 
 following orders. " If the enemy should be tempted to meet 
 the army on its march, the general particularly enjoins it upon 
 the troops to place their principal reliance upon the bayonet, 
 that they may prove the vanity of that boast which the British 
 make of their peculiar prowess, in deciding battles with that 
 weapon." 
 
 . The next morning, the whole army encamped about a mile from 
 York Town, and lay on their arms through the next night. At 
 the earnest solicitations of the commander in chief and the 
 marquis, count De Grasse moved with his fleet up to the mouth 
 of York river, and closely invested Cornwallis. 
 
 On the 6th of October, the trenches of the allies were opened 
 upon his lordship, at the distance of 600 yards. On the 9th, the 
 American line began to play upon York Town, with twenty 
 four, eighteen, and ten inch mortars, which continued through 
 the night. The next morning the French opened a destructive 
 fire from their batteries, without intermission, for about eight 
 hours ; and on the succeeding night a terrible fire was kept up 
 from the whole line, without intermission, until morning. The 
 horrors of this scene were greatly heightened by the conflagra 
 tion of two British ships, set on fire by the shells of the allies, 
 and consumed in the night. The next morning 1 , October 11th, 
 the allies opened their second parallel, at the distance of two 
 hundred yards, and another British ship was consumed by their 
 shells. 
 
 On the 14th, general Washington ordered two battalions to 
 advance to the second parallel and begin a large battery in the 
 centre, and in advance. The enemy met this movement with 
 an incessant fire from two redoubts, in advance of their works, 
 as well as from their whole line, that continued through the 
 night. 
 
 General Washington detached the marquis La Fayette in 
 the morning, at the head of the American light infantry, sup 
 ported by the baron Viominel, from the line of the French, to 
 advance and storm these redoubfs, which had so annoyed them 
 through the night. Lieutenant colonel Hamilton commanded 
 the von of the corps of the marquis La Fayette. The re 
 doubt was promptly carried by La Fayette at the point of the 
 bayonet ; but the captives were spared. The marquis sent his 
 aid", mnjor Harbour, through the whole line of the enemy s fire, 
 to notify the baron Viominel of his success, and inquire where 
 he was ; to which the baron replied, " I arn not in my redoubt, 
 but -shall be in five minutes ;" in five minutes his redoubt was 
 oarried. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 219 
 
 General Washington was highly gratified with the success of 
 this exploit, and commended the officers and soldiers engaged 
 in it, in the highest terms, in the following general orders : 
 
 " The marquis La Fayette s division will mount the trenches 
 to-morrow. The commander in chief congratulates the allied 
 army on the success of the enterprise, last evening, against the 
 two important redoubts on the left of the enemy s works. He 
 requests the baron Viominel, who commanded the French 
 grenadiers, and the marquis LaFayette, who commanded the 
 American light infantry, to accept his warmest acknowledge 
 ments for the excellence of their dispositions, and for their own 
 gallant conduct on the occasion. And ho begs them to present 
 his thanks to every individual officer, and to the men of their 
 respective commands, for the spirit and rapidity with which 
 they advanced to the points of attack assigned them, and for the 
 admirable firmness with which they supported them, under the 
 fire of the enemy, without returning a siiot. The general re 
 flects, with the highest pleasure, on the confidence which the 
 troops of the two nations must hereafter have in each other: 
 assured of mutual support, he is convinced there is no danger 
 which they will not cheerfully encounter ; no difficulty which 
 they will not bravely overcome." 
 
 On the morning 1 of the 16th, his lordship detached lieutenant 
 colonel Abercrombie at the head of four hundred men, upon a 
 sortie, to destroy two batteries, the allies had erected in the 
 night ; the enterprise succeeded, and he spiked the cannon. 
 The French suffered severely in the defence of these works ; 
 but the British gained no permanent advantage. On the af 
 ternoon of the same day, the allies opened their batteries, cov 
 ered with about one hundred pieces of heavy cannon, and such 
 was their destructive fire, that the British lines were soonde- 
 molished, and silenced. Alarmed for his safety, his lordship 
 now began to prepare to retire ; his boats were collected, and 
 a part of his army was embarked across to Gloucester point ; 
 opposite to York Town, then under the command of lieutenant 
 colonel Tarelton ; but a violent storm suddenly arose which de 
 feated the plan, and it was with the greatest difficulty that his 
 lordship could recover his boats, and restore the division. 
 
 His lordship now seeing that all hope of succour or escape 
 was vain, and that there was no alternative, to avoid the tre 
 mendous fire of the allies, but submission, requested a parley on 
 the Ittth, for twenty-four hours ; and that commissioners migiit 
 be appointed to arrange articles of capitulation. General 
 Washington consented, and commissioners were appointed ac 
 cordingly.* On the 19th, the articles were signed, and his 
 
 * The commissioners on the part of the allies were the Vicount de 
 Noailes, and lieutenant colonel Laurens, whose father had been sect 
 
t 
 
 220 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 lordship, with the whole British army, marched out prisoners 
 of war. The ships were the conquest of France. The same 
 terms were prescribed by the commissioners to lord Cornwal- 
 lis, that had been prescribed to general Lincoln at Charleston, 
 just eighteen months before; he was refused the honors of 
 war, and general Lincoln was deputed to receive the sword of 
 his lordship. Thus the mission of the marquis La Fayette to 
 France, in the \vinterofl779-80, was consummated by the fall 
 of the hrro of the south, at York Town. 
 
 The noble generosity of the French officers to those of the 
 British, after the capitulation, called forth the following ac 
 knowledgment of his lordship : 
 
 ;t The deliberate sensibility of the officers of his most chris- 
 tiaii majesty towards our situation ; their generous and pres 
 sing offers of money, both public and private, to any amount, 
 has really gone beyond what I can possibly describe." 
 
 Lord Cornwallis pressed hard for permission to embark the 
 British and German troops to Europe, under suitable engage 
 ments, not to serve during the war ; also that the torics might 
 be protected ; but both were refused. His lordship was, how 
 ever, indulged with the permission, that the Bonetta sloop of 
 war, might pass unsearched ; and many of the most obnoxious 
 lories escaped from the rage of their injured and insulted coun 
 trymen. 
 
 Seven thousand troops under the command of earl Cornwal 
 lis, with 1500 seamen, were the subjects of this convention ; 
 together with one frigate of twenty-four guns, besides trans 
 ports, (twenty of which had been sunk or otherwise destroyed-) 
 seventy-five brass, and sixty-nine iron ordnance, howitzers and 
 mortars. Also a military chest containing /2113,6s. sterling, 
 which, trifling as it was, could not fall to be acceptable to the 
 army. 
 
 His excellency, general Washington, closed this glorious 
 scene at Yorktown, by publishing to the army, both officers 
 and soldiers, in general orders, the grateful effusions of his 
 heart, and ordered the whole to be assembled in divisions and 
 brigades, to attend to divine service, and render thanks to that 
 God who had given them the victory. 
 
 Congress received the letter of general Washington, on the 
 24th, announcing the capture of the British army, with the most 
 cordial satisfaction, and immediately resolved to move in pro 
 cession at 2 o clock, to the Lutheran church, and return thanks 
 to Almighty God, for crowning with success, the allied arms 
 
 out by congress, as minister to the court of Versailles, and who was 
 captured on his passage, by the British, and confined iu the tower oC 
 London, where he then remained in close confinement. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 221 
 
 of America and France. Congress next resolved, that a proc 
 lamation be issued for the religious observance of the I3th of 
 December, then next, as a day of public thanksgiving and 
 prayer, throughout the United States. 
 
 Tiius joy, gratitude, and praise to God, were united, and be 
 came universal, and swelled with transports, every patriotic 
 breast, throughout United America. 
 
 Congress resolved, on the 29th, " That thanks be presented 
 to general Washington, count de Rochambeau, count de Grasse, 
 and the officers of the different corps, and the men under 
 their command, for their services, in the reduction of lord Corn- 
 wallis." 
 
 They next resolved, ** That a marble column be erected at 
 York Town, adorned with emblems commemorative of the al 
 liance between the United States and his most Christian ma 
 jesty ; anJ inscribed with a succinct account of the surrendry 
 of the British army." 
 
 Congress next resolved, " That two stands of colors be pre 
 sented to general Washington, and two pieces of ordnance be 
 by him presented to count de Rochambeau, as trophies of their 
 illustrious victory ; and that the chevalier de La Luzerne, be 
 requested to inform his most Christian majesty, that it was the 
 wish of congress, that count da Grasse might be permitted 
 to accept the same testimonials, with the count de Rocham 
 beau. 
 
 General Rochambeau, with his army, took up their winter 
 quarters in Virginia ; but the troops under the command of the 
 marquis de St. Simon, were embarked for the West Indies, 
 and the American troops returned to their former stations, ex 
 cepting such cavalry and infantry as were necessary to t?he ser 
 vice of general Greene ; these were sent forward in Novem 
 ber under the cornaiand of general St. Clair, to co-operate in 
 the southern war. 
 
 The French fleet, under the count de Grasse, sailed at the 
 same time, for the West Indies, and the operations of the sea 
 son were generally closed. 
 
 His excellency, general Washington, retired to Philadelphia, 
 to give repose to his mind, as well as to confer with congress 
 upon the future exigences ofthe nation. 
 
 One universal expression of grati ude and app ause, burst 
 forth from all par s of the country, to the allied heroes, who 
 fought under Washington, and triumphed over Britain. Min 
 isters at the altar, of all denominations, caught the sacred llarne, 
 and the temples of Almighty God, resounded with gratitude 
 a:i=l praise to Uis groat na;ne, throughout) United America. 
 
 On tli3 4th of November, congress bonore d the chevalier do 
 La Luzerne with iheir attendance at the Rjinan catholic chap- 
 19* 
 
222 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 el, where the following address was delivered by monsieur Je 
 Baiwirfe, chaplain to the French legation : 
 
 " Gentlemen A numerous people, assembled to render 
 thanks to Almighty God for his mercies, is one of the most af 
 fecting objects, and worthy the attention of the Supreme Be 
 ing. While camps resound with triumphal actions, whole na 
 tions rejoice in victory and glory, the most honorable office the 
 minister of the altar can fill, is, to be the organ by which pub 
 lic gratitude is conveyed to the Omnipotent. Those miracles 
 which he once wrought for his chosen people, are renewed in 
 our favor ; and it would be equally ungrateful and impious, not 
 to acknowledge, that the event which lately confounded our en 
 emies, and frustrated their designs, was the wonderful work of 
 that God, who guards our liberties. And who but He could 
 so combine the events that led to such success ? We have seen 
 our enemies push forward amidst perils almost innumerable, 
 amidst objects almost insurmountable, to the spot which was 
 designed to witness their disgrace ; yet they eagerly sought 
 it as the theatre of their triumph ! jplind as they were, they 
 bore hunger, thirst, and inclement skies ; poured out their blood 
 in battle against brave republicans, and crossed immense re 
 gions to confine themselves in another Jericho ; whose walls 
 were fated to fall down before another Joshua. It is He whose 
 voice commands the winds, the seas, and the seasons ; who form 
 ed a junction on the same day, and the same hour, between 
 a formidable fleet from the south, and an army rushing from the 
 north like an impetuous torrent. Who but He, in whose 
 hands are the hearts of men, could have inspired the allied 
 troops with the friendship, the confidence, the tenderness of 
 brothers ! How is it that two nations, once divided, jealous, 
 inimical, and nursed in reciprocal prejudices, are now become 
 so cordially united as to form but one ! Worldlings would say 
 it is the wisdom, the virtue, and moderation of our chiefs ; it is 
 a great national interest that has performed this prodigy. 
 They will say, that to the skill of the generals, to the courage 
 of the troops, to the activity of the whole army, we must attri 
 bute this splendid success. Ah ! they are ignorant that the 
 combining of so many fortunate circumstances, is an emana 
 tion from the All perfect Mind ; that courage, that skill, that 
 activity, bear the sacred impressions of Him who is divine 
 For how many favors have we not to thank Him during the 
 present year ? 
 
 Your union s which was at first supported by justice alone, 
 lias been consolidated by your courage, and the knot which 
 ties you hns become indissoluble, by the accession of all the 
 -tales, and the unanimous voice of all the confederates. You 
 present to the universe the noble sight of a society, which, 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 223 
 
 founded in equality and justice, secures to the individuals who 
 compose it, the utmost happiness that can be derived from hu 
 man institutions. This advantage, which so many other na 
 tions have been unable to procure, even after ages of effort 
 and misery, is granted by Divine Providence to the United 
 States ; and His adorable decrees have marked the present 
 moment for the completion of that memorable, happy revolu 
 tion, which has taken place in this extensive continent. 
 These large states are at once wrested from the foe. The ra 
 pacious soldier has been compelled to take refuge behind his 
 ramparts, and oppression has vanished like those phantoms 
 which are dispelled by the morning ray. On this solemn oc 
 casion we might renew our thanks to the God of battles, for 
 the success he has granted to your allies, and your friends, by 
 land and sea, through the other parts of the globe. But 
 let us not recall those events which too dearly prore how 
 much the hearts of our enemies have been obdurated. Let us 
 prostrate ourselves at the altar, and implore the God of mer 
 cy to suspend his vengeance, to spare them in his wrath, to 
 inspire them with sentiments of justice and moderation, to 
 terminate their obstinacy and error, and to ordain that your 
 victories be followed wi;h peace and tranquillity. Let us en 
 treat Him to continue to shed on the councils of the king, 
 your ally, that spirit of wisdom, of justice, and of courage, 
 which has rendered his reign so glorious. Let us beseech 
 Him to maintain in each of the states, that intelligence by 
 which the United States are inspired. Let us return Him 
 thanks, that a faction, whose rebellion he has corrected, and 
 now deprived of support, is annihilated. Let us offer Him 
 pure hearts, unsullied by private hatred, or public dissen 
 sion ; and let us with one voice, pour forth to the Lord that 
 hymn of praise, by which Christians celebrate their gratitude, 
 and His glory." 
 
 This signal and decisive victory over Cornwallis, blasted the 
 hope of the British government, as regarded the subjection of 
 the revolted colonies to their former allegiance. During near 
 ly three months after the 12th of December, 1781, motions 
 were frequently made in Parliament for closing hostile opera 
 tions against this country. On the 4th of March, 1782, the 
 commons resolved, " That the house would consider as enemies 
 to his majesty and to the country, all those who should advise, 
 or attempt the further prosecution of offensive war, on the 
 continent of North America." As one earnest of the sincerity 
 of this resolution the command of the British forces was taken 
 from Sir Henry Clinton, arid given to sir Guy Carleton, who 
 was directed to advance the wishes of the British government, 
 for an accommodation with the United States. 
 
224 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Agreeable to his instructions, Sir Guy proposed a corres 
 pondence with Congress, and solicited of the commander in 
 chief, a passport for his secretary. This was however refused, 
 as the United States had stipulated not to negotiate without 
 the consent of the French government. 
 
 As soon as information of the capture of Cornvvallis was re 
 ceived at the French court, the government proposed to Con 
 gress the immediate appointment of commissioners to treat 
 of peace. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and 
 Henry Laurens, were accordingly chosen. These were "met by 
 Mr. Fitzherbert and Mr. Oswald, at Paris, on the part of Great 
 Britain. Provisional articles were signed on the 30th of No 
 vember, 1782, and the definitive treaty was concluded in Sep 
 tember following. 
 
 On the 18th of April, general Washington announced the 
 cessation of hostilities between the two countries, in the fol 
 lowing- general orders. 
 
 " The Commander in Chief orders the cessation of hostili 
 ties, between the United States of America and the King of 
 Great Britain, to be publicly proclaimed tomorrow at twelve 
 o clock, at the New Building; arid the proclamation which will 
 be communicated herewith, be read tomorrow evening, at the 
 head of every regiment and corps of the army ; after which, 
 the chaplains, with the several brigades, will render thanks to 
 Almighty God for all his mercies, particularly for his overru 
 ling the wrath of man to his own glory, and causing the rage 
 of war to cease airong the nations." 
 
 " The Commander in Chief, far from endeavoring to stifle 
 the feeling of joy in his own bosorn, offers his most cordial con 
 gratulations on the occasion, to all the officers of every denom 
 ination to all the troops of the United States in general, and 
 in particular to those gallant and persevering men who had re 
 solved to defend the rights of their invaded country so long as 
 the war should continue ; for these are the men who ougiit to 
 be considered as the pride and boast of the American army, 
 and who, crowned with well-earned laurels, may soon withdraw 
 from the field of glory, to the more tranquil walks of civil 
 life. 
 
 * c While the general recollects the almost infinite variety of 
 ecenes through which we have passed with a mixture of pleas- 
 sure, astonishment, and gratitude while he contemplates the 
 prospects before us with rapture, he cannot, help wishing that 
 :ill the brave men, of whatever condition tiiey may be, vvbo 
 have shared in the toils and dangers of effecting this glorious 
 revolution, of rescuing millions from the hand of oppression, 
 and of laying the foundation of a great empire, might be im 
 pressed with a proper idea of the dignified part they have been 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 called to act, under the smiles of Providence, on the stage of 
 human affairs; for happy, thrice happy, shall they be pronoua- 
 ced hereafter, who have contributed any thing, who have per 
 formed the meanest office in erecting this stupendous fabric of 
 Freedom and Empire, on the broad basis of independency ; 
 who have assisted in protecting the rights of human nature, 
 and establishing an asylum for the poor and oppressed of all na 
 tions and religions. 
 
 "The glorious task for which we first flew to arms, being 
 thus accomplished, the liberties of our country being fully ac 
 knowledged and firmly secured, by the smiles of Heaven on 
 the purity of our cause, and the honest exertions of a feeble 
 people, determined to be free, against a powerful nation dis 
 posed to oppress them ; and the character of those who have 
 persevered through every extremity of hardship, suffering, and 
 danger, beinsr immortalized by the illustrious appellation of 
 the Patriot Army, nothing now remains but for the actors of 
 this mighty scene to preserve a perfect, unvarying consistency 
 of character through the very last act ; to close the drama 
 with . applause ; and to retire from the military theatre with 
 the same approbation of angel ~ and men, which have crowned 
 all their former virtuous actions. 
 
 " For this purpose, no disorder or licentiousness must be 
 tolerated; every considerate and well disposed soldier must 
 remember it will be absolutely necessary to wait with patience, 
 till peace shall be declared, or Congress shall be enabled to 
 take proper measures for the security of the public stores, fec. 
 So soon as these arrangements shall be made, the general is 
 confident there will be no delay in discharging, with every 
 mark of distinction and honour, all the men enlisted for the 
 war, who will then have faitftfully performed their engage 
 ments with the public. The general has already interested 
 himself in their behalf; and he thinks he need not repeat the 
 assurances of his disposition to be useful to them on the pre 
 sent, and erery other proper occasion. In the mean time, he 
 is determined that no military neglects or excesses shall go un 
 punished, while he retains the command of the army. 
 
 "The adjutant general will have such working parties de 
 tailed to assist in making the preparation for a general re 
 joicing as the chief engineer, with the army, shall call for ; 
 and the quarter master general will also furnish such materials 
 as he may want. The quarter master general will, without 
 delay, procure such a number of discharges to be printed as 
 will be sufficient for all the men enlisted for the war; he will 
 please to apply to head quarters for the form. 
 
 " An extra ration of liquor to be issued to every man tomor- 
 
 
 
226 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 row>, to drink perpetual peace, independence and happiness to 
 the United States of America" 
 
 It is not a little remarkable, that these general orders of the 
 commander-in-chief were read to the army, just eight years 
 from the battle of Lexington. The farewell orders of the 
 general were issued to the army on the 2d of November, from 
 which the following is a selection. 
 
 " A contemplation of the complete attainment, at a period 
 earlier than could have been expected, of the object for which 
 we contended, against so formidable a power, cannot but in 
 spire us with astonishment and gratitude. The disadvantage 
 ous circumstances on our part, under which the war was 
 undertaken, can never be forgotten. The signal interpositions 
 of Providence, in our feeble condition, were such as could 
 scarcely escape the attention of the most unobserving; while 
 the unparalleled perseverance of the armies of the United 
 States, through almost every possible suffering and discourage 
 ment, for the space of eight long years, was little short of a 
 standing miracle/ His closing words are, " and being now to 
 conclude these his last public orders, to take his ultimate leave 
 in a short time, of the military character, and to bid adieu to 
 the armies he has so long had the honour to command, he can 
 only again offer in their behalf his recommendations to their 
 grateful country, and his prayers to the God of armies. May 
 ample justice be.done them here, and may the choicest of Hea 
 ven s favours both here and hereafter attend those, who, under 
 the divine auspices have secured innumerable blessings for 
 others ! With these wishes, and this benediction, the Com 
 mander-in-chief is about to retire from service. The curtaia 
 of separation will soon be drawn, and the military scene to him 
 will be forever closed." 
 
 The army was now disbanded by the proclamation of con 
 gress, of which Dr. Thacher gives the following sketch, with 
 the parting scene between General Washington and his 
 officers. 
 
 Painful indeed was the parting scene, no description can be 
 adequate to the tragic exhibition. Both officers and soldiers, 
 long unaccustomed to the affairs of private life, turned loose 
 on the world to starve and to become a prey to vulture specula 
 tors. Never can that melancholy day be forgotten when 
 friends, companions for seven long years in joy, and in sorrow, 
 were torn asunder, without the hope of ever meeting again, 
 and with prospects of a miserable subsistence in future. 
 Among other incidents peculiarly affecting on this occasion, 
 were the lamentations of women and children, earnestly en 
 treating that those with whom they had been connected in the 
 character of husband and father, would not withdraw from 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 227 
 
 them the hand of kindness and protection, and leave them in 
 despair; but in several instances the reply was, no, " we took 
 you as companions during the tear, and now we are destitute of 
 the means of support, and you must provide for yourselves. 
 
 November 25th. The British army evacuated New York, 
 and the American troops under General Knox, took possession 
 of the city. Soon after. General Washington and Governor 
 Clinton, with their suite, made their public entry into the city 
 on horseback, followed by the lieutenant governor and the 
 members of council, for the temporary government of the 
 southern district, four abreast. General Knox and the officers 
 of the army, eight abreast ; citizens on horseback, eight 
 abreast the speaker of the assembly and citizens on foot, eight 
 abreast. The governor gave a public dinner, at which the 
 Commander-in-chief, and other general officers were present. 
 The arrangements for the whole business were so well made 
 and executed, that the most admirable tranquillity succeeded 
 through the day and night. On Monday the governor gave an 
 elegant entertainment to the French ambassador, the Chevalier 
 de la Luzerne ; General Washington, the principal officers of 
 New York state, and of the army, and upwards of a hundred 
 gentlemen were present. Magnificent fireworks, infinitely ex 
 ceeding every thing of the kind before seen in the United 
 States, were exhibited at the Bowling Green in Broadway, on 
 the evening of Tuesday, in celebration of the definitive treaty 
 of peace. They commenced by a dove descending with ths 
 olive branch, and setting fire to a.marron battery. On Tuesday 
 noon, December 4th, the principal officers of the army assem 
 bled at Francis tavern, to take a final leave of their much lov 
 ed Commander in Chief. Soon after his Excellency entered 
 the room. His emotions were too strong to be concealed. 
 Filling a glass, he turned to them and said, " With a heart full 
 of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most de 
 voutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and 
 happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable. 1 
 Having drank, he added, " I cannot come to each of you to 
 lake my leave, but shall be obliged to you, if each of you will 
 come and take me by the hund." General Knox being nearest, 
 turned to him. Incapable of utterance, Washington, in tears, 
 grasped his hand, embraced and kissed him. In the same af 
 fectionate manner he took leave of each succeeding- tfricer. la 
 every eye was the tear of dignified sensibility; and not n 
 word was articulated to interrupt the eloquent silence, and 
 tenderness of the scene. Leaving the room, he passed through 
 the corps of light infantry, and walked to White Hall, where 
 a barge waited to convey him to Paulus Hook. The whole 
 company followed in mute and solemn procession, with deject- 
 
UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 ed countenances, testifying feelings of delicious melancholy, 
 which no language can describe. Having entered the barge, 
 he turned to the company, and waving his hat, bade them a 
 silent adieu. They paid him the same affectionate compliment, 
 and after the barge had left them, returned in the same solemn 
 manner to the place where they had assembled. The passions 
 of human nature were never more tenderly agitated than in 
 this interesting and distressful scene." 
 
 Congress was now in session at Annapolis, to whom, on the 
 23d of December, the commander in chief resigned h ; s com 
 mission. " The governor, couRcil and legislature of Maryland, 
 several general officers, the consul general of France, and nu 
 merous citizens of Annapolis were present. Congress were 
 seated and covered, as representatives of the sovereignty ot 
 the union ; the spectators were uncovered and standing. The 
 general was introduced, to a chair by the secretary, who, after 
 a decent interval ordered silence. A short pause eneued, when 
 the honorable Thomas Mifflin, the president, informed the ge 
 neral that "the United States in Congress assembled were 
 prepared to receive his communications." On which he rose 
 with dignity and delivered this address. 
 
 41 Mr. President, The great events on \vhich my resignation 
 depended, having at length taken place, I now have the honour 
 of offering my sincere congratulations to Congress, and of pre 
 senting myself before them, to surrender into their hands, the 
 trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring 
 from the service of my country. 
 
 " Happy in the confirmation of our independence and sove 
 reignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United 
 States, of becoming a respectable nation, I resign with satis 
 faction the appointment I accepted with diffidence; a diffidence 
 in my abilities, to accomplish so arduous a task, vvnich, how 
 ever, was superseded, by a confidence in the rectitude of our 
 cause, the support of the supreme power of the union, and 
 the patronage of Heaven. 
 
 " The successful termination of the war has verified the 
 most sanguine expectations, my gratitude for the interposi 
 tions of Providence, and the assistance I have received from 
 my countrymen, increase with every review of the momentous 
 contest. 
 
 "While I respect my obligations to the army in general, 1 
 should do injustice to my own feelings, not to acknowledge in 
 this place, the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the 
 persons, who have been attached to my person during the war. 
 It was impossible the choice of confidential officers, to compose 
 my family, should have been more fortunate. Permit me, Sir, 
 to reccmn:end in particular, those who have continued in the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 229 
 
 lervice to the present moment, as worthy of the favorable no 
 tice and patronage of Congress. 
 
 " I consider it as an indispensable duty to close this last 
 solemn act of my official life, by commending the interests of 
 our dearest country, to the protection of Almighty God, and 
 those who have the superintendence of them to his holy keep 
 ing. 
 
 " Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from 
 the great theatre of action; and, bidding an affectionate fare 
 well to this august body, under whose orders I have long acted, 
 I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the em 
 ployments of public life." 
 
 This address being ended, General Washington advanced 
 and delivered his commission into the hands of the President 
 of Congress, who replied as follows. 
 
 "The United States in Congress assembled, receive with 
 emotions too affecting for utterance, the solemn resignation of 
 the authorities under which you have led their troops with suc 
 cess, through a perilous and doubtful war. 
 
 " Called on by your country to defend its invaded rights, yon 
 accepted the sacred charge before it had formed alliances, and 
 whilst it was without friend:? or a government to support you. 
 
 " You have conducted the great military contest with wisdom 
 and fortitude, invariably regarding the rights of the civil power, 
 through all disasters and changes. You have by the love and 
 confidence of your fellow citizens, enabled them to display 
 their martial genius, and transmit their fame to posterity ; you 
 have persevered till these United States, aided by a magnani 
 mous king and nation, have been enabled under a just Provi 
 dence, to close the war io safety, freedom, and independence ; 
 on which happy event, we sincerely join you in congratula 
 tions. 
 
 " Having defended the standard of liberty in this new world : 
 having taught a lesson useful to those who inflict, and to those 
 who feel oppression, you retire from the great theatre of ac 
 tion, with the blessings of your fellow citizens ; but the glory 
 ef your virtues will not terminte with your military command", 
 it will continue to animate remotest ages. We feel with you, 
 our obligations to the army in general, and will particularly 
 charge ourselves, with the interest of those confidential officers , 
 who have attended your person to this affecting moment. 
 
 "We join you in commending the interests of our dearest 
 country to the protection of Almighty God, beseeching him to 
 dispose the hearts and minds of its citizens to improve the op 
 portunity afforded them of becoming a happy and respectable 
 nation ; and for you we address to Him our earnest prayers, 
 that a life so beloved, may be fostered with all his care: that 
 20 
 
230 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 your days may be happy, as they have been illustrious, and that 
 he will finally give you that reward, which this world cannot 
 give." 
 
 Thus did the United States, after passing- through scenes of 
 blood and suffering, at (he sacrifice of more than seventy thou 
 sand lives, and much treasure, maintain by the sword the de 
 claration of her sages in council, who dared to proclaim her 
 independence. The amount of national debt created by the 
 struggle was less than forty-five millions of dollars. Great 
 Britain lost two large armies, besides thousands killed and 
 taken in different engagements; her empire was dismembered, 
 and the increase of her debt by the conflict, was more than 
 five hundred million of dollars. 
 
 It has already been stated in the history, that a messenger 
 arrived while general Washington was in consultation with the 
 French officers at Hartford, and that the council was dissolved, 
 and Washington went to West Point. The following state 
 ment is taken from the Appendix to the Military Journal of 
 Dr. Thacher, and may be correct. 
 
 "Arnold was apprised that General Washington, being on 
 his return from a journey to Hartford, intended to visit him that 
 day, and he was momentarily expected ; accordingly his Ex 
 cellency arrived soon after Arnold had absconded, and not find 
 ing him at bis quarters he passed over the river to West Point, 
 to view the works, and with the expectation of finding him at 
 his post, but being disappointed he returned to Arnold s quar 
 ters, where he still found that no one coultl account for his 
 absence. But in a few hours despatches arrived fVum Colonel 
 Jameson announcing the capture of Major Andre, and this 
 was accompanied by his own letter of confession. The mys 
 terious affair was now developed. Arnold"^ treason and elope 
 ment admitted at once of explanation. An officer was im 
 mediately sent to our fort at Verplank s Point with orders to 
 fire at Arnold s barge, but it was too late, she had already 
 reached the Vulture." 
 
 Since the revolutionary part of our history was compiled, 
 we have discovered the following, of which we before had no 
 distinct recollection. It is copied from the Military Journal of 
 Dr. Thacher, and deserves a place in every history of the 
 country. It is certainly astonishing, that while nearly every 
 child has heard of the sympathy which was expressed for 
 major Andre, the very existence of Captain Hale has nearly 
 been forgotten. Is it indeed a fact, that " republics are al 
 ways ungrateful ?" 
 
 ft is with the highest degree of satisfaction, that I am ena 
 bled to copy the following interesting narrative, vouched by 
 Major General Hull, of Newton, from Hannah Adams History 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 231 
 
 of New England. Let the reader draw the striking contrast 
 between the conduct of the royalists and the Americans, on 
 an occasion where the duties of humanity and benevolence, 
 were equally and imperiously demanded. 
 
 " The retreat of General Washington, left the British in 
 complete possession of Long Island. 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 Washington ap 
 plied to Colonel Knowlton, who commanded a regiment of light 
 infantry, which formed the van of the American army, and de 
 sired him to adopt some mode of gaining the necessary infor 
 mation. Colonel Knowlton communicated this request to Cap 
 tain Hale, of Connecticut, who was then a captain in his regi 
 ment. 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 volun 
 teer for this hazardous service. He passed in disguise to Long 
 Island, examined every part of the British army, and obtained 
 the best possible information respecting their situation and 
 future operations. 
 
 " In his attempt to return, he was apprehended, carried be 
 fore Sir William Howe, and the proof of his object was so 
 clear, that he frankly acknowledged who he was, and what were 
 his views. 
 
 " Sir William Ho.we at once gave an order-to the provost 
 marshal to execute him the next morning. 
 
 " The order was accordingly executed in a most unfeeUng 
 manner, and by as great a savage as ever disgraced humanity. 
 A clergyman, whose attendance he desired, was refused him; 
 a bible for a moment s devotion was not procured, though he 
 requested it. Letters, which on the morning of his execution, 
 he wrote to his mother, and other friends, were destroyed; and 
 this very extraordinary reason given by the provost marshal, 
 that the rebels should not know that they had a man in their 
 army, who could die with so much firmness. 
 
 "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 America could boast, with this as his dying 
 observation, that he only lamented he had but one life to lose 
 for his country. How superior to the dying words of Andre. 
 Though the manner of his execution will ever be abhorred by 
 every friend to humanity and religion, yet there cannot be a 
 question but that the sentence was conformable to the rules of 
 war, and the practice of nations in similar cases. 
 
 It is, however, a justice due to the character of Captain 
 Hale, to observe, that his motives for engaging in this service 
 
232 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF - 
 
 were entirely different from those which generally influence 
 others in similar circumstances. * Neither expectation of pro 
 motion nor pecuniary reward, induced him to this attempt. A 
 sense of duty, a hope that he might in this way be useful to his 
 country, and an opinion which he had adopted, that every kind 
 of service necessary to the public good, became honourable by 
 being necessary, were the great motives which induced him to 
 engage in an enterprize, by which his connexions lost a most 
 amiable friend, and his country one of its most promising sup 
 porters. 
 
 * The fate of this unfortunate young man excites the most 
 interesting reflections. 
 
 " To see such a character, in the flower of youth, cheerfully 
 treading in the most hazardous paths, influenced by the purest 
 intentions, and only emulous to do good to his country, without 
 the imputation of a crime, fall a victim to policy, must have 
 been wounding to the feelings even of his enemies. 
 
 " Should a comparison be drawn between Major Andre and 
 Captain Hale, injustice would be done to the latter, should he 
 not be placed on an equal ground with the former. Whilst 
 almost every historian of the American Revolution, has cele 
 brated the virtues and lamented the fate of Andre, Hale has re 
 mained unnoticed, and it is scarcely Known that such a character 
 ever existed. 
 
 " To the memory of Andre, his country has erected the moet 
 magnificent monuments, and bestowed on his family the highest 
 honours and most liberal rewards. To the memory of Hale 
 not a stone has been erected, nor an inscription to preserve hia 
 ashes from insult."* 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Events and anecdotes of the Revolution. 
 
 Perhaps no event which affected merely the life of an indi 
 vidual, during the revolution, more generally touched the sym 
 pathies of Europeans and Americans, than that of which cap 
 tain Asgill was the hero. 
 
 On the 24th of March, 1782, captain Joshua Huddy, of New 
 Jersey, was taken prisoner, by a party of refugees. On the 
 12th of April, he was taken to the Jersey shore, and hung on 
 
 * In the autumn of 1821, the remains of Major Andre were d.i*-, 
 interred, and transported to England. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 233 
 
 & tree, by order of captain LippincoU, without even the sem 
 blance of a trial. By a label affixed to his breast, the refuges 
 signified that it was an act of retaliation, on account of the 
 death of one Phiiip While, whom they asserted to have been 
 murdered, after being; taken prisoner. It was shown, how 
 ever, that the death of White happened after captain Huddy 
 was prisoner in New- York, and that he was killed, on the 
 second escape from his captors, and being ordered to surrender, 
 which he refused. A memorial was presented to general 
 AVashington, stating the atrocity of the murder of captain 
 Huddy. Washington addressed sir Henry Clinton on the sub 
 ject, who ordered a court martial on Lippincott, who was re 
 turned not guilty. General Washington demanded, that Lip 
 pincott should be given up, and threatened retaliation, in case 
 he should not be delivered up to the Americans. 
 
 The commander in chief represented the business to con 
 gress, and his conduct was unanimously approved. 
 
 Soon after the murder of Huddy, the commanders of brigades 
 and regiments, were ordered to assemble at the quarters of 
 general Heath, to decide on the following questions: 1st. shall 
 resort be had to retaliation for the murder of captain Huddy? 
 2d. On whom shall it be inflicted : 3d. How shall the victim 
 be designated? The answer was to be given in writing, seal 
 ed, and without conversation on the subject. The first was 
 answered affirmatively, and unanimously. The victim was to 
 be of equal rank, and the name selected by lot. The painful 
 alternative was adopted, and, the names of British captains in 
 captivity were collected, an impartial lot taken, which fell on 
 captain Asgill, of the British guards. He was of a noble fami 
 ly in England, only son of his parents, and but nineteen years 
 old. The distress of Washington was poignant and visible, 
 but he was firm and inflexible. Every attention was paid to 
 his feelings, and every facility granted him to communicate 
 with sir Guy Carleton, who succeeded sir Henry Clinton, in 
 the command at New York. He was put on his parole at 
 Morristown, and permitted to ride within a few miles of the 
 British lines. 
 
 In the mean time, his unfortunate situation became a very 
 genera] topic of discoure and interest in England. The king 
 of England ordered that the cjlprit, Lippincott, should be 
 given up to the Americans, and the States of Holland solicied 
 for the liberation of the amiable young Asgill. 
 
 Sir Henry Clinton and his successor, both lamented the fate 
 of Huddy ; but as the act was committed by order of the board 
 of associated loyalists, they considered Lippincott as acting un 
 der superior authority, and therefore not liable. 
 20* 
 
534 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 On the 7th of October, the commander in chief expressed 
 his private opinion to the secretary of war, that captain Asgill 
 ihould be liberated. 
 
 The intelligence of the fate which threatened captain Asgill 
 had reached his parents. The father was languishing with a 
 mortal sickness. His mother, was a mother still. Already had 
 he procured an order fretn the king, which should release her 
 ion ; but the order was not obeyed. She wrote to the count 
 de Vergennes, and she did not write in vain. Here follows 
 the letter, which those who have hearts of marble may pas* 
 over in silence it was not intended for them. 
 
 Letter from. Lady Asgill, to the Comte de Vergennet. 
 
 " SIR, If the politeness of the French court will permit a 
 tranger to address it, it cannot be doubted but that she who 
 unites in herself all the more delicate sensations with which an 
 kidivideal can be penetrated, will be received favorably by a 
 nobleman, who reflects honor not only on his nation, but on 
 human nature. The subject on which I implore your assistance, 
 is too heart rending to be dwelt on ; most probably, the public 
 report of it has already reached you ; this relieves me from the 
 burthen of so mournful a duty. My son, my only son, dear to 
 me as he is brave, amiable as he is beloved, only nineteen years 
 of age, a prisoner of war, in consequence of the capitulation of 
 Yorktown, is at present confined in America as an object of 
 reprisal. Shall the innocent, share the fate of the guilty ? 
 Figure to yourself, Sir, the situation of a family in these cir 
 cumstances. Surrounded as I am with objects of distress, 
 bowed down by fear and grief, words are wanting to express 
 what I feel, and to paint such a scene of misery : my husband 
 given over by his physicians some hours before the arrival of 
 this news, not in a condition to be informed of it ; my daughter 
 attacked by a fever, accompanied witb delirium ; speaking of 
 her brother in tones of wildness, and without an interral of 
 reason, unless it be to listen to some circumstances which may 
 console her heart. Let your sensibility, Sir, paint to you my 
 profound, my inexpressible misery, and plead in my favour; a 
 word, a word from you, like a voice from Heaven, would libc- 
 . rate us from desolation, from the last degree of misfortune. I 
 know how far General Washington reveres your character. 
 Tell him only that you wish my son restored to liberty, and he 
 will restore him to his despond ing family ; he will restore him 
 to happiness. The virtue and courage of my son will justify 
 this act of clemency. His honour, Sir, led him to America; 
 he was born to abundance, to independence, and to the hap 
 piest prospects. Permit me, once more to entreat the inter 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 535 
 
 ference of your high influence in favour of innocence, and in 
 the cause of justice and humanity. Despatch, Sir, a letter 
 from France to General Washington, and favour me with a 
 copy of it, that it may be transmitted from hence. I feel the 
 whole weight of the liberty taken in presenting this request ; 
 but I feel confident, whether granted or not, that you will 
 pity the distresses by which it was suggested ; your humanity 
 will drop a tear on my fault, and blot it out forever. 
 
 " May that Heaven which I implore, grant that you may 
 never need the consolation which you have it in your power to 
 bestow OQ THERESA ASGILL." 
 
 This letter was presented to the king and queen of France 
 they were much affected, and through him requested the liber 
 ation of the hitherto unfortunate captaiu Asgill. The request 
 was accompanied b\ the letter of Mrs. Asgill, and the request 
 was granted. Washington communicated the letters to eon- 
 jrress, and on the 7th of November it was resolved that captain 
 Asgill should be set at liberty. The resolution was transmit 
 ted to the unhappy youth, with a passport for New York. A 
 letter from Washington to him closes as follows : 
 
 " I cannot take leave of you, Sir, without assuring you, that 
 in whatever light my agency in this unpleasant affair may be 
 viewed, I was never influenced through the whole of it, by 
 sanguinary motives, but by what I conceived to be a sense of 
 my duty, which loudly called on me to take measures, however 
 disagreeable, to prevent a repetition of those enormities which 
 have been the subject of discussion. And that this important 
 rnd is likely to be answered without the effusion of the blood 
 of an innocent, person is not a greater relief to you than it is, 
 Sir, to your most obedient humble Servant, 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
 
 What were the feelings of one whoso life had so long been 
 in jeopardy or the feelings of a much loved and worthy 
 mother, or that of a sister, almost frantic at the news of his 
 being confined by way of reprisal, is left for those to express 
 who can find language. The letter of thanks written to the 
 count de Vergennes, is a production which needs no comment. 
 Like the former, it came from the heart, and will reach the 
 heart. 
 
 Second letter of Lady Asgill to the Comte de Vergtnnet. 
 
 " SIR, Exhausted by long suffering, overpowered by an ex- 
 eess of unexpected happiness, confined to my bed by weakness 
 and languor, bent to the earth by what I have undergone, my 
 
538 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 of Massaehuselts, he had liberty to write. His wife and ths 
 young lady, her companion, paid him a visit, and a hint was 
 given him to take care of himself. The meaning of this waa 
 rot understood, until major Benjamin Burton was made his fel 
 low prisoner. By him he learned, that orders had been given 
 by Sir Henry Clinton, to convey them to England for trial, 
 They then determined to escape. 
 
 On account of the oiders from head quarters, they were de 
 nied the customary civility of a parole, and were closely and 
 fathfully guarded. The walls of the fortiess were twenty feet 
 high,*surrounded by a ditch, at the bottom of which was a che- 
 vaux-Je-frieze. The guard house was constantly watched, 
 and the prospect of escape was a forlorn hope. They deter 
 mined however to attempt- it, and they finally succeeded. 
 
 Their room vvas railed by boards. Their intention was to 
 cut off one of these, pass through, and let themselves down into 
 an entry by a blanket. But a gimblet was necessary, and one 
 was procured for a dollar. With this they worked cautiously 
 and silently, and in three weeks their labours were nearly 
 completed. 
 
 The night of the 18th of June vvas dark and stormy, and they 
 had no time to lose. Having extinguished their lights, they 
 began to cut the corners of the board, and in iess than an hour 
 the intended opening was completed. The noise which the 
 operation occasioned was drowned by the rain falling on the 
 roof. Major Burton first ascended to the ceiling, and pressed 
 himself through the opening. General Wadsworth next, hav 
 ing put the corner of his blanket through the hole and made it 
 fast by a strong wooden skewer, attempted to make his way 
 through, standing on a chair below, but it vvas with extreme 
 difficulty that he at length effected it, and reached the middle 
 entry. From this he passed through the door which he found 
 open, and made his way to the wall of the fort and had to en 
 counter the greatest difficulty before he could ascend to the 
 lop. He had now to creep along the top of the fort between 
 the sentry boxes at the very moment when the relief was shift 
 ing sentinels, but the falling of the heavy rain kept the senti 
 nels within their boxes, and favoured his escape. Having now 
 fastened his blanket round a picket at the top, he let himself 
 down through the chevaux de frize to the ground, and in a man 
 ner astonishing to himself made his way into the open field. 
 Here he was obliged to grope his way among the rocks, stumps 
 and brush in the darkness of night, till he reached the cove, 
 happily the tide had ebbed and enabled him to cross the water 
 about "a mile in breadth and not more than three feet deep. 
 About two o clock in the morning General Wadsworth found 
 himself a mile anda half from the fort, and he proceeded through. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 239 
 
 a thick wood and brush to the Penobscot river, and after pas 
 sing some distance along the shore, being seven miles from the 
 fort, to his unspeakable joy he saw his friend Burton advancing 
 towards him. Major Burton had been obliged to encounter in 
 his course equal difficulties with his companion, and such were 
 the incredible perils, dangers and obstructions, which they sur 
 mounted, that their escape may be considered almost miracu- 
 lou s. It was no\v necessary they should cross the Penob?cot 
 river, and fortunately they discovered a canoe with oars on 
 the shore suited to their purpose. While on the river they 
 discovered a barge with a party of British from the fort in pur 
 suit of them, but by taking an oblique course, and plying their 
 oars to the utmost, they happily eluded the eyes of their pursu 
 ers and arrived safe on the western shore. After having wan 
 dered in the wilderness for several days and nights, exposed to 
 extreme fatigue and cold, and with no other food than a little 
 dry bread and meat, which they brought in their pockets from 
 the fori, they reached the .settlements on the river St. George, 
 and no further difficulties attended their return to their respec 
 tive families. 
 
 Adventurers vf Sergeant JMajor Champe. 
 
 After the capture and conviction of major Andre as a spy, 
 general Washington conceived the project of capturing nreneral 
 Amoki, then in New York, and releasing Andre. He sent for 
 major Lee to his quarters, to consult with him on the subject, 
 and procure a man for the dangerous enterpiise. 
 
 " I have sent for you," said general Washington, " in the ex 
 pectation that you have some one in your corps, who is willing 
 undertake a delicate and hazardous project. Whoever 
 comes forward will confer great obligations upon me personal 
 ly, and, in behalf of the United States, I will reward him amply. 
 No time is to be lost ; he must proceed, if possible, to night- 
 1 intend to seize Arnold, and save Andre." 
 
 Major Lee named a sergeant major of his corps, by (he name 
 of Champe a native of Virginia, a rnan full of bone and mus 
 cle with a countenance grave, thoughtful, and taciturn of 
 tried courage, and inflexible perseverance. 
 
 Champe \va<? sent for fey major Lee, and the plan proposed. 
 This was for him to desert to escape to New York to ap 
 pear friendly to the enemy to watch Arnold, and, upon some 
 fit opportunity, with the assistance of some one whom Champe 
 could trust, to seize him, and conduct him to a place oo the 
 river, appointed, where boats should be in readiness to bear 
 them away. 
 
UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 of Massachuselts, he had liberty to write. His wife and th& 
 young lady, her companion, paid him a visit, and a hint was 
 given him to take care of himself. The meaning of this was 
 not understood, until major Benjamin Burton was made his fel 
 low prisoner. By him he learned, that orders had been given 
 by Sir Henry Clinton, to convey them to England for trial, 
 They then determined to escape. 
 
 On account of the oiders from head quarters, they were de 
 nied the sustomary civility of a parole, and were closely and 
 fathfully guarded. The walls of the fortiess were twenty feet 
 high,;snriounded by a ditch, at the bottom of which was a che- 
 vaux c e-frieze. The guard house was constantly watched, 
 and the prospect of escape was a forlorn hope. They deter 
 mined however to attempt- it, and they finally succeeded. 
 
 Their room was railed by boards. Their intention was to 
 cut off one of these, pass through, and let themselves down into 
 an entry by a blanket. But a gimblet was necessary, and one 
 was procured for a dollar. With this they worked cautiously 
 and silently, and in three weeks their labours were nearly 
 completed. 
 
 The night of the 18th of June was dark and stormy, and they 
 had no time to lose. Having extinguished their lights, they 
 began to cut the corners of the board, and in iess than an hour 
 the intended opening was completed. The noise which the 
 operation occasioned was drowned by the rain falling on the 
 roof. Major Burton first ascended to the ceiling, and pressed 
 himself through the opening. General Wadsworth next, hav 
 ing put the corner of his blanket through the hole and made it 
 fast by a strong- wooden skewer, attempted to make his way 
 through, standing on a chair below, but it was with extreme 
 difficulty that he at length effected it, and reached the middle 
 entry. From this he passed through the door which he found 
 open, and made his way to the wall of the fort and had to en 
 counter the greatest difficulty before he could ascend to the 
 top. He had now to creep along the top of the fort between 
 the sentry boxes at. the very moment when the relief was shift 
 ing sentinels, but the falling of the heavy rain kept the senti 
 nels within their boxes, arid favoured his escape. Having now 
 fastened his blanket round a picket at the top, he let himself 
 down through the chevaux de frize to the ground, and in a man 
 ner astonishing to himself made his way into the open field. 
 Here he was obliged to grope his way among the rocks, stumps 
 and brush in the darkness of night, till he reached the cove, 
 happily the tide had ebbed and enabled him to cross the water 
 about a mile in breadth and not more than three feet deep. 
 About two o clock in the morning General Wadsworth found 
 himself a mile and a half from the fort,andhe proceeded through 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 239 
 
 a thick wood and brush to the Penobscot river, and after pas 
 sing some distance along 1 the shore, being seven miles from the 
 fort, to his unspeakable joy lie saw his friend Burton advancing 
 towards him. Major Burton had been obliged to encounter in 
 his course equal difficulties with his companion, and such were 
 the incredible perils, dangers and obstructions, which they sur 
 mounted, that their escape may be considered almost miracu- 
 lou s. It was now necessary they should cross the Penobscot 
 river, and fortunately they discovered a canoe with oars on 
 the shore suited to their purpose. While on the river they 
 discovered a barge with a party of British from the fort in pur 
 suit of them, but by taking an oblique course, and plying their 
 oars to the utmost, they happily eluded (he eyes of their pursu 
 ers and arrived safe on the western shore. After having wan 
 dered in the wilderness for several days and nights, exposed t.o 
 extreme fatigue and cold, and with no other food than a little 
 dry bread and meat, which they brought in their pockets from 
 the forf, they reached the .settlements on the river St. George, 
 and no further difficulties attended their return to their respec 
 tive families. 
 
 Adventurers of Sergeant Jfajor Chctmpe. 
 
 After the capture and conviction of major Andre as a spy, 
 general Washington conceived the project of capturing general 
 Arnokl, then in New York, and releasing Andre. He sent for 
 major Lee to his quarters, to consult wilh him on the subject, 
 and procure a man for the dangerous enterprise. 
 
 " I have sent for you," said general Washington, " in the ex 
 pectation that you have some one in your corps, who is willing 
 undertake" a delicate and hazardous project. Whoever 
 comes forward will confer great obligations upon me personal 
 ly, and, in behalf of the United States, I will reward him amply. 
 No time is to be lost ; he must proceed, if possible, to night. 
 I intend to seize Arnold, and save Andre." 
 
 Major Lee named a sergeant major of his corps, by (he name 
 of Champe a native of Virginia, a man full of bone and mus 
 cle with a countenance grave, thoughtful, and taciturn of 
 tried courage, and inflexible perseverance. 
 
 Champe was sent tor fey mnjor Lee, and the plan proposed. 
 This was for him to desert to escape to New York to ap 
 pear friendly to the enemy to watch Arnold, and, upon some 
 fit opportunity, with the assistance of some one whom Champe 
 could trust, to seize him, and conduct him to a place on the 
 river, appointed, where boats should be in readiness to bear 
 them away. 
 
40 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Champe listened to the plan attentively but, with the spirit 
 of a man of honour and integrity, replied " that it was not 
 danger nor difficulty, that deterred him from immediately ac 
 cepting the proposal, but the ignominy of desertion, and the hy 
 pocrisy of enlisting with the enemy ! " 
 
 To these objections. Lee replied, that although he would ap 
 pear to desert, yet as he obeyed the call of his commander in 
 chief, his departure could not be considered as criminal, and 
 that, if he suffered in reputation, for a time, the matter would 
 one day be exp lained to his credit. As to the second objection, 
 it was urged, that to bring such a man as Arnold to justiue 
 loaded with guilt as he was and to save Audre so young so 
 accomplished so beloved to achieve so much good in the 
 cause of his country was more than sufficient to balance a 
 wrong, existing only in appearance. 
 
 The objections of Champe were at length surmounted, and 
 he accepted the service. It was now eleven o clock at night. 
 With his instructions in his pocket, the sergeant returned to 
 camp, and, taking his cloak, valice, and orderly book, drew his 
 horse from the picket, and mounted, putting himself upon for 
 tune. 
 
 Scarcely had half an hour elapsed, before Capt. Carnes, the 
 officer of the day, waited upon Lee, who was vainly attempting 
 to rest, and informed him, that one of the patrol had fallen 
 in with a dragoon, who, being challenged, put spurs to his 
 horse and escaped. Lee, hoping to conceal the flight of Champe, 
 or at least to delay pursuit, complained of fatigue, and told 
 the captain that the patrol had probably mistaken a country 
 man for a dragoon. Carnes, however, was not thus to be 
 quieted ; and he withdrew to assemble his corps. On exam 
 ination, it was found that Champe was absent. The captain 
 now returned, and acquainted Lee with the discovery, adding 
 that he had detached a party to pursue the deserter, and beg 
 ged the major s written orders. 
 
 After making as much delay as practicable, without exciting 
 suspicion. Lee delivers his orders in which he directed the 
 party to ta ke Champe if possible. " Bring him alive," said he, 
 " that he may suffer in the presence of the army ; but kill him 
 if he resists, or if ne escapes after being taken." 
 
 A shower of rain fell soon after Champe s departure, which 
 enabled the p srsuing 1 dragoons to take the trail of his horse, his 
 shoes, in common with those of the horses of the army, being 
 made in a peculiar form, and each having a private mark, which 
 was to be seen in the path. 
 
 Middleton, the lender of the pursuing party, left the camp a 
 few minutes past twelve, so that Champe had the start of but 
 little more than an hour a period by for shorter than had 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 241 
 
 been contemplated. During the night, the dragoons were of- 
 icu delayed in the necessary halts to examine the road ; but, on 
 the coining of morning, the impression of the horse s shoes was 
 so apparent, that they pressed on with rapidity. Some miles 
 above Bergen, a village three miles north of New York, on the 
 opposite side of the Hudson, on ascending a hill, Champe was 
 descried, not more than half a mile distant. Fortunately, 
 Champe descried his pursuers, at the snme moment, and, con 
 jecturing their object, put spurs to his horse, with the hope cf 
 escape. 
 
 By taking a different road, Champe was, for a time, lust 
 sight of but, on approaching the river, he was again descried, 
 A ware of his danger, he now lathed his valice, containing his 
 clothes and orderly hook, to his shoulders, and prepared him 
 self to plunge into the river, if necessary. Swift was his flight, 
 and swift the pursuit. MidJleion and his party were within a 
 few hundred yards, when Champe threw himself from his horse 
 and plunged info the river, calling aloud upon some British gal 
 leys, at, no great distance, for help. A boat was instantly des 
 patched to the scigeant s assistance, and a fire commenced 
 upon the pursuers. Champe was taken on board, and soon af 
 ter carried to New York, with a letter from the captain of the 
 galley, stating the past scene, all of which he had witnessed. 
 
 The pursuers having recovered the sergeant s horse and 
 cloak, returned to camp, where they arrived about three o clock 
 the next day. On their appearance with the \vell known horse, 
 the soldiers made the air resound with the acclamations that 
 the scoundrel was killed. The agony of Lee, for a moment, 
 was past description, lest the faithful, honourable, intrepid 
 Champe had fallen. But the truth soot: relieved his fears, and 
 he repaired to Washington to impart to him the success, t. 
 far of his plan. 
 
 Soon after the arrival of Champe in New Y ork, he was sent 
 to Sir Henry Clinton, who treated him kindly, but detained 
 him more than an hour in a^-king him questions, to answer 
 some of which, without exciting suspicion, required all the art 
 the sergeant was master of. He succeeded, however, nnfi Sir 
 Henry gave him a couple of guineas, and recommended him to 
 Arnold, who was wishing to procure American recruits. Ar 
 nold received him kindly, and proposed to him to join his le 
 gion ; Charnpe, however, expressed his wu=h to retire from 
 war ; Int assured the general, that if he thculd change his 
 mind, he would enlist. 
 
 Champe found means to communicate to Lee an account of 
 
 his adventures; but, unfortunately, he could not succeed in 
 
 taking Arnold, as was wished, before the execution of Andre. 
 
 Ten days before Champe brought his project to a concilia. n, 
 
 21 
 
242 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 Lee received from him his final communication, appointing the 
 third subsequent night for a party of dragoons to meet him at 
 Hoboken, opposite New York, when he hoped to deliver Ar 
 nold to the officers. 
 
 Champe had enlisted into Arnold s legion, from which lime 
 he had every opportunity he could wish, to attend to the habits 
 of the general. Ho discovered that it was his custom to return 
 home about twelve every night, and that, previously to going 
 to bed, he always visited the garden. During this visit, the 
 conspirators were to seize him, and, being prepared with a gag, 
 they were to apply the same instantly. 
 
 Adjoining the house in which Arnold resided, and in which 
 it was designed to seize and gag him, Champe had taken off 
 several of the palings and replaced them, so that with ease, 
 and without noise, he could readily open his way to the adjoin 
 ing alley. Into this alley he intended to convey his prisoner, 
 aided by his companion, one of two associates, who had been 
 introduced by (he friend, to wh@m Champe had been originally 
 made known by letter from the commander in chief, and with 
 whose aid and counsel, he had so far conducted the enterprise. 
 His other associate was with the boat, prepared at one of the 
 wharves on the Hudson river, to receive the party. 
 
 Champe and his friend intended to place themselves each un 
 der Arnold s shoulder, and thus to bear him through the most 
 unfrequented alleys and streets to the boat, representing Ar 
 nold, in case of being questioned, as a drunken soldier, whom 
 they were conveying Jo the guard-house. 
 
 When arrived at the boat, the difficulties would be all sur 
 mounted, there being no danger nor obstacle in passing to the 
 Jersey shore. These particulars, as soon as made known to 
 Lee, were communicated to the commander in chief, who was 
 highly gratified with the much desired intelligence. He de 
 sired Major Lee to meet Champe, and to take care that Ar 
 nold should not be hurt. 
 
 The day arrived, and Lee, with a party of accoutred horses, 
 (one for Arnold, one for the sergeant, and the third for his as 
 sociate, who was to assist in securing Arnold,) left the camp, 
 never doubting the success of the enterprise, from the tenor 
 of the last received communication. The party reached Hobo- 
 ken about midnight, where they were concealed in the adjoin 
 ing wood Lee, with three dragoons, stationing himself near 
 the shore of the river. Hour after hour passed, but no boat 
 approached. 
 
 At length the dav broke, and the major retired to his party, 
 and, with his 1-ed horses, returned to the camp, when he pro 
 ceeded to head quarters to inform the general of the much la 
 mented disappointment, as mortifying, asinexplicable. Wash- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 243 
 
 ington, having perused Champe s plan and communication, had 
 indulged he presumplion, that, at length, the object of his keen 
 and constant pursuit was sure of execution, and did not dis 
 semble the joy which such a conviction produced. He was 
 chagrined at the issue, and apprehended that his faithful ser 
 geant must have been detected in the last scene of his tedious 
 and difficult enterprise. 
 
 In a few days, Lee received an anonymous letter from 
 Champe s patron and friend, informing him, that on the day 
 preceding the night fixed for the execution of the plot, Arnold 
 had removed his quarters to another part of the town, to super 
 intend the embarkation of troops, preparing as was rumored, 
 for an expedition to be directed by himself; and that the Ame 
 rican legion, consisting chiefly of American deserters, had been 
 transferred from their barracks to one of the transports, it be 
 ing apprehended that if left on shore, until the expedition wag 
 ready, many of them might desert. 
 
 Thus it happened that John Champe, instead of crossing the 
 Hudson that night, was safely deposited on board one of the 
 fleet of transports, from whence he never departed, until the 
 troops under Arnold landed in Virginia. Nor was he able to 
 escape from the British army, until after the junction of Lord 
 Cornwallis at Petersburg, when he deserted : and proceeding 
 high np into Virginia, he passed into North Carolina, near the 
 Saura towns, and, keeping in the friendly districts of that State, 
 safelyjoined tiie army soon after it had passed the Congaree, in 
 pursuit of LordRawdon. 
 
 His appearance excited extreme surprise among his former 
 comrades, which was not a little increased, when they saw the 
 cordial reception lie met with from the late major, now Lieu 
 tenant Col. Lee. His whole story was soon known to the corps, 
 which re-produced the love and respect of officers and soldiers, 
 heretofore invariably entertained for the sergeant, heightened 
 by universal admiration of his late daring and arduous attempt. 
 
 Champe was introduced to general Greene, who very cheer 
 fully complied with the promise made by the commander in 
 chief, so far as in his power ; and having- provided the sergeant 
 with a good horse and money for his journey, sent him to 
 general Washington, who munificently anticipated every de 
 sire of the sergeant, and presented him with a discharge from 
 further service, lest he might, in the vicissitudes of war, fall 
 into the hands of the enemy, when, if recognized, he was sure 
 to die on a gibbet. 
 
 We shall only add, respecting the after life of this interest 
 ing adventurer, that, when general Washington was called by 
 President Adams, in 1793, to the command of the army, pre 
 pared to defend the country, against French hostility, he sent 
 
244 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 to Lieutenant Col. Lee, to inquire for Charnpe; being deter 
 mined to bring him into the field at the head of a company of 
 infantry. Lee sent to London county, Virginia, where Champ* 
 settled afier hte discharge from the army ; when he learned 
 that the gallant soldier had removed to Kentucky, where lie 
 soon after died. 
 
 Colonel John White s adventure. 
 
 While the siege of Savannah was pending, one of the most 
 extraordinary enterprises ever related in history, one, indeed, 
 which nothing, but the respectability of the testimony, could 
 have prevented our considering as marvellous, occurred. It 
 was an enterprise conceived and executed by colonel John 
 White of the Georgia line. A captain French, of Delancey s 
 first battalion, was posted with one hundred men, British regu 
 lars, on the Ogeechee river, about twenty-fire miles from Sa 
 vannah. There lay also at the same place five armed vessels, 
 the largest mounting fourteen guns, and having on board al 
 together forty -one men. Colonel White, with captain Etholm, 
 three soldiers, and his own servant, approached this post, on 
 the evening of the 30th of September, kindled a number of fires, 
 arranging them in the manner of a large camp, and summoned 
 French to surrender, he and his comrades in the mean time 
 riding about in various directions, and giving orders in a loud 
 Toice, as if performing 1 the duties of the staff, to a large army. 
 French, not doubting the reality of what he saw, and anxious 
 to spare the effusion of blood, which a contest with a force so 
 superior would produce, surrendered the .whole detachment,, 
 together with the crews of the five vessels, amounting in all to 
 one hundred and forty-one men, and one hundred and thirty 
 stands of arms! 
 
 Colonel White had still, however, a very difficult game to 
 play ; it was necessary to keep up the delusion of captain 
 French, until the prisoners should be secured ; and with this 
 view, he pretended that the animosity of his troops was so un 
 governable, that a little stratagem would be necessary to save 
 the prisoners from their fury, and that he should therefore com 
 mit them to the care of three guides, with orders to conduct 
 them to a place of safety. With many thanks for the colonel s 
 humanity, French accepted the proposition, and marched off 
 at a quick pace, under the direction of three guides, fearful, at 
 every step, that the rage of White s trooops would burst upon- 
 them in defiance of his humane attempts to restrain them. 
 White, as soon as they were out of sight, employed himself in 
 collecting the militia of the neighbourhood, with, whom he over- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 245 
 
 took his prisoners, and they were conducted in safety for twenty 
 five miles, to an American fort. 
 
 General Putnam s adventure. 
 
 General Putnam, who had heen stationed with a respectable 
 force at Reading, in Connecricut, then on a visit to his out-post, 
 at Horse Neck was attacked by Governor Tryon, with one 
 thousand five hundred men. Putnam had only a picket of one 
 hundred and fifty men, and two field pieces, without horses or 
 drag ropes. He however placed his cannon on the high ground 
 near the meeting house, and continued to pour in upon the ad 
 vancing foe, until the enemy s horse appeared upon a charge. 
 The general now ha.siily ordered his men to retreat to a neigh- 
 houring swamp, inaccessible to horse, while he himself put 
 spurs to his steed, and plunged down the precipice at the 
 church. 
 
 This is so steep, as to have artificial stairs, composed of 
 nearly one hundred stone steps, for the accommodation of wor- 
 ehippers ascending- to the sanctuary. On the arrival of the 
 dragoons at the brow of the hill, they paused, thinking it too 
 dangerous to follow the steps of the adventurous hero. Before 
 any could go round the hill and descend, Putnam had escaped, 
 uninjured by the many balls which were fired at him in his de 
 scent ; but one touched him, and that only passed through his 
 hat. He proceeded to Stamford, wiiere, having strengthened his 
 picket with some militia, he boldly faced about aud pursued 
 governor Tryon on his return. 
 
 Notwithstanding- the known bravery, good conduct, and ex 
 cellent character of general Putnam, in the spring of 1818, 
 an account of the battle of Bunker s Hill was published in the 
 Port Folio, animadverting on his conduct in the affair, with 
 much severity. The author was major general Henry Dear 
 born, and his statements were viewed with amazement. They 
 were answered by colonel Daniel Putnam, the son of the gene 
 ral, and triumphantly refuted by a mass of able documents and 
 certificate? from distinguished gentlemen who were in that tre 
 mendous conflict. Why this attack was made on the posthu 
 mous fame of an officer of such celebrity, does not appear. 
 At the tima the impression went abroad, that general Dearborn 
 wished to raise his own fame, which was at a low ebb. on the 
 ruins of another. But they are both at rest with their fathers. 
 Peace to thei^ ashes. 
 
 The following- Eulogiutn was pronounced at the grave cl 
 General Putnam by Dr. A. Waldo. 
 21* 
 
346 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 * Those venerable relics ! once defoghted in the endearing 
 domestic virtues which constitute the excellent neighbor, 
 husband, parent and worthy brother! liberal and substan 
 tial in his friendship ; unsuspicious open, and generous ; 
 just and sincere in dealing ; a benevolent citizen of the world 
 he concentrated in his bosom the noble qualities of an Honest 
 Man. 
 
 " Born a Hero whom nature taught and cherished in the 
 lap of innumerable toils and dangers, he was terrible in battle ! 
 But, from the amiablencss of his heart when carnage ceased, 
 his humanity spread over the fold, like the refreshing zephyrs 
 of a summer s evening ! The prisoner the wounded the 
 sick the forlorn experienced the delicate sympathy of this 
 Sto/dier s Pillar. The poor and the needy of every descrip 
 tion, received the charitable bounties of tfiis Christian Soldier. 
 
 Vk He pitied liltlenesss loved goodness admired greatness, 
 and ever aspired to its glorious summit ! The friend, the ser 
 vant, and ajmost unparalleled lover of his country; worn with 
 honorable age, and the former toils of tear Putnam rests from 
 his labors ! 
 
 u Till mouldering worlds and trembling systems burst ! 
 When the last trump shall renovate his dust 
 Still by the mandate of eternel truth, 
 His soul will flourish in immortal youth ! " 
 
 " This all who knew him, know ; this all who lov d him tell." 
 Colonel John Crane 
 
 Was an officer of much merit, and a complete master of the art 
 of gunnery . He commanded at the breast work on Boston neck, 
 with great effect, and frequently dismounted the cannon in the 
 embrasures of the British works. After the evacuation of 
 Boston, he marched to New York, where he frequently annoyed 
 the British shipping, in passing up the rivers. 
 
 On a particular occasion, a British frigate run up the East 
 river and anchored on the Long Island side, near Corlaer s 
 hook. Four field pieces were ordered to annoy her. They 
 irere only six pounders. Crane, as usual, was present and 
 pointed the. pieces. His sight was remarkably true, his aim 
 was sure. He had from habit and the acutenessof his vision, 
 the faculty of seeing a cannon ball on its passage through the 
 air. A falling shot from the ship he kenned in a direction to 
 nrike, us he thought, the lower part of his body, not having 
 time to change his position in any other way, he whirled him- 
 elf round on one foot, the ball struck the other foot while raised 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 347 
 
 in the air, carrying away the great toe and ball of the foot. 
 Thus ended his usefulness for the campaign. He was after- 
 w.irds removed to New Jersey, and surviving the perils of a 
 partial Jock, jaw so far recovered as to go home on furlough. 
 He returned the next spring and continued in service till the 
 peace. 
 
 Jlajor General Thomas Conway, and his duel with 
 General Cadwallader. 
 
 By birth, general Conway was an Irishman, but was carried 
 to France while young. He came from that country in 1777, 
 with proper recommendations ; and was created brigadier- 
 general. He was afterwards made inspector general, with the 
 rank of major-general, but other brigadiers remonstrated, and 
 he never undertook the duties of an inspector. His hostility 
 to Washington was obvious, and his attempt to raise general 
 Gates to the office of Commander-in-chief, gave him an un 
 pleasant notoriety. General Cadwallader, of Pennsylvania, 
 indignant at the a tenjpt to vilify the character of Washington, 
 resolved to avenge himself on the aggressor, in personal com 
 bat. In Major Garden s Anecdotes of the Revolutionary 
 War, &c. we have the following detailed particulars of the 
 duel. " The parties having declared themselves ready, the 
 word was given to proceed. General Conway immediately 
 raised his pistol and fired with great composure, but without 
 effect. General Cadwallader was about to do so, when a sud 
 den gust of wind occurring, he kept his pistol down and re 
 mained tranquil. " Why do you not fire, General Cadwalla 
 der ?" exclaimed Conway. "Because," replied general Cad 
 wallader, " we came not here to trifle. Let the gale pass, and 
 I shall act my part." "You shall have a fair chance of per 
 forming it well," rejoined Conway, and immediately presented 
 a full front. General Cadwallader fired, and his ball entered 
 the mouth of his antagonist, who fell directly forward on his 
 face. Colonel Morgan, running to his assistance, found the 
 blood spouting from behind his neck, and lifting up the ciub of 
 hig hair, saw the ball drop from it. It had passed through his 
 head, greatly to the derangement of his tongue and teeth, but 
 did not inflict a mortal wound. As soon as the blood was suf 
 ficiently washed away to allow him to speak. General Conway, 
 tu.ning to his opponent, said good humoredly, " You fire, gene 
 ral, with much deliberation, and certainly with a great deal of 
 effect." The calls of honour being satisfied, all animosity sub 
 sided, and they parted free from all resentment. General 
 Conway, conceiving his wound to be mortal, and believing 
 death to be near, acted honorably, in addressing to General 
 
248 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Washington, whom he had perfidiously slandered, the following 
 letter of apology. 
 
 Philadelphia, February 23d, 1778. 
 SIR, 
 
 I find myself just able to hold my pen during a few mi 
 nutes, and take this opportunity of expressing my sincere grief, 
 for having done, written, or said any thing disagreeable to 
 your Excellency. My career will soon be over, therefore jus- 
 tics and truth prompt me to declare my last sentiments. You 
 are in my eyes the great and good man. May you long enjoy 
 the love, esteem and veneration of these states, whose liberties 
 you have asserted, by your virtues. 
 
 I am, with the greatest rnspect, 
 
 Your Excellency s 
 Most obedient and humble servant, 
 
 THS. COINWAY- 
 
 Frederick Wlllidm Augustus B.iron de Sleubcn. 
 
 This gentleman was a Prussian officer, aid to the great 
 Frederick, and lieutenant-general in the army. In 1777, he 
 presented his credentials to congress, and offered to serve as a 
 volunteer under the United Stales. By this devotion of him 
 self to the cause of liberty an honorable and the lucrative sta 
 tion was relinquished, and congress voted him thanks for his 
 zeal and tender of service. He was a pupil of the king of 
 Prussia, an able disciplinarian and tactician, and was soon ap 
 pointed inspector general, with the title of major general. He 
 was equally respected as an officer, and beloved as well bred 
 and humane. 
 
 While reviewing a troop of light horse, the name of Arnold 
 struck his ear. The soldier was ordered to the front, he was 
 a fine looking- fellow, his horse and equipments in excellent or 
 der. " Change your name, brother soldier, you are too res 
 pectable to bear the name of a traitor." " What name shall I 
 take, general?" " Take any other name, mine is at your ser 
 vice." Most cheerfully was the offer accepied, and his nann- 
 was entered on the roll as Steuben. He or his children now 
 enjoy land given to him in the town of Steuben by the Baron. 
 This brave soldier met him after the war. " I aui well settled, 
 general," said he, " and have a wife and son, I have called my 
 son after you, Sir." " 1 thank you, my friend, what name 
 have you given the boy?" " I called him Baron, what else 
 could I call him?" 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 249 
 
 A ludicrous circumstance happened while he commanded in 
 Virginia, which shows the firmness of his character, and hia 
 detestation of deception. A colonel of militia brought him a 
 recruit, a mere boy, whose stature had been increased by 
 something put in his shoes. After patting the child s head, 
 and asking his age, he turnod to (he colonel "Sir," said he, 
 " you must have supposed me to be a rascal." " O ! no, Baron, 
 1 did not. "Then, Sir, I suppose you to be a rascal, an in 
 famous rascal, thus to attempt to cheat your country. Ser 
 geant, take off this fellow s spurs, and place him in the ranks, 
 that we may have a man able to serve instead of an infant 
 whom he would basely have made his substitute ! Go, my boy, 
 take the colonel s spurs and horse to his wife; make tny com 
 pliments, and say, her husband has gone to fight for the freedom 
 of his county, as an honest man should do, and instantly 
 ordered platoons ! to tne right, wheel ! forward inarch ! 
 
 The generou?, the noble feelings of the Baron kept him 
 always poor. His was a heart too sensitive to see the wants 
 of either officer or soldier, without doing his duty towards their 
 relief. He and others were often invited to the tables of the 
 French officers, a compliment he was often unable to return. 
 But finally he could stand it no longer. On of his people 
 was ordered to sell his silver forks and spoons, saying, " it is 
 not republican to eat with silver forks, and it is the part of a 
 gentleman to pay his debts. They shall have one good dinner, 
 if I eat my soup with a wooden spoon forever after." 
 
 At a review near Morristown, some fault was committed, 
 which led him to arrest lieutenaHt Gibbons, who was ordered 
 to the rear. At a proper moment, the commander of the re 
 giment came forward and informed the Baron of Mr. Gibbon s 
 innocence, of his worth, and of his acue feelings under this 
 unmerited disgrace. " Desire Lieutenant Gibbons to come to 
 the front, colonel." " Sir, 1 said the Baron, to the young gen 
 tleman, " the fault which was made, by throwing the line into 
 confusion, might, in the presence of an enemy, have been fatal. 
 I arrested you as its supposed author, but 1 have reason to be 
 lieve that I was mistaken, and that in this instance you were 
 blameless; I ask your pardon; return to your command 1 
 would not deal unjustly by any, much less by one whose char- 
 actor as an officer is so respectable." All this passed with the 
 Baron s hat off, the rain pournj on his venerable head ! Do 
 you think there was an officer, a soldier who saw it, unmoved 
 by affection and respect? Not one." 
 
 Among the numerous annecdotes which show the kindness 
 of his nature, is one which we ought not to omit. It is related 
 in Thacher s Journal, and is as follows : 
 
250 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 " A black man, with wounds unhealed, wept on the wharf 
 (for it was at Newburgh where this tragedy was acting) there 
 was a vessel in the stream, bound to the place where he once 
 had friends. He had not a dollar to pay his passage, and he 
 could not walk. Unused to tears, I saw them trickle down 
 this good man s cheeks as he put into the hands of the black 
 man the last dollar he possessed. The negro hailed the sloop, 
 and cried, God Almighty bless you, master Baron ! 
 
 After peace, New Jersey gave him a small improved farm, 
 and New York a tract of land in Oneida county, of sixteen 
 thousand acres ; and congress, through the influence of Ha 
 milton and Washington, granted him twenty-five hundred 
 dollars yearly, for life. Of his land, about one tenth was given 
 to his aids and servants, and the remainder was parcelled out 
 to twenty or thirty tenants; on easy terms. He died in 1795, 
 aged sixty-five years. 
 
 Captain Houdin, or Udang. 
 
 Among the ludicrous aneedotes which are told of revolu 
 tionary timps, one relating to captain Houdin, is particularly 
 mirthful. He was a Frenchman of singular manners, features, 
 and general appearance. On a return from Boston, in 1780, 
 he relaled some incidents that occurred to him, which have 
 frequently been repeated to aid in festive mirth. Some wag 
 knowing his vanity and affectation of consequence, had em 
 ployed a negro wench to make a familiar address to him in 
 some public place. This was a severe mortification, and des 
 troyed all the comforts of his visit. In answer to an inquiry 
 how he liked Boston, this vexation was uppermost in his mind. 
 " I like Boston very well all but one d d madam nig," by 
 whom he was insulted. 
 
 J\Ir. Bushneirs Torpedo. 
 
 Our readers rill recollect that Mr. Fulton constructed a 
 torpedo, or machine for blowing up ships, which made some 
 stir among the British during the last war. But few, com 
 paratively speaking, have heard of the invention by Mr. Bush- 
 nell for this purpose, during the Revolution. As we have a 
 description at hand, it may be read by the curious. 
 
 Mr. Bushnell, gave to his machine the name of the Ameri 
 can Turtle or Torpedo. It was constructed on the principles 
 of submarine navigation, and on trial it has been ascertained 
 that it might be rowed horizontally, at any given depth unde"r 
 water, and the adventurer, concealed within, might rise or 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 251 
 
 sink, as occasion requires. A magazine of powder was attach 
 ed to it in such a manner as to be screwed into the bottom ut 
 the ship ; and being now disengaged from the machine, the 
 operator retires in safety, leaving tiie internal clock work in 
 motion ; and at the distance of half an hoar, or an hour, the 
 striking of a gun lock communicates fire to the powder, and 
 the explosion takes place. It was determined to make the ex 
 periment with this machine in the night, on the ship Eagle, of 
 sixty four guns, on board of which admiral Lord Howe com 
 manded. General Putnam placed himself on the wharf to 
 witness the result. Mr. Bushnell had instructed his brother in 
 the management of the Torpedo with perfect dexterity ; but 
 being taken sick, a sergeant of a Connecticut regiment was se 
 lected for the business, who, for want of time, could not be 
 properly instructed. He however, succeeded so far as to ar 
 rive in safety with his apparatus under the botiom of the ship, 
 when the ecrew, designed to perforate the copper sheathing, 
 unfortunately struck against an iron plate, near the rudder, 
 which, with the strong current and want of skill in the opera 
 tor, frustrated the enterprize ; and, as day light hnd begun to 
 appear, the sergeant abandoned his magazine, and returned in 
 the Torpedo to the shore. In less than half an hour a terribla 
 explosion from the magazine look place, and threw into the air 
 a prodigious column of water, resembling 1 a great water spout, 
 attended with a report like thunder. General Putnam, and 
 others who waited with great anxiety for the result, were ex 
 ceedingly amused with the astonishment and alarm which this 
 secret explosion occasioned on board of the ship. This failure, 
 it is confidently asserted, is not to be attributed to any defect 
 in the principles of this wonderful machine; as it is allowed to 
 be admirably calculated to execute destruction among the ship 
 ping. 
 
 Anecdote of General Prescott. 
 
 General Prescott, who was taken at Rhode Island by Cuio- 
 nel Barton, on his route through Connecticut, called at a tavern 
 to dine ; the landlady brought on the table a dish of suc- 
 catash, boiled corn and beans ; tho ^oneral, unaccustomed to 
 such kind of food, with much warmth exclaimed, "what, do 
 you treat us with the food of hogs ? and taking (he dish from 
 the table, emptied the contents ovor the floor. The landlord 
 being informed of this, soon entered with his horsewhip, and 
 gave the general a severe chastisement. After the general 
 was exchanged, and lie resumed his command on the island, 
 the inhabitants of Nantucket deputed Dr. Gilston to negotiate 
 
252 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 some concerns with General Prescott, in behalf of the town. 
 Prescott treated the Doctor very cavalierly, and gave as the 
 cause, that the Doctor looked so like that d d landlord, 
 who horsewhipped him in Connecticut, that he could not treat 
 him with civility. 
 
 Anecdote of a Blackamoor. 
 
 When the count D Estaing s fleet appeared near the British 
 batteries, in the harbor of Rhode Island, a severe cannonade 
 was commenced, and several shot passed through the housea 
 in town, and occasioned great consternation among the inhab 
 itants. A shot passed through the door of Mrs. Mason s house, 
 just above the floor. The family were alarmed, not knowing 
 where to flee for safety. A negro man ran and sat himself 
 down very composedly, with his back against the shot hole in 
 the door, and being asked by young Mr. Mason why he chose 
 that situation, he replied, " Massa, you never know two bullet 
 go in one place." 
 
 Heroic Enterprise of Sergeant Jasper. 
 
 Among the little band of heroes who so faithfully and effi 
 ciently defended Sullivan s Island against the attack of an over 
 whelming British force, tho name of sergeant Jasper holds a 
 conspicuous place. During the heat of the engagement, a can 
 non ball struck the American flag, which fell into the ditch. 
 The inhabitants of Charleston, considered the fort as surren 
 dered. When sergeant Jasper discovered this, he leaped from 
 an embrasure, picked up the flag 1 , and secured it to a sponge 
 stock, and supported it till secured to another flag staff. 
 
 In consequence of his enterprise, intelligence, and activity, 
 he received a roving commission from his commander, who was 
 often first informed of his absence, by his return with prisoners. 
 As a partisan officer he was therefore exceedingly useful. 
 The few men he took with him were of his own choice, and 
 his enterprises successful ; and that his humanity equalled his 
 daring exploits, is a truth which is well known, and redounds 
 to his lasting- honour. Wiiile Savannah was in possession of 
 the British, he entered the city, learned their strength and in- 
 ttifition, and returned with information to his commander, co 
 lonel Moultrie. 
 
 The biographer of general Marion relates an achievement of 
 the sergeant, which was executed in one of his expeditions, 
 the credibility of which is too well attested to be doubted. 
 
 While he was examining the British camp at Ebenezer, all 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 253 
 
 >he sympathy of his heart was awakened by the distress of a. 
 Airs. Jones, whose husband,, an American by birth, had taken 
 the king s protection, and been confined in irons for deserting 
 the royal cause, after he had taken the oath of allegiance. Her 
 well founded belief was, that nothing short of the life of her 
 husband would atone for the offence with which he was char 
 ged. Anticipating the awful scene of a beloved husband ex 
 piring on the gibbet, had excited inexpressible emotions of 
 grief and distraction. Jasper secretly consulted with his com 
 panion, sergeant Newton, whose feelings for the distressed fe 
 male and her child were equally excited with his own, upon 
 the practicability of releasing Jones from his impending fate. 
 Though they were unable to suggest a plan of operation, they 
 were determined to watch for the most favourable* opportunity, 
 and make the efibrt. 
 
 The departure of Jones and several others, all in irons, to 
 Savannah, for trial, under a guard, consisting of a sergeant, 
 corporal, and eight men, was ordered upon the succeeding 
 morning. Within two miles of Savannah, about thirty yards 
 from the main road, is a spring of fine water surrounded by a 
 deep and thick underwood, where travellers often halt to re 
 fresh themselves with a cool draught from this pure fountain. 
 Jasper and his companion selected this spot as the most fa 
 vourable for their enterprise. They accordingly passed the 
 guard, and concealed themselves near the spring. 
 
 When the enemy came up, they halted, and two of the gmrn 
 only remained with the prisoners, while the others leaned their 
 guns against the trees in a careless manner, and went to the 
 spring. Jasper and Newton sprung from their place of con 
 cealment, seized two of the muskets, and shot the sentinel*. 
 The possession of all the arms placed the enemy in their power, 
 and compelled them to surrender. The irons were taken oil* 
 from the prisoners, and arms put into their hands. The win;;e 
 party arrived at Purysburg, the next mrrning, and joined the 
 American camp. There are but few instances upon record 
 where personal exertions, even for self-preservation from cer 
 tain prospects of death, would have induced a resort to an act 
 so desperate of execution ; how much more laudable was this, 
 where the spring to action was roused, by the lamentations of 
 a female unknown to the adventurers ! 
 
 Subsequently to the gallant defence at Sullivan s Island. 
 Col. Moultrie s regiment was presented with a stand of colours 
 by Mrs. Elliot, which she had richly embroidered with her own 
 hands ; and, as a reward of Jasper s particular merits, govern- 
 our Rutledgo presented him with a very handsome sword. Du 
 ring the assault against Savannah, two officers had been killed 
 and one wounded, endeavouring to plant these colours upon 
 22 
 
*54 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 the enemy s parapet of the Sprini;hill redouht. Just before 
 the retreat was ordered, Jasper endeavored to replace them up 
 on the works, and while he was in the act, received a mortal 
 wound and fell into the ditch. When a retreat was ordered, he 
 recollected the honourable condition upon which the donor pre 
 sented the colours to his regiment, and among the last, acts of his 
 life, succeeded in bringing them off. 
 
 Major Horry called to see him soon after the retreat, to whom, 
 it is said, he made the following communication. * 1 have got 
 my furlough. That sword was presented to rm: by Governour 
 Rutledge, for rny services in the defence of fort Moul rie. 
 Give it to my father, and tell him I have worn it wilh honour. 
 If he should \yeep, tell him his son died in the hope of a better 
 life. Tell Mrs. Elliot that I lost my life, supporting the col 
 ours which she presented to our regiment. If you should ever 
 see Jones, his wife and son. tell them that Jasper is gone, but 
 that the remembrance of the battle, which he fought for them, 
 brought a secret joy to his heart when it was about to stop its 
 motion forever." He expired a few minutes after closing this 
 sentence. 
 
 Perhaps few incidents which occurrred in the revolutionary 
 struggle, have been better related, or more widely circulated, 
 than those connected with the heroines who were in the army 
 of Burgoyne, when he surrendered to the prowess of General 
 Gates. The baroness de Reidesel and lady Harriet Ackland 
 continued with their husbands, and were exposed to the hard 
 ships and dangers of an invading army, until the fortune of war 
 made them captives. The high character given to general 
 Schuyler in the narration of the baroness, is sufficient to en 
 sure it a place among the anecdotes, if we had no other reason. 
 We delight to honour him, at this late day, whose worth de 
 serves an abler pen than ours. 
 
 The catastrophe which so severely affected lady Harriet, 
 was truly distressing. After braving the dangers of the seas, 
 the fatigues of marching, the privations of a camp, and the hor 
 rors of war ; after exhibiting the most courageous constancy, 
 fidelity, and kindly attention, how is it possible, that her hus 
 band could risk his life, and finally die u as a fool dieth," by 
 the hands of a duelist ? Astonishing infatuation ! fatal delu 
 sion ! Let every man, and every woman too, give a vote 
 against this mode of" honourable murder." 
 
 On the 7th of October, says the Baroness de Reidesel, our 
 misfortunes began. I was at breafast with my husband, anU 
 heard that something was intended. On the same day 1 expec 
 ted Generals Burgoyne, Phillips, and Fraser, to dine with us. 
 f *a\v a great movement among the troops ; my husband told me 
 it ?*as merely a reconrioissance, which gave me no concern, as 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 255 
 
 it often happened. I \\ <tof the house, and met several 
 
 Indians in their war dresses, .vith guns in their hands. When I 
 asked where they were going 1 , they cried out, War ! War ! 
 meaning that they were going to battle. This filled me with 
 apprehension ; and I had scarcely got home, befere I heard the 
 reports of cannon and musketry, which grew louder by degrees, 
 till at last the noise became excessive. 
 
 About four o clock in the afternoon, instead of the guests 
 whom I expected. Gen. Fraser was brought on a litter, mor 
 tally wounded. The table, which was already set, was re 
 moved, and a bed placed in its stead, for the wounded general. 
 I sat trembling- in a corner ; the noise grew louder, and the 
 alarm increased; the thought that my husband might be 
 brought in wounded, in the same manner, was terrible to me, 
 and distressed me exceedingly. General Fraser said to the 
 surgeon, " Tell me if my wound is mortal, do not flatter me." 
 The ball had passsed through his body, and, unhappily for the 
 general, he had eaten a very hearty breakfast, by which the 
 stomach was distended, and the ball, as the surgeon said, had 
 passed through it. 
 
 I heard him often exclaim, with a sigh, OH FATAL AMBI 
 TION ! Poor General Burgoyne ! Ok my poor wife!" He was 
 asked if he had any request to make, to which he replied ; " If 
 General Burgtyne would permit if, he should like to be buried at 
 6 o clock, in the evening^ on the top of a mountain, in a redoubt, 
 which, had been built there. 1 did not know which way to 
 turn ; all the other rooms were full of sick. Towards even 
 ing, [ saw my husband coming ; then I forgot all my sorrows, 
 and thanked God that he was spared to me. He and his aid- 
 de-camp ate, in great haste, with me, behind the house. We 
 had been told, that we had the advantage of the enemy ; but 
 the sorrowful faces which I beheld told a different tale ; and, 
 before my husband went away, he took me one side, and said 
 every thing was going very bad ; that I must keep myself in 
 readiness to leave the place, but not to mention it to any one. 
 I made the pretence that I would move, the next moining, into 
 my new house, and had every thing packed up and ready. 
 
 Lady H. Ackland had a tent, not far from our house, in 
 which she slept, and the rest of the day she was in the -camp. 
 All of a sudden, a mnn came to tell her, that her husband was 
 mortally wounded, and taken prisoner ; on hearing this, she 
 became very miserable; we comforted her, by telling her, that 
 the wound was only slight, and, at the same time advised her to 
 go over to her husband, to do which she would certainly ob 
 tain permission, and then she could attend him herself.* She 
 was a charming woman, and very fond of him. I spent much 
 of Uie night in comforting her, and then went again to my ci;il- 
 
256 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 dren, whom I had put to bed. I could not go to sleep, as I had 
 General Fraser, and all the other wounded gentlemen, in my 
 room ; and I was sadly afraid my children would awake, and 
 by their crying, disturb the dying man, in his last moments, 
 who often addressed me, and apologized " for the trouble fie 
 gave me." 
 
 About three o clock in the morning, I was told that he could 
 not hold out much longer ; I had desired to be informed of the 
 near approarh of this sad crisis, and then wrapped up my chil 
 dren in their clothes, and went with them into the room below. 
 About eight o clock in the morning, he died. After he was 
 laid out, and his corpse wrapped up in a sheet, we came again 
 into the room, and had thi* sorrowful sight before us, the whole 
 day ; and, to add to the melancholy scene, almost every mo 
 ment, some officer of my acquaintance was brought in wound 
 ed. The connonade commenced again ; a retreat was spoken 
 of, but not the smallest motion was made towards it. About 
 four o clock in the nfternoon, I saw the house, which had just 
 been boilt for me, in flames, and the enemy was not far off. 
 We kew that General Burgoyne would not refuse the last re 
 quest of General Fraser, though, by his acceding to it, an un 
 necessary delay was occasioned, by which the inconvenience o 
 the army was increased. 
 
 At six o clock, the corpse was brought out, and we saw all 
 the generals attend it to the mountain ; the chaplain, Mr. 
 Br.udenell, performed the funeral service, rendered unusually 
 solemn and awful, from its being accompanied by constant peals 
 from the enemy s artillery. Many cannon balls flew close by 
 me, but I had my eyes directed towards the mountain, where 
 my husband was standing-, amidst the fire of the enemy, arid, of 
 course, I could not think of my own danger. 
 
 General Gates afterwards said, that if he had known it had 
 been a funeral, he would not have permitted it to be fired on. 
 
 As soon as the funeral service was finished, and the grave of 
 Gen. Fraser was closed, an order was issued that the army 
 should retreat. My calash was prepared, but I would not con 
 sent to go before the troops. Major Harnage, although suf 
 fering 1 from his wounds, crept, from his bed, as he did not wish 
 to remain in the hospital, which was left with a flag of truce. 
 When Gen. Reideselsaw me in the midst of danger, he order 
 ed my women and children to be brought into the calash, and 
 intimated tome to depart, without delay. I still prayed to re 
 main; but my husband, knowing my weak side, said, " well 
 then, your children must go, that, at least, they may be safe 
 from danger." I then agreed to enter the calash with them, and 
 we set off at eight o clock. The retreat was ordered to be con 
 ducted with the greatest silence. Many fires were lighted. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 257 
 
 and several tents left standing. We travelled continually du 
 ring the night. 
 
 At six o clock in the morning, W e halted, which excited the 
 surprise of all. General Burgoyne had the cannon ranged and 
 prepared for battle. This delay seemed to displease every 
 body; for, if we could only have made another good march, 
 we should have been in safety. My husband, quite exhausted 
 with fatigue, came into my calash, and slept for three hours. 
 During that time, Capt. Wilde brought me a bag full of bank 
 notes, and Captain Geisman his elegant watch, a ring, and a 
 purse full of money, which they requested me to take care of, 
 and which I promised to do to the utmof-.t of my power. We 
 again marched, but had scarcely proceeded an hour before we 
 halted, as the enemy was in sight. It proved to be only a 
 reconnoitering party of two hundred men, who might easily 
 have been made prisoners, if General Burgoyne had given pro 
 per orders on the occasion. 
 
 About evening we arrived at Saratoga; my dress was 3 wet 
 through and through with raiu, and, in that state, I had to re 
 main the whole night, having no place to change it ; I how 
 ever got close to a large fire, and at last lay down on some 
 straw. Al this moment, General Phillips came up to me, and j 
 asked him why we had not continued our retreat, as my hus 
 band had promised to cover it, and bring the army through ? 
 Poor dear woman," said he. " I wonder how, drenched aa 
 you are, you have still the courajre to persevere, and venture 
 further in this kind of weather. 1 wish," continued he, " YOU 
 wus our commanding general. General Burgoyne is tired, and 
 means to halt here to-night, and give us our supper. 1 
 
 On the morning of the 9th, at ten o clock, General Burgoyoe 
 ordered the retreat to be continued, and caused the handsome 
 houses and mills of General Schuyler to be burnt ; we march 
 ed however but a short distance, and then hnlb d. The great 
 est misery at this time prevailed in the army, and more taa 
 thirty officers came to me, for whom tea and coffee were pre 
 pared, and with whom I shared all my provisions, with which 
 iny calash was in general well supplied ; for I had a cook vi;o 
 was an excellent caterer, and who often, in the night, crossed 
 small rivers, and foraged on the inhabitants, bringing in with 
 him sheep, small pigs, and poultry, for which he often forgot to 
 pay, though he received good pay from me, as long as i had 
 any, and he wa-, jlMmutely, handsomely rewarded. = Our pro 
 vision nt.xv failed us^ for want of proper conduct in the corn- 
 juissary s department, and 1 began to despair. 
 
 About two o clock in the afternoon, wo again heard a firing 
 cf cannon and small arms ; instantly all was in alarm, and 
 every thing in motion. My husband tuid me to go to a Lous* 
 22* 
 
258 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 not far off. I immediately seated myself in my calash, with 
 my children, and drove off; but, scarcely had we reached it, 
 before I discovered five or six armed men, on the other side of 
 the Hudson. Instinctively I threw my children down in the 
 ealash, and concealed myself with them. At that moment the 
 fellows fired, and wounded an already wounded English soldier, 
 who was behind me. Poor fellow ! I pitied him exceeding^, 
 but, at that moment, had no power or means to relieve him. 
 A terrible cannonade was commenced by the enemy, which 
 was directed against the house in which I sought to obtain 
 shelter for myself and children, under the mistaken idea that 
 all the generals were in it. Alas ! it contained none but 
 wounded and women ; we were at last obliged to resort to the 
 cellar for refuge, and, in one corner of this, I remained the 
 whole day, my children sleeping on the earth, with their heads 
 in my lap"; and in the same situation I passed a sleepless night. 
 Eleven cannon balls passed through the house, and we could 
 distinctly hear them roll away. One poor soldier, who was 
 lying on a table, for the purpose of having his leg amputated, 
 was struck by a shot, which carried away his other leg 1 . His 
 comrades had left him, and, when we went to his assistance, we 
 found him in a corner of the room, into which he had crept, 
 more dead than alive, scarcely breathing. My reflections on 
 the danger to which my husband was expose-d now agonized 
 me exceedingly, and the thoughts of my children, and the 
 necessity of struggling for their preservation alone sustained 
 me. 
 
 I now occupied myself through the day in attending to the 
 wounded ; I made them toa and coffee, and often shared my 
 dinner with them, for which they offered me a thousand ex 
 pressions of gratitude. One day a Canadian officer came to 
 our cellar, who had hardly the power of holding himself up 
 right, and we concluded he was dying for want of nourish 
 ment. 1 was happy in offering him my dinner, which strength 
 ened him, and procured me his friendship. I now undertook 
 the care of Major Bloomfield, another aid-de-camp of General 
 Phillips, who had received a musket ball through both cheeks, 
 which in its course, had knocked out several of his teeth, and 
 cut his tongue. He could hold nothing in his mouth ; the 
 matter which ran from his wound almost choked him, and he 
 was not able to take any nourishment, except a little soup or 
 something liquid. We had some Rhenish wine; and, in the 
 hope that the acidity of it would cleanse the wound, I gave 
 him a bottle of it; he took a little now and then, and with 
 such effect, that his cure soon followed ; and thus I -added 
 another to my stock of friends, and derived a satisfaction. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 259 
 
 which, in the midst of sufferings, served to tranquillize me, and 
 diminish their acuteness. 
 
 One day, General Phillips accompanied my husband, at the 
 risk of their lives, on a visit to us, who, after having witnessed 
 our situation, said to him, " I would not, for ten thousand gui 
 neas, come again to this place, my heart is almost broken." 
 
 In this horrid situation we remained six days. A cessation 
 of hostilities was now spoken of, and eventually took place ; a 
 convention was afterwards agreed upon; but one day a mes 
 sage was sent to my husband, who had visited me, and was re- 
 pnsinof in my bed, to attend a council of war, where it was pro 
 posed"^ break the the convention, but, to my great joy, the 
 majority were for adhering to it. On the 16th, however, my 
 husband had to repair to his post, and I to my cellar. This day 
 fresh beef was served out to the officers, who, until now, had 
 only had salt provisions, which was very bad for their wounds. 
 
 Oo the 17th of October, the convention was completed. Gene 
 ral Burgoyne and the other generals waited or General Gates, 
 the American commander. The troops laid down their arms, 
 and gave themselves up prisoners of war, and now, the good 
 woman, who had supplied us with water, at the hazard of her 
 life, received the reward of her services; each of us threw a 
 handful of money into her apron, and she got altogether about 
 twenty guineas. At such a moment as this, how susceptible 
 is the heart of feelings of gratitude ! 
 
 My husband sent a message to me, to come over to him with 
 my children. I seated myself, once more, in my dear ealash, 
 and then rode through the American camp. As I passed on, 
 1 observed (and this was a great consolation to me) that no one 
 eyed me with loaks of resentment, but that they ail greeted us, 
 and even showed compassion in their countenances, at the 
 sight of a woman with small children. I was, I confess, afraid 
 to go over to the enemy, as it was quite a new situation to me. 
 When I drew near the tents, a handsome man approached and 
 met ine, took my children from the calash, and hugged and kiss 
 ed them, which affected me almost to tears. " You tremble," 
 said he, addressing himself to me, " be not afraid." * iSo," I 
 answered, "you geem so kind and tender to my children, it 
 inspires me with courage." He now led me to the tent of 
 General Gates, where T found Generals Bursroyne and Phillips, 
 who were on a friendly footing with the former. Burgoyne 
 t.a;d to me, " Never mind, your sorrows have now an end." I 
 answered him that I should be reprehensible to have any cares, 
 as he had none, and I was pleased to see him on such a friendljr 
 footing with General Gates. All the generals remained to 
 dine with General Gates. 
 
260 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 The same gentleman, who received me so kindly, now came 
 and said to me, " You will be very much embarrassed to eat 
 with all these gentlemen ; come with your children to my tent ; 
 there I will prepare f br you a frugal dinner, and give it with a 
 free will." I said, "You are certainly a husband and a father, 
 you have shown me so much kindness. I now found that he 
 was General Schuylcr. He treated me with excellent smoked 
 tongue, beef steaks, potatoes, and good bread and butter. 
 Never could I have wished to eat a better dinner. I was con 
 tent. I saw all around me were so likewise; and, what vu* 
 better than all, my husband was out of danger. 
 
 When we had dined, he told me hia residence was at Albanr, 
 and that General Burgoyne intended to honour him as Ins 
 guest, and invited myself and children to do likewise. I asked 
 my husband how I should act ; he told me to accept the invi 
 tation. As it was two days journey there, he advised me to 
 go to a place, which was about three hours ride distant. Ge 
 neral Schuyler had the politeness to send with me a French 
 officer, a very agreeable man, who commanded the reconnoiter- 
 ing party of which I had before spoken ; and when he had es 
 corted me to the house, where 1 was to remain, he turned back 
 again. In the house I found a French surgeon, who had under 
 his care a Brunswick officer, who was mortally wounded, and 
 died some days afterwards. 
 
 The Frenchman boasted much of the care he took of his pa 
 tient, and perhaps was skilful enough as a surgeon, but other 
 wise was a mere simpleton. He was rejoiced when he found 
 I could speak his language, and he began to address many 
 empty and impertinent speeches to me; he said, among other 
 things, he could not believe that I was a general s wife, as he 
 was certain a woman of such rank would not follow her hus 
 band. He wished me to remain with him, as he said it w-a* 
 better, to be with the conquerors than the conquered. I was 
 shocked at his impudence, hut dared not show the contempt I 
 felt for him, because it would deprive me of a place of safety. 
 Towards evening he begged mo to take a part of his chamber. 
 I told him I was determined to remain in the room with the 
 wounded officer ; whereupon he attempted to pay me some 
 stupid compliments. At this moment the door opened, and tny 
 husband with his aid-de-carnp entered. I then said, " Here, 
 Sir, is my husband ;" and at the same -time eyed him with 
 scorn, whereupon he retired abashed, nevertheless, he was so 
 polite as to offer his chamber to us. 
 
 Some days after this we arrived at Albany, where v, r e BO 
 often wished ourselves, but we did not enter it as we expected 
 we should, victors! We were received by the good General 
 Schuyler, his wife, and daughtes, not as cuernies, but kiud 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 261 
 
 friends; and they treated us with the most marked attention 
 and politeness, as they did General Burgoyne, who had caused 
 General Schuyler s beautifully finished house to be burnt. In 
 fact, they behaved like persons of exalted minds, who deter 
 mined to bury ail recollection of their own injuries, in the con 
 templation of our misfortunes. General Burgoyne was struck 
 with General ?chuy!er s generosity, and said to him, " You 
 show me great kindness, although I have done you much in 
 jury." ""That was the fate of war," replied the brave man, 
 ;; let us say no more about it. r * 
 
 The fortunes of Lady Harriet Ackland were not less inte 
 resting than those of the Baroness de Reidesel, just recited. 
 This ladv, says General Burgoyne in his " State of the Expedi- 
 tion from Canada," had accompanied her husband to Canada, 
 in the beginning of the year 1776. In the course of that cam 
 paign, she traversed a vast space of country, in different ex 
 tremities of the season, and with difficulties, of which an Euro 
 pean traveller cannot easily conceive. 
 
 In the opening of the campaign, in 1777, she was restrained 
 from offering herself to a share of the fatigue and hazard ex- 
 pacted before Ticonderoga, by the positive injunctions of her 
 husband. The day after the conquest of the place he was 
 badly wounded, and she crossed Lake Champlain to join 
 him. 
 
 As soon as he recovered, Lady Harriet proceeded to follow 
 his fortunes through the campaign; and at Fort Edward, or at 
 the next camp, she acquired a two wheel tumbril, which had 
 been constructed by the artificers of the artillery, something 
 similar to the carriage used for the mail, upon the great roads 
 in England. Major Ackland commanded the British grena 
 diers, which were attached to General Eraser s corps; and conse 
 quently were always the most advanced part of the army. 
 They were often so much on the alert, that no person slept out 
 of his clothes. One of their temporary encampments, a tent 
 in which the major and Lady Harriet were asleep, suddenly 
 took fire. An orderly sergeant of grenadiers, with great ha 
 zard of suffocation, dragged out the first person he caught hold 
 of. It proved to be the major. It happened that, in the same 
 instant, she had, unknowing what she did, and perhaps not 
 perfectly awaked, providentially made her escape, by creeping 
 under the walls of the teut. The first object she saw, upon 
 the recovery of ber senses, was the major on the other side, 
 and in the same instant, again in the fire in search of her. 
 The serjeant again saved him, but not without the major s be 
 ing very severely burnt in his face, and different parts of his 
 
 * Wilkinson s Memoirs, from the Memoirs of the Baroness de Reidesel. 
 
562 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 body. Every thing they had with them in (he tent was con 
 sumed. 
 
 This accident happened a little time before the army crossed 
 the Hudson, 13th Sept. It neither altered the resolution or 
 cheerfulness of Lady Harriet ; and she continued her progress, 
 a partaker of the fatigues of the advanced corps. The next 
 call upon her fortitude was of a different nature, and more dis 
 tressing-, as of longer suspense. On the morning of the 19th 
 of September, the grenadiers being liable to action at every 
 step, she had been directed by the major to follow the route of 
 the artillery and baggage, which were not exposed. At the 
 time the action began, she found herself near an uninhabited 
 hut, where she alighted. When it was found the action wa. 
 becoming general, the surgeon of the hospital took possessioft 
 of the same place, as the most convenient for the first care of 
 the wounded. Thus was this lady in the hearing of one con 
 tinued fire of cannon and musketry for four hours together, 
 with the presumption, from the post of her husband, at the 
 head of the grenadiers, that he was in the most exposed part of 
 the action. She had three female companions, the Baroness of 
 Reidesel, and the wives of two British officers, Major Harnage 
 and Lieutenant Reynell ; but, in the event, their presence serv 
 ed but little for comfort. Major Harnage was soon brought to 
 the surgeon very badly wounded ; and a little time after, came 
 intelligence that Lieutenant Reynell was shot dead. Imagina 
 tion will want no help to figure the state of the whole group. 
 
 From the date of that action to the 7th of October, Lady 
 Harriet, with her usual serenity, stood prepared for new trials; 
 and it was her lot that their severity increased with their num 
 ber. She was again exposed to the hearing of the whole ac 
 tion, and, at last, received the word of her individual misfor 
 tune, mixed with the intelligence of the general calamity ; the 
 troops were defeated, and Major Ackland, desperately wounded, 
 was a prisoner. 
 
 The day of the 8th was passed by Lady Harriet and her com 
 panions in uncommon anxiety ; not a tent nor a shed being 
 standing, except what belonged to the hospital, their refuge 
 was among 1 the wounded and the dying. 
 
 " When the army was upon the point of moving, I received 
 a message from Lady Harrier, submitting to my decision a 
 proposal, and expressing an earnest solicitude to execute it, if 
 not interfering with my design, of passing to the camp of the 
 enemy, and requesting General Gates permission to attend 
 her husband. 
 
 " Though I was ready to believe, for I had experienced, that 
 patience and fortitude in a supreme degree, were to be found, 
 as well as everv other virtue, under the most tender forms, I 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 263 
 
 fas astonished at the proposal. After so long an agitation, ex 
 hausted not only for want of rest, but absolutely want of food, 
 drenched in rain for twelve hours together, that a woman 
 should be capable of such an undertaking, as delivering herself 
 to the enemy, probably iu the night, and uncertain of what 
 hands she might first fall into, appeared an effort above human 
 nature. The assurance I was enabled to give wa small in 
 deed. I*had not even a cup of wine to offer; but I was told 
 she found from some kind and fortunate hand, a little rum and 
 dirty water. All I could furnish to her was an open boat, and 
 a few lines, written upon dirty and wet paper, to general Gates, 
 recommending her to his protection." 
 
 This letter was as follows : 
 
 SIR, 
 
 Lady Harriet Ackland, a lady of the first distinction 
 by family, rank, and personal virtues, is under such concern on 
 account of Major Ackland, her husband, wounded and a prison 
 er in your hands, that I cannot refuse her request to commit her 
 to your protection. 
 
 Whatever general impropriety there may be in persons, act 
 ing in your situation and mine, to solicit favours, I cannot, see 
 the uncommon pre-eminence in every female grace and exalta 
 tion of character in this lady, and her very hard fortune, with 
 out testifying that your attentions to her will lay me under obli 
 gations. 
 
 Oct. 9, 1777. l am v Sif K 
 
 ,V. G. Gate*. . lour obedient servant, 
 
 J. BURGOY.NE. 
 
 With this letter did this woman, who was of the most tender 
 and delicate frame, habituated to all the soft elegances and re 
 fined enjoyments, that attend high birth and fortune, and far ad 
 vanced in a state in which the tenderest cares, always due to 
 the sex, become indispensably necessary, in an open boat leave 
 the camp of Burgoyne with a flag of truce for that of the ene 
 my. The night was advanced before the boat reached the 
 shore. Hady Harriet was immediately conveyed into the apart 
 ment of Major Henry Dearborn, since Major General, who 
 commanded the guard at that place, and every attention was 
 paid her which her rank and situation demanded, and which 
 circumstances permitted. Early in the morning, she was per 
 mitted to proceed in the boat to the camp, where general Gates, 
 whose gallantry will not bo denied, stood ready to receive her, 
 with due respect and courtesy. Having ascertained that Major 
 Ackland had set out for Albany, Lady Harriet proceeded, by 
 permission, to join hisu. Some time after, Major Aek!auu ef- 
 
264 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 fected his exchange, and returned to England. The catastro 
 phe of this lale is affecting. Ackland, after his return to Eng 
 land, procured a regiment, nnd at a dinner of military men, 
 where the courage of the Americans was made a question, 
 took the negative side with his usual decision. He was op 
 posed, warmth ensued, and he gave the lie direct to a Lieute- 
 hant Lloyd, fought him, and was shot through the head. Lady 
 Harriet lost her senses, and continued deranged two* years ; 
 after which she married Mr. Brudenell, who accompanied her 
 from Gen. Burgoyne s camp, when she sought her wounded 
 husband on Hudson river. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Of t/ie Confederation. Formation and adoption of the present 
 Constitution of the United States. 
 
 On the 12th of July. 1777, articles of confederation and per 
 petual union were drawn up by congress, and ratified by twelve 
 of the states in the December following. This instrument was 
 so imperfect as to be termed by some " a rope of sand." Brit 
 tle as it was, however, it carried the people through a perilous 
 war, and what it lacked in energy, was supplied by the spirit of 
 the times. But when the plive branch of peace succeeded to the 
 clarion of war and the din of arms when private interest took 
 precedence of public spirit, and intrigue usurped the place of 
 national virtue, the wants of the country called for a more en 
 ergetic compact, and the cause of republican America required 
 a more efficient safeguard. 
 
 To effect this object, a convention was proposed, which held 
 its session in Philadelphia. In this august body general Wash 
 ington had a seat, and was chosen president. On the 17th of 
 September, 1787, the finishing hand was put to the Constitu 
 tion, which was submitted to the different states, and ratified, 
 at first, but by eleven, North Carolina and Rhode Island re 
 fusing their assent. The former assented to it in 1789, and 
 the latter in 1790. 
 
 In 1789, General George Washington was elected first presi 
 dent of the United States. 
 
 It was with great reluctance, that he accepted this office. 
 His feeling s, as he said himself, were like those of a culprit, 
 going to the place of execution. But the voice of a whole 
 continent, the pressing recommendation of his particular 
 friends, and the apprehension, thai he should otherwise be con- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 265 
 
 sidered as unwilling to hazard his reputation in executing a 
 system, which he had assisted in forming, determined him to 
 accept the appointment. In April he left Mount Vernon to 
 proceed to New York, ar to enter on the duties of his high 
 office. He every where . reived testimonies of respect and 
 love. At Trenton the gentler sex regarded him for his iuc- 
 cessful enterprise, and the protection which he afforded them 
 twelve Jtears before. On the bridge over the creek, which 
 passes through the town, was erected a triumphal arch, orna 
 mented with laurels and flowers, and supported by thirteen 
 pillars, each encircled with wreaths of evergreen. On the 
 front of the arch was inscribed, in large gilt letters, 
 
 THE DEFENDER OF THE MOTHERS WILL BE THE PROTECTOR 
 OF THE DAUGHTERS. 
 
 At this place he was met by a party of matrons, leading their 
 daughters, who were dressed in white, and who, with baskets 
 of flowers in their hands, sung with exquisite sweetness the fol 
 lowing ode, written for the occasion : 
 
 Welcome, mighty chief, once more 
 Welcome to this grateful shore ; 
 Now no mercenary foe 
 Aims again the fatal blow, 
 Aims at THEE the fatal blow. 
 
 Virgins fair and matrons grave, 
 Those thy conquering arms did save, 
 Build for thee triumphal bowers ; 
 Strew, ye fair, his way with flowers, 
 Strew your HERO S way with flowers. 
 
 At the last line the flowers were strewed before him. After 
 receiving such proofs of affectionate attachment, he arrived at 
 New York, and was inaugurated first President of the United 
 States on the thirtieth of April. In making the necessary ar 
 rangements of his household he publicly announced, that nei 
 ther visits of business nor of ceremony would be expected on 
 Sunday, as he wished to reserve that day sacredly to himself. 
 
 In an impressive address to both houses of Congress, he de 
 clared, with characterestic modesty, his " incapacity for the 
 mighty and untried cares before him," and offered his " fervent 
 supplications to that Almighty Being whose providential aid 
 can supply every human defect, that his benediction would 
 consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the 
 united States, a government instituted by themselves for theie 
 23 
 
266 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 essential purposes ; and would enable every instrument, em 
 ployed in its administration, to execute, with succes, the func 
 tions allotted to his charge." 
 
 At the close of the Revolution, the people anticipated Inde 
 pendence and peace ; but they were somewhat disappointed ; 
 debts contracted during 1 the war bore heavily upon the people. 
 
 To remedy these evils, congress applied to the states for a 
 grant ofthe power to regulate commerce, and to collect a reve 
 nue from it. New York alone refused ; but as unanimity was 
 requisite, her single negative defeated the project. In the mean 
 time, the distress increased, and in Massachusetts, where it 
 was greatest, urged to insurrection a portion ofthe inhabitants. 
 Near the close ofthe year 1786, they assembled, to the number 
 of two thousand, in the northwestern part of the state, and, 
 choosing- Daniel Shays their leader, demanded that the col 
 lection of debts should be suspended, and that the legislature 
 should authorize the emission of paper money for general 
 circulation. 
 
 Two bodies of militia, drawn from those parts of the state 
 where disaffection did not prevail, were immediately despatched 
 against them, one under the command of general Lincoln, the 
 other of general Shepard. They were easily dispersed : and 
 afterwards abandoning their seditious purposes, accepted the 
 proffered indemnity of the government. 
 
 It was a question whether the general Government should 
 be supported, or abandoned, or whether the object of the 
 Revolution should be realized or lost. 
 
 In May 1787, commissioners were appointed, and assembled 
 at Philadelphia; George Washington was unanimously elected 
 president. They deliberated with closed doors, and happily it 
 was agreed to sacrifice local interest, on the altar of publick 
 good. 
 
 An abstract of this constitution, with its several subsequent 
 amendments, follows : it is extracted from Mr. Webster s Ele 
 ments of Useful Knowledge. 
 
 Of the Legislature. " The Legislative power ofthe United 
 States is vested in a congress, consisting of two houses or 
 branches, a senate, and a house of representatives. The mem 
 bers of the house of representatives are chosen once in two 
 years, by the persons who are qualified to vote for members of 
 the most numerous branches ofthe legislature, in each State. 
 To be entitled to a seat in this house, a person must have at 
 tained to the age of twenty five years, been a citizen of the 
 United States for seven years, and be an inhabitant of the 
 State in which be is chosen. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. -267 
 
 Of the Senate. " The senate consists of two senators from 
 each State, chosen by the legislature for six years. The Senate 
 is divided into three classes, the seat of one of which is vaca 
 ted every second year. If a vacancy happens, during the re 
 cess of the legislature, the executive of tbe state makes a tem 
 porary appointment of a senator, until the next meeting of the 
 legislature. A senator must have attained to the age of thirty 
 years, been a citizen of the United States nine years, and be an 
 inhabitant of the State for which he is chosen. 
 
 Of the powers of the two Houses. " The house of represen 
 tatives choose their own speaker and other officers, arid have 
 the exclusive power of impeaching public officers, and origina 
 ting bills for raising a revenue. The vice president of the 
 United States is president of the senate ; but the other officers 
 are chosen by the senate. The senate tries all impeachments ; 
 each house determines the validity of the elections and qual- 
 licatious of its own members, forms its own rules, and keeps 
 a journal of its proceedings. The members are privileged 
 from arrest, while attending on the session, going to, or re 
 turning from the same, except for treason, felony, or breach of 
 the peace. 
 
 Of the powers of Congress. " The congress of the United 
 States have power to make and enforce all laws, which are ne 
 cessary for the genera] welfare as to lay and collect taxes, im 
 posts, and excises; borrow money, regulate commerce, esta 
 blish uniform rules of naturalization, coin money, establish post 
 roads and post offices, promote the arts and sciences, institute 
 tribunals inferiour to the supreme court, define and punish pira 
 cy, declare war, and make reprisals, raise and support armies, 
 provide a navy, regulate the militia, and to make all laws ne- 
 cessarv 10 carry these powers into effect. 
 
 Of Restrictions. "No bill of attainder, or retrospective law, 
 shall be passed; the writ of habeas corpus c \nnot be suspended, 
 except in cases of rebellion or invasion ; no direct tax can be 
 laid, except according to a census of the inhabitants ; no duty 
 can be laid on exports, no money can be drawn from the treas 
 ury, unless appropriated by law ; no title of nobility caa ba 
 granted, nor can any publick officer, without the consent of con 
 gress, accept of any present or title from any foreign prince or 
 state. The states are restrained from emitting bills of credit, 
 from making any thing but gold or silver a tender for debts, 
 and from passing any law impairing private contracts. 
 
 Of the Executive. " The executive power of the United 
 States is vested in a president, who holds his office for four 
 years. To qualify a man for president, he must have been a 
 citizen at the adoption of the constitution, or must be a native 
 of the United States; he must have attained to the age of 
 
268 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 thirty five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the 
 United States. The president and vice president are chosen 
 by electors designated in such a manner as the legislature of 
 each State shall direct. The number of electors, in each 
 State, is equal to the whole number of senators and represen 
 tatives. 
 
 Of the powers of the President. " The president of the 
 United States is commander in chief of the army and navy, and 
 of the militia when in actual service. He grants reprieves and 
 pardons ; nominates, and with the consent of the senate, ap 
 points ambassadors, judges, and other officers ; and, with the 
 advice and consent of the senate, forms treaties, provided two 
 thirds of the senate agree. He fills vacancies in offices which 
 happen during the recess of the senate. He convenes the con 
 gress on extraordinary occasions, receives foreign ministers, 
 gives information to congress of the state of publick affairs, and 
 in general, takes care that the laws be faithfully executed. 
 
 Of the Judiciary. " The Judiciary of the United States con- 
 sits of one supreme court, and such inferiour courts as the con 
 gress shall ordain. The judges are to hold their offices during 
 good behaviour, and their salaries cannot be diminished during 
 their continuance in office. The judicial power of these courts 
 extends to all cases in law and equity, arising under the con 
 stitution, or laws ofthe United States, and under treaties ; to 
 cases of publick ministers and consuls ; to all cases of admiralty 
 and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies between the States, 
 and in which the United States are a party : between citizens 
 of different States ; between a State and a citizen of another 
 State, and between citizens ofthe same State, claiming under 
 grants of different States ; and to causes between one of the 
 States or an American citizen, and a foreign State or citizen. 
 
 Of Rights and Immunities. * In all criminal trials, except 
 impeachment, the trial by jury is guaranteed to the accused. 
 Treason is restricted to the simple acts of levying war against 
 the United States, and adhering to their enemies, giving them 
 aid and comfort : and no person can be convicted, but by two 
 witnesses to the same, act or by confession in open court. A 
 conviction of treason is not followed by a corruption of blood, to 
 disinherit the heirs ofthe criminal, nor by a forfeiture of es 
 tate, except during the life of the offender. The citizens of 
 each State are entitled to all privileges and Immunities of citi 
 zens in the several States. Congress may admit new States 
 into the union, and the national compact guarantees, to each 
 State, a republican form of government, together with protec 
 tion from foreign invasion and domestic violence." 
 
 It has already been stated that in April 1789, General Wash- 
 inton took the chair as the first Presidenl of the United State* 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 269 
 
 Messrs Jefferson, Hamilton, and general Knox appointed secre 
 taries, and E Imnnd Randolph, attorney general. 
 
 The secretary of the treasury was directed to prepare a plan 
 for the support of public credit, and report the same at their 
 next meeting. 
 
 After the adjournment of congress, the president made a tour 
 through New England, where he was received by the inhab 
 itants with an affection bordering on adoration. People of all 
 classes crowded to behold the man whose virtues and talents 
 exalted him, in their view, above the heroes of ancient and mo 
 dern times ; and to present to him the undissembled homage of 
 their grateful hearts. But to none did his visit give more ex 
 quisite pleasure than to the officers and soldiers of the " patriot 
 army," who had been his companions in suffering and in victory, 
 who were endeared to him by their bravery and fidelity in war, 
 and by the magnanimity with which, in peace, they endured 
 unmerited neglect and poverty. 
 
 At the next session ofcongress, which commenced in Janua 
 ry, 1790, Mr. Hamilton, the secretary of the treasury, made his 
 celebrated report upon the public debts contracted during 
 the revolutionary war. Taking an able and enlarged view of 
 the advantages of public credit, he recommended that, not only 
 the debts of the continental congress, but those of the states 
 arising 1 from their exertions in the common cause, should be 
 funded or assumed by the general government; and that provi 
 sion should be made for paying the interest, by imposing taxes 
 on certain articles of luxury, and on spirits distilled within the 
 country. 
 
 Upon this report an animated debate took place. Its recom 
 mendations were opposed by that party who had seen, or 
 thought they had seen, in the constitution, many features hos 
 tile to freedom, and who remembered that Mr. Hamilton, 
 when a member of the convention, had proposed that th 
 president aad senate shuuld be appointed to hold their offices 
 during good behavior. They now expressed their fears, that 
 the assumption of these debts would render the government 
 still stronger, by drawing around it a numerous and powerful 
 body of public creditors, who, in all the contests, with th 
 etatesorthe people, would be bound, by the strongest of all 
 ties, that of interest, to support it whether right or wrong. 
 This party, existing principally in the southern states, and pro 
 fessing an ardent attachment to the equal rights of man, took 
 the name of republican. 
 
 Mr. Madison proposed, that whenever the public securities 
 
 had been transferred, the highest price which they had borns 
 
 in the market should be paid to the purchaser, and the residue 
 
 to the original holder. After aa eloquent debate, this proposi- 
 
 23* 
 
270 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 tion was rejected. The party denominated federal, and exist 
 ing principally in the northern states, supported throughout 
 with great ability and force of reasoning, the plans of the sec 
 retary ; but on taking the vote in the house of representatives, 
 they were rejected by a majority of two. 
 
 Afterwards this national measure was connected, as is too 
 frequently the case in legislative bodies, with one which had 
 excited much local feeling. It was understood that, should the 
 seat of government be fixed for ten years at Philadelphia, and 
 afterwards permanently at a place to be selected on the Poto 
 mac, some southern members would withdraw their opposition 
 to the funding system. A law to that effect was accordingly 
 enacted. The former discussion was then resumed. The plana 
 of the secretary were adopted in the senate, and afterwards in 
 the house, two members representing districts on the Potomac, 
 changing their votes. The debt funded amounted to a little 
 more than seventy five millions of dollars ; upon a part of which 
 three per cent, and upon the remainder six per cent, interest 
 was to be paid. 
 
 The effect of this measure was great and rapid. The price 
 of the public paper, which had fallen to twelve or fifteen cents 
 on the dollar, suddenly rose to the sum expressed on the face of 
 it. This difference was gained, in most instances, by purchas 
 ers of the securities, who, feeling indebted, for this immense 
 accession of wealth, to the plans of the secretary, regarded him 
 with enthusiastic attachment. But in others, this wealth, sud 
 denly acquired without merit, excited envy and dissatisfaction. 
 These joined the republican party; who fancying they were 
 witnessing the fulfilment of their prediction, became more ac 
 tive in their opposition. 
 
 The recommendation of the secretary to impose additional 
 duties, was not acted upon until the next session of congress. 
 Those on distilled spirits were proposed in order to render the 
 burdens of the inhabitants beyond the Allegany mountains, 
 where no other spirits were consumed, equal to those of the in 
 habitants on the sea coast, who consumed most of the articles 
 on which an impost duty was paid. In the beginning of the 
 year 1791, they were laid as proposed. A national bank, re 
 commended also by the same officer, was in the same year in 
 corporated. Both measures met a violent opposition from the 
 republican party. 
 
 When the new government was first organized, but eleven 
 states had ratified the constitution. Afterwards, North Caro 
 lina and Rhode Island, the two dissenting states, adopted it; the 
 former in November, 1789, the latter in May, 1790. In 1791, 
 Vermont adopted it, and applied to congress to be admitted in 
 to tbe union. Tbe territory of this state, situated between 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 271 
 
 New Hampshire and New York, was claimed by both, and 
 both had made grants of land wiihin its limits. In 1777, the 
 inhabitants, refusing to submit to either, declared themselves 
 independent. Although not represented in the continental 
 congress, yet, during the war, they embraced the cause of their 
 brethren in the other states, and to them their aid was often 
 rendered, and was always efficient. Agreeably to their re 
 quest, an act was now passed, constituting Vermont one of the 
 members of the union. An act was also passed, declaring that 
 the district of Kentucky, then apart of Virginia, should be ad 
 mitted into the union on the first day of June, in the succeeding 
 year. 
 
 In 1791, was completed tho first census or enumeration of 
 the inhabitants of the United States. They amounted to 3, 921, 
 326, of which number 695,655 were slaves. The revenue, ac 
 cording to the report of the secretary of the treasury, amounted 
 to 4,771,000 dollars, the exports to about nineteen, and the 
 imports to about twenty millions. A great improvement in the 
 circumstances of the people began at this period to be visible. 
 The establishment of a firm and regular government, and con 
 fidence in the men whom they had chosen to administer it, gave 
 an impulse to their exertions which bore them rapidly forward 
 in the career of prosperity. 
 
 In 1790, a termination was put to the war which, for several 
 years, had raged between the Creek Indians and the state of 
 Georgia. Pacific overtures were also made to the hostile 
 tribes inhabiting the banks of the Scioto and the Wabash. 
 T:iGse being rejected, an army of 1400 men, commanded by 
 general Harmer, was despatched against them. Two battles 
 were fought near Chilicothe, in Ohio, between successive de 
 tachments ftom this army and the Indains, in which the latter 
 were victorious. 
 
 Emboldened by these successes, they made more vigorous at 
 tacks upon the frontier settlements, which suffered all the dis 
 tressing calamities of an Indian war. Additional troops were 
 raised, and the command of the whole was given to general St. 
 Clair. With near 2000 man, he marched, in October, into the 
 wilderness. By desertion and detachments, this force was re 
 duced to fourteen hundred. On the third of November, they 
 encamped a few miles from the villages on the Miami, intend 
 ing to remain there until joined by those who were absent. 
 
 But before sunrise, the next morning, just after the troops 
 were dismissed from the parade, they were attacked unexpect 
 edly by the Indians. The new levies, who were in front, 
 rushed back in confusion upon the regulars. These, who had 
 been hastily formed, were thrown into disorder. They, how 
 ever, with great intrepidity, advanced into the midst of the ene/> 
 
272 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 my, who retired from covert to covert, keeping always beyond 
 reach, and again returning as soon as the troops weie recalled 
 from pursuit. In these charges many brave and experienced 
 officers were killed ; the loss of men was also great, and no per 
 manent impression was made upon the enemy. 
 
 At length, after a contest of three or four hours, St. Clair, 
 whose ill health disabled him from performing the active duties 
 of commander, determined to withdraw from the field the rem 
 nant of his troops. The instant that the directions to retire 
 were given, a disorderly flighi commenced. Fortunately for 
 the survivors, the victorious Indians were soon recalled from 
 pursuit to the camp, by their avidity for plunder ; and the van 
 quished continued their retreat unmolested to the frontier 
 settlements. 
 
 In this battle, the numbers engaged on each side were sup 
 posed to be equal. Of the whites, the slaughter was almost 
 beyond example. Six hundred and thirty were killed and mis 
 sing, and two hundred and sixty were wounded a loss which 
 proves at once the obstinacy of the defence, and the bravery of 
 the assailants. On receiving information of this disaster, con 
 gress, resolving to prosecute the war with increased vigor, made 
 provision for augmenting, by enlistment, the military force of 
 the nation to 5000 men. 
 
 In the autumn of 1 792, general Washington was again unani 
 mously elected president of the American republic.and in March, 
 1793, was inducted into office. Mr. Adams was re-elected vice- 
 president, in opposition to George Clinton, of New York. In 
 the progress of these elections, but little party feeling was ex 
 hibited ; the repose of society was not disturbed, but the citi 
 zens raised to posts of the highest honor those whom their judg 
 ments and affections designated as the most worthy. 
 
 Early in April, information was received of the declartion of 
 war by Fiance, against England and Holland. The United 
 States were greatly interested for the success of France, which 
 had assisted us during our Revolution. 
 
 The French people, at the same time, regarded the Ameri 
 cans as their brethren, bound to them by the ties of gratitude ; 
 and when the kings of Europe, dreading the establishment of 
 republicanism in her borders, assembled in arms to restore 
 monarchy to France, they looked across the Atlantic for sym 
 pathy and assistance. The new government, recalling the 
 minister whom the king had appointed, despatched the citizen 
 Genet, of ardent temper and a zealous republican, to supply 
 his place. In April, 1793, he arrived at Charleston, in South- 
 Carolina, where he was received, by the governor and the citi 
 zens, in a manner expressive of their warm attachment to hi* 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 273 
 
 country, and their cordial approbation of the change in her 
 institutions. 
 
 Flattered by his reception, and presuming that the nation and 
 the government were actuated by similar feelings, he assumed 
 the authority of expediting privateers from that port to cruise 
 against the vessels of nations who were enemies to France, 
 hut at peace with the United States, a procedure forbidden by 
 the laws of nations, and derogatory to the govern ;nent of the 
 country. Notwithstanding this illegal assumption of power, 
 he received, on his journey to Philadelphia, extravagant marks 
 of public attachment : and, on his arrival there, "crowds flock 
 ed from every avenue of the city to meet the republican am 
 bassador of an allied nation." Intoxicated by these continued 
 and increased demonstrations of regard, he persisted in form 
 ing and executing schemes of hostility against the enemies of 
 France. 
 
 Mr. Hammond, and the American cabinet disapproved of these 
 proceedings, and laid them before the President, who appealed 
 to the French government, and they resolved that Genet should 
 be succeeded by Mr. Fauchet, and Mr. Monroe was sent out to 
 France to succeed Mr. Morris. The first day of January, 1794, 
 Mr. Jefferson, the secretary, resigned, and was succeeded by 
 Edmund Randolph. 
 
 Ever since the peace of 1783, the United States and Great 
 Britain complained of each other as violating the stipulation 
 contained in the treaty. The latter was accused of carrying 
 away negroes, and the former for preventing the loyalists from 
 regaining possession of their estates, and British subjects from 
 recovering the debts contracted before the commencement of 
 hostilities. Mr. John Jay, was appointed envoy extraordinary 
 to the court of Great Britain, and succeeded io negotiating a 
 treaty with the court of St. James, in June 1795. 
 
 Mr. Hamilton retired from the office of secretary, and was 
 succeeded by Oliver Wolcott, of Connecticut. 
 
 As the time for a new election for president approached, 
 Washington signified his intention to retire from publick life, 
 and published at the same time his farewell address. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Adams Administration. 
 
 In February, 1797, John Adams was declared to be elected 
 president for the term of four years, commencing 4th of March, 
 
274 UNIVB-RSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 and Mr. Jefferson vice president. Washington retired to 
 Mount Vernon, having established his fame as the greatest 
 hero, and most distinguished statesman of the age. He there 
 devoted his time to the cultivation of an extensive farm, and 
 to the enjoyment, once more, of the sweets of private life. 
 
 March 4th, Mr. Adarns entered upon the duties of his office. 
 The numerous tribes of Indians on the western territories, 
 had been taught by arms and justice, to respect the United 
 States, and continue at peace. Treaties had been formed with 
 Algiers and Tripoli, so that the Mediterranean was opened to 
 American vessels. 
 
 The administration of Mr. Adams, wag met at the threshold, 
 by open indignity on the part of France, in her refusing to ac 
 cept Mr. Pinckney in exchange for Mr. Monroe. This refusal 
 roused the sensibilities of Mr. Adams, and he immediately no- 
 mio ated two others, Mr. Marshall and Mr. Gerry, who were 
 sent out to France, toco-operate with Mr. Pinckney, if possible, 
 to settle an accommodation with the directory. 
 
 To command the armies of the United States, president 
 Adams, with the unanimous advice of the Senate, appointed 
 George Washington. He consented, but with great reluctance, 
 to accept the office, declaring, however, that he cordially ap 
 proved the measures of the government. 
 
 No opportunity was presented of testing the courage and 
 skill of the American troops. At sea, a desperate action was 
 fought between the frigate Constellation, of 3 8 guns, commanded 
 by commodore Truxton, and the French frigate L Insurgente, 
 of 40 guns. The latter, although of superior force, was cap 
 tured. The same intrepid officer, in a subsequent action, com 
 pelled another French frigate of 50 guns, to strike her colors, 
 but she afterwards escaped in the night. 
 
 The United States, in arms at home, and victorious on the 
 ocean, commanded the respect of their enemy. The directory 
 made overtures of peace. The president immediately appoint 
 ed ministers, who, on their arrival at Paris, found the executive 
 authority in the possession of Bonaparte as first consul. They 
 were promptly accredited, and in September, 1800, a treaty 
 was concluded satisfactory to both countries. 
 
 While this negotiation was in progress, the whole American 
 people were o?ershadowed with gloom, by the sudden death of 
 the Father of his country. On the 14th of December, 1799, 
 after an illness of one day only, general Washington expired. 
 Intelligence of this event, as it rapidly spread, produced sponta 
 neous, deep, and unaffected grief, suspending every other 
 thought, and absorbing every different feeling. 
 
 Congress, then in session at Philadelphia, immediately ad 
 journed. Oa assembling the next day, the house of represent 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 275 
 
 latives resolved, " that the speaker s chair should be shrouded 
 in black, and the member:? wear black during the session ; and 
 that a joint committee should be appointed to devise the most 
 suitable manner of paying honor to the memory of the MAX 
 first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his coun 
 trymen." 
 
 The senate, on this melancholy occasion, addressed a letter 
 of condolence to the president of the United States. " This 
 event, 1 they observe, " so distressing to all our fellow citizens, 
 must be particularly heavy to you, who have long been associ 
 ated with him in deeds of patriotism. Permit us. sir, to min 
 gle 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 human events" has taken from us our 
 greatest benefactor and ornament. It becomes us to submit 
 with reverence to HIM who maketh darkness his pavilion. 
 
 * With patriotic pride we review the life of our WASH 
 INGTON, and compare him with those of other countries who 
 have been pre-eminent in fame. Ancient and modern names 
 are diminished before him. Greatness and guilt have too often 
 been allied; but his fame is whiter than it is brilliant. The 
 destroyers of nations stood abashed at the majesty of his vir 
 tues. It reproved the intemperance of their ambition, and 
 darkened the splendor of victory. 
 
 "Such was the man whom we deplore. Thanks to God, his 
 glory is consummated. Washington yet lives on earth in his 
 spotless example his spirit is in heaven. Let his countrymen 
 consecrate the memory of tbe heroic general, the patriotic 
 statesman, and the virtuous sage : let them teach their children 
 never to forget that the fruits of his labors, and of his example, 
 are their inheritance." 
 
 Agreeably to the report of the committee, and the unanimous 
 resolves of congress, a funeral procession moved from the legis 
 lative hall to the German Lutheran Church, where an oration 
 was delivered by General Lee, a representative from Virginia. 
 The procession was grand and solemn, the oration impressivo 
 and eloquent. Throughout the union similar marks of afflic 
 tion were exhibited. A whole bereaved people appeared in 
 mourning-. In every part of the republic, funeral orations were 
 delivered, and the best talents of the nation were devoted to an 
 expression of the nation s grief. 
 
 In 1800, Congress removed from Philadelphia to a place 
 which had been previously selected; and public buildings were 
 erected on the Potomac, a few miles above Mount Vernon, to 
 which the name of Washington \vas given, and congress com- 
 
276 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 menced its session for the first time at this place in Novem 
 ber. 
 
 President Adams first term was drawing nigh to a close, 
 and the people were to give their votes for the next president. 
 
 The federalists supported Mr. Adams, and general Pinck- 
 ney ; the republicans, Mr. Jefferson and Colonel Burr. 
 
 The.strife of the two parties during the time of electioneering, 
 was spirited, Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Burr received a very small 
 majority, and their votes were equal, each having 73. The 
 house of representative was called to make a decision. After 
 thirty five trials, Mr. Jefferson was chosen president, and Mr. 
 Burr vice-president. At this period, the population amounted 
 to 5,319,763, having increased about one million four hundred 
 thousand, in ten years. 
 
 Mr Jefferson entered upon the duty of president, March 4th, 
 1801. Mr. Jefferson took a bold and decided stand, as may be 
 seen by the following extract from his message : 
 
 " Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or 
 persuasion, religious or political: peace, commerce, and ho 
 nest friendship, with all nations, entangling alliances with none : 
 The support of the state governments in all their rights, as the 
 most competent administration for our domestick concerns, 
 and the surest bulwarks against anti-republican tendencies : 
 the preservation of the general government in its whole con 
 stitutional vigour, as the sheet anchor of our peace at home, 
 and safety abroad : a jealous care of the right of election by 
 the people, a mild and safe corrective of abuses which are lop 
 ped by the sword of revolution where peaceable remedies are 
 unprovided : absolute acquiescence in the decisions of the 
 majority, the vital principle of republics, from which is no ap 
 peal but to force, the vital principle and immediate parent of 
 despotisms: a well disciplined militia, our best reliance in 
 peace, and for the first moments of war, till regulars may re 
 lieve them : the supremacy of the civil over the military au 
 thority : economy in the public expense, that labor may be 
 lightly burthened. 
 
 The honest payment of our debts, and sacred preservation of 
 the public faith: encouragement of agriculture, and of com 
 merce as its hand-maid : the diffusion of information, and ar 
 raignment of all abuses at the bar of public reason : freedom 
 of religion : freedom of the press ; and freedom of person, under 
 the protection of the habeas coipus : and trial by juries im 
 partially Felected." "These principles," added Mr. Jefferson, 
 " should be the creed of our political faith and should we 
 wander from them in moments of errour or of alarm, let us 
 hasten to retrace our steps, and to regain the road which alone 
 leads to peace, liberty and safety." 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 277 
 
 1 1803, Ohio was admitted as an independent state into the 
 union. It derived its name from the river Ohio, which sweeps 
 the southern border of the stale. Louisiana was purchased by 
 the United States, in April, 1803,for the sum of fifteen millions 
 of dollars. 
 
 The Tripolitan cruisers continued to harass the vessels of 
 the United States, and congress determined to act with greater 
 vigor against them. Accordingly, a squadron was fitted out 
 and the command given to commodore Preble. On arriving 
 before Tripoli, captain Bainbridge, in the frigale Philadelphia, 
 of 4i guns, was sent into the harbor to reconnoitre. While in 
 eager pursuit of a small vessel, ke unfortunately advanced <o 
 far that the frigate grounded, and all attempts to remove her 
 were in vain. The sea around her was immmediately covered 
 with Tripolifan gun-bents, and captain Bainbridge was com 
 pelled to surrender. The officers were considered as prisonois 
 of war ; but the crew, according to the custom of Oarbarv, 
 were treated as slaves. 
 
 At the capture of this frigate, the enemy rejoiced and exult 
 ed beyond measure. Lieutenant Stephen Decatur conceived 
 the design of retaking or destroying her. Cou rnodore Pre ole, 
 applauding the spirit of the youthful hero, gnnU ci him per 
 mission to make the attempt. In February, l ; 04, he sailed 
 from Syracuse, in a small schooner, having on board but seven 
 ty-six men, entered undiscovered the harbour of Tripoli, and 
 advancing boldly took a station alongside the frigate. Per 
 ceiving the crew in consternation, Decatur sprang on board, 
 his men followed, and with drawn swords rushed upon the ene 
 my. The decks were soon cleared, some being killed, and 
 others driven into the sea. 
 
 A heavy cannonade upon the frigate, from the batteries o;; 
 shore and the corsairs near, was now commenced, and se v . on,; 
 vessels of war were seen approaching. She was set on fire 
 and abandoned, none of the paily being killed and but four 
 wounded. Throughout all the piratical states, this brilliant 
 exploit exalted the reputation of the American arms. The 
 president, in reward of his address and bravery, promoted lieu 
 tenant Decatur to the rank of post-captain ia the navv. 
 
 The Bashaw, who ftight well be compared to the toad v, h-ch 
 wished to swell itself to the size of the ox, reposed in fancied 
 security. He cast a malignant glance at the little squadron m 
 which Decatur was one of the distinguished leaders. He -a\\ 7 
 in the bay spreading before his city, his batteries, and his cas 
 tles, a noble American frigate, (the Philadelphia,) and the pride 
 of the American navy upon which the l * star-spangled ban 
 ner" once triumphantly waved, now added to his naval force; 
 manned by a double crew of Tripolitans, and with the T.. 
 24 
 
27* UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 crescent waving on its mast. He saw its once gallant erew/ 
 miserable slaves in his own gloomy dungeons; and, in anticipa 
 tion, feasted his cannibal appetite upon all the victims which 
 the American squadron could add to his list of Christian 
 slaves. 
 
 The American squadron obliged the Bashaw to smell their 
 powder, and taste their lead so frequently, that he was obliged 
 to offer favourable terms of peace, which were accepted, and 
 the war in the Mediterranean ended^ 
 
 hi .Tune, 1804, Colonel Burr challenged Mr. Hamilton to 
 settle some trifling offence by a duel, in which the latter waa 
 killed. 
 
 This year Mr. Jefferson was re-elected president, and George 
 Clinton vice-preeident; and their term of office commenced in 
 March, 1005. This year Michigan became a government of 
 the United States, and General Hall were appointed by Mr. 
 Jefferson the first governor. 
 
 Burr, notwithstanding his brilliant talents, now sunk, for a 
 time, into merited obscurity. His future conduct showed, 
 however, that, while unobserved by his fellow citisens, he had 
 not been idle, in the autumn of 1806, his movements in the 
 western country attracted the notice of government. He had 
 purchased and was building boats on the Ohio, and engaging 
 men to descend that river. His declared purpose was to form 
 a settlement on t,he banks of the Washita, in Louisiana ; but 
 the character of the man, the nature of his preparations, and 
 the incautious disclosures of his associates, led to the suspicion 
 that his true object was either to gain possession of New- 
 Orleans, and erect into a separate government the country 
 watered by the Mississippi and its branches, or to invade, from 
 the territories of the United States, the rich Spanish province 
 of Mexico. 
 
 From the first moment of suspicion, he was closely watched 
 by the agents of the government. At Natchez, while on his 
 way to New Orleans, he was cited to appear before the su 
 preme court of the Mississippi Territory. But he had so en 
 veloped his projects in secrecy, that sufficient evidence to con 
 vict him could not be produced, and he was discharged. Hear 
 ing, however, that several persons, suspected of being hia ac 
 complices, had been arrested at New Orleans and elsewhere, 
 he fled in disguise from Natchez, was apprehended on the 
 Tombigbee, and conveyed a prisoner to Richmond. Two in 
 dictments were found against him, one charging him with trea 
 son against the United States, the other with preparing and 
 commencing an expedition against the dominions of Spain. 
 
 hi August, 1807, he was "tried, upon those indictments, be 
 fore John Marshall, the chief justice of the United States. 
 
THE UNITED STATES, 579 
 
 Full evidence of his guilt not being exhibited, he was acquit 
 ted by the jury. The people, however, believed him guilty ; 
 and by their desertion and contempt, he was reduced to a con 
 dition of the most abject wretchedness. The ease with which 
 his plans were defeated, demonstrated the strength of the go 
 vernment, and his fate will ever be an impressive warning to 
 those who, in a free country, listen to the suggestions of crimi 
 nal ambition. 
 
 In June, 1807, an event occurred, which for a time concen 
 trated upon one of the several nations, the whole weight of 
 popular indignation. 
 
 On the 22d of June, the Chesapeake weighed anchor and 
 proceeded to sea. She passed the British ships Bellona and 
 Melampus, lying in Lynnhaven bay, whose appearance wan 
 friendly. There were two other ships that lay off Cape Henry, 
 one of which, the Leopard, Captain Humphreys), weighed an 
 chor, and in a few hours came along 1 side the Chesapeake. 
 
 A British officer immediately came on board, and demanded 
 the deserters. To this, Captain Barren replied, that he did 
 not know of any being there, and that his duty forbade him 
 to allow of any muster of his crew, except by their own of 
 ficers. 
 
 During this interview, Barron noticed some proceedings of a 
 hostile nature on board the adverse ship, but he could not be 
 persuaded that any thing but menace was intended by thejn. 
 After the British officer departed, he gavo orders to clear his 
 gun deck, and after some time, he directed his men to their 
 quarters, secretly, and without beat of drum : still, however, 
 without any serious apprehensions of an attack. 
 
 Before these orders could be executed, the Leopard com 
 menced a heavy fire. This fire unfortunately was very des 
 tructive. In about thirty minutes, the hull, rigging, and spars 
 of the Chesapeake were greatly damaged, three men were 
 killed and sixtoen wounded ; among the latter was the cap 
 tain himself. Such was the previous disorder, that during this 
 time, the utmost exertions were insufficient to prepare the 
 Bhip for action, and the captain thought proper to strike his 
 colours. 
 
 The British captain refused to accept the surrender of the 
 Chesapeake, but took from her crew, Ware, Martin, and 
 Strachan, the three men formerly demanded as deserters, and 
 a fourth, John Wilson, claimed as a runaway from a mer- 
 cimnt ship. 
 
 This insolent attack upon a national ship, this wanton ex 
 ercise of a claim derogatory to national honor, aroused the 
 spirit of the republic. The distinctions of party were forgotten, 
 numerous meetings of the citizens were held, and all concurred 
 
580 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 in the expression of a determination to support the government 
 of their country in its efforts to obtain, whether by negotiation 
 or war, satisfaction for this insulting outrage. 
 
 The president, by proclamation, prohibited all British ships 
 of war from continuing- in or entering the harbours </f the 
 United States. He senT instructions to the minister at London 
 to demand satisfaction for the insult, and security against future 
 aggression. He summoned congress to meet and decide what 
 further measures should be adopted. The British government 
 promptly disavowing the act of its officer, the hostile feelings 
 which had been excited began to subside; but delaying to ren 
 der satisfaction, and refuting to adopt adequate measures to 
 prevent a continuance of aggression, they were not extinguish 
 ed nor op peaked. 
 
 On the 6th of November following, the empsror Napoleon 
 issued his Berlin decree, which declared all the British isles in 
 a state of blockade. This decree was in direct violation of the 
 treaty between France and the United States, as well as of 
 the law of nations. 
 
 On the 7th of January, 1307, the British government met 
 this decree by an order in council, declaring " all vessels coast 
 ing from one port to another on the coast of France, or that, of 
 her allies, liable to seizure and condemnation." 
 
 On the llth of November, Great Britain repeated her or 
 ders in council, by way of retaliation upon the French decrees, 
 11 declaring all nations at war with Great Britain, and all ports 
 from which the British flag is excluded, to be under the same 
 restrictions in point of trade and navigation, as if the same 
 were in a state of blockade." 
 
 To retaliate upon Great Britain for her orders in council, 
 the French emperor issued his Milan decree, declaring " all 
 vessels denationalized, which shall have submitted to a search 
 from a British ship, and every vessel a good prize, which shall 
 sail to or from Great Britain, or any of her colonies or coun 
 tries occupied by British troops," December 17th, 1807. 
 
 On the 22d, congress laid an indefinite embargo. 
 
 Thus balanced, America began to feel more immediately, the 
 convulsions of Europe, and to find herself involved in the 
 contest. One grand system of incrigue ROW pervaded all 
 Christendom, and paved the way for the calamities that fol 
 lowed. 
 
 Mr. Jefferson being desirous of confirming the example of 
 Washington, declined a re-election. James Madison was 
 elected president, and George Clinton re-elected vice-president, 
 March, 1809. 
 
 Great Britain continued to violate the laws of peace. She 
 had ships of war stationed before the principal harbours of the 
 
THE UMTED STATES. !28i 
 
 l.Vited States. American mere ), in (men were boarded, search 
 ed, and many of ihem s:-nt to British ports as legal prizes. 
 
 Commodore Ro<]gers, commanding the frigate president, was 
 fired upon by the British sloop of war Little Beir, of 18 guns ; 
 but the President being a superior force, the Little Belt was 
 soon x silenced wii .i considerable loss. 
 
 Congress, in November 1811, pissed a law to increase the 
 regular army to 35 030 men : empowered the president to ac 
 cept the services of volunteers, -and to borrow eleven thousand 
 dollars. 
 
 Congress con .inueJ to ;nake preparations for war, yet stii. 
 c lerislTinnr the hope, that a change cf policy in Europe would 
 render unnecessary an appeal to arms. On the 20th of May, 
 101 2, th.* H jrner arrived. tVn n London, bringing information 
 that no prosooct existed of a favourable change. On the first 
 of June, the question in congress was, whether they should 
 continue to endure their wrong-, oc resort to arms. 
 
 The British government had been told in plain terms, that 
 if they continued to drnir the American seamen from their 
 is uios, and rob the vessel^ uf their Broods, wr-; wi. ukl be inevita 
 ble. 
 
 Congress, after sitting a number of days with closed doors, 
 declared war against Great Britain, on the 13th day cf June, 
 1C 1-2; and on the following day,. war was publickly proclaimed. 
 The president was authorised to receive 50,000 volunteers, 
 nnd to C lll out one hundred thousand militia. Governor Hull, 
 at the head of about two thousand men, was on his march to 
 Detroit, with a view of pulling an end to the Indian hos 
 tilities. \v :en i:e received iril -.n jation of the declaration of 
 war. This li tie nraiy HI inched to Spring Wells. w;thin a few 
 iniles .pf Detroit, July fifth, th.-re they l|ad f)i\\^ small skir- 
 sn;.sli--3 with the Indian-, bat soort Compelled them t>o retire: 
 and !I;:11 proceeded wi hout molestation to Bandwjch. Here 
 he was me f , by a superior force, ujvJer the command of Gene 
 ral C- -oek. General Hull hastened bock to Detroit. 
 
 On the 14<h., the British took a position opposite to Detroit, 
 and erected batteries. The next day, they began a cannon 
 ade upon the American fortification, which was rutusned with 
 precision and effect. On the iGth, the enemy crossed the river, 
 taking post sb .uit three miles above the town, and advanced 
 (owtt"ds the fori in close columns, twelve deep. The hearts of 
 our soldiers now beat high at their approach, expecting to re 
 gain their credit. But who can describe the chagrin and morti 
 fication which took possession of these troops. 
 
 At the very moment the destruction of the enemy was cer 
 tain, orders were given not to fire. The troops were ordered 
 to stack their arms, and to the astonish-menl of all, a white Hag. 
 
582 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 >n token of submission, was suspended from the walls. Words 
 are wanting to express the feelings of the Americans on this 
 occasion ; they considered themselves basely betrayed, in thu< 
 surrendering to an inferior force, without firing-, a gun, when 
 they were firmly convinced the enemy weie in their power. 
 General Hull was exchanged fur thirty British prisoners, 
 brought before a court martial, charged with treason, coward 
 ice, and unofficer like conduct ; was sentenced to death. The 
 sentence was remitted by the president, but his name was or 
 dered to be struck from the rolls of the army. While the na 
 tion was overspread with gloom inconsequence of this disaster, 
 they were suddenly consoled in the most pleasing manner. A 
 new and glorious era burst upon our country, and upon* the 
 world. 
 
 At the moment of the declaration of war, a squadron under 
 commodore Rogers, had rendezvoused under the order of the 
 government, off" Sandy Hook, consisting of the frigates Presi 
 dent, Congress, United States, and the brig Hornet. On the 
 Slst of June they put to sea, in pursuit of a British squadron, 
 which had sailed as the convoy of the West India fleet, the 
 preceding month. While thus engaged, the British frigate 
 Belvidera was discovered, to \vhicli they instantly gave chase. 
 The chase was continued from early in the morning until patt 
 four in the afternoon, when the President, outsailing the other 
 vessels, had come within gun shot, the opened a fire with her 
 bow gruns, intending to cripple the Belvidera, which returned 
 it with her stern chasers. The firing was kept up for ten min 
 utes, when one of the guns of the President burst, killed and 
 wounded sixteen men, and fractured the leg of the commodore.. 
 By this accident, and the explosion of the passing box, the 
 decks were so much shattered, as to render the gui.e on that 
 tide useless. The ship was then put about, and a broadside 
 fired, but without the desired effect, though considerable injury 
 was done the Belvidera. This vessel having thrown overboard 
 every thing she could span;, now gained ground. The chase 
 waa continued until eleven o clock at night, before it was 
 deemed hopefess. The squadron then continued in pursuit of 
 the convoy, which it did not give over until within sight of the 
 British channel : then stood for the islaiid of Maderia, and 
 thence passing the Azores, stood for Newfoundland, and 
 thence by Cape Sable, arrived at Boston the 30th of August, 
 having made prize of several British vessels ; but owing 19 the 
 haziness of the weather, they were less successful than might 
 have been expected. 
 
 The frigate Essex went to sea from New York, on the third 
 of July ; the Constitution sailed from- the Chesapeake on the 
 twelfth ; the brigs Nautilus, and Vixen, were at the same ticn* 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 533 
 
 cruising off tho coast ; the sloop of war Wasp was at sea oa 
 her return from Prance. 
 
 The Constitution, Capt. Hull, had sailed from Annapolis on 
 tiie 5th of July. On the morning ofthe 17th, offEgg Harbour r 
 she was chased hya ship ofthe line, the Africa, and the frigates 
 Shannon, Guerriere, Belvidera. and ^Eolus. These vessels were 
 approaching rapidly, with a fine breeze, while it was nearly a 
 calm about the Constitution. At sunrise the next morning, 
 escape from the enemy was almost hopeless, as they were then 
 within five miles. The Constitution was therefore cleared for 
 action, determined to make a desperate resistance. The ene 
 my still drawing near, captain Hull resolved to make another 
 effort to escape. Boats were sent ahad, with anchors for the 
 purpose of warping, there prevailing almost a calm. The oth 
 ers finding the Constitution gaining upon them, resorted to the 
 uamo expedient. The chase continued in this manner for 
 two days, partly sailing- with light breezes, and partly warping, 
 until the 20th, when the squadron was left entirely out of sight. 
 This escape from so great a disparity of force, was considered 
 as deserving a high rank in naval exploits, and was much ad 
 mired at the time, as evincing- superior nautical skill. The ad 
 vantage to the Bi itish in this chase, was considerable, when we 
 reflect that their foremost vessel had the assistance of all the 
 boats of the squadron, for the purpose of towing. The superi 
 orly of captain Hull, was that of seamanship alone. This su 
 periority was sometime afterwards proved in a most remarka 
 ble manner : while naval history lasts it will not be forgotten. 
 
 The Constitution again put to sea, on the second of Septem- 
 lember. On the nineteenth, a vessel hove in sight, and a chase 
 instantly commenced. It was soon discovered to be the Guer 
 riere. one of the best frigates in the British navy ; and winch 
 Beamed not averse from the rencontre, as site backed her main 
 topsail, waiting for the Constitution to come dawn. This was 
 a most desirable occurrence to our brave tars, as this f/igate 
 had for soino time been in search of an American frigate, hav 
 ing given a formal challenge to all our vessels of the same class. 
 She had at one of her mast, heads a flagf, on which her name 
 was inscribed in large characters, by way of gasconade, and or. 
 another, the words, " not the Little Belt," in allusion to the 
 broadsides which the President had given that vessel, before 
 the war. The Guerriere had looked into several of our ports, 
 and affected to be exceedingly anxious taearn the first laurel 
 from the new enemy. The Constitution being made ready for 
 action, now bore down, her crew giving three cheers. At first 
 it was the intention of captain Hull, to bring her to close action 
 immediately ; but on coming within gun-shot, she gave 
 broadside and filled a ,vay. then wore, giving a broadside on tU 
 
281 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 other tack, but without effect. They now continued wearing, 
 and manoeuvring, on both sides, for three quarters of an hour, 
 the Gucrriere attempting to take a raking position : but failing 
 in this, she bore up, under her topsail and jib. The Constitu 
 tion perceiving this made sail to come up with her. Captain 
 Hull, with admirable coolness, received the enemy s flre, with 
 out returning it. The enemy, mistaking this conduct on (he 
 part of the American commander, for want of skill, continued to 
 pour out his broadsides with a view to cripple his antagonist. 
 From the Constitution, not a gun had been fired. Already 
 had an officer twice C >me on deck, with information that seve 
 ral of the men had been killed at their gnns. The gallant 
 crew though burning with impatience, silently awaited the 
 orders of their commander. The moment go long looked for, 
 at last arrived. Sailing master Ayiwin, having seconded the 
 views of the captain, with admirable skill, in bringing the ves 
 sel exactly to the btation intended, orders were given at five 
 minutes before five P. M. to fire broadside after broadside, in 
 quick succession. The crew instantly di.-cover-.nl the whole 
 plan, and entered info it, with ail the spirit the circumstance 
 was calculated to inspire. Never was any finny so dreadful. 
 For fifteen minutes the vivid lightning of the Constitution s 
 guns continued one bUze, and their thunder roared with scarce 
 an intermission. The enemy s rnizrm ma*t had gone by the 
 board, and he stood exposed to a raking fire, which swept his 
 decks. The Guerriere had now become unmanageable ; her 
 hull, rig<j ng and sails dreadfully torn ; when the Constitution 
 nttemptexi to lay her on board. At this moment lieutenant 
 Bush, in attempting to throw his marines on board, was killed 
 by a musket ball, and the enemy shot ahead, but could not be 
 brought before the wind. A raking fire now continued for fif 
 teen ninutes longer, when his mainmast and foremast went, 
 taking with them every spar, txcepting the bowsprit. On 
 seeing 1 this, the firing ceased, and at twenty five minutes past 
 five she surrendered. In thirty minutes," says captain Hull, 
 " after we got faiily along side of the enemy, she surrendered 
 and had not a spar standing, and her hull, above and below 
 water, so shattered rhat a few 7 rnure broadsides must have car 
 ried her down." The Guerriere was so much damaged, as to 
 render it impossible to bring her in ; she was therefore set 
 fire to the next day. and blown up. The damage sustained by 
 the Constitution, ws comparatively of so little consequence, 
 that site actually made readv for action, when a vessel appear 
 ed in eight the next day. The loss on board the Guerriere 
 was fifteen killed and sixty three wounded ; on the side of the 
 Constitution seven killed and seven wounded. It is pleasing to 
 observe, that even the British commander, on this occasion, 
 bore testimony to the humanity and generosity, with which he 
 
THE UNITED STATES. -285 
 
 was treated by the victors. The American frigate was some 
 what superior in force, by a few guns, but this difference bore 
 no comparison to the disparity of the conflict. The Gnerriere 
 was thought to be a mitc i for any vessel of her class, and had 
 b een ranked amongst tha lar.rest in the British navy. The 
 Constitution arrived at Boston on the twenty eighth of August, 
 living captured several merchant vessels. 
 
 On the 7th of -September, Commodore Porter, of the Essex, 
 fell in with a fleet of merchantmen, and at night cut out a brig 
 with a hundred and fifty soldiers on board, which was ransomed 
 for 14000 dollars. On the 13th of August, the Essex fell in 
 with the Aiert, sloop of war, and captured her in eight min 
 utes. 
 
 On the 8th of October, a squadron, consisting of the Presi 
 dent, the United States, Congress, and the Argus, sailed from 
 Boston on ft cruise. On the 13th, the United States and Ar 
 gus, parted from the re^t in a gale of wind. A few days after 
 wards, the President and Congress had the good fortune to cap 
 ture the British packet Swallow, with 200,000 dollars on board, 
 and on the 30th of December arrived at Boston, after a very 
 successful cruise. 
 
 The Argus was not less fortunate ; after parting from the 
 squadron, she cruised in every direction, between the continent 
 and the West Indies, and after being out ninety six days, she 
 returned (o New York, with prizes to the amount of two hun 
 dred thousand dollars. She made various hairbreadth escapes : 
 at one time she was chased, by a British squadron for three 
 days, and several times almost surrounded ; she was one mo 
 ment within pistol shot of a seventy four and yet in the Amidst of 
 all this peril, she actually captured and manned one of her 
 prizes. 
 
 The United States, commanded by that distinguished officer 
 commodore Decatur, soon after her separation from the squad 
 ron, had the good fortune to add another victory to our Naval 
 Chronicle, not less glorious than that of the Constitution. On 
 the 25th of October, off the Western Islands, she fell in with 
 the Macedonian, captain Carden, a frigate of the largest class, 
 carrying- 49 guns and 300 men. The Macedonian, being to 
 windward, she had it in her power to choose her distance, and 
 at no time were they nearer than musket shot; from this cir 
 cumstance, and the prevalence of a heavy sea, the action lasted 
 nearly two hours. The superiority of the American gunnery, 
 in this action, was very remarkable, both for its greater rapidi 
 ty and effect. From the continued blaze of her guns, the Uni 
 ted States was, at one moment, thought by her antagonist to 
 be on fire ; a mistake of very short duration. On board the 
 Macedonian there were 36 killed and 63 wounded. She lost 
 
*8G UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 her mainmast, her main-topmast, and main yard, and waa mucfc 
 cut up in her hull. The United States suffered so little, that & 
 return (o port was not necessary : she had only five killed, aud 
 seven wounded. Among the killed were lieutenant Funk, of 
 whom the commodore spoke in the highest terms. Lieutenant 
 Allen was on this occasion highly applauded. The commodore 
 arrived at New York on the 4th of December, with his prize. 
 Commodore Decalur, already a universal favorite, experienced 
 the same demonstrations of gratitude, as were shown to cap 
 tain Hull; nor was there denied him that new species of praise, 
 which the generous conduct of our heroic seamen has uniformly 
 drawn forth, the praise of the enemy ; all the private property 
 belonging to the men and officers on board the Macedonian, 
 was restored to the captured, with the most rigid exactitude ; 
 and their treatment was the most polite and humane. 
 
 An act ot generosity and benevolence on the part of our 
 brave tars, of the victorious frigate, deserves to be honourably 
 recorded. The carpenter, who was unfortunately killed ia the 
 conflict with the Macedonian, had left three small children to 
 the care of a worthless mother. When the circumstance became 
 known to the brave seamen, they instantly made a contribution 
 amongst themselves, to the amount of eight hundred dollars, 
 and placed it in sate hands, to be appropriated to the education 
 and maintenance of the unhappy orphans. 
 
 The feelings of the nation had scarce time to subside, when 
 the welcome news of another victory was received ; a victory 
 over an enemy most decidedly superior in force, and under cir 
 cumstances the most favourable to him. This was the capture 
 of the brig Frolick, of 22 guns, by the sloop of war Wasp. 
 Captain Jones had returned from France, two weeks after the 
 declaration of war, and on the 1 3th of October again put lo 
 sea. On the 16th he experienced a heavy gale, in which the 
 Wasp lost her jib boom and two men. On the evening of the 
 following- day, the Wasp found herself near five strange sail, 
 and as two of them appeared to be ships of war, it was thought 
 proper to keep at a distance. At day-light on Sunday moin- 
 ing> they were discovered to be six merchant ships, from Hon 
 duras to England, under strong convoy of a brig and two ships, 
 armed with sixteen guns each. The brig which proved to be 
 the Frolick, capt. Whinyates, dropped behind, while the othert 
 made sn jl. The Wasp, being prepared for action, at 32 minutea 
 past 11 o clock, came down to the windward in handsome 
 btyle, when the action was begun by the enemy s cannon and 
 musketry. This was returned and approaching still nearer 
 the enemy brought her to close action. In five minutes tha 
 main topmast of the Wasp was shot away, and falling dowu 
 with the muintopsail ; u;d across the larboard fore and for* 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 567 
 
 topsail, rendered her head yards unmanageable during the rest 
 >f the action. In two minutes more her gaft arid mizea 
 topgallant mast were shot away. The sea being exceed 
 ingly rough, the muzzles of the Waco s guns were sometimes 
 under water. The English fired as their vessel rose, so that 
 their shot was either throxvn away, or touched the rigging of 
 (he Americans; the Wasp, on the contrary, fired as she sunk : 
 and every time struck the hull of her antagonist. The Wasp 
 now shot ahead, raked her, and then returned her position. 
 The Frolick s fire had evidently slackened, and the Wasp, 
 gradually neared her, until the last broadside, they touched 
 her side wilh their rammers. It was determined to lay her by 
 the hoard. The jib-boom of the Frolick came in between the 
 main and mizen mast rigging of the Wasp, and .after giving a 
 raking fire, which swept the whole deck, they resolved to 
 board. Lieutenant Biddl? sprang on the rigging of the ene 
 my s bowsprit, where he was at first somewhat entangled, and 
 midshipman Barker, in his impatience to be on board, caught 
 hold of Biddle s coat, and fell back on the deck, but in a mo 
 ment sprang up and leaped on tho bowsprit, where he found 
 one Lang and another seaman. His surprise can scarcely be 
 imagined, when he found no person on deck, except throe offi 
 cers and the seaman at the wheel. The deck was slippery 
 with blood, anJ presented a scene of havock and ruin, such as 
 has been seldom witnessed. As he advanced the officers threw 
 down their swords in submission. The colours were still fly 
 ing, there being no seamen loft to pull them down. Lieutenant 
 Biddle leaped into the rigging-, and hauled them down with 
 his own hands. Thus, in forty-three minutes, comp ets 
 possession was taken of the Frolick, after one of the most 
 bloody conflicts any where recorded in naval history. The 
 condition of this unfortunate vessel, was inexpressibly shock 
 ing. The birth deck was crowded with the dead, the dying 
 and the wounded : and the masts, which soon after fell, cover 
 ing the dead and every thing on deck, leaving her a most 
 melancholy wreck. Captain Jones sent on board his surgeon. 
 and humanely exerted himself in their relief, to the utmost of 
 his power. The loss on board the Frolick was thirty killed 
 and fifty wounded ; on board the Wasp five killed and five 
 slightly wounded. This was certainly the most decisive ac 
 tion fought during the war. The Wasp and Frolick were both 
 captured that very day by a British seventy-four, the Poictiers, 
 captain Beresfonl. 
 
 On the fourth of March, 1813, Mr- Madison entered upon 
 Ibe second terra o r his office, Mr. George Clinton was elected 
 vice president, but soon after died, and was succeeded bj 
 ltridnr Garry, 
 
288 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 So great was the desire of the citizens of the western coun 
 try to regain possession of the territory of Michigan, that, in 
 order to effect it, general Harrison resolved to undertake a 
 \vinter campaign. General Winchester, with a portion of the 
 western army, proceeded in advance to Frenchtown, a village 
 on the river Raisin, not far from Detroit. A British party 
 stationed in the village was attacked, routed, and entirely dis 
 persed. 
 
 The Americans encamped near the field of battle, a part of 
 them being protected by close garden pickets. Although near 
 an enemy s post, but litltle precaution was taken to prevent a 
 surprize. Early in the morning of the 22d of January, they 
 were attacked by a large force of British and Indians, the for 
 mer commanded by colonel Procter, the latter by the chief* 
 Roundhead and Splitlog 1 . The troops in the open field wero 
 thrown into disorder. General Winchester, and other officers, 
 made an ineffectual attempt to rally them. They fled, but 
 while attempting to escape were mostly killed by the Indians. 
 The general and colonel Lewis were made prisoners. 
 
 The troops behind the pickets maintained the contest with 
 undaunted bravery. At length colonel Proctor assured gene 
 ral Winchester, that if the remainder of the Americans would im 
 mediately surrender, they should be protected from massacre; 
 but otherwise he would set fire to the village, and would not be 
 responsible for the conduct of the savages. Intimidated by 
 this threat, general Winchester sent an order to the troops to 
 surrender, which they obeyed. 
 
 Colonel Procter, leaving- the wounded without a guard, 
 inarched back immediately to Maiden. The Indians accom 
 panied them a few miles, but returned early the next morning. 
 Deeds of horror followed. The wounded officers were drag 
 ged from the! houses, killed and scalped in the streets. The 
 buildings were set on fire. Some who attempted to escape 
 were forced back into the flames. Others were put to death 
 by the tomahawk, and left shockingly mangled in the highway. 
 The infamy of this butchery should not fall upon the perpetra 
 tors alone. It must rest equally upon those who instigated 
 them to hostility, by whose side they fought, who were able 
 and were bound by a solemn engagement to restrain them. 
 
 The battle and massacre at Frenchtown clothed Kentucky 
 and Ohio in mourning. Other volunteers, indignant at (he 
 treachery and cruelty of (heir foes, hastened to the aid of Harri 
 son. He marched to the rapids of the Miami, where he erec 
 ted a fort, which he called fort Mcigs, in honour of the gover 
 nor of Ohio. On the first of May it was invested by a large 
 number of Indians, and by R party of British troops from Mai- 
 tleu. the whole commanded by colouel Procter. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 289 
 
 Five days afterwards, general Clay, at the head o^ 1200 
 Kentuckians, made an attempt to raise the siege. Dividing 
 his force into several parties, and making an impetuous onset, 
 he drove the besiegers from their works. His troops supposing 
 the victory complete and disregarding the orders of their com 
 mander, dispersed into the woods. The enemy, returning 
 from their flight, obtained an easy victory. Of the Americans, 
 two or three hunJred escaped into the fort ; about three hun 
 dred were killed or made prisoners ; the remainder fled to the 
 nearest settlements* The enemy sustained considerable loss. 
 
 The fort continued to he defended with bravery and skill. 
 The Indians, unaccustomed to sieges, became weary and dis 
 contented. On the 8th of May, notwithstanding the entreaties 
 of their chief, Tecumseh they deserted their allies. On the 
 9th the enemy, despairing of success, made a precipitate retreat. 
 General Harrison, leaving general Ciay in command, returned 
 to Ohio for reinforcements , but in this quarter active opera 
 tions were not resumed until a squadron had been built and 
 prepared for action on lake Erie. 
 
 At Sackett s Harbor, on the northern frontier, a body of 
 troops had been assembled under the command of general Dear 
 born, and great exertions were made, by commodore Chaun- 
 cey, to build and equip a squadron, on lake Ontario, sufficiently 
 powerful to contend with that of the enomy. By the xJ5ih of 
 April, the naval preparations were so far completed that the 
 general, and 1700 troops, were conveyed across the lake to the 
 attack of York, the capital of Upper Canada. 
 
 On the 27th, an advanced party, led by brigadier general 
 Pike, who was born in a camp and bred a soldier from his birth, 
 landed, although opposed, at the water s edge, by a superior 
 force. After a short but severe conflict, the enemy were dri 
 ven to their fortifications. The rest of the troops having land 
 ed, the whole party pressed forward, carried the first batterv 
 by assault, and were moving towards the main works, when 
 the enemy s magazine blew up, with a tremendous explosion, 
 hurling upon the advancing troops immense quantities of stone 
 and timber. 
 
 Numbers were killed, the gallant Pike received a mortal 
 wound ; the troops halted for a moment, but recovering from 
 the shock, again pressed forward and soon gained possession of 
 the town. Of the British troops, one hundred were kitted, 
 pearly three hundred were wounded, and the same number 
 made prisoners. Of the Americans, three hundred and twenty 
 were killed and wounded, and nearly all of them by the explo 
 sion of the magazine. The flag which waved over the fort 
 was carried to the dying Pike ; at his desire, it was placed un- 
 25* 
 
200 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 dor his head, when, with the smile of triumph on his lips he 
 expired. 
 
 The object of the expedition attained, the squadron and 
 troops returned to Sackett s Harbor, whence, the wounded and 
 prisoners being landed and other troops taken on board, it sail 
 ed to Fort George, at the head of the Lake. After a warm 
 engagement, the enemy abandoned, and the Americans entered 
 the fort. The fugitives retired to the heights, at the head of 
 Burlington bay. On their retreat, they were joined by a de 
 tachment from fort ! >ie and Chippeway. Two brigades, un 
 der generals Chandler and Winder, were despatched in pursuit. 
 On the evening of the 5th of June, they encamped at Ston-ey 
 Creek, in the vicinity of the enemy, who considering their sit 
 uation desperate, turned upon their pursuers and attacked them 
 in the night. 
 
 The Americans received them with coolness ; but snch v as 
 the darknoes, that general Chandler, intending to place himself 
 at the head of his artillery, threw himself in. o the midst of a 
 British party. A few minutrs afterwards, the same mistake 
 was committed by general Winder. Satisfied with the cap 
 ture of these officers, and a few other prisoners, the enemy 
 made a precipitate retreat. The American troops returned to 
 fort George. The misfortune was soon followed by another. 
 Lieutenant colonel Boerstler. having been sent, with five hun 
 dred men, to disperse a body of the enemy collected at the Bea 
 ver Dams, was surrounded, and the whole detachment made 
 prisoners. 
 
 While the greater part of the American army^was thus em 
 ployed in Canada, the British made an attack upon the impor 
 tant pest of Sackett s Harbor. On the 27th of May, their 
 squadron appeared before the town. Alarm gun? instantly as 
 sembled the citizens of the neighborhood. General Brown, of 
 the New York militia, commanded in chief, his whole force 
 amounting to about one thousand men. By his orders, a slight 
 breast work was hastily thrown up, at the only place where 
 the enemy could land. Behind tins, he placed the militia, the 
 regulars under colonel Backus forming a second line. 
 
 On the morning of the 29th, one thousand British troops lan 
 ded from the squadron. They advanced toward the breast 
 work. The militia, seized with a sudden panic, fled in confu 
 sion. Colonel Mills, in a vain attempt to rally them, was mor 
 tally wounded. The regulars, after a spirited resistance, were 
 compelled to retire towards the town, but in their retreat they 
 took possession of the houses on the road. From these coverts 
 they poured so destructive a fire upon the British column, that, 
 it halted and fell back. General Brown, by a stratagem, con 
 verted this slight check into a precipitate flight. Collecting the 
 
THE UNITED "STATES. 091 
 
 panic struck militia, he directedtheir course along a road, which, 
 while it led from the village, appeared to the British comman 
 der to lead to the place of landing. Perceiving them marching 
 with great speed, he supposed that their object was to cut off his 
 retreat, and re-embarked so hastily as to leave behind most of 
 his wounded. General Brown, in recompense for his services, 
 was appointed a brigadier in the regular army- 
 
 Meanwhile, upon the sea coast, a distressing and predatory 
 war was carried on, by a large detatchments from the powerful 
 navy of Great Britain. One squadron, stationed in Delaware 
 bay, captured and burned every merchant vessel which came 
 within its reach. The inhabitants of Lewiston, in the state of 
 Delaware, having refused to sell provisions to the enemy, the 
 village was bombarded and several attempts were made to land, 
 but they were defeated by the militia. 
 
 On the fourth of February, a squadron consisting of two 
 ships of the line, three frigates, and other vessels, made its ap 
 pearance in the Chesapeake, apparently standing for Hampton 
 Roads. The alarm was immediately caught at Norfolk, and 
 the militia called in from the, upper part of the state. No at 
 tempt, however, was made upon the town, the enemy content 
 ing himself with destroying the smaller vessels employed in the 
 navigation of the bay, and effectively blockading its waters. 
 About the same time, another squadron, under the command of 
 commodore Beresford, appeared in the Delaware, consisting of 
 the Poictiers, the Belvidera, and some other vessels, which iu 
 the same manner destroyed a number of -small trading vessels, 
 and attempted several times to land some of their men, who 
 were as often repulsed by the militia, hastily collected. On the 
 tenth of April, sir John Beresford made a demand on the people 
 of the village of Lewistown, for a supply of provisions, which 
 was spiritedly refused by colonel Davis, commanding at that 
 place. Captain Byron, of the Belvidera, was ordered to move 
 near the village and bombard it, until the demand should be 
 complied with. This was obeyed, but without effect ; after a 
 cannonade of twenty hours, they were unable to make any im 
 pression on the place. Their fire had been returned from some 
 batteries, hastily thrown up on the bank, with considerable ef 
 fect. On the tenth of May, the same squadron sent out their 
 barges in the neighbourhood of Lewistown, to procure water. 
 Major -George Hunter was detached by colonel Davis, with 
 one hundred and fifty men, to oppose their landing, which the 
 major did with so much gallantry, that he compelled them to 
 hasten to their shipping. The squadron soon after returned to 
 Bermuda, where sir J. Borlace Warren, who commanded ou 
 this station, was engaged in fitting out a more considerable 
 armament, for the attack of our sea-coast during the si-mmer. 
 
292 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Soon after the departure of (he squadron, the Spartan, an$ 
 some other frigates entered the Delaware. One of their ves 
 sels, the Martin, was discovered on the twenty ninth of July, 
 slightly grounded on the outer edge of Crow s shoals. A de 
 tachment of the gunboat flotilla immediately moved, and an 
 choring in a line about three quarters of a mile from the sloop, 
 opened a destructive fire upon her. The Junon frigate soon 
 after came off to her relief; a cannonade was kept up during 
 an hour between the gunboats and these two vessels, in which 
 the latter suffered great injury. Finding it impossible to drive 
 off this musqueto fleet, they manned their launches, tenders, 
 and cutters, to cut off the gunboats at the extremity of the line. 
 No. 121, commanded by sailing master Head, was unfortunate 
 ly taken, after a desperate resistance against eight times her 
 number. The British soon after made sail, the Martin having 
 been extricated from her situation. 
 
 Scenes of a different kind were, in the meanwhile, acting in 
 the Chesapeake. The squadron, which returned in February, 
 slill continued to carry on a predatory war along the shores and 
 inlets. It was here, that one Cockburn, by some means, an 
 admiral in the service of the king of England, exhibited the 
 first of those exploits, for which he afterwards became so highly 
 celebrated ; and of which be may justly claim to be the origin 
 ator. At first they were directed against the detached farm 
 houses and seats of private gentlemen, unprepared for, and in 
 capable of defence ; these were robbed, and the owners treated 
 in the rudest munner. . The cattle which could not be carried 
 away, were doomed to wanton destruction ; the slaves were 
 armed against their owners, and persuaded to follow the exam 
 ple of their new friends, to attack their master s defenceless 
 families, and to engage in pillaging them. It was impossible 
 to station a force at each farmhouse, to repel these miserable 
 and disgraceful incursions ; yet, in several instances, Cockburn 
 and his ruffians were bravely repelled by a collection of the 
 neighbours without authority, and under no leader. The spir 
 ited citizens of Maryland formed bodies of cavalry, which were 
 stationed at intervals along the shore, to be drawn out at a 
 moment s warning, for the purpose of repelling the sudden in 
 roads of the enemy. Cockburn took possession of several 
 islands in the bay, particularly Sharp s, Tilghman s, and Poplar 
 islands, whence he could seize the opportunity of making a de 
 scent upon the neighbouring shores, when the inhabitants 
 happened to be off their guard. 
 
 Encouraged by his success against the farmers, and his ra 
 pacity increasing by the booty which he had already obtained, 
 Cockburn now resolved to undertake something of a more bold 
 3,n,d adventurous character, in which his thirst for plunder, and 
 
THE UNITED STATES, 293 
 
 hU love of mischief, might be gratified in a higher degree. He 
 therefore directed his attention to the unprotected villages and 
 hamlets along ths bay ; carefully avoiding the larger towns, 
 the plunderici of which miht be attended with some danger. 
 The first of these exploits was against the village of French- 
 town, conu nlng six. d A-. iliii^ houses, two large store houses, 
 and several stabies. It is important, however, as a place of 
 deposite on the line of packets and stages from Philadelphia to 
 the city of Baltimore, and Cockburn rightly conjectured that 
 here there might be private property to a considerable amount. 
 He accordingly set out on this expedition, from his ship, the 
 Marlb-jrough, in barges, sviihfive hundred marines; a suffi 
 cient, mrubjr I o have carried the town on their backs. Some 
 siiow of resisianc--? was made by a small party of militia collec- 
 te,l from Elktou, but which moved off as the admiral approach 
 ed. Tua storehouses were destroyed, together with the goods 
 they ware unable to carry off, to an immense amount. Amongst 
 other objects of wanton destruction, wa- an elegant drop-cur 
 tain, intended far the theatres of the cities before mentioned. 
 The brand was applied to some of the private dwelling houses, 
 and to several vessels lyiii^ at the wharf; after achieving this 
 glorious victory, the admiral, fearing the approach of the mili 
 tia, hastily retired to his sliip. 
 
 The next exploit of the admiral, was of still greater impor 
 tance. The lown of Ha?re d^ Grace is situated on the Sus- 
 quehanna, about two miles from the head of the bay, and is a 
 ueat village, containing twenty or thirty houses. An attack on 
 this p .ace was the n^xt obiect \v!jich entered into the plan of 
 the admiral s operations. Accordingly on the third of May, 
 before day light, his annroach was announced by a few cannon 
 slut, and the firing of rockets. The inhabitants, roused from 
 their sleep, leaped up in the greatest coii=:erna:ion, and the 
 more courageous repaired to the beach, where a few small 
 places of artiilery had been planned on a kind of battery for the 
 purpose of defence against the sinaher watering or plundering 
 parlies of the e.i-Miiy. Afier firing a few tiuts, with the excep 
 tion of an old citizen of the place, of the name of O Neill, they 
 all fled on the approach of the barges, abandoning the village 
 to the mercy of Cockburn. OTs eill alone continued to fight, 
 loading a piece of artillery, and fi ing it himself, until by re 
 coiling it ran over his thigh and wounded him severely. He 
 then armed himself with a mn-kec, and limping away, still 
 kept up a retreating fight with the advancing column *of the 
 British, who bad by this time landed and formed ; after which 
 lie moved off to join his five or six comrades, whom he attempt 
 ed in vain to rally. 
 
 25* 
 
294 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 The ocean, in the mean time, had been the theatre of san 
 guinary conflicts, in winch the victors gained untarnished 
 laurels. Captain Lawrence, in the sloop of war Hornet, dis 
 covering, in the neutral port of San Salvador, a British sloop of 
 war of superior force, challenged her commander to meet him 
 at sea. The challenge being declined, Captain Lawrence 
 blockaded the fort until forced by a ship of the line to retire. 
 
 Soon after, on the 23d of February, the Hornet met the 
 British brig Peacock, of about equal force. A fierce combat 
 ensued. In less than fifteen minutes, the Peacock struck her 
 colours, displaying, at the same time a signal of distress. The 
 victors hastened lo the relief of the vanquished, and the same 
 strength which had been exerted to conquer was now exerted 
 to save. Their efforts were but partially successful. She 
 sunk before all her crew could be removed, carrying down 
 nine British seamen and three brave and generous Americans. 
 In the battle, the loss of the Hornet was but one killed and 
 two wounded ; that of the Peacock was never oscertained. 
 
 On his return to the United States, captain Lawrence was 
 promoted to the command of the frigate Chesapeake, then in 
 the harbor of Boston. For several weeks, the British 
 frigate Shannon, of equal force but having a selected crew-, 
 had been cruising before the port ; and captain Broke, her 
 commander, had announced his wish to meet, in single combat, 
 an American frgate. Inflamed by this challenge, captain Law 
 rence, although his crew was jutt enlisted, and Ins officers were 
 strangers to him and to each other, set eail, on the first of June, 
 in pursuit of the Shannon. 
 
 Towards evening of the ssme day, iliey met, and instantly 
 engaged, with unexampled fury. In a very tew minutes, and 
 in quick succession, the sailing master of the Chesapeake was 
 killed, captain Lawrence and three Lieutenants were severely 
 wounded, her rigging- was so cut to pieces that she fell on 
 board the Shannon, her chest of arms blew up, captain Law 
 rence received a second and mortal wound and was carried be 
 low ; at this instant, the. position of the ships bring favorable, 
 captain Broke, at the head ofhis marines, guilantly boarded the 
 Chesapeake, when every officer who could t:- lie command being 
 killed or wounded , resistance ceased, and the American flag 
 wn.s struck by the enemy. 
 
 That fortune favouredlhe Shannon cannot be donbted. .That 
 the event would have been the same had fortune favoured 
 neither, is rendered probable by the astonishing effect of her 
 fire. This unexpected defeat impelled the Americans to seek 
 for circumstances condoling to their pride and in the journals 
 of the day, many slich were stated to have preceded and at 
 tended the action. But nothing could allay their grief at the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 205 
 
 fall of the youthful and intrepid Lawrence. H ; s previous vic 
 tory and magnanimous conduct had rendered him the favourite 
 of the nation, and he was lamented with sorrow, deep, sincere, 
 and lasting. When carried below, he \vasasked if the colors 
 should be struck. " No," he replied, " they shall wave while I 
 live." When the fate of the ship was decided, his proud spirit 
 was broken. He became delirious from excess of mental and 
 bodily suffering. Whenever able to speak, he would exclaim, 
 " Don t give up the ship !" an expression consecrated by his 
 countrymen ; and he uttered but few other words during 1 the 
 four days that he survived his defeat. 
 
 This victory was not achieved without loss. Of the crew of 
 the Shannon, twenty four were killed and fifty six wounded. 
 Of that of the Chesapeake, forty eight were killed and nearly 
 one hundred wounded. Great was the exultation of the enemy. 
 Victories over the frigates of other nations were occurrences 
 too common to excite emotion ; but the capture of an Ameri 
 can frigate was considered a glorious epoch in the naval history 
 of Great Britain. The honors and rewards bestowed upon 
 captain Broke were such as had never before been received 
 but by the conqueror of a squadron. These demonstrations of 
 triumph were inadvertent confessions of American superiority ; 
 and were to the vanquished themselves, sources of triumph 
 and consolation. 
 
 The next encounter at sea was between the American brig 
 Argus and the British brig Pelican. The latter was of superi 
 or force, and was victorious. Soon after, the American brig 
 Enterprise, commanded by lieutenant Burrows, captured the 
 British brig Boxer, commanded by captain Blyth. These ves 
 sels were of equal force, but the greater effect of the fire of the 
 Enterprise furnished to the Americans another proof of the su 
 perior skill of their seaman. Both commanders were killed in 
 the action, and were buried, each by the other s side, in Port 
 land. 
 
 Commodore Porter had been cruising- in the Pacific for near 
 ly a year, in the course of which he had captured several Bri 
 tish armed whale ships. Sorna of these were equipped as Amer 
 ican cruisers and store ships; and the Atlantic, now called 
 the Essex Junior, of twenty guns and sixty men, was assigned 
 to Lieut. Downes. The prizes which were to be laid up, 
 were convoyed by this otlicer to Valparai?o. On his return, he 
 brought intelligence to Commodore Porter that a British squad 
 ron, consisting of one frigate, and two sloops of war, and a 
 store ship of twenty guns, had sailed in quest of the Essex. The 
 commodore took measures, immediately, to repair his vessel, 
 which, having accomplished, on the 12th of December, 1813, 
 he sailed for Valparaiso, in company with the Essex Junior. 
 
29G UiNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 "It was not long after the arrival of Commodore Porter at 
 Valparaiso, when Commodore Hillyar appeared there in the 
 Phoebe frigate, accompanied by the Cherub sloop of war. 
 These vessels had been equipped fur the purpose of meeting the 
 Essex, with picked crews, in prime order, and hoisted flags 
 bearing the motto, "God and our country, British sailors best 
 rights-, traitors offend them." This was in allusion to Porter s 
 celebrated motto, " Free trade and sailors rights ;" he now 
 hoisted at his mizzen, " God, our country, and liberty : tyrants 
 offend them." On entering- the harbour, the British commodore 
 fell foul of the Essex, in such a situation as lo be placed com 
 pletely in the power of the latter ; the forbearance of Commo 
 dore Porter wus acknowledged by the English commander, and 
 he passed his word and honour to observe the same regard to 
 the neutrality of the port. 
 
 "Tne Briiish vessels soon after stood out, arid cruised offthe 
 port about six weeks, rigorously blockading the Essex. Their 
 united force amounted to eighty one guns and about five hun 
 dred men, about double that of the Essex; but the circumstance 
 of this force being divided in two ships, rendered the disparity 
 still greater; and was by no menus counterba anced by the Es 
 sex Junior. Commodore Porier being prevented by this great 
 disparity of force, from engaging, made repeated attempts to 
 draw the Phoebe into action singly, either by mauceuvreing or 
 sending formal challenges ; but Commodore Hillyar carefully 
 avoided the coming- to action alone. The Ameiican command 
 er, hearing that an additional British force was on its way, and 
 having discovered that his vessel could outsail those of the Bri 
 tish, determined to sail out, and, while the enemy was in chase, 
 enable the Essex Junior to escape to a place of rendezvous pre 
 viously, appointed. 
 
 kt On the twenty-eighth of March, the wind coming onto 
 blow fresh from ihe southward ; the Essex parted her starboard 
 cable, and dragging her larboard anchor to sea. I\ot a moment 
 was lost in getting sail on the ship, as it was determined to 
 seize this moment to escape. In endeavouring to pass to the 
 windward of the enemy, a squall struck the American vessel, 
 just as she was doubling the point, which carried away her 
 main-top-mast ; both ships immediately gave chase, and being 
 unable to escape in his crippled state, the commodore endeav 
 oured to put back into the harbour ; but finding this impractica 
 ble, he ran into a small bay, and anchored within pistol shot of 
 the shore : where, from a supposition that the enemy would 
 continue to respect the neutrality of the port, he thought himself 
 fcccure. He soon found, however, by the manner in which they 
 approached, that he was mistaken. With all possible despatch 
 therefore, lie prepared his ship for action, and endeavoured to 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 297 
 
 get a spring on his cable, which he could not accomplish before 
 the enemy commenced the attack, at fifty-four minutes past 
 three. 
 
 At first the Phrebe placed herself on his stern, and the Che 
 rub on his larboard bow ; bat the latter soon finding herself ex 
 posed to a hot fire, changed her position, and with her consort, 
 kept up a raking fire under his stern. The American, being 
 unable to bring his broad side to bear on the enemy, his spring 
 cables having been three times shot away, was obliged, there 
 fore, to rely for defence against this tremendous attack, on 
 three long twelve pounders, which he ran out of the stern ports, 
 which were worked with such bravery and skill, as in half an 
 hour to do so much injury to the enemy, as to compel them to 
 haul off and repair. 
 
 It was evident that Commodore Hillyar meant to risk nothing 
 from the daring courage of the Americans; all his manoeuvres 
 were deliberate and wary ; his antagonist was in his power, and 
 his only concern was to succeed with as little loss to himself as 
 possible. The situation of the Essex was most vexatious to our 
 brave countrymen ; many of whom were already killed and 
 wounded, and from the crippled state of their ship, they were 
 unable to bring her guns to bear upon the enemy. Her gallant 
 crew were not disheartened ; aroused to desperation, they ex 
 pressed their defiance to the enemy, and their determination to 
 hold out to the last. 
 
 The enemy having repaired, now placed himself, with both 
 ships on the starboard quarter of the Essex, where none of her 
 guns could be brought to bear; the commodore saw no hope 
 but in getting under way ; the flying jib was the only sail he 
 could set; this he caused to be hoisted, cut his cable, and ran 
 down on both ships, with the intention of laying the Phoebe on 
 board. For a short time he was enabled to close with the en 
 emy, and the firing was tremendous ; the decks of the Essex 
 were strewed with dead, and her cockpit filled with the wound 
 ed; she had been several times on fire, and was, in fact, a per 
 fect wreck. At this moment, a feeble hope arose, that she might 
 still be saved, in consequence of the Cherub being compelled to 
 haul off on account of her crippled state; she, however, kept 
 up her fire at a distance, with her long guns. The Essex was 
 unable, however, to take advantage of the circumstance, as the 
 Phcebe edged off, and also kept up, at a distance, a destructive 
 fire ; the former being totally bereft of her sails, could not bring 
 her to close quarters. 
 
 Commodore Porter finding the greater part of his crew dis 
 abled, at last gave up all hope, and attempted to run his vessel 
 on shore, the wind at that moment favouring his design ; but it 
 suddenly changed, drove her close upon the Phcebe, exposing 
 
298 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 her to a raking fire. The ship was totally unmanageable, but 
 as she drifted with her head to the enemy, Commodore Porter 
 again seized a faint hope of being able to board. At this mo 
 ment Lieutenant Dovvnes came on board, to receive orders, ex 
 pecting that his commander would soon be a prisoner. His ser 
 vices could be of no avail in the present deplorable state of the 
 Essex, and finding from the enemy s putting up his helm, that 
 the last atte.i/pt at boarding would not succeed, Dovvnes was 
 directed to repair to his ship, to be prepared for defending- and 
 destroying her, in case of an attack. 
 
 The slaughter on board the Essex now became horrible, the 
 enemy continuing to rake her while she was unable to bring a 
 single gun to bear. Still her commander refused to yield while 
 a ray of hope appeared. Every expedient, that a fertile and 
 inventive genius could suggest, was resorted to, in the forlorn 
 hope, that he might be able, by some lucky. chance, to escape 
 from the grasp of the foe. A hawser was bent to the sheet an 
 chor, and the anchor cut from the bows, to bring the ship s head 
 around. This succeeded ; the broadside of the Essex was again 
 brought to bear; and as the enemy was much crippled, and un 
 able to hold his own, the commodore thought she might drift 
 out of gunshot, before he discovered that the Essex had an 
 chored ; but alas ! this last expedient failed ; the hawser par 
 ted, and with it went the last lingering hope of the Essex. 
 
 At this moment her situation was awful beyond description, 
 She was on fire both before and aft, the flames were bursting up 
 her hatchway, a quantity of powder exploded below, and word 
 was given that fire was near her magazine. Thus surrounded 
 by horrors, without any chance of saving his ship, he turned 
 his attention to the saving as many of his gallant companions 
 as he could ; the distance to the shore not exceeding three 
 quarters of a mile, he hoped that many of them would save 
 themselves before the ship blew up. His boats being cut up, 
 they could only hope to . escape by swimming; by some this 
 was effected, but the greater part of his generous crew resol 
 ved to stay by the ship, and share the fate of their commander. 
 
 They now laboured to extinguish the flames, and succeeded; 
 after this they again repaired to their guns, but their strength 
 had become so much exhausted, that this effort was HI vain. 
 Commodoie Porter summoned a consultation of the officers of 
 the divisions, when to his astonishment only one acting lieuten 
 ant Stephen Decatnr M Night, appeared. The accounts from 
 every part of the ship were deplorable indeed ; she was in im 
 minent danger of sinking, and so crowded with the wounded, 
 that even her birthdeck could hold no more, and several were 
 killed under the surgeon s hands. In the mean time the enemy, 
 at a secure distance, continued his fire ; the water having be- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 come smooth, he struck the hull of the Essex at every shot. At 
 last, despairing of saving his ship, the commodore was compel 
 led, at twenty minutes pasi six, to give the painful orders to 
 strike the colours. The enemy, probably not seeing that this 
 had taken place, continued to fire for ten minutes after, "and 
 Porter was about to give orders that the colours should again 
 be hoisted, under a belief that the enemy intended to give no 
 quarters, when the firing ceased. The loss on board the Essex 
 was fifty-eight killed, thirty-nine wounded ^severely, twenty- 
 seven shghtly, and thirty-one missing. The loss on board the 
 British vessels was five killed and ten wounded ; but they were 
 both much cut up in their hulls and rigging ; the Phoebe could 
 scarcely be kept afloat until she anchored in the port of Valpa 
 raiso next morning. 
 
 Commodore Porter was paroled, and permitted to return to 
 the United States in the Essex Junior, which was converted 
 into a cartel for the purpose. On arrrvingr off the port of New 
 York, the vessel was detained by the Saturn razee, and to tho 
 disgrace of the British navy, already dishonoured by the base 
 attack upon this gn.lant officer, he was compelled to give up 
 his parole, and declare himself a prisoner of war, and, as such, 
 he informed the British officer that he would attempt his escape. 
 In consequence of this threa-, the Essex Junior was ordered 
 to remain under the lee of the Saturn ; but the next morning 
 Commodore Porter put off in liis boat, though thirty miles from 
 shore, and notwithstanding the pursuit by those of the Saturn, 
 arrived safely in New-York."* 
 
 In Jhe spring of 1814, Commodore Barney took the com 
 mand of a small flotilla of gunboats to protect the inlets, and 
 small rirers, that fall into the Chesapeake bay. About the 1st 
 of June, the enemy entered the Chesapeake bay and renewed 
 their ravages, with greater severity than they done the last 
 year. Sharp and frequent rencounters took place, upon the 
 water and upon the land ; but the enemy succeeded in laying 
 waste the country, and carrying off the negroes, through the 
 months of June and July. 
 
 About the middle of August, the British entered the Chesa 
 peake with a fleet of about sixty sail, including, transports, 
 under Admiral Cockburn, and landed about six thousand men 
 at Benedict, on the Patuxent, under the command of general 
 Ross. 
 
 On (he 22rl, G?n. Ross reached tho WonJ-ytir.I ($o called) 
 twelve miles from Washington", where commodore Barney 
 caused a large flotilla of gun-boats to be destroyed, to prevent 
 tlioir tailing into the hands of the enemy. 
 
 * Brackonridg;e. 
 
300 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 On the 23d, General Ross reached Bladensburgh, six miles 
 from Washington, where he dispersed the tnilitia, after a short 
 resistance, and advanced to the city. Commodore Barney had 
 assembled a small force in defence of the capital, with several 
 eighteen pounders, and made a stand ; but he was soon over 
 powered by numbers, wounded and taken prisoner, and the 
 capital fell into the hands of the enemy. The navy yard was 
 destroyed. 
 
 Here stands recorded one more display of British magna 
 nimity. By order of Gen. Ross, the capitol, the President s 
 house, and executive offices were burnt. 
 
 The enemy retired on the night of the 25th, by rapid marches; 
 regained their ships and embarked. 
 
 A detachment from this fleet visited Alexandria ; plundered 
 the city, and carried off a quantity of flour, &c. 
 
 During these troubles at the south, the war was carried on at 
 the west, which did honour to the American flag. 
 
 In the midst of the various occurrences of the war, on the 
 northern frontier, on the sea-board, and on the ocean, impor 
 tant preparations were making to the westward ; and although 
 the spring and summer had passed away, without any incident 
 in this quarter worthy of being recorded, they had not passed 
 inactive. The general attention was now turned towards it 
 with much anxiety, and the armies of the Niagara and St. Law- 
 jence, remained almost with folded arms, awaiting the issue of 
 Harrison s campaign, and the result of the contest for the mas 
 tership of lake Erie. The British, aware of the consequence 
 of a defeat, had with great assiduity laboured to strengthen 
 themselves. The reinforcements continually arriving at fort 
 George, were evidently destined to follow up the advantages 
 which Proctor might gain, in conjunction with the commander 
 on the lake. In the meanwhile, the neighbouring states of 
 Kentucky and Ohio, the people were excited in a most surpris 
 ing degree ; had it been necessary they would have risen CM 
 masse ; almost every man capable of bearing a musket, was 
 anxious to march. The governor of Ohio had scarcely 
 issued his proclamation, calling on volunteers, (for the obliga 
 tions of law to render military service were no longer thought 
 of,) than fifteen thousand men presented themselves, completely 
 armed and equipped more than five times the number required. 
 The venerable governor of Kentucky, Shelby, a revolutionary 
 hero, and the Nestor of the present war, made it known that he 
 would put himself at the head of the injured citizens of that 
 state, and lead them to seek revenge for the murder of their 
 relatives and friends ; but limited the number of volunteers to 
 four thousand. The ttate of Kentucky, called by the natives, 
 41 the dark and bloody ground," forty years ago waa an uniu- 
 
THE UNITED STAGES. 301 
 
 habited forest, possessed by no tribe of Indians; but from time 
 immemorial the theatre of sanguinary wars. , At this day, it 
 blooms beneath the hand of agriculture, it is filled with beauti 
 ful towns and villages; and is the abode of pence, opulence and 
 refinement. The inhabitants are descended from the planters 
 of Virginia and Noith Carolina, and emigrants, composed of 
 the enterprising and intelligent of the other states. Living in 
 abundance and at their ease, and more remote f&om the seats 
 of commerce, they have imbibed less of foreign attachments or 
 feelings, than any of our people ; and are perhaps more enthu 
 siastically devoted to the institutions of freedom. They have 
 notalittfeof the manners of chivalry in their generous and 
 hospitable deportment. Fearless of danger,regarding dishonor 
 more than death, but with these qualities, a benevolence and 
 humanity, which has scarcely a parallel. Had the elJer breth 
 ren of our confederacy acted like this younger member, the 
 Canadas would have been ours, and Britain would never have 
 dared to insult us with her unwarrantable pretensions. 
 
 The transactions which are now to be related, may justly 
 rank amongst the most pleasing to our feelings and national 
 pride, of any which took place during the contest. The cam 
 paign opened with an affair, which, though comparatively of 
 smaller consequence than some others, is in its circumstances 
 one of the most brilliant tha: occurred during the war. This 
 was the unparalleled defence of fort Sandusky, by a youth of 
 twenty-one years of age. In August, and before the arrival of 
 the Ohio and Kentucky volunteers, which did not take place 
 until the following month, threatening movements had been 
 made upon all the different forts, established by the Americans 
 on the rivers which fall into lake Erie. After the siege of fort 
 Meigs,the British had been considerably reinforced by regulars, 
 and an unusual number of Indians, under their great leader 
 Tecumseh. It was all-important to reduce these forts before 
 the arrival of the volunteers. Major Croghan, then command 
 ing at Upper Sandusky, having received intimation that the 
 enemy were about to invest the fort of Lower Sandusky, had 
 marched to this place with some additional force, and had been 
 occupied with great assiduity in placing it in the best posture 
 of defence. But the only audition of importance, which the 
 time would allow him to make, was a ditch of six feet deep and 
 nine feet wide, outside the stockade of pickets, by which these 
 hastily constructed forts are enclosed, but which can afford but 
 a weak defence against aitillery. He had but one six pounder 
 and about one hundred and sixty men, consisting of regulars, 
 and detachments of the Pittsburgh and Petersburg!! volunteers. 
 General Harrison, not conceiving it practicable to. defend the 
 place, ordered young Croghan to retire on the approach of ill* 
 26 
 
302 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 enemy, after having destroyed the works. This our young 
 hero, taking the responsibility upon himself, determined to dis 
 obey. 
 
 On the first of August, general Proctor, having left a large 
 body of Indians under Tecumseh, to keep up the appearance 
 of a siege of fort Meigs, arrived at Sandusky with about five 
 hundred regulars, seven hundred Indians, and some gnn-boats. 
 After the general had made such dispositions of his troops, as 
 to cut off the retreat of the garrison, he sent a flag by colonel 
 Elliott nnd major Chambers, demanding a surrender, accompa 
 nied with the usual base and detestable threats of butchery 
 and cold blood massacre, if the garrison should hold out. A 
 spirited answer was retured by Croghan, who found that all his 
 companions, chiefly striplings like himself, would support him 
 to the last. 
 
 When the flag returned, a brisk fire was opened from the 
 gunboats arid howitzer, and which was kept up during the 
 night. In the morning they opened with three sixes, which 
 had been planted under cover of the night, within two hundred 
 and fifty yards of the pickets, but not with much effect. About 
 four o clock in the afternoon, it was discovered that the enemy 
 had concentrated his fire against the northwest angle, with the 
 intention of making a breach. This part was immediately 
 strengthened by the apposition of bags of flour and sand, so 
 that the pickets suffered but little injury. During this time, the 
 six pounder was carefully concealed in the bastion, which cov 
 ered the point to be assailed, and it was loaded with slugs and 
 grape. About five hundred of the enemy now advanced in 
 close column to assail the part where it was supposed the pick 
 ets must have been injured: at the same time making several 
 feints, to draw the attention of the beseiged to other parts of 
 the fort : their force being thus divided, a column of three 
 hundred and fifty men, which were so enveloped in smoke as 
 not to be seen until they approached within twenty paces of 
 the lines, advanced rapidly to the assault. A fire of musketry 
 from the fort, fora moment threw them into confusion, but were 
 then quickly rallied by colonel Short, their commander, who, 
 now springing over the outer works into the ditch, commanded 
 the rest to follow, crying out give the d d Yankees no quar 
 ter!" Scarcely had these detestable words escaped his lips, 
 and the greater part of his followers landed in the ditch, when 
 the six pounder opened upon them a most destructive fire, 
 killing and wounding the greater part, and amongst the first, 
 the wretched leader, who was sent into eternity, before his 
 words had died upon the air. A volley o* musketry was, at 
 the same tinie. fired upon those who had not ventured. The 
 officer who succeeded Short, exasperated at being thus treated by 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 303 
 
 a few boys, formed his broken column, and again rushed to the 
 ditch, where he, and those who dared to follow him, met with 
 the same fate as their fellow soldiers. The small arms were 
 again played on them, the whole British force was thrown into 
 confusion, and in spite of the exertions of their officers, fled^to 
 the woods, almost panick struck, whither they were soon fol 
 lowed by the Indians. Thus were these men, confident of suc 
 cess, and detestable in the intended use of victory, most signal 
 ly chastised, under Providence, by a force scarce a tenth of 
 their numbers. Terror indescribable took possession of the as 
 sailants, and they retreated towards their boats, scarcely daring 
 to cast their eyes towards the fatal spot, while they were fol 
 lowed by their allies in sullen silence. 
 
 If this gallant defence deserves the applause of the brave, 
 the subsequent conduct of the heseignd deserves the praise of 
 every friend of humanity. The scene which now ensued, de 
 serves to be denominated sublime. The little band, forgetting 
 in a moment th^t they had been assailed by merciless foes, who 
 sought to massacre them without regarding the laws of honor 
 able war, now felt only the desire of relieving wounded men, 
 and of administering comfort to the wretched. Had they been 
 friends, had they been brothers, they could not have experien 
 ced a more tender solicitude. The whole night was occupied 
 in endeavouring to assuage their sufferings ; provisions and 
 buckets of water were handed over the pickets, and an opea- 
 iug was made, by which many of the sufferers was taken in, 
 who were immediately supplied with surgical aid ; and this, 
 although a firing was kept up with small arms by the enemy, 
 until some time in the night. The loss of the garrison amoun 
 ted to one killed and seven wounded ; that of the enemy, it is 
 supposed, to be at least two hundred. Upwards of fifty were 
 found in and about the ditch. It was discovered next morning, 
 that the enemy had hastily retreated, leaving a boat and a 
 considerable quantity of military stores. Upwards of seventy 
 stand of arms were taken, besides a quantity of ammunition. 
 The Americans were engaged during the day, in burying the 
 dead with the honours of war, and providing for the wounded. 
 
 This exploit called forth the admiiation of every party in the 
 United States. Croghan, together with his companions, cap 
 tain Hunter, and lieutenants Johnson, Bayley, and Meeks, of 
 the seventeenth ; Antbony, of the twenty-fourth ; and ensigns 
 Ship and Duncan, of the seventeenth, together with the other 
 officers and volunteers, were highly complimented by the gen 
 eral. They afterwards received the thanks ef congress. 
 
 iSif cc 
 
 Croghan was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and 
 
 was pr 
 
 eothe. 
 
 was presented with an elegant sword by ^e Indies of Chili- 
 
304 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Soon after this nfiair Tr-cumseh raised the siege effort Meig9 v 
 and followed Proctor to Detroit ; all hope was now given uo 
 by the enemy of reducing these forts, until they could gain the 
 ascendency on the lake. 
 
 The utmost exertions had been made in the meanwhile, by 
 captain Perry, to complete the naval armament on lake Erie". 
 By the fourth of August, the fleet was completed ; but several 
 of the vessels were with difficulty got over the bar, on which there 
 are but five feet water. He sailed in quest of the enemy, but 
 not meeting him, returned on the eighth, and after icceiving a 
 reinforcement of sailors, brought by captgin Elliot, sailed 
 again on the twelfth, and on the fifteenth anchored in the bay 
 of Sandusky. Here, after taking in about twenty volunteer 
 marines, he again went in quest of the enemy -, and after cruis 
 ing off Maiden, returned to Put-in-Bay, a distance of thirty 
 miles. His fleet consisted of the brig- Lawrence, of .20 guns; 
 the Niagara, captain Elliot, of twenty ; the Caledonia, lieuten 
 ant Turner, three ; the schooner Ariel, of four ; the Scorpion, 
 of two; the Somers, of two, and two swivels; Uie sloop Tnppe, 
 and schooners Tygress and Porcupine, of one gun er.ch ; mak 
 ing a fleet of nine vessels and fifty-four guns. On the morning 
 of the tenth of September, the enemy was discovered bearing 
 down upon the American squadron, which immediately got un 
 der weigh, and stood out to meet him. Superiority was deci 
 dedly in favour of the British ; the Americans had three more 
 vessels, but this was much more than counterbalanced by the 
 size of those of the enemy, and the number of their guns. 
 Their fleet consisted of the Detroit, Captain Barclay, of nine 
 teen guns, and two howitzers ; the Queen Charlotte, of sev 
 enteen guns, captain Finnis ; the schooner Lady Provost, lieu 
 tenant Buchan, of thirteen guns, and two howitzers ; the brig 
 Hunter, of ten guns ; the sloop Bittle Belt, of three ; and the 
 schooner Chippevva, of one gun and two swivels; in all six 
 vessels and sixty three guns. 
 
 When the Americans stood out, the British fleet had the 
 weather gage; but the wind soon after changed, and brought 
 the American fleet to windward. The line of battle was form 
 ed at eleven, and fifteen minutes before twelve, the enemy s 
 flag ship, the Queen Charlotte, opened her fire upon the Law 
 rence, which she sustained for ten minutes, before she could 
 approach near enough for her carronades to return. She there 
 fore bore up, making signals for the other vessels to hasten to 
 her support, and about twelve, brought her guns to bear upon 
 the enemy. Unfortunately, the wind being too light, the re 
 mainder of the squadron could not be brought up to her assist 
 ance, and she w,as compelled to contend, for two hours, with 
 two ships of equ$k force. The contest was, notwithstanding. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 305 
 
 kept up with unshaken courage and a degree of coolness, which 
 deserves admiration. By this time the brig, which had so long 
 borne the brunt of the whole of the British force, had become en 
 tirely unmanageable ; every gun was dismounted, and, with the 
 exception of four or live, her whole crew either killed or wound 
 ed. Perry now, with admirable presence of u>ind, and which 
 drew forth the praise of the gallant officer to whom he was op 
 posed, resolved to shift, his flag, leaped into his boat, and he 
 roically waving his sword, passed unhurt to the Niagara. At 
 the moment he reached the Niagara, he saw with anguish the 
 flag ot* his ship come down ; she was utterly unable to make 
 farther resistance, and it would have been a wanton waste of 
 the remaining lives, to continue the contest; the enemy was not 
 able to take possession of her. Captain Eiiiott, seconding the 
 design of the commodore, volunteered to bring up the rest of 
 the fleet: for at this critical moment the wind had providentially, 
 increased. Perry now bore down upon the enemy with a fresh 
 ship; and passing ahead of the Detroit, Q.ueeu Charlotte, and 
 Ladv Prevost, poured a destructive broadside into each from 
 iiis sUrboard. and from his larboard into the Chippewa and Lit 
 tle Belt. In this manner cutting through the line, he was with 
 in pistol shot of the Lady Prevost, which received so heavy a 
 nre as to coiapelher men to run below. At this moment the Ca- 
 led<.-nia came up, and opened her fire; several others of the 
 squadron were enabled soon after to do the same. For a time, 
 tine novel and important combat mingled with indescribable vio 
 lence and fury. The issue of a campaign, the mastery of a sea, 
 the glory and reuown of two rival nations, matched fur the first 
 true in squadron, were the incentives to the content,. But it 
 was not long before the scale turned in favour of Perry, and 
 his ship, the Lawrence, was again enabled to hoist her flag. 
 The Queen Charlotte, having lost her captain and ail her prin 
 cipal officers, by some mischance ran foul of the Detroit, and 
 the greater parr of the guns of both ships rendered useless. 
 They were now compelled to sustain, m turn, an incessant fire 
 from the Niagara, and the other vessels of the squadron. T.,e 
 flag of captain Barclay was soon after struck, and those of the 
 Queen Charlotte, the Lady Prevost, the Hunter, and ( the Chippe 
 wa, came down in succession : the Liltie Belt attempted to 
 escape, but was pursued by two gunboats and captured. 
 
 Thus after a contest of three hours, was this unparalleled 
 naval victory achieved, in which every vessel of the enemy was 
 captured, the first occurrence of the kind ever recorded. If 
 any thing could heighten this glorious victory, it was the mod 
 est and yet sublime manner in whicn it was announced by the 
 incomparable Perry : WE HAVE MET THE E>EMY, AND THE* 
 ARE OBRS. Britain had beeu btaten m dingle eombut ; slid 
 26* 
 
306 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 was now beaten in squadron, where she had conceived 
 herself invincible. The loss in this bloody affair, was very 
 great in proportion to the numbers engaged." The Americans 
 had twenty seven killed and ninety six wounded; amongst the 
 first, were lieutenant Brooks, of the marines, and midshipman 
 Laub; amongst the latter, were lieutenant Yarnell, sailing- 
 master Taylor, purser Hamilton, and midshipmen Claxton and 
 Swartwout. The loss of the British was about two hundred 
 in killed and wounded, and the number of prisoners amounted 
 to six hundred, exceeding the whole number of the Americans. 
 Commodore Barclay, a gallant officer, who had. lost an arm at 
 the battle of Trafalgar, was severely wounded, and the loss of 
 officers, on the side of the British, was unusually great. Among 
 the officers particularly spoken of on this occasion, were captain 
 Elliot, lieutenants Turner, Edwards, Forest, Clark, and Cum- 
 mings, besides those already mentioned. 
 
 The victory of commodore Perry left the Americans in 
 peaceable possession of Lake Erie, but Detroit and Maiden 
 still remained in possession of the British. The triumph of the 
 American arms seemed to unite conflicting parties, and the 
 kindness extended to the British captives, reflected the bright 
 est glory on our country. But the territory still occupied by 
 the enemy was to be Retaken. For the accomplishment of this 
 purpose, colonel Johnson, with a body of his faithful Ken- 
 tuckians, were destined to act against Detroit, and general 
 Harrison was to march against. Maiden. Finding Maiden 
 untenable, the British general destroyed, and then evacuated it. 
 On the 2d of October, general Harrison, with about 3500 men, 
 commenced a pursuit, and on the 5th, the enemy was overta 
 ken. Colonel Johnson, who had formed a junction with Gen. 
 Harrison, was sentfonvaru to reconnoitre the British and In 
 dian forces, gave intelligence that the enemy were pre 
 pared for action, at tho distance of a few milos. On their left 
 was the river, ami their right consisting of Indians, under Te- 
 eumseh, rested on a swamp. 
 
 The American force consisted of Ohio militia, and four thou 
 sand Kentuckians> the flower of their state, commanded by 
 governor Shelby, who arrived at the camp of general Harrison 
 on the 7th of September. When the troops approached the 
 river Raisin, which had been the scene to such wanton barbari 
 ties, they halted to contemplate for a while, the tragic spot. 
 With feelings which language must fail to describe, they gath 
 ered up the undistinguishable bones of friends and foes, and con 
 signed them to one common grave, with affecting demonstra 
 tions of grief. 
 
 The enemy was drawn up under cover of the beech trees by 
 which the narrow strip of land was covered. The Americans 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 307 
 
 were soon formed in battle array. General Trotter s brigade 
 formed the front line, supported by Desna s divisions on the 
 left. The brigade of general King formed the second Hue, in 
 rear of generaf Trotter s, and Chile s acted as a corps of re 
 serve, both under the command of major general Henry. The 
 brigades averaged live hundred men each. Governor Shelby 
 occupied (he angle formed the brigades of Trotter and Desha. 
 The regular troops, numbering only one hundred and twenty 
 men, were formed into columns, and occupied the narrow space 
 between the river and the road, for the purpose of seizing the 
 artillery should the enemy be repulsed. The order of general 
 Harrison was, to form coloael Johnson s mounted men in two 
 lines, in front of the Indians, but the undersvood being too 
 close, for cavalry to be effective, he determined on a new mode 
 of attack. 
 
 Knowing the dexterity of the backwood s-men in riding 1 
 through forests, and the little inconvenience to them of carry 
 ing their rifles in such a situation, he determined to refuse his 
 left to. the Indians, and charge on the regulars drawn up among 
 the beech trees ; the mounted regiment was accordingly drawn 
 up in front. The army moved on but a short distance in this 
 way, when the mounted men received the enemy s fire and 
 were instantly ordered to charge. The horses, in front of the 
 column at first recoiled from the fire; but soon after got in mo 
 tion, and immediately at full speed broke through the enemy 
 with irre=istible force. In one minute the contest was over in 
 front. The mounted men instantly formed in the rear, and 
 poured a destructive fire, and were about to make another 
 charge, when the British officers, finding it impossible to form 
 their broken ranks, immediately surrendered. 
 
 Upon the left, the onset was begun byTecumseh with great 
 fury. Colonel R. M. Johnson, who commanded on that flank 
 of his regiment, received a galling lire, which he returned with 
 effect, while the Indians advanced towards the point occupied 
 by governor Shelby; and at first made an impression on it; 
 but the aged warrior brought a regiment lo its support. The 
 combat now raged with increasing fury ; the Indians to the 
 number of twelve or fifteen hundred, seemed determined to 
 maintain their ground to the last. The terrible voice of Te- 
 cumseh could be distinctly heard, encouraging his warriors ; 
 and although beset on every side, excepting on that of the 
 morass, they fought with more determined courage than had 
 ever been witnessed in these people. An incident soon occur 
 red, however, which decided the contest. Colonel Johnson 
 rushed towards the spot where the war-iors, clustering around 
 their undaunted chief, appeared resolved to perish by his side ; 
 in a moment a hundred rifles were aimed at the Americae, 
 
308 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 whose uniform and white horse which he rode rendered a con 
 spicuous object ; his holsters, dress, and accoutrements, were 
 pierced with bullets, his horse and himself receiving a number 
 of wounds. At the instant his horse was about to sink under 
 him, the daring Kentuckian, covered with blood from his 
 wounds, was discovered by Teeumseh : the chief having dis 
 charged his rifle, sprang forward with his tomahawk, but 
 struck with the appearance of the warrior who btood before 
 him, hesitated for a moment, and that moment was hi* 
 last. Tiie Kentuckian levelled a pistol at his breast, aud they 
 both, almost at the same instant, fell to the ground. The 
 Kentuekians rushed forward to the rescue of their leader, and 
 the Indians, no longer hearing the voiee of Teeumseh soon 
 after fled. Near the spot where this seeno occurred, thirty In 
 dians were found dead, and six whites." 
 
 Thus fell Teeumseh, the most celebrated Indian warriour 
 that over raised the tomahawk against us, and with him fell 
 the last hope of our Indian enemies. This mighty warriour 
 was the determined foe of civilization, and had for years been 
 labouring to unite all the Indian tribes in opposing- the progress 
 of the settlements to the westward. Had such a man opposed 
 the European colonists on their firstarrival, this continent, in all 
 probability, would still have been a wilderness. To those who 
 prefer a savage, uncultivated waste inhabited by wolves and 
 panthers, arid by men more savage still, to the busy city, to the 
 peaceful hamlet and cottage, to science and the comforts of civi 
 lization, to such it may be a source of regret that Teeumseh 
 came too late. But if the cultivation of the earth, and the cul 
 tivation of the human intellect and the human virtues, are 
 agreeable in the sight of the Creator, it may be a just cause of 
 felicitation that this champion of barbarism was the ally of 
 Great Britain, at a period, when he could only draw down 
 destruction on his own head, by savagely daring what was 
 beyond his strength. But Tecurnseh fell respected by his en 
 emies, as a great and a magnanimous chief. Although he sel 
 dom took prisoners in battle, he treated well those that had 
 been taken by ftthers ; ad, at the defeat of Dudley, actually 
 put to death a chief whom he found engaged in the work of 
 massacre. He had been in almost every engagement with the 
 whites since Harmer- s defeat, although at his death, he scarce 
 ly exceeded forty years of age. Tecurnseh 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 
 RS one of the most distinguished of men. He was endowed 
 with a powerful mind, with the soul of a hero. There was an 
 uncommon dignity in his countenance and manners ; by the 
 former he could be easily discovered even after death, among 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 309 
 
 the rest of the slain, for he wore no insignia of distinction. 
 Whoa gmle.1 with a silk sneh, and told by general Proctor 
 That he was mado a brigadier in the British service, for his 
 conduct at Brownstown and Magagua, he returned the present 
 with respectful contempt. Born >vith no title to command, 
 but his nutivj greatness, every tribe yielded submission to hira 
 at once, and no one ever disputed his precedence. Subtle and 
 fierce in war, he possessed uncommon eloquence, his speeches 
 might bear a comparison with those of the most celebrated or 
 ators of Greece and Rome. His invective was terrible, as we 
 had frequent occasion to experience, anJ as may be seen in 
 the reproaches which he applied to Proctor, a few days before 
 his death, in a speech which was found amongst the papers of 
 the British officers. His form was uncommonly elegant ; his 
 stature about six feet, his limbs perfectly proportioned. He 
 was honourably interred by the victors, by whom he was held 
 in much respect, as an inveterate, but a magnanimous ene- 
 emy. 
 
 The loss of the Americans in this engagement, was more 
 than fifty killed and wounded, among whom was colonel \Vhite- 
 ly a revolutionary soldier, killed. The loss ofthe British was 
 nineteen killed and fifty wounded. Six hundred were taken 
 prisoners, ofthe Indians, one hundred and twenty were left on 
 the field. Several pieces of cannon, taken in the revolution, 
 and which had been surrendered by general Hull, were trophies 
 of this victory. General Proctor fled when the charge wai 
 made, and escaped down the Thames, by means ot fleet norses. 
 though closely pursued. His carnage together with his pri 
 vate papers, was left in his haste to retreat. 
 
 The time was now come, which would prove w-hether the 
 stigma past upon the chivalrous people of Kentucky by the in 
 famous Procter, in order that his own atrocious conduct might 
 escape notice, was founded in truth. It was now seen wheth 
 er, to use the words of this monster, they were a " ferocious 
 and mortal foe, using the same mode of warfare, with the allies 
 of Britain/ The recollection of the affair of the river Raisin 
 might have justified revenge : and what is more, the iustr.i- 
 ments who perpetrated those horrid deeds were now at their 
 disposal; bereft of hope by this signal dei eai and the loss tf 
 their great leader, the savages sued for peace, and as an parn- 
 estof their sincerity, offered to raise theirtomahawkson the side 
 ofthe U. States, and to inflict upon the British prisoners, the 
 same abominable cruelties, they had practised oa the Ameri 
 cans. But the Kentuckians, to their honour, far from giving 
 way to the passions ofrevenge, forebore even a word, or look 
 of insult ; there was not even an allusion to the murder of their 
 brothers and friends ; the prisoners were distributed in Email 
 
310 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 parties, in the interior towns, and although extremely insulting 
 in their deportment, were not merely treated with humanity, 
 but in many places actually caressed and fed with dainties by 
 the compassionate inhabitants. This treatment was carried to 
 an excess, which might properly deserve the name of folly ; 
 were it not a noble mode of revenge for what our countrymen 
 at that moment endured -in (he British dungeons on the land, 
 arid in the floating prisons on the sea, where they underwent 
 every spc-cies of distress, wretchedness and torture. 
 
 The Indian war now ceased, and our frontier rested in secu 
 rity. Most of the volunteers returned home. General Harri 
 son stationed general Cass at Detroit, with about one thousand 
 men, and proceeded with the remainder to join the central ar 
 my at Buffalo. About this time, at the request of general Vin 
 cent, a correspondence was opened between him and general 
 Harrison, relative to the treatment of the British prisoners. 
 After assuring the British general that the request to treat his 
 prisoners with humanity, was unnecessary, he referred him to 
 the treatment experienced by American captives, and referred 
 him to the scenes which had transpired at the river Raisin, the 
 Miami, others of a similar complexion, and wished to be infor 
 med whether the Indians should be permitted to repeat those 
 cruelties. His words are worthy of remembrance. 
 
 " Use then, I pray you, your authority and influence to stop 
 the dreadful effusion of innocent blood, which proceeds from 
 the employment of those savage monsters, whose aid, as must 
 now bo discovered, is so little to be depended on when most 
 wanted, and which can have so trifling an effect on the issue of 
 war. The effect of their barbarities will not be confined to the 
 present generation. Ages yet to come will feel the deep root 
 ed hatred and enmity, wnich they must produce between the 
 two nations. 1 
 
 The reply of general Vincent was not unlike that of sir Sid 
 ney Beckwith, vague and evasive. He expressed kimself per 
 fectly satisfied on the score of the treatment of the prisoners, 
 but with respect to the other topics, he declined saying any 
 thing; it was beyond his power to give an explicit answer; 
 but he pledged his honour that to the utmost of his power, he 
 would join with general Harrison in alleviating the calamities 
 of war. Although general Harrison pledged himself to produce 
 proofs of every tiling which he stated, general Vincent chose to 
 be silent upon the subject ; neither disavowing that such acts 
 were sanctioned by the British government, nor calling the 
 truth of them in question ; they will, therefore, remain an in 
 delible stigma on the British name. 
 
 The successes of the north western army, and the victory on 
 Lake Erie, prepared the way for the invasion of Canada. A 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 311 
 
 more formidable force was collected on the frontier, than here 
 tofore, under more experienced officers, and the Indians had 
 declared against the enemy. The public mind was elated, and 
 a fit opportunity presented for the invasion of Canada. 
 
 General Armstrong was at the head of the war department, 
 and much was expected from his experience and zeal. Im 
 provements were introduced, especially in the selection of offi 
 cers. The Secretary proceeded to the northern frontier, to 
 put his plans into operation. The plan was perhaps judicious, 
 but the season was too far advanced, to accomplish his inten 
 tions. 
 
 General Dearborn resigned, and general Wilkinson was cal 
 led from the southern army to supply his place. He issued an 
 order which gave general satisfaction, and much was expected 
 from his military science. The force directly under his com 
 mand, amounted to eight thousand men, and he expected to be 
 joined in October by the force under general Harrison. Gene 
 ral Hampton commanded about four thousand men at Platts- 
 burg. The plan was, to descend the St. Lawrence, pass the 
 British posts above, form a junction with general Hampton, and 
 invade Montreal. 
 
 The army, which had been distributed in different corps, 
 and stationed at various points, was now to be concentrated at 
 gome place most convenient for its embarkation. For this 
 purpose Grenadier s Island, which lies between Sackett s Har 
 bour and Kingston, was selected, on account of its contiguity to 
 the St. Lawrence, as the most proper place of rendezvous. On 
 the second of October, general Wilkinson left fort George, 
 with the principal body of the troops, and soon reached the 
 island, where he occupied himself incessantly in making the 
 necessary preparations for the prosecution of his enterprise. 
 He several times visited Sackett s Harbour, at which place the 
 troops first arrived, and after receiving their necessary supplies 
 proceeded to the place of rendezvous. Colonel Scott, whom he 
 had left in command at fort George, was ordered to embark 
 with his regiment of artillery, and colonel Randolph s infantry, 
 on board a vessel of the squadron, and proceed to the island. 
 Colonel Dennis was left in the command of Sackett s Harbour; 
 and the general having provided a sufficient number of boats 
 to transport the artillery through the St. Lawrence, proceeded 
 to put the troops in motion. By the twenty-third the troops 
 thus collected, exceeded seven thousand men, and were compos 
 ed of tolonel Porter s light artillery, a few companies of colo 
 nels Scott s and Macomb s regiments of artillery, twelve regi 
 ments of infantry, and Forsythe s rifle corps. 
 
 General Brown, now a brigadier in the service of the Ui- 
 leJ States, was ordered to take the command of the advance 
 
312 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 of the army at this place. On the first of November, a Brit 
 ish squadron made its appearance near French creek, with 
 a large hody of infantry; a battery of three eighteen pounders, 
 skilfully managed by captains M Pherson and Fanning, soon 
 forced them to retire. The attack was renewed the next 
 morning, but with no better success ; and as (he other corps of 
 the army now daily arrived, the enemy thought proper to move 
 off. On the sixth, the army was put in motion, and in the 
 evening landed a few miles above the British fort Prescott. 
 After reconnoitering the passage at this place, and finding that 
 the fort commanded the river, general Wilkinson directed the 
 fixed ammunition to be transported by land to a safe point below, 
 and determined to take advantage of the night to pass with the 
 flotilla, while the troops were marched to the same point, leav 
 ing on board the boats merely a sufficient number to navigate 
 them. Availing himself of a heavy fog which came en in the 
 evening, the commander endeavoured to pass the fort unobser 
 ved ; but the weather clearing up, and the moon shining, he 
 was discovered by the enemy, who opened a heavy fire. 
 General Brown, who was in the rear with the flotilla, thought 
 it prudent to land for the present, until the night should grow 
 darker. He then proceeded down the river, but not without 
 being discovered, and again exposed to a severe cannonade ; 
 notwithstanding which, not one out of three hundred boats suf 
 fered the slightest injury.^ Before ten o clock the next day, 
 they had all safely arrived at the place of destination. A mes 
 senger was now despatched to general Hampton, informing 
 him of the movement of the army, and requiring his co-opera- 
 tion. 
 
 The enemy having discovered the design of the Americans, 
 determined to counteract it. Parties were posted where they 
 could annoy our boats by musket shot, and the illness of the 
 Commander-in-chief, augmented alarmingly. 
 
 The army was delayed for half a day in extricating two schrs. 
 loaded with with-ptovisions, which had been driven into a part 
 of the river near O gdens burgh, by the enemy s fire. A corps 
 d elite of twelve hundred men, under Colonel M Comb, being 
 despatched to remove the obstructions to the descent of the 
 army, at three o clock he was followed by the main body. On 
 passing the first rapids of the St. Lawrence, the barge of the 
 comrnamler-in-ehief was assailed by two pieces of artillery, but 
 without any other injury than cutting the ringing. The atten 
 tion of the enemy was soon diverted by lieutenant colonel 
 Eustis who returned their fire from som? light bargos, while 
 major Forsythe at the same time, landed some of his riflemen, 
 attacked them unexpectedly, and carried off three pieces of 
 their artillery. The flotilla came to about six miles below 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 313 
 
 and that the dragoons attached to the first division of the ene 
 my, had been collected at a place ealledthe White House, at a 
 contraction of the river ; to which point the flotilla was ordered 
 the next morning to proceed. On arriving- at this place en the 
 eighth, g-enerai Brown was ordered to go forward with his 
 brigade, to reinforce colonel M Comb, and take command of 
 the advance, while the commander-in-c!;ief directed the trans 
 portation of the dragoon? across the St. Lawrence. The last 
 was completed during the night. 
 
 The British now determined to harass the Americans. On 
 the 9th, a skirmish occurred between the American riflemen 
 and a party of nalitia and Indians. 
 
 In the course of the day, the cavalry and four piecos of ar 
 tillery under captain M Pherson, were ordered to ck j ar the 
 coast as far as the head of the Longue Snut ; and in the eve 
 ning the army arrived at a place called the Yellow House, 
 which stands near the Saut. As the passage of this place was 
 attended with considerable difficulty, on account of the rapidi 
 ty of the current and of its length, it was deemed prudent to 
 wait until the next day, and in the meanwhile it became neces- 
 gary to use the utmost precaution. 
 
 On the morning of the tenth, general Brown with the troops 
 under his command, excepting two pieces of artillery, and tie 
 second regiment of dragoons, was ordered to march in the ad 
 vance of the army. A regard for the safety of the men, had 
 induced thr commander-in-chief to retain as few of the troops 
 in the boats as possible, on account of the exposure to vvh : c : i 
 they would be subject, in the long and dangerous passage of 
 these rapids, and where the enem\ had in all probability es ab- 
 lisbed batteries ! < -; he purpose of impeding their descent. The 
 second regiuieni of dragoons, and a considerable portion of the 
 other brigades, which had been withdrawn from the boats, 
 were ordered to follow under general Boyd, the steps of gener 
 al Brown, to prevent the enemy who were s ill hanging ou the 
 rear of the army, from making any advantageous attack- Gen. 
 Brown now commenced his march at the .head of his troops, 
 consisting principally of colonel M Comb s artillery, .and a part 
 of Scott s part of the light artillery, the riflomen, and the sixth, 
 fifteenth and twenty-second regiments. Ii was not long before 
 he found himself engaged with a strong party at a block house 
 near the Saut, which after a contest of a few minutes, was 
 repulsed by the riflemen under Forsythe, who was severely 
 wounded. About the same time some of the enemy s galleys 
 approached the flotilla, which had landed and commenced a firo 
 upon it, by which a number of boats were injured ; two eighteen 
 pounders, however, being hastily run on shore, a fire from them 
 soon compelled the assailants to retire. The day being now 
 27 
 
.-514 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 too far spent to nt tempt the Saut, it was resolved to postpone 
 ii until the day following. 
 
 At ten o clock on the eleventh, at the moment that the flo 
 tilla was about to proceed, and when at the same time, the di 
 vision under general Bo\ii, consisting of his own and the brig 
 ades of generals Govington and Swartwout, were drawn up in 
 marching ordi;r, an ulnrm was given that the enemy was dis 
 covered approaching in column. The commander-in-chief and 
 general Lewis, being both loo much indisposed to lake the 
 command, general Boyd was ordered to face about and attack 
 the approaching army. The enemy s galleys had at the same 
 lime approached, for the purpose of attacking the rear of the 
 American flotilla. General 13o)d now advanced with his de 
 tachment formed in three columns, and ordered a part of gene 
 ral Swartwout s brigade to move forward, and briiig the enemy 
 to action. Colonel Ripley, accordingly at the head of the 
 twenty-first regiment, passed the wood which skirts the open 
 ground called Chrystier s field, and drove in several of the 
 enemy s parties. On entering the field, he met the advance of 
 the British, consisting of the forty-ninth and the Glengary 
 fencibles. Colonel Ripley immediately ordered a charge, which 
 was executed with such surprising firmness, that these two reg 
 iments, nearly double his numbers, were compelled to retire ; 
 and on making a stand, were a second time driven before the 
 bayonet, and compelled to pass over the ravines and fences, bj 
 which the field was intersected, until they fell on their main 
 body .General Covington had. before this, advanced upon the 
 right of the enemy, where his artillery was posted, and at the 
 moment colonel Ripley bad astailed the left flank, the right 
 was forced by a determined onset, and success appeared 
 scarcely doubtful. Unfortuntlely, however, general Coving- 
 ington, whose activity had rendered him conspicuous, became 
 a mark for the sharp shooters of the enemy stationed in Chryst 
 ier s house, and lie was shot from his horse. The fall of tlm 
 gallant officer arrested the progress of the brigade, and the 
 artillery cf the enemy ihrev it into confusion, and caused it to 
 fall back in disorder." The British commander now wheeled 
 part of his line into column, with the view of capturing pome 
 pieces of artillery, which were no lunger supported. A body 
 ol" dragoons, under the adjutant-general, Waltnich, attempted, 
 in a very gallant manner, to charge the British rolijinn, but 
 from the nature of the ground was not successful. At this 
 critical moment, colonel Ripley, who had been engaged with 
 the enemy s left flank, threw his regiment between ttie artille 
 ry and the advancing column, and frustrated tttrir de-ign. The 
 iJritish fell bnck with precipitation. The region nts which hsd 
 broken had aot retired from the field, bul still continued t 
 
THE UNITED STATED 
 
 keep up an irregular fight with various success ; and the 
 twenty-first having by this time expended its ammunition, and 
 being much exposed, was withdrawn to another position, and 
 in the meanwhile the enemy again attempted to possess them 
 selves of the artillery. One picco was unfortunately captured 
 by them, in consequence of the death of lieutenant Wiiliam 
 S. Smith, who commanded it; the others were brought off 
 by the coolness in-l bravery of captain Armstrong- Irvine. 
 The actirtn soon after ceased, having been kept up for two hours 
 by little better than raw troops against an equal number of 
 veterans. The British force consisted of detachments from the 
 forty ninth, eighty fourth, hundred and fourth, the Volligcure, 
 and the Glengary reghnenf. The enemy soon after retired to 
 their camp, and tMe American* to their b 
 
 In this battle the loss of ihe Americans, in killed and wound 
 ed, amounted to three hundred and thirty-nine, of whom one 
 hundred and two were killed : amon* these were lieutenants 
 Smith, Hunter, a among the wounded, were gen 
 
 eral Covington, who afterwards died ; colonel Preston, majors 
 Chambers, Noon and Cum ning* ; cip:ams Townsend, Foster, 
 . Campbell, and Murdock ; and lieutenants Heaton, 
 Williams, Lynch, Pelham, Brown, and Cheery. The British 
 loss could not have been less than that of ihe Americans. 
 
 This appears to Inve been a drawn battle, the British and 
 Americans both leaving the ground. On the llth. the army 
 joined the advance near Barnharl. The commander-in-chief 
 received information fro-n General Hampton, which puts an 
 rnd to the design against Montreal. 
 
 a few days before the battle of Chrystler a 
 field, the Commander-in-chief had given orders to general 
 Hampton to meet him at St. Regis : but soon after this order, 
 a letter was received from General HnmpJon. in which, after 
 stating 1 that from the disclosure of the state of general Wilkin- 
 - ipply of provisions, and the situation of the roads to S*. 
 . which rend r- d it imp.-ib!o to transport a greater 
 quantity than could be carried by a man on Ins back, he had 
 lined to open a communication from PlaUsburgh to Con- 
 ewago, or by any other point on the Sf. Liwrence, which the 
 inder-in chief might indicate. General Hampton some 
 time before thi-, with a view to a further movement of troop*, 
 had descended the Chatcaujjay river: about the same time that 
 ihe army was concentrated on lake Ontario. Sir George Pre- 
 rceiving this movement towards Montreal, had collected 
 > force at this point to oppose the march of Hampton. 
 On the twenty first of October this officer crossed the line, b it 
 Koon found his road obstructed by fallen timber, and the ambsi*- 
 cadc of ita enemy s militia an^ of consider- 
 
316 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 able extent would have to be passed, before they could reach 
 the open country, and while the engineers were engaged in 
 catting a way through, colonel Purdy was detached with the 
 light troops and one regiment of the line, to turn their flank, 
 and then seize on the open country below. In this he succeed 
 ed, and the army by the next day reached the position of the 
 advance. But it was discovered that aboutseven miles further, 
 there was a wood which had been felled and formed into an 
 abatis, and thai a succession of breast works, some of them 
 well supplied with artillery, had been formed by the main body 
 of the enemy. Colonel Purdy, on the twenty fifth, was ordered 
 to march down the river on the opposite side, and on passing 
 the enemy, to cross over, and attack him in his rear, whilst the 
 brigade under general Izard would attack him in front. Colo 
 nel Purdy had not marched far, when his orders were counter 
 manded ; but on his return, he was attacked by the enemy s in 
 fantry and Indians, and at first thrown into confusion, but the 
 assailants were soon after repulsed ; they came out at the 
 same moment in front, and attacked general Izard, but were 
 compelled to retire behind their defences. 
 
 Gen. Hampton finding that the enemy was gaining strength, 
 determined to retreat. A council of officers was called by "the 
 commander in chief, and the army retired to winter quarters at 
 French Mills. 
 
 Thus determined a campaign, which gave rise (o dissatisfac 
 tion, proportioned to the high expectations which had been in 
 dulged ; this unexpected turn of affairs appeared to ca^t a 
 shade upon all the brilliant series of success winch had preceded. 
 Opinion was much divided as to the causes of the failure, and 
 as to the parties who ought to bear the blame. 
 
 While these things were taking place on the land, the com 
 mander of our squadronon the lake was not idle. Commodore 
 Chauncey, it has been seen, after his first attempt to bring the 
 enemy to action, returned to Sackett s Harbour, for the pur 
 pose of obtaining a fresh supply of provisions. After being re 
 inforced by a new schooner, he again sailed on a cruise ; and 
 on the seventh of September, discovered the British squadron 
 Dear the Niagara, and immediately stood for it. Sir James, 
 on perceiving the Americans, made sail to the northward, and 
 was pursued during four days and nights ; but owing to the 
 dull sailing of a greater part of the pursuers, he was enabled to 
 keep out of their reach. On the fourth day, off Genesee river, 
 eorr.modore Chauncey having a breeze, while sir James lay be 
 calmed, endeavoured to close with him ; this he was not able 
 to accomplish, the enemy taking the breeze also, when the 
 American squadron had approached within half a mile. After 
 a running fight of more than three hours, the British escaped ; 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 317 
 
 But the next morning 1 ran into Amherst bay, whither the 
 American commodore, for want of a pilot, did not think it pru 
 dent to follow, but contented himself with forming a blockade. 
 In the running- fight, the British sustained considerable injury : 
 that of the Americans was very trifling-. The blockade wag 
 continued until the seventeenth of September, when in conse 
 quence of a heavy ga e which blew from the westward, the 
 commodore was compelled to leave his station, and the Brit 
 ish escaped into Kingston. 
 
 After remaining but a short time in Snckett s Harbor, com 
 modore Chauncey again sailed towards Niagara, where ho ar 
 rived on the twenty fourth, having passed sir James at the 
 False Ducks, without noticing him, intending to draw him into 
 the lake. A few days after, the American commodore receive*! 
 information, that the enemy was in the harbor of York ; he 
 therefore made sail to that place, as fast as his dull sailing 
 Fchooners would permit; and on the twenty seventh, early in 
 the morning-, discovered the enemy in motion in the bay, ami 
 immediately stood for him. This being perceived hy sir James, 
 he stood out and endeavoured to escape to the southward : 
 but finding thai the American was close upon hin, tacked his 
 squadron in succession, and commenced a well directed 5re at 
 the Pike, in order to cover his rear ; and attacking the rear of 
 his opponent as he passed to leeward ; this was prevented by 
 the skilful manoeuvring of Chauncey, by bearing down in line 
 on the centre ofihe enenn s sqr.aJron, which was thrown into 
 confusion, Yeo immediately bore away, but not before his ship 
 had been roughly handled by that of the commodore. In tweii- 
 tv minutes, the main and ir.izoutopmast and mainyard of the 
 Wolfe, were shot away ; the British commander set sail upon 
 his foremast, and keeping dead before the wind, was enabled to 
 outsail the greater part of Chauncey s squadron. The chase 
 was continued until three o clock, the Pike having the As;> ,u 
 tow, and during the greater part of this time, within reach of 
 the enpmy s shot. Captain Crane, in the Madison, and lieu 
 tenant Brown, of the Oneida, used every exertion to close with 
 the enemy, but without success. The chose was at length re- 
 luctan-ly given up, as it came on to blow kJuK^t a gale, arul 
 there was no hope of closing with the enemy before he could 
 reach the British batteries, and without great risk of running 
 ashore. The commodore was justly entitled to claim a victory 
 in this affair : although the enemy were cot captured, ths v 
 were certainly beaten; two of his vessels were at one moment 
 completely in the commodore s power; but from his eagerness 
 to close with the whole- fleet, they effected their escape. " In ad 
 dition to the general policy of sir" James Yeo, the late affair op 
 lake Erie had rendered him particularly careful to avoid an ee- 
 27* 
 
318 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 gagement. The loss on board the Pike was considerable, ow 
 ing to her having been so long exposed to the fire of the ene 
 my s fleet ; the most serious, how ever, was occasioned by the 
 bursting of one of her guns, by which twenty two men were 
 killed and wounded ; the total amounted to twenty seven. The 
 vessel was a good deal cut up in her hull and rig ging. 
 
 Shortly after this affair, the commodore having communica 
 ted with general Wilkinson on the subject of the expedition 
 then on foot, was advised to continue to watch the enemy s 
 squadron ; and if possible, to prevent its retarn to Kingston. 
 About the beginning of October the commodore again chased 
 the enemy s fleet for several days, and forced it to take refuge 
 in Burlington bay ; the next morning, on sending the Lady of 
 the Lake to reconnoitre, it was discovered that sir James 
 had taken advantage of the darkness of night, and escaped to 
 Kingston. Much pleasantry was indulged at this time, at the 
 shyness of the British knight, and his ungallant escape from the 
 Lady of the Lake. The chase was now renewed, and, favour 
 ed by the wind, the commodore came in sight of seven schoon 
 ers, and captured five of them, in spite of their efforts to escape 
 by separating. Before sun down, three of them struck to the 
 Pike, and another to the Sylph and the Lady of the Lake, and 
 a fifth was after wai da captured by the Sylph. They turned 
 nut to be gun vessels, bound to the head of the lake as trans 
 ports. Two of them were the Julia and Growler, which had 
 been lost by the Americans. On board were three hundred sol 
 diers, belonging to the De Watteville regiment. It was ascer 
 tained that the ship of sir James Yeo, and the Royal George 
 had suffered very considerable injury, as well as loss in lulled 
 and wounded. Commodore Chauncsy remained master of the 
 lake during the remainder of the season. 
 
 The consequences of leaving a large force of the enemy in 
 the rear, and withdrawing the troops from Niagara, were soon 
 felt. General Harrison arrived at Buffalo soon after the de 
 parture of the commander in chief, but could not follow, for 
 \vant of transports. He embarked after the main body had 
 gone into winter quarters. The fori was left under command 
 of general M Clure, who commanded militia, whose term of 
 service had nearly expired. This force was soon reduced to a. 
 handful of men, and the place was no longer tenable. The en 
 emy was in march with a large force. The fort was blown up, 
 and the few troops crossed the river, just in time to escape the 
 F.ritish. But this retreat wss preceded by an act which every 
 American ought to condemn. Newark, a handsome little vil 
 lage, near the fort, would greatly favour a besieging army, ard 
 orders wre given by the Secretary, that if necessary for the de 
 fence of the fort, the village should be destroyed, to prevent 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 319 
 
 the enemy from taking shelter in it. By an astonishing mi- 
 concepticii of these orders, the General gave notice to the in 
 habitants to retire, and left the village in flames. The act waa 
 promptly disavowed by the goverement. The order so mis 
 conceived, was soon enclosed to Sir George Prevost, expressing- 
 regret, and declaring the act unauthorised. 
 
 Sir George Prevost, however, did not wait for the disavowal 
 of the American government; he had already inflicted a retali 
 ation sufficient to satisfy the vengeance of the fiercest enemy. 
 At day-light on the nineteenth of December, fort Niagara 
 was surprised by colonel Murray, with about four hundred men, 
 and the garrison, nearly three hundred in number, and princi 
 pally invalids, was put to the sword; not more than twenty be 
 ing able to escape. The commanding officer, captain Leonard, 
 appears to have been shamefully negligent, or perhaps bought 
 by the enemy : he was absent at the time, and had used no pre 
 cautions against an assault. Having possessed themselves of 
 this place. t l >ey soon after increased thei* force, and immediate 
 ly proceeded to lay waste the Niagara frontier with fire and 
 sword. The militia, hastily collected, could oppose no re-i.-t- 
 ance to a large body of British regulars and seven hundred In 
 dians. A spirited, but unavailing attempt was made by major 
 Bennett 10 ci.-fend Lewi.stown ; this village, together with that 
 a* Mancii cier, Young s town, and the Indian village of the 
 Tuscaruras, were speedily reduced to ashes, and many of the 
 inhabitants butchered. Major Mellorv advanced from Slosser, 
 to oppose he invaders, but was compelled by superior numbers 
 to retreat. On the thirtieth, a detachment lauded at Black 
 Rock, and proceeded to Buffalo; general Hall had organized a 
 body of militia, but on the approach of the enemy, they could 
 not be induced to hold their Around. Great exertions were 
 made by majors Staunton and Norton, and lieutenant Riddle, 
 but to no purpose. The village was- soon after reduced to ashes, 
 and the whole frontier, for many miles, exhibited a scene of ru 
 in and devastation. Here was indeed ample vengeance for the 
 burning of Newark. Even the British generai was satisfied, 
 as appears by his proclamation of the twelfth of January : "the 
 opportunity of punishment has occurred, and a full theruurt 
 vf retribution has liken place .- and he declared his intention of 
 - pursuing HO further a system of warfare so revolting to hi* 
 own feelings, and so little congenial to the British character. 
 
 We think indeed it was timo to stop, nod we are well per 
 suaded that ihosa who venerate the lex talionix. m jst be satis- 
 tied that the measure of vindictive vengeance was full to over 
 flowing . 
 
 About. this time a very interesting subject was submitted t 
 the consideration of cmgres*. Twenty three American idl- 
 
320 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 diers, taken at the battle of Queenstown, in the autumn of 
 1812, were detained in close confinement as British subjects ; 
 and sent to England to undergo a trial for treason. On this 
 being made known to our government, orders were given to 
 general Dearborn to confine a like number of British prisoners 
 taken at fort George, and to keep them as hostages for the 
 safety of the Americans ; which was carried into effect, and 
 eoen after made known to the governour of Canada. The 
 British government was no sooner informed of this, than gov 
 ernour Prevost was ordered to place forty six American offi 
 cers and non-cornmissioned officers in confinement, to ensure 
 the safety of the British soldiers. 
 
 This subject was the theme of very immediate debate in con 
 gress, which was at this time in session. 
 
 The result of this debate was, a determination to maintain 
 with firmness the position which the adminisl ration had taken ; 
 and if Great Britain persisted in the fell resolution of rendering 
 the war bloody beyond the example of modern times ; as they 
 had already rendered it most barbarous and ferocious, the Uni 
 ted States must reluctantly pursue a course to be lamented by 
 every man of common humanity. 
 
 Notwithstanding the intemperate opposition on the floor of 
 congress, the war was evidently gaining ground ; the conduct 
 of the enem} , in the prosecution of hostilities, was such as to 
 awaken the feeling of every American; and the rejection of 
 the Russian mediation staggered miny, who confidently pre 
 dicted its prompt acceptance. Tljo victories, which we had 
 obtained at sea, came home to the filings of the whole nation, 
 and were claimed exclusively by the opposition, as having al 
 ways been the best friends to the navy. The British actually 
 complained, that those whom she considered her friends in 
 America, should rejoice in her misfortunes ; and accused them 
 of faithlessness and inconstancy, because they permitted their 
 love ofcountry to overcome their hatred for the men in power. 
 But this was a delightful proof of nationality, such as might 
 have been expected from Britain herself, or from France, 
 though not from a nation so recently composed of independent 
 jarring states, not yet perfectly cemented. It becomes every 
 virtuous man to rejoice in the good fortune of hi.s country, 
 however he may dislike the present rulers. This sentiment 
 was gradually gaining ground ; the warlike appearances every 
 where displayed, interested the ardent minds of the young, and 
 enterprising, and the feate of arms daily recounted, awakened 
 the desire of being distinguished. The contagion of military 
 pursuits was rapidly spreading. The habits of a people, who 
 liad been thirty years at peace, and constantly occupied in their 
 industrious avocations, could not be changed suddenly. But 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 321 
 
 man Is evsry where by nature warlike, and cannot exist long 
 in the midst of martial scenes and preparations, without catch 
 ing their spirit. It would not have been difficult to predict, 
 that the foreign enemy, which was at first regarded only as the 
 enemy of a party, would soon become the enemy of the coun 
 try. 
 
 Our affairs in the southward, had assumed a serious aspect, 
 and no sooner had the northern armies retired in!o winter quar 
 ters, than the public attention was kept alive, by tl)3 interest 
 ing events which transpired in the c.miitry of ihe Creaks, du 
 ring the winter. That ill fated people had" at length declared 
 open war. 
 
 In consequence of the threa ening appearances to the south, 
 and the hostilities which already prevailed with the Indians in 
 habiting the Spanish territory, governour Mitchell, of Georgia, 
 was required by the secretary at war, to detach a brigade to 
 the Oakmnjgee river, fir the purpose of covering 1 the frontier 
 settlements of the state. Governor Holmes of the Mississippi 
 territory, was at the same time ordered to join a body of miii- 
 tia to the volunteers under general Claiborne, then stationed 
 on the Mobile. In the course of the summer, the settlers in 
 the vicitvty of that river, became so much alarmed from the 
 hostile deportment of the Creaks, that the greater part aban 
 doned their plantations, and sought refuge in the different 
 forts ; while the pete? pa --ty auv.ngst the Creeks, had in some 
 places, shut themselves up in forts, and were besieged by their 
 countrymen. 
 
 The commencement of hostilities was witnessed by one of 
 the most shocking masacres, that can be found in the history of 
 our Indian wars. T te settlor-, from an imperfect idea of their 
 danger, had adopted an erroneous mode of defence, by throw 
 ing themselves into small forts or stations, at. ?reat distances 
 from each other, on the various branches of :he Mobile. Ear 
 ly in August it was ascertained, that the Indians intended to 
 make an attack upon all those stations, aud destroy them in de 
 tail. The first place which th^y woul 1 a taempt, would proba 
 bly be fort Minis, in which the greatest nirnber of families had 
 been collected. Towards the hitter part of August, information 
 xvas brought that the Indians were about to make an attack on 
 this post, bur. unfortunately too little attention xas paid to the 
 warning. During the momentary continuance of the alarm, 
 sDnu preparations were made fir defence, but it seems that it 
 was almost impossible to rouse them from their unfortunate 
 disbelief of the proximity of their danger. The fort was com 
 manded by major Beasly, of the Mississippi territory, (a brave 
 officer, and as a private citizen highly respected,) with about a 
 hanJrjJ volunteer i under his command. By some fatality, 
 
UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 notwithstanding the warnings he had received, he was not suf 
 ficiently on his guard, and suffered himself to be surprised on 
 the thirtieth, at noon-day. The sentinel had scarcely time to 
 notify the approach of the Indians, when they rushed, with a 
 dreadful yell, towards the gate, which was wide open; the gar 
 rison was instantly under ann.s, and the major flew towards the 
 gate, with some of his men, in order to close it, and if possible 
 expel tho enemy ; but he soon after fell mortally wounded. 
 The gate was at length closed, after great slaughter on both 
 sides ; but a number of the Indians had taken possession of a 
 block house, from which they were expelled, after a bloody 
 contest, by captain Jack. The assault was still continued for 
 an hour, on the out side of the pickets ; the port holes were 
 several times carried by the assailants, and retaken by those 
 within the fort. 
 
 The Indians now for a moment withdrew, apparently dis 
 heartened by their loss, but on being harangued by their chief 
 Weatherford, they returned with augmented fury to the as 
 sault ; having procured axes, thev proceeded to cut down the 
 gate, and at the same time made a breach in the pickets, and 
 possessing themselves of the area of the fort, compelled the 
 besieged to take refuge in the houses. Here they made a gal 
 lant resistance, but the Indians at length setting fire to the 
 roofs, the situation of these unfortunate people became alto 
 gether hopeless. The agonizing shrieks of the unfortunate 
 women and children at their unhappy fate, would have awa 
 kened pity in the breasts of tigers ; it is only by those who have 
 some faint idea of the nature of Indian warfare, that the horror 
 of their situation can be conceived. The terror of the scene 
 had already been sufficient to have bereft them of their senses ; 
 but what heart does not bleed at the recital of its realities. 
 Not a soul was spared by these monsters ; from the most aged 
 person to the youngest infant, they became the victims of indis 
 criminate butchery ; and some, to avoid a worse fate, even 
 rushed into the flames. A few only escaped by leaping over 
 the pickets, while the Indians were engaged in the work of 
 massacre. About two hundred and sixty persons of all ages, and 
 sexes, thus perished, including some friendly Indians, and about 
 one hundred negroes. Tlbe panic causod at the other posts, 
 or station?, by this dreadful catastrophe, can scarcely be de 
 scribed ; the wretched inhabitants, fearing a similar fate, aban 
 doned their retreats of fancied security in the middle of the 
 night, and in their endeavours to escape to Mobile, encounter 
 ed every species of suffering. The dwellings of these settlers, 
 (who wtre probably as numerous as the whols tribe of Creeks,) 
 burnt, and their cattle destroyed. 
 
THE UNITED -STATES. 32S 
 
 On the receipt of this disastrous intelligence, the Tennessee 
 militia, under the orders of general Jackson and general Cocke, 
 immediately marched to the country of the Creeks. On the 
 second of November general Coffee was detached, with nine 
 hundred men, against the Tallusbatches towns, and reached 
 the place about day light the next morning. The Indians, ap 
 prised of his approach, were prepared to receive him. Within 
 a short distance of the village the enemy charged upon him, 
 with a boldness seldom displayed by Indians. They were re 
 pulsed, and after the most obstinate resistance, in which they 
 would receive no quarters, they were slain almost to a man, 
 and their women and children taken prisoners. There were 
 nearly two hundred of the warriors killed in this affair. The 
 loss of the Americans was five killed and forty wounded. 
 
 Late in the morning of the seventh, a friendly Indian brought 
 intelligence to general Jackson, that about thirty miles below 
 his camp, were a number of Creeks collected at a place called 
 Talledega, where they were engaged in besiegipg a number of 
 friendly Indians, who must inevitably perish unless speedily re 
 lieved. This officer, whose resolutions were as rapidly execu 
 ted as they were formed, marched at twelve o clock the same 
 night, at the head of twelve hundred men, and arrived within 
 six miles of the place the next evening. At, midnight he again 
 advanced, by seven o clock was within a mile of the enemy, 
 and immediately made the most judicious arrangements for 
 surrounding them. Having approached in this manner almost 
 unperceived, within eighty yards of the Indians, the baule 
 commenced on their part with great fury, but being repulsed 
 on all sides, they attempted to make their escape, but soon 
 found themselves enclosed ; two companies having at first giv 
 en way, a space was left through which a considerable number 
 of the enemy escaped, and were pursued to the mountains with 
 great slaughter. In this action the Americ -n loss was fifteen 
 killed and eighty wounded. That of the Creeks was li t .e 
 short of three hundred ; their whole force exceeded a thou 
 sand. 
 
 General Cocke, who commanded the other division of the 
 Tennessee militia, on the eleventh detached general White 
 from fort Armstrong, where he was encamped against the hos 
 tile towns on the Tallapoose river. After matching the 
 whole night of the seventeenth, lie surprised a town at day 
 light, containing upwards of three hundred warriors, sixty of 
 whom were killed and the rest taken prisoners. Having burnt 
 several of their villages which had been deserted, lie returned 
 en the twenty third, wi hout losing a single man. 
 
 The Georgia militia, under general Floyd, advanced into the 
 Cretk country, about the last of the month. Receiving infor- 
 
324 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 nation (hat a great number of Indians were collected at (?>e 
 Autossee towns, on tne Tallapoose river, a place which they 
 called their beloved ground, and where, according to their 
 prophets, no white mart could molest them, general Fioyd, pla 
 cing himself at the head of nine hundred militia, and four hun 
 dred friendly Creeks, marched from his encampment on the 
 Chatahouchie. On the evening of the twenty eighth, he en 
 camped within ten miles of the place, and resuming his march 
 at one o clock, reached the towns about six, and commenced 
 an attack upon both at the same moment. His troops were 
 met by the Indians w 7 ith uncommon bravery ; and it was not 
 until after an obstinate resistance, that they were forced, by 
 his musketn- and bayonets, to fly to the thickets and copses in 
 the rear of the towns. In the course of three Lours the enemy 
 was completely defeated, and the villages in flames. Eleven 
 Americans were killed and fifty wounded, among the latter 
 the general himself : oftheenemy, it is supposed that beside 
 the Autossee and Tallassee kings, upwards of two hundred 
 were killed. 
 
 This just retribution, it was hoped, would bring these 
 wretched creatures to a proper sense of their situations ; but 
 unfortunately it had not this effect, they stil! persisted in their 
 hostilities against us. In the month of December, general 
 Claiborne marched a detachment against the towns of Eccana- 
 chaca,on the Alabama river. On the twenty second, he came 
 suddenly upon them, killed thirty of their warriors, and after 
 destroying their villages, returned with a trifling loss. 
 
 After the battle of Talledega, general Jackson was left with 
 but a handful of men, in consequence of the term of service 
 of the militia having expired. On the fourteenth of January 
 he was fortunately reinforced by eight hundred volunteers from 
 Tennessee, and soon after by several hundred friendly Indians. 
 
 He was also joined by general Coffee with a number of offi 
 cers, his militia having returned home. On the seventeenth, 
 with a view of making a diversion in favour of general Floyd, 
 and at the same time of relieving fort Armstrong, which was 
 said to be threatened, he penetrated the Indian country. On 
 the evening of the twenty first, believing himself, from appear 
 ances, in the vicinity of a large body of Indians, he encamp 
 ed with great precaution, arid placed himself in the best attitude 
 for defence. Some time in the night, one of his spies brought 
 information that he hnd seen the em-my a few miles off, and from 
 their being busily engaged in sending away their women and 
 children, it was evident >hey had discovered the American , and 
 would either escape or rrake an attack before morning. While 
 the troops were in this state of readiness, they were vigorously 
 attacked cc tbeir left flank about daylight; the enemy wag re- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 sisted with firmnes3,and after a severe contest, they fled in every 
 direction. This was however soon discovered to be a feint . gene 
 ral Coffee having been despatched with four hundred men, to 
 destroy the enemy s camp, with directions not to attack it, 
 if strongly fortified, returned with information that it would 
 not be prudent to attempt it without artillery; half an hur 
 had scarcely elapsed, when the enemy commenced a fierce at 
 tack on Jackson s left flank. It seems they had intended, by 
 the first onset, to draw the Americans into a pursuit, and by 
 that means create a confusion ; but this was completely pre 
 vented by Jackson s causing his left flank to keep its position, 
 General Coffee, with about fifty of his officers, acting- as vol 
 unteers, assailed the Indians on the left, while about two hun 
 dred friendly Indians came upon them on the right. The 
 whole line giving them one fire, resolutely charged; and the 
 enemy bein;r disappointed in their plan, fled with precipitation. 
 On the left flank of the Indians the contest was kept up some 
 time longer ; general Coffee was severely wounded, and his 
 aid, A. Donaldson, killed ; on being reinforced by a party of 
 the friendly Indians, he compelled the enemy to fly, leaving 
 fifty of their warriors on the ground. 
 
 General Jackson, being apprehensive of another attack, for 
 tified his camp for the night ; the next clay, fearing a want of 
 provisions, he found it necessary to retreat, and before night 
 reached Enotachopco, having passed a dangerous defile with 
 out interruption. In the morning he had to cross a defile still 
 more dangerous, where he might expect that the enemy had 
 formed an ambuscade ; he therefore determined to pass at some 
 other point. The most judicious arrangements having been 
 made for the disposition of his force in case of attcK 
 moved forward towards the pass which he had selected. The 
 front guard, with part of the flank columns, together with the 
 wounded, had^carcely crossed the creek, when the alarm wr.;? 
 given in the rear. Jackson immediately gave orders for his 
 right and left columns to wheel on their pivot, and cro^irv? 
 the stream above and below, assail the flanks and rear of the en 
 emy, and thus completely enclose them. But, to his astonish 
 ment and mortification, when the word was given for these 
 columns to for p.), and a few guns were fired, they pregipitateiv 
 gave way. This unaccountable flight had well nigh proved 
 fatal : it drew along with it the greater part of the centre col 
 umn, leaving not more than twenty five men, wh, being form 
 ed by colonel Carrol, maintained their ground for a time 
 against overwhelming numbers. All that could now bo op 
 posed to the enemy, were the few who remained of the rear 
 guard, the artillery company, and captain Rupel s company of 
 spies. Their conduct, however, was admirable. Lieutenant 
 28 
 
326 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Armstrong, with the utmost coolness and intrepidity, dragged, 
 with the assistance of a few more, the six pounder up the hill, 
 although exposed to a heavy fire ; and having gained his posi 
 tion, loaded the piece with grape, and fired it with sueh effect, 
 that after a few discharges, the enemy was repulsed. The In 
 dians, were pursued for several miles, hy colonel Carrol, colo 
 nel Higgins, and captains Elliot and Pipkins . Captain Gor 
 don, of the spies, had partly succeeded in turning their flanks, 
 aad by this impetuous charge, contributed greatly to restore 
 the day. The Americans now continued their march without 
 further molestation. In these different engagements, about 
 twenty Americans were killed, and seventy five wounded , in 
 the last, about one hundred and eighty of the Creeks were 
 slain. 
 
 Meanwhile general Floyd was advancing towards the Indian 
 territory, from the Chatahouchie river. On the twenty-sev 
 enth of January bis camp was attacked by a large body of Indians 
 about an hour before day. They stole upon the sentinels, fired 
 upon them, and then rushed with great impetuosity towards the 
 line. The action soon became general ; the front of both 
 flanks was closely pressed, but the firmness of the officers and 
 men repelled their assaults at every point. As soon as it be 
 came sufficiently light, general Floyd strengthened his right 
 wing, and formed his cavalry in the rear, then directed a 
 charge; the enemy were driven before the bayonet, and being 
 pursued by the cavalry, many of them were killed. The loss 
 of general Floyd was seventeen killed and one hundred and 
 thirty-two wounded. That of the Indians coold not be ascer 
 tained ; thirty-seven of their warriors were left dead on the 
 field, but it is thought their loss was very considerable. 
 
 By this time, it might be supposed that the Creeks had been 
 satisfied with the experiment of war, but they appear to have 
 been infatuated in a most extraordinary degree. . From the in 
 fluence of their prophets over their superstitious minds, they 
 were led on from one ruinous effort to another, in hopes tbat 
 the time would at last arrive, when their enemies would be de- 
 livored into their hands. 
 
 General Jackson, having received considerable reinforcements 
 from Tennessee, and being joined by a number of friendly In 
 dians, set out on an expedition to the Tallapoose river. He 
 proceeded from the Coose on the twenty-fourth of March, reach 
 ed the southern extremity of the New Youca on the twenty- 
 seventh, at a place called the Horse-shoe-bend of the Coose. 
 Nature furnishes few situations so eligible for defence ; and 
 here the Creeks, by the direction of their prophets, had made 
 their last stand. Across the neck of land they had erected a 
 breastwork of the greatest compactness and strength, from five 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 327 
 
 to eight feet high, and provided withB double row of port holes 
 artfully arranged. In this place they considered themselves 
 perfectly secure. The assailants could not approach without 
 being exposed to a double and cross fire from the Indians who 
 lay behind. The area thus enclosed by the breastworks was 
 little short of on3 hundred acres. The warriors from OaWus- 
 kee, Oakshaya, Hilebees, the Fish Ponds, and Eupata towns, 
 had collected their force at this place, in number exceeding a 
 thousand. 
 
 Early in the morning of the twenty-seventh general Jackson, 
 having encamped the preceding night within six^milcs of the 
 bend, detached general Coffee, with the mounted men and 
 nearly the whole of the Indian force, to pass the river at a ford 
 about three miles below their encampment, and to surround 
 the bend in such a manner, that none of them should escape by 
 attempting to cross the river. With the remainder of his force, 
 general Jackson advanced to the point of the breastwork, and 
 at half past ten, planted his artillery on a small eminence with 
 in eighty yards of the nearest point of the \vork, and within two 
 hundred and fifty of the farthest. A brisk cannonade was 
 opened upon the centre, and a severe fire was kept up with 
 musketry and rifles, when the Indians ventured to show them 
 selves behind tlioir defences. In the meantime, general Coffee 
 having crossed below, had advanced towards the village; when 
 within half a mile of that which stood at the extremity of the 
 peninsula, the Indians gave their yell ; Coffee expecting: an 
 immediate attack, drew up his men in order of battle, and in 
 this manner continued to move forward. The friendly Indians 
 had previously taken possession of the bank, for the purpose of 
 preventing the retreat of the enemy ; but they no sooner heard 
 the artillery of Jackson, and the approach of Coffee, than they 
 rushed forward to the banks; while the militia, apprehending 
 an attack from the Oakfuskee villages, wore obliged to remain, 
 in order of battle. The friendly Indians, unable to remain 
 silent spectators, began to fire across the stream, about one 
 hundred yards wide, while some plunged into- the river, and 
 swimming across, brought back a number of canoes; in these 
 the greater part embarked, landed on the peninsula, then ad 
 vanced into the village, drove the enemy from their huts up to 
 the fortifications, and continued to annoy them during the 
 whole action. This movement of the Indians rendered it ne 
 cessary that a part of Coffee s line should take their place. 
 
 General Jackson finding that his arrangements were com 
 plete, at length yielded to the earnest solicitations of his men 
 to be led to the charge. The regular troops, led by colonel 
 Williams and major Montgomery, were in a moment in posses 
 sion of the nearest part of the breastworks : the mJlilia aocon> 
 
328 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 panied them with equal firmness and intrepidity. Having 
 maintained for a few minutes a very obstinate contest, muzzle 
 to muzzle through the port- holes, they succeeded in gaining the 
 opposite side of the works. The event could no longer be 
 doubtful. The enemy, although many of them fought with that 
 kind of bravery which desperation inspires, were cut to pieces, 
 The whole margin of the river which surrounded the peninsula, 
 was strewed with the slain. Five hundred und fifty-seven 
 were found, besides those thrown into the river by their friends, 
 or drowned in attempting to escape. Not more than fifty 
 could have escaped. Among the slain was their great prophet 
 Manahoe, and two others of less note. About three hundred 
 women and children were taken prisoners. Jackson s loss was 
 twenty-six white men killed, and one hundred andseven woun 
 ded ; eighteen Cherokees killed and thirty-six wounded; and 
 live friendly Creeks killed and eleven wounded. 
 
 This most decisive victory put <an end to the Creek war. 
 The spirit and power of these misguided men were completely 
 broken; Jackson soon after scoured the countries on the Coose 
 and Tallapoose. A party of the enemy, on the latter river, on 
 iiis approach, fled to Pensacola. The greater part of the 
 Creeks now came forward and threw themselves on the mercy 
 of the victors. A detachment of militia from North and South. 
 Carolina, under the command of colonel Pearson, scoured the 
 country on the Alabama, and received the submission of a great 
 number of Creek warriors and their prophets. 
 
 In the course of the summer a treaty of peace was dictated 
 to them by Jackson, on severe but just terms. They agreed 
 to yield a portion of their country as an ind-emnity for the ex 
 penses of the war ; they conceded the privilege of opening roads 
 through their country, together with the liberty of navigating 
 their rivers. They also stipulated to hold no intercourse with 
 anv British or Spanish post, or garrison, and to deliver up the 
 property they had taken from whites or friendly Indians. The 
 general, on the part of the United States, undertook to guaran 
 tee their territory, to restore all their prisoners, and in consider 
 ation of their destitute situation, to furnish them gratuitously 
 with the necessaries of life, until they could provide for them 
 selves. They also engaged to establish trading houses, and 
 endeavour to bring back the nation to their former state. 
 
 It has already been stated, that after the failure of the cam 
 paign against the British provinces, the army retired into win 
 ter quarters. It remained inactive till the latter part of Feb 
 ruary. The Secretary at War gave orders to withdraw to 
 Pittsburgh, and that two thousand men should be marched to 
 Sackett s Harbour, under Gen. Brown, with a proportion of 
 field pieces and battering cannon. The general destroyed his 
 barracks, and retired to the place assigned him.. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 359 
 
 The British detached a large force under Col. Scott, who de 
 stroyed the public stores, and pillaged the citizens. 
 
 Towards the latter end of March, (jeneral Wilkinson detei- 
 rained to erect a battery at a place called Rouse s point, where 
 his engineer had discovered a position from which the enemy s 
 fleet, then laid up at St. John s, might he kept in check. The 
 ice breaking up on lake Champlain sooner than usual, defeated 
 bis plan ; a body of the enemy, upwards of two thousand strong, 
 on discovering his design had been collected at La Colle mill, 
 three miles from Rouse s point, for the purpose of opposing him. 
 With a view of dislodging this party, and at the same time of 
 forming 1 a diversion in favour of general Brown, who had march 
 ed against Niagara, the commander in chief, at the head of 
 about four thousand men, crossed the Canada lines on the thir 
 tieth of March. After dispersing several of the enemy s skir 
 mishing parties, iie reached La Colle mill, a large fortified stone 
 house, at which major Hancock commanded. An eighteen 
 pounder was ordered up, but owing to the nature of the ground 
 over which it had to pass, the transportation was found imprac 
 ticable ; a twelve pounder and a five inch howitzer, were there 
 fore substituted. These pieces, under the direction of captain 
 M Pherson, and lieutenants Larubee and Sheldon, were posted 
 at the distance of two hundred paces from the house, and cov 
 ered by the second brigade, with part of colonel Clark s com 
 mand, under general Smith, on the right : and the third brigade, 
 under general Bissel, on the . Miller was ordered 
 
 to take a position with th- :ith regiments, in 
 
 order to cut off the enemy V r-.reat; white IMO reserve, com 
 posed of four select corps of tho rirst - rijMde, w?i-= placed under 
 the command of general .M C- ,;;ents being 
 
 made, the battery opened upon the hu the fire was 
 
 promptly returned. The different corps were greatly exposed 
 to the fire from the house; it v. to effect a 
 
 breach, although the guns were managed with o-reat. skill. 
 Captain M Pherson was wounded at the commencement of tho 
 attack, but continued notwilhstanJ! itil a second 
 
 shot had broken his thi^h : his uext ufifcef, } is shot 
 
 through the lungs: lieutenant Sheldon kept up the fire until the 
 end of the afiYir, and behaved in a manner which drew forth 
 the praise of his gemeral. 
 
 The British commander, perceiving that the Americans per 
 sisted in bombarding the house, made a desperate sortie, and 
 several times charged upon the cannon, in which he was re 
 pulsed by the covering troops, and compelled to retire to his 
 fortress with loss. It being now found impracticable to make 
 an impression on this strong building, whose walls were of un 
 usual t .iickness, the commander in chief, calling in his different 
 2S* 
 
380 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 parties, fell back in good order. The loss of the Americans in 
 this affair, was upwards of one hundred and forty in killed and 
 wounded, that of the British is not ascertained." 
 
 Many were the difficulties under which the army laboured. 
 Lack of system, a severe climate, sickness, unforeseen expens 
 es, abuses in every department, and want of experience and ed 
 ucation in the subalterns ; and the disgraceful conduct of many 
 of the frontier inhabitants, in supplying the enemy with provi 
 sions, are among the number of misfortunes under which the 
 country laboured. Besides which, the enemy was regularly 
 informed of every thing which transpired on the American 
 side. 
 
 "Shortly after the affair of La Colle, the greater part of the 
 British force was collected at St. John s and the Isle Aux Noix, 
 for the purpose of securing the entrance of the squadron into 
 lake Champlain, on the breaking up of the ice. This was ef 
 fected early in May. Sometime before this, on the suggestion 
 of general Wilkinson, commodore M Donough had fortified the 
 mouth of Otter river, so as to secure a passage for his flotilla, 
 which then lay at Vergennes, higher up the river, waiting for 
 its armament. This precaution proved of great service. The 
 commodore had laboured, with indefatigable industry, to pro 
 vide a naval force on this lake, to cope with that of the enemy; 
 the vesels had been built during the autumn and winter, but 
 their armament did not arrive before spring. The first object 
 of the enemy, when they found the navigation open, was to at 
 tempt the destruction of the fleet, before it could move upon its 
 element prepared to meet them. On the 1 2lh of May, not long 
 after the erection of the battery on the cape, at the entrance of 
 the river, a bomb vessel and eight large gallies were stationed 
 by the enemy across the creek, for the purpose of blockading 
 the squadron, and at the same time to intercept naval supplies, 
 which it was supposed would be sent by water, for the purpose 
 of completing its armament. Captain Thornton of the light 
 artillery, and lieutenant Cassin, with a number of sailors, were 
 ordered to the defence of the battery. Indications being at the 
 same time discovered of an attempt hy the enemy to assail the 
 battery in the rear, general Davis, of the Vermont militia, cal 
 led part of his brigade, in order to oppose the landing 1 . At day 
 break on the 14th, the enemy commenced an attack upon the 
 works, but were so effectually resisted, that they were compel 
 led to withdraw from their position with the loss of two gallies, 
 which they were obliged to abandon. Soon after, the whole 
 squadron moved down the lake, bnt not without some skir 
 mishing with general Wright of the militia, as they passed Bur 
 lington. Commodore M Donough had attempted to bring some 
 of the American vessel! to the mouth of the river, but the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 331 
 
 British sqnadron had disappeared before he could attain hia ob 
 ject. 
 
 While the naval ^rparations were making on lake Cham- 
 plain, the winter a. , pring were taken up with the prepara 
 tions for a contest for superiority on lake Ontario. The Bri 
 tish converted it, however, into a contest in building the great 
 est number and the largest shius. At Kingston, a ship of ex 
 traordinary size tvas building : for the enemy no longer trusted, 
 as they had done with other nations, to superior seamanship 
 and valour. Commodore Chauncey was under the necessity of 
 building additional vessels, for the purpose of maintaining as 
 nearly as possible an equality of force. The enemy was, how 
 ever, not satisfied in endeavouring to conquer us in ship 
 building, they made numerous attempts to destroy by insiduous 
 means, those already built by the Americans. On the twenty- 
 fifth of April, three of the enemy s boats, provided with the 
 means of blowing up the vi-ssels, succeeded in getting close in 
 to Sackett s Harbour undiscovered ; :o they could ex 
 ecute their purpose, they were detected a-ul fired upon by lieu 
 tenant Dudley, th officer of the guar-1. on which they threw 
 their powder into the lake, and pulled off. Failing in all thess 
 attempts, from the vigilance of the Americans, th.-v next form 
 ed the determination to intercept the naval stores vi their way 
 from Osweg-o, where il.eyhad been denn-vcd. Thi! her sir James 
 proceeded wi h his whole fleet, R:K! having on :> *rd a large 
 body of troops under general DruniMuuul. proceed :<j on the fifth 
 of May. with the determination of storming the io\vn and cap 
 turing the equipments destined for the new vessels. The Bri 
 tish commenced a heavy bombardment, which was kept up for 
 several days ; the unexpected and gallant resistance of the gar 
 rison, consisting of three hundred men under lieutenant colonel 
 Mi cSiel!. was in vain against such superior foree. The schoon 
 er Growler, then in Oswego creek to receive the cannon, \vas 
 punk to prevent hei from being taken, and all the tents that 
 could be procured were pitched on the village side, to give the 
 appearance of a largo force of militia. The ?ai!ors of the Grow 
 ler, under lieutenant Pearce, were added to the garrison ; the 
 shore battery was commanded by captain Boyle, seconded bv 
 lieutenant Legate. At one o clock, fifteen barges filled wit i 
 troops, moved^owards the shore, preceded by several gunboats, 
 while a heavy cannonade was commenced by the larger vessels. 
 They were so warmly received by the battery on shore, that 
 the boats were twice repulsed, and one of the largest fell into 
 the hands of the Americans. 
 
 The squadron now stood off, but this was evidently for the 
 purpose of renewing the attack, in such a manner a& to render 
 it effectual. They a^ain approached on the sixth, having re- 
 
332 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 solved to land under cover of their ships; they accordingly kept 
 up a heavy fire for three hours, while their" land forces, two 
 thousand in number, under general DQ Watteville, succeeded 
 in gaining the shore, after being- gallantly opposed by lieutenant 
 Pearce and his seamen. Colonel Mitchell now abandoned the 
 fort, and joining his corps to the marines and seamen, engaged 
 the enemy s flank, and did great execution. Finding further 
 resistance useless, he fell back, formed his troops, and took up 
 his march to the falls of Oswego, destroying the bridges in his 
 rear. Hitherto, to the inexpressible disappointment of the Bri 
 tish, the naval stores had been removed, and all their trouble, 
 and the loss which they sustained, procured them nothing more 
 than a few barrels of provisions and some whiskey. This was 
 purchased with the loss of two hundred and thirty-five men, in 
 killed arid wounded ; they were certainly entitled to the victory, 
 but they never thought proper to claim it. The loss of the 
 Americans was sixty-nine in killed, wounded and missing; among 
 the first, a promising officer, lieutenant JBlaney. 
 
 On the evening of the same day, apart of this force proceed 
 ed to Pultneyville, and demanded the public stores. The inha 
 bitants were unable to repel the invaders, who indulged them 
 selves in iheir usual depredations ; when genaral Swiff, of the 
 New- York militia, opportunely arriving, with a part of his brig 
 ade, put them to flight. The British soon after, hearing that the 
 Superior, which had lately been launched, had received her 
 equipments from the interior, bruke up the blockade, and re 
 turned to Kingston. Another new ship, the Mohawk, was at 
 this time on the stocks, and as she would have to; he supplied 
 with her equipments from the same place, it was determined, 
 since the British had disappeared, to transport them by water, 
 and avoid the expense and delay of land transportation. To 
 deceive the enemy, who had numerous gunboats hovering about 
 the different creeks, a report was circulated thai it was intended 
 to forward the stores to tlieOneida lake. Nineteen barges were 
 loaded at Oswego, and major Appling was despatched by gene 
 ral Gaines, with a detachment to aid captain Woolsey, in their 
 defence. On the twenty-eighth of May, captain Woolsey, find 
 ing 1 the coast clear, reached the village of Oswego by sunset, 
 and taking advantage of the darkness of the night, put into the 
 lake. The next day they reached Sandy creek, and ascending 
 it a few miles, despatched a boat to look out for the British on 
 the lake ; this boat was discovered by some gun vessels, and im 
 mediately chased. Major Appling and captain VVoolscy deter 
 mined to draw them into an ambuscade. As had been antici 
 pated, the enemy pushed their gunboats and cutters up the 
 creek, while a parly landed and ascended along the bank. The 
 A-mericans now rushed suddenly upon them, and in a few mo- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 333 
 
 ments, after one fire, by which a number of them were killed 
 and wounded, the whole party was taken prisoners, Consisting 
 of four lieutenants of the navy, two lieutenants of rgarines, and 
 one hundred and thirty men, together with all their boats and 
 cutters. Major Appling, for this affair, was breveted, and his 
 officers, lieutenants South, M-Intosh, Calhoun, M Farland and 
 Armstrong, and ensign Austin, were publicly thanked. The 
 conduct of captain Woolsey and his officers was not less ap 
 plauded. 
 
 " The consequences of this affair, were severely felt by the 
 British; they lost a number of their best seamen and officers, 
 and commodore Chauncey was once more master of the lake. 
 He accordingly sailed out, and several times presented himself 
 before Kingston, but sir James did not think it prudent to stir 
 out, until his large ship of one hundred and twelve guns, then 
 on the stocks, should be completed. This mode of warfare was 
 exceeding expensive, but more to the British than to the Ame 
 ricans ; it is ascertained that it cost the former more than twice 
 what was expended by the Americans; in consequence of their 
 greater difficulties of transportation. 
 
 ** General Brown had, in the mean time, reached the Niaga 
 ra frontier, and it was expected that the enemy would be imme 
 diately expelled from the American territory; but his situation 
 did not permit the attempt, and with the exception of a few par 
 tial encounters, tranquillity prevailed along the Niagara frontier 
 during the summer. It would be improper to pass over in si- 
 lence, however, an affair which took place in this quarter. Col 
 onel Campbell crossed the lake from Erie, with about five hun 
 dred men, and landing at Dover, a small village on the Canada 
 side, proceeded to destroy the mills, together with the greater 
 part of the private dwellings. The expedition was undertaken 
 without orders, and his conduct in this affair, though otherwise 
 a meritorious officer, was greatly reprobated, a court of inqui 
 ry, at which general Scott presided, was instituted. The court 
 decided, that the destruction of the distilleries and mills might 
 be justified by the usages of war, as they furnished the British 
 troops with their necessary supplies : but urith respect to the 
 other part of his conduct, although excused in some measure by 
 the example of the enemy; in the destruction of the villages on 
 the Niagara, it was nevertheless condemned," 
 
 Early in the spring, intelligence was received, that a body 
 of regulars, militia and Indians, was collected on the river 
 Thames. Captain Lee succeeded in gaining their rear, and 
 made prisoners of several officers, and among them colonel Bau- 
 bee, who commanded a party of Indians in their depredations 
 on the frontier of New- York. 
 
 "A gallant affair was soon after achieved by captain Holmes, 
 
334 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 a youth of ttie most promising talents, and brother to the gover- 
 nour of the Mississippi territory. With a party of about ne 
 hundred and sixty rangers and mounted men, he proceeded ou 
 the kwentWfirst of February against some of the enemy s posts. 
 About ihe beginning of March, he received intelligence, that a 
 British force, which afterwards proved to be double his own, 
 was descending the river Thames. Captain Holmes, finding 
 himself not in a situation to give battle, from the fatigue which 
 his men had already encountered, and his ignorance of the 
 strength of the enemy s party, fell back a few miles, and chos 
 a strong position, where he was confident of being able to defend 
 himself, until he could obtain the necessary information of the 
 British. He despatched a small body of rangers, for this pur 
 poseful which soon returned, pursued by the enemy, but with 
 out being able to learn his strength. The British perceiving 
 the strength of captain Holmes position, resorted to stratagem 
 for the purpose of drawing him from it. They feigned an attack, 
 and then retreated, taking- care not to show more than sixty or 
 seventy men: captain Holmes now pursued, but with caution ; 
 aud after proceeding about five miies, discovered their main 
 body drawn up to receive him, on which he immediately return 
 ed to his former position. Having- disposed of his troops in the 
 DiCit j^Jieio-u? mS-M^r, ho liiTi ly wait eJ for them ; being- prc- 
 trc ed in front by a<iep ravine, and the approaches on the oth 
 er sides somewhr, f ^iJleult. The attack was commenced at the 
 F- !me moment on every point, with savage yells, and the sound 
 f bugles, the regulars charging- up the heights from the ravine; 
 the other sides were rapidly assailed by militia and Indians. The 
 first approached within twenty paces of the American lines, 
 against a very destructive fire; but the front section being cut 
 to pieces, those who followed severely wounded, and many of 
 their officers cut down, they retired to the woods, within thirty 
 or forty paces, and the firing- continued with great spirit on both 
 sides. The American regulars being uncovered, were ordered 
 to kneel, that the brow of the heights might assist in screening- 
 them from the enemy fbiit the enemy s covering was insufficient, 
 a single tree affording no shelter even to one, from the extend 
 ed line of the Americans, much less to the squads that stood to- 
 o-ether. On the other sides, the attack was sustained with equal 
 coolness, and with considerable loss to the foe; the Americans 
 had, on three sides, thrown together some logs hastily, and no 
 charge being made, they could aim their pieces at leisure, with 
 that deadly certainty, which belongs to the backwoodsman. 
 The British, after an hour of hard fighting, ordered a retreat, 
 and as the night approached, captain Holmes thought it not ad 
 visable to pursue : besides, his men were much fatigued, and 
 many of them bad nearly worn out their shoes-oil the hard fro 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 335 
 
 zeu ground. The American loss on this occasion did not amount 
 to more than six killed and wounded. According to the state 
 ment of the British, their loss was sixty-five killed and wound 
 ed, besides Indians. In consequence of his good conduct, in 
 this affair, captain Holmes was promoted to the rank of major. 
 
 "Hitherto nothingof moment occurred, which could have much 
 influence on the final result of the war. On the ocean, it had 
 been glorious for us; on the lakes and on the frontier, our 
 arms during the last year, had retrieved our Former disgraces; 
 and on the sea-coast, the enemy had .discovered that it was not 
 an easy matter to make an impression. It is true, the disastrous 
 issue of the campaign against Canada, took away all hope of 
 being able to make an impression on tha* province, under pre 
 sent circumstances; but the happy termination of the Indian 
 war to the westward, and its success to the south, in some de 
 gree afforded a consolation. AH important crisis, however, had 
 arrived in the general state of our affairs. The third year of 
 of the war found the situation of the country materially chang 
 ed. The most disheartening periods|of the revolution scarcely 
 presented a state of things more painfully embarrassing. The 
 distress of the northern states, whose subsistence, in a great 
 measure, depended upon their shipping, and those of the peo 
 ple of the south, whose staples had almost ceased to be of any 
 value, together with embarrassments of the banks in the middle 
 states, had begun, at last, to make us feel that we were at war. 
 To a people who had been for years in the most flourishing state, 
 a check to their prosperityjiowever it might result to their ulti 
 mate good, was felt as a positive affliction. To the great body 
 of the farmers, in the interior of the country, the effects of 
 hostilties were rather beneficial; their produce was raised in 
 price, and their lands in value; the wealth of the cities, rio 
 longer applied to commerce, was diverted to the Anterior, and 
 was soon discovered in the improvement of the lands, the in 
 crease of the inland towns, and the establishment of manufac 
 tures. But the number of those, whom the war distressed or 
 ruined, was proportionally great; and as men are more lo id in 
 crying out against calamities, than forward in displaying their 
 good fortune, the unfavourable side of the picture only was ex 
 hibited. The philosopher might say, that what was lost to the 
 nation, on the one side, was gained in the other ; but this reas 
 oning could have but little weight with the individual sufferers. 
 In several of the New England states, complaints assumed a 
 more serious cast; a convention was talked of, and it was even 
 insinuated, that they meant to secede from the union. This, in 
 deed, would have been an event, which would fii 1 every Ameri 
 can bosom with grief; a greater injury to our common country 
 than a thousand wars. The collisions between the state autho- 
 
336 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 rities and that of the union, were beginning to produce all the 
 embarrassments which had been predicted by Patrick Henry? 
 at the formation of the constitution. The supposed existence 
 of such a temper, at the period of our utmost need, could net 
 fail to weaken the hands of the administration, and increase the 
 disposition of England to prosecute the war. The embarrass 
 ments in our financial system were alarming, and it was confi 
 dently predicted that, from a want of funds, the adn inistration 
 would be compelled to yield up the reins of government, or 
 throw the nation upon tl>e mercy of the enemy. 
 
 A new event had occurred in Europe, which could not be 
 viewed with indifference, even on these distant shores; and its 
 consequence threatened us with a serious danger. The ambi 
 tious monarch of Franee had been hurled from his throne by the 
 combined powers of Europe, and the house of Bourbon restored. 
 This event was received by some of our citizens with open re 
 joicing, as though it brought some signal good fortune to this 
 country, or to the human race. To tin s country it could bring 
 no benefit, for it was not likely that the king of France could, 
 any more than Napoleon, feel a friendship for us, although he 
 might not so cordially hate or despise us. Louis the eighteenth 
 could not be expected to entertain much love for republics, and 
 certainly not for ours, the contagion of whose example is said 
 to have contributed much to that dreadful revolution, in which 
 his family had so severely suffered ; indeed, it is natural that a 
 republic, like ours, should not be regarded with much compla 
 cency by any monarch ; for, to use the expression of Demos 
 thenes , " we are considered as a spy upon their actions." Na 
 poleon, having been already reduced within a reasonable com 
 pass, there was no longer any danger of his seizing the ships of 
 England, and transporting several hundred thousand men to 
 make a barren conquest of America; it is more probable that 
 he would have paid a visit to the emperor of China. I am not 
 the advocate of a cold and unfeeling policy. The unfortunate 
 family of the French Bourbons have suffered enough to atone 
 for many errors and faults ; and as men, we might be permitted 
 to express our satisfaction, that Providence had deigned to put 
 an end to their miseries. It had, however, become a matter 
 of indifference to us, whether the throne of France was occu 
 pied by an emperor or a king, but as Great Britain had claimed 
 the chief merit of this wonderful operation, public rejoicings for 
 the event, had too mueh the appearance of a rejoicing for the 
 success of our enemies, and for the abstract success of royalty, 
 which, whether of recent or ancient usurpation, ought to be 
 equally nauseous to ? republican. The event was, in reality, 
 greatly adverse to our national interests. Fired by the success 
 of the wars of the continent, and extravagantly elated with her 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 337 
 
 supposed power and greatness, the enemy TVBS at liberty to send 
 her veteran troops and her numerous fleets, to chastise Ameri 
 ca ; while our commissioners were suffered to remain fur months 
 in neglect, under a pretence, that despised republicans might 
 wait patiently in the anti- chamber, while Britain was engaged 
 with personages of importance. Tins turn of affairs, far from 
 producing exultation, ought rather to have depressed the friends 
 of liberty and America. Great Britain was highly incensed 
 that we had not waited, how long no one could lell, with all due 
 patience, tinder the numerous outrages she had perpetrated for 
 years, until, disengaged from ell her European wars, she would 
 have leisure to give us a severe chastisement for daring to as 
 sert our rights. It now behoved us to think no more ot invad 
 ing Canada ; our northern frontier was to be laid waste, our 
 sea-coast devastated, and the utmost to bo expected, was a suc 
 cessful self-defence. In the plenitude of her arrogance, Britain 
 talked of recolonization, and of crippling us for fifty years to 
 come. Such was the situation of America at this eventful peri 
 od ; the time was approaching, which would put to the tost the 
 strength of our confederation, and our ability for defence; and 
 and what was still more interesting, the time had come, 
 would try our attachments to our political institutions, which, 
 although not yet venerable from time, deserved the highest ad 
 miration for their justice and wisdom. The people of other 
 nations could not view with indifference, the fate of this i.- 
 and sanctuary of the oppressed and unfortunate throughout the 
 world. 
 
 The northern sea-coast, which had thus far experienced little- 
 molestation from the enemy, became the object of attack early 
 in the spring. On the seventh of April, a body of sailc 
 marines, to the number of two hundred, ascend ed the Connec 
 ticut river, as far as Saybrook, where they spiked the cannon, 
 and destroyed the shipping; they proceeded iheuce to Brock- 
 way s ferry, where they did the same; and afterwards, unap 
 prehensive of attack, carelessly remained twenty-four hours. 
 In the meantime, a body of militia, tog-ether with a number of 
 marines and sailors, under captain Jones and lieutenant Diddle, 
 had collected for the purpose of cutting off their retreat; but 
 the British, taking advantage of a very dark night, and using 
 muffled oars, escaped to their fleet, after having destroyed two 
 hundred thousand dollars worth of shipping. 
 
 About this time the coasting trade was almost destroyed by a 
 British privateer, the Liverpool Packet, which cruised in the 
 sound. Commodore Lewis sailed with a detachment of thir 
 teen gunboats, and succeeded in chasing her off. On his arri 
 val at Saybrook, he found upwards of fifty vessels bound to the 
 eastward, but afraid to venture out. The commodore consented 
 29 
 
338 UNIVW RSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 to take them under convoy, but was not able to promise them, 
 protection against the squadron then blockading New London 
 They, however, being disposed to run the risk, he sailed with 
 them on the twenty-fifth, and in the afternoon of the same day 
 was compelled to throw himself between hisconvoy and a Bri 
 tish .frigate, a sloop of war and a tender, and kept up a contest, 
 until the coasters had safely reached New London. Having 
 attained his object, he determined to try what he could do with 
 his gunboats against the enemy s ships. Furnaces being hasti 
 ly constructed, he began to throw hot balls at the enemy s sides, 
 and repeatedly set their ships on fire, without receiving any 
 injury himself. The sloop soon withdrew, and the fire was 
 principally directed against the frigate. One shot passed 
 through her, very near her magazine; her lieutenant, and a 
 great number of her men were already killed; her captain was 
 on the point of striking, when he observed that the gunboats 
 had ceased firing. The night soon after coming on, the gun 
 boats desisted from the attack, determined to wait until morn 
 ing. At daylight, they perceived the squadron towing away : 
 it was resolved to pursue them, but several other frigates soon 
 made their appearance, and put a stop to this design. This af 
 fair together with that of Craney island, revived the discussion 
 on the utility of gunboats in the defence of harbours and the 
 coast. Great services had been rendered by captain Lewis on 
 this as well as on many other occasions. 
 
 Formidable squadrons were kept up before the ports of Ne w 
 York, New London and Boston; and the whole eastern coast 
 was exposed to the enemy. The war was carried on here in a 
 very different manner from that to the south. Commodore 
 Hardy would not permit any wanton outrages upon private 
 property, or upon defenceless individuals. In spite, however, 
 of his general demeanour, there were particular instances of 
 the contrary on the part of the officers commanding smaller 
 parties, and actuated by a thirst for plunder. At the towns of 
 Warebarn and Scituate, they burned all the vessels at their 
 moorings ; and at the former, they set fire to an extensive cot 
 ton manufactory. At a place called Boothbay, they met with 
 a spirited resistance, and were repeatedly repulsed in various 
 desperate attacks. 
 
 An invasion of a more serious nature was made in July. On 
 the eleventh of that month, sir Thomas Hardy, with a strong 
 force, made a descent on Moose Island, and after taking posses 
 sion of Eastport, declared all the islands and towns, on the eas 
 tern side of Passamaquoddy bay, to appertain to his Britannic 
 majesty, and required the inhabitants to appear within seven 
 days and take the oath of allegiance. About two thirds of the 
 inhabitants submitted ; but in the month of August, the council 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 339 
 
 ofthe province of New Brunswick declared, that notwithstand 
 ing the oath of allegiance, they should be considered as a con 
 quered people, and placed under military government. Eastport 
 was soon after strongly fortified; but it was found extremely 
 difficult for the enemy to subsist his troops, and the desertions 
 were so frequent as to render it almost impossible to keep up a 
 garrison. 
 
 The commodore soon after sailed with a part of his squadron, 
 for the purpose of attacking Stonington. The appearance of 
 this force excited much alarm, which was not diminished, when 
 they received a message from the commodore, to remove the 
 women and children, as he had received orders to reduce the 
 place to ashes. The inhabitants, although with very trifling 
 means of defence, determined to make an attempt to save their 
 property. The handful of militia of the place, repaired to a 
 small battery erected on the shore, and to a breastwork thrown 
 up for musketry, and at the same time despatched an express to 
 obtain assistance from general Gushing, commanding at New 
 London. In the evening, five barges and a large launch, filled 
 with men, approached the shore, under cover of a heavy fire 
 from the ships. The Americans, reserving their fire until the 
 enemy were within short grape distance, opened their two 
 eighteen-pounders, and soon compelled the invaders to retire 
 out of the reach of their battery. They next proceeded to an 
 other part of the town, which they supposed defenceless, but a 
 part of the militia being detached thither with a six-pounder, 
 the barges were again repulsed ; the enemy then retired to t heir 
 ships, but determined to renew the attack in the morning; and 
 in the meantime, kept up a bombardment until midnight. The 
 next morning.it was discovered, that one ofthe enemy s vessels 
 had approached within pistol shot of the battery, and the barges 
 advanced in still greater numbers than the day before ; these 
 were again gallantly repulsed, and the vessel driven from her 
 anchorage. The squadron then renewed the bombardment of 
 the town, but without effect; and on the twelfth, the commo 
 dore thought proper to retire. The inhabitants, after this gal 
 lant defence, which, considering the means with which it was 
 effected, and the great disparity of force opposed to them, de 
 serves much praise, once more occnpied their dwellings in se 
 curity. 
 
 It was not long after this, that the British occupied all that 
 part ofthe district of Maine between Penobscot river and Pas- 
 samaquoddy bay, and declared it to be held as a colony. 
 
 On the first of September, the governor of Nova Scotia, and 
 admiral Griffith entered the Penobscot river, and took possession 
 of Castine, which the garrison had previously evacuated. A 
 proclamation was then issued, declaring that possession of that 
 
340 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 possession of that part of the province of Maine east of the Pe- 
 nobscot, was formally taken, in the name of his Britannic ma 
 jesty. The country, which contained about thirty thousand 
 inhabitants, was then gradually occupied, and possessed until 
 the conclusion of the war. 
 
 The naval incidents of eighteen hundred and fourteen, are as 
 grateful to American feelings as those of the two former years. 
 An occurrence took place in the very beginning of the year, 
 which afforded to us as much cause for triumph, as of mortifica 
 tion to the enemy. In the month of February, commodore 
 Rodgers, on hid return from a cruise in the President, found 
 himself off Sandy Hook, within a short distance of three large 
 British ships of war, the nearest cf which was the Plantagenet, 
 a seventy-four. Believing that an engagement with one or all 
 of them, was unavoidable, he cleared his shipjor action, deter 
 mining not to surrender without selling his ship as dearly as ho 
 could. But notwithstanding he fired several guns to windward, 
 as a proof of his willingness to engage, the British vessels did 
 uot think proper to approach, and he safely reached New Tork. 
 Captain Lloyd, of the Plantagenet, after returning to England, 
 accounted for his conduct, by alleging a mutiny in his ship, and 
 several of his sailors were executed un the charge. 
 
 Another affair took place soon after, which furnished a still 
 stronger proof of the now acknowledged superiority of America 
 upon the ocean, an acknowledgement more strongly expressed 
 than by words. In the month of April, captain Siewart was 
 also on his return in the Constitution, after a cruise, when he 
 was chased by.two British frigates and a brig, but escaped by 
 superior seamanship, into Marblehead. Some time before, af 
 ter capturing the public schooner Picton, he fell in with the 
 British f"i<?;ate La Pique, captain Maitland, who fled on the 
 approaci f the Constitution, and finally escaped during the 
 night, after a long chase. Captain Maitland was complimented 
 by the board of admiralty, for thus obeying their instructions, 
 in not fighting an American frigate singly : it having been de- 
 termined that not less than two frigates could be a match for an 
 American. 
 
 The enemy had become equally shy of the gunboat flotilla, 
 Commodore L- <-dly beat off the British vessels near 
 
 Sandy Hook. Vated the return of the American ships. 
 
 The Kegenl virh a very valuable cargo, was chased by 
 
 the Belvid . commodore Lewis throwing himself with 
 
 eleven of ; ><>ats between them, the frigate moved off 
 
 without i lie shot of the gunboats. 
 
 That bnivu uud adventurous seaman, commodore Porter, ter 
 minated this year his glorious cruise in the Pacific. From 
 Lima, in the neighbourhood of which he had chastised the pi-. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 34 1 
 
 rates of the ship Nereyda, he proceeded to the Gallipagoa, 
 where ha cruised from April, 1813, until October , and in the 
 course of that time captured twelve British armed whale ships, 
 carrying in all one hundred and seven guns, and three hundred 
 and two men. 
 
 Several of these were equipped as American cruisers and 
 store ships; and the Atlantic, now called the Essex Junior, of 
 twenty guns and sixty men, was assigned to lieutenant Downes, 
 The prizes which were to be laid u. 5 , were convoyed by thia 
 officer to Valparaiso. On his return, he brought intelligence 
 to commodore Porter, that a British squadron, consisting of 
 one frigate and two sloops of war, and a store ship of twenty 
 guns, had sailed in quest of the Essex. The commodore, hav 
 ing been almost a year at sea, with little intermission, found it 
 absolutely necessary that his ship should undergo considerable 
 repairs. With (his view, he steered to the island of Nooahee- 
 vah, or Madison s island, which he so named in honour of the 
 president. 
 
 Here he found a fine bay, and a situation in every respect 
 suitable to his wishes, the inhabitants apparently friendly. But 
 it was not long before he found that his situation would be un- 
 sife, in consequence of a war which prevailed between ths in 
 habitants of a neighbouring village, and those among whom he 
 had been received. These insisted upon his joining them in 
 their wars, and threatened to drive him away if he did not. The 
 commodore was compelled, by a regard to his ov/n safety, to 
 send a party of sailors with the natives, \vho, by their assistance 
 defeated their eneinies ; and by the interference of the commo 
 dore, a peace was brought about between them. lu consequence 
 of this, the natives erected a village for the co.nmoJore, freely 
 traded with him for provisions, and for some time the greatest 
 harmony prevailed. 
 
 His safety was again threatened by the conduct cf the Ty- 
 pees, an inland tribe, one of the most warlike on ths island, and 
 which still continued hostile, and who were continually urging 
 the friendly Indians to destroy the strang-ers. 
 
 The commodore found his situation growing every day more 
 critical. He therefore resolved to pursue the course necessary 
 to ensure his safety, and which has always been held justifiable 
 in our intercourse with uncivilzed men, who are only to be re 
 strained from violence and injustice by terror. He had suc 
 ceeded thus far by peaceable means, and by the permission of 
 the natives, in placing his vessel in a state to be repaired ; but 
 should the tribes around him become inimical, ^and what con 
 fidence can any one repo?e in the faith of a savage, who regards 
 only force,) he might be in greater danger in his present situa 
 tion. He was very unwilling to engage in war with them ; to 
 29* 
 
342 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 prevent the necessity, he sent them a present, and requested 
 that they would remain quiet and be at peace. This had no oth 
 er effect than to increase their insolence to the Americans, whom 
 they represented as a cowardly race, or they would not have 
 condescended to beg for peace. This enmity was naturally 
 enough engendered by their jealousy of the tribes who had the 
 benefit of the traffic with the whites, and by this means obtain 
 ed articles from them, according to their estimation, of great 
 value. The commodore now discovered, that his safety depend 
 ed entirely upon making these people feel his strength, as it was- 
 impossible for him, in his present situation, to leave the island 
 until his vessel could be repaired, and while the greater part of 
 his effects were actually on shore. lie therefore set off, at the 
 head of thirty-five men, against these people, determined to 
 give them battle, and, by shewing the efficacy of his weapons, 
 compel to be at peace. The tribes, heretofore friendly, were 
 on the point of breaking out into hostilities, and were only in 
 duced to wait the result of this expedition, of which they were 
 little more than silent spectators. The commodore had in vain 
 endeavoured to convince them of the destructive nature of his 
 fire-arms, by shooting at rocks and trees; war was absolutely 
 unavoidable. But the small force with which he marched, was 
 insufficient to make any impression. Their country being ex 
 ceedingly mountainous and abounding in thickets, rendered it 
 easy for them to escape; The commodore was, therefore, com 
 pelled to return in a worse situation than before- To prevent 
 the friendly Indians from rising, he found it necessary to inform 
 them, that he would proceed the next day with the greater part 
 of his men. A large body was now marched across the moun 
 tains, notwithstanding the extreme difficulties of the route, and 
 penetrated into their valley ; but the natives, as usual, took re 
 fuge in their inaccessible fastnesses. The only mode of causing 
 them to feel the consequences of their conduct, was in the de 
 struction of their villages ; nine of them were accordingly burnt, 
 after which the party retreated. The Typees now gladly ac 
 cepted terms of peace, and all the tribes on the island, soon af 
 ter, were reconciled to each other; a circumstance which the 
 oldest amongst them did not recollect to have seen ; and they 
 vied with each other in friendship towards the whites while the 
 commodore remained. 
 
 We have now to record a most singular fact, and one which 
 speaks volumes for the prowess of our little navy. 
 
 During the third year, every naval combat, without a single 
 exception, where there was any thing like an equality of force, 
 terminated in favour of the Americans. The sloop of war Pea- 
 eock, launched in October, performed a cruise during the win 
 ter, and on her return was chased into St. Mary a. Shu soon 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 343 
 
 after put to sea again, and on the twenty-ninth of April discov 
 ered the brig of war Epervier, captain Wales, having several 
 vessels under convoy. Captain Warrington engaged the Eper 
 vier, while the others were making their escape. At the first 
 broadside, the foreyard of the Peacock was totally disabled by 
 two round shot in theetarboard quarter. By this she was de 
 prived of the use of her fore and fore-topsail, and was obliged to 
 keep aloof during the remainder of the action, which lasted for 
 ty-two minutes. In this time she received considerable damage 
 in her rigging, but her hull was not at all injured. The Eper 
 vier struck, having five feet water in her hold, her topmasts 
 over her side, her main boom shot away, her foremast cut near 
 ly in two, her rigging and stays shot away, her hull pierced by 
 forty-five shot, twenty of which were within a foot of her water 
 line. Eleven of her crew were killed, and her first lieutenant 
 and fourteen men wounded. She was immediately taken posses 
 sion of by lieutenant Nicholson, first officer of the Peacock, 
 who with lieutenant Vorhees, of Ihe same ship, had been al 
 ready distinguished in another naval action. The sum of one 
 hundred and eighteen thousand dollars in specie was found in 
 her, and transferred to the Peacock. Captain Warrington im. 
 mediately repaired, with his prize to one of the southern ports. 
 The day following the captain discovered two frigates in chase- 
 At the suggestion of lieutenant Nicholson, he took all the pri 
 soners on board the Peacock, and leaving a sufficient number on 
 board the Epervier for the purpose of navigating her, he di 
 rected her to seek the nearest port. By skillful seamanship the 
 captain succeeded in escaping from the enemy s ships, and 
 reached Savannah, where he found his prize/ Lieutenant Ni 
 cholson, by his good management, had brought her in, after en 
 countering very great difficulties. 
 
 The new sloop of war Wasp, captainly Blakely, sailed from 
 Portsmouth on the first of May, and after capturing seven mer- 
 merchantmen, fell in with the British brig of war t}ie Reindeer, 
 captain Manners, which she captured after an action of eigteen 
 minutes. On the sixth of July, being in chase of two vessels, 
 he discovered the Reindeer, and immediately altered his course, 
 and hauled by the wind in chase of her. At fifteen minutes 
 past one, captain Blakely prepared for action } but it was not 
 before fifteen minutes after three, in consequence of their ma- 
 nrevreing, and the endeavours of the Reindeer to escape, that 
 they approached sufficiently near to engage. Several guns 
 were fired from the Wasp before her antagonist could bring 
 her guns to bear; her helm was then put alee, and at twenty- 
 six minutes after three, captain Blakely commenced the action 
 with his after carronadjs on the starboard side, and fired in suc 
 cession. Shortly after, the larboard bow coming in contact 
 
344 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 with the Wasp, captain Manners gave orders to board, but the 
 attempt was gallantly repulsed by the crew of the Wasp, and 
 the enemy was several times repelled ; at forty-four minutes past 
 three, orders were given to board in turn. Throwing themselves 
 with promtitude upon her deck, they succeeded in the execu 
 tion of their orders; and at forty minutes past four the flag of 
 the enemy s ship came down. She was almost cut to pieces, 
 and half her crow was killed and wounded. The loss of the 
 Wasp was five killed and twenty-one wounded; among the lat 
 ter, midshipmen Langdon and Toscan, both of whom expired 
 some days after. The Reindeer having been found altogether 
 unmanageable, was blown up, and captain Blakely steered for 
 L Orient, to provide for the wounded of both crews. 
 
 After leaving L Orient, and capturing two valuable British 
 merchantmen, captain Blakely fell in with a fleet of ten sail, 
 under convoy of the Armada seventy four and a bomb ship. He 
 stood for them, and succeeded in cutting out of the squadron 
 a brig laden with brass and iron cannon and military stores, 
 from Gibraltar ; after taking out the prisoners and setting her 
 on fire, he endeavoured to cut out another, but was chased off 
 by the seventy four. In the evening 1 , at half past six, he de 
 scried two vessels, one on his starboard and one on his larboard 
 bow, and hauled for that which was farthest to windward. At 
 seven she was discovered to be a brig of war, and at twenty 
 nine minutes past nine she was under the lee bow of the Wasp. 
 An action soon after commenced, which lasted until ten o clock, 
 when captain Blakely, supposing his antagonist to be silenced, 
 ceased firing, and demanded if he had surrendered. No an 
 swer being returned, he commenced firing ; and the enemy 
 returned broadside for broadside for twelve minutes, when, 
 perceiving that the two last were not returned, he hailed again, 
 and was informed that she was sinking, and that her comman 
 der had struck. Before the Wasp s boat could be lowered, a 
 second brig of war was discovered : the crew were instantly 
 sent to their quarters, and the Wasp was standing to for the 
 approach of the stranger, when two other brigs appeared : he 
 now made sail, and endeavoured to draw the first one after him, 
 but without effect. The name of the prize has sines been 
 ascertained to have been the Avon, captain Arbuthnot, of the 
 same force as the Reindeer. She sunk immediately after the 
 last man had been taken out of her. She had eight killed and 
 thirty one wounded, including her captain and several other 
 officers. 
 
 The Wasp soon repaired her damage, and continued on her 
 cruise. On the twenty first of September, she captured, off 
 the Madeiras, her thirteenth prize, the British brig Atalanta, 
 eight guns, and the only one she sent into port. The return of 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 345 
 
 this vessel, after her brilliant cruise, was for along time fondly 
 looked for by oar country; but all hope has at last vanished of 
 ever seeing her again. There is but little doubt that the brave 
 commander and the gallant crew have found a common grave 
 in the waste of ocean ; but they will always live in the fond 
 gratitude and recollection of their country. 
 
 The loss of the frigate President was severely felt at the 
 time, of which the following is an unvarnished tale. 
 
 The blockade of contnodore Dacutur s squadron at New 
 London, having been continued until after the season had pas 
 sed in which there existed any prospect of escape, the ships 
 were ordered up the river and dismantled, while the commo 
 dore with his crew were transferred to the President, then at 
 New York. A cruise was contemplated, in conjunction with 
 the Peacock, the Hornet, and the Tom Bowline store ship. 
 Tiie commodore thinking it more safe to venture out singly, 
 appointed a place of rendezvous, and ordered the other vessels 
 to follow. In consequence of the negligence of the pilot, the 
 President struck upon the bar, and remained there thumping 
 for two hours, by which her ballast was deranged, and her 
 trim for sailing entirely lost. The course of the wind preven 
 ted from returning into port ; he put to sea trusting to the 
 excellence of his vessel. At daylight he fell in with a British 
 squadron, consisting of the Endymion, Tenedos and Poraone 
 frigates, and the Majestick razee. In spite of every, exertion 
 they gained upon him; the foremost, the Endymion, got close un 
 der his quarters and commenced firing. The commodore de 
 termined to bear up and engage her, with the intention of car 
 rying her by boarding, and afterwards escaping in her, and 
 abandoning his own ship. In this he was prevented by the 
 manoeuvreing of the enemy, who protracted the enjage nent 
 for two hours, until the rest of the squadron were fast gaining 
 upon them. He now assailed the Endymion, and in a short 
 time completely silenced her, leaving her a wreck. The Pres 
 ident was also considerably damaged, having lost twenty five 
 men killed and wounded ; among the former, lieutenants Babit 
 and Hamil ton ; and acting lieutenantHowell ; among the latter, 
 the commodore himself, and midshipman Dale, who aftenvar Js 
 died. On the approach of the squadron, the gallant commodore, 
 unwilling to sacrifice the lives of his men in a useless contest, 
 on receiving- the fire of the nearest frigate, surrendered. On this 
 occasion, we cannot pass in silence the dishonourable conduct 
 of the British officers of the navy, where such ought least to 
 have been expected. The generous and heroick character of 
 Decatur is acknowledged wherever the American flag is known, 
 and requires no testimony in its support, for the British them 
 selves have often declared their admiration of this chivalrous 
 
34tf UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 officer. The commodore was taken on boarrd the Endymion, 
 for the purpose of acting the miserable farce of surrendering 
 his sword to the officer of a frigate of equal size, but which would 
 have fallen into the hands of the commodore, but for the ap 
 proach of the squadron. Decatur indignantly refused to give 
 up his sword to any one but the commander of the squadron. 
 Another artifice was actually resorted to, in order to satisfy 
 the good people of England that the President was a seventy 
 four in disguise: she was lightened laid in dock, along side of 
 an old seventy four, diminished to appearance by being deeply 
 laden. Thus it seems, a British frigate had captured an Amer 
 ican seventy four. The naval superiority of Great Britein was 
 therefore no longer doubted. 
 
 The following account of several naval victories seems 
 almost incredible, but they are too well authenticated to leave a 
 doubt on the mind of those who are willing to credit on the best 
 of human testimony. 
 
 Not the least amongst the exploits of our naval heroes, WBS 
 the capture of two of the enemy s ships of war by the Con 
 stitution, Captain Stewart. Having sailed on a cruise, he 
 discovered two ships, one of which bore up for the Constitu 
 tion, but soon after changed her course, to join her con- 
 sort.l The Constitution gave chase to both, and at six P. M. 
 ranged ahead of the sternmost, brought her on the quarter, 
 her consort on the bow, and opened a broadside, which was 
 immediately returned. An exchange of broadsides continued 
 until both ships were enveloped in smoke; upon the clearing 
 away of which, the Constitution finding herself abreast of the 
 headmost ship, captain Stewart ordered both sides to be man 
 ned, backed topsails, and dropped into his first position. The 
 ship on the bow backed sails also. The Constitution s broad 
 sides were then fired from the larboard battery, and in a few 
 moments the ship on the bow, perceiving her errour in getting 
 eternboard, filled away with the intention of tacking athwart 
 the bows of the Constitution, while the othe* fell off en 
 tirely unmanageable. The Constitution then filled away in 
 pursuit of the former, and coming within a hundred yards, gave 
 her several raknig broadsides, and so crippled her that no fur- 
 Iher apprehensions were entertained of her ability to escape ; 
 the captain therefore returned to the first which immediately 
 struck. Possession was then taken of her by lieutenant 
 Hoffman, and proved to be the frigate Cyane, captain Gor 
 don Falcon, of thirty four guns. Captain Stewart then steer 
 ed in pursuit of the other vessel, and after a short resistance, 
 in which she suffered considerably, she struck with five feet 
 water in her hold. She proved to be the sloop of war Levant, 
 of eighteen thirty two pound corronades. The loss on 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 347 
 
 board the two ships amounted to about eighty in killed and 
 wounded, on board the Constitution there were four killed and 
 eleven wounded ; but the ship received a very trifling injury. 
 On the tenth of March, captain Stewart entered the harbour of 
 Port Praya, with his prizes, and on the eleventh a British squad 
 ron of two sixty gun ships and a frigat,e appeared off the entrance 
 of the harbour; captain Stewart, having no faith in his security, 
 in this neutral port, made sail with his prize the Cyane, and 
 though closely pursued, had the good fortune to escape into the 
 United States. The Levant was recaptured in the Portuguese 
 port, in contempt of the neutral state. These are acts of injus 
 tice, in which no nation can ever prosper. 
 
 The Peacock, Hornet, and Tom Bowline, left Xew York a 
 few days after the President, without having received informa 
 tion of her capture. On the 23d of January, 1815, the Hornet 
 parted company, and directed her course to Tristan d Acuna, 
 the place of rendezvous. On the 23d of March, she descried 
 the British brig Penguin, captain Dickinson, of eighteen guns 
 and a twelve pound carronade, to the eastward and southward 
 of the island. Captain Biddle hove to, while the Penguin bore 
 down ; at forty minutes past one, the British vessel comrrenced 
 the engagement. The firing was hotly kept up for fifteen mi 
 nutes, the Penguin gradually nearing the Hornet with the in 
 tention to board, her captain having given orders for this pur 
 pose, but was killed by a grape shot : her lieutenant then bore 
 her op, and running her bowsprit between the main and min- 
 zen rigging of the Hornet, gave orders to board. His men, 
 however, perceiving the crew of the Hornet ready to receive 
 them, refused to follow him. At this moment, the heavy swell 
 of the sea lifted the Hornet ahead, and the enemy s bowsprit 
 carried away her mizzen shrouds and spanker boom, and 
 the Penguin hung upon the Hornet s quarter, with the loss of 
 her foremast and bowsprit. Her commander then called out 
 that he had surrendered, and captain Biddle ordered his men to 
 cease firing. At this moment an officer cf the Hornet called to 
 captain Biddle, that a man was taking aim at him in the ene 
 my s shrouds ; lie had scarcely changed his position, when a 
 musket ball struck Lim in t!:e neck, and wounded him severely. 
 Two marines immediately levelled their pieces at the wretch, 
 and killed him before he brought his gun from his shoulder. 
 The Penguin had by that time got clear of the Hornet, and the 
 latter wore round to give the enemy a fresh broadside, when 
 they cried out a second time that they had surrendered. It 
 was with great difficulty that captain Biddle could restrain his 
 crew, who were exasperated at the conduct of the enemy. In 
 twenty-two minutes after the commencement of the action, she 
 
 was taken possession of by lieutenant Mayo, of the Hornet 
 
348 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 The Penguin was so much injured, that captain Biddle deter 
 mined on taking out her crew, and scuttling her ; and after 
 wards sent off his prisoners by the Tom Bowline, which by this 
 time had joined him with the Peacock. The enemy lost four 
 teen in killed, and twenty-eight woundad ; the Hornet one kil 
 led, and eleven wounded; among the latter, her lieutenant, 
 Conner, dangerously. 
 
 Captain Biddle, being compelled to part from the Peacock, 
 by the appearance of a British ship of the line, after being 
 closely pursued for several days, effected his escape into St. 
 Salvador, where the news of peace soon after ajrived. The 
 capture of the Cyane, the Levant, and the Penguin, took place 
 before the expiration of the time limited by the second article 
 of the.treaty of peace. 
 
 The exploits of the privateers continued to rival those of our 
 national vessels. In one instance the enemy was compelled to 
 pay dearly for his disregard of the sanctuary of a neutral port. 
 The privateer Armstrong lay at anchor in the harbour of Fay- 
 al, when a British squadron, consisting of the Carnation, the 
 Plantagenet, and the Rota hove in sight. Captain Reid, of the 
 privateer, discovering by the light of the moon that the enemy 
 had put cut his barges, and was preparing to attack him, clear 
 ed for action, and moved rear the shore. Four boats, filled 
 with men approached, and making no answer on being hailed, 
 a fire was opened upon them, which was returned, but they 
 soon called out, for quarters, and were permitted to haul off. 
 They then prepared fora more formidable attack; the privateer 
 was now anchored within a cable s length of the shore, and 
 within pistol shot of the castle. The next day they sent a lleet 
 of boats, supported by the Carnation, which stood before the 
 harbour, to prevent the escape of the privateer. At midnight 
 the boats approached a second time, to the number of twelve 
 or fourteen, manned with several hundred men. They were 
 suffered to approach along side of the privateer; and without 
 waiting- an attack; they were assailed with such astonishing 
 fury, that in forty minutes scarcely a man of them was left 
 alive. During these attacks the shores were lined with the 
 inhabitauts, who from the brightness of the moon, had a full 
 view of the scene. The governor, with the first people of the 
 place, stood by and saw the whole affair. After the second at 
 tack, the governor sent a note to the commander of the Plan 
 tagenet, captain Lloyd, requesting him to desist, but was answer 
 ed that he determined lo have the privateer at the risk of knock 
 ing down the town. The American consul having communicat 
 ed this information to captain Reid, he ordered his crew to save 
 their effects as fast as possible, and to carry the dead and 
 wounded on shore. At daylight the Carnation stood close to 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 349 
 
 the Armstrong, and commenced a heavy fire ; but being con 
 siderably cut up by the privateer, she hauled off to repair. Cap 
 tain Reid now thinking it useless to protract the contest, on her 
 reappearance, scuttled his vessel and escaped to shore. The 
 British loss amounted to the astonishing number of one hundred 
 and twenty killed, and one hundred and thirty wounded; that 
 of the Americans was only two killed and seven wounded. 
 Several houses in the town were destroyed, and some of the 
 inhabitants wounded. 
 
 Before closing this chapter, it may not be improper to make 
 a few remarks on war generally. In its most civilized modes of 
 destruction, it is indeed a dreadful scourge. The distress 
 which it occasions, is incalculable and immeasurable ; and we 
 may venture a declaration, that all the benefit ever derived from 
 the practice of mutual destruction, can never balance the evils, 
 even could they be realized. 
 
 That the mode of savage warfare is more dreadful than that 
 of the more civilized, is undoubted ; but the inference is not 
 therefore in favour of hostilities, in any degree. That the loss 
 of blood, and treasure, and moral feeling, are more than a fair 
 equivalent for any supposed benefits in expectation, is evident 
 to every reflecting mind, even without bringing into the ac 
 count the dreadful inroads which it makes in the domestic cir 
 cle. Bat, if we add to this, the violence which it does to the 
 principles of the Christian religion, who shall fathom it? 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Operations of the Army on the Frontiers. 
 
 General Brown and his officers were employed in disciplining 
 the troops, and collecting forces, destined to dislodge the British 
 from the American posts which they still occupied. In the be 
 ginning of July, the American forces amounted to but two 
 brigades of regulars, and one of New York volunteers, under 
 generals Porter and Swift, with a few Indians. 
 
 In the meantime, the force of the enemy, under general 
 Drummond, had been greatly increased, by the addition of a 
 number of veteran regiments, which since the pacification of 
 Europe, Great Britain had been enabled to send to this 
 country. 
 
 The first attack was on Fort Erie, which was garrisoned by 
 one hundred and seventy men, which was taken by surprise. 
 30 
 
350 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 The second attempt was upon major-general Riall, who occu 
 pied an entrenched camp at Chippewa. This led to the first 
 regular pitched battle during 1 the war, and victory declared for 
 the Americans, and the British were compelled to retire into 
 the camp. 
 
 The events of the war now began to thicken, and its charac 
 ter assumed the most sanguinary aspect. The victory already 
 obtained by the Americans over men superior in numbers and 
 discipline, enraged general Drummond to madness. But the 
 enemy v;as obliged to fall back to Queenstown,and finally took 
 post at Bnrlington heights. The flush of victory on one side, 
 and the pride of military glory on the other, led to deeds of 
 intrepid -Jaring, unexampled in the former progress of the war. 
 Skirmishing was constant and severe, and every movement 
 seemed to be of a decisive character. In these rencontres, the 
 loss on both sides, especially of officers, was very great. 
 
 A specimen of the obstinate perseverance of the American 
 troops, was exhibited near the cataracts of N agara, which lias 
 few parallels. The enemy occupied an eminence well fortified, 
 and defended by thrice the number of men mustered by the 
 Americans, while the latter sustained the unequal conflict more 
 than an hour, when orders were given to advance, and charge 
 the enemy s heights, and break the British line. But the order 
 was countermanded. 
 
 The British now pressed forward on the ninth, which with 
 wonderful firmness withstood the attack cf their overwhelming 
 numbers; but reduced at length to nearly one half, and being 
 compelled at every moment to repel fresh charges of the British, 
 colonel Leavenworth despatched a messenger to general Scott, 
 to communicate its condition. The general rode up in person, 
 roused the flagging spirits of his brave men with the pleasing 
 intelligence, that reinforcements were expected every moment, 
 and besought them to hold their ground. Lieutenant Riddle, 
 already well known as a reconnoitering 1 officer, was the first to 
 come to the assistance of his feliow soldiers, having been drawn 
 to the place by the soufld of the cannon, while out with a scout 
 ing party. The same circumstance induced general Brown to 
 proceed rapidly to the scene of action, giving orders to general 
 Ripley to follow, with the second brigade. On his way he was 
 met by major Jones, and from his information, he was induced 
 to order up general Porter, with the volunteers, together with 
 the artillery. 
 
 So far, the Americans had repelled every attack with the 
 most unyielding courage, but the situation of the brigade was 
 very critical. The desperate efforts of the troops led general 
 Riall to overrate the numbers to which he was opposed, and he 
 sent to general Drummond for reinforcements. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 35! 
 
 About this time an awful pause ensued between the two ar 
 mies.; for a time no sound broke upon the stillness of the night, 
 but the groans of the wounded, mingling with the distant din 
 of the cataract of Niagara. The shattered regiments were 
 consolidated into one brigade, and placed as a reserve under 
 colonel Brady, who, though severely wounded, refused to quit 
 the field. The silence was once more interrupted by the arri 
 val of General Ripley s brigade, major Hindmao s artillery, and 
 3iieral Porter s volunteers, and at the same time of general 
 rummond, with reinforcements. 
 
 In the meantime, that accomplished young officer, major Jes- 
 sup, who had been ordered in the early part of the action, to 
 take post on the right, had succeeded, during the engagement, 
 after encountering great difficulty, in turning the left flank of 
 the enemy. At the present moment, taking advantage of the 
 darkness of the night, and the incaution of the enemy, he threw 
 his regiment in the rear of their reserve, and surprising one 
 detachment after another, made prisoners of so many of their 
 officers and men, that his progress was greatly impeded. The 
 laws of war would have justified him in putting them to death : 
 " but the laurel, in his opinion, was most glorious when en 
 twined by the hand of mercy ;" he therefore spared them, un 
 der circumstances where they certainly would not have spared 
 him. One of his officers, captain Ketchum, had the good for 
 tune to make prisoner of general Rial], and of the aid of general 
 Drummond ; the latter a most fortunate circumstance, as it pre 
 vented the concentration of the British force, contemplated by 
 that oliicer, before the Americans were prepared for his recep 
 tion. After disposing of his prisoners, major Jessup felt his way 
 to the place where the hottest tire was kept up on the brigade 
 to which he belonged, and drew up his regiment behind a fence 
 on the side of the Queenstown road, bu r . in the rear of a party 
 of British infantry, drawn up on the opposite side of the same 
 road ; he suddenly gave them a destructive fire, on which they 
 broke and fled. " The major," says general Brown, " showed 
 himself to his own army in a blaze of fire." He was ordered 
 to form on the right of the second brigade. 
 
 The following instance of generalship, by which this san 
 guinary contest was decided, is of so daring a nature, and so 
 completely developes the American character, that it will be 
 inserted entire. 
 
 General Ripley s brigade had by this time been for men* for 
 action, when orders were given for it to advance to the support 
 of general Scott, against whom a fire was now directed, which 
 he could not long withstand. General Ripley, with the quick 
 discernment which characterizes the real commander, seeing 
 that too much time would be lost before he could make his way 
 
352 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 through the skirt of (he woods, in the darkness of the night, 
 decided at once upon his own responsibility, to adopt the only 
 measure from which he saw a hope; and which being- made 
 known to the commander in chief, he instantly sanctioned. 
 
 The enemy s artillery occupied a hill, which was the key to 
 the whole position, an,d it would be in vain to hope for victory,, 
 while they were permitted to retain it. 
 
 Addressing himself to colonel Miller, he inquired whether he 
 could storm the batteries at the head of the twenty-first, while 
 he would himself support him with the younger regiment, the 
 twenty-third. To this the wary, but intrepid veteran replied, 
 in an unaffected phrase, I WILL TRV, Sm; words, which were 
 afterwards given as the motto of his regiment. 
 
 The twenty-third was formed in close column, under its 
 commander, Major M Farland, and the first regiment, under 
 colonel Nicholas, was left to keep the infantry in check. The 
 two regiments moved on to one of the most perilous charges 
 ever attempted ;. the whole of the artillery opened upon them 
 as they advanced, supported by a powerful line of infantry. The 
 twenty-first advanced steadily to its purpose; the twenty-third 
 faultered on receiving the deadly fire of the enemy, but was 
 gOGIi rallied by the personal exertions of general Ripley. When 
 within a hundred yards of the summit, they received another 
 dreadful discharge, by which major M Farland was killed, and 
 the command devolved on Major Brooks. To the amazemen^ 
 of the British, the intrepid Miller firmly advanced, until within 
 a few paces of their line, when he impetuously charged upon the 
 artillery, which, after a short but desperate resistance, yielded 
 their whole battery, and the American line was in a moment 
 formed in the rear, upon the ground previously occupied by the 
 British infantry. 
 
 During the charge, general Riall was taken prisoner, and 
 the effect may easily be imagined- But this brilliant exploit 
 seemed to spur on the enemy to redoubled exertions. Being 
 reinforced, the British marched with quick step on the Ameri 
 cans, who reserved their fire, until it could become deadly. 
 The whole British division came within twenty paces of the 
 lines, when the well directed fire from our troops put thorn into 
 confusion. But they rallied to the attack, and the conflict be 
 came tremendous. But the enemy yielded, and retired down 
 the hill. The contest was, however, soon renewed by the Bri 
 tish, with the same results. 
 
 Disheartened by these repeated defeats, the British were ou 
 the point of yielding the contest, when they received 1 resh rein 
 forcements from fort Niagara, which revived their spirits, and 
 induced them to make another and still more desperate struggle. 
 After taking an hour to refresh themselves, and recovering from. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 353 
 
 tl>eir Fatigue, they advanced with a new and more extended 
 line, and with confident hopes of being able to overpower the 
 Americans, who thus far had been denied both refreshment and 
 repose. 
 
 Our countrymen had stood to their arms during all this time, 
 their canteens exhausted, and many almost fainting with thirst ; 
 and from *he long interval, they had begun to cherish hopes 
 that the enemy had yielded. In this they were disappointed ; 
 but on discovering the approach of the British, their courageous 
 spirit returned, and they resolved never to yield the glorious 
 trophies of their victory, until they could contend no longer. 
 
 The British delivered their fire at the same distance as oo 
 the last onset, which was returned by the Americans with the 
 same deadly effect; but tiiey did not fall back with the same 
 precipitation ; a fresh line supplied the place of the first, and 
 the whole steadily advanced. 
 
 A conflict, dreadful beyond description, ensued; the twenty* 
 first, under its brave leader, firmly withstood the shock. The 
 right and left repeatedly fell back, but were again rallied by the 
 general, by colonels Miller, Nicholas, and Jessup. At length 
 the two lines closed with each ether on the very summit of the 
 hill, which they contested with terrific violence at the point of 
 the bayonet. 
 
 Such was the obstinacy of the contest, that many battalion?, 
 on both sides, were forced back, anJ the contending parties 
 became mingled with each oljxer. Nothing could exceed the 
 desperation of the conflict, ul. the point where the cannon was 
 stationed. The enemy having forced himself into the very 
 unldtof major Himhjian d ariiilery, this officer was compelled 
 to spike two of his pieces, and was warmly engaged across the 
 carriages and guns. General Ripley now pressing upon the 
 enemy s flanks, compelled them to give way, and the centre 
 soon following the example, the whole British line fled a third 
 time, and no exertions of their officers could restrain them, un 
 til they placed themselves out of the reach of the musketry and 
 artillery. The British being now completely beaten, retired 
 beyond the borders of the field, leaving their dead and wound 
 ed. 
 
 The loss on this occasion was in proportion to the obstinacy 
 of the conflict, the whole being seventeen hundred and twenty- 
 nine; of which the British amounted to twenty-seven more 
 than the Americans. 
 
 The intention of the American commander was to renew 
 the action in the morning, but finding that he had but fifteen 
 hundred men fit for duty, and that the British were drawn up 
 in considerable force, general Ripley determined not to com 
 mence an attack. He then retreated to Erie, and extended it* 
 30* 
 
554 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 defences. Having been reinforced by a thousand men, the en 
 emy appeared before Fort Erie on the 3d of August, and com 
 menced with regular approaches. By the 7th, the defences 
 were sufficient to keep the enemy at bay. Until the 14th, the 
 cannonade was incessant, and the enemy gained ground, but in 
 skirmishes, the Americans were generally victorious. 
 
 General Gaines now commanded at Erie, and colonel Drurn- 
 mond was preparing to assail him. At half past two in the 
 morning, the attack was commenced by three columns. On 
 the second attempt, the British gained the parapet, and the 
 enemy received the orders of colonel Drummond, to give no 
 quarter! The ordar was faithfully executed, and a terrible 
 strife ensued. Colonel Drummond was shot in the breast, but 
 the enemy still maintained their position; but they were finally 
 defeated. 
 
 The British loss in this assault was two hundred and twenty- 
 two killed, including fourteen officers of distinction, one hun 
 dred and seven y-fbur wounded, and one hundred and eighty- 
 six prisoners. The Amercians lost seventeen killed, fifty-six 
 wounded, and ten prisoners. 
 
 Nothing farther of particular importance transpired, until the 
 seventeenth of September, when General Brown, observing- that 
 the enemy had just completed a battery, which could open a 
 most destructive fire the next day, planned a sortie, which has 
 been considered a military chef d osuvre. The British force 
 consisted of three brigades, of qrie thousand five hundred men, 
 each, one of which was stationed at the works in front of fort 
 Erie, the other two occupied a earnp two miles in the rear. 
 The design of general Brown was to "storm the batteries, de 
 stroy the cannon, and roughly handle the brigade on duty, 
 before those in reserve could be brought up." A road had pre 
 viously been opened by lieutenants Riddle and Frazer, in a 
 circuitous course through the woods, within pistol shot of the 
 flank of the line of batteries, and with such secresy as to have 
 escaped the notice of the enemy. 
 
 At two o clock, the troops were drawn up in readiness to 
 make the sortie. The division commanded by general Porter, 
 was composed of riflemen and. Indians under colonel Gibson, 
 and two columns, one on the right, commanded by colonel 
 Wood, the left commanded by General Davis, of the New York 
 militia ; this was to proceed through the woods, by the road 
 which had been opened ; while the right division of the troops,, 
 in the ravine already mentioned, was to be stationed between 
 the fort and the enemy s works, under general Miller, with or 
 ders not to advance until general Porter should have engaged 
 tkeir flank. 
 
 The command of general Porter advanced with so much cc- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 355 
 
 lority and caution, that when they rushed upon tho enemy s 
 flank, they gave the first intimation of their approach. A se 
 vere conflict for a moment ensued, ia which those gallant offi 
 cers, colonel Gibson and colonel Wood, fell at the head of their 
 columns, and the command devolved OB lieutenant colonel 
 M Donald and Major Brooks. In thirty minutes possession 
 vras taken of both batteries in this quarter, together with a 
 block- house in the rear, and the garrison made prisoners. 
 Three twenty-four pounders were rendered useless, and their 
 magazine blown up by lieutenant Riddle, who narrowly escaped 
 the effects of the explosion. At this moment the division of 
 general Miller came up ; general Brown having heard the firing 
 had ordered it to advance. In conjunction with colonel Gibson s 
 column, he pierced between the second a:id third line of batter 
 ies, and after a severe contest, carried the first of these. In 
 this assault general Davis fell, at the head of his volunteers. 
 The whole of these batteries and the two blockhouses being in 
 the possession of the Americans, general Miller s division in 
 clined to the more formidable batteries toward the lake shore. 
 At this moment they were joined by the reserve under general 
 RiplfV. Here the resistance was more obstinate, the work 
 being 1 exceedingly intricate, from the successive lines of en- 
 trencinrienis, contrived with studied complexity; a constant 
 use of the bayonet was the only mode of assailing them ; the 
 enemy had. also, by this time, received considerable reinforce- 
 meats. General Miller continued to advance, although suffer 
 ing severe loss in some of his valuable officers : colonel Aspin- 
 wall wns btiuly wounded, and major Trimble dangerously. The 
 twenty- il^t, under lieutenant colonel Upiiam, forming a part of 
 the reserve, and part of the seventeenth, uniting with the corps 
 of General Miller, charged rapidly upon the remaining battery, 
 which was instantly abandoned by- the British infantry and ar 
 tillery- General Ripley now ordered a line to be formed, for 
 the protection of the detachments engaged in destroying the 
 batieiiec, and was engaged in making arrangements for follow 
 ing up, against the rear of general Drummond, the success 
 which hud so fai transcended expectation, when he received a 
 wound in the neck, and fell by the side of major Brooks; he 
 was immediately transported to the fort. The objects of the 
 sortie having been completely effected, general Miller called 
 in his detachments, and retired in good order, with the prison 
 ers and the trophies of this signal exploit. 
 
 The American loss in this affair was five hundred and eleven, 
 that of the enemy upwards of a thousand, besides their cannon. 
 
 On the eighteenth of October a detachment of nine hundred 
 Americans was ordered to destroy some stores at Lyon s creek, 
 which they effected, after encountering a party of twelve bun; 
 
356 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 dred. The object was effected, after the loss of sixty-seven 
 killed, wounded and missing. 
 
 During the season, several expeditions were planned, but 
 to little purpose. Major Croghan commanded one destined to 
 regain Michilimackinack, but the main object was unsuccess 
 ful. He effected a landing, but his force was too feeble, and 
 the plan was given up as hopeless. He merely destroyed the 
 establishments at St. Mary s and St. Joseph. General M l Arthur 
 made an incursion into Canada, dispersing some detachments, 
 destroying their stores, and taking one hundred and fifty pri- 
 oners, returned without loss. 
 
 The shitting scenes of this war, carried on over a surface so 
 extensive, and with objects so various, once more brings us 
 back to the Atlantic sea coast. With the return of spring, the 
 British renewed Iheir praelice of petty plundreing and savage 
 devastation on the waters of the Chesapeake, but canying it to 
 an extent still greater than the year before. The flotilla alrea 
 dy spoken of, for the defence of the inlets and smaller rivers, 
 consisting of a cutter, two gunboats, and nine barges, was pla 
 ced under the command of thai gallant veteran, commodore 
 Barney, and who, on several occasions, severely repressed the 
 inroads of the enemy. On the first of June, he gave chase to 
 Itvo of the enemy s schooners, but on the appearance of a large 
 ship, which despatched a number of barges to cut him off, the 
 commodore ordered his flotilla by signal to sail up the Patux- 
 ent. Here he engaged the enemy s schooners and barges, and 
 succeeded in beating them off, inflicting considerable injury on 
 them. The enemy, having been reinforced, made another at 
 tempt upon the flotilla with all their barges, but vveie again 
 compelled to retire, being pursued to their ships. On the tenth, 
 the enemy made a more formidable attack upon the flotilla, with 
 two schooners and twenty barges. After a smart action, the 
 barges were driven to lake shelter in the St. Leonard s from an 
 eighteen gun vessel, which was then -so roughly handled, at 
 long shot, that her crew run her aground and abandoned her. 
 These attempts were frequently repeated, until the twenty- sixth, 
 when the commodore, having received a reinforcement of artil 
 lerists and marines, movedagainst the enemy s sqaudron, of which 
 two of the vessels were frigates, and after an action of two 
 hours, drove them from their anchorage. The commodore find 
 ing the blockade of the St. Leonard s raised, sailed out and as 
 cended the Patuxent. 
 
 The marauding system was now renewed with additional 
 spirit. Villages and settlements along the bay, were visited 
 for the purpose of plunder and destruction. But apprehensions 
 were felt of more important visitations. The peace in Europe 
 fcad placed in the hands of our enemy, the disposal of a large 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 357 
 
 m litary force, inured to discipline and danger. We hacl little 
 to fear from any attack by shipping without the aid of a con 
 siderable lan.J force, but much to apprehend from their union. 
 Our mail army was occupied in a border war at a distance from 
 the coast, whose extent offered great facilities for an invading 
 foe. 
 
 To meet the crisis promptly, a requisition was made of the 
 whole quota of the state of Maryland-, of six thousand; five 
 thousand of that of Pennsylvania; two thousand of Virginia; 
 besides the whole quota of the district of Columbia, amounting 
 to two thousand more; making in the whole, fifteen thousand, 
 which it was thought would scarcely fail of bringing at least ten 
 thousand into the field. It was ascertained, that about a thou 
 sand regulars could be depended on, besides a squadron of horse 
 then in Pennsylvania, and some regulars who were ordered 
 from North Carolina, and in addition, the men of Barney s flo 
 tilla, in case it should be found necessary to abandon it. 
 
 A nev military district, composed of Maryland, the district 
 of Columbia, and part of Virginia, was formed, and on the fifth 
 of July the command was given to general Winder, who had 
 beeo a short time before exchanged. The duties assigned to 
 this officer were amongst the most important entrusted to any 
 one during the war; and were, in their nature, exceedingly ar- 
 duoes and difficult. The army with which he was to defend the 
 important cities of Baltimore and Washington, existed omy on 
 paper; and whether they could be brought into the field, or no:, 
 depended upon casualties beyond his control. 
 
 The event showed that no dependence was to be placed on 
 this system, for in August the general found that he could place 
 no confidence in more than one thousand regulars, and about 
 four thousand militia, the latter still at their domestic firesides. 
 The prospect of a succesful opposition to any serious attack 
 either on Baltimore or Washington, was certainly problemati 
 cal; and to which point the enemy would direct his forces, was 
 beyond the power of human ken/ The force of general Wind 
 er, if divided, was insufficient to warrant any sanguine hopes of 
 the result. 
 
 The expected reinforcements arrived in the Chesapeake about 
 the beginning of August, under admiral Cochrane. who was 
 soon joined by the fleet in great force, under admiral Malcolm. 
 The expedition was destined against Baltimore or Washington; 
 but until the last moment, it was uncertain against which in par 
 ticular. To increase this perplexity, the enemy divided his force 
 into three parts, sending one up the Potomac, under captain 
 Gordon, for the purpose of bombarding fort Warburton, and 
 opening the way to the City of Washington; while the main 
 body ascended the Patuxent, apparently with the intention of 
 
358 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 attacking- commodore Barney s flotilla, which had taken refuge 
 at the head of that tiver, but with the real intention, as it was 
 soon discovered, of attacking- Washington. They proceeded 
 to Benedict, which they reached on the nineteenth of August, 
 and by the next day had completed the debarkation of their 
 land forces, under general Hots, to the number of six thousand; 
 tui the twenty- first, they moved towards Nottingham, and on 
 the following day reached Marlborough. The British flotilla, 
 consisting of launches and barges, ascended the river under 
 Cockburn, keeping on the right flank of the army. The day 
 following 1 , on approaching the flotilla of commodore Barney, it 
 was set on fire by the sailors left for the purpose, the commo 
 dore having already joined general Winder with his men, 
 
 The object of the enemy was now evident, but the prospect 
 of preventing its accomplishment was discouraging. General 
 Winder s command did not exceed three thousand men, one half 
 of which were inexperienced militia, hastily gathered, and the 
 British were in force, within twenty miles of the capital. The 
 city could make no defence, but that of repelling the assailants 
 in the open field: the only hope was in taking advantageous po 
 sitions in the broken ground, bordered with woods, along the 
 road through which they had to pass ; but, as their numbers 
 were such as to enable them to push out flanking parties, this 
 won .not avail in the end. 
 
 (5fi the twenty -second, the British army halted five miles in 
 advance of Marlborough, after some skirmishing. General 
 Winder took a position at Old Fields, which covered Bladens- 
 burgli, the bridges on the Eastern Branch, and for Warburton. 
 The general however, fearing a night attack, retired to the ci 
 ty, intending to choose a place in which he might repel the en 
 emy to the best advantage. 
 
 The best arrangements the time would permit, were made. 
 About five hundred yards from the bridge, the ariillery, consist 
 ing of six six-pounders, under the command of captains Myers 
 and Magruder, was posted behind a kind of breast work; major 
 Pinkney s riflemen were placed in ambush to the right and left, 
 so as to annoy the enemy in attempting to ford the stream, and 
 at the same time to support the artillery. The fifth regiment 
 was drawn up about fifty yards in the rear; and afterwards, per 
 haps injudiciously, removed much further; the other parts of 
 the brigade were so disposed, as to support the artillery, and an 
 noy the enemy in his approach. Shortly after this order was 
 formed, major Beall arrived with about five hundred men from 
 Annapolis, and was posted higher up in a wood on the right of 
 the road. General Winder, by this time, had brought up the 
 main body, and formed it in a line to the right and left of the 
 road, in the rear of Stansbury s brigade, and the detachment 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 359 
 
 under Beall, with the heavy artillery, under comtrodore Barney, 
 posted on an eminence near the road. Tins line had scarcely 
 been formed, \vhen the engagement commenced, and the presi 
 dent r.nd heads of departments, who had until now been pre 
 sent, withdrew; the president conceiving it proper to leave the 
 direction of the combat to the military mer. 
 
 At twelve o clock the enemy s column made its appearance 
 on the hill which overhangs the stream, and moved down to 
 wards the bridge, throwing rockets, and apparently determined 
 to force the passage. He now made an attempt to throw a 
 strong body of infantry across the stream, but a few well direct 
 ed shot from the artillery cleared the bridge, and compelled the 
 enemy precipitately to shelter himself behind some houses near 
 it, and apparently having suffered considerably. The firo was 
 briskly kept up, and after a considerable panse, a large cokimn 
 rapidly advanced in the face of the battery, which, although 
 managed with great spirit by officers of acknowledged skill and 
 courage, was unable to repress them; they still continued to 
 push forward their column, which was constantly reinforced, 
 until they were able to form a considerable body on the Wash 
 ington road. The enemy had not advanced far, when a part of 
 the rifle corps discharged their pieces and fied, in spite of the 
 efforts of their commander and major Pinkney, to rally them. 
 The remainder began their fire too soon, but with some execu 
 tion. The British were every moment drawing nearer the ar 
 tillery, which could no longer be brought to bear upon them : 
 and besides, there were no troops sufficiently near to afford a 
 support; it then became unavoidably necessary for it to retire, 
 and was followed by major Pinkney s riflemen. One piece of 
 artillery was spiked and left behind. The whole foil back upon 
 the fifth regiment, the nearest rallying point. A volunteer com 
 pany of artillery now opened a cross fire upon the enemy, who 
 were advancing through the orchard, but with not much effect; 
 but, from. the shelter of the trees, they were enabled to open a 
 galling fire upon the fifth regiment. Colonel Sierett was order 
 ed to advance, which he did promptly, until again halted in con 
 sequence of the other two regiments of S f .ansbury s brigade, ha 
 ving been thrown into confusion by rockets, and having begun 
 to give way. In a few moments they took to flight, in despite 
 of the exertions of general Winder, of general Stansbury* and 
 other officers, to rally them. Sterett s regiment, BurcVs ar 
 tillery, and major Pinkney s riflemen, still maintained their 
 ground with great firmness, and evinced a disposition to make a 
 gallant resistance; but the enemy having by this time outflank 
 ed them, they were ordered to retire; this was unfortunately 
 effected in confusion and disorder, the unavoidable consequence 
 with militia in its retreat. Thus tbe first line was com- 
 
360 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 pletely routed. The Baltimore artillery had before this taken a 
 psoition higher up on the hill. On the right, colonels Beall and 
 Hood, commanding the Annapolis militia, had thrown forward 
 a email detachment under colonel Kramar, which, after main 
 taining- its ground some time with considerable injury to the 
 enemy, retired upon the main body. Soon after the retreat of 
 this detachment, the enemy s column, marching along the turn 
 pike road, was suddenly exposed to the fire of commodore 
 Barney, who opened an eighteen pounder upon them, and in 
 stantly cleared the road ; in several attempts to rally, they were 
 again repulsed with great loss. In consequence of this, they 
 attempted to flank the American line to the right, by passing- 
 through an open field; but this was frustrated by captain Mil 
 ler, with three twelves and his marines. The enemy continu 
 ing flanking to the right, and pressed upon the militia -of An 
 napolis, who fled, after giving an ineffectual fire. The com 
 mand of commodore Barney was left to maintain the contest 
 alone; but the enemy no longer appeared in front; he continued 
 to outflank, pushing forward a few scattering sharp-shooters by 
 which the commodore was wounded, and his horse killed under 
 him, while several of his officers and men fell near him. His 
 corps was by this time outflanked on both sides, and in the 
 confusion, the ammunition waggons were driven off. His men 
 therefore, were ordered to retreat, the commodore himself was 
 taken prisoner, and his pieces fell into the hands of the enemy. 
 
 Under all these disheartening circumstances, the militia of 
 the District, and the regulars continued firm, and general Win 
 der still entertained hopes of rallying his troops, and meeting 
 the enemy on the road to Washington. But he was disap 
 pointed, for the troops had scattered in all directions, and the 
 greater part fled towards Montgomery court house. 
 
 After consultation with the secretaries of war and state, it 
 was determined to abandon the city, and to make a stand on 
 the heights of Georgetown, but the general soon found, that 
 but few of the militia could be collected ; the greater part had 
 strayed off in search of food or refreshment, after having suf 
 fered much during the day; and others were almost exhausted, 
 after the privations and fatigues which they had experienced. 
 The next day he proceeded, with such as he could collect, to 
 Montgomery. 
 
 The loss of the British, in this expedition, was little short of 
 a thousand men, in killed, wounded and missing; that of the 
 Americans, ten or twelve killed, and thirty or forty wounded. 
 General Ross, after halting his army for a short time for re 
 freshments, pushed on to Washington, where he arrived that 
 evening about eight o clock; and having stationed his main 
 body about a mile and a half from the capital, he entered the 
 deserted city, at the head ot about seven hundred men. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 361 
 
 We have now to record the climax of that vandal barbarity, 
 exhibited by Great Britain during this war. The American 
 metropolis, or more properly its site, was entered by them with 
 out opposition; they found about nine hundred houses, scatter 
 ed in groups over a surface of three miles, and two splendid 
 buildings, probably the finest specimens of architecture in the 
 new world; the capitol, though still unfinished, presented a 
 noble structure; and the president s house, in point of taste ri 
 valling any building in Europe. By the admirer of the arts of 
 every country, these splendid edifices could not be contempla 
 ted without p easure, nor their destruction without the most 
 indignant feelings;. 
 
 Admiral Cockbnrn, already so unfavorably known in the 
 United States for the species of devastating and plundering 
 hostility which he had directed, now, conjointly with general 
 Ross, who, on this occasion, withered every laurel he had 
 gained in honourable war, issued orders for the conflagration 
 of these noble edifices, with the valuable libraries of the capiJol, 
 and all the furniture and articles of taste or value, which they 
 contained. The great bridge across the Potomac was also 
 wantonly burnt, together with an elegant hotel, and several 
 other private dwellings. This base and savage destruction io 
 detailed in the official letter of the British general, as a matter 
 of perfect indifference. The blaze produced by the conflagra 
 tion, was seen eren in Baltimore, giving a terrible warning to 
 its inhabitants. All that was combustible about the cupitol 
 and the president s house, was reduced to ashes; and the walls 
 of these stately buildings, blackened and broken in mr-joncho- 
 ly ruin, remained for a time, the monuments of British barbari 
 ty. The American, who saw them long after, could s^rci.jy 
 refrain from swearing in his heart eternal hatred to Britain. 
 " I have seen the walls of Balclutha. but they were desolate: 
 the fire had resounded in their halls."* 
 
 The squadron under captain Gordon, consisting of eight sail, 
 passed fort Warburton two days after the retreat of the British. 
 The fort had been abandoned and blown up by captain Dyson, 
 in a most extraordinary manner; probably under the influence 
 of the dreadful panic which generally prevailed. His orders 
 had been to abandon it only in case of an attack by the land 
 forces; but on a mere rumour, and without waiting the ene 
 my s approach, he thought proper to take this measure. 
 
 * On pp. 299,300, the reader will perceive a very brief account of 
 the capture of Washington, which slipped in rather unmanly. It 
 was thought of too much consequence to pass with io slight a notice, 
 and is now given more in detail. 
 31 
 
362 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 On the twenty ninth, the squadron reached Alexandria; and 
 the inhabitants of that place being completely in the power of 
 the captain, were compelled to offer terms for the preservation 
 of the town from conflagration arid pillage- The insatiable nv- 
 arice of the enemy imposed the hardest conditions : all the mer 
 chandise, of every description, whether in town, or ren ovod 
 since the nineteenth, was required to be put on board the ship 
 ping, then at the wharf, at the expense of the inhabitants, and 
 the whole delivered to the enemy ; that, ev>n such vessels as 
 had been sunk, should be delivered up. These terms, some 
 what modified, were complied with, and the captain descended 
 with a fleet of prize vessels, and a rich booty. 
 
 In the meantime, preparations had besn made in haste, by 
 our naval heroes, captains Porter and Perry, to throw difficuf- 
 ties in the way of his descent. The first, at the battery of the 
 White House, was assisted by general Hungf rfbrdV brigade of 
 Virginia militia, and captain Humphrey s rifle company ; and at 
 the battery at Indian Head, captain Perry was supported by 
 the brigade of general Stewart, and the volunteer companies 
 of major Peter and captain Burch. From the third, until the 
 sixth of September, the British vessels were generally annoyed 
 in passing these batteries. Frequent attempts were also made 
 by commodore Rodgers, by approaching the fleet with fire ves 
 sels ; but owing to a change of wind, they proved ineffectual. 
 These respective ftrces were afterwards crncertrated under 
 commodore Rodgers, at Alexandria. He determined to defend 
 the place, should the enemy, who was not jet out of sight of 
 the battery, think proper to return. 
 
 Sir Peter Parker, who ascended the Chesapeake, was not so 
 fortunate as the other officers. He landed at night, in the 
 neighbourhood of Moor s Fields, wiih the view of surprising a 
 
 farty of militia, encamped under the command of colonel Reed, 
 n this he was disappointed, for the militia, having hoard the 
 approach of the barges, were prepared to receive him. Sir 
 Peter Parker having landed, moved forward at the head of 
 about two hundred and fifty men ; but on approaching within 
 eventy yards of the Americans, they received a heavy fire ; he 
 endeavoured to press forward on the centre of the line ; in this 
 he was foiled, and threw himself on the flank, where he was 
 also repulsed. Colonel Reed being informed, that the cart 
 ridges were nearly expended, ordered his men to retire a small 
 distance, until they could be supplied. In the meantime, the 
 British, having suffered a severe loss, thought proper to retire, 
 carrying with them the wounded, among whom was sir Peter 
 Parker, who died soon after. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 363 
 
 The capture of Washington was, at first, boasted of by the 
 British ministry, as a most signal exploit; but it was viewed in 
 a very different light on the continent. 
 
 To say nothing of the prosecuting hostilities with augmented 
 rigour, at a moment when there was a negotiation for peace, 
 the wanton acts of barbarity roused the indignation of all the 
 powers of Europe: and in the British parliament, so great a 
 sensation was excited, as to cause its perpetrators to shelter 
 themselves from public odium, by the basest falsehoods; the 
 ministry were compelled to make a statement, that instructions 
 had been sent to the coas- of America, to desist from further 
 inflictions of vengeance. 
 
 But if the effect was powerful abroad, it was unexampled 
 throughout the United States. Party spirit, that political fiend, 
 instantly fled, and with it fled the dissensions which almost 
 paralyzed the efforts of the nation. But one voice was heard 
 from one end of the continent to the otiier; a glorious union 
 was brought about, and a nation of freemen was seen to rise 
 in its strength. Those who had at first opposed the war, from 
 an opinion of its impolicy, or who condemned the invasion of 
 Canada, now saw only a powerful nation about to precipitate 
 her armies on America, with the avowed intention of desolating 
 our fair possessions. 
 
 The poison of political dissensions was dead with the politi 
 cal death of Napoleon ; and who could now say that Britain was 
 not actuated by the mere thirst for revenge, or the less honor 
 able thirst for plunder ? The war now came home to the in 
 terests and feelings of every man, and the scenes of preparations 
 which were exhibited over the continent, were the most ani 
 mated that could be conceived. The whole country was in 
 motion ; every town was a camp; and in the cities, the peace 
 ful avocations of the citizens, which the war until now had 
 scarcely interrupted, were laid aside. All the principal cities 
 selected their committees of defence, and the whole of the pop 
 ulation moved in bauds, to tiie sound of martial music, to the 
 daily occupation of labouring ou the entrenchments and fortifi 
 cations. 
 
 The New England states, at first so much averse to the war, 
 now exhibited their characteristic activity and energy, and gave 
 at once a satisfactory proof that nothing was further from their 
 intentions, than seceding from the confederation. The gover 
 nor of Vermont, who hnd the year before made an attempt to 
 recall the militia of the state from the service of the United 
 States, and on which occasion the militia noblv refused to obey 
 him, now endeavoured to atone for his conduct, by calling them 
 forth in the most animated manner, to join the standard of 
 their country. 
 
364 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 The American ladies, always conspicuous in the history of 
 America, for their patriotic conduct in times of difficulty and 
 danger, never appeared so lovely in their zeal for their country. 
 
 The first object of attack, it was rightly conjectured, would 
 be Baltimore. The cities of Philadelphia and New York wait 
 ed the result with as much anxiety, as if their fate depended 
 upon its successful issue; in this they perhaps had reason ; for 
 should Baltimore fall, during the panic which succeeded the 
 capture of Washington, and before the other cities would have 
 time to place themselves in an attitude of defence, they could 
 make but a feeble resistance* 
 
 After the first moment of despondency, occasioned by the 
 capture of Washington had subsided in Baltimore, and it was 
 discovered that the place would not be assailed immediately, 
 the inhabitants set about making preparations for defence. 
 Under the direction of general Smith, a ditch was opened, and 
 a breastwork thrown up by the inhabitants, on the high ground 
 to the north-east, ^to effect which every class of people united,) 
 so as completely to protect the towi; in the only quarter in 
 which it was accessible by land forces. 
 
 In a few days, a considerable number of militia arrived from 
 Pennsylvania and Virginia ; and the spirits of the inhabitants 
 were greatly animated by the arrival of the naval veteran, com 
 modore Rodgers, with his marines, who took possession of the 
 heavy batteries on the hill. 
 
 A brigade of Virginia volunteers, together with the regulars, 
 was assigned to general Winder, and the city brigade to gene 
 ral Strieker ; the whole under the command of major general 
 Smith; the two latter, distinguished revolutionary officers. 
 General Strieker had served from the commencement to the 
 conclusion of that war, and siiared in many important battles. 
 The approach to the city by water, was defended by fort 
 M Henry, commanded by major Armistead, with about sixty 
 artillerists, under captain Evans, and two companies of sea 
 fencibles, under captains Bunbury and Addison; of these, thir 
 ty-five were on the sick list. As this number was insufficient 
 to man the batteries, major Arinistead was furnished with two 
 companies of volunteer artillery, under captain Berry and lieu 
 tenant Penaington, and a company under judge Nicholson, 
 (chief justice of Baltimore county,) which had tendered its ser 
 vices. Besides these, there was a detachment of commodore 
 Barney s flotilla, under lieutenant colonel Stewart and major 
 Lane, consisting of detachments from tiie twelfth, fourteenth, 
 and thirty-sixth regiments of the United States troops, which 
 were encamped under the walls of the fort. The total amount 
 ed to about one thousand men. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 365 
 
 Two batteries on the right of fort M Henrjr, upon the Patap- 
 sco, to prevent (lie enemy from landing during the night, in the 
 rear of the town were manned, the one by lieutenant Newcomb, 
 with a detachment of sailors; the other, by lieutenant Webster, 
 of the flotilla ; the former was called fort Covington, the latter, 
 the City Battery. 
 
 It was equally important to the safety of the city, that in the 
 event of an attack by land and naval forces, both should be re 
 pelled ; for in case fort M Henry was silenced by the shipping-, 
 there would be nothing to prevent the destruction of the town; 
 and if the land forces of the enemy were successful, the fort 
 could no longer be of any avail, and would even be untenable. 
 To the defence of fort M tlenry, and to the repulse of the Bri 
 tish from the lines, the inhabitants looked for safety. Indepen 
 dently of the devastating orders of Cocbrane, and the recent 
 scenes at Washington and Alexandria, tin s city was a selected 
 object of (he vengeance of the enemy, in consequence of her 
 active and patriotic exertions during the war. No one can 
 imagine to himself a just picture of the state of anxious feeling, 
 among fifty thousand people of all ages and sexes, for the ap 
 proaching crisis, which would determine the safety or destruc 
 tion of their city. 
 
 And even in case of successful resistance, the most painful 
 incertitude hung uver the fate of those who were to risk their 
 lives in its defence; not strangers or mercenaries, but their 
 bosom friends, their brothers, their sons and husbands : every 
 one, even old men and boys, who could wield a musket, were 
 found in the ranks. 
 
 The committee of safety, composed of those advanced in life, 
 and the most influential citizens, (among whom was the respec 
 table colonel Howard, a hero of the revolution , took a large 
 share in the preparations to meet the approaching danger. 
 
 The British army having re-embarked on board the fleet in 
 the Patuxent, admiral Cochrane moved down the river, and 
 proceeded up the Chesapeake; and on the morning of the 
 eleventh of September, appeared at the mouth of the Patapsco, 
 about fourteen miles from the city of Baltimore, with a fleet of 
 ships of war and transports, amounting to fifty sail. 
 
 On the next day the land forces, to the number of at least 
 six thousand men, the veterans of Wellington, debarked at 
 North Point, and under the command of general Ross, took up 
 their march for the city. 
 
 General Strieker claimed for the city brigade, under his com 
 mand, the honor of being the first to meet ihe invader, and vras 
 accordingly detached by general Smith, in anticipation of the 
 landing of the British troops. 
 
 On the eleventh, general Strieker proceeded on the road to 
 
366 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 North Point, at the head of three thousand two hundred effec 
 tive men; consisting- of the fifth regiment, under lieutenant 
 colonel Sterett, five hundred and fifty strong ; six hundred and 
 twenty of the sixth, under lieutenant colonel M Donald; five 
 hundred of the twenty-seventh, under lieutenant colonel Long ; 
 five hundred and fifi.y of the thirty-ninth, under lieutenant colo 
 nel Fowler; seven hundred of the fifty-first, under lieutenant 
 colonel Amey ; one hundred and fifty riflemen, under captain 
 Dyer ; one hundred and fifty cavalry, under lieutenant colonel 
 Biays ; and the Union Artillery, of seventy-five men, and six 
 four pounders, under captain Montgomery (attorney general of 
 the state). A light corps of riflemen and musketry, under ma 
 jor Randal, taken from general Stansbury s brigade, and the 
 Pennsylvania volunteers, were detached to the mouth of Bear 
 creek, with orders to co-operate with general Strieker, and to 
 check any landing which the enemy might effect in that quar 
 ter. 
 
 At six o clock, P. M. general Strieker readied the meeting 
 house, near the head of Bear Creek, seven miles from the city, 
 Here the brigade halted, with the exception of the cavalry, 
 who were pushed forward to Gorsuch s farm, three miles ia 
 advance, and the riflemen, who took post near the blacksmith * 
 shop, two miles in advance of the encampment. 
 
 The next morning (the twelfth) at seven o clock, information 
 was received from the videttes, that the enemy were debarking 
 troops undercover of their gun vessels, which lay off the bluff 
 at North Point, within the mouth of the Patapsco river. The 
 baggage was immediately ordered back under a strong guard, 
 and general Strieker moved forward the fifth and twenty-seventh 
 regiments, and the artillery, to the head of Long Log lane, 
 resting the fifth with its right on the head of a branch of Bear 
 creek, its left on the main road, while the twenty-seventh was 
 posted on the opposite side of the road, in a line with the fifth. 
 The artillery was posted at the head of the hine, in the interval 
 between these two regiments. The thirty-ninth was drawn up 
 three hundred yards in the rear of the twenty-seventh, and the 
 fifty-first the same distance in the rear of the filth : the sixth 
 regiment was drawn up as a reserve, within sight, half a mile 
 in the rear of the second line. 
 
 Thus judiciously posted, the general determined to wait an 
 attack, having given orders, that the two regiments composing 
 the front line, should receive the enemy, and if necessary, fall 
 back through the fifty- first and thirty-ninth, and form on the 
 right of the sixth, posted in reserve. 
 
 The general now learned, that the British were moving ra 
 pidly up the main road, and at the moment when he expected 
 tbeir approach to be announced by the riflemen, stationed ia 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 367 
 
 the low thick pine and firs, in advance, greatly to his chagrin, 
 he discovered this corps falling back upon the main position, 
 having listened to a groundless rumour, that the enemy were 
 landing on Back river, to cut them off. This part of the gene 
 ral s plan having been frustrated, he placed the riflemen on the 
 right of his front line, by this means better securing that flank. 
 The videttessoon after bringing information that a party of the 
 enemy were in a careless manner carousing at Gorsuch s farm, 
 several of the officers offered their services to dislodge him. 
 Captains Levering s and Howard s companies, from the fifth, 
 about one hundred and fifty in number, under major Heath, of 
 that regiment; captain Aisquith s, and a few other riflemen, in all 
 tibout seventy ; a smill piece of artillery, under lieutenant 
 Stiles, and the cavalry, were pushed forward, to chastise the 
 insolence of the enemy s advance, and to evince a wish, on the 
 part of the American army, to engage. 
 
 The detachment had scarcely proceeded half a mile, when 
 they came in contact with the main body of the enemy; a 
 sharp skirmish ensued, in which major Heath s horse was shot 
 under him, and several of the Americans killed and wounded, 
 but not unrevenged, for in this affair the enemy lost their com 
 mander in chief, general Ross. 
 
 This officer had imprudently proceeded too far, for the pur 
 pose of reconnoitering-, when he was killed by one of the com 
 pany of captain Howard, who was in the advance. 
 
 After the death of Rosa, the command devolved on colonel 
 Brook, who continued to push forward, notwithstanding this 
 occurrence. The American detachment, fell back, and th i 
 general conceiving the two companies of Howard and Levering 
 to be too much fatigued to share in the approaching conflict, 
 they were ordered to form on the reserve, not without a request 
 on their part, to be permitted to share in the perils of their 
 townsmen. 
 
 At half past two o clock, the enemy commenced throwing 
 rockets, which did no injury, and immediately captain Mont 
 gomery s artillery opened their fire upon them, which was re 
 turned by a six pounder and howitzer upon the left and cen 
 tre. The fire was brisk for some minutes, when the general 
 ordered it to cease on his side, wifch a view of bringing the en 
 emy into close cannister distance. 
 
 " Perceiving that the efforts of the British were chiefly direct 
 ed against the left flaflk, the general brought up the thirty-ninth 
 into line on the left of the twenty-seventh, and detached two 
 pieces of artillery on the left of the thirty-ninth ; and still more 
 completely to protect this flank, which was all important, colo 
 nel Amey, of the fifty-first, was ordered to form his regiment 
 at right angles with the line, resting his right on the left of the 
 
363 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 thirty-ninth. This movement was badly executed, and created 
 some confusion in that quarter, but was soon rectified with the 
 assistance of the general s aids and major Stevenson, and the 
 brigade majors, Calhoun and Frailey. 
 
 The enemy s right column now displayed, and advanced upon 
 the tsventy-eeventh and thirty-ninth. Unfortunately, at this 
 juncture, the fifty -first, from some sudden panic, after giving a 
 random fire, broke and retreated in such confusion as rendered 
 it impossible to rally it, and occasioned the same disorder in the 
 second battalion of the thirty-ninth. 
 
 The fire by this time became general, from right to left; the 
 artillery poured an incessant and destructive stream upon the 
 enemy s left column, which endeavoured to shelter itself behind 
 a log house, but this was instantly iu a blaze ; captain Sadtler 
 having taken the precaution to fire it, as soon as it was aban 
 doned by him and his yagers. 
 
 About ten minutes past three, the British line came on with 
 a rapid discharge of musketry, which was well returned by the 
 fifth, the twenty-seventh, and the first battalion of the thirty- 
 ninth, who maintained their ground in spite of the example set 
 by the intended support on the left. 
 
 The whole of the general s force with this diminution, scarce 
 ly amounted to fourteen hundred, to which was opposed the 
 whole of the enemy. The fire was incessant, until about 
 twenty-five minutes before four o clock, during 1 which time 
 general Strieker gallantly contended against four times his 
 numbers ; but finding that the unequal contest could be main 
 tained no longer, and that the enemy was about to outflank him, 
 in consequence of the flight of the fifty-first, he was compelled 
 to retire upon his reserve, which he effected in good order. 
 Here he formed his brigade, but the enemy not thinking it ad 
 visable to pursue, he fell back, and t.ook post on the left of the 
 line, half a mile in advance of the entrenchments, where he 
 was joined by general Winder, who had been stationed on the 
 west side of the city, but was now ordered, with the Virginia 
 brigade, and captain Bird s United States dragoons, to take post 
 on the left of general Strieker. 
 
 The conduct of the Baltimore brigade, with the exception of 
 the fifty-first, and the second battalion of the thirty-ninth, who 
 were seized with the panic to which raw troops are so much 
 subject, deserved the highest praise. Veterans could not have 
 done more. Their loss, in killed and wounded, amounted to 
 one hundred and sixty-three (amongst whom were some of the 
 most respectable citizens of Baltimore), about an eighth of the 
 force engaged. Adjutant James Lowry Donaldson, of the 
 twenty-seventh (an eminent lawyer), was killed in the hottest 
 of the fight. Major Heath and major Muoru, and a number of 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 369 
 
 other officers, were wounded. The loss of the British was 
 nearly double that of the Americans, according to their own 
 acknowledgment, arid probably mucii greater. This unexpect 
 ed resistance had a happy effect upon the enemy ; in their offi 
 cial statements, they computed the American force at six thou 
 sand, a great proportion of regnlars, and estimated our loss at 
 one thousand, from which we may infer their opinion of the 
 manner in which they were received. 
 
 In the mean time the naval attack had already commenced 
 from five bomb vessels, At the distance of two miles; when find 
 ing themselves sufficiently near, they anchored, and kept up au 
 incessant bombardment, while they were at such a distance as 
 to be out of the reach of the guns of the fort. The situa 
 tion, although painfully inactive, was highly perilous; yet eve 
 ry man stood lo his pjst without shrinking. One of the twen 
 ty-four pouuders, on the south-west bastion, under captain Ni 
 cholson, was dismounted, and killed his second lieutenant and 
 wounded several of his men. The enemy now approached 
 somewhat nearer, so as to be within striking distance. A tre 
 mendous fire was instantly opened from the fort, which com 
 pelled him precipitately to gain his former position. The bom 
 bardment was kept up during the whole day and night. The 
 city, thus assailed on bath sides, awaited the result with death 
 like silence, and yet no eye was closed in sleep. Suddenly, 
 about midnight, a tremendous cannonade was heard in the di 
 rection of the fort, and the affrighted population believed that 
 all was over. Their fears were soon quieted, by the informa 
 tion that some barges of the enemy, the number not known, 
 had attempted to land, but were compelled to draw off with all 
 possible haste, after great slaughter, by lieutenants Newcomb 
 and Webster, who commanded the city battery and fort Cov- 
 ington. By the next morning the bombardment ceased, after 
 upwards of fifteen hundred shells had been thrown; a large 
 portion of which burst over the fort, and scattered their frag 
 ments amongst its defenders ; a great number fell within the 
 works, and materially injured two of the public buildings, and 
 two slightly. 
 
 The enemy, not willing to abide such rough handling, re 
 treated under cover of a dark and stormy night, and in the 
 morning general Winder was detached in pursuit, but the time 
 which had elapsed was sufficient for embarkation, and (he rear 
 could not be cut off. The next day the fle-it descended the 
 bay, to the great joy of the inhabitants of Baltimore. 
 
 We shall now return with our rea ders to the operations on 
 the northern frontier. About the first of September, sir George 
 Prevost led his army to Plattsburgh, while the fleet proceeded 
 up the lake on his left, to make a simultaneous attack by land 
 and water. Before this, little of consequence had transpired 
 in this quarter. 
 
370 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 The peace in Europe permitted the English government to 
 transpoit large bodies of troops, and they had already sent on 
 a considerable army to Canada. Fourteen thousand of these 
 were organized under sir George, and (he remainder were sent 
 to oppose general Brown on the Niagara. 
 
 To oppose this overwhelming force, general Macomb had 
 but fifteen hundred regulars, including new recruits and inva 
 lids. The works were in no state of defence, and the stores 
 and ordnance were in great disorder. The British force took 
 possession of Cham plain on the third of September, and from 
 the proclamations and impressments of wagons and teams in 
 this vicinity, it was soon discovered that their object was an 
 attack on Plattsburgh. Not a minute was to be lost in placing 
 the works in a state of defence; and in order to create aa 
 emulation and zeal among the officers and men, they were di 
 vided into detachments, and stationed in the several forts; the 
 general declaring in orders that each detachment was the garri 
 son of its own work, and bound to defend it to the last extremi 
 ty. At the same time he called on general Mooers, of the New 
 York militia, and arranged with him plans for calling out the 
 rnilitia en rnasse. The inhabitants of Plattsburgh fled with 
 their families and effects, excepting a few men and some boys 
 who formed themselves into a company, received rifles, and 
 were exceedingly useful. 
 
 In this extremity general Mooers collected about seven hua 
 dred militia, and small detachments were posted so as to watch 
 and harass the enemy. Trees were felled, and every impedi 
 ment put in the way of their march, and some skirmishes ensu 
 ed. At day light on the sixth, it was ascertained that the ene 
 my were advancing in two columns by each of these roads, di 
 viding at Sampson s a little below Chazy village. The column 
 on the Beckman road approached rapidly ; the militia skirmish 
 ed a little with its advanced parties, but which, with the excep 
 tion of a few brave men, soon broke, and tied in the greatest 
 disorder. A detachment of two hundred and fifty men, under 
 major Wool, had been marched to their support, and to show 
 them an example of firmness ; but it was found unavailing. 
 
 Finding that the enemy s columns had penetrated within a 
 mile of Plattsburgh, orders were received for colonel Appling 
 to return from his position at Dead Creek, and fall on the 
 enemy s right flank. The colonel fortunately arrived just in 
 time to save his retreat, and to fall in with the head ofa column 
 debouching from the wooJs. lie poured a destructive fire from 
 his riflemen, and continued to annoy the column until he form 
 ed a junction with major Wool. Notwithstanding that conside 
 rable execution was done by the field pieces, the enemy still 
 continued to press forward in column ; considerable obstruc 
 tions were, however, thrown iu their way by the removal of the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 371 
 
 bridge, and by the fallen trees: a galling fire was also kept up 
 from the galleys as they passed the creek. 
 
 Pittsburgh is on the north east side of the Saranac, near its 
 entrance into lake Champlain, directly opposite the American 
 works. The town was of course abandoned, and occupied by 
 the British. Attempts were made to take possession of the 
 bridge, but it was resolutely guarded by the Americans. When 
 our troops had passed the bridge, the planks were raised, and 
 used for a breast work. 
 
 The enemy, now masters of the village, instead of attempt 
 ing to carry the American works, on the opposite side of the 
 river, which their vast superiority of force might have enabled 
 them to do, contented themselves with erecting works, whence 
 they continued to annoy the Americans, and constantly skir 
 mishing at the bridges and firds. By the eleventh, the fifth 
 day of the siege, a considerable force of New York and Ver 
 mont militia, which had been continually collecting, lined the 
 Saranac, and repelled the attempts of the British to cross, 
 while at the same time, a considerable body was sent to harass 
 their rear. There was scarcely an intermission lo the skir 
 mishes which took place between them and the militia, who act 
 ed, after the first day, with great intrepidity. The American 
 regulars, at the same time, laboured incessantly to extend and 
 strengthen their works. During this time, a handsome affair 
 was achieved by captain iM Glassin, who, crossing the river in 
 the night, assailed the British regulars, more than three times 
 his number, stationed at a masked battery, which had been for 
 so.ne days preparing 1 , drove them from their posts, and demo 
 lished their works. 
 
 The principal cause of delay, which was fortunate for the 
 Americana, was the momsntary expctation of the fleet, which 
 was intended to co-operate. On the morning of the eleventh, 
 at eight o clock, the look out boat of commodore M Donough, 
 announced its approach. It consisted of the Confiance. carry 
 ing thirty-nine guns, twenty seven of which were twenty- 
 four pounders; the brig Linnet, of sixteen guns; the sloops 
 Chub and Finch, each carrying eleven guns; thirieen gal 
 leys, five of which carried two, and the remainder one 
 gun. The commodore at this moment lay at anchor in Piatts- 
 burg bay, and intended in that situation to receive the ene 
 my. His fleet consisted of the Saratoga, carrying twenty- 
 six guns, eight of which were long twenty-tour pounders; 
 the Ea^lo, of twenty guns ; the Ticonderoga of seventeen, 
 the Preble, seven : and ten galleys, six of which carried two, 
 and the remainder one gun. Besides the advantage which the 
 enemy possessed, in being able to choose their position, their 
 force was much superior. The number of guns in the British 
 
372 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 fleet amounted to ninety-five, and of men, to upwards of a 
 thousand: while that of the Americans was eighty-six, and the 
 number of men, less by two hundred. One of the American 
 vessels had been built with despatch almost incredible. Eighteen 
 days before the trees of which it was constructed, were actu 
 ally growing on the shores of the lake- 
 
 The American vessels were moored in line, with five gun 
 boats and galleys on (ach flank. At nine o clock, captain 
 Pownie,the British commander anchored in lino, abreast of the 
 American squadron, at about three hundred yards distance, the 
 Confiance opposed Jo the Saratoga, the Linnet to the Eagle ; 
 the British galleys and one of the sloops to the Ticonderoga, 
 Preble, and the left division of the American galleys; the oth 
 er sloop to the right division. 
 
 The importance of the contest which was now impending, 
 will justify us in a particular description. 
 
 In this situation the whole force on both sides became en 
 gaged, and at the same moment, as if this had been the signal, 
 the contest commenced between general M Comb and sir 
 George Prevost. One of the British sloops was soon thrown 
 out of the engagement, by running on a reef of rocks, whence 
 she could not be extricated, while one division of the enemy s 
 galleys was so roughly handled, as to be compelled to pull out 
 of the way. But the fate of this interesting day, on which the 
 two rivals for naval superiority, were for the second time match 
 ed in squadron, depended chiefly on t he result of the engagement 
 between the two largest ships. The American commodore 
 maintained the unequal contest for two hours, but the greater 
 weight of the enemy ? battery seemed to incline the scale of 
 victory, although he suffered prodigiously. ( The chances against 
 the Sartoga were accidentally increased by thecommanderofthe 
 Eagle, who not being able to bring his guns to bear as he wish 
 ed, cut his cable, and anchored between theTicouderoga and Sa 
 ratoga, by which this vessel was exposed to a galling fire from 
 the enemy s brig. The guns on the starboard side had, by this 
 time, been either dismounted or become unmanageable : the 
 situation of the enemy was but little better ; to both, the for 
 tune of the day depended on the execution of one of the most 
 difficult naval manoeuvres; to wind their vessel round, and bring 
 a new broadside to bear. The Copfiarice assayed it in vain, but 
 the efforts of the Saratoga were successful ; a stern anchor was 
 let go, the bower cable cut, and the ship winded with a fresh 
 broadside on the frigate, which soon after surrendered. A 
 broadside was then sprung to b( ar on the brig, which surren 
 dered in fifteen minutes after. The sloop opposed to the Ea 
 gle had struck to captain Henley sometime before, and drifted 
 down the line. Three of the galleys were sunk, the others es- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 373 
 
 capeci ; all the rest of the fleet fell into the hands of commo 
 dore M Donough. By the time this bloody contest was over, 
 there was scarcely a mast in either squadron capable of bear 
 ing a sail, and the greater part of the vessels in a sinking 
 state. Thore wore fifty round shot in the hull of the Saratoga, 
 nnd in the Confiance one hundred and five. The Saratoga was 
 twice set on fire bv hot shot. The action lasted two hours and 
 twenty n inufes. The commander of the Confiance was killed. 
 with forty-nine of his men, and sixty wounded. On board the 
 Saratoga there were twenty-fig h! killed, and twenM -m;:-^ 
 wounded. Of llu: fi r st, was lieutenant Gamble ; and on b<nird 
 the Ticonderoga, lieutenant Stansbury, (son of general Stanr- 
 bury, of Maryland.) Among the wounded, were lieutenant 
 Smith, acting lieutenant Spencer, ar,d midshipman Baldwin. 
 The total loss in the American squadron amounted to fifty-r.vo 
 killed, and fifty-eight wounded. The I ?s of the enemy was 
 eighty-four killed, one hundred and ten wounded, and eight 
 hundred and fifty six prisoners, which actually exceeded the 
 number of their captors. 
 
 This engagement, so deeply interesting to the two rival na 
 tions, took place in sight of the hostile armies. But they were 
 by no means quiet spectators of the scene; a hot engagement 
 was kept up during the whole time; the air was fiiied with 
 bombs, rockets, sbarpnels, and hot balls. Three desperate ef 
 forts were made by the British to cross over, and storm the 
 American works, in which they were as often repulsed, with 
 considerable loss. An attempt to forco the bridge, was brave 
 ly defeated by a detachment of regulars and captain Grosve- 
 nor s riflemen. They attempted a ford about three miles above, 
 but were so briskly assailed by a body of volunteers and mili 
 tia posted in a wood, that the greater part of the detachment 
 was cut to pieces. The efforts of the encrny naturally relaxed, 
 after witnessing the painful sight, so little expected, cf the en 
 tire capture of their fleet. The firing was, however, kept up 
 until night; at night the enemy withdrew their artillery, and 
 raised the seige. The plans of sir George Prevost were ccm- 
 pletely frustrated, since the Americans had now the command of 
 the lake ; even if he were to possess himself of the American 
 works, it would not serve him any further design ; in the mean 
 time he would be exposed to great, danger from the hourly aug 
 mentation of the American force. Under the cover of the 
 night, he therefore sent off all his baggage and artillery, for 
 which he found means of transportation ; and befpre day tbr 
 next morning, his whole force precipitately retreated, leaving 
 behind their sick and wounded. Vast quantities of military 
 stores and munitions of war, were abandoned by them, and still 
 greater quantities were afterwards found hid in marshes, or 
 32 
 
374 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 buried in the ground. They were hotly pursued, a riumher of 
 stragglers were picked up, and upwards of five hundred desert 
 ers came in. 
 
 Those of the British army and nary who fell, were interred 
 with the honours of war. The humane attention of the Ame 
 ricans to the wounded, and the politeness and generous atten 
 tion to the prisoners, were acknowledged in grateful terms hy 
 captain Pryng, (who succeeded captain Downie,) in his official 
 despatch to the admiralty. 
 
 Thus was this portentous invasion most happily repelled, and 
 another of our inland seas made glorious by the victories of free 
 Americans. The k st.;>r spangled banner" waved in triumph 
 on the waters of Charnplain, as it did on Erie and Ontario. 
 These noble features in our great empire, will henceforth be 
 viewed with a very different interest from what they heretofore 
 excited. 
 
 The effect of this victory tended to allay party sj irit, and 
 produce unanimity in the national legislature. The gjeat cause 
 of bitter complaint against t he administration, French influence, 
 was at an end, and the recent conduct of Great Britain towards 
 this country, rendered it impossible for any one to say that she 
 was not wantonly pursuing hostilities, when these causes no 
 longer existed. No one could now be the advocate of Britain. 
 But in addition to other circumstances, the npglcct experi 
 enced by our ministers in Europe, and the shrfflii:g policy of 
 Great Britain, which procrastinated a final ndjustmcnt of dif 
 ferences?, were well nmiersrood, and had their proper effect on 
 our citizens. Our sincere desire for peace was met by the de 
 mand for a surrender of a large portion of territory, and a total 
 reiinquishment of the lake shores, a sine qua non. To these con 
 ditions it is evident our government could not accede, and few 
 were so weak as to believe that the proposition was made with 
 any other view, than to prolong the negotiations, ai;d take ad- 
 tantage of circumstances which might intervene. 
 
 About this epoch, a convention composed of delegates frora 
 several of the New EnglantPstates met at Hartford, the mem 
 bers of which were opposed to the war. This step occasioned 
 much excitement, and was the subject of many speculations. 
 It was charged with the design of sundering the union of the 
 states ; but, after a brief session, terminated in an address, and 
 remonstrance, or petition to congress, enumerating several ob 
 jections to the federal constitution. It was presented to seve 
 ral states for approbation, but was uniformly rejected. As to 
 the constitutional right of assembling for the purpos-os of dis 
 cussing national subjects, we can havebut one voice, unless we 
 abandon republican principles; but whether the motives, the 
 , and the expected results of this convention were correct 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 375 
 
 and judicious, is problematical. In the legislature of Pennsyl 
 vania, in which the memorial was discussed, the conduct of the 
 memorialists was severely censured. 
 
 Our finances now appeared to revive, under the indefatigable 
 industry and great abilities of Mr. Dallas, whom the president 
 selected at this critical moment to fill the office of secretary of 
 the treasury. His plans were characterized by the greatest 
 boldness, but were unfolded in so luminous a manner, as to 
 carry conviction to every miud. He may be said to have 
 plucked up the sinking credit of the nation, by the locks. The 
 duties of the secretary at war were* at the same time, dischar 
 ged by colonel Monroe, in addition to his other avocations ; in 
 which undertaking he exhibited no small courage, for it had 
 become a forlorn hope of popularity ; he was happily rewarded 
 by the most fortunate success in all his measures, and by the 
 universal applause of his country. 
 
 While the American congress was thus occupied, the pub 
 lick attention was awakened by a most alarming state of affair" 
 to the southward. The*Creek war was renewed, and a powers 
 ful invasion of Louisiana was threatened. General Jackson- 
 after concluding a treaty with the Creeks, moved his head, 
 quarters to Mobile. Here, about the latter end of August, he 
 received certain information, that three British ships of war 
 had arrived at Pensacola, and had landed a large quantity of 
 ammunition and guny, for the purpose of arming 1 the Indians, and 
 had besides marched into the fort with three hundred troops, 
 He was also informed, that the fleet of admiral Cochrano had 
 been reinforced at Bermuda, and that thirteen ships of the line, 
 with transports, were daily expected with ten thousand troops, 
 for the purpose of invading some of the southern states. On 
 the receipt of this information, he immediately wrote to the gov 
 ernor of Tennessee, calling for the whole quota of that state. 
 
 On the fifteenth of September, three vessels of war from 
 Pensacola, appeared before fort Boyer, which commands the 
 entrance to Mobile bay. A proclamation was issued by colo 
 nel Nichols, commanding his majesty s forces in Florida, ad 
 dressed to tha inhabitants of Louisiana, Kentucky and Tennes 
 see, inviting- them to aid the British. He likewise made a 
 proposition to a nest of pirates which infested one of the lakes 
 which cornmuuicates with the gulf, to assist in the operations 
 against the Americans in that quarter. This nest oPdespera- 
 does amounted to five or six hundred, and their commander, 
 Lafitte, had beenout-lawed, by the American government. In 
 the summer the establishment had been broken up by commo 
 dore Patterson, but had again organized, and would be a dan 
 gerous force, if employed by our enemies, for which service 
 they had large offers. 
 
376 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 But what was most humiliating to those who could stoop so 
 low, this alliance was indignantly rejected. Lafittc at first 
 dissembled, until he had drawn from the colonel important in 
 formation, when he dismissed him \vilh disdain, and immediately 
 despatched a messenger to governor Claiborne, who had some 
 time before offered five hundred dollars for his apprehension, 
 and laid before him incontestable proofs of the truth of his dec 
 laration. The governor was agreeably surprised at this unex 
 pected trait of generosity, but at first hesitated as to the course 
 to be pursued : on the approach of danger, however, he issued 
 his proclamation, in which he pledged himself, that those enga 
 ged in this illicit course of Jife should be forgiven, provided 
 they would come forward and aid in the defence of tiie country. 
 This was joyfully accepted by the Barratariaris, as they were 
 called, who tendertd their services, and were found eminently 
 useful. 
 
 General Jackson having in vain remonstrated with the gov 
 ernor of Pensacolo for his unprecedented conduct, determined 
 to march against that place. Having Veceived a reinforcement 
 of two thousand Tennessee militia, which had marched through 
 the Indian country, he advanced lo Pensacola, to demand re 
 dress. On the sixth of November he reached the neighbour 
 hood of that post, and immediately sent major Peire with a flag, 
 to communicate the object of his visit, to the governor ; but he 
 was forced to return, being fired on from the batteries. Jack 
 son then reconnoitred the fort, and finding it defended both by 
 British and Indians, he made arrangements for storming it the 
 next day. The troops were put ia moliou at day light, and be 
 ing encamped to the west of the town, the attack would be 
 expected from that quarter; to keep up this idea, part of the 
 mounted men were sent to show themselves on the we&t, 
 whilst the remainder of the troops passed to the rear of the 
 fort, undiscovered, to the east of the town. His whole force, 
 consisting of a few regulars, a body of militia, and some Choc- 
 taw Indians, appeared in vie\%when within a mile of the fort, 
 and advanced firmly to the enemy s works, although there were 
 seven British vessels on their left, and strong batteries of can 
 non in front. On entering the town, a battery of two cannons, 
 loaded with ball and grape, was opened on the centre column, 
 composed of regulars, and a shower of musketry was poured from 
 the houses and gardens. The battery was soon carried and 
 the musketry silenced. The governor now mado bis appear 
 ance with a flag, begged for mercy, and offered to surrender 
 the town immediately. This was granted, and every protection 
 afforded to the persons and property of the inhabitants. The 
 commandant of the fort refused to surrender until midnight, 
 when he evacuated it with his troops, just as the Americans 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 377 
 
 were preparing to make a furious assault. The British with 
 drew their shipping, and Jackson, having accomplished his 
 purpose, returned to Mobile. 
 
 Notwithstanding the negotiations for peace, preparations 
 were made for a formidable invasion of Louisiana, and governor 
 Claiborne ordered the two divisions of militia to hold themselves 
 in readiness to repel an attack. He also called on the inhabit 
 ants to turn out en masse, for the defence of their liberties and 
 homes. 
 
 In New Orleans, the citizens, from the commencement of 
 the war, as if sensible of the feeble help which they could ex 
 pect from the general government, manifested the greatest 
 alacrity in qualifying themselves for taking the field against an 
 invader. Every man capable of bearing arms, had become a 
 soldier, and perhaps in none was there such frequent and elegant 
 displays of well disciplined volunteer companies dressed in uni 
 form. The wonder Ail aptitude of the French for the profession 
 of arms, was n^v^r more fully exhibited. There were inter 
 mingled with them, a number of men who had served in the 
 French armies. 
 
 The free people of colour, a numerous class, were permitted, 
 as a privilege of which they were proud, to form volunteer 
 companies, and wear their uniform; some of these were natives, 
 but the greater part had been refugees from St. Domingo. The 
 American and French inhabitants, although sometimes at vari 
 ance with each other, on this occasion united heartily in dis 
 like to the English, and in a disposition to frustrate their de 
 signs. 
 
 Hearing 1 of the danger of New Orleans, general Jackson re 
 paired thither for its defence, and arrived there on the second 
 of December. lie put in requisition all the powers of his mind, 
 an*i took the most active measures to prevent the effects of an w 
 expesled invasion. 
 
 Batteries were constructed in important situations, and every 
 obstruction put in the way of the invaders. He called on the 
 legislature for resources, which were promptly supplied. Col- 
 onsl Monroe, acting secretary of war, had already forwarded 
 military supplies, and called on the neighbouring 1 governors for 
 a considerable force. 
 
 About the fifth of December, certain intelligence was receiv 
 ed, that the British fleet, consisting of at least sixty sail, was 
 off the coast to the east of the Mississippi. Commodore Pat 
 terson immediately despatched five gunboats, under the com 
 mand of lieutenant Catesby Jones, to watch the motions of the 
 enemy. They were discovered in euch force off Cat Island, 
 as to induce the lieutenant to make sail for the passes into lake 
 Penchartrain, in order to oppose the entrance of the British. 
 32* 
 
378 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 The Sea Horse, sailing master Johnson, after a gallant resist 
 ance, was captured in the bay of St. Louis. 
 
 On the fourteenth, the gunboats, while becalmed, were at- 
 tacked by nearly forty barges and twelve hundred men, and 
 after a contest of an hour, with this overwhelming force, the 
 flotilla surrendered. The loss of the Americans was forty killed 
 and wounded ; among the latter, lieutenant Spidden, who lost 
 an arm : lieutenants Jones and M Kecyer were also wounded. 
 The loss of the enemy was estimated at three hundred men. 
 
 This loss was severely felt, as the enemy was thereby enabled 
 to choose his point of attack, and we were in a great measure 
 prevented from watching his motions. But the exertions for 
 defence were neither paralyzed nor abated. The legislature 
 appropriated money, and offered bounties which induced num 
 bers to serve on board the schooner Caroline, and the brig 
 Louisiana. An embargo was laid for three days, and martial 
 law was declared. 
 
 Lafitte and his Barratnrians, about this time joined the Amer 
 ican forces. The city now exhibited an interesting spectacle ; 
 all clashes cheerfully preparing for the reception of the invader, 
 and reposing the utmost confidence in Jackson. All was life 
 and bustle, and tliQ female part of the society seemed err.ulous 
 to share in this affecting scene. 
 
 All the principal bayous which communicate with the lake> 
 and the narrow strip of land on the borders of the Mississippi, 
 through the swamps, had been obstructed. There was, how 
 ever, a communication with lake Borgne, but little known, cal 
 led the bayou Bienvenu, used by fishermen; iis head near the 
 plantation of general Villere, seven miles bfloiv the city. Ma 
 jor Villere had received orders from his father to guard this 
 bayou, and he accordingly stationed a guard near its entrance 
 into the lake, at the cabins of tome fishermen. 
 
 It afterwards appeared, that these wretches had been in the 
 employment of the British. On the twenty-second, guided by 
 them, the enemy came suddenly upon the American guard, and 
 took them prisoners. The division under general Keane, by 
 four o clock in the morning reached the commencement of Vil- 
 lere s canal, and having 1 disembarked and rested some hours, 
 proceeded through the cane-brake, and by t.\vo o clock reached 
 the bank of the river. General *Villore s house was suddenly 
 surrounded, as also that of his neighbour, colonel La Ronde ; 
 but this officer, as well as major Villere, was so fortunate as to 
 effect his escape, and hastening to the head quarters, commu 
 nicated the intelligence. 
 
 The alarm gun was fired, and the commander in chief, with 
 that promptitude and decision for which he is so remarkable, 
 instantly resolved on the only course to be pursued, which was, 
 
THE UXITED STATES. 379 
 
 without the loss of a moment s lime, to attack the enemy. 
 Coffee s riflemen, stationed above the city, in one hour s time 
 were at the place of rendezvous ; the battalion of major Piaache 
 had arrived from the bayou, and the regulars and city volun 
 teers were ready to march. By six o clock the different corps 
 were united on Rodrigne s canal, six miles below the city. 
 The schooner Caroline, captain Henley, at the same time drop 
 ped down the river. The command of genera! Coffee, togeth 
 er with captain Bsalo s riflemen, were placed on the left, to 
 wards the woods; ihe city volunteers and men of colour, under 
 Plauche and Duquin; the whole under the command <ff colonel 
 Ross, were stationed to the right of these; and next to them 
 the two regiments of regulars, the seventh and forty-fourth; 
 the artillery and marines, under colonel M-Rea, occupied the 
 road. The whole scarcely exceeding two thousand men. 
 
 The British force at this time amounted to three thousand, 
 and instead of pushing directly towards tho city, had biouvack- 
 ed, fully convinced that the most difficult part of the enterprise 
 was already -achieved. 
 
 Carroll s torce was posted on the Gentiliy road, to provida 
 against an attack from that quarter. Coffee was directed to 
 turn their right, which rested on the wood, at the distance of 
 half a mile from th-j river, while til- 1 g .-nei al assailed their 
 strongest position near it. Commodore Patterson, who had 
 g-one on board the Caroline, dropped down at tho same time, 
 and was to open his fire uporith-5 enemy as the signal of attack. 
 The first intimation of the approach of the Americans was a 
 raking broadside from the schooner ; their fire* extending from 
 the river, enabled the assailants to take deliberate aim. Coffee s 
 men, with their usual impetuosity, rushed upon the right, and 
 entered their camp, while Jackson s troops in irout, advanced 
 upon them with great ardor. 
 
 The enemy, although taken by surprise, arvl having several 
 hundreds suddenly killed and wounded, soon formed, and their 
 fires being extinguished, came into action. A thick fog, which 
 arose shortly after, producing some confusion in the different 
 American corps, Jackson prudently called off his troops, lay on 
 the field that night, and at four in the morning, took a position 
 on the other side of the canal of Rodrigue, which had formerly 
 b&en a mill-race. 
 
 The American loss was twenty-four killed, one hundred and 
 fifteen wounded, and seventy-four prisoners, among whom were 
 many of the principal inhabitants of the city. Colonel Lau- 
 derdale, of Tennessee, a brave soldier, fell much lamented. 
 That of the British, was estimated at four hundred, in killed, 
 woundod and missing. They had intended to proceed to New 
 
UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Orleans the next day, but were induced to be more cautious, 
 having estimated Jackson s force at fifteen thousand men. 
 
 The general set to work immediately to fortify his position. 
 This was effected by a simple breastwork, from the- river to 
 the swamp, with a ditch in front. To hasten the construction 
 of these works, cotton bags were used, as the cheeks of the 
 embrazures. As the enemy was still annoyed by the Caroline, 
 they set to work in constructing batteries to attack her, and 
 on the twenty-seventh, threw hot .shot, by which she was sel on 
 fire and blown up, about an hour after she was abandoned by 
 her crew. The Louisiana, which then took her station, gua- 
 tained the fire of all the batteries, until in imminent danger. 
 In losing her, the whole co-operative naval force would be lost. 
 Her commander, lieutenant Thompson, afier encountering ma 
 ny obstacles, finally succeeded in bringing her near Jackson s 
 position. 
 
 After the destruction of the Caroline, sir Edward Packenham, 
 the British commander in chief, having landed the main body 
 of his army, with a sufficient train of artillery, superintended in 
 person, the arrangements for fortifying his position. 
 
 On the twenty-eighth, the British general advanced up the 
 levee in force, with the intention of driving Jackson from his 
 iutrenchrnents ; and at the distance of half a mile, commenced 
 attack with rockets, bombs, and a heavy cannonade, as he ap 
 proached the American works, which were yet unfinished. 
 The Louisiana, discharging her broadside upon the enemy s* 
 column, caused great destruction; the fire from the American 
 batteries was not less destructive ; and after a violent struggle 
 of seven hours, the British general retired. 
 
 The loss o f the Americans was seven killed and eight wound 
 ed; among 1 the former colonel Henderson, of Tennessee. That 
 of the British much more considerable. 
 
 On the morning of the first of January, 1815, sir Edward 
 Packenham was discovered to have constructed batteries near 
 the American works, and at daylight commenced a heavy fire 
 from them, which was well returned by Jackson. A bold at 
 tempt wa?, at tbe same time, made to turn the left of the A- 
 mericans; but in this the enemy was completely reputed. The 
 British ret-red in the evening, from their batteries, having 
 spiked their guns, and leaving behind a quantity of ammunition. 
 The loss of the Americans, on this occasion, was eleven killed, 
 and twenty-three wounded. 
 
 On the fourth, general Jackson was joined by two thous-aad 
 fire hundred Kentuckians, under general Adair; and on the 
 sixth, the British were joined by g-enoral Lambert, at the head 
 of four thousand men. The British force now amounted to 
 little short of fifteen thousand of the finest troops; that of the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 381 
 
 Americans to about six thousand, chiefly raw militia, a consid 
 erable portion unarmed, aud from the haste of their departure, 
 badly supplied with clothing. All the private arms which the 
 inhabitants possessed were collected, and the ladies of New 
 Orleans occupied themselves continually in making different 
 articles of clothing. The mayor of the city, Mr. Girod, waa 
 particularly active at this trying moment. 
 
 The British general now prepared for a serious attempt O \ 
 the American works. With great Jabour he had completed, 
 by the seventh, a canal from the swamp to the Mississippi, by 
 which he was enabled to transport a number of his boats to the 
 river. It was his intention to make a simultaneous attack on 
 the nnia force of general Jackson on the left bank, and crossing 
 the river to attack the batteries on the right. 
 
 Tiie works of the American general were by this time com 
 pleted. His front was a straight line of one thousand yards, 
 defended by upwards of tiiree thousand infantry and artillerists. 
 Tiie dif.cli contained five feet water, and hi/froat from having 
 been flooded by opening the levees and frequent rains, was 
 rendered clipper,* and muddy. Eight distinct batteries were 
 judiciously disposed, mounting in ail twelve guns, of different 
 calibres. Oil the opposite side of the river there was a strong 
 battery of fifteen guns, and the entrenchments were occupied 
 by general Morgan, wilh the Louisiana militia, and of a strong 
 detachmqnt of the Kentucky troops. To guard against an at 
 tack from any other quarter, colonel Riubeu Kemper, with a 
 few men, encountering infinite difficulties, had explored every 
 pass and bayou, and on this subjejt hid placed at easatlu mind 
 of the corn-Dander in chief. 
 
 On the memorable morning of the eighth of January, general 
 Puckenharn, having detached colonel Thornton with a consid 
 erable force, to attack the works on the right bank of the river, 
 moved with his whole force, exceeding twelve thousand men, 
 in two divisions, under major generals Gibbs and Kean ; and a 
 reserve under general Lambert. The first of these officers 
 was to make the principal attack; the two columns were sup 
 plied with scaling ladders and fascines. 
 
 Thus prepared, the Americans patiently waited the attack, 
 which would decide the fate of Ne,-/ Orleans, aad perhaps . f 
 Louisiana. 
 
 The British deliberately advanced in solid columns, over an 
 even plain, in front of the American entrenchments ; the men 
 carrying besides their muskets, fascines, and some of them lad 
 ders. 
 
 A dead silence prevailed, until they approached within reach 
 of the b.uteries, A h>ch commenced an incessant and destructive 
 cannonade ; they, notwithstanding, continued to advance in 
 
332 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 tolerable order, closing up their ranks, as fast as they were 
 opened by the fire of the Americans. When they came within 
 reach, however, of the musketry and rifles, these joined with 
 the artillery, and produced such dreadful havoc, that they were 
 instantly thrown into confusion. 
 
 Never was there so tremendous a fire, as that kept up from 
 the American lines; it was a continued stream; those behind 
 loading; for the men in front, enabled them to fire with scarcely 
 an intermission. The British columns were literally swept 
 away; hundreds fell at every discharge. The British officers 
 were now making an effort to rally their men, and in this at 
 tempt, their commander, a gallant officer, general Packenham, 
 was killed, 
 
 The two generals, Gibbs and Kean, succeeded in pushing 
 forward their columns a second time; but the second approach 
 was more fatal than the first; the continued rolling fire of the 
 Americans, resembled peals of thunder. It was such as no 
 troops could withstand. The advancing columns broke, and 
 no effort to rally them could avail; a fe\v platoons, only, ad 
 vanced to the edge of the ditch, to meet a more certain destruc 
 tion. An unavailing attempt was mad.e to rally them a third 
 time, by their officers, whose gallantry, on this occasion, de 
 served a better fate, in a better cause. Generals Gibbs and 
 Kean were carried away, severely wounded, the former mor 
 tally. 
 
 The plain between the front of the British, and the Americun 
 lines, was strewed with dead ; so dreadful a carnage, consider 
 ing the length of time, and the numbers engaged, was perhaps 
 never witnessed. Two thousand, at the lowest esiimate, pres 
 sed the earth, besides a number of the wounded, who were not 
 able to escape. The loss of the Americans did not exceed sev 
 en killed and six wounded. General Lambert was the only 
 general officer left upon the field; being unable to check the 
 flight of the British columns, he retired to his encampment. 
 
 In the meantime, the detachment under colonel Thornton 
 succeeded in landing on the right bank, and immediately attack 
 ed the entrenchment of general Morgan. The American right, 
 believing itself outflanked, abandoned its position, while the 
 left maintained its ground for some time; but finding itself de 
 serted by those on the right, and being outnumbered by the 
 enemy, they spiked their guns and retired. Colonel Thornton 
 was severely wounded, and the command devolved on colonel 
 Gobbins, who, seeing the fate of the assault on the left bank, 
 and receiving orders from general Lambert, recrossed the 
 river. 
 
 On the return of general Lambert to his camp, it was resoly- 
 ed, in consultation with admiral Cochrane, to retire to their 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 383 
 
 shipping. This was effected with great secresy ; and during 
 the night of the eighteenth, their camp was entirely evacuated. 
 From the nature of the country, it was found impossible to pursue 
 them ; they left eight of their wounded, and fourteen pieces of 
 artillery. Their loss in this fatal expedition was immense ; 
 besides their generals, and a number of valuable officers, their 
 force was diminished by at least five thousand men. 
 
 It was in vain, as in other instances, to conceal the truth of 
 this affair ; ,and the sensations which it produced in Great Bri- 
 tsin, are not easily described : the conduct of the ministry was 
 regarded as shamefully dishonorable, in thus stretching forth 
 one hand to receive the olive, which was tendered by America, 
 and at the same time secretly wielding a dagger with the 
 other. 
 
 Commodore Patterson despatched five boats, under Mr. 
 Shields, purser on the New Orleans station, in order to annoy 
 the retreat of the British. This active and spirited officer suc 
 ceeded in capturing several of their boats, and in taking a 
 number of prisoners. 
 
 The glorious defence of New Orleans produced the most 
 lively joy throughout the United States, mingled, however, 
 with pity for a brave enemy, who had encountered so disas 
 trous a defeat. 
 
 The British fleet had, at the same time, ascended the Missis 
 sippi, for the purpose of bombarding fort St. Philip, which was 
 commanded by major Overlon ; but without being able lo make 
 any impression. 
 
 There is but little doubt, that the object of Great Britain 
 was, to possess herself of Louisiana, and obtaining a cession 
 from Spain, draw a cordon round the United States, aad by 
 that means strangle this young Hercules, as it were in the cra 
 dle. It is \veilk no wn^that on board the fleet, they had brought 
 all the officers necessary for the establishment of a civil gov 
 ernment even a collector of the port ! 
 
 An American must trembls for his country, when he looks 
 back at the danger we have escaped. That the British in- 
 tcn led to deliver the city of Nexv Orleans to be sacked by their 
 soldiery, is very doubtful ; aad f -om the high character of sir 
 Edward Packenham. it is highly improbable that he would have 
 given, as the watchword of the occasion, beauty and booty ; this 
 was more probablv spoken by some of the inferior officers, with 
 a view of producing an excitement among the soldiery. 
 
 We have given the events of this battle in detail; because it 
 may be considered as the most important in its consequences, 
 of any which occurred during the war. As it will always oc- 
 cspy a conspicuous place in the annals of our country, we were 
 
384 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 unwilling to bring it into a compass so s mall as necessarily to 
 omit many of its features. 
 
 We turn now from this grand spectacle to the ravages of the 
 contemptible Cockburn, who was pursuing a less dangerous, 
 but more profitable occupation, in robbing the defenceless in 
 habitants of the Carolinas and Georgia. The produce of the 
 plantations, household furniture and negroes \vere the trophies 
 of his prowess. Let a dark mantle shade his memory from the 
 light of military nnd naval renown. 
 
 The momentous intelligence of the defeat of tlfe British at 
 New Orleans, had scarcely ceased to operate upon the feelings 
 of the people of the United States, when they received the wel 
 come news of pence. These two events were joyfully celebra- 
 ted> by illuminations throughout this land of freedom and in 
 dependence. 
 
 To us the war is pregnant with important lessons. We have 
 acquired a knowledge of our weakness arid of cur strength. 
 Our confederation will rise like a pyramid, its base eternal. 
 Our best policy is peace, if honourable; fair and honorable 
 policy to all nations, preferring- justice to profit. One lesson 
 we have been taught, which was worth the sum we have paid 
 for the war : THAT WE ARE WEAK IN THE PURSUIT OF CON 
 QUEST, BUT ALL POWERFUL IN DEFENCE. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 General View of the United Slates. 
 
 Having now bro nght the history of our country down to the 
 close of the war for l free trade and sailor s rights," we may 
 be allowed to take a glance at the progress which we have 
 made in the acquisition of territory by treaty and purchase, 
 and of the prospects which open before us. We now number 
 twenty-four states, one distiict, and six territories, the boun 
 daries of which follow. 
 
 The boundary on the side of the Spanish dominions, accord 
 ing to the treaty wish Spain, ratified in 1821, begins on the 
 gulf of Mexico, at ihn mouth of the river Sabine, and proceeds 
 along the west bank of that river to the 33d degree of N. lat. ; 
 thence! by a line due north, to Red river; thence up that river, 
 to the meridian of 100 degrees W. Ion. ; thence due north aiong 
 that meridian to the river Arkansas ; thence, along the south 
 bank of the Arkansas to its source ; thence due north or south 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 335 
 
 as the case may be, to the parallel of 42 degrees N. lat. and 
 thence, along that parallel, to the Pacific ocean. On the side 
 of the British dominions, the boundary begins in the Atlantic 
 ocean, at the mouth of the river St. Croix, and proceeds up that 
 river to its source ; thence, due north, to the highlands which 
 separate the waters falling into the St. Lawrence from those 
 which fall into the Atlantic ; thence, alon^r those highlands, in 
 a S. \V. direction, to the parallel of 45 degrses N. lat. ; thence 
 along that parallel to the river St. Lawrence; and thence, up 
 that river, and ihe jjreat lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, and Su 
 perior, to the most northwestern point of the lake cf the 
 Woods. By the treaty with Great Britain in 1819, the boun 
 dary line proceeds from the last mentioned point due north or 
 south, as the case may bo, tu the parallel of 49 degrees N. kit, 
 and thence, due west* along that, parallel to the Rocky moun 
 tains. The boundary between the Rocky mountains and iho 
 Pacific ocean remains unsettled. 
 
 The states are arranged according to their location, thus: 
 Eastern Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, 
 Rhode Island, Connecticut, sir. Middle New York, New 
 Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Jive. Southern 
 Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, 
 Mississippi, Louisiana, seven. Western Tennessee, Kentucky, 
 Ohio, Indiana. Illinois, Missouri, six. District of Columbia, 
 the seat of the general government, a tract often miles square. 
 Territories Michigan, Northwest, Arknns is, Missouri, Ore 
 gon, Florida, six. States, District, and Territories, in all thir 
 ty-one. The extent from south to north, is twenty- four de 
 grees, comprehended between 35 and 4<J north latifjdo. and 
 from east to west, fifty-eight degrees eleven minutes, west lon 
 gitude, included between 66 49 and 135. The whole con 
 taining two millions of square miles. 
 
 By the census of 13-20, the whole population was nine millions, 
 six hundred and forty-one thousand, seven hundred and eighty- 
 four. The District of Columbia, being of small extent, and 
 embracing three populous places, Washington, Alexandria, 
 and Georgetown, contains the most dense population, and aver 
 ages three hundred and thirty on a square mile. Next in pop 
 ulation i.s Massachusetts, which has serenty-two on the square 
 mile. Connecticut fifty-eight, and Rhode Island fifty-three. 
 Delaware thirty-four, New York thirty ; Maryland twenty- 
 nine; New Hampshire twenty-six ; Vermont and Pennsylvania 
 twenty-three; South Carolina twenty; Virginia seventeen: 
 Ohio fifteen ; Kentucky and North Carolina thirteen ; Tenres- 
 sce eleven ; Georgia six ; Louisiana and Alabama three; Mis 
 sissippi two ; Illinois and Missouri one; Michigan contains one 
 inhabitant to about five square miles; Northwest unknown: 
 33 
 
386 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Arkansas, Missouri, and Oregon, contain a million of square 
 miles ; and the first more than fourteen thousand inhabitants. 
 Florida has about one inhabitant to three square miles. 
 
 With a knowledge of the qualities of the soil, healthiness of 
 the clime, water privileges and communications, those who 
 wish to emigrate, can determine on the most eligible situation 
 with a tolerable degree of accuracy, according to the business 
 Tvhich they propose to pursue. 
 
 Another consideration with those who wish to change their 
 place of residence, may sometimes be taken into the account, 
 and this is the prevalence of religious opinion. Taking the 
 whole of the Union collectively, the principal religious denomi 
 nations are Presbyterians and Congregationalists, who have 
 together more than 2,500 congregations; the Baptists, who 
 have more than 2000 congregations ; tfie Friends, who have 
 more than 500 societies ; and the Episcopalians, who have about 
 300. The Methodists, also, are very mimerous. The Baptists 
 and Methodists are found in all parts of the United States; the 
 Congregationalists are almost wholly in New England; the 
 Presbyterians are scattered ever the Middle and Southern 
 states; the Friends are most numerous in Pennsylvania and 
 the adjoining states, and the Episcopalians, in New York, Con 
 necticut, Maryland, and Virginia. German Lutherans, German 
 Calvinists, and Moravians are also numerous in the Middle 
 states. 
 
 But besides these, the Unitarians are a fast increasing sect, 
 of which a majority of the Congregational i-ocieties in Boston, 
 are knowu to be, and more or less, the doctrine is spreading 
 through the United State, though the principal part of the so 
 cieties are supposed to be in New England. The Universalists 
 are also numerous in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire 
 and Vermont; and in the western counties of New York Ihey 
 abound. In New York city and Philadelphia, are several 
 churches, and in South Carolina, Ohio, Alabama and Georgia, 
 they are fast increasing. 
 
 Next to religious opinions, the sort of people among whom 
 we purpose to fix a permanent abode, may very properly be 
 considered. Of the United States the inhabitants consist of 
 whites, negroes, and Indians. 
 
 The negroes are generally slaves, and are principally con 
 fined to the states south of Pennsylvania and the river Ohio. 
 All the, whites are of European origin ; principallly English. 
 The New-Englanders, Virginians, and Carolinians are almost 
 purely English. Next to the English are the Germans, who 
 are very numerous in the Middle states, particularly in Penn 
 sylvania. Next to the Germans are the Dutch, who are most 
 flumerousin New Yoik. The French constitute nearly half 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 387 
 
 the population of Louisiana. The Irish and Scotch are found 
 in the Middle states, in the back parts of Virginia, and in all 
 the principal cities of the Union. Very little is known about 
 the Indians west of the Mississippi. The four principal tribes 
 on the east of the Mississippi are the Creeks, Choctaws, Cher- 
 okees, and Chickasawa. These tribes live vvithin the chartered 
 limits of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. 
 
 In a country of such great extent, the habits, manners, ant] 
 general occupations of the people will of course ditfer material 
 ly. The eastern, or New England States, in the interior pof- 
 tions, have until lately, devoted their attention principally to 
 agriculture, con6ried to such articles as are of prime necessity 
 in sustaining life. The cities and towns on the seaboard, have 
 attended to the fisheries and commerce generally. Lately they 
 have been led to manufactures, particularly of cloths and col- 
 ton, for which their various streams are well adapted. The 
 restrictions on commerce, if continued, will probably direct 
 most ofthe capital hitherto occupied in foreign commerce, into 
 this channel. The imrnence forests in some of the states, will, 
 however, occupy numbers in the lumber trade, for years to 
 come. 
 
 New England undoubtedly holds the first rank in literature, 
 commerce, enterprise, and wealth, but in grandeur and sublimi 
 ty, and the natural means of wealth, the western states are 
 more than successful rivals. The plains and mountains, and 
 rivers and forests ofthe newly settled parts of the new world, 
 have no parallel in the eastern continent. The following de 
 scription of the Prairies of Louisiana is extracted from Nilee 
 Register, a work not exceeded in this country for the extent 
 and value of its communications. 
 
 The districts of Attakapas and Oppelousas which stretch 
 along the Mexican gulph, from the Attchaffallaya to the Sa- 
 bine, are scarcely known to geographers, though they form a 
 most interesting portion of the republic. The fertility of tha 
 eoil, the value of its products the- immense natural meadows 
 which cover five eights of the country, and their peculiar fit 
 ness for feeding cattle, are all worthy the attention of the shoals 
 of emigrants who are seeking wealth or liberty, to the west and 
 south. The accounts published by Brackenridge and Darby 
 are most to be relied on ; but neither of those writers have 
 been sufficiently explicit, though each enjoyed opportunities of 
 acquiring better information. The following statement may, 
 perhaps, be perused with some interest by such as are pleased 
 to note the rapid march which our country is making to power, 
 and give the reader some idea ofthe vast resources of Louisa- 
 na. 
 
388 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 About Ihe year 1755, a few French traders commenced s 
 traffic for peltry with the Indians, who inhabited those prairies. 
 They were soon followed by others, who remarking- the great 
 profits to be realized from stock -raising, introduced horned 
 cattle into the country. Their success encouraged others to 
 adventure; and we find from the census of 1785, that Atta- 
 kapaa and Oppelousas then contained 2408 inhabitants. In the 
 year 1801, their population was rated at 7250, of which 3500 
 were slaves. Up to the last named epoc ha, stock raising- form 
 ed the almost exclusive occupation of the inhabitants. They 
 supplied New Orleans and the Mississippi const with beef, at 
 the rate of one cent and a fourth per pound ; but even at this 
 price many had amassed money enough to purchase slaves 
 and commence farming establishments. The American gov 
 ernment, which took placa early in 1804, gave new stimulus, 
 and induced the inhabitants to turn their ntlenlion more to 
 planting-. The soil and climate uniting- with their exertions 
 and industry, have secured to the first planters of tbose dis 
 tricts a most enviable independence. A few years ago they 
 were a horde of shepherds, consequently a hardy and virtuous 
 race. Of late their plan of life lias changed, and their means 
 rapidly increased, without introducing the thousand fictitious 
 wants, which usually travel in the train of wealth. Even now, 
 it is no uncommon sight to see a planter of those countries, 
 owning, perhaps, seventy or eighty slaves, clad in the product 
 of his wife s loom, attending to his horses, oxen, or crop, with 
 more assiduity and attention than characterises a Carolina 
 overseer : yet, if a stranger visits him, lie will find his table 
 crowded with the best wines of the world, and no lack of in 
 telligence or any thing else which forms good cheer. Riches 
 here, appear to add only to the comforts of their possessor, 
 without forming- the invidious distinctions among men which 
 exist in other parts of the world. The ease with which they 
 are acquired, may be the reason of this but the detached situ 
 ation of the country accounts for it more rationally. Besides, 
 the population is as yet quite thinly scattered over an immense 
 territory, and wherever this is the case, we do not usually fmd 
 so many of those little presuming animals, wearing the shapes 
 of men, which are such great nuisances in thickly inhabited 
 countries. 
 
 In 1810, Attakapas and Oppelousas, contained 13,774 souls. 
 For two years after the census was taken there was a great 
 emigration to the country. It was stopped early in 1813, by 
 the pressure of the war, but since the peace has recommenced. 
 At present (Sept. 1817 ) I feel confident the population would 
 be estimated too low at 2p,000. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 389 
 
 It is the custom for the rich and gay young people of Louisia 
 na and Mississippi, to spand their carnival at New Orleans. 
 The health enjoyed by the young ladies of the prairies, added to 
 their active and industrious habits, gives them bloom and beau 
 ty which cast the belles of other districts into the shade. It is 
 a singular fact, that for thirteen winters past, the reigning 
 toast in the Orleans ball rooms has been, almost, always from 
 Attakapas, or Oppelousas. 
 
 The topography of thosa counties are pretty accurately de 
 lineated on Darby s mipof Louisiana. His book is a very in 
 ferior production to his map, and not much to be relied on as 
 useful information. I will here add a few words concerning the 
 soil and its productions, but as these vary in an extent of coun 
 try, containing about 300, 000 square miles, I will consider the 
 districts separately. 
 
 O;}pelou<:is, lying to the north-west of Attakapas, is well 
 calculated for a grazing country. Its prairies are very exten 
 sive, and the greater parts of the land second and third rate. 
 The lands of the best quality in this country are in its south 
 west corner, consisting of a strip about 26 miles long; and eight 
 wide. In this tract are situated many large plantations which 
 yield immense profits to their proprietors. The northern part 
 of the country, bordering on Rapide district, is poor land, and 
 the western section which skirts the Gulph and the River Sa- 
 biue, is little better. Those lands, however, produce tolerable 
 corn, and a coarse luxuriant grass which can feed cattle enough 
 to supply the home and West India markets. 
 
 Attakapas is divided into two parishes, St. Mary and St. Mar 
 tin. The Vermilion river rises in Oppelousas, and on entering 
 St. Martin s becomes a considerable stream. The lands on its 
 banks are high and generally of the best quality. After a 
 course of ninety miles in ttiis parish it falls into a bay of the 
 same naui3 near the 30th degree of north lattitude. Between 
 the Vermilllon aad the Minton (the western limit of Attakapas) 
 lies a prairie country which in soil is nothing remarkable, but 
 affords excellent pasairago. 
 
 Ths Tesche, likewise, rises in Oppelousas near the source of 
 the Vermillion. Its general course is to the south east, pier 
 cing the western sections of St. Martin and St. Mary. It 
 meets the Alchalfallaya at Berwick s bay, and is navigable for 
 seventy miles from its mouth for the largest boats, and for smal 
 ler craft almost to its source. From the line of Oppelousas to 
 Berwick s bay, a distance of more than ninety miles, there is 
 no soil on its banks which is not first rate. As it approaches 
 the sea, however, the land is thought to improve, and the cli 
 mate certainly becomes more favorable to the culture of sugar. 
 Between the upper part of the Tesche and the Vermillion, in 
 33* 
 
390 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 the Parish of St. Martin, lies a rich tract of country principal 
 ly prairie- It is as yet very partially settled, owing to the 
 scarcity of wood. This cannot form a permanent impediment, 
 as trees, when planted in those meadows and shielded from 
 the vernal burnings of the grass, thrives faster than any soil J 
 have ever seen. Several persons have already tried the ex 
 periment, and find four or five years sufficient to grow any 
 supply of fire wood they may want. Besides, there is not any 
 part of the rich meadows of Attakapas more than five miles 
 distant from plenty of wood. The climate is, at the same time 
 so mild that fuel is little wanted but for the kitchen. 
 
 The good lands of Oppelousas and St Martin s are best adap 
 ted to the culture of cotton. They sent to New Orleans last 
 year about 6,000 bales of fine cotton, and if the whole of their 
 rich soil was cultivated might produce annually more than six 
 ty thousand bales. About five thousand steers are each year 
 exported from those districts, which sell at home for 12 dol 
 lars each. 
 
 The parish of St. Mary s, being the southern part of the 
 tract of country under consideration, is well adapted for the 
 culture of sugar. This was doubted until some of. the enter- 
 prizing American emigrants tested it, in the last two years, 
 by the most successful experiments. It is found to succeed as 
 well, if not better, than on the Mississippi, and the cane is cer 
 tainly brought to maturity with less labor. Cotton also suc 
 ceeds remarkably weli, but will soon give way to sugar. In 
 the year 1816, this parish, with a population of about 3,000 
 souls, sent to market 2, 500 bales of cotton, 900 hogsheads of 
 sugar, and 800 beef cattle, which sold for $350,000. 
 
 Some sugar has been cultivated in Oppelousas and St. Mar 
 tin s, but owing to mismanagement, or the climate, it has not 
 succeeded well. 
 
 The parish of St. Mary is in no place more than 10 miles wide, 
 having the sea on one side and lake Platt and the Attchaffal- 
 laya on the other, which may have an influence on the early 
 frosts, and protect the cane crop till it reaches maturity. 
 
 The Tesche lands lie mostly from ten to fifteen feet above 
 the highest swells produced by the Mississippi floods. In tho 
 year 1813 and 15, when there were very great freshes, the 
 lakes between the prairies and the Mississippi, and with them 
 the Tesche, rose about 8 feet above their common level. But 
 a recurrence of this can scarcely be expected, as the levees on 
 the Great River are rapidly extending, which will prevent ita 
 waters from flowing into tho lakes. But even if the levees 
 should be demolished, the prairies are too high ever to be in 
 undated. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 391 
 
 The Vermillion is never affected by the Mississippi. The 
 lands on its banks (and indeed in every other part of the coun 
 try except (he Tesche) are from 30 to 100 feet above the level 
 of the sea. 
 
 Sloops of 100 tons can ascend to the Tesche to Nova Iberia, 
 60 miles from its mouth, though the produce of the country is 
 seldom carried direct to the ocean, the Tesch*, Atchaffallaya 
 communicate with the Mississippi by the Lafourch and Plaqua- 
 mine a voyage from any part of those rivers can be easily 
 made to New Orleans in nine days. 
 
 Along the coast of Attakapas are found four Islands, viz. 
 Belle Isle, Cole Blanche, Grand Cote, and Petite Ance, which 
 bear no resemblance to the main land, and appear to be rem 
 nants of some ancient continent. They rise several hundred 
 foot above the tides, and I would suppose originally belonged to 
 a high diversified country. Be this 83 it may, they have a 
 very fertile soil and produce the best sugar and cotton of Lou 
 isiana. The four islands contain about 7000 superficial acres of 
 good land. There are sugar establishments on all but Belle 
 isle. There are other Islands lying in tho Attchaffallaya, or 
 Berwick s bay, which have a very good sor 1 , but once in ten or 
 fifteen vears have been liable to be overflowed by the heaviest 
 swells .>f the Mississippi. 
 
 In Opr>elousas about one third of the poru ation i? Ameri- 
 icans. In St. Martin s one fifth, and in Si Mary s more than a 
 mo e y. The rest are principally French. 
 
 Lands throughout the whole country are to be had at a verv 
 low rate ; though they are rising every day in value. Go* d 
 tracts in the parish of St. Mary ?, with plenty of wood, may be 
 had for two and three dollars the acre. 
 
 With a salubrious climate, a rich soil and industrious popu 
 lation, Attakapas and Oppelousas will soon nof only be called 
 the richest counties of Louisiana, but outstrip in agriculture any 
 section of the union. Such a country is worthy of observation, 
 and with the hope that the remarks I have made may result to 
 the advantage of emigrants, I submit them to my countrymen. 
 
 As every thing relating to the grand events which gave birth 
 to our national independence are, and ought to be interesting 
 to present and future generations, we insert below, a letter 
 from the late President Adams to Mr. Niles, editor of the week 
 ly Register, published at Baltimore. The letter is preceded 
 by remarks from the pen of that very able editor. 
 
 Those who delight to trace the early dawnings of the Ameri 
 can Revolution, in the emphatical meaning of the venerable 
 writer of the following article, and to ascertain the feelings 
 and character of some of those who first laboured to bring about 
 an event, the effect of which has only just begun, with conse- 
 
392 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 qucnces in its train which no man can estimate, will be grate 
 ful for this tribute to the memory of the illustrious dead, from 
 the pen of such -i distinguished co-adjutor arid co-patriot, as 
 John Adams. Zealous to afford the pabulum animi to the re 
 publican American, and convinced that in such things he will 
 find new causes to love his country and those who emancipated 
 it, we feel an honest pride in being made the medium for giving 
 them to our fellow citizens ; who, if we do not greatly mistake 
 the public feeling, indeed, will joyfully receive information that 
 a sketch of the character of Samuel Adams may be expected 
 from the pen of his distinguished cousin, counsellor, co-actor, 
 and friend. 
 
 Quincy, February 13, 1818. 
 
 MR. NILES The American Revolution was not a common 
 event. Its effects nnd consequences have already been awful 
 over a great part of th.j ^ Jobe. And when and where are they 
 to cease ? 
 
 But what do we me.-;;! bj? the Ani"rican Revolution? Do \vc 
 mean the American war? The Resolution was effected before 
 the War commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and 
 hearts of the people.. A change in their religious sentiments, of 
 their duties and obligations. While the king and all in authori 
 ty under him, were believed to govern in justice and merey 
 according to the laws and constitution derived to them from 
 the God of nature, and transmitted to them by their ancestors 
 they thought themselves bound to pray for the king and 
 queen and all the royal family, and all in authority under them ; 
 as ministers ordained of God for their good. But when they 
 saw those powers renouncing ail the principles of authority, 
 and bent upon the destruction of all the securities of their lives, 
 liberties, and properties, they thought it their duty to pray for 
 the continental congress, and all the thirteen etalo con 
 gresses. 
 
 There might be, and there were others, who thought less 
 about religion und conscience, but had certain habitual senti 
 ments of allegiance and loyalty derived from their education ; 
 but believing allegiance and protection to be reciprocal, when 
 protection was withdrawn, they thought allegiance was dis 
 solved. 
 
 Another alteration was common to all. The people of Ame 
 rica had been educated in an habitual affection for England as 
 their mother country ; and while they thought her a kind and 
 tender parent, (erroneously enough however, for she never was 
 such a mother,) no affcction could be more sincere. But when 
 they found her a cruel beldam, willing, like lady Macbeth, to 
 " dash their brains out," it is no wonder if their filial affections 
 and were changed into indignation and hoiror. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 393 
 
 This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, 
 and affections of the people, was the real American Revolu 
 tion. 
 
 By what means, this irreat and important al er-ition in the 
 religioii>!, moral, political, and social char-actor of the people 
 of thirteen colonies, all distinct, unconnected, and independent 
 of each other, was begun, pursued, and accomplished, it is 
 surely interesting to humi-.uty to investigate, and perpetuate to 
 posterity. 
 
 To this end it is greatly to be desired that young gentlemen 
 of letters, in ali the states, especially in the thirteen original 
 stales. w.nKl under uke (he labjri-J is. but certainly interesting 
 and amusing ta^k, of searching and collecting all the records, 
 pamphlets, new-papers, and even hand-bills, which in any way 
 contributed to c.uinge lue temper and views of the people, and 
 compiso them into an independent nation. 
 
 Tiie colonies had grown up under constitutions of government 
 so different, there \\MS so great a variety of religions, they were 
 ?ed of so m::ny -lirTerent nations, their customs, manners 
 and habits had s Ihtie resemblance, and their intercourse had 
 Leea so ra e. and their knowledge of each other so imperfect, 
 that to unite them in the same principles in theory, and the 
 same system of action, was certainly a very difficult enterprise. 
 The complete accomplishment of it, in so short a time, and by 
 such simple means, was perhaps, a singular example in the his 
 tory of mankind. Thirteen clocks were made to strike to 
 gether ; a perfection of mechanism which no artist had ever 
 before effected. 
 
 In this research, the g-lonoroles of individual gentlemen and 
 of separate states is of little c msequence. The means and the 
 measures are the proper objects of investigation. These may 
 be of use to posterity, not only in this nation, but in South 
 America, and all other outlines. They may teach mankind, 
 that revolutions are no trifles ; they ougat never to be under 
 taken rashly ; nor without deliberate consideration and sober 
 reflection; nor without a solid, immutable, eternal foundation 
 of justice and humanity; nor without a people possessed of in 
 telligence, fortitude, and integrity, sufficient to carry them with 
 steadiness, patience, and perseverance, through all the vici-^i- 
 tudes of fortune, the fiery trials and melancholy disasters they 
 may have to encounter. 
 
 The town of Boston early instituted an annual oration on the 
 fourth of July, in commemoration of the principles and feelings 
 which contributed to produce the revolution. Many of those 
 orations I have heard, and all that I could obtain I have read. 
 Much ingenuity and eloquence appear upon every subject, ex 
 cept those principles and feelings. That of my honest and 
 
394 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 amiable neighbour, Josiah Quincy, appeared to me the most 
 directly to the purpose of the institution. Those principles 
 and feelings ought to be traced back for two hundred years, and 
 sought in t.he history of the country from the first plantations 
 in America. Nor should the principles and feelings of the Eng 
 lish and Scotch towards the colonies, through that whole period, 
 ever be forgotten. The perpetual discordance between British 
 principles and feelings and those of America, the next year af 
 ter the suppression of the French power in America, came to a 
 crisis, and produced an explosion. 
 
 It was not until after the annihilation of the French dominion 
 in America, that any British ministry had dared to gratify their 
 own wishes, and the desire of the nation, by projecting a formal 
 plan for raising a national revenue from America, by parlia 
 mentary taxation. The first great manifestation of this design 
 was by the order to carry into strict execution those acts of 
 parliament which were well known by the appellation of the 
 acts of trade, which had lain a dead letter, unexecuted for half 
 a century, and some of them I believe for nearly a whole one. 
 
 This produced, in 1760 and 1761, an awakening and a revival 
 of American principles and feelings, with an enthusiasm which 
 went on increasing, till, in 1775, it burst out in open violence, 
 hostility, and fury. 
 
 The characters, the most conspicuous, the most ardent and 
 influential, in this revival from 1760 to 1766, were first and 
 foremost, before all and above all, James Otis; next to him 
 was Oxenbridge Thatcher ; next to him Samuel Adams ; next 
 to him John Hancock ; then Dr. Mayhew, then Dr. Cooper 
 and his brother. Of Mr. Hancock s life, character, generous 
 nature, great and disinterested sacrifices, and important servi 
 ces, I should be glad to write a volume. But this I hope will 
 be done by some younger and abler hand. Mr. Thatcher, be 
 cause his name and merits are less known, must not be wholly 
 omitted. This gentleman was an eminent barrister at law, in 
 as large practice as any one in Boston. There was not a citi 
 zen of that town more universally beloved for his learning, in 
 genuity, every domestic and social virtue, and conscientious 
 conduct in every relation of life. His patriotism was as ardent 
 as his progenitors had been ancient and illustrious in this cifKin- 
 try. Hutchinton often said, ik Thatcher was not born a plebeian, 
 but ho was determined to die one." In May, 1763, I believe, 
 he was chosen by the town of Boston one of their representa 
 tives in the legislature, a colleague with Mr. Otis, who had 
 been amemberlrom May 1761, and hecontinued to be re-elect 
 ed annually till his death in 1765, when Mr. Samuel Adams 
 was elected to fill his place, in the absence of Mr. Otis, then 
 attending the congress at New York. Thatcher had long been 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 305 
 
 jealous of the unbounded ambition of Mr. Hutchinson, but when 
 he found him not content with ihe officeof lieutenant governor, 
 the command of the castle, and its emoluments, of judge of pro 
 bate for the county of Suffolk, a seat in his majesty s council in 
 the legislature, his brother-in-law secretary of state by the 
 king s commision, a brother of that secretary of state a judge 
 of the supreme court and a member of council, now in 1760 and 
 1761, soliciting and accepting the office of chief justice of the 
 superior court of judicature, lie concluded, as Mr. Otis did, and 
 a? every enlightened friend of his country did, that he sought 
 that office with the determined purpose of determining all causes 
 in favor of the ministry at St. James 1 and their servile parlia 
 ment. 
 
 Hia indignation against him henceforward, to 1765, when he 
 died, knew no bounds but truth. I speak from personal know 
 ledge For, from 1758 to 1765, I attended every superior and 
 inferior court in Boston, and recollect not one in which he did 
 not invite me home to spend evenings with him, when he made 
 me converse with him as well ag I could, on all subjects of reli 
 gion, moral?, law, politics, history, philosophy, belle-lettres, 
 theology, rnytholog-y,co?mogony, melaphysicks, Locke, Clark, 
 Leibnitz, Bolingbroke, Berkley, the pre-established harmony 
 of the universe, the nature of matter and spirit, and the eternal 
 establishment of coincidences between their operation ; fate, 
 foreknowledge, absolute and we reasoned on such unfathom 
 able subjects as high as Milton s gentry in pandemonium ; and 
 we understood them as well as they did, and no better. To such 
 mighty mysteries he added the news of the day, and the tittle 
 tattle of the town. But his favorite subject was politics, and 
 the impending threatening system of parliamentary taxation, 
 and universal government over the colonies. On this subject 
 he was so anxious and agitated that I have no doubt it occa 
 sioned his premature death. From the time when he argued 
 the question of writs of assistance to his death, he considered 
 the king, ministry, parliament and nation of Great Britain, as 
 determined to new model the colonies from the foundation; to 
 annul all their charters, to constitute them all royal govern 
 ments; to raise a revenue in America by parliamentary taxa 
 tion; to apply that revenue to pay the salaries of governors, 
 judges, and all other crown officers; and after all this, to raise 
 as large a revenue as they pleased, to be applied to national 
 purposes, at the exchequer in England ; and further, to estab 
 lish bishops, and the whole system of the church of England, 
 tythes and all, throughout nil Briusii America. This system, 
 he said, if it was suffered to prevail, would extinguish the flame 
 of liberty all over the world ; that America would he employed 
 as an engine to batter down all the miserable remains cf liberty 
 
396 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 in Great Britain and Ireland, where only any semblance of it 
 was left in the world. To this system he considered Hutchin- 
 son, the Olivers, and all their connexions, dependents, adher 
 ents, shoelickers all entirely devoted. He asserted that they 
 were all engaged with all the crown officers in America, and 
 the understrappers of the ministry in England, in a deep and 
 treasonable conspiracy to betray the liberties of their country, 
 for their own private, personal, and family aggrandizement. 
 His philippicks against the unprincipled ambition and avarice 
 of all of them, but especially of Hutchinson, were unbridled; 
 not only In private, confidential conversations, but in all com 
 panies, and on all occasions, he gave Hutchinson the sobri 
 quet of" Sum ma Potestatis," and rarely mentioned him but by 
 the name of " Surnma." His liberties of speech were no secrets 
 to his enemies. I have sometimes wondered that they did not 
 throw him over the bar, as they did toon afterwards major 
 Hawley. For they hated him worse than they did James Otis, 
 or Samuel Adorns, and they feared him more, because they had 
 no revenge for a father s disappointment of a seal on the supe 
 rior bench, to impute to him, as they did to Otis ; and Thatch 
 er s character through life had been so modest, decent, unas 
 suming, hie morals so pure, and his religion so venerated, that 
 they dared not attack him. In his office were educated to the 
 bar, two eminent characters, the late judge Lowell, and Josiah 
 Quincy, aptly called the Boston Cicero. Mr. Thatcher s frame 
 was slender, his constitution delicate ; whether his physicians 
 overstrained his vessels with mercury, when he had the sirnll 
 pox by inoculation at the castle, or whether he was overlived 
 bj public anxieties and exeitions, the small pox left him in a 
 decline from which he never recovered. Not long 1 before his 
 death, he sent for me to commit to my care sc me of his business 
 at the bar. I asked him whether lie had seen the Virginia re 
 solves : " Oh yes they are men ! They are noble spirit?! It 
 kills me to think of the lethargy and stupidity that prevail here. 
 I long to be out. I will go out. I will go out. I will go into 
 court, and make a speech which shall be read after my death, 
 as my dying testimony against this infernal tyranny they ure 
 bringing upon u?." Seeing the violent ablation into which it 
 threw him, I changed (be subject as soon as possible, and retir 
 ed. He hf;d been ccr.firt d for seme time. Had he been abroad 
 among the people, he wc.uld i.ot have complained so pathetical 
 ly of the ie .hargy and rtupidity that prevailed," for town find 
 country were all olive; Mid in August became active enough, 
 and feme of the people j rccecded to unwarrantable excesses, 
 which were more lamented by the patriots, than by their ene 
 mies. Mr. Thatcher soon died, deeply lamented by all the 
 friends of their country. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 397 
 
 Another gentleman who had great influence in the com 
 mencement of the revolution,, \vas doctor Jonathan Mayhew, a 
 descendant of the ancient governor of Martha s Vineyard. 
 This divine had raised a great reputation, both in Europe and 
 America, by the publication of a volume of seven sermons in 
 the reign of king George the second, 1749, and by many other 
 writings; particularlv a sermon in 1750, on the thirtieth of 
 January, on the subject of passive obedience and non-resistance, 
 ia which the saints hip and martyrdom of king Charles the first 
 a r e considered, seasoned with u it and satire superior to any in 
 JSwift or Franklin. It was read by every body ; celebrated by 
 friends, and abused by enemies. During the reigns of king 
 George the first and king George the second, the reigns of the 
 Stuarts, the two Jameses and the two Charleses were in gene 
 ral disgrace in England. In America, t!ioy had always been 
 held in abhorrence. The persecutions and cruelties Buffered 
 by their ancestors under those reigns, had been transmitted by 
 history and traditi ->n ; and Mayhew seemed to be raised up to 
 revive all their airrnosity against tyrauni , in church and state, 
 and at the same time to destroy their bigotry, fanaticism and 
 inconsistency. David Hume s plausible, elegant, fascinating, 
 and fallacious apology, in which he varnished over the crimes 
 of the Stuarts, had not then appeared. To draw the character 
 of Mayhew would be to transcribe a dozen volumes. This 
 transcendant genius threw all the weight of his great fame into 
 the scale of his country in 1761, agd maintained it there with 
 zeal and ardor till his death in 1765. In 1763 appeared the 
 controversy between him and Mr. Apthorp, Mr. Caner, Dr. 
 Johnson and Archbishop Seeker, on the charter and conduct of 
 the society for propagating the gospel in foreign parts. To 
 form a judgment of this debate, I beg leave to refer to a review 
 of the whole, printed at the time, and written by Samu 1 Adams 
 though by some, very absurdly and erroneously, ascribed to 
 Mr. Aplhorn. If I am not mistaken, it will be found a model 
 of candor, sagacity, impartiality, and close, correct reasoning. 
 
 If any gentleman supposes this controversy to be nothing to 
 the present purpose, he is grossly mistaken. It spread an uni 
 versal alarm against he authority ef parliament. It exctted a 
 general and j.^t apprehension that bishops and dioceses, and 
 churches, and priests and tythes, were to be imposed upon us 
 by parliament. It was known that neither king nor ministry, 
 nor archbishops, could appoint bishops in America without an 
 act of parliament; and if parliament could tax us, thev could 
 establish the church of England with all its creeds, articles, 
 tests, ceremonies and tythes, and prohibit all other churcncs a* 
 conventicles and schism shops. 
 34 
 
398 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 WormustMr. Gushing be forgotten. His good sense and 
 sound judgment, (he urbanity of his manners, his universal good 
 character, his numerous friends and connexions, and his con 
 tinual intercourse with fill sorts of people, added to his constant 
 attachment to the liberties of his country, gave him a great and 
 salutary influence from the beginning in 1760. 
 
 Let me recommend these hints to the consideration of Mr. 
 Wirt, whose life of Mr. Henry I have read with great delight. 
 I think, t ns.it after mature investigation he will be convinced 
 that Mr. Henry did not " give the first impulse to the ball cf 
 independency" and that Otis, Thatcher, Samuel Adams, May- 
 hew, Hancock, Gushing, and thousands of others were laboring 
 for several years at the wheel, before the name of Mr. Hen;y 
 was heard beyond the limits of Virginia. 
 
 COMPARATIVE ESTIMATE OF THE 
 Population of the United States. 
 
 The northern and eastern sections of the Union are far less 
 favoured by nature for the production of the fruits of the earth, 
 than the southern and western. And hence emigrations are 
 frequent, and the. drain of inhabitants great. And yet the fact 
 is evident, that in New England the population is constantly 
 and rapidly increasing. By comparing the census of 1810 with 
 that of 18:20, we pereeive a very regular progression, and with 
 very few exceptions, an increase equal to that which might be 
 expected, even without the loss of emigrants. During the ten 
 years mentioned, in Maine, the most barren state in New Eng 
 land, the nett gain of inhabitants was near 70,000 being an ad 
 dition of nearly one third of its former numbers. The increase 
 was in all the counties. In the same time New Hampshire 
 pained about 30,000, being an increase of more than one ninth 
 of her former numbers, and no loss in eitber of her counties. 
 In Vermont, the increase was about 18,000, and no loss in any 
 section of the state. In Massachusetts, the gain was 51,000, 
 being an increase of about one eighth. Berkshire county lost 
 two hundred and seventeen, and Duke s county gained but two. 
 In Rhode Island, the gain was much less than might be expect 
 ed, considering the flourishing state of manufactures, and the 
 encouragement held out to enterprise. The whole increase 
 was hut aboui r< 6,000, being one twelfth of her former popula 
 tion. In Newport county, the loss was about five hundred. 
 In Connecticut, the gain was 14,000, being an increase of about 
 one twentieth of its former numbers. Thus the nett increase 
 in the New England states, during ten years, was 183,000. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 399 
 
 \Ve come now (o*the great state of New York, which is di 
 vided into four large district?, viz. South, Middle, Eastern, and 
 Western. The gain of inhabitants in the South, during ten 
 year;;, W as nearly 39.000, of which New York city and county 
 received about 27.00Q. The gain in the Middle district was 
 37.000. In the Eastern, the increase was 23.000, in which is 
 Washington county, which lost during this time, nearly six 
 thousand. The greatest increment was in the Western dis 
 trict, which nearly doubled in the aggregate, and some of the 
 counties of which, more than tripled their former numbers. 
 St. Lawrence, Courtland, Broome, and Ontario doubled; and 
 Genesee increased more than fuur fold. The "hole gain in the 
 state was 413,763, which is an addition to the census of 1810, 
 of one half, wanting a fraction. The population of the state 
 may now be fairly estimated at sixteen hundred thousand. New 
 Jersey exhibiis a" regular progression, having ad-led to her pop 
 ulation but thirty-two thousand, each of the counties uaving 
 ccntribnted about a fair proportion. The addition is about on* 
 seventh in ten years. Pennsylvania exhibits a considerable 
 increase during this period, but the result in the different coun 
 ties is verv unequal. Cleafiold, Erie, Jefferson. M Kean, Tiog?, 
 and Warren, have about cl- . :::i some of them more than 
 
 tripled their numbers, while Cumberland. Daupnin, and North 
 ampton, have lost thousands, and Northumberland, alone, twen 
 ty-one thousand, bein:* three thousand more thr.n half its former 
 inhabitant*. The whole increment to the slate during ten 
 years, was 239.307, of which Philadelphia city and county claim 
 nearly twenty-six thousand. Delaware had gained but seven 
 ty-five during this time, the whole population in 1820, amounting 
 to less than 73,000. In Maryland, the following counties di 
 minished about thirteen thousand in ten years, viz. Charles, 
 Montgomery, Harford, Q,;;een Ann, and Dorchester. The 
 whole gain in the state, however, was near twenty-seven thou 
 sand, the whole population being more than four hundred and 
 seven thousand. 
 
 Having now come in course to the District of Columbia, a 
 particular description may be desirable, at least so far as the 
 principal city is worthy of note. 
 
 Washington city, the metropolis of the United States, is 
 pleasantly situated on the N. E. bank of the river Potomac, at 
 the point of land formed by the junction of the Eastern branch, 
 200 miles from the mouth of the river, and 3 miles below the 
 head of the tide. It is separated from Georgetown on the N. 
 W. by Rock creek, and Tyber creek passes though the middle 
 of the city. Washington is regularly laid out in streets running 
 due north and south, intersected by others at risrht angle?. Be 
 sides these streets, which are from SO to 110 feet wide, there 
 
400 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 are avenues, from 130 to 160 feet broad,* which diverge from 
 centres in various parts of the city, crossing the other streets 
 transversely. At the points from which the avenues diverge 
 are spacious squares. The ground embraced in the plan of the 
 city is very exiensive, but only a small portion of it is yet occu 
 pied with buildings. 
 
 The principal public buildings and establishments aie, 1- The 
 Capitol, which is finely situated on an eminence, commanding 
 a view of every part of the city, and a considerable portion of 
 the adjacent country. According to the original plan, it is to 
 be composed of a central edifice and two wings. The two wings 
 were in a state of considerab e forwardness io 1814, when the 
 British arn y, under general Ross, gained possession of the city 
 and destroyed (hem, together with the President s house end 
 other public structures, and an extensive library, which had 
 been purchased for the use of Congress. The \\ings of tt.e 
 capitol are now rebuilt, and the centra] building has been com 
 menced. The wings are each 100 feet square, and the whole 
 building, when completed, will be a magnificent edifice, pre 
 senting a front of 862 feet. 2. The President s house, situated 
 about a mile and a half west of the capitol, on the avenue lead 
 ing to Georgetown. It is 170 feet by 85, and two stories high. 
 3. Four spacious buildings erected in the vicinity of the Presi 
 dent s house, for the accommodation of the heads of the great 
 departments of government. 4. An extensive navy yard, situ 
 ated on the Eastern branch, which forms a safe and commodi 
 ous harbour. 5. A fort, which, from the extreme southern 
 point of the land on which the city stands, commands the chan 
 nel of the Potomac, and, 6. the general post-office, a brick edi 
 fice, about a mile YV. N. YV. of the capitol. The style of the 
 architecture of the capitol is Corinthian, and that of the preai- 
 dent s house, Ionic; and both buildings are constructed of free 
 clone. The capitol square is enclosed by a strong and handsome 
 iron railing; and being planted with trees, and otherwise or 
 namented, will afford a delightful walk for the inhabitants and 
 visitors of the city. The amount expended by the United States 
 on the public buildings, previously to their destruction by the 
 British, in August, 1814, was $1,214,291, and there have been 
 appropriated towards rebuilding the same, $1,207,783. 
 
 Besides the buildings and establishments above enumerated, 
 Washington contains a city hall, a theatre, a college, 4 hanks, 
 several manufacturing establishments, and \2 houses for public 
 worship, 3 for Presbyteiians, 2 for Episcopalians, 2 for Baptists, 
 2 for Methodists, 2 for Catholics, and 1 for Friends. There is 
 a Hridge about one mile long over the Polornac, three over the 
 Eastern Branch, and 2 over Rock creek. The population of 
 Washington in 1800 was 3,210; in 1310, 8,208 ; and in 1820, 
 13,247, of wLurn 3,741 were blacks. 
 
THE UNITED STATBb. 40i 
 
 The whole gain in the district, during ten years, was nine 
 thousand. 
 
 The southern states except Alabama, Mississippi, and Lou 
 isiana, afford but small inducements for the settlement of emi 
 grants. The two former have considerably increased, and the 
 latter nearly doubled her numbers in ten years. Tennessee 
 has increabed in the same ratio, and Kentucky has gained more 
 than fifteen thousand annually, numbering at the last census 
 nearly six hundred thousand. But in point of gain in num 
 bers," Ohio takes the lead of all her sister states, having in 
 creased from 1810 to 1820, 350,674, and, at the last census, 
 was noted down at 581, 434. 
 
 Having now digressed a little from the track of history, with 
 out entirely losing our way, we shall return to the thread of 
 our work, as connected more particularly with the doings of 
 our government. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 President Monroe s Administration. 
 
 Mr Monroe was sworn into office as President of the Uni ed 
 Slates, on the fourth of March 1817, and entered on his duties, 
 under favourable auspices. On his accession to the presidency, 
 tlie country was in a prosperous state. War had ceased, and 
 with it much of the asperity of political excitement, and party 
 bickering. But to repair the losses of the war, and to regain 
 the commercial prosperity which had been uearly annihilated, 
 was not the work of a moment. Much of the commerce to 
 which^our attention had been turned, had fallen into other 
 hands, and ship building excepting for the navy, had been near 
 ly forgotten. Our country was inundated by foreign fabrics, 
 and the specie which had been borrowed at a great premium, 
 was fast leaving the country. But still, the inaugural address 
 of "the president was encouraging, and he anticipated a return 
 of our former prosperity. 
 
 During the summer and autumn of 1817, the president made 
 a tour through the northern and eastern sections of the union, 
 where his presence was welcomed with the greatest cordiality, 
 and party feeling seemed merged in national patriotism. But, 
 in this journey, the national interestg were a principal object. 
 Large sums had been appropriated by the national legislature 
 for the defence of the sea coast, the safety of our inland fron 
 tier, the increase of the navy, and the establishments of nation- 
 
 34* 
 
402 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 al docks; the superintendence of which was committed to the 
 president. That he might discharge his duties with fidelity and 
 judgment, he determined to obtain the necessary information 
 by personal observation. From Washington, which he left on 
 the first of June, he went by land to Boston, passing through 
 the principal cities on his route, amidst the congratulations and 
 benedictions of a happy people. From Boston where he spent 
 several days, he passed through Salem, Nevvburyport, and 
 Portsmouth, to Portland, whence his course was directed to 
 Plattsburg, N. Y. This important post occcupied his atten 
 tion several days. His course thence was directed to Detroit, 
 through Ogdensburg and Sacketts Harbour. On the 17th of 
 September, he arrived at Washington, having travelled three 
 thousand miles in little more than three months. 
 
 On the first of December, congress convened ; and themes- 
 sage of the president stated that our national credit was rising, 
 and that the defences of the country were in a state of forward 
 ness ; that arrangements were made with Great Britain, to re 
 duce the naval force of the two countries on the lakes; that each 
 country was to retain possession of the islands aa before the 
 late war ; and that our foreign relations were of a pacific 
 character. He also specially recommended the officers and 
 soldiers of the revolutionary army, to the notice of congress-, 
 and pressingly advocated a repeal of the internal duties, as 
 needless to be continued any longer. 
 
 Mississippi was admitted into the union, as an independent 
 state, on the eleventh, with the usual formalities. In the 
 course of the same month, an expedition which had been set oh 
 foot against Florida, by foreign adventurers, was checked by 
 the troops of the United States. The actors claimed authority 
 under the colonies of South America, and had formed an estab 
 lishment at Amelia Island, a Spanish province. The Ameri 
 can government therefore saw proper to take possession of the 
 island, and break up the haunt of a lawless banditti. 
 
 Another establishment similar in its profession and practices, 
 was formed at Galvezton, an island on the Texas coast, be 
 longing to the United States. Slaves in considerable numbers 
 were thuaemuggled into the country, and importations of goods 
 were made through the same channel, in a clandestine manner. 
 A naval force, with troops was sent against them, and the 
 island surrendered without loss of blood. 
 
 During this session several important bills passed the ordeal 
 of congress, particularly that for the relief of revolutionary of 
 ficers and soldiers. In April 1818, Illinois adopted a state 
 constitution, and in December following, was admitted into the 
 union. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 403 
 
 In May 1318, the president left Washington, to view the ex 
 tensive shores of the Chesapeake bay, and embarking at An* 
 napolis, examined the coast and wafers, with a view of ascer 
 taining the propriety of establishing a naval depot in that vicin 
 ity, and having accomplished the object of his visit, returned 
 through Virginia, to the seat of government, which he reached 
 on the 17th of June. He every where experienced the same 
 welcome reception which he met in his tour through the 
 northern states during the preceding year. 
 
 On the 27th of May, the president and senate ratified the 
 treaty, concluded between Mr. Russel and the Swedish govern 
 ment, and the same was ratified by the king of Sweden, on 
 the 24th of July following. 
 
 The Seminofe Indians, urged on as is supposed by foreign 
 emissaries who resided among them, and several murders were 
 committed, but the Indians refused to give up the guilty, alle 
 ging that the whites were the original aggressors. In conse 
 quence of this refusal, general Gaines was ordered to remove, 
 discretionaly, such Indians as were still on the lands ceded by 
 the Creeks to the United States. 
 
 In the execution of this order one man and woman were kil 
 led, and two women made prisoners. Soon after this, the In 
 dians fired on a second detachment who resisted them, anj a 
 skirmish ensued, in which several were killed and wounded. 
 
 Shortly after this event, Lieutenant Scott, with a detach 
 ment of forty men, seven women, and some children, ascen 
 ding the Appalachicula, with supplies for the garrison at Fort 
 Scott, were attacked, and the whole party killed, excepting six 
 men, who made their escape, anJ a woman who was taken 
 prisoner. 
 
 From this time, the war became serious. The Indians, in 
 considerable numbers, were embodied, and an open attack was 
 made on Fort Scott, to which general Gaines with about six 
 hundred regular soldiers \rasfor a time confined. Information 
 of tkis state of things being communicated to the department 
 of war, general Jackson was ordered, Dec. 26, to take the 
 iieKl, and directed if he should deera the force with general 
 Gaines, amounting to one thousand and eight hundred men, 
 insufficient to cope with the enemy, " to call on the executives 
 of the adjacent states for such, an additional ruiliua force as he 
 might deem requisite." Oa the receipt of this order, general 
 Jackson prepared to complj ; but instead of calling on the exe 
 cutives of the neighbouring states, especially on the governour of 
 Tenaesse, who lived near his residence, he addressed a circu 
 lar to the patriots of West Tennessee, inviting one thousand of 
 them to join his standard. 
 
4Q4 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 At the same time he wrote to the governour of Tennessee, 
 M Minn, informing him of the apj.eal he had made to the men 
 xvhom he had led to victory on the plains of Talledega, Emuck- 
 fau, and Tohopeko, and added, " should the appeal prove inef 
 ficacious, I will embrace the earliest opportunity of making the 
 requisition on you for a like number of drafted militia." The 
 call of general Jackson was promptly obeyed, and the thousand 
 volunteers, officered by the general, or by the volunteers them 
 selves, were ordered to Fort Scott. 
 
 Before taking up his march, he wrote, Jan. 12th, to the sec 
 retary of war, apprising him of the appeal he had made to the 
 Tennt ssceans, assigning as his reason for such a step, that he 
 deernod I he force with general Gaines, one thousand eight 
 hundred, insufficient, and " that the greater portion of this 
 number were drafted militia from Georgia, who might apply 
 for their discharge at the expiraU >n of three months from the 
 time they were mustered," aboul the dine he should probably 
 reach Fort Scott. To this commutwcation the secretary re 
 plied " I have the honour to acquaint you of the entire appro 
 bation of the president, of all the measures which you have 
 adopted to terminate the rupture with the Indians." 
 
 Believing that the Seminoles could not be subdued, unless 
 they were followed into Florida, general Jackson marched up 
 on St. Marks, a weak garrison, where a portion of them had 
 taken refuge. Possession of the fort was taken easily, and oc 
 cupied by Jackson as an American post. The main army then 
 marched to Stiwanoy river, where they consumed an lu 
 dian village. At this time the court, martial was held, at which 
 Alexander Arbuthnot, and Robert C. Ambrister were tried and 
 condemned to death. Two Ind.aa chief s were hung without 
 trial. The following is extracted from the doings of the court. 
 
 " The court, on examination of evidence, and^on mature de 
 liberation, find the prisoner, Robert C. Ambrister, guilty of the 
 first and second charges, and do therefore sentence him to suf 
 fer death by being 1 shot. The members requesting a reconsid 
 eration of the vote on this sentence, and it being had, they 
 sentence the prisoner to receive fifty siripes on his bare hack, 
 and be confined with a ball and chain, to hard labour for 
 twelve caltndar months. The commanding general approves 
 the finding 1 and sentence of the .court, in the case of A. Ar 
 buthnot, and approves the finding ami first sentence of the 
 court, in the ease of Robert C. Aoibrister, and disapproves the 
 reconsideration of the sentence of the honourable court in this 
 case. 
 
 " It appears from the evidence and pleading of the prisoner, 
 that he did lead and command within the territory of Spain, 
 (being a subject of Great Britain,) the Indians in war against 
 
THE UMTED STATES. 405 
 
 the United Slates, those nations beia^ at peace. It. is an es 
 tablished principle of the laivs of nations, that any individual of 
 a nation, making war against th ci izens of any other nation, 
 they being" at peace, forfeits his allegiance, and becomes an out 
 law and pirate. This is the case of Robert C. Ambrisler clear 
 ly shown by the evidence adduced. 
 
 * The commanding- genera! orders that brevet Major A. C. 
 D. Fanning-, of the coips of artillery, will have betweea the 
 hours of eig : it and nine o clock, A. M. A. Arbuthnot suspen 
 ded by the neck with a rope, un il he is dead, and Robert O 
 Ambrister to be shot to death., agreeably to the sentence of tho 
 court." 
 
 General Jick^on soon received information, that the gover 
 nor of Pensacola favourtd the Indians, on the knowledge of 
 which, he took up the line of march for the capital, where he 
 arrived, at the end of twenty days. The place was taken with 
 hardly a show of resistance. The governor having escaped to 
 Barancas, a fort six miles d:sUuu, it was invested by the Amer 
 ican troops, and taken, after a resistance of two days, the troops 
 being transported to Havana. A military government was iu- 
 siituted ot W:]icii information wa^ given to the secretary of 
 wir. The president, however, soon restored the country to 
 the Spaniards, giving 1 the reasons for its occupation, 
 
 Tue singular ptevs taken by the commanding general in 
 this affair excited considerable sensaiions in tne minds of 
 Americans, and the subj /c s of complaint were brought before 
 congress. A military committee censuied his conduct, but tiie 
 iiouse d u not concur. 
 
 Li January, 1019, a convention between the Uui .eJ States 
 aud Great Britain, was sane ioned by the president, and ratified 
 by the Prince Regent i;i November fjiijvving. Tiie first arti 
 cle of this instrument, gave liberty to the citizens 01 the I 
 States, to take fish on the northern, western, aod So,. 
 banks ui Newfoundland. By the second, the northern bounda 
 ries of the United States, from the Lake of the Woods to t:,e 
 fctoney Mountains were established. Tne fourth extended the 
 term of tiie convention of 1315, relative to Commerce, ten 
 years longer 
 
 In February f .llowin*. East and West Florida, with the ad 
 jacent islands, were ceded to the United States by Spa u. 
 This treaty settled the boundaiios between the two countri-a. 
 Bui tne raMficatio.i of this treaty w.is delayed by the king of 
 Spain, under preience that an expedition against Texas had 
 been fitted out by the United Slates. Tne necessary explaua- 
 ti ns were mide by thte president, an 1 a bill was introduced in 
 to Congress, to take pjs^e-sion of Florida, but the step was not 
 takwn, and iu October, the t;eaty was ratified by the king of 
 
406 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 Spain. Formal possession was given to the United States in 
 July following. 
 
 In the Spring of 1819, Arkansas was admitted into the union 
 as an independent state. During the summer, the president 
 visited the southern section of the United States, with a view 
 to the great interests of the nation. He passed through 
 Charleston, Savannah, Augusta, Nashville, the Cherokee na 
 tion, Louisville, Lexington, and thence returned to Washing 
 ton. In December, Alabama was admitted into the union. 
 This territory having long been a bone of contention, we add 
 the following : 
 
 After the peace of 1783, Georgia laid claim to this terrrito- 
 ry, and exercised jurisdiction over it, until the beginning of the 
 present century. In 1795, an act passed the legislature of 
 Georgia, by which twenty five millions of acres, of its western 
 territory, were sold to companies for five hundred thousand 
 dollars, and the purchase money was paid into the treasury. 
 The purchasers of these lands soon after sold them at advanced 
 prices. The sale of the territory excited a warm opposition in 
 Georgia, and at a subsequent meeiit.ig of the legislature, the 
 transaction was impeached on the ground of bribery, corruption, 
 and unconstitutionally. The records respecting the sale were 
 ordered to be burnt, and the five hundred thousand dollars to 
 be refunded to the purchasers. Those who had acquired titles 
 of the original purchasers instituted suiis in the federal courts. 
 In 1802, however, Georgia ceded to the United States all her 
 western territory, for one million, two hundred and fifty thou 
 sand dollars. On this event, the purchasers of the Ynzoo land 
 petitioned congress for redress and compensation. After con 
 siderable opposition, an act passed for reiaibursing them with 
 funded stock, called the ML-sit-tippi stock. 
 
 In the following year, Maine, which had formerly belonged 
 to Massachusetts was erected into an independent state, and 
 joined the federal Union. The separation from the parent 
 state was on the most amicable terms. 
 
 Mr. Monroe having been re-elected president, took the usunl 
 oath of office on the 5th of March, 1821, and Mr. Tornpkins 
 was again elected vice president. On the 10th of August, the 
 proclamation of the president announced, that Missouri was ad 
 mitted into the federal compact as an integral part. 
 
 Upon the cession of Louisiana to the United States, the dis 
 trict, which now loans the state of Louisiana, was separated 
 from the territory and made a distinct government, by thejiame 
 of the territory of Orleans. In 1811, the territory of Orleans 
 became a state, by the name of Louisiana. The remaining 
 part of the original provir.ee of Louisiana, extending to the 
 Pacific, was erected into a territorial government, and called 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 407 
 
 Missouri. In 1818-19, application was made to congress, by 
 the people of this territory, to form a state constitution. A bill 
 was accordingly introduced, for the purpose, a provision of 
 which forbade slavery or involuntary servitude. The bill, with 
 this provision, passed the house of representatives, but was re 
 jected in the senate, and, in consequence of this disagreement, 
 the measure, for the time, failed. In the session of 1819-20, 
 the bill was revived: and, after lonir and animated debates, a 
 compromise was effected, by which slavery was (o be tolerated 
 in Missouri, and forbidden in all that part of Louisiana, as ce 
 ded by Franco, lying north of 36 30 north latitude, excep*. so 
 much as was included within the limits of the state. In the 
 meantime, the people of Missouri had formed a state constitu 
 tion. When this constitution was presented to congress, in 
 lu-20-21, a provision in it, which required the legislature to pass 
 laws, " to prevent free negroes and mulattoes from coming to, 
 and settling in the state," was strenuously opposed, on the 
 ground that it violated the rights of such persons of that descrip 
 tion, as were citizens of any of the United States. The contest 
 occupied a great part of the session, and it was finally deter 
 mined, by a small majority, that Missouri should be admitted, 
 upon the fundamental condition, that the contested clause 
 should not be construed to authorise the passage of any laws, 
 excluding citizens of other sta es from enjoying rhe privileges 
 to which they are entitled, by the constitution of the United 
 States. It was also provided, that if the legislature of Missouri 
 should, by a solemn public act, previously to the 4ih Monday of 
 November, 1821, declare the assent of the state to this funda 
 mental condition, the president should issue his proclamation, 
 declaring the admission complete. On the 24th of June, 1821, 
 the legislature of Missouri assented to the fundamen al condi 
 tion ; and on the 10th of August following, the president s pro 
 clamation was issued, declaring the admission complete. 
 
 During the first session of the seventeenth Congress, a terri 
 torial government was established for Florida. At the opening 
 of the second session, the president informed Congress, that, in 
 June, a convention of navigation and commerce, resting essen 
 tially on a basis of reciprocal and equal advantage to the tro 
 countries, had b^en concluded betv een France and the United 
 States ; that the prohibition, which had been imposed on com 
 merce, between the United States and the British colonies, in 
 the West Indies and on ti.is continent, had been removed, and 
 that the ports of those colonies had been opened to the vessels 
 of the United States, by an act of the British parliament. 
 
 In a second message, a few days subsequently, the president 
 introduced to the notice of congress the interesting subject of 
 the " multiplied outrages and depredations, recently committed 
 
408 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 on our seamen and commerce by pirates, in the West Indie 
 and Gulf of Mexico," and recommended the immediate organi 
 zation of an efficient force to suppress them. A. bill was ac 
 cordingly inlroduced, authorizing the president to provide such 
 a force, and to despatch it immediately to the protection of our 
 persecuted seamen. 
 
 Immediately after the passage of the above bill, commodore 
 Porter w/as appointed to this service, and, soon afler, hoisting 
 his broad pendant on board the Peacock, stretched his way, 
 with a respectable force, to chastise those miscreants, that re 
 gard no law, and that feel no mercy. 
 
 This session closed on the 3d of March, 1823, in which little 
 business of general importance had been transacted. 
 
 At the opening of the first session of the eighteenth Congress 
 in December, the president spoke in high terms of the pros 
 perous state of the finances, and of our amicable relations with 
 foreign nations. In relation to the efforts of the executive, to 
 stop the depredations of pirates on the national commerce, the 
 president stated, that in ihe West Indies, and the gulf of Mexi 
 co, the naval force had been augmented, according to the pro 
 visions of Congress. " This armament," said he, . has been 
 eminently successful in the accomplishment of its object. The 
 piracies by which our commerce in the neighbourhood of the 
 island of Cuba had been afflicted, have been repressed, and the 
 confidence of the merchants in a great measure restored." 
 
 In allusion to the Greek revolution, the president has the 
 following judicious remarks ; and though his half-prophetic 
 wishes are not yet realised, the prospect that they will soun be 
 is certainly a bright one. " A strong hope has been long en 
 tertained, founded on the heroic struggle of the Greeks, that 
 they would succeed in their contest, and resume their equal 
 station among (he nations of the earth. It is believed that the 
 whole civilized world takes a deep interest in their wel 
 fare. Although no power has declared in their favour, yet 
 none, according to our information, has taken part against them. 
 Their cause and their name have protected ihem from dangers, 
 which might, ere this, have overwhelmed any other people. 
 The ordinary calculations of interest, and of acquisition, with a 
 view to aggrandizement, which mingle so much in the trans-ac 
 tions of nations, seem to have had no effect in regard to them. 
 From the facts which have come to our knowledge, there is 
 good cause to believe that their enemy has lost, forever, all do 
 minion over them that Greece will again become an indepen 
 dent nation. That she may obtain that rank, is the object of 
 our most ardent wishes. 
 
 Speaking of Spain and Portugal, in relation to the attempts 
 of the * Holy Alliance" to extend their political system to South 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 409 
 
 America. But on this topic, the executive observed, " The cit 
 izens of the United States cherish sentiments the most friendly in 
 favor of the liberty and happiness of their fellow men on that side 
 of the Atlantic. In the wars of the European powers, in matters 
 relating to themselves, we have never taken any part, nor does it 
 comport with our policy so to do. It is only when our rights are 
 invaded, or seriously menaced, that we resent injuries, or make 
 preparation for our defence. With the movements in this hemi 
 sphere, we are, of necessity, more immediately connected, and by 
 causes which must be obvious to all enlightened and impartial ob 
 servers. The political system of the allied powers is essentially 
 different, in this respect, from that of America. This difference 
 proceeds from that which exists in their respective governments. 
 And to the defence of our own, which has been achieved by the 
 loss of so much blood and treasure, and matured by the wisdom 
 of their most enlightened citizens, and under which we have en 
 joyed unexampled felicity, this whole nation is devoted. We 
 owe it, therefore, to candour, and to the amicable relations ex 
 isting between the United States and those powers, to declare, 
 that we should consider any attempt, on their part, to extend 
 their system to any portion of this hemisphere, as dangerous to 
 our peace and safety. With existing colonies or dependencies 
 of any European power, we have not interfered, and shall not 
 interfere. But with the governments who fcave declared their 
 independence and maintained it. and whose independence we 
 have, on great consideration and on just principles, acknowledg 
 ed, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of op-, 
 pressing them, or controlling, in any other manner, their desti 
 ny, by any European power, in any other light than as the 
 manifestation of an unfriendly disposition towards the United 
 States. In the war between those new governments and Spain, 
 we declared our neutrality at the time of their recognition, and 
 to this we have adhered, and shall continue to adhere, provided 
 no change shall occur, which, in the judgment of the competent 
 authority of this government, shall make a corresponding 
 change on the part of the United States indispensable to their 
 security." 
 
 To this language, so temperate, just, and independent, ever} 
 good citizen responded, amen. His remarks on the state of the 
 country, in the same message, are too valuable to be omitted. 
 
 "If we compare the piesent condition of our union with its 
 actual state at the close of our revolution, the history of the 
 world furnishes no example of a progress in improvement in all 
 the important circumstances which constitute the happiness of 
 a nation, which bears any resemblance to it. At the first epoch 
 our population did not exceed three millions. By the last cen 
 sus it amounted to about ten millions ; and, what is more ex- 
 35 
 
410 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 traordinary, it is almost altogether native, for the emigration 
 from other countries has been inconsiderable. At the first 
 epoch, half the territory within our acknowledged limits, was 
 uninhabited and a wilderness. Since then, new territory has 
 been acquired, of vast extent, comprising within it many rivers, 
 particularly the Mississippi, the navigation of which to the 
 ocean, was of the highest importance to the original states. 
 Over this territory our population has expanded in every direc 
 tion, and new states have been established, almost equal, in 
 number, to those which formed the first bond of our union, 
 This expansion of our population, and accession of new states 
 to our union, have had the happiest effect on all its higher in 
 terests. That it has eminently augmented our resources, and 
 added to our strength and respectability, as a power, is admitted 
 by all. But it is not in these important circumstances only, that 
 this happy effect is felt. It is manifest, that, by enlarging the 
 basis of our system, and increasing the number of states, the 
 system itself has been greatly strengthened in both its branch 
 es. Consolidation and disunion have thereby been rendered 
 equally impracticable. Each government, confiding in its own 
 strength, has less to apprehend from the other; and, in conse 
 quence, each enjoying a greater freedom of action, is rendered 
 more efficient for all the purposes for which it was instituted. :v 
 The sympathy expressed by the president for the sufferings 
 of the Greeks, called forth a resolution from Mr. Webster, pro 
 viding for the expenses of an agent to Greece, whenever the 
 executive should drem the appointment proper, and expedient. 
 In offering the resolution, Mr. Webster stated, it was far from 
 being his wish, in any manner, to commit the House, in this or 
 any of the political contests of Europe; but the president of the 
 United Stases having, in his message to Congress, not only ex 
 pressed a belief that the Greek nation in its present struggle 
 with its opposers, had the good wishes of the whole civilized 
 world, but also advanced the opinion that the Turkish dominion 
 over that country was lost forever ; he thought that if such 
 were the fact, it was important that Congress should act upon 
 the subject. The main object in view was to obtain from the 
 House an expression, responsive to the sentiment of the mes 
 sage, in reference to the sacrifices and sufferings of that heroic 
 people sacrifices and sufferings, which ought to excite the 
 sympathy of every liberal minded man in Europe, as well as in 
 this country. But whatever might be the case with other na 
 tions, we certainly, ought not to be restrained from expressing, 
 with freedom, what are our views in relation to the Greek 
 cause, so far as may be done without committing ourselves in 
 tbe contest. And he really did hope that we should shew to 
 the world, that there is at least, one government which does 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 411 
 
 entertain a proper view of that barbarous despotism, which, 
 jnder the eyes of Europe, has been permitted, by a system of 
 the foulest atrocity, to attempt to crush an interesting Christian 
 nation. 
 
 In most of our large towns and literary institutions, meetings 
 were held in reference to this subject, and resolutions adopted, 
 expressive of sentiments alike honourable to our citiz- ns as 
 members of a free community, and as friends of humanity. 
 They spoke a language worthy of the cause which called them 
 forth, and such a? the circumstances of the age require. They 
 are a proof, too, of the existence, and the energy of that princi 
 ple in the American people, which removes them farther from 
 the supporters of legitimacy, than the breadth of the Atlantic, 
 and is a safer bulwark than its billows. 
 
 From that time to the present, large contributions have been 
 made in the United States, and forwarded to the proper au 
 thorities of thai oppressed and ill-fated country. At present, 
 the armies of Russia threaten the capital of Turkey, and little 
 doubt remains ofthe emancipation of the Greeks. 
 
 The. session of congress closed in May, 1824 ; the most im- 
 poitant bills which passed, being one to abolish imprisonment 
 for debt, and the other establishing a tariff of duties on imports. 
 The latter of these, occupied the time of congress during ten 
 weeks, and at last passed by a majority of five only, two rnem- 
 orily being absent. 
 
 On th$ 16th of August, the marquis La Fayette, accompan 
 ied by his son, and M L. Vasseur his secretary, landed in New 
 York, where he was welcomed in a manner which evinced a 
 sensf of national gratitude, never surpassed. 
 
 k - From New York, La Fayette passed through the country 
 to Boston, constantly receiving the most enthusiastic congrat 
 ylations ofthe people. Not onl\ at every place where he stop 
 ped, but as he passed along the road, thousands came to catch 
 a glimpse of him, and bid " Welcome La Fayette." Having- 
 visited most of the principal towns in Massachusetts, New 
 Hampshire, RhoHe Island, and Connnecticut, he again returned 
 to New York. During- his tour, it is impossible to convey in 
 general terms an adequate idea of the excitement into which 
 the country was thrown. Committees were constantly arri 
 ving from distant, towns at the places where he stopped, to 
 solicit the honour of receiving him, and to know on what day 
 and at what hour his arrival might be expected. In some in 
 stances, gentlemen residing at a distance from his route, di 
 rected the news of his approach to be sent them by expresses. 
 Meantime the General was so obliging as to allow himself to 
 be transported with the utmost rapidity from place to place, 
 iften travelling most ofthe night, so as not to disappoint the 
 
412 - UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 anxious expectations of the people. From New York the 
 General went to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, &c. 
 constantly receiving from the people the same cordial wel 
 come, and witnessing the same demonstrations of joy wherever 
 he went. 
 
 But the. feelings of the nation demanded that something 
 more should be done for general La Fayette, than could be ex 
 pressed by acclamation alone. This love of liberty had been 
 the means of depriving him of a great proportion of his fortune. 
 When, during our revolution, the country was so exhausted as 
 to be unable to clothe or feed her little army, La Fayette not 
 only gave all his pay to government, but advanced money 
 which never was refunded : so that, in addition to the debt of 
 gratitude, the nation owed him for advancements made during 
 her necessities. It was the exercise of the same leading prin 
 ciple, (the love ofliberty) which occasioned the confiscation of 
 his estates in France, when the jacobin faction controlled the 
 kingdom. 
 
 Under every consideration, the nation was bound to shew 
 La Fayette, and the world, that in the prosperity of IPS adop 
 ted countr}, his former services were remembered with too 
 much gratitude to be passed over without some permanent mark 
 of national beneficence. 
 
 The president of the United States, therefore, in his message 
 (o Congress, at the opening of the last session, recommended 
 in appropriate terms, the consideration of general La Fayette s 
 eminent services to the country, and requested thai the legis 
 lative body of the nation would devise some means of making 
 him at least a partial remuneration. Agreeably to this recom 
 mendation, Congress appointed i committee to deliberate on 
 the subject, and on the 20th of December, lk Mr. Hayne, from 
 the committe appointed on so much of the President s message 
 as relates to making provision of the services of general La 
 Fayette, reported the following bill : 
 
 " Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives oj 
 the United States in Congress assembled, That the sum of two 
 hundred thousand dollars be, and the same is hereby granted 
 to major general La Fayette, in compensation for his important 
 services and expenditures during the American Revolution ; 
 and that for this purpose a stock to that amount be issued in 
 his favour, dated the 4th of July, 1824, bearing an annual inter 
 est of six percent, payable quarter yearly, and redeemable on 
 the 31st of December, 1834,. 
 
 " Sect. 2. And be it further enacted, that one complete 
 Township of land be, and the same is hereby granted to the 
 said major general La Fayette ; and that the president of the 
 United States be authorised to cause the said township to be 
 
, THE UNITED STATES. 413 
 
 located on any of the public lands which remain unsold ; and 
 that patents be issued to general La Fasette for the same." 
 
 On the 21st this b:li was made the order of the day in the 
 Senate, and the following debate on it, extracted from the 
 journals of Congress, will tend to shew with how much reason 
 the bill was passed : 
 
 Senate, Tuesday, December 21 . 
 
 " The Senate proceeded, as in committee of the whole to 
 the consideration of the bill making provision for the services 
 and expenditures of general La Fayette. 
 
 Mr. Hayue, (of S. C.) in reply to Messrs. Macon and Brown 
 who objected to the bill, remarked, that the observations made 
 by the honourable gentlemen, rendered it his duty, though it 
 was done with regret, as he had hoped the bill would pass with 
 out opposition, as chairman of the committee, to submit the 
 principle on which the committee had proceeded in presenting 
 the present bill. He trusted that he should be able to satisfy 
 the scruples of the Hon. gentlemen, and that there would be 
 no necessity of recommitting the bill. 
 
 With regard to the onjections made by his friend on his 
 right, (Mr. M icon,; they affected the making any compensa 
 tion, under any circumstances whatever, to individuals, either 
 for services renderejl or sacrifices made. He understood he 
 had said, i< was immaterial whether an individual should have 
 spent his substance in the service of his country should have 
 put his hand in his purse and paid the expenses of the war, 
 still that for such services no compensation could be made. 
 
 He could show that this was the fact that it was precisely 
 the case with regard to general La Fayette. He had ex 
 pended his fortune in our service, and he should contend it was 
 right, it was necessary they were called on by duty to them 
 selves, at least to -efund the expenses 10 which he had been 
 subjected. Mr. Hayne proceeded to ay, that he held docu 
 ments in his hand which it became his duty to submit to the 
 Senate documents derived from the highest authority. The 
 paper held in his hand contained accounts from the proper offi 
 cers, showing the expenses of La Fayette, and pointing out 
 the manner in which his estate had been dissipated in the ser 
 vice of liberty. In the year 1777, he had an annual income of 
 146,000 francs, equal to 28,700 dollars. This had been almost 
 entirely expended in the Cervices which he had rendered to li 
 berty, in this and the other hemisphere. During a period of 
 six years, from the v^ir 1777. to 1783, he had expended in the 
 American service, 700000 francs, equal to 140,000 dollars. 
 This document, said Mr. Hayne, is derived from the most au- 
 hentic sources in France, and is come into my hands from a 
 35* 
 
4 1 4 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 respectable member of this House, without the knowledge or 
 consent of the General and his friends. 
 
 The fact to which he called their attention, was, that during 
 the six years the General had been engaged in the service, he- 
 had expended 140,000 dollars of his fortune ; he was in a state 
 of prosperity, and in the enjoyment of a plentiful fortune in his 
 own country, when he resolved to come to this. He purchased 
 a ship, raised, equipped, armed and clothed a regiment at his 
 own expense, and when he landed on these coasts, he came 
 freighted with the munitions of war, which he distributed gra 
 tuitously lo our army. It is on record that he clothed and put 
 shoes on the feet of the naked, suffering, soldiers of America, 
 and that during six years he sacrificed 140,000 dollars. He 
 fisked for no compensation he made out no account he re- 
 cieved no pay he spent his fortune for this country, and not 
 only gave his services, but hazarded his life in its defence, shed 
 his blood in its service, and returned home broken in his for 
 tune. What did Government do ? After the war, in 1794, 
 they gave him the full pay of a Major General, to which he was 
 entitled twelve or fourteen years before. If any Americaa 
 citizen had done as much and had brought in an account stating 
 he had expended 140.000 dollars, and make application for 
 compensation, would it not have been granted ? Indeed, if we 
 were to make out an account current of tbe expenses and sa 
 crifices of the General, it would far exceed the sum now pro 
 posed. But he never rendered a claim : he would have star 
 ved ere he would have done it. 
 
 I have other documents, said Mr. Hayne, to which I shall 
 briefly refer. There is one fact which shows how alive he was 
 to every honourable sentiment. He has made sacrifices that 
 can never be repaid. Congress in their gratitude, made him a 
 donation of 1 1,000 acres of land, which at the value of lands at 
 this time, was not worth more than 11,000 dollars ; and by an 
 act in 1804, they authorized him to locate this land on any spot 
 in the United States, that might be vacant : and his agent ac 
 cordingly located it in the neighbourhood of New Orleans. In 
 1807, Congress passed an act, confirming the title to the city 
 council of New Orleans of all lands within six hundred yards of 
 its limits. 
 
 Part of the land belonging to general La Fayette was in- 
 cludt- d in this grant, and on the fact being communicated to 
 4iim in France by his agent, accompanied by legal advice of the 
 validity of his title, he replied, that it was not for him to in 
 quire into the circumstances, but that he, receiving bounty from 
 the government of the United States, could only receive it as 
 they chose to give it ; and directed his agent to enter a relin- 
 nuishment of the land in question. This land, according to 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 41 ^ 
 
 the estimate of gentlemen from Louisiana is now worth 500,000 
 dollars. But there is another circumstance to be stated : hav 
 ing located the land, he made a contract with an Irish Baronet 
 for the sale of a portion of it, and he afterwards made it hie 
 business to find him out he relinquished his own right, and, at 
 his own expense, induced him to relinquish every legal claim 
 that he could have upon the United States. This relinquish- 
 ment was on file in the land office, and Mr. Hayne submitted 
 the documents to the examination of the Senate. 
 
 These claims appear- certainly in a very strong, and be 
 might say, irresistible shape bef >re the Senate. His honoura 
 ble friend, on the right, had said that we treat this gentleman 
 better than we do our native s->ns, but it appeared that they 
 barely did him justice. Did the gentleman doubt that this 
 government were in the habit of making remuneration for sac 
 rifices aod services he would refer to an act passed in 1790, 
 granting compensation to Frederick William Baron Steuben, 
 for sacrifices and services. 
 
 Mr. Hayne proceeded to refer to many instances where the 
 government had not only granted pecuniary assistance, but had 
 granted a whole township of land for sacrifices and services. 
 He was not one of those who were afraid of making precedents 
 a good precedent can never do evil ; and when nations as 
 well as individuals, gave way to the noblest feelings of our na 
 ture, they best promoted the glory of the country a ,d the wel 
 fare of the people ; but the case of La Fayette could form no 
 precedent it stood alone. Could this country be born again? 
 could it assume a second childhood, and be placed in circum 
 stances similar to those in which it had formerly been? If this 
 were possible, if it cnuld be reduced again to equal distress, be 
 struggling for existence, about to perish, without funds, arms, 
 clothing, or ammunition, and looking around for help if, under 
 such circumstances, a foreign nobleman should step forth and 
 devote his life and fortune to her service, sacrificing every thing, 
 and shedding his blood in her behalf, and while the scale was 
 depressed, throwing himself into the balance, and deciding its 
 fate surely, such a man would be entitled to the warmest gra 
 titude of the country. 
 
 After some further debate the bill was passed, and a commit 
 tee appointed to wait on La Fa* ette with a copy of the act. 
 To an address of the committee on he occasion of presenting 
 the act, the Marquis returned the following answer. 
 
 Gentlemen of the Committee of both Houses of Congress : 
 
 The immense and unexpected gift, which, in addition to former 
 and considerable bounties, it has pleased Congress to confer 
 upon me, calls for the warmest acknowledgments of an old 
 
4 1C UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 American Soldier, an adopted son of the United States, two 
 titles dearer to my heart than all the treasures in the world. 
 
 However proud 1 am of every sort of obligation received from 
 the people of the United States, and their Representatives in 
 Congress, the large extent of this benefaction might have cre 
 ated in my mind feelings of hesitation, not inconsistent, I hope, 
 with those of the most grateful reverence. But the so verv 
 kind resolutions uf both Houses, delivered by you, gentlemen, 
 in terms of equal kindness, precl des all other sentiments except 
 those of lively and profound gratitude, of which, in respect 
 fully accepting the munificent favour, I have the honour to beg 
 you will be the organs. 
 
 Permit me also, gentlemen, to join a tender of my affectionate 
 personal thanks to the expression of the highest respect, with 
 which I have the honour to be your obedient servant, 
 
 LA FAYETTE. 
 
 At Washington, La Fayette was received by both houses of 
 Congress with suitable honours. Thence passing to the South, 
 he visited most of the cities in that section of the country. 
 
 After visiting various places, in the autumn of 1825, the mar 
 quis took passage in the fngate Brandy wine, for France, where 
 he arrived it safety, and where fie still lives, in the enjoyment 
 of a contented mind, and a dear conscience ; the friend of man, 
 and the hero of freedom. 
 
 The second session of the eighteenth Congress commenced in 
 December, on which occasion we find in the presidential mes 
 sage : " our relations with foreign powers are of a friendly 
 character, although certain interesting differences remain un 
 settled. Our revenue, under the mild system of impost and 
 tonnage, continues to be adequate to all the purposes of gov 
 ernment. Our agriculture, commerce, manufactures and navi 
 gation flourish. Our fortifications are advancing, in the degree 
 authoiized by existing appropriations, to maturity, and due- 
 progress is made in the augmentation of the navy to the limit 
 prescribed by law." 
 
 He also siated, that the convention of navigation and com 
 merce concluded between the United States and France in 
 1822 still continued; thatoir commercial intercourse with 
 the British dominions in Europe atid the East Indies, resting 
 on the basis of recip-oc ty, which had been arranged by a con 
 vention, in 1815, was confirmed and continued for ten years, 
 by treat v in 1818; hut that the trade with the British colonies 
 in the West Indies, had not as \t-t been settled to the satisfac 
 tion of the executive ; that our commerce with Sweden had 
 been placed on a footing of perfect reciprocity, by treaty, and 
 with Russia, the NetJierlands, Prussia, and the free Hanseatic 
 cities, the dukedom of Oldenburg and Sardinia, by internal re 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 4* 
 
 ^ ulations on each side, founded on mutual agreement between 
 "he respective governments ; and that the great and extraordi 
 nary changes which had happened in Spain and Portugal, with 
 in the last two years, had not seriously affected the f iendly 
 relations subsisting between them and the United States; d^ 
 though they had presented obstacles to the adjustment of the 
 particular subjects of discussion which have arisen with each. 
 With the remaining powers of Europe, with those on the coast 
 of Barbary, and with all the new South American S ates, our 
 relations were moreover stated to be of a friendly character. 
 The country has ministers plenipotentiary residing wi h the re 
 publics of Colombia and C.iili, and have received ministers of 
 the same rank, from Colombia, Guatimala, Bupnos Ayres and 
 Mexico, and a charge d affaires from the independent govern 
 ment of Brazil. 
 
 From the view which he then took of our situation, it was 
 manifest that we were in a highly prosperous situation, and 
 that our duty and happiness would consist in handing these 
 blessings down to posterity unimpaired. 
 
 This session closed constitutionally on the third of March, 
 1825. The most interesting subjects which occupied its atten 
 tion during the session, were the occupation of the Oregon on 
 the Northwest coast, and the suppression of piracy. The bill 
 respecting the former, however, was lost in the senate ; being 
 indefinitely laid on the table ; while that respecting piracy pas 
 sed ; which, however, does little more than to authorize the 
 building of ten additional ships of war. T ie bill authorizing 
 the occupation >f the Oregon, was passed bv the House of Re 
 presentatives, but had previously been so amended as to provide 
 only for a military occupation of the mouth of the nver. This 
 amendment was adopted, for the purpose of avoiding a violation 
 of the treaty with Great Britain, which provides that the boun- 
 darv line on thit frontier, shall remain unsettled ten yeirs. 
 
 The presidency of Mr. Monroe closed with the session, du- 
 rinsr which the country enjoyed a state of peace and uniform 
 prosperity. He retired from office, enjoying the respect, af 
 fection, and gratitude, of all who are able duly to appreciate 
 the blessings of having a wise ruler. 
 
 The choice of president for the succeeding term of four years, 
 not being settled by the e ect.oral vote, devolved on the House 
 of Representatives. John Quincy Adams was chosen, and took 
 the oath of office on the fourth of March, and John C. Calhoun 
 was chosen vice president by the electors. 
 
 Hardly had Mr. Monroe entered on his second term of office* 
 when certain public journals became clamorous in favour of 
 various candidates for the succession to that important post. 
 N T or has the clamour yet ceased (September, 1828,) on the same 
 
418 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 topic, in regard to the next presidency, which will be vacated 
 on the third of March next. The only candidates for the chair, 
 are the present incumbent, and general Jackson. How this 
 contest, which has been prosecuted with unexampled industry, 
 not to say virulence, will terminate, is still a problem with tue 
 ablest calculators As to probability, we think it inclines in 
 favour of the former. 
 
 The address of Mr. Adams, on his induction into office, was 
 such as might rationally be expected. Speaking of our politi 
 cal creed, he says, it " is, without a dissenting voice that can 
 be heard, that the will of the people is th.* s >ui-ce, and the hap 
 piness of the people the end. of all legitimate government upon 
 earth That the best security for the beneficence, and the best 
 guarantee against the abuse of power, consists in the freedom, 
 the purity, and the frequency of popular elections. That the 
 general government of the Union, and the separate governments 
 of these states, are all sovereignties of limited powers ; fellow 
 servants of the same masters, uncontrolled within their respec 
 tive spheres, unconirollable by encroachments upon each other. 
 That the firmest security of peace, is the preparation, during 
 peace, of the defences of war. That a rigorous economy, and 
 accountability of public expenditures, should guard against the 
 aggravation, and alleviate, when possible, the burden of taxa 
 tion. That the military -should be kept in strict subordination 
 to the civil power. That the freedom of the press and of reli 
 gious opinion should be inviolate. That the policy of our coun 
 try is peace, and the ark of our salvation, union, are articles of 
 faith upon whicu we are all agreed." 
 
 The following paragraphs we copy en ire, as too valuable to 
 be omitted, even in a condensed history. 
 
 " In the compass of thirty years, since this great national 
 covenant was instituted, a body of laws enacted under its au 
 thority, and in conformity with its provisions, has unfolded its- 
 powers, and carried into practical operation its eff -ctive ener 
 gies. Subordinate departments have distributed the executive 
 functions in their various relations, to foreign affairs, to the re 
 venue and expenditures, and to the military force of the union, 
 by land and sea. A co-ordinate department of the judiciary 
 has expounded the constitution and the laws; settling, in har 
 monious coincidence with the legislative will, numerous weighty 
 questions of construction which the imperfection of human lan 
 guage had rendered unavoidable. The year of jubilee since 
 the first formation of our union h^s just elapsed ; that of the 
 declaration of our independence is at hand. The consumma 
 tion of both was effected by this constitution. Since that 
 period, a population of four millions has multiplied to twelve- 
 A territory, bounded by the Mississippi, has been extended 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 irom sea to sea. New states have been admitted to the union, 
 ;n number nearly equal to those of the first confederation. 
 Treaties of peace, amity, and commerce, have been concluded 
 with the principal dominions of tbe earth. The people of other 
 nations, inhabitants of regions acquired, not by conquest, but 
 by compact, have been united with us in the participation of 
 our rights and duties, of our burdens and blessings. The for 
 est has fallen by the axe of our woodsmen the soil has been 
 made to teem by the tillage of our farmers; our commerce has 
 whitened every ocean. The dominion of man over physical na 
 ture has been extended by the invention of our artists. Liberty 
 and law have marched hand in hand. All the purposes of hu 
 man association have been accomplished as effectively as under 
 any other government on the globe; and at a cost, little ex 
 ceeding, in a whole generation, the expenditures of other na 
 tions in a single year. 
 
 Such is the unexaggerated picture of our condition, under a 
 constitution founded upon the republican principle of equal 
 rights. To admit that this picture has its shades, is but to say 
 that it is still the condition of men upon earth. From evil, 
 physical, moral, and political, it is not our claim to be exempt. 
 We have suffered, sometimes by the visitation of Heaven, 
 through disease; often by the wrongs and injustice of other 
 nations, even to the extremities of war ; and, lastly, by dissen- 
 tions among ourselves dis-sensions, perhaps inseparable from 
 the enjoyment of freedom, but which have more than ooce ap 
 peared to threaten the dissolution of the union, and, with it, 
 the overthrow of all the enjoyments of our present lot, and all 
 oi.r earthly hopes of the future. The causes of these dissen 
 sions have been various, founded upon differences of specula 
 tion in the theory of republican government ; upon conflicting 
 views of policy, in our relations with foreign nations ; upon 
 jealousies of partial and sectional interests, aggravated by pre 
 judices and prepossessions, which strangers ^to each other are 
 ever apt to entertain. 
 
 On the 31 st of May, a treaty of peece, amity, navigation, 
 and commerce, between the United States and Colombia, was 
 ratified by the president. The fi>st article establishes a firm 
 and inviolable peace, and perpetual friendship. By the second, 
 no partiality was to be shown to any other nation to which each 
 of the contracting parties had not an equal right. By the sixth 
 article, merchant vessels and ships of war, were to be protected 
 in the bays and harbours of both parties, either in stress of 
 weather, or to shield them from the pursuit of pirates or other 
 enemies. The seventh grants a return of ships and merchan 
 dise which may be taken in their respective jurisdictions. By 
 the tenth, both the contracting parties engage, formally, to give 
 
420 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 their special protection to the persons and property of the other, 
 and to leave open and free to them the tribunals of justice for 
 their judicial recourse, on the same terms as are usual with na 
 tive citizens of either party. By the eleventh, liberty of con 
 science is mutually guaranteed. By the fourteenth, liberty of 
 commerce and navigation, except contraband of war, in times 
 which would endanger the safety of either contracting party, 
 is freely granted. The treaty was to remain in force twelve 
 years after the exchange of ratifications. 
 
 The 7th of September, was the day appointed for the depar 
 ture of the nation s guest, general La Fayelte, from Washing 
 ton. On Mr. Adams devolved the task of bidding him farewell, 
 in the name of the nation to whom he had been a constant 
 friend, and a noble benefactor. How well and with what dig 
 nity and feeling, he executed this task, we need not attempt to 
 discribe, and we regret that our plan does not permit us to 
 copy the whole address. We can copy but a brief sketch, 
 which will be found in the following selected paragraphs. 
 
 When the contest of freedom, to which you had repaired as 
 a voluntary champion, had closed, by the complete triumph of 
 her cause in this country of your adoption, you returned to ful 
 fil the duties of the philanthropist and patriot in the land of 
 your nativity. There, in a consistent and undeviating career 
 offorh years, you have maintained, through every vicissitude 
 of alternate success and disappointment, the same glorious 
 cause to which the first years of your active life had been devo 
 ted, the improvement of the moral and political condition of 
 man. 
 
 Through that long succession of time, the people of the Uni 
 ted States, for whom, and with whom you had fought the bat 
 tles of liberty, have been living in full possession of its fruits ; 
 one of the happiest among the family of nations. Spreading 
 in population ; enlarging in territory ; acting and suffering 
 according to the condition of their nature ; and laying the foun 
 dations of the greatest, and, we humbly hope, the most be- 
 beneficent power that ever regulated the concerns of man upon 
 earth. 
 
 In that lapse of forty years, the generation of men with whom 
 you co-operated in the conflict of arms, has nearly passed away. 
 Of the general officers of the American army in that war, you 
 alone survive. Of the sages who guided our councils; of the 
 warriors who met the foe in the field or upon the waves, with 
 the exception of a few to whom unusual length of days has been 
 allotted by Heaven, all now fleep with their fathers. A suc 
 ceeding, and even a third generation, have arisen to take their 
 places; and their children s children, while rising up to call 
 them blessed, have been taught by them, as well as admonished 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 42) 
 
 jy their own constant enjoyment of freedom, to include in 
 overy bcnison upon their fathers, the name of him who came 
 from afar, with them and in their cause, to conquer or to fall. 
 
 You are now about to return to the country of your birth, of 
 your ancestors, of your posterity. The executive government 
 of the Union, stimulated by the same feeling which had prompt 
 cd the congress to the designation of a national ship for your 
 accommodation in coming hither, has destined the first service 
 of a frigate, recently launched at this metropolis, to the less 
 welcome, but equally distinguished trust, of conveying you 
 home. The name of the shio has added one more memorial to 
 distant regions and to future ages, of a stream already memo- 
 rable, at once in the story of your sufferings and of our inde 
 pendence. 
 
 The ship is now prepared for your reception, and equipped 
 for sea. From the moment of her departure, the prayers of 
 millions will ascend to Heaven that her passage may be pros 
 perous, and your return to the bosom of your family as propi 
 tious to your happiness, as your visit to this scene of your 
 youthful glory has been to that of the American people. 
 
 Go, then, our beloved friend return to the land of brilliant 
 genius, of generous sentiment, of heroic valour; to that beau 
 tiful France, the nursing mother of the twelfth Louis, and the 
 fourth Henry; to the native soil of Bayard and Coligm, of Tu- 
 renne and Catinat, of Fenelon and D Aguesseau. In that il 
 lustrious catalogue of names which she claims as of her chil 
 dren, and with honest pride holds up to the admiration of other 
 nations, the name of La Fayet e has already for centuries been 
 enrolled. And it shall henceforth burnish into brighter fame , 
 for if, in after days, a Frenchman shall be called to indicate the 
 character of his nation by that of one individual, during the age 
 in which we live, the blood of lofty patriotism shall mantie in 
 his cheek, the fire of conscious virtue shall sparkle in his eye, 
 and he shall pronounce the name of La Fayette. Yet we, too, 
 and our children, in life and after death, shall claim you for our 
 own. You are ours by that more than patriotic self-devotion 
 with which you flew to the aid of our fathers at the crsis oi 
 their fate. Ours by that long series of years in which you have 
 cherished us in your regard. Ours by that unshaken sentiment 
 of gratitude for your services, which is a precious portion of 
 our inheritance. Ours by that tie of love stronger than death, 
 which haa linked your name, for the endless ages of time, witb 
 the name of Washington. 
 
 To this the veteran general replied ; and, after mentioning 
 his obligations to the American government and people, for 
 their munificence and kind reception, he added, " Yet, gratifi 
 cations still higher, awaited me; in the wonders of creation 
 36 
 
422 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 and improvement that have met my enchanted eye, in the un 
 paralleled and self-felt happiness of the people, in their rapid 
 prosperity and insured security, public and private, in a prac 
 tice of good order, the appendage of true freedom, and a nation 
 al good sense, the final arbiter or all difficulties, I have had 
 proudly to recognise a result of the republican principles for 
 which we have fought, and a glorious demonstration to the most 
 timid and prejudiced minds, of the superiority, over degrading 
 aristocracy or despotism, of popular institutions founded on the 
 plain rights of man, and where the local rights of every sec 
 tion are preserved under a constitutional bond of union. The 
 cherishing of that union between the states, as it has been the 
 farewell entreaty of our great paternal Washington, and will 
 ever have the dying prayer of every American patriot, so it has 
 become the sacred pledge of the emancipation of the world, an 
 object in which I am happy to observe that the American peo 
 ple, while they give the animating example of successful free 
 institutions, in return for an evil entailed upon them by Eu 
 rope, and of which a liberal and enlightened sense is every 
 where more and more generally felt, show themselves every day 
 more anxiously interested. 
 
 God bless you, sir, and all who surround us. God bless the 
 American people, each of their states, and the federal govern 
 ment. Accept this patriotic farewell of an overflowing heart ; 
 such will be its last throb when it ceases to beat. 
 
 As the last sentence was pronounced, the general advanced, 
 and, while the tears poured over his venerable cheek, agaiu 
 took the president in his arms he retired a few paces, but, 
 overcome by his feelings, again returned, and uttering, in bro 
 ken accents^ " God bless you !" fell once more on the neck of 
 Mr. Adams. It was a scene, at once, solemn and moving, as 
 the sighs and stealing tears of many, who witnessed it, bore 
 testimoriy. Having recovered his self-possession, the general 
 stretched out his hands, and was, in a moment, surrounded by 
 the greeting, of the whole assembly, who pressed upon him. 
 each eager to seize, perhaps for the last time, that beloved hand 
 which was opened so freely for our aid, when aid was so pre 
 cious, and which grasped, with firm and undeviating hold, the 
 steel which so bravely helped to achieve our deliverance. 
 
 The general was attended to the Potomac, bv a large military 
 escort, and thousands of citizens. The Mount Vernon steam 
 boat, waited to convey him on board the Brandywine. When 
 the mansion, the groves, and the tomb of Mount Vernon opened 
 to view. The progress of the little fleet was arrested, it re 
 mained motionless on the broad bosom of Potomac s wave that 
 the last of the generals might pay his pious homage and filial 
 duty to the tomb of the paternal chief. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 423 
 
 Lafayette arose the wonders which he had performed for a 
 -nan of his age, in successfully accomplishing labors enough to 
 have tested his meridian vigor, whose animation rather resem 
 bles the spring than the winter of life, now seemed unequal to 
 the task he was about to perform : To take a last look at the 
 <jrave of Washington ! He advanced to the effort a silence 
 the most impressive reigned around, till the strains of sweet 
 and plaintive music completed the grandeur and sacred solem 
 nity of the scene. All hearts beat in unison with the throb- 
 bings of the veteran s bosom as he looked, and that for the last 
 time, on the sepulchre which contains the ashes of the first ot 
 men. He spoke not, but appeared absorbed in the mighty re- 
 -jollections which the place and the occasion inspired. Yet E 
 voice seemed borne on the air. It appeared to say to the 
 manes of the illustrious dead, " WASHINGTON, thou friend and 
 father of my youth, under whose heroic banner 1 first gained 
 renown in the fields of fame, when combatting for the rights 
 and liberties of man io whose bosom I was cherished in the 
 earliest, the happiest days of life whose affections descended 
 with me from the palace to the dungeon whose arms were 
 opened to receive my child, when forlorn and a wanderer from 
 his native land, he sought in thee a friend and found a father- 
 most truly great and glorious of men, while such a humble 
 mound alone contains thy ashes, thy monument is based on an 
 hemisphere, and thy fame will cenotaph thy memory in ages 
 yet unborn. Accept the last duty which filial homage pays to 
 the tomh of Washington in the tear of La Fayette." 
 
 We make no apology for the insertion of these interesting 
 particulars. But we regret, sincerely, that the whole of the 
 address and reply cannot find room, and if our readers have 
 feeling, they will regret it too. 
 
 The first session of the nineteenth congress opened at Wash 
 ington in December, 1825. The message of the executive, 
 after adverting to the state of peace which had for several 
 years blessed the world says During the same period, our in 
 tercourse with all those nations has been pacific and friendly 
 it so continues. Since the close of your last session, no mate 
 rial variation has occurred in our relations with any one oi 
 them. In the commercial and navigation system of Great 
 Britain, important changes of municipal regulation have recent 
 ly been sanctioned by acts of parliament, the effect of which, 
 upon the interests of other nations, and particularly upon ours, 
 lias not yet been fully developed. In the recent renewal of the 
 diplomatic missions on both sides, between the two govern 
 ments, assurances have been given, and received, of the contin 
 uance and increase of that mutual confidence and cordiality by 
 -vhich the adjustment of many points of difference had already 
 
424 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 been effected, and which affords the surest pledge for the ulti 
 mate satisfactory adjustment of those which still remain open> 
 or may hereafter arise. 
 
 He then notices the commission for settling the seventh arti 
 cle of the treaty of Ghent, and that respecting the indemnity for 
 slaves taken off b) the British during the late war, as in a train 
 of amicable adjustment. He also adverts to the importance 
 of establishing a national system of bankruptcy, and of improve 
 ments in the militia system. In noticing the pecuniary con 
 cerns of the nation, the message says Among the unequivo 
 cal indications of our national prosperity, is the flourishing state 
 of our finances. The revenues of the present year, from ail 
 their principal sources, wll exceed the anticipations of the last- 
 The balance in the treasury, on the 1st of January last, was a 
 little short of two millions of dollars, exclusive of two millions 
 and a half, being the moiety of the loan or five millions, author 
 ized by the act of 26th May, 18^4. The receipts into the treas 
 ury, from the first of January, to the thirtieth of September; 
 exclusive of the other moiety of the same loan, are estimated at 
 sixteen millions, five hundred thousand dollars ; and it is ex 
 pected that those of the current quarter will exceed five mil- 
 Jions of dollars ; forming an aggregate of receipts of neatly 
 twenty-two millions, indepedent of the loan. The expen 
 ditures of the year will not exceed that sun more than two 
 millions. By those expenditures, nearly eight millions of 
 the principal of the public debt have been discharged. More 
 than a million and a half has been devoted to the debt of 
 gratitude to the warriors of the revolution : a nearly equal sum 
 to the construction of fortifications, and the acquisition of ord 
 nance, and other permanent preparatives of national defence : 
 half a million to the gradual increase of the navy : an equal 
 3urn for purchases of territory from the Indians, and payment of 
 annuities to them : and upwards of a million for objects of in 
 ternal improvement, authorized by special acts of the last con 
 gress. If we add to these, four millions of dollars for payment 
 of interest upon the public debt, there remains a sum of about 
 seven millions which have defrayed the whole expense of the 
 administration of government, in its legislative, executive and 
 judiciary departments, including the support of the military and 
 naval establishments, and all the occasional contingencies of a 
 government co-extensive with the union. 
 
 The Amount of duties secured on merchandise imported, 
 from the commencement of the year, is about twenty-five mil 
 lions and a half; and that which will accrue, during the cur 
 rent quarter, is-estimated at five millions and a half: from 
 ihese thirty-one millions, deducting the drawbacks, estimated 
 njess than seven millions, a sum exceeding twenty four mi 1 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 425 
 
 .JOBS will constitute the revenue of the year; and will exceed 
 the whole expenditures of the year. The entire amount of 
 public debt, remaining due on the first of January next, will be 
 short of eighty-one millions of dollars. 
 
 Speaking- of our situation as regards the Aborigines, he thus 
 speaks : Our relations with the numerous tribes of aboriginal 
 natives of this country, scattered over its extensive surface, and 
 so dependent even for their existence, upon our power, have 
 been, during the present year, highly interesting. An act of 
 congress, of 25th May, 1824, made an appropriation to de 
 fray the expenses of making treaties of trade and friendship 
 with the Indian tribes beyond the Mississippi. An act of 3d 
 March, 1825, authorized treaties to be made with the In- 
 uians for their consent to tbe making of a road from the fron 
 tier of Missouri to that of New Mexico. And, another act of 
 the same date, provided for defraying- the expenses of holding 
 treaties with the Sioux, Chippewas, Menomences, Sauks, Fox 
 es, &c. for the purpose of establishing boundaries and promo 
 ting peace between said tribes. The tirst and the last objects 
 of these acts have been accomplished ; and the second is yet in 
 a process of execution. The treaties, which, since the last ses 
 sion of congress have been concluded with the several tribes, 
 will be laid before the senate for their consideration, conforma 
 bly to the constitution. They comprise large and valuable ac 
 quisitions of territory : and they secure an adjustment of boun 
 daries, and give pledges of permanent peace between several, 
 tribes which had been long waging bloody wars against each 
 other. 
 
 On the 12th of February last, a treaty was signed at the In 
 dian Springs, between commissioners appointed on the part of 
 the United States, and certain chiefs and individuals of the 
 Creek nation of Indians, which was received at the seat of go 
 vernment only a few days before the close of the last session of 
 congress, and of the late administration. The advice and con 
 sent of the senate was given to it, on the 3d of March, too late for 
 it to receive the ratification of the then president of the United 
 States ; it was ratified on the 7th of March, under the unsus 
 pecting impression that it had been negotiated in good faith, 
 and in the confidence inspired by the recommendation of the 
 senate. The subsequent transactions in relation to this treaty, 
 will form the subject of a separate message. 
 
 But our circumscribed limits prevent us from touching, with 
 any thing like justice, on this able state paper- We can only 
 say, that nothing seems to have escaped his capacious mind, of 
 very general and national importance. 
 
 By the report of the Treasurer this session, it appears be had 
 a balance of more than five millions in his hands. 
 36* 
 
i2G UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 During this session, a question was agitated, relating to the 
 holding of any office under the government of the United States, 
 by a senator or representative to congress. Mr. Benton from 
 the selected committee, reported, 
 
 That, having had recourse to the history of the times, in 
 which the constitution was formed, the committee find that 
 the proposition now referred to them, had engaged the deliber 
 ations of the federal convention which framed the constitu 
 tion, and of several of the state conventions which ratified it. 
 
 In an early stage of the session of the federal convention, it 
 was resolved, as follows : 
 
 ** Art 6, sec. 9. The members of each house, (of congress) 
 ahall be ineligible to, and incapable of holding any office under 
 the authority of the United States, during the time for which 
 they shall respectively be elected ; and the members of the sen 
 ate shall be inelligible to, and incapable of, holding any such of 
 fice for one year afterwards." (Journal of the federal conven 
 tion^ page 219.) 
 
 It further appears from the journal, that this clause in the 
 tlrst draft of the constitution, was adopted with great unanimi 
 ty, and that afterwards, in the concluding days of the session, it 
 was altered, and its intention defeated, by a majority of a sin 
 gle vote, in the absence of one of the states by which it had 
 been supported. 
 
 Following the constitution into the state conventions which 
 ratified it, the committee find, that, by the New York conven 
 tion, it was recommended, as follows : 
 
 " That no senator or representative shall, during the time 
 for which he was elected, be appointed to any office under the 
 authority of the U. States." 
 
 By the Virginia convention, as follows : 
 
 " That the members of the senate and house of representa 
 tives shall be ineligible to, and incapable of, holding any civil 
 office under the authority of the U. States, during the term for 
 which they shall respectively be elected." 
 
 By the North Carolina convention, the same amendment was 
 recommended, in the same words. 
 
 In the first session of the first congress, which was held under 
 the constitution, a menber of the house of representatives sub 
 mitted a similar proposition of amendment ; and, in the third 
 session of the eleventh congress, James Madison being presi 
 dent, a like proposition was again submitted, and being refer 
 red to a committee of the house, was reported by them in the 
 following words : 
 
 vv No senator or representative shall be appointed to any civil 
 office, place or emolument, under the authority of the United 
 Stares, until (he expiration of the presidential term in which 
 such person ahall have served as a sena-or or representative." 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 42? 
 
 Upon the question to adopt this resolution, the vote stood 71 
 yeas, 40 nays, wanting but ti.ree votes of the constitutional 
 number for the referring it to the decision of the states. 
 
 Having thus, shown by a reference to the venerable evidence of 
 our early history, that the principle of ih^- amendment now under 
 consideration, has had the support and approbation of the first 
 iriends of the constitution, tne committee will now declare their 
 own opinion in favor of its correctness, and exprses its belief 
 that the ruling principle in the organization of the federal go 
 vernment demand- its adoption. 
 
 That ruling principle requires that the three great branches 
 of the federal government, the executive, legislative and ju 
 diciary, should be separate and distinct from each other, not 
 only in contemplation of law, but in point of fact ; and, for this 
 end, that each should not oniv have its independent organiza 
 tion, but that the individuals administering each, should be 
 wholly free from the control and influence of the individuals who 
 administered the others 
 
 To secure this independence on tho part of the president, and 
 to prevent the executive from s arving him into a compliance 
 with their will, by withholding his necessary support, or sedu 
 cing him into an acquiesence in their views, by tempting his 
 avarice with an augmented salary, (Fed. Ab. 77,} it is provi 
 ded in the constituiion that he shall receive a fixed compensa 
 tion for his services, whirh shall neither DP increased nor dimin 
 ished during the term for which he was elected. 
 
 To secure the independence of \ he legislative department, and 
 to prevent the executive from influencing its deliberations, by 
 retaining a set of dependants in the senate and house of repre 
 sentatives, always ready, like the placemen in the British par 
 liament, to support the measures of administration, it was pro 
 vided, in the same constitution, that persons holding offices un 
 der the authority of the United Stales, should be wholly exclu 
 ded from the floor of congress. 
 
 The committee believe that this provision for the indepen 
 dence of the senate and house of representatives, though wise 
 and proper as far as it goes, does ^ot go far enough to accom 
 plish the object it had in view. They admit that the presence 
 of office holders in the legislative department would be the 
 bane of honest and independent legislation ; and they believe 
 that the presence of office- hunters would be equally fatal. The 
 danger to be apprehended from each, is, in effect, the same. 
 The office holder would support he measures of administration 
 for the purpose of saving the office which he had in possession : 
 the office hunter would support the same measures, for the 
 purpose of securing the office which he had in expectation, By 
 
428- UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 either party, the interest of the country would be sacrificed to 
 the views of the executive ; and the appropriate means for pre 
 venting this mischief, was first to exclude office holders from 
 seats in congress, and this the constitution has done ; and, 
 secondly, to prevent senators and representatives from taking 
 appointments from the president under whose administration 
 they had served, and this it has omitted to do. The omission 
 was too material to escape the observation of those who were 
 not blind to the defects of the constitution ; and their animad 
 versions were too loud and vehement to pass unnoticed by the 
 great advocates for the ratification of that instrument. The 
 authors of the Federalist, in their JVb. 55, felt it to be their du 
 ty to meet the objection which grew out of this omission. But 
 even these great men, with their superior abilities, and ardent, 
 zeal in the best of causes, could attempt no more than to dimin 
 ish the quantum of a danger which could not be denied to exist, 
 and to cover, with a brilliant declamation, a part of their be- 
 loved constitution which could not be defended. They said : 
 " Sometimes we are told, that this fund of corruption,(executivc 
 appointments,) is to be exhausted by the president in subduing 
 the virtue of the senate. Now, the fidelity of the other house 
 is to be the victim. The improbability of such a mercenary and 
 perfidious combination of the several members of the govern 
 ment, standing on as different foundations as its republican prin 
 ciples will well admit, and at the same time accountable to the 
 society over which they ate placed, oujjht alone to quiet this 
 apprehension. But, fortunately, the constitution has provided 
 a still further safeguard. The members of the congress are 
 rendered ineligible to any civil offices that may be created, or 
 of which the emoluments may be increased, during the term of 
 their election. No offices, therefore, can be dealt out to the 
 existing members but such as maj become vacant by ordinary 
 casualties ; and to suppose that these would be sufficient tc 
 purchase the guardians of the people, selected by the people 
 themselves, is to renounce every rule by wnich events ought tc 
 be calculated, and to substitute an indiscriminate and unboun 
 ded jealousy, with which all reasoning must be vain." 
 
 They doubted the validity of these arguments, and concluded 
 the report as follows: Considering all which, the committee 
 have come to the unanimous resolution to submit to the senate 
 a proposition of amendment to the constitution of the United 
 States, embracing the principle of this report. 
 
 Resolved, by the senate and house of representatives of the 
 United States of America in congress assembled, two thirds oT 
 both houses concurring, That the following- amendment to the 
 constitution of the United States be proposed to the legislatures 
 of the several states ; which, when ratified by three-fourths of 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 429 
 
 said legislatures, shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as 
 part of said constitution : 
 
 No senator or representative shall be appointed to any civil 
 office, place or emolument, under the authority of th United 
 States, until the expiration of the presidential term in which 
 such person shall have served as a senator or a representative. 
 
 During the session and on the fourth of July, just half a cen 
 tury from the time when Adams and Jefferson, signed the Dec 
 laration of ludepenence, they doth departed this life, within a 
 few hours of each other. They had both been presidents of 
 the United States, and both vice presidents. This is certain 
 ly an extraordinary coincidence, and worthy to be perpetuated 
 in the archives of the nation. Nor is it a little remarkable, that 
 on this day, after its observance by the national legislatute, 
 certain members of congress addressed the legislature on the 
 pecuniary embarrassments of Mr. Jefferson with a view to his 
 relief. The following extracts we believe will be acceptable. 
 
 If I am asrked why Jefferson is singled out amid his compat* 
 riots my answer is, he stands pre-eminent alike for his servi 
 ces and his misfortunes. Gud forbid tha F should diminish the 
 just claims of the illustrious band, who, guided by the polarity 
 of their superior genius, and bv a courage that was above cir 
 cumstances, to whotn the blessing of Providence became a pil 
 lar of light by which we were conducted through the wilder- 
 nessofthe land of promise. But asene stardiffereth from an 
 other star in glory, so also is the lot of man. It was his good 
 fortune to occupy the front rank among the illustrious. He is 
 one of three survivors, signers of the Declaration of Indepen 
 dence. His associates are comfortable, and need no aid. 
 
 Ifit be inquired how it has happened that h<; has become im 
 poverished ? I answer, the delicacy of the subject forbids the 
 inquiry. I may ask, however, what public institution is there 
 in the United States that has not profited of his bounty ? What 
 son or daughter of affliction, who has asked for aid, that has not 
 received his charity? >v hat nation, tongue or kindred, that has 
 not shared his hospitality ? His> fame had gone abroad in the 
 oarth. He as justly esteemed a distinguished benefactor of 
 mankind. He was resorted to as an oracle, that they might 
 hear with their own ears, from his own lips, the sublime and 
 the eternal truths of religious liberty. His doors were open te 
 all. His responses were wthheld from none. The sequel 
 was inevitable a loss of his property. He disinterestedly sac* 
 rificed his independence on the altar of all the virtues. The 
 character of his country was ennobled by the sacrifice. It will 
 be still further ennobled by its being replaced by the generosity 
 sf his countrymen. 
 
430 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OP 
 
 The second session of the nineteenth congress commenced 
 on the fourth day of December, 1826. The President s 
 message, after noticing the unfinished and untouched subjects 
 of his former message, notices the decease of Alexander, of Rus 
 sia, our commerce with France, and a ratified treaty with Den 
 mark, says: " With Prussia, Spain, Portugal, and in genera! 
 all the European Powers, between whom and the United States 
 relations of friendly intercourse have existed, their condition has 
 not materially varied since the last session of congress. I re 
 gret not to be able to say the same of our commercial intercourse 
 with the colonial possessions of Great Britian, in America. Ne 
 gotiations of the highest importance to our common interests 
 have been for several years in discussion between the two gov 
 ernments, and on the part of the United States have been inva 
 riably pursued in the spirit of candor and conciliation. Interests 
 of great magnitude and delicacy had been adjusted by the con 
 ventions of 1815 and 1818, while that of 1822, mediated by the 
 late emperor Alexander, had promised a satisfactory compromise 
 of claims which the government of the United States, in justice 
 to the rights of a numerous class of their citizens, was bound 
 to sustain. But, with regard to the commercial intercourse 
 between the United States and the British colonies in America, 
 it has been hitherto found impracticable to bring the parties to 
 an understanding satisfactory to both. The relative geographi 
 cal position, aud the respective products of nature cultivated by 
 human industry, had constituted the elements of a commercial 
 intercourse between the United States and British America, in 
 sular and continental, important to the inhabitants of both coun 
 tries. But it had been interdicted by Great Britian, upon a prin 
 ciple heretofore practised by the colonizing nations of Europe, 
 of holding the trade of their colonies, each in exclusive monopo 
 ly to herself. After the termination of the late war, this inter 
 diction had been revived, and the British government declined 
 including this portion of our intercourse with her possessions in 
 the negotiation of the convention of 1815. The trade was then 
 carried on exclusively in British vessels, till the act of congress 
 concerning navigation, of 1818, and the supplemental act of 1820 
 met the interdict by a corresponding measure on the part of the 
 United States. These measures, not of retaliation, but necessa 
 ry self-defence, were soon succeeded by an act of parliament, 
 opening certain colonial ports to the vessels of the United States, 
 coming directly from them, and to the importation from them oi 
 certain articles of our produce, burdened with heavy duties, and 
 excluding some of the most valuable articles of our exports. The 
 United States opened their ports to British vessels from the colo 
 nies, upon terms as exactly corresponding with those of the act 
 of parliament, as in the relative position of the parties, could br 
 
THE UNITED STATES, 431 
 
 And a negotiation was commenced by mutual consent, 
 with the hope, on our part, that a reciprocal spirit of accommo 
 dation and a common sentiment of the importance of the trade 
 to the interests of the inhabitants of the two countries, between 
 whom it must be carried on, would ultimately bring the parties 
 to a compromise, with which both might be satisfied. With this 
 view, the government of the United States had determined to sa> 
 crifice something of that entire reciprocity which in all commer 
 cial arrangements with foreign powers they are entitled to de 
 mand, and to acquiesce in some inequalities disadvantageous to 
 ourselves, rather than to forego the benefit of a final and perma 
 nent adjustment of this interest, to the satisfaction of Great Brit 
 ain herself. The negotiation, repeatedly suspended by accidental 
 circumstances, was, however, by mutual agreement and express 
 assent, considered as pending, and to be speedily resumed. In 
 the mean time, another act of parliament, so doubtful and ambi 
 guous in its import as to have been misunderstood by the officers 
 in the colonies who were to carry it into execution, opens again 
 certain colonial ports, upon new conditions and terms, with a 
 threat to close them against any nation which may not accept 
 those terms, as prescribed by the British government. This act 
 passed in July, 1825, not communicated to the government of the 
 United States, not understood by the British officers of the cus 
 toms in the colonies where it was to be enforced, was neverthe 
 less submitted to the consideration of congress, at their last 
 session. With the knowledge that a negotiation upon the sub 
 ject had long been in progress, and pledges given of its resump 
 tion at an early day, it was deemed expedient to await the re 
 sult of that negociation, rather than to subscribe implicitly to 
 terms, the import of which was not clear, and which the Brit 
 ish authorities themselves, in this hemisphere, were not pre 
 pared to explain. 
 
 He closes the subject of British difficulties, by trusting that 
 the misunderstanding noticed would not have an impropitious 
 effect on other subjects connected with our mutual relations. 
 
 He then alludes to the Panama mission, and presses the opin 
 ion that we ought to be there represented. 
 
 Of our fiscal concerns, and the contemplated reduction of the 
 public debt, he speaks in favourable terms. Of the military 
 and naval departments he speaks in a favourable manner, and 
 extols the management of the post office department. 
 
 The conclusion is as follows : 
 
 In closing this communication, I trust it will not be deemed 
 inappropriate to the occasion and purposes upon which we are 
 here assembled, to indulge a momentary retrospect, combining, 
 in a single glance, the period of our origin as a national confe 
 deration with that of our present existence, at the precise in- 
 
432 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 terval of half a century from each other. Since your last meet< 
 ing at this place, the fiftieth anniversary of the day when our 
 indeoendence was declared, has been celebrated throughou 
 our land, and on that day, when every heart was bounding with 
 joy and every voice was tuned to gratulation, amid the blessings 
 of freedom and independence, which the sires of a former age 
 had handed down to their children, two of ihe principal actors 
 in that solemn scene, the hand that penned the ever-memorable 
 declaration, and the voice that sustained it in debate, were, by 
 the summons, at the distance of seven hundred miles from each 
 other, called before the Judge of all, to account for their deeds 
 done upon earth. They departed, cheered by the benedictions 
 of their country, to whom they left the inheritance of their fame, 
 and the memory of their bright example. If we turn our 
 thoughts to the condition of their country, in the contrast of the 
 first and last day of that century, how resplendent and sublime 
 is the transition from gloom to glory ! Then glancing through 
 the same lapse of time, in the condition of the individuals, we 
 see the first day marked with the fulness and vigor of youth in 
 the pledge of their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor, 
 to the cause of freedom and of mankind. And on the last, ex 
 tended on the bed of death with but sense and sensibility left to 
 breathe a last aspiration to Heaven of blessing upon their coun 
 try ; may we not humbly hope that to them too, it was a 
 pledge of transition from gloom to glory ; and that while their 
 mortal vestments were sinking into the clod of the valley, their 
 emancipated spirits were ascending to the bosom of their God ! 
 
 During the session, a number of interesting reports were 
 made from the different departments and a number of valua 
 ble documests presented. The famous treaty with M Intosh 
 and other Creek chiefs was put under examination and condem 
 ned. 
 
 This treaty it may be recollected, was made by M Intosh, in 
 a clandestine manner, for which he subsequently suffered death. 
 Circumstances, and clear testimony were adduced to show that 
 this was the state of the treaty, and it was no longer consider 
 ed obligatory on either the United States, or the Creek nation. 
 To show the spirit of hostility manifested by the executive of 
 Georgia, nothing more is necessary, than to copy the two fol 
 lowing orders. It is only necessary to state, that Georgia had 
 long coveted the Creek lands, and by collusion with some chiefs, 
 determined to possess them even at the point of the bayonet, 
 and the destruction of the aborigines. We rejoice that the 
 general government stopped the torrent of usurpation, and ex 
 hibited the features of firmness, justice, and generosity. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 xecutive department, Geo. Milledgeville, \~th Feb. 1827. 
 Ordered, That the attorney and solicitors general of this 
 state, in every instance of complaint made of the arrest of any 
 .surveyor, engaged in the survey of the late acquired territory, 
 .>y any civil process, under the authority of the government ot" 
 the United States, do take all necessary and legal measures to 
 effect the liberation of the person so arrested, and to bring to 
 justice either by indictment or otherwise, the officers or par- 
 iies concerned in such an arrest, as offenders against the 
 laws and violaters of the peace and personal security of tho 
 public officers and citizens of this state. That they give pro 
 fessional advice and assistance in their defence against any 
 prosecution or action which may be instituted against them as 
 officers in the service of the state, and that they promptly make 
 known to this department their acts and doings in the premises. 
 It is moreover enjoined on the civil magistrates of this state, 
 having competent jurisdiction of the same, to be acting and as 
 sisting in enquiring into the cause of every such arrest or deten 
 tion as aforesaid, that the person may be discharged forthwith, 
 if illegally or unjustly detained, and in affording such redress to 
 the aggrieved or injured party as by law he may be entitled to 
 receive. 
 
 By the governor, E. H. PIERCE, Sec. 
 
 Head quarters, Milledgeville, 11 th Feb. 1827. 
 
 ORDERS. 
 
 The major generals commanding the 6th and 7th divisions 
 will immediately issue orders to hold in readiness the several 
 regiments and battalions within their respective commands to 
 repel any hostile invasion of the territory of this state. Depots 
 of arms a id ammunition central to each division will be estab 
 lished in due time. 
 
 By the commander-in-chief, 
 
 JOHN VV. A. SANFORD, Aid-de-camp. 
 
 This cororress closed its session on the third of March, and 
 the twentieth congress opened its sittings on the third of De 
 cember, 1827. 
 
 On the fourth, the message of the president was received and 
 read in both houses. After giving a general, but concise and 
 elevating view of our situation as a people, he thus speaks of 
 our foreign concerns: " Our relations of friendship with the 
 other natior s of the earth, political and commercial, have beea 
 preserved unimpaired : and the opportunities to improve them 
 have been cultivated with anxious and unremitting attention. 
 A negotiation upon subjects of high and delicate interest, with 
 he government of Great Britain, has terminated in the adiust- 
 37 
 
434 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 ment of some of the questions at issue upon satisfactory termtf s 
 and the postponement of others for future discussion and agree 
 ment. The purposes of the convention concluded at St. Pe 
 tersburg, on the 12th day of July, 1822, under the mediation oi 
 the late emperor Alexander, have been carried into effect by a 
 subsequent convention, concluded at London on the 13th of" 
 November, 1826, the ratifications of which were exchanged at 
 that place on the 6th day of February last. A copy of the 
 proclamation issued on the nineteenth day of March last, pub 
 lishing this convention, is herewith communicaied to congress. 
 The sum of twelve hundred and four thousand nine hundred and 
 sixty dollars, therein stipulated to be paid to the claimants of 
 indemnity under the first article of the treaty of Ghent, has been 
 duly received, and the commission instituted, conformably to 
 the act of congress of the second of March last, for the distri 
 bution of the indemnity to the persons entitled to receive it. 
 are now in session, and approaching the consummation of their 
 labors. This final disposal of one of the most painful topics of 
 collision between the United States and Great Britain, not only 
 affords an occasion of gratulation to ourselves, but has had the 
 happiest effect in promoting a friendly disposition, and in sof 
 tening asperities upon other objects of discussion. Nor ought it 
 to pass without the tribute of a frank and cordial acknowledg 
 ment of the magnanimity with which an honorable nation, by 
 the reparation of their own wrongs, achieves a triumph more 
 glorious than any field of blood can ever bestow. 
 
 " The conventions of 3d July, 1815, and of 20th October, 1818, 
 will expire, by their own limitation, on the 20th October, 1828. 
 These have regulated the direct commercial intercoure between 
 the United States and Great Britain, upon terms of the most 
 perfect reciprocity ; and they effected a temporary compromise 
 of the respective rights and claims to territory westward of the 
 Rocky mountains. These arrangements have been cootinuecE 
 for an indefinite period of time, after the expiration of the above 
 mentioned conventions ; leaving each party the liberty of ter 
 minating them, by giving twelve months notice to the other. 
 The radical principle of all commercial intercourse between in 
 dependent nations, is the mutual interest of both parties. It is 
 the vital spirit of trade itself; nor can it be reconciled to the 
 nature of man, or to the primary laws of human society, that 
 any traffic should long be willingly pursued, of which all the ad 
 vantages are on one side, and all the burdens on the other. 
 Treaties of commerce have been found, by experience, to be . 
 among the most effective instruments for promoting peace and 
 harmony between nations whose interests, exclusively consid 
 ered on either side are brought into frequent collisions by com 
 petition. In framing such treaties, it is the duty of each partj 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 435 
 
 -sot simply to urge with unyielding pertinacity that which suits 
 its own interest, but to concede liberally to that which is adap 
 ted to the interest of the other. To accomplish this, little more 
 ?s generally required than a simple observance of the rule of 
 reciprocity ; and were it possible for the statesmen of one na 
 tion, by stratagem and management, to obtain from the weak 
 ness or ignorance of another, an over-reaching treaty, such a 
 compact would prove an incentive to war rather than a bond of 
 peace. Our conventions with Great Britain are founded upon 
 the principles of reciprocity. The commercial intercourse be 
 tween the two countries is greater in magnitude and amount 
 than bet ween any two other nations on the globe. It is, lor 
 all purposes of benfit or advantage to both, as precious, and, in 
 all probability, far more extensive, than if the parties were still 
 constituent parts of one and the same nation. Treaties be 
 tween such states, regulating the intercourse of peace between 
 them, and adjusting interests of such transcendent importance 
 to both, which have been found, in a long experience of years, 
 mutually advantageous, should not be lightly cancelled or dis 
 continued. Two conventions, for continuing in force those 
 above mentioned, have been concluded between the plenipo 
 tentiaries of the two governments, on the 6th of August last, 
 and will be forthwith laid before the senate for the exercise of 
 their constitutional authority concerning them." 
 
 He then alludes to the execution of the treaties of 1782, and 
 83, respecting the boundary line of the Union, showing that 
 difficulties had arisen respecting their adjustment. Commis 
 sioners had been appointed by both parties, to settle these 
 questions, but the object had not been fully accomplished, and 
 a convention of September 1826, was intended for reference to 
 the senate. He then notices a communication from the gover 
 nor of Maine, touching the difficulties respecting territorial 
 jurisdiction, which had occurred in the vicinity of that state, 
 and concludes the subject by stating that he had taken mea 
 sures to obtain the best information of facts in the case, which 
 should be communicated when received. He also reverts to 
 the difficulties and embarrassments arising from the Britishco- 
 ionial regulations, which he states as not yet approximating to 
 a friendly understanding. 
 
 In speaking of France, he states that our commerce with 
 that people is increasing, while it is a source of regret, that 
 v;ur demands on that government for spoliations, remain un 
 settled. With the Kingdom of Sweden, a new treaty had been 
 concluded, and a minister plenipotentiary from the Hanseatic 
 towns received. With Russia we are at peace, and the good 
 understanding which subsisted with Alexander, has not been 
 
436 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 interrupted by the succession of his brother Nicholas, to the 
 empire. 
 
 Of the Creeks, he speaks most feelingly, and notices the let 
 ter of thanks from the president of that country, which was to 
 be translated, and placed before congress. 
 
 Alluding to our southern neighbours, he says : IC In tho Amer 
 ican hemisphere, the cause of freedom and independer.ee has 
 continued to prevail ; and if signalized by none of thesf splen 
 did triumphs which had crowned with glory some of th ; prece 
 ding years, it has only been from the banishment of all exter 
 nal force against which the struggle had been maintained. The 
 shout of victory has been superseded by the expulsion of the 
 enemy over whom it could have been achieved. Our friendly 
 wishes and cordial good will, which have constantly followed 
 the southern nations of America in oil the vicissitudes of their 
 war of independence, are succeeded by a solicitude, equally ar 
 dent and cordial, that by the wisdom arid purity of their insti 
 tutions, they may secure to themselves the choicest blessings 
 of social order, and the best rewards of virtuous liberty." 
 
 The message then alludes to our remaining difficulties with 
 Brazil, which he had t.aken measures to settle, and finally re 
 turns to the more grateful subjects of our internal concerns, 
 thus : 
 
 " Turning from the momentous concerns of our union, in its 
 intercourse with foreign nations, to those of the deepest inter 
 est in the administration of our internal affairs, we find the 
 revenues of the present year corresponding as nearly as might 
 be expected to the anticipations of the last, and presenting an 
 aspect still more favourable in the promise of i he next. The 
 balance in the treasury, on the first of January last, was six 
 millions three hundred and fifty-eight thousand six hundred and 
 eighty six-dollars and eighteen cents. The receipts from that 
 day to the 30th of {September last, as near as the returns of them 
 yet received can show, amount to sixteen millions eight hun 
 dred and eighty-six thousand five hundred and eighty-one dol 
 lars and thirty two cents. The receipts of the present quarter, 
 estimated at four millions five hundred and fifteen thousand, ad 
 ded to the above, form an aggregate of twenty- one millions four 
 hundred thousand dollars of receipts. The expenditures of the 
 year may perhaps amount to twenty-two millions three hundred 
 thousand dollars, presenting a small excess over the receipts. 
 But, of these twenty-two millions, upwards of six have been 
 applied to the discharge of the principal of the public debt ; 
 the whole amount of which, approaching seventy-four millions 
 on the first of January last, will, on the first day of next year, 
 fall short of sixty-seven millions and a half. The balance in 
 the treasury, on the first of January next, it is expected will 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 437 
 
 exceed five millions four hundred and fifty thousand dollars, a 
 sum exceeding that of the first of January, 1825, though falling 
 ^short of that exhibited on the first of January last. 
 
 " It was foreseen that the revenue of the present year would 
 not equal that of the last, which had itself been lees than that 
 of the next preceding year. But the hope has been realized 
 which wus entertained, that these deficiences, would in nowise 
 interrupt the steady operation of the discharge of the public 
 debt by the annual ten millions devoted to that object by the 
 act of 3d March, 1817. 
 
 " The amount of duties secured on merchandise imported from 
 the commencement of the year until the 30th of Sep ember last, 
 is twenty-one millions two hundred and twenty-six thousand, 
 and the probable amount of that wh ch will be secured during 
 the remainder of the year, is five millions seven hundred and 
 seventy four thousand dollars ; forming a sum total of twenty 
 seven millions. With the allowances for drawbacks and contin 
 gent deficiences which "iay occur, though not specifically fore 
 seen, we may safely estimate the receipis of the ensuing year 
 at twenty-two millions three hundred thousand dollars; a 
 revenue for the next, equal to the expenditure of the present 
 year. 
 
 "The deep solicitude felt by our citizens of all classes through 
 out the union for the total discharge of the public debt, will 
 apologize for the earnestness with which i deem it my duty to 
 urge this topic upon the consideration of congress of recom 
 mending to them again the observance of the strictest economy 
 in the application of -the public funds. The depression upon 
 the receipts of the revenue which had commenced with the 
 year 1826, continued with increased severity during the two 
 first quarters of the present year. The returning side began 
 to flow with the third quarter, and, so far as we can judge 
 from experience, may be expected to continue through the 
 course of the ensuing year. Inihemean time, an alleviation 
 from the burden of the public debt will, in the three years, have 
 been effected, to the amount of nearly sixteen millions, and the 
 charge of annual interest will have been reduced upwards of 
 one million. But among the maxims of political economy which 
 the stewards of the public moneys should never suffer with 
 out urgent necessity to be transcended, is tfiat of keeping the 
 expenditures of the yar within the limits of its receipts. The 
 appropriations of the two last yeare, including the yearly ten 
 millions of the sinkmg fund, have each equalled the promised 
 revenue of the ensuing year. While we foresee with confi 
 dence that the public coffers will be replenished from the re 
 ceipts, as fast as they will be drained by the expenditures, equal 
 :n amount to those of the current year, it should not be forgot- 
 37* 
 
438 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 ten that they could ill suffer the exhaustion of larger disburse 
 ments." 
 
 After noticing the measures taken with a view to internal 
 improvements, he mentions the report from the post office de 
 partment, as very satisfactory and encouraging, and closes by 
 recommending the subject of pensions to our remaining revolu 
 tionary officers and soldiers, as a debt of justice, rather than 
 one of gratitude. 
 
 The report of the treasurer states, that more than FIX millions 
 and a quarter, by estimation, would be in his hands, on the first 
 of January, and recommends an addition to the tariff of 1824. 
 The article of domestic manufactures, are estimated at more 
 than seven millions, exported. Other exports at about eighty 
 millions. He states that many on ides of home manufacture 
 had become cheaper, more abundant, and of superior quality, 
 since the adoption of the tariff, than before, and pr^ssrs on the 
 country the importance of increasing the tariff, particularly on 
 wool and woolen goods, fine cotton goods, bar iron and hemp. 
 It is not possible, however, in this condensed sketch, to give an 
 outline of this valuable report. 
 
 Early in the session, steps were taken to ascertain the impor 
 tance of revising thoroughly, the tariff system of 1824. A com- 
 mitte vvas appointed, clothed with ample powers to investigate 
 the subject. This report was made in February, from which 
 we shall give a few extracts. 
 
 After stating the many obsiacks necessary tobe overcome, and 
 the labours to which i hey were subject, the cnmrnine proceeds : 
 " This labor being performed, the committee at once h. gan their 
 examinations of such witnesses, members of the house and 
 others, as were wilhin their reach, and believed to be possessed 
 of valuable and practical information upon any of the su jects 
 before them. The examination of these witnesses was not com 
 pleted, when the arrival of some attending under summonses, 
 was announced. An application was then immediately made to 
 the house tor leave to sit during the hours of session of tho 
 house ; and nearly every day since that leave was granted, has 
 fceen entirely occupied, to tlie almost total neglect of other pub 
 lic and private duties, in the laborious examination of witnesses, 
 pursuant to the resolution under which the committee were act 
 ing. It is but. justice here to remark, that the original expec 
 tation of the committee, under the re.-olution offered by them, 
 to the house, was to have made an expeditious inquiry into the 
 situation of* one or two manufacturing interests, rather to enable 
 them to determine what further protection these interests really 
 required, than with the expectation, within the limited time 
 which they had allowed to themselves for the purpose of being 
 a%Ie to collect and report to the house, a body of evidence upon 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 43y 
 
 several important branches of our domestic manufactures, so 
 digested and arranged as to be of any essential service to t.he 
 house or to the public, as a source of correct information upon 
 these complicated subjects. The amendment, however, which 
 \vas made to the resolution by the house, s-> as to give the com 
 mittee the authority "to send for, and exan, ne persons upon 
 jath t in relation to the present condition of our manufactures, 
 and to report the min-nes of such examination to this house," 
 it will readily be seen, added greatly to the labor wiich the com 
 mittee had proposed tor ihe-iise!ves ; as. by tha f . amendment, it 
 was made the duty of the commute, should they think proper 
 10 examine witnesses, to suite their te.sti.nony in detail, and in 
 such order as to render it ar ieasi passablv intelligible to the 
 house. This additional lab >r was in no other way exceptiona 
 ble to the committee than as it rendered spmewhatdoubtful their 
 ability to ,<rive their report to rhe douse within the time which 
 they had si^niQ^d that it w->uid be received. But, even under 
 this apprehension, so desirous were the committee of a full de- 
 velopement of the facts, that the amended resolution met their 
 approbation : and thev emered uuon their duties, determined, if 
 possible, to realize <IK- expectation- of tile h.use, so far at least 
 as regarded a report within the time they had ind cated. 
 
 " They have examined a little short of thirty witnesses, and 
 the testimony of each, has.ily written out bv way of question 
 and answer, and annexed to tins report, w II show what facts 
 have been collected by the examination, as well as the extent 
 of the labor which the commit/ ee nave performed. The testi 
 mony of each witness after it was taken, had been carefully 
 read over with him, and so corrected as to meet the full asseni 
 of the witness to its accuracy. 
 
 41 The leading subjects presented to tho committee for addi 
 tional protection, are iron and several manufactures of it, wool 
 and its fabrics, he: up and some of the manufactures from it, flax 
 and its manufactures, and domestic distilled spirits from gr-iiii, 
 particular descriptions of glass, and fine and printed cottons. 
 Upon all these subjects, witnesses have been examined, and their 
 testimony, herewith reported, comprises the evidence, upon 
 each subject, which the committee have taken under the reso 
 lution of the house, and embodies nr.ost of the information upon 
 which they have acted in determining the features of the bill 
 which they have agreed upon. 
 
 " The first subject which will be found in the bill, is that of 
 iron, and considering the imnortance of the article, as one of 
 both national and individual necessity, the changes in the pre 
 sent rates of duty are comparatively very light. 
 
 " The next subject in order is that of wo >l and woollens. To 
 these subjects the greater part of the testimony of the witnes- 
 
440 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 ses has been directed, and the committee have used every effort 
 in their power to obtain precise information as to the facts as 
 they do actually exist in relation to the interests both of the 
 wool grower and the manufacturer of wool. The real impor 
 tance of these subjects to those sections of the country where 
 wool is grown, and in which the manufactories are located, the 
 feeling which has for some time agitated the public mind through 
 out the whole country, in relation, on the one side, to the ne 
 cessity of further protection to them, and on the other side, to 
 the injurious effects which such a measure would have upon 
 the purchasers of woollen fabrics, have-all conspired to induce 
 this exertion on the part of the committee. They have there 
 fore made the examinations of the witnesses, upon ihose sub 
 jects, as minute as possible, and, perhaps, in some instances, 
 they may appear tediously so. Indeed, many of the questions 
 put to the witnesses will afford abundant evidence that the com 
 mittee had not sufficient practical knowledge upon the subjects 
 before them to enable them to make a series of interrogations. 
 the answers to which would place the testimony taken, in the 
 clearest light. And when the members of the house shall have 
 examined the evidence relating to the manufacture of woollen 
 goods, the committee cannot doubt they will be entirely convin 
 ced that none but a person intimately acquainted with the vari 
 ous operations, could have drawn out a series of questions upon 
 the subject, susceptible of clear and intelligible answers. The 
 time of the committee did not authorize even an attempt to do 
 this, and, therefore, the examinations, and particularly of some 
 of the witnesses first examined, will appear, as they were really 
 taken the one answer, in many, -if not in most instances, sug 
 gesting the subsequent question. It will also be found upon an 
 examination of the testimony, that the manufacture of wool 
 lens is hardly susceptible of being reduced within the limits of 
 exact mathematical calculation, so as to enable the committee 
 to arrive with this kind of certainty, at the amount of duty 
 which will furnish full protection, and at the same time, will not 
 go beyond that point. Certain positions, however, they believe 
 to be proved by the evidence they have taken, which furnish 
 great assistance in approaching to correct conclusions." 
 
 From all which the committee could gather on the subject, 
 they think the following positions may be fairly stated. 
 
 1st. That the manufacture of woollen goods in this country, 
 is, at this time, a business laboring under severe depressions, 
 and attended with loss more severe upon the finer qualities. 
 
 2d. That these depressions are owing, in a yery groat degree, 
 to the excessive and irregular importations of foreign woollen 
 iroods into our markets : thus causing a fluctuation in, and au 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 441 
 
 uncertainty of price for those goods, more injurious to the 
 American manufacturer than even the depression of price 
 which these importations produce. 
 
 3d. That the difference between the prices of wool, of the 
 same quality, in this country and in England, is at the present 
 time about fifty per cent, in favor of the latte* country. 
 
 4th. That the c^st of raw wool in this country is about one 
 half of the cost of the fabric, when prepared for the market, as 
 a general rule applying to most kinds of cloths. 
 
 5th. That if the cost of .the wool and the cost of the foreign 
 materials used for dying, were the same in both countries, the 
 process of manufacturing the wool into cloth, fitted for the mar 
 ket, can be performed as cheap in this country as it can in 
 England. 
 
 6th. That the present duty on woollen goods does not furnish 
 the desired protectiou, and that no reasonable duty can bt ef 
 fectual, unless it be a specific square yard, instead of ad valorem 
 duty. 
 
 Taking, then these positions as granted, the committee pro 
 posed to lay the following duties : 
 
 1st. Upon all manufactures of wool, or of which wool shall 
 be a component part, the actual value of which at the place 
 whence imported, shall not exceed fifty cents per square yard, a 
 specific duty of sixteen cents upon every square yard. 
 
 2d. Upon all manufactures of wool, or of which wool shall 
 be a component part, the actual value of which, at the place 
 whence imported, shall exceed fifty cents per square yard, and 
 shall not exceed $1 00 per square yard, a specific duty of 40 
 cents upon every square yard. 
 
 3d. Upon manufactures of wool, or of which wool shall be 
 a component part, the actual value of which at the place 
 whence imported, shall exceed $1 00 per square yard, and shall 
 not exceed $2 50 per square yard, a specific duty of $1 00 upon 
 every square yard. 
 
 4th. Upon all manufactures of wool or of which wool shall 
 be a component part, the actual value of which at the place 
 whence imported shall exceed gj 50 per square yard, and shall 
 not exceed $4 00 per square yard, shall be deemed to have cost 
 $400 per square yard, and at s.ich valuation, shall be charged 
 with, and pay a duty of, 40 per centum advaiorem. 
 
 5th. Upon all manufactures of wool, &o. the actual value of 
 which, at the place whence imported, shall exceed $4 00 per 
 square yard, shall be charged with, and pay a duty of, 45 per 
 centum ad valorem. 
 
 The attention of the committee was next turned to hemp ami 
 flax, and certain manufactures from them. After showing that 
 our country can raise and manufacture from these articles to 
 
442 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 advantage, and that in some points they form an important item 
 in the products of this country, they propose to lay a duty of 
 $10 the ton, on raw hemp, and $9 the Ion on flax, and would 
 make the rate of duty progressive, until it should arrive at $60 
 the ton on each. 
 
 On foreign distilled spirits the committee proposed an addi 
 tional duty of ten cents, and on foreign molasses, an increase of 
 five cents the gallon. 
 
 The great, importance of a National System, is so evident, 
 that few doubt the propriety of a tariff for the protection of do 
 mestic manufactures. This was the all absorbing business 
 of the last session, and the measure has been effected. Wheth 
 er all the details are unexceptionable, is left for practice to de- 
 termint. If faults should be discovered, they can be remedied 
 by the legislature. If it should have an unequal bearing on 
 different sections of the Union, the difficulty may be obviated; 
 or, if not, the only evils which will remain, are those which are 
 inseparable from all general systems. All that can be required, 
 is the greatest good of the whole as a nation. 
 
 That opposition should be manifested to any great national 
 change is not surprising ; it would rather surprise if this were 
 not the case. No such change can be made, without effecting 1 
 individual interest. But, where the great, the permanent in 
 terests, and permanent prosperity of the country are at stake, 
 both wisdom and duty diqtate, that the minor interests should 
 give way. The balance of trade has been long enough against 
 us. Commercial difficulties and scarcity of money, substantiate 
 the fact conclusively. To retrace our steps, and take an inde 
 pendent stand, was our only safe alternative, and we rejoice that 
 this course has been pursued, because we are fully persuaded 
 that the step will ultimately result in good. 
 
 Remarks upon Part Third, 
 
 The Mississippi, the Missouri, the Ohio, no longer flows through 
 a wilderness ; large three masted ships sail up them, and more 
 than two hundred steam boats enliven their banks. 
 
 Thus the United States cherish within their bosom, under the 
 protection of liberty, an image and a memorial of most of the 
 celebrated places of ancient and modern Europe like that gar 
 den iii the Campagna of Rome, in which Adrian had models of 
 the different monuments of his empire erected. 
 
 It should be observed that there is scarcely a county but has 
 a town, village, or hamlet, called Washington: touching una 
 nimity of the gratitude of a nation ! 
 
 Thirty high roads meet at Washington, as tho Roman roads 
 met at ancient Rome, and diverging from that point, run to the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 443 
 
 circumference of the United States. The whole forming an in 
 terior circulation of roads of 25,747 miles. 
 
 From the points to which these roads tend it is obvious (hat 
 traverse tracts formerly wild, but now cultivated and inha 
 bited. On a great number of these roads you may travel, post, 
 or public stage coaches carry you from place to place a f a mo 
 derate price. You may now "take the diligence for the Ohio, or 
 the Falls of Niagara, as in former time you engaged an Indian 
 guide or interpreter. Cross roads branch off from the principal 
 roads, and are equally provided with the means of conveyance. 
 These means are almost always of two kinds, for as there are ev 
 ery where lakes and rivers, you may travel either in row boats, 
 sailing boats, or steam vessels. 
 
 Vessels of the latter class make regular trips from Boston and 
 New- York to New-Orleans; the> arc likewise established on 
 the lakes of Canada, the Ontario, the Erie, the Michigan, the 
 Champlain ; on those lakes where thirty years ago scarcely the 
 canoes of savages were to be seeu, find where ships of the line 
 now engage one another. 
 
 The steam vessels of the United States are not only subser 
 vient to the wants of commerce, and of travellers, but are also 
 employed for the defence of the country ; some of them, of im 
 mense size, placed at the mouth of rivers, armed with cannon 
 and boiling water, resemble at once and the same time modern 
 citadels and fortresses of the middle ages. 
 
 To the twehty-five thousand seven hundred and forty-seven 
 miles of general roads must be added the extent of four hun 
 dred and nineteen district roads, and of fifty-eight thousand one 
 hundred and thirty-seven miles of water-ways. The canals in 
 crease the number of the latter : the Middlesex canal joins the 
 harbour at Boston with the river Merricnack ; the Champlain 
 canal forms a communication between that lake and the Cana 
 dian seas ; the famous Erie or New-York canal, now unites 
 Lake Erie and the Atlantic ; the Santee, Chesapeake and Al- 
 bemarle canals were constructed by the States of Carolina 
 and Virginia; and as broad rivers running in different direc 
 tions approach to wards their sources, nothing was easier than to 
 connect them together. Five roads to the Pacific Ocean are 
 already known ; one only of these roads passes through the 
 Spanish territory. 
 
 A law of Congress, passed in the session of 1824-5, directs 
 the establishment of a military post at Oregon. The Ameri 
 cans, who have a settlement on the Columbia, c*>n thue pene 
 trate to the great ocean by a zone of land nearly six degree* 
 in breadth, between English, Russian, and Spanish America. 
 
 There are, nevertheless, natural limits to colonization. The 
 forests to the north and west of the Missouri are bounded by 
 
444 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 immense steppes, where not a tree is to be seen, and which seem 
 to be unsusceptible of culture, though grass grows abundantly 
 upon them. This verdant Arabia affords a passage to the colo 
 nists who repair in caravans to the Rocky Mountains and New- 
 Mexico ; it separates the United States of the Atlantic from the 
 United States of the South Sea, like those deserts which, in 
 the Old YVorfd, are interposed between fertile regions. An A- 
 merican has offered to construct, at his own expense, a solid 
 high road from St. Louis on the Missisippi to the mouth of the 
 Columbia, if Congress will grant him a tract ten miles in depth, 
 on either side of the road. This gigantic proposal has not been 
 accepted. 
 
 In the year 1789, there were c nly seventy-five post-offices in 
 the United States: there are now upwards of seven thousand. 
 From 1790 to 1795, these offices increased from seventy-five to 
 four hun-lred and fifty-three; in 1800 their number was nine 
 hundred and three; in 1805 they amounted to fifteen hundred 
 and fifty eight ; in 1810 to two thousand three hundred ; in 1817 
 to three thousand three hundred and fifty-nine; in 1820 to four 
 thousand and thirty ; in 1828 to nearly eight thousand. 
 
 Letters and packets are conveyed by mail coaches, which tra 
 vel about one hundred and fifty thousand miles a day, and by 
 couriers, on horseback and un foot. 
 
 Offices for the sale of public lands are opened in the States of 
 Ohio and Indiana, in the territory of Michigan, Missouri, and 
 Arkansas, and in the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Ala 
 bama. It is computed that one hundred and fifty millions of 
 acres of land fit for cultivation, exclusively of the soil of vast 
 forests, yet remain to be disposed of. These hundred and fifty 
 millions of acres are estimated to be worth fifteen hundred mil 
 lions of dollars, at ihe average rate of ten dollars per acre, and 
 reckoning the dollar at no more than three francs a very low 
 calculation in every respect. 
 
 We find twenty five military posts in the Northern States 
 and twenty two in the Southern. 
 
 In 1790, the population of the United States was 3,929,326 
 souls; in 1800, it was 5,305,666 ; in 1810, 7,239,300; in 1820, 
 9,609,827, This last number included 1,581,436 slaves. 
 
 The population of the United States has increased every 
 ten years, from 1790 to 1820, at the rate of thirty five per cent. 
 Eight years liave already elapsed of the ten, which will be com- 
 pJeted in 1830, when, it is presumed the population of the Uni 
 ted States will be little short of 12,875,000 souls ; and the state 
 of Ohio will have 850,000 inhabitants, and that of Kentucky 
 750,000. 
 
 If the population were to go on doubling every twenty-five 
 years, the United States would have in 1855, a population of 
 
THE UNITED STATES, 446 
 
 25,750,000 souls ; and in twenty-five years more, that is to ay: 
 in 1880, that population would exceed fifty millions. 
 
 In 1821, the value of native and foreign productions exported 
 from the United States amounted to the sum of 64,974,382 dol 
 lars. In the same year the public revenue was 14,264,000 doJ- 
 lars : the excess of the receipts beyond the expenditure was 
 3,334,826 dollars. In the same year, also, the national deb 4 , 
 was reduced to 89,204,235 dollars. 
 
 The army has sometimes been raised to one hundred thou 
 sand men :* and the Navy of the United States is composed of 
 eleven sail of the line, nine frigates, and fifty other ships of va 
 rious sizes. 
 
 It is superfluous to sav any thing concerning the constitu 
 tions of the different states : it is sufficient to know that they 
 are all free. 
 
 There is no predominant religion, but every citizen is expec 
 ted to conform to some mode of Christian worship. The 
 Catholic religion is making considerable progress in the West 
 ern States. 
 
 Supposing, which I believe to be the case, that the statistical 
 summaries published by the United States are exaggerated by 
 the national vanity, slill there will be left a total of prosperity 
 well worthy of our highest admiration. 
 
 To complete this astonishing picture, we must figure to our 
 selves cities like Boston, New -York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, 
 Savannah, New Orleans, lighted at night, filled with horses and 
 carriages, offering all the gratifications of luxury, brought to 
 their ports by thousands of ships ; we must figure to ourselves 
 the lakes of Canada, formerly so solitary, now covered with 
 frigates, brigs, cutters, boats, steam-vessels, intermixed with 
 the canoes of the Indians, as the large ships- and galleys art 
 with pinks, sloops, and caiques, in the waters of the Bosphorus. 
 Churches and houses, embellished with columns ot Grecian 
 urchitecture, rise from amidst these forests, and on the banks oi* 
 these rivers, the ancient ornaments of the wilderness. Add to 
 these, spacious colleges, observatories, erected for science in 
 the abode of savage ignorance ; all religions, all opinions, 
 dwelling together -in peace, laboring in concert for the meliora 
 tion of the human race, and the developement of the human un 
 derstanding. Such are the prodigies of liberty. 
 
 The Abbe Raynal offered a prize for a solution of the ques 
 tion : 4 * What influence will the discovery of the New World 
 have upon tlie Old World." 
 
 Writers lost themselves in calculations relative to the expor 
 tation and importation of the precious metals, the depopulation 
 of Spain, the increase of commerce, the improvement of the 
 aavy : nobody, as far as I know, sought the influence of the 
 38 
 
440 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 discovery of America upon Europe, in the establishment of the 
 American Republics, They figured to themselves the old mon 
 archies continuing in much the same state as they then were, 
 society stationary, the human mind neither advancing nor 
 retrograding; they had not the least idea of the. revolution 
 which in the space of twenty years has taken place in opin 
 ions. 
 
 The most valuable of the treasures which America contains 
 within her bosom is liberty ; every nation is called to work this 
 inexhaustible mine. The discovery of the representative re 
 public by the United States is one of the greatest political 
 events that ever occurred. This event proves, as I have else 
 where observed, that there are two practicable kinds of liberty ; 
 the one belonging to the infancy of nations, the offspring of 
 manners and virtue, the liberty of the first Greeks and of the 
 first Romans, and the liberty of the savages of America ; the 
 other born in the old age of nations, the offspring of knowledge 
 and reason, the liberty of the United States, which has super 
 seded the liberty of the Indian. Happy country, which in less 
 trhan three centuries has passed from one liberty to the other, 
 almost without effort, and by means of a contest which lasted 
 Only eight years ! 
 
 Will America preserve its last kind of liberty? Will there 
 not be a division of the United States ? May we not already per 
 ceive the germs of these divisions ? Has not a representative of 
 Virginia already supported the thesis of the ancient Greek and 
 Roman liberty with the systems of slavery against a deputy of 
 Massachusetts, who advocated the cause of modern liberty 
 without, slaves, such as Christianity has made it ? 
 
 Will not the Western States, extending themselves farther 
 and farther, and being too remote from the Atlantic States, be 
 desirous of hav.ng a government to themselves ? 
 
 Lastly, are the Americans a perfect people ? have they not 
 their vices like other men ? are they moraly superior to the 
 English, from whom they derive their origin ? Will not the 
 tide of foreign emigration, incessantly pouring upon them from 
 all parts of Europe, eventually destroy the homogeneousness 
 of their race? Will not the mercantile spirit gain ascendency? I? 
 not >elf interest beginning to be a predominant national defect 
 among thetn ? 
 
 V r y are also obliged to confess with pain, that the estab ish- 
 ment of the Republics of. Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chili and 1 
 Buenos Ayres, is pregnant with danger to the United States. 
 While the. latter had about them nothing but the colonies of a 
 Transatlantic kingdom, war was not probable. 
 
 May not rivalships now spring up between the old republics 
 of North America and the New republics of Spanish America r 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 447 
 
 Will not the latter interdict alliance with European powers ? 
 If both sides should have recourse to arms ; if the military spirit 
 should take possession of the United States ; a great captain 
 might arise ; glory loves crowns ; soldiers are but brilliant for 
 gers of chains, and liberty is not sure of preserving its patrimo 
 ny under the guardianship of victory. 
 
 Let what will happen, liberty will never be entirely banished 
 from America : and here it is right to specify one of the great 
 advantages possessed by liberty, the offspring of manners. 
 
 Liberty, the offspring of manners, perishes when its princi 
 ple deteriorates, and it is in the nature of manners to deteriorate 
 with time. 
 
 Liberty, the offspring of manners, begins before despotism 
 in the days of poverty and obscurity .- it is lost in despotism ; 
 and in ages of glory and luxury. 
 
 Liberty, the offspring- of knowledge, shines after ages of op 
 pression and corruption : it advances with the principle which 
 preserves and renews it, the knowledge of which it is the ef 
 fect, instead of becoming feeble with time, like the manners 
 which gave birth to the first liberty knowledge, I say grows 
 stronger on the contrary with time ; thus it forsakes not the 
 liberty which it has produced ; constantly about that liberty, 
 it is at once its generative virtue and its inexhaustible source. 
 
 To conclude ; the United States have one safeguard more : 
 their population does not occupy an eighteenth part of their ter- 
 litcfry. America still dwells in the wilderness : for a long time 
 to come her deserts will be her manners, and knowledge her 
 liberty. 
 
 RELIGION. The consequences resulting from the enjoyment 
 of religious liberty have been highly favorable. Free d iscus- 
 sion has enlightened the ignorant, disarmed superstition of its 
 Jreadful powers, and consigned to oblivion many erroneous and 
 fantastic creeds. Religious oppression, and" the vindicitive 
 feelings it arouses, are hardly known. Catholics and Protes 
 tants live together in harmony ; and protestants who disagree, 
 employ, in defending their own doctrines, and in assailing 
 (hose of their antagonists, tne weapons only of reason and elo 
 quence. 
 
 In th New-England states, the independents or congregation- 
 alists constitute the most numerous denomination ; in the mid 
 dle states, the presbyterians ; and in the southern, the metho- 
 dists. Bapti=ts, episcopalians, and Roman catholics, are found 
 in all the states ; but in Maryland and Louisiana, the catholics 
 are more numerous than elsewhere. Each of these sects has 
 }fie or more seminaries of learning, in which its peculiar doc 
 
 ; nes are taught, and young men are educated for the minis- 
 
448 UNIVERSAL HISTORY OF 
 
 try. Many other sects exist, but reason, less tolerant than the 
 iaws, is gradually diminishing the number. 
 
 AGRICULTURE IN 1820. The number of persons engaged in 
 agriculture was 2,870,646. The value of all its products ex 
 ported during the year ending the 30th of Septemper, 1823, 
 was 37,646,000 dollars. The principal articles were, cotton 
 to the value of20,445,000 dollars ; flour to the value of 4,962,- 
 000 dollars ; tobacco to the value of 4,852,000 dollars ; and 
 rice to the value of 1,821,000 dollars. The value of provisions 
 of all kinds exported wag 13,460,000 dollars, and it has, in ma 
 ny years, been greater. A people able to spare such an 
 amount of the necessaries of life can never be in danger of suf 
 fering from want. 
 
 COMMERCE. .The state of the world, for several years sub 
 sequent to the commencement of the French revolution, offered 
 great encouragement to the commercial enterprise of the couo- 
 try. While almost every other power was engaged in war, 
 the United States were neutral ; their vessels navigated the 
 ocean *o safety, and were employed 10 carry from port to port, 
 the commodities of the belligerent nations. In fifteen vears, 
 beginning with 1793, these favorable circumstances increased 
 the amount of American tonnage from 49 1,000 to 1,242,000 
 Ions, and the revenue arising from commerce, from 4,399,000 
 to 16,363,000 dollars. 
 
 In 1820, the number of persons engaged in commerce was 
 72,493. In 1823, the whole amount of exports was 74,799,000 
 dollars ; the amount of imports was 77,579,009 dollars, the bal 
 ance, in favor of the United States, being about three millions of 
 dollars. As the imports, however, are always undervalued at the 
 custom-house, the additional wealth; which, in that year, accru 
 ed to the nation from commerce, was undoubtedly greater. 
 
 In other years, the commerce of the country has flourished 
 more. In 1807, the exports amounted to 108,343,000 dollars, 
 and the imports to 138,574,000 dollars. The principal causes 
 of the decline which has taken place, have been, the restora 
 tion of peace in Europe, and the increase of the product of do 
 mestic manufactures. The former has permitted all other na 
 tions to become our competitors; the latter has rendered it un 
 necessary to resort to Europe for most of the conveniences 
 and many of the luxuries of life. The depression will not long- 
 continue. The independence of the South American republics 
 has opened a wide field for the enterprise of our merchants, and 
 given a brighter hue to their future prospects. 
 
 DEBT, REVENUE, AND EXPENDITURES. When, in 1790, 
 the public debt was first funded, it amounted to about 75,000,000 
 of dollars. In 1803, by the purchase of Louisana, it was aug 
 mented to about 85,500,000. In the eight years which folloy;- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 ed, a large amount was paid, leaving due, in 181 2, but little more 
 than 45,000,000. To defray the expenses of the war, which 
 was declared in that year, more than 80,000,000 of new debt 
 was contracted. A large portion has since been paid, and, on 
 the first day of Janury, 1823, the amount of it was 90,865,877 
 dollars. 
 
 The present revenue of the republic is derived principally 
 from commerce, and from the sale of public lands. In 1822, 
 there accrued from the former source, the sum of 20,500,775 
 dollars, from the latter source, 1,803,581 ; and from other 
 sources, 839,084. The amount, however, which was actually 
 received, during the year, was but 20,232,427. 
 
 The expenditures, during the same year, were as follows ; 
 .Civil, diplomatic, and miscellaneous, 1,967, 996 ; for the pay 
 and support of the army, the construction efforts, the supply of 
 arms, the payment of pensions, and the various expenses of the 
 Indian department, 5,635,188; for the support and increase of 
 the navy, 2,224,458 ; for the payment of the interest, and for 
 the redemption of that portion of the principal of the debt which 
 became due within the year, 7,848,949 ; amounting in the whol e 
 to 17,676,591, and leaving an excess of revenue over expendi 
 ture of 2,555,836 dollars. 
 
 Great Britain may be taken as a favorable example of the 
 European governments. The people of that kingdom pay, an 
 nually, for the support of their sovereign and his relatives, near 
 ly two and a half millions of dollars, while the compensation of 
 the president of the United States is but twenty-five thousand. 
 In the salaries of the subordinate officers of government, the 
 disproportion is not so great, but is generally nevertheless, at 
 four or five to one. 
 
 The military peace establishment of Great Britain costs an 
 nually thirty-four millions of dollars ; that of the United States 
 but little more than five millions. The naval establishment of 
 the former costs twenty-two millions ; that of the latter less 
 than two and a half millions. British subjects pay in taxes, 
 raised exclusively for national purposes, at the rate of fifteen 
 dollars yearly for each individual ; the citizens of the United 
 States pay, in national and state axes, at the rate of but two 
 dollars. And as the whole population of Great Britain and 
 Ireland is included in the estimate, the individual wealth of the 
 subjects of the united kingdom, and of the citizens of the Amer 
 ican republic, may on an, average, be considered nearly equal 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 Discoveries by Columbus, and others, . . page o 
 From the settlement of Jamestown to the embarkation of the 
 
 Plymouth Company. 
 
 Voyage of Capt. Newport, . . 13 
 
 Attack of the Natives, . . 14 
 
 Gapt. Smith tried and acquitted, . ib. 
 
 Return ofCapt. Newport to England, ib. 
 
 Distresses of the Colonists, . . .15 
 
 Their dissentions, . .. . ib. 
 
 Capt. Smith made President, . ib. 
 
 Fortifications erected at Jamestown, . 16 
 
 A conspiracy detected in the Colony, . . ib. 
 
 The indians capture Capt. Smith, . ib. 
 
 Smith liberated by Pocahontas, 17 
 
 More settlers and provisions arrive . . ib. 
 
 Delusion respecting gold dust, . . 18 
 
 First remittance to England, . . ib. 
 
 Exploring party visits the Susquehannah, . ib. 
 
 First females arrive in the country, 19 
 
 New charter, and increase of settlers, . . ib. 
 
 Disputes respecting precedency, . 20 
 
 Distresses by famine relieved. . . .21 
 
 Sir T. Dale arrives with men and provisions, . 22 
 
 Another new charter issued, . ib. 
 Lotteries first granted in England for the benefit of the 
 
 Settlements, . . . ib. 
 
 Mr. Rolfe marries Pocahontas, . ib. 
 
 Land allotted to individuals, ... 23 
 
 Edicts against raising i obacco, . . . ib. 
 
 Martial law declared, . . . ib. 
 
 Tyranny of the deputy governor, . . . ib. 
 
 Sabbath laws, and penalty for breach thereof, slavery, 24 
 
 First colonial assembly convened, . . ib. 
 
 Females transported and sold for wives., their price, . ib 
 
 First convicts transported, . . ib- 
 
 From (he embarkation of the Plymouth Company, to the close 
 of the Pequot War. 
 
 King s Letters patent boundaries, . 25 
 
 Settlers embark at Southampton, . ib. 
 Colonists land at Cape Corl, 
 
 26 
 ib. 
 23 
 27 
 
 Evils threatened by Indians and famine, . ib. 
 
 Public Fast and Thanksgiving appointed, . . 29 
 
 r-3*TiQir8 and death of Rev. J. Robinson., -. ib. 
 
 Sabbath first observed in New-England, 
 Great mortality in Plymouth Colony, 
 Governor Carver dies, Mr. Bradford succeeds, 
 
CONTENTS. 451 
 
 Mr. Robinson s address to the Cojonists. . , page 33 
 
 IwifeofGov Carver, . . .37 
 
 Notice of Dr. Ames JVbte, . ib. 
 
 Political compact signed, . . .39 
 
 Treaty with Massasoit, . . . ib. 
 
 LifeofGov. Bradford, . .40 
 
 The Narragansetts threaten the Colony, . 44 
 
 Edward Winslow chosen Governor, . . ib. 
 
 Virginia Company form a Constitution, . . 47 
 
 Massacre in Virginia, . . . .42 
 
 Great drought in Plymouth, . . ib. 
 
 Charlestown settled , , . . .49 
 
 Fifteen hundred people arrive at Salem, . . ib. 
 
 John Winthrop made Governor, . . ib. 
 
 Churches established. . . .50 
 
 Arrival of Messrs. Ha\ ries. Stone, and Hooker, . ib. 
 
 Religious conformity exacted. . . ib. 
 
 Mrs. Hutchins >n banished, Rhode Island settled, . 51 
 
 Connecticut River discovered. . . ib. 
 
 Difficulty with the Dutch at Hartford, . 52 
 
 Ravagescf the -rmall-pov . . . ib. 
 
 Connecticut settled sufferings, . . .53 
 
 FirstCourt holden in Connecticut, . . ib. 
 
 Charter of Conn ~ticut "blamed, . ; .54 
 
 Springfield settle Indian mur ; ers, . . ib. 
 
 Capt. Stone, and John Oldham murdered, . . ib. 
 
 Reprisals on thf Indians, . . .55 
 
 Indian ambuscade at Saybrook, . . .56 
 
 Hostilities and Murders frequent, . . ib. 
 
 Mr. Hooker s address to the soldiers, . . ib. 
 
 Enterprise under Capt Mason, . . .57 
 
 Attack on a Pequut Fort, . . .62 
 
 The Fort and Wigwams burnt, . . 65 
 The Dutch restore two captive maids taken by the Pequots 
 
 and saved by means of a squaw, ." . 66 
 Battle with the Indians at Fairfield, . , 67 
 The triple alliance at Hartford, . . .69 
 Thannsgiving on account of Peace, . . 70 
 New-Haven discovered, . . . ib. 
 Earthquake in New-England, . . . ib. 
 Increase of Settlements in Connecticut, . . ib. 
 Portsmouth and Exeter settled. . .74 
 New Hampshire separated from Massachusetts, . 72 
 Rhode-Island purchased of the Indians, . . 74 
 First permanent settlement in Maine, . . 76 
 Vermont declared an independent State, . . 7t> 
 Remarks on the Religion of Vermont, . . 77 
 Quakers first appear in Massachusetts banished and penal 
 Statutes framed to prevent their entrance into the Col 
 ony, ... 80 
 Catholics first come to America, . . ifc. 
 
fr 
 
 452 CONTENTS. 
 
 First Baptist church in America, . page 80 
 
 Manners and Customs, . . ib. 
 
 A prohibiting the use of Tobacco, ib- 
 
 Agriculture and Commerce, . ib. 
 
 Arts and Manufactures, . . ib. 
 
 Printing first introduced, 81 
 
 Education and Population, . . ib. 
 
 Discovery and progress of the Middle and Southern States. 
 
 Hudson s voyage and discoveries, . . .82 
 
 Sir Thomas Dale and the Dutch, . . ib. 
 
 Grant of Dutch West India Company, . ib. 
 Settlement of New-Jersey by the Danes, 
 
 Emigration of Swedes and Finns, . . ib. 
 Delaware settled by Swedes and Finns, . . ib. 
 Maryland settled by Roman Catholics, ib. 
 .William Clayborne excites rebellion, . 84 
 Grant of New Orleans to Sir W. Heath, . ib. 
 Indigent subjects transported to Georgia, . ib. 
 First house built in Savannah, . . 85 
 History of all the Colon r-s combined, . . ib. 
 Judges Whalley andGoffe retire to New-Haven, ib. 
 Charter of Connecticut ivad to the freemen, ib. 
 Orders given to arrest them, . . . ib. 
 Difficulty in collecting taxes, . ib. 
 New -York submits to Col. Nichols, . . 86 
 Surrendered back to a small Dutch Fleet, . . ib. 
 Demand of Sir Edmund Andross, ib. 
 Determined resistance of ( apt T. Bull. . 87 
 Commencement of Philip s War, . ib. 
 Defence of a house in Brookfield, . . .88 
 Attacks of Indians on several towns, . 89 
 Indian Fort taken and destroyed with many of the men, wo 
 men and children, . . .90 
 Death of Kng Philip, . .91 
 Peace concluded with the Indians, . . 2 
 Form of government by William Penn, . . ib. 
 J. E. Andross demands the Connecticut charter, which is 
 
 hidden, . . * . 93 
 Tyrannical proceedings of Andross, . . 94 
 Writ of habass corpus suspended, . . 95 
 War between F ranee and England, . . 9$ 
 Massacre al Schenectady, . . . ib, 
 Casco in Maine destroyed, . . . 97 
 An expedition fitted out against Canada, . . ib. 
 Narrative of Sir William Phipps, . . ib. 
 Henry Sloughter appointed Governor ofNew-York, . 1Q2 
 Jjeisler and Melhorne executed, . . ib. 
 Colonel Fletcher succeeds Gov. Sloughter, . ib. 
 Governor Fletcher demands the submission of the Connecti 
 cut Ktilitia to his command . ih 
 
CONTENTS. 453 
 
 A Treaty between Great Britain and France, 103 
 
 The surprise of Dover, ... ib. 
 
 Heroic act of Mr. Dustan, . . . 104 
 Distressing- sit lation of VIrs. Dustan and other captives, 105 
 
 First suspicion of Witchcraft, . . . ib. 
 
 The Earl of Bellaoiont appointed Governor, . 107 
 
 War with the French, Indians, and Spaniards, . ib. 
 Durfield surprised, and the people killed and made prisoners, ib. 
 
 Mr. Williams u^. other prisoners redeemed, . 108 
 
 Expedition aga ; ;st Canada, . . t ib. 
 
 Nine Transpo^ - lost . . . . ib. 
 
 Samuel Street t pointed Governor, . . 109 
 
 Indian Wa in South - arolina, . ib. 
 
 Pence between France and England, . ib. 
 
 William Barne* appointed Governor. . 1 10 
 
 Forts and fading houses built on Lake Ontario, . ib 
 
 Indian War Peace soon restored. . . ib. 
 
 Settlement -f Georgia continue!, . . ib. 
 
 Disturbance among the Negroes in South Carolina, . Ill 
 
 Wa .tgain brok-5 out between England and France, . ib. 
 
 Lou sburg takea by the English, . . 113 
 
 Peace restored in 1748, . . . 114 
 
 French and Indian War. 
 
 Causes which led to this war, . . 115 
 Was ington s expedition, . . . ib. 
 Brao lock s defeat, . . . . 118 
 Lord joudon arrives as Commander-in-chief, - 120 
 Los uf Oswego, . . . . 121 
 Gen ral Arrherst arrives in America, . . 128 
 Gen t ~al Arr ,erst and Wolfe, capture St. Johns and Louis- 
 burg, ..... 129 
 An attack uoon Ticonderoga, but failed, . . 131 
 Fort Frontf iac taken, ... 133 
 Fort Deque- e taken by General Forbes, . . 134 
 Expedition _;ainst Caunda, . . , 135 
 Quebec taken by General Wolfe, . . 138 
 Close of the French and Indian War, . . 141 
 
 Causes which led to the American Revolution. 
 
 Several Cargoes of Tea destroyed in Boston harbor, . 160 
 
 Batt e of Lexington. ... 164 
 
 Ticonderoga ^ken by the Americans, 166 
 
 > Batt e of B-mker s Hill, . . .168 
 Washington :,.-, pointed commander-in-chiefof the American 
 
 forces .... 169 
 
 almonth in lassachusetts burnt by the Eno-lish, 171 
 
 An attempt -o storm Quebec. . 1 73 
 
 Boston evacuated bv the British, . 175 
 
 Admiral Parker attempts the siege of Charleston, 176 
 
454 CONTENTS. 
 
 Declaration of Independence, . 177 
 
 Preamble, . . . . -179 
 
 New- York taken by the British, 183 
 
 Danbury destroyed, K . . . 136 
 
 Carleton s Battle . . . 187 
 
 Battle at Bennington, ., . . 189 
 
 Battle of Saratoga, . ptti;Fe of Burgoyne, . . 191 
 
 Battle of Brandy wiD< , v . . . 192 
 
 Capture of Philadelphia, . . .193 
 
 Philadelphia eva cuared by the English, 194 
 
 Battle at Monmouth. . ib. 
 
 Cruelties of Wyomi?,>r, . . . 198 
 
 Expedition of Capt. Ferguson, . 200 
 
 Expedition ofColont- Campbell, . . .201 
 
 Georgia occupied by the English, . . 202 
 
 General movement^ at the South, . . 203 
 
 Storm >ng of Stony Point, . . . 204 
 
 Naval excursion of John Paul Jones, . . 205 
 
 Proceedings at the South, . . . 206 
 
 British government organized at South Carolina, . 209 
 
 Count de Rocharobpan arrives in America, . 210 
 
 Movements of General Gates, . . .211 
 
 Treason of Arnold, . . . 214 
 
 Major Andre taken, . . . 215 
 
 ( ount de Grass * arrival with 3,300 troops, . 217 
 
 Baitle at Yorktown, fall of Cornwallis, . . 220 
 
 Address .delivered by vions. de Bandole, . 222 
 
 Cessation of hostilities, . . . 224 
 
 Washington s farewell orders, . . . 226 
 
 Evacuation of New York, . . 227 
 
 Parting scene be- ween Washington and his officers, . ib. 
 
 Washington resigns his commission to Congress, 228 
 
 General view of the United States, . 230 
 
 Events and anecdotes of the Revolution, . 230 
 
 Capt. Asgill, . ib. 
 
 Letter from Ladv Asa-ill to Count Vergenns, 2 .4 
 
 Armstrong ons;-iracv, 236 
 
 Escape of Gen. Wadswor.fh, . . 237 
 
 Adventures of Sergeant Major Champ, , 239 
 
 Col. John White s Adventure, . . 244 
 
 Gen. Putnam s Adventures, . . 245 
 
 Adventures of Tol. John Crane, . . 246 
 
 Major General Thomas Conway, duel with General Cal- 
 
 walbler, . . . .247 
 
 Frederick William Augustus de Steuben, . 24G 
 
 Captain Handin, or Udang, . 250 
 
 Mr. BushnelPs Torpedo, . . v ib. 
 
 Anecdote of General Prescott, . 251 
 
 Anecdote ofa Biackmore, . . 255 
 
 Heroic Enterprise of Sergeant Jasper, 25SJ 
 
CONTENTS. 455 
 
 Adventures of the Baroness de Reidesel and Lady Harriet 
 
 Ackland, . .254 
 
 Burgoyne s Letter, . .263 
 
 Of the Confederation, Format ion, and adoption of the present 
 
 Constitution of the United States, . . 264 
 General George Washington elected first President, ib. 
 Washington s journey from Mount Vernon to New- York, 
 An abstract of the Constitution, . . 26G 
 President s tour through New-England, . . 269 
 The first Census completed in 1791, 271 
 A Treaty with the Creek Indians, . . ib. 
 War with the North- Western Indians, . ib. 
 General St. Clair s military operations, . . 27 
 General Washington re elected President, i 792, 272 
 Declaration of War by France against Engbnd and Hol 
 land, ..... ib. 
 Proceedings of Congress, . . . 273 
 John Adams elected President, 1797, . . ib. 
 Difficulties with France, . . . 274 
 Death of General Washington, doings of the nation, Mr. 
 Jefferson chosen President, and Mr. Burr Vice Pres 
 ident, . ... 276 
 Ohio admitted into the Union in 1803, . . 277 
 Tripolitan War, . . . . ib. 
 Peace with Tripoli, . . . 27S 
 Mr. Jefferson re-elected President, Mr. Clinton Vice Pres- 
 
 dent, . . ib. 
 
 Mr Burr s proceedings, and trial, . ib. 
 
 Difficulties on the Ooean, . . . 279 
 James Madison elected President, Mr. Clinton re-elected 
 
 Vice President, 1809, . . . 280 
 
 War declared against Great Britain, . . 281 
 
 Detroit taken, . . . . ib. 
 
 Naval proceedings, .... 284 
 Mr. Madison re-elected President, and George Clinton Vice 
 
 President. 1813. .... 288 
 
 Frontier War continued, . . . 288 
 
 Skirmishes on the Sea coast, . . . 291 
 
 Commodore Porter s cruise . . . 295 
 
 A short sketch of the capture of Washington, , 299 
 Success at the West, . .300 
 
 Perrv .s Victory, .... 305 
 
 Western War continued, . . . 306 
 
 Commodore Chauncey s cruise, . . 316 
 
 Fort Mims taken and the garrison murdered, . 321^ 
 
 War with the InHians at the West, . . 323 
 
 Saybrook attacked, and the shipping destroyed, . 337 
 
 The British attempt landing at Stonington, . 339 
 
 Naval incidents. . . . 340 
 
 Operations of the Army on the Frontier, . 349 
 Destruction uf the capital, . . .361 
 
456 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 The British attack Baltimore, death of Gen. Ross, 
 
 Macdonough s Victory, 
 
 Hartford Convention, 
 
 The Creek War renewed, 
 
 Gen. Jackson takes Pensacola, 
 
 Preparation for the defence of JXew-Orleaas, 
 
 Jackson s Victory, 
 
 Peace with Great Britain, 
 
 General view of the United States, 
 
 View of the Western States, 
 
 Mr. Adams Letter, 
 
 Estimate of the population, 
 
 President Monroe s Administration, 
 
 Mississippi admitted into the Union, 
 
 War with the Seminole Indians, 
 
 Arkansas admitted into the Union, 
 
 Monroe re-elected President, 
 
 Lafayette s landing at New-York his tour, 
 
 Lafayett s departure for France, , 
 
 John Quincy Adams elected President, 
 
 The parting scene of La Fayette, 
 
 Doings in Congress, 
 
 Death of Adams and Jefferson, 
 
 Treaty with Me Intosh, 
 
 Doings of Congress, . . , 
 
 Remarks upon Part ThireL . 
 
 JU7 
 372 
 374 
 375 
 376 
 377 
 381 
 384 
 ib. 
 387 
 392 
 398 
 401 
 402 
 403 
 - 406 
 ib. 
 411 
 416 
 417 
 420 
 426 
 429 
 430 
 438 
 442 
 
JJeamoi .-u.n ~ 
 Treaty with Mclntosh, 
 Dbings of Congress, 
 Remarks upon Part Third. 
 

 
04032 
 
 
 541 160 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY