H
1 1
"
MEMOIRS
MRS COGHLAN,
DAUGHTER OF THE LATE MAJOR MONCRIEFFE :
WRITTEN BY HERSELF.
INTRODUCTION AND NOTES.
PRIVATELY REPRINTED.
NEW-YORK :
T. H. MORRELL.
1864-.
Edition 100 copies 8vo.
20 " 410.
J. M. BRADSTREET & SON, PRINTERS.
Stack
Annex
INTRODUCTION.
'"PHE following Memoirs were publifhed in
London in 1794. In February, 1795, Meflrs.
T. & J. Swords, of this city, republifhed them,
adding a Preface, and fome remarks from a publi-
cation entitled " The Female Jockey Club."
The New- York edition is now very rare, <and
moft of the copies known to us are without the
preface and remarks.
The following edition has been printed from
the author's copy, and, for the convenience of
thofe perfons pofTeffing the New-York edition
above mentioned, the preface and remarks have
been reprinted.
NEW-YORK, November 10, 1864.
PREFACE,
BY THE EDITOR OF THE NEW-YORK EDITION.
"pVERY heart of fenfibility muft not only be
interefted in the welfare of the author of the
following Memoirs, but muft be confiderably
affected on a perufal of them, as they pourtray a
mind naturally focial, amiable and virtuous,
ftruggling againft misfortunes originating from
the abfurd practice of obliging children to fac-
rifice affection, and confequently happinefs, to
fordid pelf, or, what is of infinite lefs value, a
titled name. The author's fentiments on this
fubject, which have been powerfully imprefled- by
woeful experience ; her reflections on the inhu-
man fufferings of unfortunate debtors in prifon,
which
PREFACE.
which may perhaps, in many inftances, be too
applicable to her native country ; her expofition
of the iniquitous practice of law in England,
the jurifprudence of which country America fer-
vilely copies, convince the editor of the utility
of a republication of the work in this country.
It is to be hoped that the circumftance of her
unfortunate marriage will have its due weight,
and that thofe who exercife criticifm will not be
too fevere upon her conduct, but will generouily
be to her faults a little blind. Her friends will
undoubtedly defpife the weak prejudices of vul-
gar minds, fo far as refpects their connection or
alliance with the author. The public advantage
has fuperfeded every other confederation with the
editor, and he mall exceedingly regret incurring
the difpleafure of any by republiming thefe
Memoirs.
NEW-YORK, February, 1795.
PREFACE.
The following encomiums on the author of thefe
Memoirs have appeared in the " Female Jockey
Club," which the publifher of this American
edition inferts as a tribute of praife juftly due
to that noblenefs of foul fo confpicuous in the
writer :
MRS. COGHLAN.
We have not the leaft acquaintance with this
lady, therefore are ignorant how far her rank
entitles her to be admitted into that fociety of
grandees who compofe the " Female Jockey
Club ;" but as literary merit, in the opinion of
Lady Lucan, our fupreme arbiter of etiquette,
forms an exception to the general rule, and
yields a right of admiffion into the grandeft
circles, we have not hefitated to introduce her ;
and we will venture boldly to pronounce, if her
foul really breathe the fentiments contained in
the Memoirs fhe has publifhed, that me poflefles
titles
PREFACE.
titles far fuperior to any which all the kings in
the world have it in their power to beftow;
although, at the fame time, we are ready to con-
fefs, that it is not by promulgating fimilar doc-
trines me is to expect that his Majefty will ever
make a LADY of her; nor do we believe that
they will procure her a pafTport to the favour
and protection (he appears fo very much to
want. We therefore recommend patience under
prefent adverfity, and fincerely wifh a fpeedy
period to all her afflictions.
MEMOIRS
OF
MRS. COGHLAN,
(Daughter of the late Major Moncrieffe,)
WRITTEN BT HERSELF,
AND
Dedicated to the Britifh Nation ;
BEING INTERSPERSED WITH
ANECDOTES
OF THE LATE
AMERICAN AND PRESENT FRENCH WAR,
WITH REMARKS MORAL AND POLITICAL.
" And what is friendihip but a name,
" A charm that lulls to deep
" A lhade that follows wealth and fame,
" But leaves the wretch to weep ?" GOLDSM.
LONDON:
Printed for the AUTHOR,
And SOLD by C. and G. KEARSLEY, Fleet-street.
MD.CC.XCTV.
NAMES
OF THE
PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS
IN THESE
MEMOIRS.
Majefty,
Louis the XVIth,
Due d'Orleans,
Comte d'Artois,
Monfieur,
Due de Montmorenci,
Due de Pienne,
Marquis de Sillery,
Marquis de Genlis,
Monfieur de Lomprey,
Due de Fitzjames,
Monfieur Parquet, premier Prefident of the Par-
liament of Paris,
Monfieur de Crofne,
Madame Grey, Superior of the Dominican Con-
vent at Calais,
Madame
Madame Smith,
Madame Lafar,
His Royal Highnefs the Duke of ,
His Grace the Duke of Leinfter,
Lord Charlemont,
Mr. Grattan,
The Honourable Mr. Fox,
Lord Lauderdale,
Lord Cornwallis,
General Monckton,
General Cornwallis,
General Montgomery,
General Waihington,
General Putnam,
General Mifflin,
General Knox,
Sir William Howe,
Lord Howe,
Lord Amherft,
General Gage,
Lord Gage,
Lord Lincoln,
The late Duke of Bolton,
Lord Delawar,
Colonel Etherington,
Major Montrefor,
Colonel Small,
Honourable Colonel Grey,
Colonel Banker,
Judge Livingfton,
Mr.
Mr. William Livingfton,
Colonel Webb,
Duke of Q y,
Mr. Frederick Jay,
Major MoncriefFe,
Edward Cornwallis MoncrifFe,
Alderman MoncriefFe,
Colonel MoncriefFe,
Governor Heron,
Mr. Vining,
Mr. Fazakerley,
Mr. Giffard, of Chillington,
Mr. Coghlan,
Mr. Walker, late Marmal of the King s Bench,
Mr. Jones, the prefent Marmal,
Mr. Robert Knight,
Mr. Beckett,
Colonel Freemantle,
General Sheriff,
Colonel Kemble,
Prince Louis d'Aremberg,
Lord Hervey,
Mr. B******,
Sir Charles Gould,
Mr. Chambers, Furnival's Inn,
Mr. , Ely Place,
Duke of Northumberland,
Honourable Mrs. Gage,
Mrs. Montrefor,
Mrs. Putnam,
Mrs.
Mrs. Wafhington,
Sir William Scott,
Lady Blake,
Mr. M g y,
Mr. Erfkine,
Lord E - ,
General
Sir Robert Harland, Bart.,
Marquis de Bouille.
PREFACE
JL\. MIDST the tempeft that now rages in the
political world, the cabals of" faction and the ter-
rors of revolution, the private forrows of an in-
dividual pafs unregarded. The moft fplendid
contributions are raifed for fupport of foreign
refugees ; loans and benevolences, to an amazing
extent, are pioufly, if not constitutionally, fur-
nifhed, to fupply the wants of our fuffering
troops ; and all the paflions inherent in the hu-
man breaft are awakened and fet in motion, to
give a pompous difplay to the humility and
meaknefs of tender-hearted Charity.
We read of titled individuals beftowing hun-
dreds
dreds in behalf of emigrant Popifh Priefts, while
ONE SOLITARY GUINEA is prefixed to the fame
names in fupport of their own countrymen, poor,
induftrious, famifhed manufacturers ! *
Our ftreets fwarm with beggars: our looms are
deferted ; Poverty every where raifes her hag-
gard mien amongft us ; at the fame time that na-
tional treafures are indifcriminately lavifhed with
profufion upon foreigners, and expended in the
further profecution of a moft difaftrous war;
whereby the fund of wretchednefs is daily aug-
mented ; and the fpeclacles of mifery that torture
the fight in all our ftreets proclaim the fatal con-
fequences it has already produced, and the abfo-
lute neceflity of putting a period to the evil.
The baneful effects attending this calamity fall
principally on the poor and induftrious clafTes of
fociety ; they extend themfelves even unto my-
felf:
* A fubfcription now on foot for the benefit of the Spitalfields weavers.
felf : the luxuries of the great will eafily admit of
curtailment, but the wants of the poor call aloud
for redrefs. Yet, as the former find themfelves
in fome meafure called on to reduce the number
of their fuperfluities from the many claims which
the exigency of public affairs has upon them, fo
are they lefs difposed to follow the dictates of
Charity in relieving the pangs of domeftic woe.
There exifts another defcription of the great,
who thrive on the misfortunes which the prefent
fystem creates, without directing a thought to
their alleviation : I allude to the vaft additional
number of contractors, commifTaries, penfioners
and human locufts of every kind, preying on the
decayed vitals of their country. Thefe men drain
immenfe fortunes from the increafe of public bur-
thens, and in every new tax, originates a new
place, whereby the fcale of influence is alarmingly
increafed.
Hence princes and their miniflers are apt to
delight
delight in war : it furnifhes them with a pretext
for adding to their military eftablimments : the
fplendor of the throne mines brighter, and they
conceive that they enjoy a more perfect ftate of
fecurity, from the immenfe armies they retain in
their pay.
Wretched, however, is the prince who refts his
hope on fuch foundation : the NORTHERN DES-
POTS of Europe can have no other bails than
military force, on which to depend for the prefer-
vation of their tyranny ; but the KING of a FREE
country mould look to other principles : he
mould depend for the prefervation of HIS power
on the peace, happirtefs, choice, and affections of
an united people.
While the bulk of a nation is diftrefled, a vir-
tuous prince can never enjoy a moment's content ;
he cannot depart from his thremold, that he does,
not meet fome object of calamity, to ftrew thorns
in his way. He muft reflect on the enormous
falary
falary that he himfelf receives, the magnificence
and wafle by which he is fur rounded, while fo
many forlorn wretches are periming through want
of the fmalleft part of thofe fuperfluities daily
confumed within his own palace.
The writer of the following meets, nurfed in
the lap of tendereft Indulgence, fprung from a
father whofe attachment to A KING even fuper-
feded the duties he owed to HIS COUNTRY : me
who once bafked in the funfhine of Fortune has
lately herfelf ftruggled with all the miferies me
has endeavoured to defcribe.
Affliction cuts the deeper from a recollection of
former enjoyments : the memory of paft joys
fharpens the fenfe of her prefent fufferings : (he
once little dreamed of thofe fcenes of horror
through which me has pafled ; me little antici-
pated, that whenever me mould have occafion for
the WORLD'S affiftance, the world would with-hold
it from her. She had fondly imagined, that
2 every
( xii )
everyone was her FRIEND; nor was the veil of
deception withdrawn, till, alas ! me had occafion
for its friendfhip : Then the very perfons who
had been moft anxious to court her fmiles, who
had beguiled her with their delufive flatteries,
who had encouraged her errors and foothed her
vices, were the firft to keep aloof and fhun the
wretchednefs they had helped to accomplim.
They who had been the bofom friends of her
father, refufed even to hear the haplefs tale of his
ill-fated child : nor did his unfhaken zeal in the
caufe of HIS SOVEREIGN ever produce to his
daughter the recompence of a milling from the
Englim government.
Thefe are the reflections of one undifturbed
by the frenzy of party conflicts, and only zealous
in the general caufe of humanity They are the
reflections of a woman, chaftened in Affliction's
fchool, reftored to reafon by the wholefome leflbns
me
fhe has received from that moft inftructive of all
monitors, Adverfity !
Want, worldly want, that hungry meagre fiend,
Is at her heels, and chafes her in view.*
To drive off this fiend, alas ! me has no other
hope, than from the advantage me may derive
from this faint production of her pen. The per-
fpective which the world now prefents to her view
is gloomy indeed : neverthelefs, it would be great-
ly brightened, if fhe conceived that her example
might ferve as a beacon to others of her fex.
Oh ! may the generous character of the Britifh
nation, which has fo often fhone refplendent in
acts of amiable benevolence, long preferve its
luftre ! may it wipe off thofe tears, calculated to
fade the cheek of Beauty ! may no political dif-
cord, no party rage ever obfcure it ! and while
GALLIA'S
* Venice Preferved.
GALLIA'S refraclory fons are revelling on the
fruits of Britifh benevolence, let it not be faid
that Britannia's own legitimate children ever figh-
ed or wept in vain.
MARGARET COGHLAN.
December 7, 1793.
MEMOIRS
OF
MRS. COGHLAN.
CAPTAIN Patrick Heron, my grandfather,
was quartered with his regiment at Portfmouth,
where he made a conqueft of Mifs E. Vining,
daughter of Mr. John Vining,* who was at that
period mayor of the town. The lady in queftion
was born to a very considerable fortune.
My grandfather being a young man and a fol-
dier, it was a match quite contrary to the inclina-
tion of the old gentleman, Mr. Vining, who ufed
all poflible means to prevent its taking place;
but
* A beautiful monument is eredled in St. Thomas church, Portfmouth, to
the memory of this gentleman, dating him to have been fix times mayor of
that town.
16
but love, almighty love fets every obftacle at de-
fiance, and is always fure to furnifh means ade-
quate to its ends. An elopement to Scotland was
the refult of Mr. Vining's obftinacy ; from Cap-
tain Heron's paternal feat in that country, Mifs
V. acquainted her father with this act of her dif-
obedience, and implored his forgivenefs. The
late Duke of Bolton and the late Lord Delawar
became mediators with him, and their mediation
induced Mr. Vining to relax from his feverity.
The firft ftep towards reconciliation, was to
write a letter to my grandfather, exprefling his
reafons for difapproving the marriage, but at the
fame time intreating him to quit Scotland, and
bring home his bride. In this letter he propofed
to fettle a handfome fortune on her as her mar-
riage portion, together with Vicars-Hill, a de-
lightful feat in the new foreft near Lymington.
Here my grandfather lived in the greateft fplen-
dor for feveral years : his houfe was the univerfal
receptacle of happinefs, where the rich were en-
tertained with magnificent profufion, and where
the wretched always found comfort and protec-
tion.
( I? )
tion. In the courfe of years, Mrs. Heron was
the mother of nine children ; from one of whom
Captain Mark Robinfon (fon of Admiral Robin-
fon) is a defcendant : Captain Miller, of the ma-
rines, married one of his fitters, and there are
feveral other fons now living. The liberal mind
of my grandfather frequently involved him in
difagreeable embarrarTments ; one of which oblig-
ed him to abandon his country and friends : he
was one evening in a coffee-houfe at Lymington,
perufing the newfpapers, when a perfon by the
name of Boyes applied to him, faying, " Captain
" Heron, I am a ruined man, mould you refufe
" the favour I am about to requeft; having a
"quantity of cyder juft landed, I really have no
" place wherein to depofit it for the night ; will
" you give me permiffion to lodge it in your cel-
" lar ?" Upon which my grandfather confented,
and fent to his butler for the key of the cellar,
where the Juppofed cyder was no fooner placed
than an excifeman arrived, who had either fol-
lowed it himfelf, or had received information
where it lay : he told my grandfather, "that there
" had been fecreted in his cellar one hundred and
" fifty
( 18 )
" fifty tierces of brandy, and that he muft fearch
"for them:" whereon Captain Heron replied,
" that he mould not enter bis premifes." The
excifeman perfifted, and notwithstanding a fevere
beating which he received from the fervants, he
forced the door of the cellar, where he difcover-
ed the brandy. EmbarrafTed by this difcovery,
my grandfather flew to his father-in-law, the
mayor of Portfmouth, and acquainting him with
what had happened, afked his advice ; when the
mayor was of opinion, that he ought to conceal
himfelf until he wrote to the minifter to folicit
fome indulgence. He purfued this advice, and
received for anfwer, that a capias had been iflued
againft him, at the fuit of the excife office, for the
enormous Jum of twenty thoufand pounds; that he
could give no other counfel, than for him inftant-
ly to join the fortieth regiment, in which he had
a company, and which then was Rationed at An-
napolis-Royal. Thither he went, leaving his
wife at Vicars-Hill, with her children, where me
died broken hearted fix months after his depart-
ure. Such are the cruelties that for ever flow
from excife laws ! He had not been long at An-
napolis,
( '9 )
napolis, when he was appointed governor of that
place, which fituation he held at the time of his
deceafe.
Here he married Mifs Margaret Jephfon,
daughter of Captain Jephfon, belonging to the
fortieth regiment, by whom he had Margaret my
mother. On the death of my grandfather, his
widow went from Annapolis to Halifax, in order
to take a paffage for Cork, where me intended to
fettle amongft her own friends. Major Mon-
crieffe, my father, who was then aid-de-camp to
General Monckton, married her eldeft daughter.
Her mother and the other children remained
with them one month ; after which they failed for
Ireland, and almoft within fight of the harbour
of Cork the veflel foundered, and every foul per-
ifhed. Owing to this fad event, my brother, Ed-
ward Cornwallis MoncriefFe, and myfelf, are the
only furvivors of that marriage ; and by the will
of my grandfather, proved in the prerogative court
of Canterbury, we are the lawful heirs to all his
property. The eftate in Scotland is computed
to be worth ^u<? thoujand pounds per annum; and
3 that
that at Lymington is of confiderable value, but
at prefent it is in the pofleffion of my mother's
half brothers and their children, whofe names I
have already mentioned.
My mother was efteemed a beautiful woman ; me
was a wife at the age of fourteen, and in her grave
before me was twenty, leaving my brother and
myfelf unprotected infants. -My father was lilce-
wife a very young man, and at that time only
a lieutenant in the army, although aid-de-camp
to the commander in chief, Sir Jeffery, now Lord
Amherft. General Gage, who had a fincere friend-
fhip for him, propofed that his children mould
take up their abode at his houfe, where we were
nurfed under the general's immediate infpection,
maring the fame attention with his own children;
and, the prefent Lord Gage was the companion
of my infant years. My father, however, refolv-
ed to fend my brother and myfelf for education
to Dublin. At the age of three years, I was fent
acrofs the Atlantic Ocean ; my brother being
then only five years old. On our arrival in Dub-
lin, I was fent to Mifs Beard's boarding-fchool,
and
( 41 )
and my brother to the Hibernian Academy : here
I remained without feeing my father until I was
eight years old, when he returned from America,
and was quartered in Dublin with his regiment,
the 55th, in which he had then a company. He
brought with him the daughter of Judge Living-
fton, of New-York, to whom he had been fome
time married : the perfon of this lady was uncom-
monly forbidding, but her purje was irreiiftible.
Young as I was, I did not like my new mother ;
me had, as I above remarked, the moft difagree-
able countenance ; and what is worfe, me was a
ftranger to every focial virtue, and a rigid Prefby-
terian. My father having exchanged with the
Honourable Colonel Grey, from the 55th to the
59th regiment, was foon afterwards ordered upon
the American ftation, and appointed Major of
Brigade upon the ftaff : the importunities of my
mother-in-law were exerted to induce my father
to take me back with them to New-York, but he
had previoufly refolved to educate me in Dublin,
and perfifted in the intention : however, in the
year 1772, both my brother and myfelf were or-
dered, by letters from my father, to return to
New- York,
New-York, where we landed the fame year : my
brother was fent to the college in that city, and
I remained under the care of a governefs. In
the year 1774, my mother-in-law died, leaving to
my father her fortune, for in her marriage articles
me had referved to herfelf the power of difpofing
of it. Six months after her death, my father took to
himfelf another wife, one of the loveliefl of her fex.
In her bofom, virtue, honour and conjugal affec-
tion were blended ; but alas ! her fate deftined her
for an early grave. Ten months after her mar-
riage, me died in childbirth of her infant fon, my
youngeft brother, leaving him and myfelf under
the care of her brother, Mr. Frederick Jay, who
was then member of congrefs for the province of
New-York : at this time my father was with Gen-
/ eral Gage, at Bofton. Thus I found myfelf in
the midft of republicans in war againft the crown
of Great-Britain, perfecuted on every fide, be-
caufe my father was fighting for the caufe of a
king! At the age of thirteen, I was fent to board
at Elizabeth-Town, New-Jerfey, with the family
of an American Colonel, where I was forced to
hear my neareft and deareft relations continually
traduced.
traduced. I had remained in the houfe of this
gentleman feveral months, when the appearance
of General Howe at Staten-Ifland obliged the in-
habitants of Elizabeth-Town to feek refuge in the
o
interior part of the country. I was then con-
dueled, with Colonel Banker's wife, to a village
about ten miles diftant ; but grieved with the
gloomy fcene before me, I availed myfelf of the
abfence of the family one Sunday, while they were
at church, to make my efcape : I rode back to
Elizabeth-Town, and placed myfelf immediately
under the care of a lady* (Mrs. de Hart) whofe
family loved me from my tendered infancy. How-
ever, I was not allowed to remain long in this
retreat ; the congrefs, particularly that part of it
which were related to my father by his fecond and
third WIVES, fixed their attention upon me :
They had repeatedly, at the commencement of
the war, offered my father a command in the north-
ern army, a fituation which was afterwards given to
General
* The hufband of this lady was member of the continental congrefs,
and immediately refigned his fituation on the independence of America
being declared.
General Montgomery, 1 his nephew. Bigotted to
the caufe of a king, my father rejected their offers,
and thus we loft the glorious opportunity of add-
ing the laurel of patriotifm to a name high in the
ranks of military valour, and perhaps unequalled
in military fcience. No man ever ferved the
Britifh monarch with more fidelity, or fought for
him with greater bravery : but I was very near
falling a victim to this ftubborn attachment.
Walking one fultry day in the garden of my pro-
tectrefs, I was befet by a party of riflemen, juft
arrived from Pennfylvania, who, prefenting their
bayonets to my breaft, would certainly have kill-
ed me, had not one of the men took companion
on my youth, difcovering in my features fome-
thing which conquered his favage purpofe.
Thanks' be to God ! my countrymen did not com-
mit an act which certainly would have ftained the
bright immortal caufe of liberty a caufe that,
I glory to fay, firft ftruck root in my dear native
country, and which is now expanding its branches
through the whole continent of Europe.
My beautiful and unfortunate countrywoman,
Mifs
Mifs M'Rea,' experienced a far different fate: me,
alas ! found no mercy ; her charms ferved only to
ftimulate the furious paffions of her brutal ra-
vifhers : arrayed in her bridal robes, awaiting the
arrival of him, the lover, who was to crown her
joys, in the fight of a Briti/h Joldiery , under the
command of Britijh officers, me was three times
violated by Canadian favages in Britijh pay, and
afterwards, (oh horrible to relate!) in cold blood,
Jcalped and murdered !
Delivered from the only favages I ever met
amongft my own countrymen, I applied for protec-
tion to Mr. William Livingfton, 3 my firft ftep-
mother's brother, who was the governor of New-
Jerfey. He behaved to me with harfhnefs, and
even added infult to his reproaches. Thus def-
titute of friends, I wrote to General Putnam,
who inftantly anfwered my letter by a very kind
invitation to his houfe, alluring me, that he re-
fpected my father, and was only his enemy in the
field of battle ; but that in private life, he him-
felf, or any part of his family, might always com-
mand his fervices. On the next day, he fent
Colonel
Colonel Webb, one of his aid-de-camps, to conduct
me to New- York. When I arrived in Broadway
(a ftreet fo called) where General Putnam refided,
I was received with the greateft tendernefs both
by Mrs. Putnam and her daughters, and on the
following day I was introduced by them to Gen-
eral and Mrs. Wafhington, who likewife made
it their ftudy to mew me every mark of regard ;
but I feldom was allowed to be alone, although
fometimes indeed I found an opportunity to ef-
cape to the gallery on the top of the houfe,*
where my chief delight was to view with a tele-
fcope our fleet and army at Staten-Ifland. My
amufements were few ; the good Mrs. Putnam
employed me and her daughters conftantly to
fpin flax for fliirts for the American foldiery ;
indolence in America being totally difcouraged ;
and I likewife worked fome for General Putnam,
who, though not an accomplimed Mufcadin y like
our Dilletantis of St. James's-ftreet, was certain-
ly one of the beft characters in the world, his
heart
Almoft every gentleman's houfe in New- York has a gallery, with a
fummer-houfe, on the top.
( 27 )
heart being compofed of thofe noble materials
which equally command refpect and admiration.
One day after dinner, the congrefs was the toaft;
General Waihington viewed me very attentively,
and farcaftically faid, " Mifs Moncrieffe, you
" don't drink your wine." Embarraffed by this
reproof, I knew not how to act ; at laft, as if by
a fecret impulfe, I addreffed myfelf to the Ameri-
can commander, and taking the wine, I faid,
" General Howe is the toaft." Vexed at my
temerity, the whole company, efpecially General
Washington, cenfured me; when my good friend,
General Putnam, as ufual, apologifed, and aflured
them I did not mean to offend; " Betides," replied
he, "every thing faid or done by fuch a child
"ought rather to amufe than affront you." General
Wafhington, piqued at this obfervation, then
faid, "Well, Mifs, I will overlook your indif-
" cretion, on condition that you drink my
" health, or General Putnam's, the firft time
" you dine at Sir William Howe's table, on the
" other fide of the water."
Thefe words conveyed to me a flattering hope
4 that
that I mould once more fee my father, and I
promifed General Wafhington to do any thing
which he required, provided he would permit me
to return to him.
Not long after this circumftance, a flag of
truce arrived from Staten-Ifland, with letters
from Major MoncriefTe, demanding me, for he
now confidered me as a prifoner. General Wafh-
ington would not acquiefce in this demand, fay-
ing, " that I fhould remain a hoftage for my
" father's good behaviour." I muft here ob-
ferve, that when General Wafhington refufed to
deliver me up, the noble-minded Putnam, 4 as if
it were by inftincl, laid his hand on his fword,
and with a violent oath fwore, " that my father's
" requeft fhould be granted." The commander
in chief, whofe influence governed the congrefs,
foon prevailed on them to confider me as a per-
fon whofe fituation required their ftridl atten-
tion ;* and, that I might not efcape, they ordered
me
* My father's knowledge of the country induced General Wafhington to
ufe every expedient in order to feduce him from the Royal caufe, and he
I 2 9 )
me to King's- Bridge, where, in juftice, I muft
fay, that I was treated with the utmoft tender-
nefs : General Mifflin 5 there commanded ; his
lady was a moft accomplifhed, beautiful woman,
a quaker ; and here my heart received its firft
impreffion, an impremon, that amidft the fub-
fequent mocks which it has received, has never
been effaced, and which rendered me very unfit
to admit the embraces of an unfeeling, brutim
hufband.
Oh ! may thefe pages one day meet the eye of
him who fubdued my virgin heart, whom the im-
mutable, unerring laws of nature had pointed
out for my hufband, but whofe facred decree the
barbarous cuftoms of fociety fatally violated. To
him I plighted my virgin vow, and I mail never
ceafe to lament, that obedience to a father left it
incomplete. Wh'en I reflect on my -paft fuffer-
ings, now that, alas ! my prefent forrows prefs
heavily upon me, I cannot refrain from expatiat-
ing a little on the inevitable horrors which ever
attend
knew there was none more likely to fucceed than that of attacking his pa-
rental feelings.
( 30 )
attend the frustration of natural affections : I
myfelf, who, unpitied by the world, have endured
every calamity that human nature knows, am a
melancholy example of this truth ; for if I know
my own heart, it is far better calculated for the
purer joys of domeftic life, than for that hurri-
cane of extravagance and diflipation on which I
have been wrecked.
Why is the will of nature fo often perverted ?
Why is focial happinefs for ever facrificed at the
altar of prejudice ? Avarice has ufurped the
throne of reafon, and the affections of the heart
are not confulted. We cannot command our
defires, and when the object of our being is un-
attained, mifery muft be neceflarily our doom.
Let this truth, therefore, be for ever remem-
bered : when once an affection has rooted itfelf
in a tender, conftant heart, no time, no circum-
ftance can eradicate it. Unfortunate, then, are
they who are joined, if their hearts are not
matched !
With this conquerer of my foul, how happy
mould I now have been ! What ftorms and
tempefts
( 3' )
tempefts fhould I have avoided, (at leaft I am
pleafed to think fo) if I had been allowed to fol-
low the bent of my inclinations ! and happier,
oh ! ten thoufand times happier mould I have
been with him, in the wildeft defert of our native
country , the woods affording us our only fhelter, and
their fruits our only repaft, than under the canopy
of coftly ftate, with all the refinements and em-
bellifhments of courts, with the royal warrior who
would fain have proved himfelf the conqueror of
France !
My conqueror was engaged in another caufe, he
was ambitious to obtain other laurels : he fought
o
to liberate, not to enflave nations He was a
Colonel in the American army, and high in the
eftimation of his country : his victories were never
accompanied with one gloomy, relenting thought;
they ihone as bright as the caufe which atchieved
them ! I had communicated, by letter to General
Putnam, the propofals of this gentleman, with
my determination to accept them, and I was
embarrafled by the anfwer which the General
returned ; he intreated me to remember, that the
perfon
( 3' )
perfon in queftion, from his political principles,
was extremely obnoxious to my father, and
concluded by obferving, " That I furely would
" not unite myfelf with a man who, in his zeal
" for the caufe of his country, would not hefitate
" to drench his fword in the blood of my neareft
" relation, mould he be oppofed to him in
" battle." Saying this, he lamented the neceflity
of giving advice contrary to his own fentiments,
fince, in every other refpect, he confidered the
match as unexceptionable. Neverthelefs, Gene-
ral Putnam, after this difcovery, appeared, in all
his vifits to King's- Bridge, extremely referved ;
his eyes were conftantly fixed on me ; nor did he
ever ceafe to make me the object of his concern
to congrefs ; and, after various applications, he
fucceeded in obtaining leave for my departure,
when, in order that I mould go to Staten-Ifland
with the refpect due to my fex and family, the
barge belonging to the'continental congrefs was
ordered with twelve oars, and a general officer,
together with his fuite, was difpatchcd to fee me
fafe acrofs the bay of New-York. The day was
fo very tempeftuous, that I was half drowned with
the
( 33 )
the waves dafhing againft me. When we came
within hail of the Eagle man of war, which was
Lord Howe's fhip, a flag of truce was fent to
meet us : the officer difpatched on this occafion
was Lieutenant Brown. General Knox" told him
that he had received orders to fee me fafe to head-
quarters. Lieutenant Brown replied, "It was
" imporTible, as no perfon from the enemy could
"approach nearer the Englifh fleet;" but added,
" that if I would place myfelf under his protec-
" tion, he certainly would attend me thither." I
then entered the barge, and bidding an eternal
farewell to my dear American friends, turned MY
BACK ON LIBERTY !
We firft rowed alongfide the Eagle, and
Mr. Brown afterwards conveyed me to head-
quarters. When my name was announced, the
Britifh commander in chief lent Colonel Sheriff,
(lately made a General, and who, during my
father's life-time, was one of his mofl -particular
friends, although, alas ! the endearing fentiment
of friendfhip now feems extinct in his breaft, as
far as the unhappy daughter is concerned) with
an
( 34 ) ,
an invitation from Sir William Howe 7 to dinner,
which was neceffarily accepted. When intro-
duced, I cannot defcribe the emotion I felt ; fo
fudden the tranfition in a few hours, that I was
ready to fink into the earth ! Judge the diftrefs
of a girl not fourteen, obliged to encounter the
curious, inquifitive eyes of at leaft forty or fifty
people, who were at dinner with the General.
Fatigued with their faftidious compliments, I
could only hear the buz amongft them, faying,
"She is a fweet girl, me is divinely handfome;"
although it was fome relief to be placed at table
next the wife of Major Montrefor, 8 who had
known me from my infancy. Owing to this cir-
cumftance, I recovered a degree of confidence ;
but being unfortunately afked, agreeably to mili-
tary etiquette, for a toafl^ I gave General Putnam :
Colonel Sheriff faid, in a low voice, "You muft
not give him here:" when Sir William Howe
complaifantly replied, " O ! by all means ; if he
"be the lady's fweetheart^ I can have no objection
" to drink his health." This involved me in a
new dilemma ; I wifhed myfelf a thoufand miles
diftant ; and to divert the attention of the com-
pany,
( 35 )
pany, I gave to the General a letter, that I had
been commiffioned to deliver from General Put-
nam, of which the following is a copy (And
here I confider myfelf bound to apologize for the
bad fpelling of my moft excellent republican
friend. The bad orthography was amply com-
penfated by the magnanimity of the man who
wrote it.) " Ginrole* Putnam's compliments to
" Major Moncrieffe, has made him a prefent of a
"fine daughter, if he dont lick\ her he muft fend
" her back again, and he will provide her with a
" fine good twig hufband." The fubftitution of
twig for whig hufband, ferved as a fund of enter-
tainment to the company.
Immediately the General informed me that my
father was with Lord Percy,{ and obligingly faid,
" that a carriage mould be provided to convey me
"to him," gallantly adding, " amongft fo many
"gentlemen a beautiful young lady certainly could
" not want a cecifbeo to conduct her." Knowing
Colonel
* For General. f For like.
Now Duke of Northumberland.
( 36 )
Colonel Small from my earlier! youth, I afked him
to render me that fervice, to which he confented.
Lord Percy* then lived nine miles diftant from
head-quarters, and when we arrived at his houfe,
my father was walking on the lawn with his Lord-
fhip. Colonel Small, 9 * apprehenfive of the confe-
quences which might enfue from a too abrupt
introduction, delicately hinted to him that I was
at Sir William Howe's. Lord Percy, equally
impatient to fee me, replied, " Heaven be praifed !
" Major, let us inftantly go and conduct her
" hither." Such trouble was however unnecef-
fary : In a few minutes, I was introduced, when,
overcome by the emotions of filial tendernefs, I
fainted in my father's arms, where I remained in
a ftate of infenfibility during half an hour; at
length I recovered, and mutual congratulations
pafled on all fides, when it became neceflary to
confider in what manner I was to be difpofed of,
iince all his Lordfhip's Juite flept in marquees :
but the hofpitality of this nobleman rofe above
ceremony, and that the daughter mould not fo
foon again be feparated from her father, he ordered
one of his own apartments to be prepared for me.
Here
( 37 )
Here I lived happy, till the Royal Army quitted
Staten-Ifland. A fortnight previous thereto, my
father had been appointed Major of Brigade to
the divifion commanded by Lord Cornwallis ; an
event that afforded us infinite fatisfaction. With
the uncle of this Lord he had begun his military
career, having received his firft commiffion from
that General in Flanders; and I am rejoiced in
having now the opportunity of publifhing to the
world, that his merit alone raifed him to the con-
fidence of his patron, and to the rank he after-
wards held in his profeffion.
General Cornwallis, 10 as a proof of his efteem
for my father, intreated that he might adopt his
eldeft fon, now a Lieutenant in the 6oth regi-
ment of foot, and who bears the name of Edward
Cornwallis, in addition to that of Moncrieffe.
Soon after our departure from Lord Percy's, the
Royal Army, having left Staten-Ifland, made
good their landing on Long-Ifland, where my
father was taken prifoner at the battle of Brook-
lyn" and ftripped of his regimentals, was forced
to put on the Red Ribbon, (a mark which the
Americans
Americans wore, in order to diftinguifh their
own ftaff officers ;) and while he was endeavour-
ing to perfuade the men to furrender themfelves
to the Royal Army, they were furrounded by a
party of Heflians, 1 " who miftaking my father,
conceived him, from the badge he had on, to be
a Colonel of the enemy : In vain he remon-
ftrated ; they made him aflift to draw the heavy
cannon, in which laborious exercife he was recog-
nifed by a Colonel in the Britifh Army : the
Heflian officer, confufed on difcovering his error,
confequently made every due apology. This
event frequently caufed us much entertainment.
The fuccefs of rhe Royalifts foon reftored to us
the poffeffion of our property at New- York,
where we were no fooner fettled, than my father
fent an invitation to the widow of a gentleman
(who had been formerly a Paymafter-general of
the Britifh forces) requefting her to accept his
houfe as an afylum : his object in fo doing was
on my account, his public fituation obliging him
to be ever abfent from home. I had now ac-
quired a number of admirers ; but having pofi-
tively renounced all thoughts of marriage, I ob-
tained
( 39 )
tained cqnfent to depart for England with
Colonel and Mrs. Horsfall, who were to embark
in the month of March, 1777. It was then
refolved that, on my arrival in England, I mould
be placed at Queen's Square boarding-fchool.
How vain is it for mortals to anticipate plans
which Providence in an inftant can entirely de-
ftroy!
Mr. Coghlan, 13 my prefent hufband, faw me at
an affembly, when, without either confulting my
hearty or deigning to afk my permiflion, he in-
ftantly demanded me in marriage, and won my
father to his purpofe. In a favage mind, which
only confidered fenfual enjoyments, affection was
not an object, for I told him at the time he had
not any affection, and conjured him in the moft
perfuafive terms, to act as a man of honour and
humanity : his reply was congenial with his cha-
racter ; he valued not any refufal on my part, fo
long as he had the Major's confent ; and, with a
dreadful oath, he fwore, " that my obftinacy
mould not avail me." Indeed, my refufal figni-
fied nothing ; he infinuated himfelf fo far in my
father's
( 40 )
father's confidence, as to draw upon me the anger
of a parent, to whofe difpleafure I had never
been accuftomed, and whofe rebukes I had not
refolution to refift : Confined to my own apart-
ment, I was forbid his prefence, unlefs prepared
to receive the hufband he had provided for me.
Wretched in mind, fmarting under the fad re-
verfe, I who had only known the heart-cheering
fmiles of parental fondnefs, to become the object
of parental anger ! the idea overcame me, and
befieged, at the fame time, by the pathetic in-
treaties of a much-loved brother, I unhappily
yielded, and here fate daflied me on a rock which
has deftroyed my peace of mind in this world,
and may, perhaps, have paved my way to eternal
torments in another.
Unable, as I have faid, to refufe the earneft
felicitations of a brother, my earlieft and deareft
friend, I took to my bed a viper, who has flung
me even unto death, who has hurled me from the
rank to which I was born, and for ever banimed
me from all thofe amiable enjoyments of fociety,
without which life is a vacuum not to be endured.
In
( 41 )
In confequence of thefe fatal intreaties, I was
married to Mr. John Coghlan, on the 28th of
February, 1777, at New-York, by fpecial licence,
granted by Sir William Tryon, 14 who was then
Civil Governor of that province. At this period,
I was only fourteen years^m.d^Jgw.jnan-ths old ;
fo eai4y^di3^I fall a melancholy victim to the
hafty decifion of well-meaning, but alas ! moft
miftaken relations. My union with Mr. Cogh-
lan I never considered in any other light^ than
an honourable proftitution, as I really hated the
man whom they had compelled me to marry.
As the prelude was inaufpicious, fo did a dif-
mal omen fucceed our wedding. The worthy
Doctor Auchmuty, 15 who was then Rector of
New-York, and had married us that evening,
complained on the fame evening, while at fupper,
of indifpofition, and three days afterwards he
finimed his mortal race. We were the laft couple
married by this truly amiable man, this exem-
plary pattern of true chriftian piety But when
he joined our hands, (I cannot fay our hearts,) he
wedded me, as I before obferved, to a feries of
wretchednefs,
( 42 )
wretchednefs, from which Heaven alone holds
forth a profpect of relief.
Educated in the fchool of virtue, and, I truft,
naturally averfe to thofe fcenes of vice in which
my unhappy ftars have fince involved me ; let my
example ferve as a falutary caution to other
brothers to other fathers how they attempt to
influence the choice, or to force the inclinations
of inexperienced female youth, on a point where
every thing moft facred is concerned.
Let the compulfion practifed on me apologife
with the liberal mind for the tranfgreffions of
youth, doomed to the chains of a detefted mar-
riage. Had it been my lot to have been united
in wedlock with the man of my affeffions, my foul
and body might now have been all purity, and
the world would not then have loft a being, natu-
rally focial, generous, and humane.
x
A few months after our nuptials, Mr. Coghlan
was ordered, with his regiment, to Philadelphia,
whither he repaired, leaving me at Long-Ifland
with
( 43 )
with my father For feveral months, I never
received any letter from him, a circumftance which
caufed great difpleafure to all my relations ; but to
me, it was of little confequence, as my greateft
happinefs was to remain peaceably at home with
my family. However, this fatisfaction was not
long enjoyed. One evening, as I was fitting with
my father, the arrival of my hufband was an-
nounced ; the matter of the houfe received him
with open arms, but I met him with an air of
difguft^ having never learned the fecret to difguife
my genuine feelings. In the courfe of converfa-
tion, we difcovered that he had fold out of the
army in defiance of his father's pofitive com-
mands ; and that it was his intention inftantly to
embark for England, where he propofed that I
mould accompany him. Thus I was forced from
the paternal roof of my only friend, my natural
proteftor.
Mr. Coghlan took lodgings at New-York,
where he introduced mejx^jibertrrres; and to
women of dout5Hid~liafacT:er. In this city we
remained about a month, when a convoy being
6 ready
( 44 )
ready to fail for Cork, we embarked on the 8th
of February, 1778, and had not been many days
at fea before my hufband, freed from all restraint,
from the protection that I had enjoyed under my
father's roof, threw off the mafk of deception,
and appeared in his true native character, the
/ brutifh unfeeling tyrant ! never omitting an oppor-
tunity to perfecute and torment me. Innumer-
able cruelties did I endure from this man while
on our paffage ; and fo unrelenting was he in his
barbarous treatment, that it at length became
public in the mip, and obliged Captain Kidd,
the commander, to take notice of it, threatening
to confine him as a madman, if he perfevered in
his inhuman career.* In three weeks after our
departure from New-York, the fleet difcovered
land ; but beat off by ftrong eafterly winds, we
could not make Cape Clear, fo that the Captain
was obliged to take all the mips he had under
convoy into Crook Haven, a fmall port in the
weft of Ireland. The veflels no fooner came to
anchor, than my tyrant fent his horfe afhore, which
he
* Vide the libel exhibited by me againft my hufband, which remains on
record in the Ecclesiastical Court.
( 45 )
he had brought from America; leaving me, youns
and unprotected, in the midft of fix or feven \
hundred men, for the fpace of fourteen days,
without a fingle individual of my own fex in the
whole fleet. Thus I was expofed to various in-
fults, for when my hufband openly abandoned
me, it was natural to conclude that others would
not be remifs in practifing their arts of feduction
againft me.
When the wind became favourable, we again
failed, and landed at the Cove of Cork. On my
arrival in the latter city, I was received by the
Mayor, a near relation of my hufband's, who foon
introduced me to him ; I was pleafed to find that
he made fome apologies for having left me fo
abruptly, remarking, that it was in confequence
of fome liberties he conceived Captain Kidd had
taken with him.
During my ftay at Cork, which lafted ten days,
I was treated with all poffible civility and refpect.
From hence we went to Dublin, where, on our
arrival, myv-uncle, Alderman MoncriefFe, (who is
now
now one of the chief magiftrates and Lord Mayor
elect of that city) expreffed great difpleafure on
hearing that I had remained fo long at Crook
Haven, under the circumftances I have defcribed.
In a few days Mr. Coghlan, leaving me with
my uncle, went over to England, where he re-
mained one month. While he had been abfent,
and in London, his mind had been poifoned by a
variety of calumnies that some good-natured
friends had infinuated againfl me. On his re-
turn, he roundly told me, that he had taken an
old manfion in Wales, for the exprefs purpofe of
fecluding me from the world; that his defign was
to break myjpirit; and if that would not do, to
break my heart. In vain I practifed every art in
my power to fruftrate this inhuman project; but
finding all my intreaties and exertions ineffectual,
I pofitively told both him and my uncle I was
determined not to remain in Wales ; and boldly
declared, that I would leave him and fly to my
father's friends in England. He, however, pe-
remptorily perfifted in his refolution, and I be-
lieve has fince lamented his folly. When we had
reached the inn at Conway (on our way to the
Old
( 47 )
Old Man/ion) all my thoughts were bent on an
efcape, and the very firft moment he left me alone,
I fled from my tormentor, and fought my way
acrofs the mountains, destitute of money, and
without a hut to afford me fhelter from the in-
clemency of the weather ; but fupported by the
native innocence>~mT~o'wh he"artj~JL efcaped from
the great regardlefs of all lefTer evils. I encoun-
tered many difficulties on the road : youth, how-
ever, and perfeverance, enabled me to furmount
them all. Lovers prefTed around me at every
inn : Hibernia's gallant fons, fome of whom had
feen me in Dublin, made the moft liberal offers,
and uttered the warmeft vows ; they would have
efcorted me to London, or to any other part of
the world ; but I turned a deaf ear to their pro-
teftations, and continued my pedeftrian journey,
an innocent, folitary fugitive ! From my juvenile
appearance, I naturally became an object of fuf-
picion to the different inn-keepers, who confider-
ed me as an amorous adventurer, run away from
my parents ; but on a candid recital of my art-
lefs tale, and on my repofing implicit confidence
in them, they confented to affift and facilitate my
flight.
flight. When I arrived at Namptwich, I wrote
to Lord Thomas Clinton, (now Lord Lincoln)
who had been on very intimate terms with my
friends in America.
Here, perhaps, my conduct was imprudent,
although, I truft, not altogether guilty ; never-
thelefs, this act of indifcretion has poflibly occa-
fioned many of the fubfequent miferies that I
have fince endured. My letter to his Lordfhip
was immediately anfwered by Mr. Jackfon, (at-
torney to Lord Thomas) inclofing, by his Lord-
fhip's order, twenty pounds, and containing a
requeft from him, that I mould confider myfelf
under his protection, fignifying, that Mr. Cogh-
lan had challenged him, in confequence of fome
fufpicions which he entertained concerning an
amorous attachment between his Lordfhip and
myfelf.
I had forgot to mention, that my hufband
purfued me from Conway, but taking a different
rout, mifled his object. When he arrived in
London, he mftantly repaired to the houfe of
General
( 49 )
General Gage, 19 who hinted to him the probability
of h^ fin dingon^ with Lord. Thomas, the Gene-
ral having heard a report to that purpofe.
Alarmed by this intelligence, he fent for his
brother-in-law, Mr. Phipps, (the late member
for Peterborough) who accompanied him to Sun-
ning-Hill, at which place Lord Thomas then
refided. He immediately accufed the latter of
having been my feducer, indited on fearching
the houfe, and in cafe of refufal, declared that he
was prepared, and would infifl on that fatisfac-
tion to which an injured hufband was entitled.
Fortunately, fome gentlemen, who were on a
vifit to his Lordmip, interfered, and afTured Mr.
Coghlan that / was not in the houfe ; when, after
much perfuafion, he was induced to return to
London, at the fame time denouncing vengeance
if he mould hereafter difcover that any deception
had been practifed upon him. I have never
ceafed to rejoice that this affair had no fatal
cataftrophe. My hufband's temper was natu-
rally violent ; and, born in a country where the
barbarous prejudice of duelling bears fuch abfo-
lute fway, the noble Lord might have fallen a
victim
( 50 )
victim to this favage cuftom the illuftrious
houfe of Newcaftle might have been deprived of
their heir, and thus another hope of a puiffant
family have been loft.
Amongft a brave and enlightened people,
who have always difplayed the moft exemplary
valour in defending their rights, and whofe gener-
ous volunteers, led on, in the hour of danger,
by the patriots Grattan, Charlemont, Leinfter,
and other noble chiefs, have never hefitated to
make the deareft facrifice for the public fafety, it
cannot be too much lamented, that heroes fo
prodigal of life mould not have courage to
oppofe and annihilate a barbarifm which has for
many centuries fixed a ftigma on a country in
every other refpect amiable, and whofe bravery
and gallantry are univerfally renowned through
all the nations of the world.
I am forry to remark, to the utter difgrace of
Lord Clinton, that his behaviour to me, when I
fell withrrr~fiis power, was fuch as reflects dif-
honour both on his head and heart. In the former,
I
I at once difcovered a vacancy ; it did not, there-
fore, afterwards furprife me to find a canker in the
latter, having always remarked a weak head and
an unprincipled mind to be perfectly congenial to
each other. This Jot difant nobleman meanly pro-
pofed to furrender me, young and beautiful as I
was then considered, (and at the fame time under
his immediate care) to the arms of one of his liber-
tine companions, only anxious to avoid the me-
naces of an enraged Hibernian, and to fecure him-
felf from an action of damages. Such an act,
committed by a man of inferior birth, would have
difgraced him among his fellows ; while the noble
derives from thence additional fame, and a breach
of every moral duty in the higher circles is re-
garded as mere fafhionable levity, as the elegant
nonchalance of polite life. In that clafs, diftinc-
tion keeps pace with vice, and a ftrict obfervance
of morality is deemed dulnefs and infipidity.
After what I have faid of nobility, let me be
permitted to make one honourable exception : I
mould be ungrateful indeed, and belie the feel-
ings of my foul, if I did not proclaim my dear
7 friend,
friend) Lord Hervey, a nobleman porfefTing
honour, generofity, and affection His heart,
always open to the congenial feelings of humanity,
never refufed obedience to its facred impulfe. I
knew him in his prime of youth, and although now
lome years have parTed fince I enjoyed the happi-
nefs of feeing him, I am pleafed to flatter my-
felf that his foul has efcaped the politician's lot,
that it has not become hardened and corrupt.
How often have I obferved him check the
manly tear which had instinctively ftarted in his
eye on a recital of my misfortunes ! and how
fincerely has he appeared to lament the want of
power to reftore me to that fituation which I was
born to fill in the world ! While living- under
O
the protection of Lord Clinton, I endured many
unhappy hours, and my affliction did not pafs
unobferved by my attendants. One day I was
furprifed in fears, by my own woman, to whom
1 related my ftory, as nothing affords more relief
to a diftrefled mind, than giving vent to its for-
rows : this compaffionate creature, who was by
no means privy to his Lordmip's plans, advifed
me
( 53 )
me to attempt a reconciliation with my hufband,
which advice I rejected ; but, having written a
penitent letter to my friend, (the Honourable
Mrs. Gage) 17 into whofe hands I defired it to be
delivered, General Gage himfelf, who was ever
* D ' \
during his life a friend to my family, contrary to
the opinion of his lady, fetched me inftantly away
from my lodgings in Lower-Seymour-ftreet, and
informed Mr. Coghlan's father that the fair fugi-
tive was found ; when they held a confutation
refpecting my future deftination, the refult of
which was, that it would be prudent for me to
retire to a convent in France. In this opinion I
acquiefced, and confequently departed for Calais,
where I hired apartments in the Dominican con-
vent. I had not been long in this gloomy
retirement, before I was furprifed with a vifit
from Lord Thomas Clinton, who informed me
of the death of his brother, the late Lord Lin-
coln, and was pleafed to fay, that his object in
coming to Calais was to know if I was happy.
Youth is the feafon of credulity, and flattery
never yet was unwelcome to a. female ear. Being
myfelf naturally of a lively temper, I could but
ill
( 54 )
ill adapt my ideas to the difmal folitude of a
monaftery, or to the melancholy habits of its
fuperftitious inhabitants, and a circumftance* had
lately happened, which had determined me to
quit my prefent companions. I knew it was in
vain to afk permiffion from my friends to return
to England, as it had been determined by them
that I mould continue three years in the convent,
and abjolute orders had been given to the fupe-
rior, that no ftranger mould be admitted to fee
me, unlefs he brought letters from them. I
mentioned this circumftance to Lord Lincoln,
but he was too well acquainted with the fecret
virtue of that golden key which he pofTefTed, to pay
attention to fuch orders. The fcrupulous deli-
cacy of Madame Gray, fuperior of the convent,
could not refift the magic of this key ; her virtue
yielded, and I confequently dined with his Lord-
fhip, nor ever more returned to my difinterested
friend
* Alluding to a ceremony annually obferved on All Saints Day, or the
Refurredtion of Souls, when the bones and fculls of the dead, which had
long before been peaceably configned to their mother Earth, together with
a coffin, are placed in the chapel of the convent, where all the ladies of the
fociety are made to attend the doleful fcene at midnight.
( 55 )
friend, Madame Gray, but agreeable to his Lord-
fhip's advice, took my paflage to England.
The Nuns, alarmed at my flight, wrote to my
friends, excufmg themfelves from having been
privy to my efcape, and imputing the whole
blame to the woman whofe bufmefs it is to walk
out with the pensioners, as being auxiliary to my
departure. Soon after my arrival in London,
General Gage was informed of my return, and
of the place where I had taken up my residence.
He immediately difpatched Major Brown to my
lodgings, and by him I was acquainted with the
mifery which my father fuffered on my account.
Unable to endure the thought of afflicting the
tendereft of parents, whom I moft affectionately
loved, I was eafily induced to forego thofe vifion-
ary and fatal fchemes of happinefs, which my
imagination had formed. Thus reftored to my
friends, I was fixed by Mrs. Gage with a refpect-
able family near Grofvenor Square.
Sir Charles Gould, who was in habits of cor-
refpondence with Major Moncrieffe, 18 paid the
expenfes of my board, at the Major s defire.
Here
( 56 )
Here I remained two years, at the expiration of
which time Mrs. Gage informed me that me had
received letters from my father, wherein he ex-
prefTed his wifhes that I would form fome plan
whereby to gain a future livelihood ; that as by
my imprudence I had rendered it impoffible for
him to countenance me as his daughter, he ad-
vifed me to endeavour to learn the mantua-
making bufmefs. The propofal I rejected, con-
fidering that I was entitled to a feparate mainte-
nance from my hufband, proportionate to his
fortune. Thus embarrafled, I waited on Lord
Amherft, 19 informing him of my unhappy mar-
riage. His Lordfhip remembered me when in
my nurfe's arms, which recollection fecure^ me in
him a zealous advocate and mediator with my
father ; at the fame time flattering me with hopes
of fuccefs. On hearing the intention of the
latter, his Lordfhip was equally furprifed with
myfelf : he inftantly exclaimed, " This furely
" would be a curious method to reftore you to
"the paths of virtue ;" adding, "that he had a
" bad opinion of fuch trades for young women."
My
( 57 )
My father was a man of rigid, auftere prin-
ciples, whenever virtue or honour were in quef-
tion, however indulgent he might be himfelf on
other occaiions. The feverity he manifested in
this inftance does not derogate in the leaft from
his ufual character ; the actual dishonour of a
beloved daughter pleads a Sufficient excufe for
any harfhnefs which I may have experienced
from him.
Thusdeferted, I became almoft frantic; I left the
family where Mrs. Gage had placed me, and paid
a vifit to the man whofe counfels I ought to have
fhunned. At his Lordmip's houfe I was received
a welcome gueft : on feeing me, \\ejatiricallyfmiled,
and faid, " he hoped I had now fufficiently felt the
" rod of correction, and that it would teach me to
" be regardlefs of every other confideration but
" that of improving my own fortune." At this
period, Lord Lincoln was engaged in a contefted
election for the city of Weftminfter, with that
bright luminary of genius who ftill mines with
fuch refplendent effulgence in the political world,
the Right Honourable Charles Fox. 20 - -I was
now
now feventeen years old, and felt a natural incli-
nation for the ftage : on this fubject I confulted
a friend of my father's, Colonel Etherington, who
advifed me to procure an introduction to the
manager of Drury-Lane Theatre. Accident, at
this juncture, brought me acquainted with the
Right Honourable Gentleman juft mentioned,
(Mr. Fox) whofe intereft I folicited with Mr.
Sheridan, 21 and he, with his ufual goodnefs,
recommended me to the latter gentleman, and it
was then my intention to have made my debut at
Drury-Lane Houfe, the following winter.
The frequent opportunities I at this time
enjoyed of feeing Mr. Fox, whofe affections were
'then (I believe) difengaged, were of the higheft
fervice to me ; dulnefs itfelf could not have failed
to profit from the inftructions of fo able and elo-
quent a friend. During my acquaintance with
this amiable and benevolent man, my foul was
confecrated to all the fweet emotions of friend-
fhip, and happy mould I have been had this inti-
macy lafted ; but, alas ! fuch happinefs was not
referved for me. Engagedvin the purfuit of moft
honourable
( J9 )
honourable ambition, his heart was ever open to
the more endearing virtues of private life. The
zealous, enthufiaftic patriot was no lefs the fincere
affectionate friend the tender, the ardent lover ;
and, perhaps, in no one man were ever before
united fo many engaging, fo many tranfcendent
qualities ; infomuch, that the character given of
him in the Houfe of Commons, by his friend
Sir Charles Bunbury, feems by no means exagge-
rated cc That he was even a hero to his valet de
"chambre !"
The giddinefs of extreme youth, and remark-
able levity of my difpofition at that time, was
not calculated to fecure the attachment of this
illuftrious character, although in every fubfequent\
trial I have found in him a moft complaifant and/
liberal benefactor.
It was now my deftiny to become acquainted
with a man in almoft every inftance the reverfe of
the former, but he ftill pofTefTed that charm, which,
with my turn for extravagance, fupported the
place of every other. Mr. Fazakerley was rich^
8 and
( 6 )
and what rendered him yet more valuable in my
fight, he vt&s generous ! He offered me his houfe
and prefented to me his purfe ; money feemed
no object to him, and fuch a man was adapted to
my purpofe. Neverthelefs, it was my nature to
be candid, I therefore JrajnJdy~-te4d-4mTr that I
was four mpjiths^axTvanced in pregnancy ; and
concluded by faying, that he probably might
deem this circumftance an obftacle to our connec-
/ tion. He waved however the objection, made
the moft liberal offers, Tnfifted on my applying to
no other quarter for protection, and during four
years he fupported me and my daughter, without
permitting me to draw from Mr. Fox the leaft
fupply whatever.
Mr. Fazakerley made with me the tour of
Europe, and did all in his power -to cultivate my
underftanding, and to give me all that fuperficial
knowledge and acquirements which are confidered
to yield fuch a polifh to our travelled ladies. If
I had not profited by the advantages that offered
themfelves during my acquaintance with this
gentleman, I mould deferve more misfortunes
than
( 6. )
than I have even yet endured, if it were poffible
they could fall to the lot of any one human being ;
but, I truft that my mind has not been altogether
unimproved ; and if my heart may have been
corrected by the former gentleman, my under-
ftahding and perfon have certainly acquired gra-
ces and accomplifhments from the pains beftowed
on me by the latter. I am therefore bound to
acknowledge thofe obligations to Mr. Fazakerley,
for the attention I received from him during four
years, as well as for many liberal pecuniary fa-
vours ; but as to the real happinefs, I never
enjoyed it under the aufpices of this gentleman,
his temper being extremely morofe and capricious ;
nor had he any of thofe qualities formed to con-
ciliate the affections of a delicate woman.
At the end of four years, this connection was
difTolved, and unfortunately for me, all his friend-
Jhip perifhed with it.
During my misfortunes, he has never liftened
to my complaints ; the more miferies were accu-
mulated on my wretched head, the more callous
did
did his heart feem to what I fuffered, and he at
length concluded by withdrawing an annuity of
two hundred pounds, which he had promifed fhould
be continued during my life.
I had now formed an acquaintance with Lord
Hervey. Of this noble Lord I have fpoken in
the preceding pages, and even at this moment I
cannot reflect on the virtues and fplendid qualities
that diftinguifh the mind and perfon of his Lord-
fhip, without the moft lively fenfibility. With
him I enjoyed, for feveral months, all the com-
forts and delights of domeftic life, and with him
I continued until he was appointed, by his Bri-
tannic Majefty, Envoy at a foreign court.
Attached to my native country (America) I
fancy the reader will have already difcovered that
I am by no means a friend to arbitrary princi-
ples ; nor is it becaufe I admire the man, that I
am to be confidered a convert to his political
notions.
I was therefore concerned when I read the
manifefto which he publtmed at that court, dur-
ing
ing his embafly. Nothing, however, can abate
the lively gratitude and efteem which my heart
feels for this valuable friend. His Lordmip had
left me only a few months, when I brought forth
a pledge of our union, a daughter, whom death
foon ravimed from me: previous to which lofs, a
new and amiable connection called me back to
Ireland, where I received the above fatal intelli-
gence, which was a terrible drawback upon the
happinefs I then enjoyed. Captain B******,
my new lover, was every way calculated to oblit-
erate the impreffion I might have received from
former admirers, and to footh the affliction
which I felt for the lofs of my dear and beloved
child. From him I have uniformly experienced
every kindnefs that the tendereft affection could
beftow. The roving habits of a military life
did not admit any permanent attachment of this
nature ; but it is fufficiently flattering to me,
that Mr. B****** never omitted an occafion of
feeking my fociety.
The fruits of our connection are two fons,
both now living, and both happy under the pro-
tection
( 64 )
tection of their worthy parent, who is himfelf
lately united in marriage with a lady who, I am
told, poflefles every virtue and every neceflary
accomplishment to fecure his happinefs, and with
whom I ardently wifh him a continuation of all
the bleflings and enjoyments which he fo emi-
nently deferves. Let me, however, indulge the
hope, without wifhing to ftrew the thorns of
jealoufy or difcontent on her bridal pillow, that
he will never utterly neglect his former friend, the
mother of his chi'dren. Humanity, and friend-
fhip for others, are not uncongenial with conju-
gal fidelity, and if I am rightly informed of Lady
A 's character, me is not the woman to
encourage a dereliction of thofe duties. The
honourable connection that Mr. B****** has
formed is incompatible with the union that once
fubfifted between us, and if previous thereto
there had been any chafm in that union, it was
becaufe his fortune could not keep pace with my
former extravagance.
Confident am I, from all the proofs I have
had of his generous and affectionate heart, that
the
( 65 )
the manifold forrows I have undergone, if he
had porTefled the power, I mould have been
fpared the fuffering. I could dwell longer on
this endearing theme, but prudence commands
me to draw the veil.
I now enter on the fubjecl of a gentleman,
whom honour, gratitude, and every refined fen-
timent which dignifies the foul of woman, and
imprefTes it with a fenfe of paft obligations, com-
pel me to mention. Generofity and fincerity
were his mining character! flics a friend to all
mankind, bimfelf excepted. The opennefs of
Mr. Giffard's difpofition everlaftingly expofed
him to the villanies and bafe projects of nefari-
ous gamblers and intriguers of every defcription;
nay, even in that elevated circle of ariftocracy in
which he moved, there were not wanting ennobled
wretches to form their fchemes of plunder and
robbery againft him. The lories which Mr.
Giffard fuftained from thefe honourable connec-
tions were fatal to himfelf and family. Unfuf-
picious of the treachery to which he had been
the dupe, he paid to the laft guinea, although to
accomplim
( 66 )
accomplim that payment, he had been obliged to
difcharge his eflablimment, and to difpofe of his
equipage. Stupid muft be the mind that would
not have been corrected by fatal experience like
this, and happy am 1 to learn, that from a regu-
lar fyftem of oeconomy which he has of late
adopted, and through the interpofition of his
relations, his finances are repaired, and thus a
moft worthy man reftored to his country.
Ungrateful mould I be if I did not rejoice in
every profperity which he enjoys. From him,
during the time I was fo happy as to partake of
his efteem, I received pecuniary favours that
almoft outran my own extravagance and it was
only the derangement of his affairs, that could
have put a period to them.
While with Mr. Giffard, my humble roof was
often vifited by princes of the Blood Royal, and
by Nobles of the higheft diftinction and here,
I mould do a violence to my own feelings, if I
did not draw a juft comparifon in favour of ple-
beian virtue; let me then honeftly proclaim to the
world,
( 67 )
world, fuperior to flattery or dimmulation, that
in my journey through life I have found more
liberality of fentiment, more candour and ingen-
uoufnefs in this plain country gentleman, and
others of a fimilar defcription, than I ever expe-
rienced from a certain Duke of royal lineage.
But where is the wonder ? Fidelity to vows is
not the virtue of princes. At perjuries with wo-
men they only laugh. During my hard diftrefles
in a horrid jail, often did I apply to this Royal
Lothario, this perfidious Lovelace, but who, alas !
had none of the accomplifhments that Lovelace
could boaft of; and the fruit of my application
was filence dead, monotonous, obftinate filence !
Beware then, ye of my unhappy fex, how you are
beguiled by the gew-gaw of royal fplendour !
Nurfed in the lap of luxury, fatiated with enjoy-
ments, the hearts of princes are callous to the
purer delights of exquifite fenfibility. Princes live
only for themfelves : they conceive that men and
women are made merely for them, to be the paflive
inftruments of their voluptuoufnefs, and are only
furprifed when the leaft recompence is required
from
( 68 )
from them, as a poor indemnity for the dearefl
facrifices that have been made to footh their paf-
fions. All I can fay is, that if this princely Lotha-
rio mines not with greater advantage in the plains
of Mars than he excels in the groves of Venus,
the combined forces have little to expect from his
martial exertions.
In the month of May, 1788, annoyed by my
creditors, and Mr. Giffard's finances being at that
time exceedingly deranged, he could only offer cer-
tain terms to my creditors, giving one thoufand
pounds into the hands of Mr. Thomas Vaughan,
of Suffolk-ftreet, Middlesex Hofpital, for the
purpofe of fettling with them; while it was judged
expedient that I mould tranfport myfelf to the
continent, there to remain during eight or ten
months. I mould be loth to caft reflections on
any man, and I conceive it now neceflary to extri-
cate Mr. Vaughan from afperfions which have
been thrown out againft him.
My debts at this time amounted to near three
thoufand pounds, including attorney's bills, for
it
( 69 )
it has been my lot always to pay full fixty fhil-
lings for every twenty: it was therefore propo-
fed, that the one thoufand pounds fo generoufly
granted by my munificent friend mould be applied
only to the payment of fuch debts as had been
contracted while I refided under the protection of
Mr. Giffard, considering himfelf in honour bound
to difcharge them. But firft, there was an offer
made to all my creditors in general, of ten mil-
lings in the pound, which they were foolim
enough to refufe ; thus I was under the neceflity
of protracting my refidence abroad.
On my arrival in Paris, I had taken my refi-
dence at the Hotel de 1'Univerfite, where it was
my fortune to meet once more that favourite of
the fair fex, that renowned warrior, equal to both,
and armed for either field, whofe glorious exploits
in the blood-ftained ranks of Long-Ifland and
Charleston can teftify, and whofe fuperior excel-
lence in thofe fofter engagements, in the Italian
vales, Mademoifelle la Maire and fo many other
Pariiian belles have equally witnefled.
This
( 7 )
This heroic chief, this fecond Agamemnon,
uniting all accomplilhments the fierceft foldier
in war, the gentleft fwain in love did me the
honour to take me under his protection.
He was my cecifbeo, who made me acquainted
with all the beauties of that fuperb and magnifi-
cent city ; he introduced me into all the gay and
brilliant circles, of which he himfelf fhone the
fplendid ornament. The intelligent reader, on
perufing the above, will not be at a lofs to dif-
cover, that I allude to General D ********.
With this military and amorous Quixote there
was a young man, nearly related, and to whom,
fuch is the ftrange organization of the female
mind! I am fair to confefs, that I gave the pre-
ference over his formidable and illuftrious rival.
Jealoufy is the characteriftic of love I had made
an impreflion on the heart of the veteran beau ;
he Jufpefled (and his fujpicions were not wrong)
that there was a fecret underftanding between
myfelf and his younger companion : yielding
thereto, he kept a fteady watch over all our
actions, and when the filent hour approached that
lovers
lovers dedicate to the deity of their adoration,
my antique admirer, eager to convince himfelf of
the truth of what he fufpected, pofted himfelf in
an obfcure corner, where, by favour of the moon,
he traced Sir R * to my apartments, and,
as foon as he knew that his conjectures were well
founded, he withdrew all friendfhip, and, I fear,
has never fince forgiven me. "At lover's
"quarrels," they fay, "Jove laughs ;" although
this quarrel turned out ferious, fince no corref-
pondence has fubfifted between us fince the above
fatal period. But if Agamemnon withdrew him-
felf he ftill left a Paris behind to confole me.
Sir Robert Harland, the next day informed
me, that my late admirer was fo exceedingly
offended, that it would render my longer con-
tinuance, in the fame hotel, very difagreeable ;
1 therefore departed, taking lodgings at the
Hotel de la Reine, Rue des Bons Enfans. I
was no fooner fettled in my new apartment,
than one of my fervants told me that my huf-
band
* Sir R***** H******.
band lodged in the fame houfe, and as he was the
loft man in the world whom I wifhed to fee, I
inftantly took leave of the landlord, and went to
Madame Lafar's Hotel, Rue Caumartin ; a lady
who happily pofleffes the convenient accommodating
talents of obliging all her guefts, both male and
female, never afking impertinent queftions, and
being perfectly indifferent as to the mode of
arrangement amongft them. In this hotel I
found the famous Colonel Me. Carthy, who was
pleafed to honour me with his particular attention.
By this gentleman I was introduced to the Mar-
quis de Genlis, whofe fuperb hotel was the con-
ftant receptacle of all the elegants of that once
luxurious city. 'This nobleman^ in his youth, had
been the moft accomplimed -petit maitre of the
day, and in the decline of life, when I knew him,
he reminded me very much, both in his drefs and
addrefs, of our old Duke of Q -. The French
Marquis, however, was rather more celebrated
for hofpitality than the Scotch Duke. When
I retrace in my imagination the nocturnal orgies,
and every refinement of luxury, that was vifible
in this temple of voluptuoufnefs, contrafting it
with
( 73 )
with the prefent gloomy fcene, which my mind
pidtures to itfelf, I, in fome meafure, forget my
own forrows : The Graces, I am told, have en-
tirely abandoned that city, where they had fo
long refided, Stern, inexorable republican vir-
tue has ufurped the empire which they once held,
and politics now fupply the place of gallantry
and love. The ill-fated brother of M. de Genlis,
the Marquis de Sillery, hufband to the accom-
plifhed writer of that name, tainted by education
with the prejudices of artftocracy, and vitiated by
the long habits of Parifian debauchery, has lately
fuffered under the fatal axe of the guillotine ;
and this example, confirmed by fo many others,
ought to ferve as a wholefome and moft ufeful
leffon, how, at this juncture, perfons embark on
the dangerous ocean of politics, unlefs they are
really and honeftly attached to the principles
which they profefs.
The Jacobin Club is undoubtedly (whatever
it may be in other refpects) the moft vigilant and
enlightened corps of diplomacy in Europe. In-
numerable inftances have proved the impoffibility
of
( 74 )
of efcaping their keen, penetrating refearches,
and the leaft deviation from the path of the
Conftitution, (that is, from the unity and irrdi-
vifibility of the Republic) is fure to meet detec-
tion, and to be followed by an ignominious
death. Let us then implore the grace of Divine
Providence to put an end to thefe horrors !
To refume the thread of my narrative About
the latter end of July, 1788, a Mr. Beckett, with
whom I become acquainted, and for which ac-
quaintance I am indebted to my old friend, Colo-
nel Freemantle, came to Paris. He lived in the
fame hotel with myfelf, in the greateft fplendour ;
his table was continually crouded by perfons of
the higheft rank, amongft whom were the late
unfortunate Due d'Orleans, the Dues de Mont-
morenci, Pienne, Prince Louis d'Aremberg,
Marquis de Bouille, &c. &c. &c. Amidft my
manifold misfortunes, I confider it fome confola-
tion that the perfons with whom I have been
acquainted were the moft part diftinguifhed for
genius and talents, and this young man was
remarkably fo : Mr. Beckett flattered me by his
addrefses,
( 75 )
addreffes, at a time when all the Parifian beauties
were emulous with each other for his affections :
whether it were vanity, affection, preference, or any
fentiment bordering on felf-love, I will not fay ;
but, living in the fame hotel with him, he continu-
ally made choice of me as the Sultana to prefide
at his table, and I had the direction of all his
entertainments. At the end of four months,
after various oblique and fruitlefs hints, Madame
Lafar became clamorous for payment of her bill,
which amounted to thefmal/Jum of five hundred
pounds. He drew bills upon his father for fif-
teen hundred pounds, which were the amount of
his whole debts. A fpecial courier was difpatched
to England, and as the father would not, or could
not, pay the extravagant demands of his fon, the
bills returned to Paris protefted. In this fituation
I advifed him to confult his own countrymen,
then in Paris : He was at that time intimately
acquainted- with Lord Gillford, fon of Lord
Clanwilliam. This young nobleman affured him
that he had only a few hours to determine on his
efcape, as he had private information that Ma-
dame Lafar meant to arreft him. I muft do Mr.
10 Beckett
Beckett the juftice to fay, that it was with the
utmoft reluctance that he purfued the advice of
his friends, as he exprefled ftrong apprehenfions
for my fafety ; however, touched with his gene-
rofity, I became entirely regardlefs of myfelf, and
positively infifted on his flight, and he yielded
obedience. He had not departed many hours
before all his creditors were in an uproar ; the
hue and cry was raifed, that an Englimman had
run away for his debts : the police officers were
fent after him, but returned with forrowful coun-
tenances, their miflion unaccomplifhed.
Madame Lafar, who, poor dear woman ! was
the principal fufferer, now turned all her ven-
geance againft me, knowing that I had a travel-
ling poft-chaife and a chariot, together with feveral
valuable effects ; on thefe articles me fixed her
attention, determined to plunder me.
Two days after Mr. Beckett left Paris I was,
while on a vifit at Madame Smith's, informed by
Mr. Robert Knight, (another of the few good
men I have found in the world) that his carriage
had
( 77 )
had juft been furrounded by a party of armed
ruffians, inquiring for me, and he had fcarcely
uttered the words when the houfe of Madame
Smith was befet by at leaft an hundred men, pre-
ceded by Mr. de Lomprey, exempt de police.
My friends , alarmed for my fituation, (for I was
feven months advanced in pregnancy) intreated
the exempt to difmifs his followers Mr. Knight
kindly pledging himfelf to be refponfible for any
complaint which they had to make againft me.
Mr. de Lomprey replied, " that he had a lettre
" de cachet from the King, ordering me to close
" confinement in the Hotel de la Force" My
valuable friend, who was a young man of very
independent fortune, would not fuffer this arbi-
trary aft of power to be exercifed againft an help-
lefs woman, without firft demanding that fatis-
faftion to which he thought me entitled. He,
therefore, at that late hour, went to the Duke of
Dorfet, the Engli/h Ambaflador: his Grace was
from home : thus I was obliged to go, at two
o'clock in the morning, to the manfion of flavery,
the Hotel de la Force. I had with me my infant
fon, then only two years old. The innocence of
this
( 78 )
this tender lamb, who feemed fenfible that fome
misfortune had happened, overcame what refolu-
tion I pofTefled ; he held up his little bands and
cried out, " Oh ! you mail not hurt my Mother /"
Mr. Knight, however, comforted me by every
aflurance of protecting the child, and carried him
away in his carriage, having firfl attended me him-
felf to the wretched apartment deftined for me.
A miferable bed of ftraw, with one wretched
blanket, was all the furniture in the room, and
the floor was completely covered with vermin.
'Till this moment I was a ftranger to prifons ;
therefore my mind was more fenfible to theftiock:
but even now that I have been habituated to the
horrors of confinement, I cannot conceive fuch a
dreadful epitome of wretchednefs as this vile
dungeon, on mature reflection, frill appears to be;
and, for the fake of humanity, I fervently pray,
that if it be not already done, the new government
of France may utterly deftroy fimilar abominations.
My woman, the faithful partner of all my
misfortunes, accompanied me, nor could even
this fpectacle of horror induce her to forfake her
miftrefs.
( 79 )
miftrefs. We parted the few remaining hours
converting on the fudden tranfition of fortune
I wifhed to convince her of the mutability of
human happinefs In three days 1 was reduced
from fcenes of pleafure and tranquility to my
prefent wretched condition ! As foon as day
approached, we examined our fad habitation : the
firft object that ftruck my eye was a huge tremen-
dous padlock, projecting from the cieling, and to
which was fattened an immenfe iron collar. We
could not at firft imagine the ufe of this frightful
instrument ; but my poor, faithful attendant foon
guefTed it, and exclaimed, " O, Madam ! it is to
" fatten us up at night!" She had fcarce uttered
thefe words when the jailer appeared, (for, in
France, it is a duty exacted from the keeper of
fuch a place to pay perfonal attendance to the
unfortunate in his power :} he had a great bunch
of keys in his hand : he walked up to me, and
immediately cried out, " Oh, del! quel dommage !"
adding, that he had received orders from the gov-
ernment to treat me with the greateft refpect.
This civil Frenchman ended his harangue by
requefting me to give him permiflion to order my
breakfaft.
( 80 )
breakfaft. I thanked him for his politenefs, but
declined receiving any refrefhment until my friends
came to me. At a very early hour (before noon)
Mr. Knight, accompanied by Mr. Weftern, the
prefent member for Maiden, paid me a vifit.
Thefe gentlemen, in concert with Capt. Winder,
of the guards, were for ever employed to obtain
my liberty, availing themfelves of a moft necef-
fary and humane law that exifts in France, pro-
hibiting the imprifonment of pregnant women for
debt. If fuch laws were in full force under the
moft defpotic government of Europe, how much
more confiftent were it in force under that which
calls itfelf the moft free ? Aged perfons were alfo
exempt from this penalty ; but here our ears are
for ever ftunned with the found of liberty and
humanity ! women in the pangs of childbed
men in the agonies of death, (fuch inftances have
occurred) in virtue of a meriff's writ, may be
dragged to the moft loathfome jail. Were it not
then devoutly to be wifhed, that our legiflators, in-
ftead of empty panegyric, would afford us a little
of the fubftance ? In my own opinion, who have
done fome experience in thefe cafes, the reafon why
fuch
fuch horrible laws are fuffered to exift, is under
the fuppofition of their being feldom or ever
executed ; the fact, however, is notorioufly other-
wife ; at all events, policy, as well as mercy,
requires, the national character demands, that the
life of freemen mould not be expofed to the dif-
cretion, or depend on the pity, of a fheriff 's officer.
Madame Lafar, alarmed, leaft I mould efcape
out of the fnare me had laid, endeavoured to
perfuade my friends I was not in the predica-
ment defcribed ; but all her projects failed, as
they infifted on a confultation of the faculty,
who afcertained my pregnancy ; at the fame time
expreffing apprehenfions of immediate labour
from the fudden revolution I had undergone.
In this fituation, a female of my acquaintance
(although by no means a lady of rigid virtue, not
therefore lefs fufceptible of generofity and com-
pamon) immediately repaired to Monfieur Pac-
quet, then firft Prefident of the Parliament of
Paris, relating the circumftance, and at the fame
time giving a miniature picture of me. This
gentleman went the following day to Verfailles, and
informing
informing Monfieur and the Comte d'Artois, the
late Kings brothers, of my misfortune, they, with a
generous fympathy rarely to be found in princes,
and which caufes me to lament moft bitterly their
fad reverfe of fortune, took pity on my fituation
and became my advocates ; and in a few hours I
received his Majefty's order for my releafe. The
Comte d'Artois, in particular, entered into the
hardfhips of my cafe, and on delivering the King's
fignature, cancelling the letter de cachet, advifed
that I mould put myfelf under protection of his
palace,* fignifying that Mr. Beckett's creditors
might then proceed againft me in a court of law.
The inftant I returned from prifon, I went accord-
ingly to the Place du Temple, where I had not
remained many hours before I received a vi fit from
the Due de F , another nobleman who alfo
boafts of royal blood in his veins, but whofe actions
unfortunately were not calculated to efface thofe
unfavourable prepofTerTions with which I had been
infpired by a fimilar conduct in a truly royal Duke,
who
* The Temple at Paris, where Louis XVI. and the royal family were
confined, was formerly a palace occupied by the Comte d'Artois, and its
environs afforded protection to unhappy inlblvent debtors.
who now makes fuch a capital figure on the theatre
of European politics. The familiar epithet applied
to the ci-devant Due de F in Paris, (that loyal
and renowned emigrant) was an efcroc (in Englifh
fignifying fharper or Greek). All I can fay is,
that I have no reafon to difpute the propriety of
the application.
In my new abode I had foon the mortification
to learn from my fervants, that my two car-
riages, together with all my clothes and jewels,
were feized by Mr. Beckett's creditors, fo that I
was, in an inftant, ftripped of every neceflary, in
a country where I had no connections but fuch
as had been formed on the principles of intereft.
Thus circumftanced, a young I rim nobleman, in
whofe favour I had made an exception, and from
my general opinion of his friendship I had con-
fidence, I frankly communicated what had be-
fallen me, and received from his Lordfhip every
affurance of protection ; but his fortune not being
adequate to his generofity, he immediately pro-
pofed a fubfcription amongft my friends then in
Paris, and in the courfe of twenty-four hours I
ii found
found myfelf, through their exertions, in poflef-
fion of two hundred and fifty louis d'or's.
I have before obferved, that adverfity is the
true criterion of friendfhip, and I am bound in
gratitude to render juftice to that virtue in the
French nation.
In France I ever met with the greateft human-
ity, tempered with delicacy and politenefs ; and
if my misfortunes, during the latter part of my
refidence in that country, called for the aid of
others, I alfo received it ; at the fame time it
was always conveyed in a manner which reflected
honour on the generous donors, ever unaccom-
panied with thofe difgufting marks of oftentation
which too frequently attend acts of pecuniary
relief.
I remained fix months in the Temple, and
returned to England ten days before that glorious
epoch, the I4th of July, 1789, when Frenchmen
threw off for ever THE YOKE OF SLAVERY. Oh !
may that day yield an awful and impreflive leflbn !
It forms an aera replete with events ftill in the
womb
womb of time to produce. It threatens deftruc-
tion to long eftablifhed fyftems to long eftab-
limed orders. It prefages revolution, and ftrikes
at thofe antique governments, in defence of which
fo many of my anceftors have bled.
Should they have bled in vain, and if a new
order of things be deftined to fucceed, may
humanity ftill profit by the change ! may a more
equal diftribution of fublunary enjoyments ban-
ifh from the face of the earth thofe fcenes of
horror that have fo long tortured the fight and
difgraced the policy of focial inftitutions ! Per-
haps the Millennium, fo long and fo anxioufiy
anticipated, is at hand, when nations will be
linked in one fraternal bond when civil difcord
and foreign wars mall ceafe to defolate the world.
Whichever party may prevail in this tremendous
crifis, my only prayer is, that it may terminate
to the advantage and improvement of the human
race ! The reader will pardon thefe frequent
digreflions ; they arife naturally from the fub-
ject, and are the fpontaneous emanations of a
foul fraught with fenfibility, and glowing with
zeal
( 86 )
zeal for the general happinefs and improvement
of mankind. I have formerly experienced from
Frenchmen compaflion and generofity ; and I
have fometimes found thofe virtues in the Eng-
lifh. Born in America, and refident many years
in England, I feel no local partialities, no pre-
porTeflions or difgufts my country is the world !
and whatever the political fentiments of others
may be, I confider it the duty of citizens to
yield implicit fubmiffion to the laws of that
government under which they live.
Pafling eighteen months in France, under her
ancient monarchy, I had the opportunity of
manifefting my refpect to the laws which then
exifted ; and if I were at prefent in that nation,
now that it has judged proper to adopt the re-
publican form of government, I mould hold
myfelf equally bound, faithfully to obey the
laws of that Republic.
Such are my opinions, which I believe are
founded in truth and juftice, and I mould be
ever emulous to preferve the character of a
peaceful.
( 8? )
peaceful^ and, I hope, in future, to add, of a
virtuous citizen.
It is the fafhion amongft us, vehemently and
outrageoufly to condemn the French for the ex-
cefles and cruelties they have committed ; but
we muft in candour allow, that in the progrefs of
this war they have been at leaft equalled in acls
of cruelty by the Pruffians and Auftrians, and
far furpafled therein by their own emigrants.
Very lately an account was tranfmitted to the
convention, by one of its commiflioners at Lifle,
of an Auftrian foldier taken prifoner, on fearch-
ing whom it was difcovered that his cartridges
were poifoned, which at once explained the caufe
of that amazing mortality which had prevailed
amongft the French wounded foldiers.
Monfieur Beaulieu, an Auftrian general, on a
late occafion, previous to an engagement, like-
wife fignified to his troops that prifoners were
only an incumbrance, in confequence of which the
foldiers took the hint and gave no quarter.
What tender heart then but recoils from thofe
dreadful
( 88 )
dreadful profcriptions and executions which now
daily take place in that diftracted country ! but as
in morals, it would be held madnefs to harbour in
our bofom a ferpent to fting us to death ; fo in
politics, the maxim holds equally good. France
cannot be denied to have contained innumerable
enemies within her bofom, and from the exter-
minating principles of this deftructive war, which
operate equally on both fides, it is evident if me
wimed to confolidate her government, that if me
do not drive to deftroy thofe enemies they will
finally fucceed to deftroy the republic. Let us
then be juft amidft the violence of revolutionary
paroxyfms. We are not to expect that temper
and moderation which ought to be the bafis of
fettled, tranquil governments, but which (we
fatally experience) is too feldom the charaderiftics
of fuch governments.
To return to my fubject : When I arrived in
London, I fent to my houfe in New Cavendifh-
ftreet, defiring a female fervant, whom I had left
in charge of it, to come to the hotel. She gave
me to underftand, that although feveral of my
creditors
creditors were much dirTatisfied with the manner
in which Mr. Vaughan had difpofed of the money
deftined to fettle their demands, ftill they were by
no means inclined to harrafs me. Thefe afTuran-
ces encouraged me to return to my own houfe,
and in a few days ]. called a meeting of all my
unfatisfied creditors (acting in this inftance as my
own attorney:) from them I obtained a letter of
licence ; I however was fo foolifh as to afk for
only fix months indulgence, when they would
readily have granted it for as many years ; there
were, neverthelefs, two obdurate, ungrateful cre-
ditors, linen drapers of Oxford-ftreet, who, regard-
lefs of the many obligations which they owed to
me and my friends, thought proper to arreft me,
contrary to the opinion of all the reft who had any
claims against me. With thefe men I had dealt for
years, in which time they had both received from
me feveral hundred pounds, and now they thought
proper to have me confined for the moderate fum
of three hundred and fifty pounds : my own
attorney civilly leaving me in a fpunging-houfe,
to get out as I could. In this hour of diftrefs,
when friendfhip makes the deepeft imprefTion, a
gentleman
( 9 )
gentleman* of Furnival's Inn came fortunately
to the houfe, and hearing of my confinement,
generoufly became my bail. And here let me
again pour forth the tribute of a grateful heart !
but words are inadequate to exprefs the fenfe that
I have of bis liberality and kindnefs. Unac-
quainted with the chicanery, villainy, and hard-
heartednefs of other lawyers, from which I have
fo cruelly fufFered, from certain experience, he
rofe, in my opinion, above every man in his pro-
feffion. He found mebefet by plunderers, Jews,
and fwindlers, combined to rob me of what pro-
perty I poflefled. The fuflerings I had hitherto
endured had not operated the neceflary conviction,
or hindrance, in choice of acquaintance : I have
ever been the dupe of the worthlefs part of both
fexes ; and, at this time, I was ftupidly infatuated
with the fociety of a certain Jewefs.
This woman poflefTed feveral natural good
qualities, qualities which far over-balanced her
faults ; and as it is impoflible for any human
production to be perfect, I overlooked her im-
perfections,
* Mr. Chambers.
( 9' )
perfections, and adopted her as my bofom friend.
Mrs. G had a mother who was ever in league
o
with bailiffs and low attornies, and often have
both her daughter and myfelf fuffered from her
unnatural intrigues.
In the month of November, 1789, it was
neceffary that I fliould either furrender to Mr.
Chambers, or fettle the debts for which he was
anfwerable. I therefore confulted this female
ferpent, whom I had nurfed in my bofom to
fting me ; me gave it as her advice, that it would
be prudent for me to call upon the plaintiff's
attorney, who, me was pleafed to remark, would
be happy to become one of my humble Jlaves.
Eager to exonerate my good friend Mr. Cham-
bers, from any danger, on my account, I applied
to an attorney of Ely-place, and propofed to
give fecurity for the debt in which he was- con-
cerned. This accomplijhed limb of the /aw, feeing
me in a fplendid equipage, agreed to accept my
own terms, and infinuated himfelf fo far into my
good opinion, that he afterwards completely
ruined me, plundering me of the loft guinea. I
1 2 have
( 9* )
have fince learned that Mr. P , in order to
enhance his own cofts, made it his bufinefs to
difcover the credulous part of my creditors, whofe
debts being fmall, were prevailed on to fue me ;
and in one of thefe inftances, I can atteft that I
was taken in execution for five pounds, and paid
twenty for it. Fourteen days after I had agreed
to employ Mr. P , he delivered to me his
bill of cofts, modeftly making me his debtor two
hundred and twenty-two pounds. I had, at this
time, three hundred and fifty pounds to receive
from Mr. Giffard, and as it was not immediately
convenient for the latter gentleman to advance
the money, I requefted this virtuous practioner,
this ornament of attorneyjhip, to wait a few weeks
for payment ; but he had far other views ; he
had a fcheme in agitation, which entirely pre-
cluded all impertinent clamours of confcience.
He, as I have before obferved, was inftructed
with my circumftances, and while I was loaded
with various debts, fome of which were enormous,
he took a lawyer-like and conscientious advantage
of my female weaknefs, feducing me to make over
all the furniture of my houfe to him a delufion
that
( 93 )
that finally led to my deftruftion. I could wifh to
fpeak with moderation concerning this man, but
my wrongs are fuch, that, waving irony, I muft
intreat permiffion to fpeak with freedom. The
very moment I had executed the bond which
made him mafter of my effects, he fent one
Rofs, a meriff 's officer, to take porTeffion of them,
although he had given me his Jacred word OF
HONOUR, that he would never proceed, unlefs to
protect me from other executions. Not fatisfied
with this bafe and perfidious act, he was alfo the
perfon who advifed another creditor to fue me for
fixty pounds. On hearing of this writ, I was
obliged to take refuge in the verge of the court,
and on the next day, when I fent one of my fer-
vants to my houfe for a change of clothes, they
were refufed; the man in pofleffion fignifying,
that he had pofitive orders not to fuffer any
property to be taken out of the houfe. In this
dilemma, I once more applied to my much val-
ued and never-failing friend^ Mr. G ******, and
received from him two hundred pounds, which I
paid to this IMMACULATE attorney, requefting he
would withdraw the execution. He anfwered,
that
( 94 )
that the fum was not fufficient, (although he was
pleafed to take it) as his demand was now in-
creafed to fifty pounds more ; therefore, he per-
fifted in felling the effects, and I have never, to this
hour, received any account from him, although
it is pretty well known, that the produce of that
fale brought him a very confiderable fum of
money, befides the two hundred pounds I had
before advanced him.
His next object was my coach, but that he
might get it in his pofleffion with as much decency
as poffible, he affetted to fecure to himfelf, by an
alignment to a friend. Fool as I was, after my
experience, I confented to his propofal, and had
he defired me to fign my own death-warrant
(fuch was the ajcendancy he had then over me,) I
verily believe that I mould have obeyed the pro-
ceedings of this VIRTUOUS practitioner.
I had not long executed the alignment, before
my coach was feized in behalf of his brother-in-
law, a linen-draper, and fold (or rather given away)
for one hundred and twenty pounds, although I
had
( 95 )
had paid Mr. Godfal four hundred pounds for it,
and never ufed it more than eight months.
The next ftep of this truly honeft attorney
was to get my perfon feized, and it is a fad: well
known, that the monfter, under pretence of taking
me before the late Lord Chancellor, on bufinefs,
fold me to bailiffs. Thus I was arrefted, and
dragged to a fpunging-houfe, where I was locked
up feven weeks ; during which time, I employed
myfelf in endeavouring to arrange my affairs.
It was repeatedly propofed to me, to make an
application to my friends ; but unaccuftomed to
folicit favours, I declined the propofal, and recon-
ciled myfelf to the idea of ending my days in a
prifon.
In this fpunging-houfe I remained until
Eafter term, 1790, when I was compelled to take
up my abode in the King's Bench : and now I
confider it a tribute of juftice due from me not
to confound the liberal creditor with the defign-
ing, wicked Shylocks who condemned me to
prifon, having met with the greateft indulgence
and liberality from all my principal creditors.
They
They who opprefled me were the perfons who
had the leaft right to do fo ; and, forry am I to
fay, to the utter difgrace of my ownjex, that the
two creditors whofe cruelty and inflexible obfti-
nacy obliged me to continue two years in the
King's Bench, were women, milliners ; one of
whom had been in the habit of cheating me for a
number of years. When I balanced accounts
with her, I had receipts for fourteen hundred
pounds, and yet the confcience of this honeft
woman (for me is married) did not fcruple to
declare, that me would never releafe me, until I
either paid three hundred pounds, or gave fecurity
for the like fum.
A young man of fafhion, who was at that
time unable to extricate me out of my difficulties,
wimed to awaken the feelings of this married lady^
this paragon of her fex ! and intreated her to
remember, that my fituation claimed fome com-
pajfion, for I was then pregnant with my youngeft
fon, whom I mentioned in the beginning of thefe
Memoirs. She replied, that it was quite imma-
terial whether I was brought to bed in a prifon or
elfewhere.
< 97 )
elfewhere. Soaring; above the feelings of human-
o o
ity, this dealer in flimfy, fmuggled commodi-
ties, perfifted in purfuit of her dearly loved pelf,
and forced me to endure all the miferies of a loath-
fome jail. Torn from the bofom of my native
country, I bore my forrows in filence, unknown,
unpitied ! having met with few friends difinter-
efted enough to prove their regard while I was
incapable of making them any return. Such is
the inftability of mankind ! While we can admin-
ifter to their pleafures, or gratify their vanity,
they are our abject (laves ; the fcene once changed,
then adieu to friendfhip ! Thus fituated, deftitute
of all fupport, except fuch as the precarious bene-
volence of a few friends allowed me, I was advifed
to fue my hufband for a feparate maintenance,
who, regardlefs of the ties of honour and duty,
was publicly living with a woman of notorious
character , whom he ftill fuffers to ajjume my name,
and I am told he has even the indecency to intro-
duce her into feveral refpedable families, calling
her his wife. * But to clear up the deception, I
beg
* Mr. John Coghlan refides in Chefter Place, London, and the Ifle of
Thanet, County of Kent.
( 98 )
beg leave to fay, although it be a title I never
fought, it is my misfortune^?/// to drag thofe hor-
rid chains of matrimony and SLAVERY which never
can be diflblved but by his death or mine.
The action which I exhibited againft him,
proving, from the moft refpectable witnefTes, his
cruelties, gained me the fupport that my necefli-
ties then called for, but not before I had endured
every mifery that hunger, cold and confinement
could inflict.
Sir William Scott, the Judge of the Confiftory
Court of London, fentenced my hufband to allow
me one hundred and feventy pounds a year,
during the time that our caufe was depending.
He refufing to comply with the decree, was pub-
licly excommunicated in his ewn parifh church,
St. George's, Hanover-fquare. Under thefe de-
plorable circumftances, the time now approached
when I was to fuffer ten thoufand additional
horrors : My friends, more anxious to preferve
my life than I was, had provided a gentleman of
the faculty to attend me during my lying-in :
when
( 99 )
when I was taken ill he was fent for, who being
from home could not reach the King's Bench
o
before ten o'clock. At that hour it is the con-
ftant and often fatal practice to fhut the gates,
whereby many an innocent and valuable life has
been loft. Any attempt to break through this
barbarous cuflom would have been vain. The
life of a woman is not confidered as worth pre-
fervation at the expence of breaking through
the eftablifhed rules of a jail. Neverthelefs,
humanity bleeds in reflecting on thefe abufes,
fan&ioned by law, which are ftill allowed to exift
without an effort from thofe in whom the power
is vefted to remove them.
In this critical and lamentable ftate I remained
feveral hours, ftruggling with death. The only
profemonal man in the place was a very young
furgeon, who at firft offered his amftance, but
afterwards declined it, considering my fituation
too dangerous for him to be of any fervice ;
however, his delicacy was afterwards over-ruled,
and, owing to his kind interference, I was
fnatched from death, to be referved for a feries
13 of
of new calamities. Delivered from the agonies
of child-bed, my infant was fuffered to remain
naked for two days ; for, alas ! the unfortunate
mother had not clothes even for herfelf! In
this deplorable ftate we both continued, till an
unknown friend, touched with companion, re-
mitted me a few guineas.
I mould commit an injury againft my own
feelings, if I did not here declare, that I have
every reafon to believe myfelf indebted for this
humane act to Mr. Walker, the late Marfhal
of the King's Bench, as I afterwards experienced
from him every kind attention poffible for one
fellow-creature to mew another. May 1, on this
occafion, be permitted to hold forth myfelf as an
example to the giddy, diffipated fair ones of
my fex, now, perhaps, in full enjoyment of the
fmiles and adulation of men ? Beware, then, ye
lovely victims of their crocodile carefles ! while
the funfhine of fortune beams around you
while the bloom of beauty lafts and the charms
of novelty hold their fway, wafte not your pre-
cious hours in unprofitable idlenefs and wild
extravagance ;
extravagance : make the falfe diflemblers, while
they pay homage to your beauty, provide alfo
for your intereft : lay up ftores againft a rainy
day. I, like you, when I thought myfelf be-
loved, now too late difcover that all was flattery:
the tempeft came unexpectedly on none of my
gay friends approached at my bidding I was
left to bide the pelting of this pitilefs ftorm in a
horrid jail, naked and pennilefs, with a new-born
infant at my breaft, crying for the fuftenance that
famifhed nature refufed ! and when my former
gay companions, on whom I vainly thought I
could depend, kept all aloof, I was relieved, at
laft, by the fortuitous generofity of an utter
ftranger. Let me hope, therefore, my fate will
ferve as a lefTon to others, that they may not
founder on the rock on which I am wrecked.
Five weeks after 'my lying-in, a meflage came
from Mr. Walker, fignifying that he wifhed to
fee me : I was fhewn to his houfe, where, after
lamenting, in the kindeft terms, the hardfhips I
had fuflfered, he declared how much he was con-
cerned to fee in a prifon a woman, who, he was
pleafed
pleafed to fay, deferred a better fate ; and, at the
fame time, with a delicacy peculiar to liberal
minds, and incompatible, one mould have
thought, with his fituation, intreated me to
accept a trifle as a pledge of his friendship,
giving into my hand a piece of paper, which, on
my return to my apartment, I found to contain
three guineas, with thefe lines : " Never, while
" you remain here, neglect applying to me in
" your moments of pecuniary want." My ad-
verfe ftars foon deprived me of this new friend,
who was, fhortly afterwards, feized with a fever,
which carried him off in a few days, leaving be-
hind an amiable character, well worthy of his
fucceflbr's imitation. May he, like Mr. Walker,
remember, that he is placed in a fituation where
he has all the moft important duties of humanity
to perform, and in which a neglect of them would
be ftill more criminal than the juft and liberal
performance of them would be amiable and
meritorious. Neverthelefs, I muft ingenioufly
confefs, fpeaking of the King's Bench prifon,
(and I am told other prifons are ftill more
wretched) that the evil exifts in itfelf; and al-
though
I0 3
though a jailor may certainly correct the horrors
of the fyftem, yet it is impoflible for him effec-
tually to remove it. The corruptions of a jail,
according to the prefent eftablifhment, call aloud
for legiflative interference ; and while fuch cor-
ruptions are acknowledged on all fides, there can
be only one reafon why no attempt is made to
deftroy them, and that is the immenfe emolu-
ments derived therefrom by the principal and
fubaltern practitioners of the law. It is not the
partial delufive fcheme of oppreffion againft a
few wretched attornies that can produce any
material benefit ; it may ferve as a temporary
manoeuvre to reconcile us to the barbarous prac-
tice a little while longer. But the whole augean
ftable muft be cleanfed. It is not thepefty rogue
that conftitutes the great nuifance : we muft go
through all the different gradations of the infamy
before we can hope to render any effectual fer-
vice : experience enables me to fpeak with deci-
fion on this fubject, and all I can fay is, that if
every other department of government is in the
fame corrupt ftate, as that of which I am now
fpeaking,
fpeaking, we are in a deplorable condition in-
deed.
Having imbibed my political principles at an
early age, amongft citizens ftruggling for freedom,
and where now every individual is equally privi-
leged, and equally protected by the law, I cannot
but inveigh againft partial immunities, and the
propenfity which the Englim people betray to
deprive their fellow-creatures of that liberty of
which they fo inconfiftently boaft. Not but a
rational difcrimination ought necerTarily to be
kept up between fraud and imprudence, villany
and misfortune ; nothing can more fully demon-
ftrate the negligence and infenfibility of govern-
ment than that they mould be confounded indif-
criminately together, that no diftinction mould
be made between them : yet fuch moft unfortu-
nately is the cafe, and what aggravates, beyond
meafure, this grievance, is, that the man who
enters a prifon, honeft and virtuous, feldom fails,
during his abode therein, to contract the vileft
habits, and to be ever after unfit for fociety.
Thus it is the height of impolicy and cruelty
to
to make no diftinction between the unfortunate
debtor and the defigning fraudulent fwindler ;
for, although the juftice of the legiilature mould
provide a punifhment for the one, a certain and
more lenient degree of protection than has hither-
to been adopted, ought furely to be held out to
the other. But the intereft of lawyers does not
require fuch difcriminations to be made, and
therefore it is judged right, that things mould
remain as they are. They forever tell us, they
cannot be better.
How long will this infatuation laft ! Oh En-
glimmen ! let it no more be faid, that, with paf-
five, ignoble tamenefs, ye fuffered a fervile race
of mercenary, corrupt, vindictive lawyers, to forge
the chains of hard captivity for your free-born
limbs ! ye have a constitution, whofe leading
principle, ye are told, is liberty, facred, im-
mortal liberty ! ye have a king, who is faid
ardently to defire the profperity of all his people.
Cherifh, then, this facred principle of your con-
ftitution ; accomplim the defires of your virtuous
king; rouze from your torpor; the lion flum-
bereth,
bereth, he is not dead ; but, oh ! whenever he
fhall awake, whenever his wrath fhall be kindled,
let him know to diftinguifh in his rage ; let none
but the guilty bleed !
The news of Mr. Walker's fudden death caufed
me many poignant reflections ; as the horrors of
confinement were, in fome meafure, lefTened, while
I confidered myfelf under the cuftody of that
gentleman, and not under the controul of a mer-
cenary jailor ; for this lucrative finecure (fuch in
fact it is) too generally falls to the lot (I say it with-
out meaning to offend any individual) of the
moft worthlefs or infignificant characters : men,
not felected from any particular merit that would
render them fit for the office ; not diftinguifhed
for their difintereftednefs, charity, or diligent
attention to the wants and morals of the prifoners ;
but appointed merely as relations, or dependants,
on my Lord Chief Juftice of the day, who, for
the moft part, (if not always) takes care to faddle
them with a VERY HEAVY RIDER.
Soon after Mr. Walker's death, the arrival in
England of my amiable friend, the father of my
children,
children, revived my hopes, nor were they dif-
appointed. He at once administered to my
wants, and cheered my forrows. The excellence
of Mr. B******'s heart, was my fecurity with
him againft thofe frivolous and ungenerous ex-
cufes, which, in the hour of adverfity, it has been
my lot to receive from fo many others, whom
alfo I had once thought my friends : he embraced
the earlieft opportunity of vifiting me in my
confinement, and inftantly took the children un-
der his protection ; the youngeft of whom was,
at that time, only three months old. It is a very
harm trait in the human creature, (neverthelefs,
I fear it is too faithful a one,) that calumny is,
generally, the moft bufy againft thofe who moft
want comfort and protection.
While I was fuffering all the complicated mif-
eries of a loathfome jail, infinuations to my dif-
advantage were moft malignantly and induftrioufly
propagated, with the cruel defign of ruining me in
the opinion and affection of this my beft friend ;
but, fuperior to all illiberal prejudice, and making
every allowance for my folitary and unhappy fitua-
14 tion,
tion, he would not confent to abandon me, fo that
thefe cruel efforts of my enemies, moft of whom I
have difcovered to exift in the circle of my own
acquaintance, ended in difappointment and abor-
tion; and I ingenioufly confefs, that my vanity
exulted in the triumph which I achieved on this
occafion, and my heart was preferved from the
mock it would have fuftained, had the father of
my children, to complete the fum of my misfor-
tunes, withdrawn his countenance and affection
from them ; but, I truft in Providence that I am
not referved for this additional calamity ! Mr.
B******'s finances could by no means keep pace
with the liberality of his mind, and in my dif-
treffed circumftances it was abfolutely neceffary to
find out fome other fource of relief: I therefore,
in the month of March, 1791, (Mr. Coghlan
being then involved in a law-fuit with his niece,
Lady Blake) by the advice of my proctor, (Mr.
Walker, of Doctors Commons) petitioned the
Court of Delegates, before whom the faid caufe
was to be heard. A petition from his wife, dated
from a prifon, to which his brutality had con-
demned her, alarmed his tender feelings ; and
thus,
I0 9 )
thus, as I have already obferved, I obtained a
prefent fupply, and a promife of an adequate
fettlement, on condition that I would withdraw
the petition. To this I confented, and the re-
fult of my compliance was, a mutual agreement
to execute articles of feparation, which are, more-
over and nevertbelefs, as the gentlemen of the robe
are pleafed to term it, only during our mutual
pleafure ; the laft claufe of my deed of fettle-
ment compelling me to return home to this kind y
affectionate hujband whenever his caprice mould
induce him to require it.
Thus feparated from him, on the 26th of De-
cember, 1791, I received fecurity for an annuity
of an hundred pounds for my life, fubject to the
condition above mentioned. But, alas ! I had no
fooner obtained it, than the accomplifhed, vir-
tuous milliner who had fo eflentially contributed
to my diftreffes, by encouraging me in that ftupid
fyftem of extravagance on which her prefent for-
tune was raifed, and which exalted her to the
enviable rank of an honeft married lady, like a
tygrefs darting upon the wretched victim of her
favage
favage appetite, feized on me, infifting that I
mould give immediate fecurity for her debt a
debt contracted for gew-gaw frippery and tinjelled,
flimfy trumpery. I had already, in the courfe of a
very fhort time, paid this harpy fourteen hundred
pounds, for articles of this like defcription. The
humane reader will revolt with abhorrence on find-
ing that this woman, after fuch emoluments
derived from my folly, mould proceed againft me
for another debt of three hundred pounds, which, I
am morally convinced, I did not owe ; but for
which me abfolutely compelled me to afTign over
fifty pounds a year of my annuity to her, for the
four enfuing years, which now helps to fupport
her and a banker's clerk, whom me has lately
taken to her virtuous bed, in the eafe and luxury
which they feem to enjoy. When it is remem-
bered how many unfortunate, unexperienced
women this extortioner has plundered, not only
with impunity but fuccefs how many wretched
female captives fhe has held (and I believe ftill
holds) in jail the fortune fhe has acquired by
conftant impofitions on youthful folly and credu-
lity, it muft excite regret that there are no laws
in
( III )
in force to ftop the depredations of fimilar mif-
creants, almoft as great nuifances in fociety as
thofe low pettyfogging attornies with whom, for
the moft part, they are connected, and between
whom fuch an attractive fympathy exifts. For
my own part, I am fo well acquainted with their
enormous charges, and the fatal confequences of
them, that I would rather truft for mercy to the
tendernefs of a wolf, than to a civilized barbarian
like the lady of whom I am now fpeaking ; and
I am convinced, from woeful experience, that the
generaHty of perfons in trade, with whom unpro-
tected females have any pecuniary dealings, would
be over-paid in receiving one third of their over-
charged, extravagant demands. The reader may
believe this picture exaggerated, but I can afTure
him // is not ; hundreds of thoughtlefs women,
befides myfelf, having fallen within her fnares,
and from her may date their ruin. To her alone
I am indebted for two years clofe confinement in
a jail, where wretchednefs and vice of every de-
fcription rule triumphant where no remedy is
applied to the relief of one, or the fuppreflion
of the other where every comfort, every virtue,
is
is left to depend on the guinea in our pockets,
and where they who have it not have only the
cafual charity of prifoners themfelves to depend
on.
There, even in that gloomy manfion ! I have
often beheld vice and infenfibility triumphant ;
virtue and tendernefs of heart dejected and in
tears. The unfortunate friend, whofe amiable
confidence has involved him in debts he was
unable to pay, I have here beheld languishing, in
want of thofe neceflaries which in happier days he
himfelf had fo freely adminiftered to others. The
veteran foldier, all covered with wounds which he
had received in battle in the fervice of his king,
I have there beheld dying with hunger, naked
and forfaken, caft on the common fide, a prey to
filth and vermin, too proud and confcious of his
own merit to expofe his emaciated forlorn figure
to the curious refearches of his fellow prifoners,
chufing rather to die than truft to precarious
bounty, fenfible of his juft claims on thofe with
whom pity, alas ! is fo feldom refident. During
my refidence in the King's Bench, the gallant
Captain
( "3 )
Captain Abbot, of the royal artillery, than whom
no man in the army had ever ferved with more
diftinguifhed merit, died, literally in that prifon,
through want, in the foliation which I have de-
fcribed. This brave man had a wife and three
children, who were all drowned on their voyage
from America. But all his fujferings, all his fer-
vices, were of no avail ! he was thus left to die
without a (ingle enquiry from the part of govern-
ment concerning him ; and to the immortal
honour of a noble Duke, (M r G 1 of
the ordnance) taken advantage of his imprifon-
ment, he fufpended him from his fituation, as
captain in the royal artillery. Oh ! that I could
for ever efface the dreadful fcene from my memory !
as it was my misfortune to have known the gen-
tleman of whom I now fpeak in America, but
the impreflion is too deep on my heart.
Shortly after the death of this my lamented
friend, I obtained my releafe from the King's
Bench, but not from the liberality of thofe who
confined me ; on the contrary, I was under the
neceflity of pleading my coverture in the Court
of
( "4 )
of King's Bench, where I obtained a rule of
court to fet afide a deed which I had formerly
figned, and which my fituation as a married
woman made illegal. Thus I was for a time
liberated from confinement, and in the month of
January following I had occafion to fummon up
all my fortitude. Although fuperftition be a
failing to which I am by no means addicted, ftill
the following circumftance may, in the opinion
of fome, expofe me to the fufpicion of being
under the influence of that frailty : In all my
days of diflipated pleafure and heart-rending
afflictions, never did an hour pafs that my father
did not prefent himfelf to my imagination. At
this time I dreamed I beheld his funeral, with
my youngeft brother as his chief mourner, and
on the coffin of the deceafed lay a bleeding heart.
This dream made fuch an effect upon my fenfes,
that no perfon could induce me to believe my
father was not actually dead ; and fuch was the
afcendency of my fears, that I abfolutely put on
deep mourning on the occaiion. In my fable
robes I one day met Colonel Small, (an old
friend of my father's) who exprefled much fur-
prife
( "5 )
prife on feeing me arrayed in thefe melancholy
emblems of grief, and inquired into the caufe.
I replied, it were not from thefe outward figns
of forrow he was to judge, as what I fuffered for
the lofs of a much loved father furpafled all
mew. The Colonel anfwered, " Your father is
<c in perfect health, as I am informed by Colonel
" Kemble, who received letters from him early
" in December."
It was a vain attempt of his friends to per-
fuade me ; the dream had made fuch a deep
impreffion on my mind that I perfifted to exprefs
a certain conviction that he was dead, and gone
to receive the reward of his many virtues ; and,
alas ! the following month realized my fatal ap-
preheniions refpecting his death, as he had fin-
ifhed his mortal career on the icth of December,
1791, in the city of New-York, having burft an
artery of his heart.
To leave the world with the high reputation
which he enjoyed, mould ever be the bright
emulation of man. He was univerfally and
1 mofl
( "6 )
moft juftly beloved by all who knew him. His
remains were followed to the grave by three
hundred people, his pall borne by eight of the
principal gentlemen of New- York ; and he was
interred in Trinity Church, in the fame tomb
with his friend Colonel Maitland, uncle to Lord
Lauderdale, who, in dying, made it the laft
requeft that his afhes mould be mixed with my
father's. How different the end of his near rela-
tion and friend, the late Colonel Moncrieffe,"
lately killed, fighting in the caufe of the com-
bined powers, before the walls of Dunkirque !
His kindnefs to me was never interrupted. He
was wont to fympathife with my forrows, and to
take companion on my follies : and it was fo
much the more cruel that I mould lofe him at a
moment when friends are fo very, very fcarce.
Oh ! that I could have evinced my gratitude by
attending the brave dying foldier in his laft
moments ! I would have bound his bleeding
wound, and, without refpect to political opinions,
dropping the fympathetic tear over his mangled
corpfe, have cheerfully braved the danger that
put a period to his exiftence !
My
( "7 )
My father's death now drew upon me once
more the attention of my creditors, who always
coniidered me entitled to a fortune when that
event mould take place. But fuch was the hap-
lefs fate of the furviving children of this gallant
hero, that they difcovered the reward of their
parent's loyalty to be a total deprivation of all
his property in America ! I had been only four
months releafed from a long and dreadful con-
finement, inflicted on me by the laws of a free
country, when I was again arrefted, and commit-
ted, for the fecond time, a prifoner to the King's
Bench ; and, however repugnant to my own
feelings, I found myfelf under the neceffity of
defending the unjuft actions for which I was
confined. In one of thefe caufes I had occafion
for more courage than I naturally poflefTed ; but,
fupported by an honeft, upright heart, I un-
dauntedly repaired to the Court of King's Bench
to meet my opponents, relying upon the candour
of that honourable tribunal to afford me that
juftice which I claimed. Had my purfuit, like
that of Diogenes, been feekingfor an honeft man,
I mould not, perhaps, have explored a court of
law,
( "8 )
law, wherein to find fo rare an object: however,
in the midft of my embarrafTment and confufion,
excited by the caufe which brought me there, and
by the indecent, impertinent queftions put to
me by the plaintiff's counfel, Mr. M , I felt
myfelf much relieved by the able defence made
in my favour by that ornament of his profeflion,
Mr. Erfkine."
It is much to be lamented, that barrifters, in
the courfe of their profeffional purfuits, mould
confider themfelves warranted in tormenting wit-
nefles, (however refpectable or entitled to their
compaffion) by the moft cruel and irrevalent
queftions : I am forry to obferve, that the habit-
ual practices of Mr. M expofe him, perhaps,
more than any other of his profeffion, to this
cenfure. In faying this, I am aware that I fay a
great deal, but the little indulgence mewn to me
by this advocate, under the moft trying circum-
ftances, warrants more than I have faid; and it
will be a fatisfaction to me if this mould ever
reach him, and he mould profit by the rebuke.
My
( "9 )
My brother, Edward Cornwallis Moncrieffe,
of the fixtieth regiment, now on half pay, could
not be an idle fpectator of my misfortunes.
With him I continued in correfpondence ; he
pitied my diftrefs, and generoufly offered to di-
vide his fortune with me, provided my creditors
would confent to fign in my favour a letter of
licence for a few years. At the fame time he
advanced a fum of money to raife my drooping
head, and to footh the miferies of the King's
Bench prifon. That heart which has ever made
me an unfufpecting, unhappy victim to the over-
reaching tricks of lawyers, again expofed me to
fuffer from them. The vileft of this profeffion
are thofe who promife the f air eft ; and hence I
again employed one of thefe hopeful plunderers
of fociety, thofe pettyfoggers who live upon the
diftreffes of the unfortunate, to defend the remain-
ing actions for which I was confined, and to effect
my liberation gave him fixty pounds of the money
that had been given me by my brother ; but,
: nftead of purfuing my intereft in the friendly
manner I had a right to expect, the money was
devoted to pay a debt wherein I fuppofe his own
intereft
( 120 )
intereft was concerned. On this my brother
again wrote to me, defiring me to take a copy of
my grandfather's will out of Doctors Commons :
with his defire I complied, and for this fervice I
was indebted to my much efteemed friend, Mr.
Walker, the proctor; and as the teftator, my
grandfather, left a large property in Hampmire,
I found it neceflary to vifit that place. I there-
fore perfifted in making every effort to emanci-
pate myfelf from the King's Bench, and in con-
fequence obtained what I defired. Therefore,
laft July I left town to pay avifit to my mother's
relations, who refide at Portfmouth and in its
neighbourhood. Soon after my arrival there I
made it my bufinefs to make every enquiry after
my grandfather's property, and confidered it
neceflary to prefent my claim.
The gentleman who has fo honourably poflefled
himfelf of the faid eftates is my coufin ; but when
I inform the reader that he is a lawyer^ it will be
a fufficient apology for his too fcrupulous delicacy
of confcience. This new-found relation affected
to receive me with extreme tendernefs, invited
me
me to fee the pictures of all my anceftors, and
gave me every encouragement to fue for my
grandfather's -paternal eftate in Scotland, which he
informed me had been feized by a diftant relation,
under the fuppofition that all our grandfather's
deeds, &c. were loft with his widow, at the
time me was drowned ; but, on my obferving
that I had a copy of his will, proved in the pre-
rogative court, which abfolutely entitles myfelf
and my brother to all his property, wherever we
could find it, the honeft lawyer feemed alarmed,
particularly as I aflured him my brother was
determined to inftitute a fuit in chancery for the
purpofe.of eftabliming his claim.
My female coufms were the firft to take alarm
on my account, and they even went fo far as to
declare me an impoftor. Thus I was under the
neceffity of applying to Colonel Mulcafter, com-
mandant engineer at Portfmouth, who was, dur-
ing my father's life-time, one of his friends, and
who knew me from my childhood. From him I
obtained a certificate that I was the real daughter
of Major Moncrieffe, and wife to Mr. John
Coghlan.
Coghlan. Thus having it in my power to con-
fute the calumnies of my good cou/ins, I waited on
a very near relation, a Captain in the royal navy,
a gentleman diftinguimed for his maritime {kill,
and not lefs fo for his private virtues. To him
I confided my unhappy ftory, and received from
him the advice to which adveriity is entitled, but
which it rarely receives. Platonic friendfhip
men are apt to hold in mockery ; and thence I
was very foon accufed of having kindled tenderer
fenfations in the bofom of my coufin, merely be-
caufe he was a young widower, and had given me
an invitation to his houfe, in which he offered me
a fecure retreat an afylum from every future
ftorm : and with this honeft feaman I hoped to
pafs the remainder of my days, blefled with the
affectionate fmiles of virtuous friendfhip. But,
alas ! how tranfitory, how vain have my purfuits
after tranquility and happinefs been ! I ever
have grafped at a fhadow the fubftance I could
never attain. The paths of life are ftrewed with
thorns, and when we even gather the rofe, we are
unconfcious for the moment of the briars that
grow beneath it, and which, in one moment, de-
ftroy
ftroy the fugitive phantom that our imagination
had raifed. This friend, who commanded a firft
rate man of war, was ordered to the Weft-Indies.
I now received an invitation from two aunts,
who lived nine miles from Portfmouth. On my
introduction to thefe good women, I, who ever
deteft falfehood, candidly acquainted them with
every circumftance of my life ; and my mournful
tale had fuch an effect, that I was bedewed with
the affectionate tears of two relations, my mother's
fifters : They accufed my hufband as the author
of all my forrows, and were kind enough to ob-
ferve, that a woman poffeffmg fuch fenfibility
never could, from choice^ purfue the dangerous
paths of vice. Alas ! had it been my good fortune
to have difcovered thefe amiable women when firft
I fatally left my unkind hufband's roof, what mifery
mould I have avoided ! With them the beauty I
poffeffed would have ferved to make me an object
of tendernefs and companion, at the fame time
that it would have fet them on their guard againft
the fnares placed againft me. With them I might
have refided free from guilt, and my heart, from
1 6 their
( 1*4 )
their inftructions and example, would have learned
to pity and to pardon even the faults of bint to
whom the cuftoms of religion, although now fo
fafhionably neglected, had united me.
When I returned to Portfmouth, the abfence
of my dear relation made me refolve to leave
that place. I went therefore to Southampton,
intending to make that town and Winchefter my
route to London. In the courfe of my journey
I met with the Reverend Mr. Radcliffe, brother
to Mr. Fazakerley : the former gentleman ever
mared my efteem, and I only with Fortune had
been more fparing of her favours to one brother,
and more liberal to him who moft deferved them.
When I arrived at Southampton, it was impoffi-
ble to obtain lodgings, the place was fo crouded.
The arrival of a certain wealthy Lord, of Jewifh
extraction, had thrown the town into a ftate of
confufion ; not from any extraordinary merit
his Lordfhip pofTerTed, not from any extraor-
dinary ftrength of mind or body, like his name-
fake Sampfon, the Jew of antiquity ; but from
that refpedl which riches always attract, even when
virtue
virtue and wifdom fail. Of this accomplijhed^
new-made peer, it was my intention to have given
the reader a finifhed portrait ; but his Lordfhip,
confcious of his own excellencies, through a fingu-
lar and meritorious delicacy, has entreated me to
be filent on this fubject. As generofity has ever
been the leading feature in my character, I will
fpare his exquifite fenfibility the recital of thofe
fcenes in which he occafionally plays fuch a dif-
tinguifhed part, and in which he is reported fo
capitally to excel. At Winchefter my eyes were
attracted by the number of poor French emigrants
who refide in that city, fix hundred and thirty of
whom are daily fed by public fubfcription, and
lodged in a palace of the moft liberal and charita-
ble prince that ever graced the throne of Great-
Britain. In London, the firft fcene that pre-
fented itfelf was a prifon, to which place my old
acquaintances, the meriff's officers, without cere-
mony, conducted me. From thence I was almoft
inftantly releafed, by the well-timed bounty of a
perfect ftranger : on thanking this ftranger for
his goodnefs, and requefting to know his name,
he declined telling me to whom I was obliged,
remarking,
remarking, that he felt a fufficient reward to ref-
cue a pretty woman from the confines of a prifon.
This generous benefactor paid above forty pounds
for my liberty, and I have never ceafed to lament
that I ftill am ignorant of his place of refidence;
that by a difcovery of the latter, I might offer
him the juft tribute of a fincerely grateful heart.
The object of his goodnefs, however, was not
accomplifhed, for fuch generofity only provokes
frefh attacks from the watchful creditor and his
nefarious attorney. Arreft after arreft purfues
me, from a hope that friends will not permit me
to remain long in confinement. My whole debts
it is impoflible for me to pay, as they almoft all
arife from folly and extravagance, and far exceed
my means ; but on calculating all my real debts^
I am certain four hundred pounds would dif-
charge them. But to raife that fum, where is
my hope ? Alas ! I have no other than in the
gallantry and liberality of the Britifh nation a
nation that ftands eminently confpicuous on the
rolls of fame for acts of charity and munificence !
But let not oftentatious deeds, rehearfed with all
the pomp of declamation and public acclaim, im-
pede
( "7 )
pede the milder but not lefs meritorious perform-
ance of private benevolence : I was nurfed in
the lap of luxury my mind foftened, and per-
haps in fome degree debauched by early enjoy-
ments. In thofe hours I never wanted friends;
it is only now that they keep far off! But let
me hope this faint effort of a very imperfect pen,
of one unufed to literary efTays, may ftill produce
the means of foothing thofe forrows by which her
life has of late been embittered. She fubmits
her fimple narrative to the public, and particu-
larly to that circle of fociety in which me herfelf
was wont to figure with fome degree of eclat.
Let it not be faid, that me who never fued in
vain in the foft hours of luxurious dalliance,
mould now apply in vain, when me is fain to be-
lieve that me exhibits fome teftimony of her claim
to their protection.
Other female candidates for their favour have
formerly appealed to their generous indulgence ;
moft of them alfo were, like her, unfortunate.
It would ill become the author to fay, if their
pretentions were worfe or better founded ; as far
as
as her own opinion goes, the wretched are, equally
entitled to the patronage of the rich ; the only
diftinction which ought to be made confifts in this
undeniable truth the more wretched the indi-
vidual, the more forcible that individual's claims.
On this ground her pretenfions are indifputable :
but me has others, and me fubmits them, not
only to the nation at large, but to the confidera-
tion of that great perfonage, within whofe reach
me fincerely hopes that her poor Memoirs may
fall. Let him reflect, that me is of a family dif-
tinguifhed for their loyalty to his p erf on and gov-
ernment feveral of whom have bled, and fome
have died in his fervice. Ah ! let not the fources
of royal munificence be dried up ! let the daugh-
ter of a man, known in perfon by his merit, not
folicit in vain from the fountain of all mercy, or
at leaft from that fountain where mercy ought to
flow ! Amidft the fevere examples of punifh-
ment (perhaps of necejfary punifhment) that we
now behold, let them not be unaccompanied with
fome few partial acts of Heaven-born Charily.
The fubject of thefe Memoirs is in deep diftrefs
diftrefs unknown to palaces, and may it never
approach
( 1*9 )
approach them ! But, if the higheft ranks keep
aloof from poverty, where, alas ! is it to feek a
fhelter ? Let us look to the fad reverfes inci-
dental to the human lot : not long fince, when
the lofty turrets of Verfailles feemed, as it were,
to touch the ikies when the gay, thoughtlefs
inhabitants thereof, perhaps too neglectful of
thofe dreadful fcenes that furrounded their gor-
geous palaces, little dreamt of what was to befal
them ! had they difplayed more zeal, had they
fhewn more attention to private or public woe,
it is not unlikely that all which has happened,
and all which is likely to happen, might have
been avoided.
In this country, renowned for its free and equal
laws, where we are told there are no diftinctions,
let not Poverty be fuffered to rear her ghaftly
mien ; let not the free-born fpirit fink under the
depreffion of indigence ! It is fuch dreadful
abufes that damp the ardour of patriotic loyalty,
and infpire difguft where all elfe would be zeal
and gratitude.
It has been too often and barbaroufly alledged,
that
( 130
that perfons bring their misfortunes on them-
felves, and therefore are entitled to no indulgence.
Let fuch cruel, unjuft objections be fcouted : they
are the fpurious, miferable objections of proud
Profperity : Humanity rejects them. Are no
allowances to be made for the frailties of inexpe-
rienced, unprotected youth ? Are the perfons who
raife the objection exempt from thofe very frail-
ties they impute to others ? Oh, no ! but riches
and power yield a fhelter againft every enormity.
" Clothe fin with robes,
" And the ftrong lance of juftice hurtlefs breaks :
" Clothe it in rags,
" A pigmies ftraw does break it ;
" Robes and fur gowns hide all." *
Such are the pitiful pretexts of Avarice, invented
by Opulence, againft the claims of Poverty !
If the throne would fet an illuftrious example,
and attempt to deftroy that inequality of condi-
tion which now prevails, revolutions would be no
longer heard of, mifery be banifhed from the
earth, the temptations to vice would be done
away, and the frivolous definitions of monarchies
and
* Shakefpear.
and republics would excite no difcuflion ; men
would rejoice under thofe governmtnes where
they found liberty beft protected. In England,
the fovereign has undoubtedly many virtues ; no
perfon, perhaps, has fewer vices : but kings mould
never neglect the opportunity of doing good.
Negative praife is rarely beneficial ; but active
virtue is what the world, according to its prefent
conftitution, requires.
Princes are confidered as Gods ; they mould at
leaft act like men. What is the firft duty of man ?
To relieve the wants of his fellow creatures, to
prevent thofe horrible fcenes of diftrefs which
hourly prefent themfelves.
In England we all look up to the throne as
the focus where every virtue is or ought to be
concentered ; there we admire private oeconomy,
connubial fidelity, domeftic accomplishments,
and honourable punctuality ! It were to be
lamented, that an inattention to the calamities of
the public, or even of private individuals, fallen
within its knowledge, mould obfcure the luftre of
thofe virtues.
17 Example
Example and experience are two instructive
monitors : the people are led by one, and princes
mould profit by the other.
The vices or virtues of the community depend
on the governments under which they live.
"When the righteous are in authority, the people
"rejoice ; but when the wicked are in power, the
" people mourn."
How incumbent, therefore, is it in princes to
profit from experience, to inculcate good ex-
amples : in that cafe we mould be no longer-
melancholy witnefles to the horrors that have
been defcribed ; no longer that difcord and dif-
fention would prevail in fociety which threaten
the very exiftence of the actual eftablimments !
we mould be all leagued in one bond of confra-
ternity ; and the author of thefe meets, without
having been condemned to weep over fo many of
her family, fallen in the wars of Britain, would
have efcaped thofe terrible ftripes of mifery which
me, in her own perfon, has fuffered.
May the reprefentation of God on earth, in
thefe
( 133 )
thefe realms, yield to the voice of univerfal
mercy ; and may he, amidft the general impulfe,
extend its rays to her, than whom none can have
more forcible claims on the fcore of want, or on
the merits of her worthy and loyal family !
'December 7, 1793.
FINIS
NOTES.
(i.) RICHARD MONTGOMERY was born at Convoy Houfe, the feat of his
father, Thomas Montgomery, near Raphoe, County Donegal, on the 22d of
December, 1736. Before he was eighteen years old he obtained a commif-
fion in the Britifli Army, and in 1757 commenced his career of adtive fervice
in America, and at the fiege of Louilburg, in 1758, and elfe where, gave
evidence of high military capacity. Several years after his return to Ireland
he endeavored to fecure his promotion to a majority ; failing in this purfuit,
he fold his commiffion, and in 1772 emigrated to America, renewed his for-
mer acquaintance with the family of Robert R. Livingfton, and in Auguft,
1773, married his eldeft daughter Janet, the fifter of Chancellor Livingfton.
He never intended to draw his fword again, and wifhed for retirement 5 but
when the Revolutionary War broke out, he immediately engaged in it, and
was appointed one of the Eighth Brigadier-Generals to ferve in the newly-
organized army of the United Colonies.
He was immediately attached to the larger of the two divifions fent to
Canada in the fummer of 1775, and early in September found himfelf in
front of the fortrefs of St. Johns. Schuyler becoming ill, and having returned
to Albany, Montgomery alTumed the command of the divifion, and by a
feries of well-directed movements, fuccefli vely acquired pofTefiion of Chambly,
St. Johns and Montreal, and in November became the mafter of a great
part of Canada. On the third of December, at Point Aux Trombles, he
made a jundlion with Arnold, and about noon on the fifth Montgomery
appeared before Quebec, to take the ftrongeft fortified city in America, de-
fended by more than 200 cannons and a garrifon of twice the number of
befiegers. Upon their arrival before the town, Montgomery wrote a letter
to the Governor, magnifying his own ftrength, ftating the weaknefs of the
garrifon, and demanding an immediate furrender to avoid the dreadful con-
fequences of a ftorm 5 but Cafleton refufed to hold any communication with
136
him, and every effort at correfpondence with the citizens failed. He there-
fore commenced a bombardment with five fmall mortars, which continued
feveral days, but did no effential injury to the garrifon. In a few days Mont-
gomery opened a fix-gun battery, at about feven hundred yards diftance from
the walls, but his metal was too light to produce any confiderable effect.
In the meantime the fnow lay deep upon the ground, and the feverity of
the climate was fuch that human nature feemed incapable of withftanding
its force in the field. The hardships and fatigues which the American
fbldiers underwent, both from the feafon and the fmallnefs of their
numbers, feemed incredible, and could only be endured from their enthu-
fiaftic adherence to their caufe, and through the affection or efteem which
they bore to their General. This conftancy muft however fail, if the evils
were increafed, or too long continued. The time for which many of the
foldiers had engaged was expiring, and Montgomery felt that fomething dect-
five must be immediately done, or that the benefit of his paft fuccefies would,
in a great degree, be loft to the caufe in which _ he was engaged, and his own
renown, which now fhone in great luftre, be dimmed, if not obfcured. He
knew the Americans would confider Quebec as taken from the inftant that
they heard of his arrival before it, and therefore determined upon a defperate
attempt to take the place by efcalade.
As the time for the afiault drew near, three captains in Arnold's battalion
created difTenfion, and fliowed a mutinous difaffedlion to the fervice. Mont-
gomery addreffed the officers, and his words recalled them to their duty, but
hurried him into a refolution to attempt capturing Quebec before the firft of
January, when his legal authority over the moft of his men would ceafe.
A council of war was held on Chriftmas, and agreed to a night attack on
the lower town. While he was making the neceflary preparations for this
purpofe, it is faid that the garrifon received intelligence of it from fome de-
ferters, fb that every preparation was made againft a furprife. Early in the
morning of the laft day of the year, and under cover of a violent fnow ftorm,
he proceeded to this arduous attempt, and that the troops might recognize one
another, each foldier wore in his cap a piece of white paper, on which fome
of them wrote " Liberty or death."
He had difpofed of his little army in four divifions, of which two carried
( 137 )
on falfe attacks againft the upper town, whilft himfelf and Arnold conducted
two real againft oppofite parts of the lower. By this means the alarm was
general, and might have difconcerted the moft experienced troops. The
General, who referved for his own party lefs than three hundred Yorkers, led
them, in Indian file, from head-quarters at Holland House to Wolfe's Cave,
and then about two miles further along the ihore. The path was fo rough
in feveral places that they were obliged to fcramble up flant rocks covered
with fnow, and then, with a precipice to their right, to defcend by Hiding
down fifteen or twenty feet.
The fignal for engaging had been given more than half an hour too foon ;
the General, however, preffed on, feized and parted the firft barrier, and ac-
companied by a few of his braveft officers and men, marched boldly at the
head of their detachment to attack the lecond.
This barrier was ftronger than the firft, and defended by a battery of three-
pounders loaded with grape. Montgomery preffed forward at double quick
to carry the battery. As he appeared on a little rifing in the ground, at a
diftance of fifty yards or lefs from the mouths of the cannon, Barnsfare dif-
charged them with deadly aim.
Montgomery, his aid Macpherfon, Cheefman, and ten others, inftantly fell
dead Montgomery from three wounds. With him the foul of the expedi-
tion fled. The command devolved upon Donald Campbell, who immediately
retired without any further effort, and without lofs.
Thus fell Richard Montgomery. The excellency of his qualities and dif-
pofition had procured him an uncommon (hare of private affection, as his
abilities had of public efteem ; and there was probably no man engaged on
the fame fide, and few on either, whofe lofs would have been fo much re-
gretted in America and England.
At the news of his death, every perfon feemed to have loft his neareft re-
lative or friend. Congrefs proclaimed for him " their grateful remembrance,
profound refpedt, and high veneration ; and defiring to tranfmit to future ages
a truly worthy example of patriotic conduct, boldnefs of enterprife, infuper-
able perfeverance, and contempt of danger and death," they reared a marble
monument "to the glory of Richard Montgomery." The moft powerful
fpeakers in the Britilh Parliament difplayed their eloquence in praifing his
( '38 )
virtues and lamenting his fate. A great orator and veteran fellow foldief
of his in the late war, flied abundance of tears, whilft he expatiated on their
faft friendship and participation of fervice in that feafon of enterprife and
glory.
In 1818 his remains were difinterred and conveyed to New York, and dc-
pofited in St. Paul's Church, near the monument eredted to his memory.
His widow furvived him more than half a century.
(a.) JANE McCREA was murdered on the 2yth June, 1777, by a party of
Indians attached to Gen. Burgoyne's army. She was fiezed in the houfe of
a Mrs. McNiel, about 80 rods north of Fort Edward. The Indians placed
her upon a horle, which feems to have been provided for the occafion, and
afcended the hill near the Fort. All their motions were intently watched
from the Fort, and at this point the discharge of fome rifles was heard, and
Jane was feen to fall from her horfe. The operation of the tomahawk and
fcalping knife was quickly performed, and the body foon dragged forward out
of fight of the Fort. This fcene was enafted about mid-day, and the next
morning the body of Jane was recovered and buried in a rude and hafty
grave.
At the time of her death (he was about twenty-three years of age, of mid-
dling ftature, finely formed, dark hair, and uncommonly beautiful.
(3-) WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, fifth child of Philip and Catharine Livingfton,
was born in Albany, in the province of New York, in November, 1723, and
was entered a Freihman in Yale College in 1737. In 1741 he graduated
at the head of his clais, immediately after which he left New Haven for New
York to commence the ftudy of the law.
On the 1 4th October, 1748, he received a licenfe to practice figned by
Governor George Clinton.
In 1752, with Wm. Smith, Jr., he published the firft digeft of the Colony
Laws. In 1754, with his brother Philip and his brother-in-law William
Alexander, afterwards Lord Stirling, he laid the foundation of a City Library,
the fame that now bears the name of the Society Library of New York. In
1759 he was elected to the Aflembly of New York, and in 1772 removed to
( 139 )
Elizabethtown, in New Jerfey. He was elefted to Congrefs in 1774, and again
in 1775, was recalled in June, 1776, and early in June of that year took
command of the Militia, at Elizabethtown, as Brigadier-General.
After the depofition of William Franklin (fon of Benjamin Franklin), he
was eleded Governor of New Jerfey, and remained in office until the clofe
of his life.
He died in Elizabethtown, July 25, 1790, and was interred there, and in
courfe of the following winter his remains, together with thofe of his wife,
were removed to the vault of his fon Brockholft, in New York.
(4.) ISRAEL PUTNAM was born in Salem, Mafs., on the 7th of January,
1718, and grew to manhood with a frame inured to hard/hip and toil, but
with a mind uncultivated, though vigorous. At the age of twenty-one he
commenced farming, at Pomfret, Conn., where he " purfued the even tenor
of his way," undiftinguifhed by any noticeable event (except the encounter
with the " (he wolf," which, in the courfe of years, has been fo grofsly ex-
aggerated by his biographers, as to place it almoft among the fabulous events
of hiftory), until 1755, when he engaged in the French and Indian War,
as captain of a company in Col. Lyman's Regiment of Provincials. During
the campaign under Gen. Johnfon at Lake George and vicinity, he performed
various fcouting fervice, with little fuccefs or credit to himfelf. It was dur-
ing this campaign that feveral of the ftirring adventures occurred upon which
his wonderful reputation for bravery has been mainly erected fuch as that
of his blanket having been perforated by fourteen bullets, while he was giving
"leg bail" to a party of Indians who had furprifed him, etc. But the one
adventure, which is beft authenticated, is the fact of his having been captured
(through his own carelefTnefs and imprudence) by the Indians, who would
have fucceeded in roafting him at the ftake, had it not been for the interfer-
ence of a French officer ; and being finally taken to Montreal, he was ex-
changed through the kind intereft of Col. Peter Schuyler, who was his fellow
prifoner. After the clofe of this war, Putnam returned to Pomfret, where
he exercifed the double vocation of farmer and tavern-keeper. When, how-
ever, "the news from Lexington" reached Pomfret, Lieut.-Colonel Putnam
(he had received a militia commifiion in October, 1774) was ploughing; it
18
is said, that he immediately left his oxen in the furrow, mounted his horfe,
and rode off to Cambridge, and with equal promptnefs many other New Eng-
land farmers sprang to arms upon that eventful day. He was foon made
Colonel of the Third Regiment of Connecticut foldiers, with the rank of
Second Brigadier of the Provincial Troops. In the affair of Noddle's Ifland,
(May ay, 1775,) Putnam feems to have gained more credit than the fadts of
hiftory warrant, and through the influence thus acquired, received the appoint-
ment (in June, 1775) of Major-General in the Continental Army, much to
the chagrin of Washington, and other prominent MaSTachuletts and Con-
necticut officers. At the battle of Bunker Hill he was prefent ; but, although
his biographers have made this the culminating point of their glorification of
him, the calm, impaflioned fearchings of hiftory fail to award him the credit
of doing anything more, on that eventful day, than keeping well out of the
way of harm. He afterwards took the command of New York, until
fuperfeded by Washington's perfonal prefence in that city, which placed
him virtually without command. Unfortunately, however, the illnels of
Gen. Greene induced Washington to allow Putnam to take his command
in the fuperintendence of the defences which were then in courfe of eredtion
upon Long Ifland. But Putnam had neither the Subordination to obey the
orders with whofe execution he was intruded, the Skill to carry out the pro-
pofed plans of defence, or the ordinary common Senfe which he might reafon-
ably have been expected to difplay in the face of an approaching enemy, for
he neglected his instructions, undid, in part, what his able predeceSTor had
done, and fo careleSsly defended the moft important avenue of approach, that
he was eafily flanked, the whole army Soundly whipped, and New York loft
to the patriot caufe. After the retreat into Weftchefter, he was ordered to
Philadelphia, where, and at Princeton, he remained until the fpring of 1777.
Then he was ordered to the command of the Hudfon Highlands, where his
ignorance or habitual careleSfnefs led him again in direct violation of WaSh-
ington's orders to repeat the very blunders which he had committed on Long
Ifland, and which enabled Sir Henry Clinton, by the capture of Forts Mont-
gomery and Clinton, to Sieze the key-pofition of the Highlands. In Novem-
ber, 1777, Col. Hamilton was lent by Washington with fpecial orders to
Gen. Putnam, to fend Several brigades in his command to the army then in
( 141 )
Pennfylvania. Gen. Putnam, however, was juft then too intent on a plan of
his own for capturing New York, to obey the orders of his chief, and only
complied on the receipt of a fcathing and determined letter from Waihington
himfelf. His delay in complying with orders caufed the fall of Fort Mifflin,
the lofs of Red Bank, and the defences on the Delaware, and the continued
occupation during the enfuing winter of Philadelphia by the Britifh. The
official inveftigation by Congrefs, of the caufes of the fall of the forts in the
Highlands, refulted in the fuperfedure of Putnam by Gen. McDougal, and
he was afterwards fent to Connecticut to fuperintend the forwarding of new
levies. During this term of fervice occurred another of the General's feries
of remarkable efcapes, in which, being purfued by Britifti troopers, the " well-
trained and fagacious " horfe which he rode, flid down the hill at Horfe Neck,
(now Greenwich,) bearing his mafter fafely out of reach of the foe an ex-
ploit, for which the horfe has always got lefs, and the General more praife
than they feverally deferved : and which has furniflied a favorite theme for
fchool hiftories and artiftical abortions. The command at Weft Point was
the laft which Putnam held. In 1779, an attack of paralyfis rendered him
incapable of any acYive fervice, and the remainder of his days were fpent in
quiet retirement, in Brooklyn, Conn., where he died May 29, 1790, at the
age of 72 years. Putnam was a well-meaning man, of no great mental
abilities, yet with a great deal of obftinacy and felf-fufficiency in his compofi-
tion. He was rough, hearty and pleafant in his intercourfe with his foldiers
and others, but was not a good difciplinarian. He was, in fadl, a man whom
adventitious circumftances, and a bogus reputation, had placed into a pofition
which he lacked the education or the ability to maintain with honor to him-
felf or benefit to the caufe. That this was the opinion of Wafhington is
fufficiently evident from the correspondence of that period, as well as from
the fact that, after the battle of Bunker Hill, he was kept, as far as pofiible,
in fuch fubordinate commands as feemed beft fuited to his very ordinary
abilities. Even there, however, his blunders refulted in ferious difafters to
the American arms ; and happy it would have been for him if his fellow
citizens of Connecticut, and his biographers, had not fo laviflily extolled his
ordinary and homely qualities which he poflfefTed, and fo magnificently em-
bellifhed the adventures of his earlier life.
( 14* )
(5.) THOMAS MIFFLIN was born about the year 1744; his parents were
Quakers, and his education was entrufted to the care of Dr. Smith, with
whom he was connected in habits of cordial intimacy and friend/hip for more
than forty years.
He engaged early in oppofition to the meafures of the Britifh Parliament,
and was a member of the firft Congrefs in 1774.
He took up arms, and was among the firft officers commiflioned in the
organization of the Continental Army, being appointed Quartermafter-Gen-
eral in Auguft 1775. In 1777 he was very ufeful in animating the militia;
but he was alfo fufpedled in this year of being unfriendly to Wafhington, and
of wifliing to have fome other perfon in his place. In 1787 he was a mem-
ber of the Convention which framed the Conftitution of the United States.
In 1778 he fucceeded Benjamin Franklin as Prefident of the Supreme
Council of Pennfylvania, and held that ftation till October, 1790. In Sep-
tember a conftitution for this State was formed by a convention, in which he
was prefident, and he was chofen the firft Governor.
In 1794 he was fucceeded by Mr. McKean, and at the clofe of 1799
died in Lancafter, Pennfylvania.
(6.) GENERAL HENRY KNOX was born in Bofton on the 25th of July,
1750. Before the American Revolution broke out he difcovered an un-
common zeal in the caufe of liberty. Being placed at the head of an in-
dependent company in Bofton he exhibited in this ftation a /kill in difcipline
which prefaged his future eminence. At the unanimous requeft of all the
officers of artillery he was entrufted with the command in that department.
In 1776 it was determined to increafe the corps of artillery to three regi-
ments, the command of which was given to Knox, who was promoted to
the rank of Brigadier-General. He was actively engaged during the whole
conteft, and after the capture of Cornwallis in 1781 he received the com-
milTion of Major-General, having diftinguilhed himfelf in the fiege at the
head of the artillery. In 1785 he became Secretary-at-War, and continued
to fill the department till the clofe of 1794, when he refigned it, the
natural and powerful claims of a numerous family no longer permitting him
to negledt their efTential interefts. During the laft years of his life he
( 143 )
redded in Thomafton, in the State of Maine. He failed in 1798, and it
is faid for a very large amount, and that General Lincoln and Colonel
Jackfon were fufferers by his failure. His death, which took place Ot.
25, 1806, was occafioned by his fwallowing the bone of a chicken. He was
diftinguifhed for his military talents, and poffeffed, in an uncommon degree,
the efteem and confidence of Wafhington.
(7.) SIR WILLIAM HOWE, brother of Richard, Earl Howe, was born
Auguft 10, 1729; he commanded the light infantry, under Wolfe, in the
battle on the Heights of Abraham in 1759. He landed in Bofton in May,
1775, as fucceflbr to General Gage, and continued there until March, 1776,
having affured the Miniftry that he was not under the leaft apprehenfion of
any attack from the Rebels. The King expedled that after wintering in
Bofton he would, in May, or an the firft week in June, fail for New York.
General Washington, however, on the night of March 4, 1776, took
poffeffion of, and fortified Dorchefter Heights, and on the morning of the
5th, the Britifh beheld, with aftonifhment and difmay, the forts which had
fprung up in a night, and Howe found himfelf furpafTed in military fkill by
officers whom he pretended to defpife. A council of war was called, and it
was determined to attack the Americans ; 2,400 men were detailed and
placed under command of Lord Percy to make the attack. A violent ftorm
came up from the South, two or three veffels were driven afhore ; the rain
fell in torrents on the 6th. The movement againft the Americans was
further delayed till it became evident that the attempt muft end in the ruin
of the Britifh army. Howe called a fecond council of war, and the inftant
evacuation of the town was advifed.
On the 1 5th General Washington gained poffeffion of Nook Hill, and
with it the power of opening the highway from Roxbury to Bofton.
The Britifh retreated precipitately, and the army, about 8,000 in number,
and more than 1,100 refugees, began their embarkation at four in the morn-
ing, and in lefs than fix hours they were all aboard 120 tranfports.
Howe was among the laft to leave the town, and took pafFage with the
Admiral in the Chatham ; before ten they were under way.
Howe retired to Halifax ; left there in June, then took poffefiion of
Staten Ifland, where he was joined by Lord Howe. On the ayth Auguft,
1776, he defeated the Americans on Long Ifland, and on the i 3th of Sep-
tember, 1776, took poflerfion of the City of New York and was one of the
commiffioners to offer peace. In July, 1777, he failed for the Chefapeake,
entered Philadelphia on the 27th of September, and on the 4th of Ofto-
ber, in the fame year, defeated the Americans at Germantown. In May,
1778, he was fucceeded by Sir Henry Clinton, and foon afterwards returned
to England. He died July 12, 1814.
(8.) MAJOR MONTRESSOR was General Gage's chief engineer in Bofton,
and alfo ferved at the Siege of Charlefton.
(9.) HUGH, EARL PERCY (fon of Hugh Smithfon, Earl of Percy and Duke
of Northumberland), was born in the parifli of St. George, Hanover Square,
Auguft 14, 1742, and came to America as Colonel of the Fifth Regiment of
Foot, arriving at Bofton on the 4th of July, 1774. He ferved under Sir
William Howe during the Siege of Bofton ; bore a confpicuous part in the
battle of Long Ifland, Auguft 27, 1776, and in the attack on Fort Washington
in November of the fame year.
On the 5th May, 1777, he failed for England, and on the 2Oth Novem-
ber, fame year, took his feat in the Houfe of Lords being at the time
a lieutenant-general in the army. He died in London on the loth of July,
1817, aged 94 years.
(9.*) COLONEL SMALL was a diftinguiflied British officer, and his conduct
in America was always equally diftinguifhed by acts of humanity and kind-
nefs to his enemies, as by bravery and fidelity to the caufe he ferved. He was
prefent at the battle of Bunker Hill ; had been intimately acquainted with
General Warren; faw him fall, and flew to fave him. In Colonel Trumbull's
celebrated picture of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Small is reprefented feizing the
mufket of the grenadier to prevent the fatal blow, and fpeaking to his friend.
Garden, in his " Anecdotes of the Revolutionary War," fays : " Paying a
vifit to our ambatfador, Major Thomas Pinckney, ihortly after his eftablifh-
ment in London, it was my good fortune to meet with Colonel Small, who,
( 145 )
in courfe of converfation, said, ' I have been fitting this morning to Colonel
Trumbull for my portrait, he having done me the honor to place me in
a very confpicuous fituation in his admirable reprefentation of the Battle of
Bunker's Hill. But his politenefs far exceeds my claim to merit. He has
exhibited me as turning afide the bayonet aimed by a grenadier at the bread
of General Warren. I would certainly have laved his life had it been in my
power to do fo, but when I reached the fpot on which his body lay the fpark
pf life was already extingui/hed. It would have been a tribute due to his
virtues and to his gallantry, and to me a facred duty, fince I am well
apprized that, when at a particular period of the action I was left alone, and
expofed to the fire of the whole American line, my old friend Putnam faved
my life by calling aloud, ' Kill as many as you can, but fpare Small ;' and
that he actually turned afide muflcets that were aimed for my deftrudlion.' "
(10.) CHARLES, EARL CORNWALLIS. The family of Cornwallys or Corn-
waleys, (for the name appears to have been fpelt either way,) was of lome
importance in Ireland in early times, and in 1561 Irifti deeds of the family
were in exiftence in the county of Surlolk, dated in the reign of Edward III.
A younger fon, Thomas, was Iheriffof the City of London in 1378.
Charles, fifth Lord, was Chief Juftice in Eyre, fouth of Trent, and after-
wards Conftable of the Tower. He married in 1722 Elizabeth, daughter of
Charles, fecond Vifcount Townlhend, brother-in-law of Sir Robert Walpole.
He was made Earl Cornwallis and Vifcount Brome, June 30, 1753; and died
June 23, 1762, having had four fons and five daughters, of whom three fons
and three daughters furvived him.
His fixth child, but eldeft fon, Vifcount Brome (afterwards Lord Cornwal-
lis), and the fubjedl of this note, was born in Grofvenor Square, December 31,
1738. Lord Brome went at an early age to Eton. The exact year has not
been afcertained, but in an old Eton fchool lift, of Augufl 26, 1754, his name
ftands fourth among the fixth form Oppidans.
During his Eton career, he received, while playing at hockey, a blow on
the eye, which produced a flight, but permanent, obliquity of vifion. The
boy who accidentally caufed this injury was Shute Barrington, afterwards the
highly efteemed Biihop of Durham.
Before he attained the age of eighteen years, Lord Brome had chofen the
army as his profeflion in 1758 he became aid-de-camp to Lord Granby, in
1759 captain in 85th foot, and in 1775 major-general.
He was oppo/ed to the fcheme of taxing the American Colonies, and uni-
formly voted againft it, notwithftanding the offices he held. He was alfo
prefent on almoft every other queftion connected with America, luch as the
MafTachufetts bill, the Bofton Port bill, &c. ; againft thefe he probably divided,
but as no lifts have been preferved, individual votes cannot be pofitively afcer-
tained.
When the war with America broke out, Lord Cornwallis was ordered to
America, to take command of one divifion of the Britifti Army, and notwith-
ftanding his opinion of the injuftice of that war, he confidered that as a mili-
tary man, he could not decline any employment offered to him. He embarked
Feb. 10, 1776, for America, with the local rank of major-general.
His wife, who is faid to have been a beautiful woman, was ftrongly adverfe
to his going on active fervice, and obtained leave from the king for him to
relinquifh his appointment he peremptorily refufed to avail himfelf of the
permifllon. He returned to England in January, 1778, but failed again from
St. Helens, in the Trident, on the lift of April following. Lady Cornwallis
became very dangeroufly fick, and Lord Cornwallis threw up his command and
again returned to England. Lady Cornwallis died Feb. 14, 1779, and Lord
Cornwallis again offered his lervices, which being accepted, he returned to
America. Lord Cornwallis ferved actively and with diftinction under Generals
Howe and Clinton, in the campaign of 1776-9, in New York and the
Southern States, and in 1780 was left in command of South Carolina. In
the Spring of 1781 he invaded Virginia, where he obtained no decided fuc-
cefs. Having received orders from Sir Henry Clinton to embark part of his
force for New York, he moved to Portfmouth, but there received frefh inftruc-
tions, under which he was ordered to Williamiburgh, and directed to make
Point Comfort his place of arms. Finding Point Comfort ill-fuited for his
purpofe, he removed to Yorktown, and there intrenched himfelf. He was
there befieged by the French and American forces, aflifted by the French fleet
under De GrafTe, and finally, after an obftinate defence, was, on the I9th of
October, 1781, forced to furrender himfelf and his troops as prifoners of war.
H7
His capture was a death-blow to the Britifh caufe. Cornwallis efcaped cen-
fure, owing perhaps to his favor with the King.
In 1786, he was made Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Bengal,
returned to England in 1793, was received with diftinguiflied honors, and
in 1798 was made Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, which poft he held until 1801.
Towards the clofe of that year he was fent as ambaflador to France, where
he negotiated the Peace of Amiens.
In 1805 he was again appointed Governor-General of India, and though
advancing age and impaired health might well have excufed him, he would
not refufe the appointment, but embarked early in the year. Very Ihortly
after his arrival in India, he fet out for the Upper Provinces, where his pref-
ence was greatly needed, but he was unable to proceed further than Ghazipoor,
where he died Oct. 5, 1805, in the 67th year of his age. During many
years of active fervice in the field, he was ftruck but once, and he would not
then allow his name to appear in the lift of wounded. His character as a
foldier and ftatefman was highly refpectable, but he was more diftinguifhed
by diligence, humanity and integrity than by the higher mental powers.
(n.) The Battle of Brooklyn, fought on the 27th of Auguft, 1776,
forms an important landmark in the hiftory of our Revolutionary ftrug-
gle. After the evacuation of Bofton by the Britifh, in March 1776, Gen.
Washington took immediate meafures to anticipate what he fhrewdly fuf-
pected would be their next attempt, viz., the occupation of the City of
New York. Gen. Lee was therefore fent to that city with a large number of
Connecticut troops fortifications were fpeedily in progrefs, the paflages to the
city by North and Eaft Rivers were properly defended by entrenchments, chains,
funken veffels, &c., while acrofs the weftern end of Long Ifland was thrown
a ftrong line of entrenched works, extending from the Wallabout to Gowanus
Creek. In addition to thefe defences, Gen. Greene, who, with the affiftance
of Gen. Sullivan had fuperintended the erection of thefe works, had faith-
fully guarded the paffes which led to Brooklyn through the furrounding hills,
while near the Bedford, Flatbuih and Yellow Hook defiles, breaftworks had
been thrown up, and mounted patrols eftablifhed upon the roads. Unfortu-
nately, at the critical moment Gen. Greene was taken fick, and Gen. Putnam
J 9
was fent over to take command, and one of his firft adts in violation of the
exprefs orders of Wafhington was to withdraw the mounted patrols. On
the 22d of Auguft, the Britirti'army crofled over from Staten Ifland, and land-
ing in Gravefend Bay, fpread its line along the eaftern bafe of the hills to
Flatbufli, in which fituation it remained for feveral days, content with fimply
occupying the attention of the Americans, and indulging in occafional deful-
tory (kirmiihes with their patrols. But, on the 26th, one column, under
Lieut.-Gen. De Heifter, moved to Flatbuih, and the fame evening Gen. Corn-
wallis advanced his divifion to Flatlands, while at a ftill later hour Sir Henry
Clinton, with the right of the army, in conjunction with Cornwallis' divifion,
moved towards the Bedford pals, to turn the left of the American lines on the
heights between Bedford and Flatbufh. While this flank movement was
being executed, Gen. Grant, in command of the Britifh left wing, moved up
the weftern road from the Narrows to Brooklyn; and about midnight, falling
in with the American pickets, was foon (by Putnam's order) confronted by
Lord Stirling with 1,500 men, whom he continued to prefs flowly back
merely, however, as a feint to diftradl attention from Clinton's movement on
the American left. About 2 A. M. of the 2yth, Clinton having approached
the Bedford pafs, and finding, to his furprife, that it was unoccupied, promptly
feized it and having thus gained the pofition of the impending conteft without
a ftruggle, coolly fat down to reft and feed his troops. De Heifter, who had
been left at Flatbufh, commenced about day-break to blind the American
commander by a brifk cannonade until hearing the concerted fignal-guns of
Clinton, announcing that the Bedford pafs was fecured he immediately
prefled his divifion forward upon Sullivan's lines, and after a defperate and
fanguinary ftruggle, captured him and routed his command. Clinton mean-
while, after breakfaft, moved forward to Bedford, and then detaching Corn-
wallis to co-operate with Grant in his movements on the Bay road, himfelf
puihed on towards the Flatbufli road where Sullivan and De Heifter were
contending. Meanwhile Stirling ftubbornly refifting the advance of Grant
found himfelf fuddenly attacked in rear by Cornwallis, and at the fame
moment vigoroufly puihed by Grant in front. He made good fight, how-
ever, and fo well that Cornwallis was about to retire, when De Heifter, frefli
from Sullivan's defeat, came to the refcue, and to him Stirling was obliged to
( H9 )
furrender. This battle, or rather this feries of flcirmiflies, was thus concluded
in favor of the Britifli arms ; and the victorious army encamped in front of
the American works in the evening, preparatory to attacking them by
regular approaches, and with the aid of the fleet. The American army
engaged in this battle numbered about 5,000, while that of the Britifh was
at leaft three times larger. The Britifli lofs was comparatively trifling, and
that of the Americans, in killed, wounded and prifoners, is eftimated at
from 1,100 to i, zoo; moftly, however, in prifoners. The refult is attrib-
utable mainly to the great extent of the American lines, to the garrifoning
of which the force of the American army was manifeftly infufficient ; but
moft of all to the fatal ftupidity and want of ordinary military /kill evinced by
Gen. Putnam in the guarding and protection of the feveral pafles of approach
to Brooklyn.
(12.) The Hefllans were German foldiers, hired by Great Britain in the
early part of the year 1776, of their mafters, the petty German princes, at fo
much per man. The Landgrave of Hefle-CafTel furniflied 12,104; the Duke
of Brunfwick, 4,084 ; the Prince of Hefle, 668 ; and the Prince of Waldeck,
670; being a total of 17,526 men, including officers. These princes received
thirty-fix dollars apiece for their men, to which was added a confiderable fub-
fidy coding Great Britain in all the handfome fum of $775,000. The
greater portion of thefe mercenaries, as will be feen, were furnifhed from
Hefle, from which was derived the name of Heffian, applied indifcriminately
to all the German auxiliaries employed by Great Britain during the Revolu-
tionary War. They arrived in America juft before the Battle of Long Ifland,
and were received with open arms by the Britifli troops, men and officers vie-
ing with each other in their attentions to their new allies. In the Battle of
Long Ifland they took a moft important part, and after that ftruggle, during
the feven years' Britifli occupation of Long Ifland, the permanent garrifons at
Brooklyn and other Kings County towns were compofed of thefe Hefllans.
Many of them were captured at Trenton, in 1776, and their officers paroled.
A large body of the Hefllans was captured with Gen. Burgoyne's army at
Saratoga, marched as prifoners of war to Cambridge, where they were treated
with kindnefs by the inhabitants, and were finally quartered in the quiet town
150
of Eafl now South Windfor, fix miles above Hartford, on the Connecticut
River, at which place they remained for a long time. Some of the Hefiians
were alfo engaged at the battles of Bennington, and the attacks on Forts
Mercer and Mifflin in 1777, and the affair at Guilford in 1781.
The Heffian uniform, as defcribed by Dunlap, was as follows : "A tower-
ing brass-fronted cap ; mouftaches colored with the fame material that colored
his ihoes, his hair plaftered with tallow and flour, and tightly drawn into a
long appendage reaching from the back of the head to his waift ; his blue
uniform almoft covered by the broad belts fuftaining his cartouch box, his
brafs-hilted fword, and bayonet ; a yellow waiftcoat with flaps, and yellow
breeches were met at the knee by black gaiters ; and thus heavily equipped,
he flood an automaton, and received the command or cane of the officer who
infpe&ed him."
Thefe men came here to fight againft our fathers under the influence of
that kind of unquestioning loyalty to their chiefs which led them to make
their prince's foreign quarrel their own domeftic concern, and his flirewd policy
their own plain intereft. It is true that our anceftors and their defcendants,
have, with an excufable warmth of feeling, attributed the meaneft mercenary
motives and the moft favage cruelty to thefe foreign auxiliaries of their Britilh
foe. Yet the "blinde Hefs," even now not famed for infight, as this his
(landing title fhows, muft then have thought it the height of fentimental ab-
furdity that his fidelity to the fovereign who, in profound king-craft, had by
folemn treaty fold him to Great Britain, fhould be imputed to him as the
bafenefs of a hireling. With no innate perceptions of the advantages of felf-
government and democratic principles, it cannot be a matter of furprife to us
that he felt no fympathy with a people who were already enjoying more free-
dom than he had ever feen enjoyed by any people or nation in Europe, and
who were Struggling for (till greater privileges, of which he could not under-
ftand the neceflity. Much of the harflmefs of his conduct muft be viewed
from this ftandpoint of previous training and circumfbances, and from the dif-
ference of language, education, &c., naturally existing between a European
and an American foldier.
(13.) JOHN COGHLAN was the fon of a London merchant of great wealth,
and in youth his profpefts were without a fingle cloud. He entered the Navy
and failed round the world with the celebrated Captain Cook. Difliking the
Tea, his thoughts turned fucceflively to the Bar and Church, but finally he
procured a commiflion in the Army. He ferved feveral campaigns in Amer-
ica, and on the 28th of February, 1777, was married to Mifs Margaret Mon-
crieffe by the Rev. Samuel Auchmuty, Redor of Trinity Church. This
connexion, as he averred, proved as miferable to him as it did to her. After
the peace of 1783, he ferved in the Ruffian Army, but domeftic difappoint-
ment preyed upon his mind, and he became difiipated.
He returned to England, and his extravagance involved him in ruin.
Finally, utterly wretched and an outcaft, he became an inmate of St. Bar-
tholomew's Hofpital, where he died in 1807, in his fifty-fourth year, and in
the moft abjedl and pitiable condition.
His relatives in England and Wales were very refpetfable, and his body-
was retained in the dead-house eight days, in the hope that he would be claimed
and decently interred. The charity of a ftranger furnifhed a covering for his
remains, and they were depofited in the burial-ground of the hofpital.
It is faid that Captain Coghlan was among the handfomeft men of his time,
that he was focial and convivial, and in his charities, when in pofleflion of
money, liberal to a fault.
(14.) SIR WILLIAM TRYON was appointed Governor of the Colony of New
York in 1771. The Province Houfe which he occupied was burned by the
careleflhefs of fervants, and his wife and daughter narrowly efcaped death.
The Colony voted him five thoufand pounds, and the Britiih Government
added a liberal fum for his lofTes. The fpirit of the man while at the head
of affairs in New York, may be fully illuftrated by a fingle circumstance : " I
mould," faid he in 1777, "were I in authority, burn down every Committee-
man's houfe within my reach, as I deem thofe agents the wicked inftruments
of the continued calamities of this country 5 and in order fooner to purge the
country of them I am willing to give twenty-five dollars for every adting Com-
mittee-man who mail be delivered up to the King's troops." His property,
both in North Carolina and New York, was confifcated. In 1780, he was
fucceeded by General Robertfon, a general in the Army, who was the laft
( is* )
Royal Governor of New York. Tryon died in London in 1788, with the
rank of Lieutenant-General.
(15.) SAMUEL AUCHMUTY, D. D., was the fon of Robert Auchmuty, an
eminent lawyer and Judge of Admiralty in MafTachufetts. He graduated at
Harvard Univerfity in 1742, and received his Doftorate of Divinity from Ox-
ford. In 1754 he was employed by the Society for the Propagation of the
Gofpel in Foreign Parts as catechift to the negroes in New York. On the
28th of Auguft, 1764, he fucceeded the Rev. Dr. Henry Barclay as Reftor
of Trinity Church. Upon the departure of General Howe from Bofton to
Halifax, and the taking pofleflion of New York by the Revolutionary Army,
moft of the inhabitants removed into the country. Dr. Auchmuty being much
indifpofed through the fpring and fummer, retired with his family to Bruns-
wick in New Jersey. During his abfence, Trinity Church and the Redlor's
houfe, with nearly one thoufand other buildings, were deftroyed by fire, and
Dr. Auchmuty 's lofs amounted to over 2,500 fterling. He died in 1777,
having been in the miniftry over thirty years. His fermons before the break-
ing out of the war were ftrongly denunciatory of the Sons of Liberty, as the
aflbciated patriots were called, the moft prominent of whom in New York
was Ifaac Sears (commonly known as King Sears), who was a member of his
Church, and at the clofe of the war a veftryman.
In April, 1775, Doctor Auchmuty wrote from New York to Captain Mon-
treflbr : "We have lately been plagued with a rafcally Whig mob here, but
they have effected nothing, only Sears the King was refcued at the jail door.
Our magiftrates have not the fpirit of a loufe."
(16.) THOMAS GAGE was the firft military and the laft Royal Governor of
MafTachufetts. In 1770 he was a Lieutenant-General, and refided in New
York, in a large houfe furrounded with elegant gardens on the fite now occu-
pied by the ftores fixty-feven and fixty-nine Broad street. In 1774 he re-
moved to Bofton, and arrived there on the I jth of May, not many days after
the intelligence was received of the a& fhutting up its harbor, and whilft the
inhabitants airembled at a town meeting were yet deliberating on the melan-
choly profpedl before them. Notwithstanding the deep and folemn gloom of
the moment, he was received with the external marks of decent refpeft which
had been ufual and which were fuppofed to belong to his ftation. Soon after
Gage's arrival, two regiments of foot, with a fmall detachment of artillery and
fome cannon, were landed at Bofton, and encamped on the Common; and
they had been gradually reinforced by feveral regiments from Ireland, New
York, Halifax and Quebec. The arrival and ftation of thefe troops excited
the jealoufy of the inhabitants of Bofton and of the circumjacent counties.
Their jealoufy was increafed by the ftationing of a Britifh guard on Bofton
Neck, and perfeverance in repairing and manning the fortifications at the en-
trance of the town. On the first of September, Gage fent two companies
and took poffeflion of the powder in the arfenal at Charleftown. What was
lodged in the magazine in Bofton was alfo withholden from the legal proprie-
tors. Detachments were alfo fent out to take pofleflion of the ftures in Salem
and Concord ; and the battle of Lexington became the fignal of war. In
May 1775, the Provincial Congrefs declared "that Gen. Gage has, by the
late tranfadlions and many other means, utterly difqualified himfelf from ferv-
ing this Colony as a Governor, or in any other capacity, and that therefore no
obedience is in future due to him ; but that, on the contrary, he ought to be
confidered and guarded againft as an unnatural and inveterate enemy to the
country." From this time the exercife of his functions was confined to Bofton.
In June he iffued a proclamation offering pardon to all the rebels excepting
Samuel Adams and John Hancock, and ordered the ufe of the martial law.
But the battle of Bunker Hill a few days afterwards proved to him that he
had miftaken the character of the Americans.
In Odlober he embarked for England, was fucceeded in the command by
Sir William Howe, and died in April 1787.
(17.) MRS. GAGE, the wife of Thomas Gage above mentioned, was the
daughter of Peter Kemble, Prefident of the Council of New Jerfey. She died
in England in 1824, in the 9ift year of her age.
(18.) MAJOR MONCRIEFFE, the father of Mrs. Coghlan, was the uncle of
General Richard Montgomery, and the brother-in-law of Mr. Jay and Gover-
nor Livingfton, and when the American Revolution broke out, it was fuppofed
that he would efpoufe the caufe of the Americans. He adhered to the Crown.
( 154 )
In 1778 he refided at Flatbufli on Long Ifland, and was captured by Wil-
liam Marriner, of Brunfwick, and carried to New Jerfey and delivered up to
General Wafhington. He was afterwards exchanged, and in the war at the
South performed moft valuable fervices to the Royal caufe. In the faving of
Savannah the Britifli forces owed much to his /kill and ability, and we're unan-
imous in their acknowledgments of his fervices, while the French officers
declared that his works and batteries fprung up ever) 1 night like champignons.
General Prevoft, in an official difpatch, thus wrote : " I would mention Cap-
tain Moncrieffe, commanding engineer, but fincerely fenfible that all I can
exprefs will fall greatly ihort of what that gentleman deferves, not only on
this but on all other occasions, I (hall only, in the moft earned manner, re-
queft your Lordihip taking him into your protection and patronage, to recom-
mend him to his Majefty as an officer of long fervice and moft fingular merit,
affuring you, my Lord, from my own politive knowledge, that there is not one
officer or foldier in this little army, capable of reflecting or judging, who will
not regard as perfonal to himfelf any mark of Royal favour gracioufly conferred
through your Lordihip upon Captain Moncrieffe."
Moncrieffe planned the works at Charlefton in the fiege of 1780, and
no language can exprefs more forcibly than that of the Commander-in-
Chief (Sir Henry Clinton) the fenfe which he entertained of his very ex-
traordinary merit. Thefe are his words : " But to Major Moncrieffe the
commanding engineer, who planned, and with the affiftance of fuch capable
officers under him, conducted the liege with fo much judgment, intrepidity
and laborious attention, I wifli to render a tribute of the very higheft applaufe
and moft permanent gratitude ; perfuaded that far more flattering commenda-
tions than I can beftow will not fail to crown fuch rare merit." Major Mon-
crieffe was not more happy in the pofleflion of fuperior talents than fortunate
in occafions to difplay them. The fucceffive fieges of Savannah and Charles-
ton furniflied him with opportunities of exemplifying his {kill in the two prin-
cipal branches of his profeffion the art of defence and that of attack. In
both, his mafterly defigns were crowned with fuccefs ; nor is it eafy to deter-
mine in which of thefe, his great attainments in his profeffion, (hone with
brighteft luftre.
But at the evacuation of Charlefton he feems to have been guilty of an al
( 155 )
which greatly tarnifhed his military reputation. According to Ramfay, up-
wards of eight hundred flaves, who had been employed by Moncrieffe, as engi-
neer, were fhipped off to the Weft Indies, as was faid and believed, by his
direction, and for his perfonal benefit. The unqualified teftimonials which he
received from General Prevoft and Sir Henry Clinton were not without refults,
fince he received a very generous donation from his Royal Mafter, and on the
27th of September, 1780, was commiffioned Lieutenant-Colonel.
Mrs. Coghlan fays that her father died in the city of New York, on the
tenth of December, 1791, but in the "New York Journal and Patriotic
Regifter," No. 2,619, f Wednefday, Dec. II, 1791, we find the following
notice of his death and funeral :
"Thomas Moncrieffe, late Major in the Britifh fervice, died on Friday,
December 6, 1791, fuddenly, by the burfting of a blood veffel, and on Sunday
evening following his remains were interred in Trinity Church Yard, attended
by a great number of refpedtable citizens."
As Mrs. Coghlan was in England at the time of her father's deceafe, it is
moft likely that the account of his death and funeral in the paper above men-
tioned is the moft reliable.
(19.) LORD JEFFEREY AMHERST, fon of Jefferey Amherft of Riverhead, in
Kent, was born January 2.9, 1717 received his enfign's commifiion in 1731.
In 1758, was fent to America as Major-General of the troops deftined for
the fiege of Louisburg. He contributed materially to the reduction of Canada,
received the thanks of the Houfe of Commons, and was made Knight of
Bath, and foon after was appointed Commander-in-Chief in America.
He returned to England after the peace in 1763, where he received the
Governorfhip of Virginia. A mifunderftanding with the King (George III.)
was the caufe of his fudden difmiffal from the Army, but in a few months he
was reinftated.
In 1776, he was created Baron Amherft of Holmefdale in the County of
Kent. In 1787 he received a fecond patent of nobility, with the title of
Baron Amherft of Montreal in Canada.
On the 22d January, 1793, he was again appointed to the command of the
Army, and held it until fucceeded by the Duke of York, Feb. 10, 1795.
10
( '56 )
Lord Amherft died at his feat at Montreal, near Seven Oaks, Kent, on the
3d Aug., 1797, in the Sift year of his age.
(20.) CHARLES JAMES Fox, the third fon of Right Hon. Henry Fox, was
born January 24, 1749.
In 1774, he oppofed Lord North's Bofton Port Bill, the object of which
was to deprive that harbour of its privileges, in confequence of the oppofition
by the inhabitants of Bofton to the tea duty.
This was his firft oppofition to North, but he was afterwards unremitting
in his oppofition, and contended that the American Colonies ought not to be
taxed without being reprefented.
On the 1 9th March, 1782, the Miniftry refigned Fox was appointed Sec-
retary of State for Foreign Affairs, and immediately fet about negotiating for
peace with America.
He died Sept. 1 3th, 1806, in his 58th year. Sir James Mackintosh has
faid of him as an orator, " that he poflefied above all moderns that unifon of
reafon, fimplicity and vehemence which formed the prince of orators. He
was " the moft Demofthenean fpeaker fince the days of Demofthenes." His
fpeeches always difplay in a pre-eminent degree a (enfe of the importance of
principles.
Fox's fpeeches were collected and publiflied in fix volumes, with a (hort
biographical introduction by Lord Erfkine, in 1825.
(ai.) RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN was born in Dublin, in 1751. He was
placed in a fchool in Dublin when feven years old, and was regarded by his
preceptor, Samuel Whyte, "as a moft impenetrable dunce." -Jn 1762 he
was fent to Harrow, where he remained until his 1 8th year, and during the
time which he remained there was confidered a fhrewd, artful and fupercilious
boy, without any ftiining accomplifhments or fuperior learning. Thence he
went to Bath, became acquainted with Mils Linley, a young and beautiful
finger, and to fave her from the perfecutions of a libertine named Mathews,
he fled with her early in 1772 to France, and a marriage at a village in the
neighborhood of Calais was the confequence. The refult was two duels with
Mathews, growing out of the ftudied infults of the latter, in the laft of which
.Sheridan was wounded.
( '57 )
In 1773 he entered the Middle Temple as a ftudent of law, but was not
called to the Bar.
On the 1 7th January, 1775, "The Rivals" was brought out "in Covent
Garden, and though it failed the firft night, fpeedily became the univerfal
favorite it has ever fince remained. It was followed the fame year by the
farce of " St. Patrick's Day," and the comic opera of " The Duenna." In
1776 he became one of the proprietors of Drury Lane. In the following year
he brought out " The School for Scandal," which placed him at the head of
comic dramatifts. In 1799 he wrote a monody on the death of Garrick, and
the farce of "The Critic." In 1780 he was eledted a member of Parlia-
ment from Stafford. For thirty-two years he purfued a fplendid parliamentary
career. One of his greateft efforts was his fpeech as manager, upon the im-
peachment of Warren Haftings. He was thrice in office, for fhort periods,
under the Rockingham Coalition and Whig adminiftrations. His profufe
habits involved him deeply in debt ; the deftrudlion of Drury Lane Theatre
by fire contributed to his ruin ; his failure to obtain a feat in parliament de-
prived him of protection from arreft; his perfon was more than once feized
by the harpies of the law ; and amidft difficulties fears and forrows, this highly-
gifted man funk to the grave on Sunday, the 7th of July, 1816. On the
following Saturday the funeral took place, his remains having been removed
to the houfe of his friend, Peter Moore, in Great George Street, Weftminfter.
From thence, at one o'clock, the proceffion moved on foot to the Abbey,
where, in the only fpot in Poet's Corner that remained unoccupied, the body
was interred, and the following fimple infcription marks its refting place:
RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN,
BORN, 1751,
DIED, 7TH JULY, l8l6.
This Marble is the Tribute of an Attached Friend,
PETER MOORE.
(22.) COLONEL MONCRIEFFE was killed in the fortie which the French
Republicans made when hemmed up in Dunkirk by the Duke of York's
army in 1793. The moft authentic accounts of the time ftate the manner of
his exit to be as follows : The uniform of the Britifti Engineers was fo like
158
that of the French Republican Army in 1793, that the officers to enable their
own men to diftinguilh them wore a white handkerchief tied round their arm.
Colonel Moncrieffe, who had neglecled this precaution, though frequently re-
minded of it, was taken for a French Democrat by the Auftrians, in whofe
hands he was found by Colonel St. Leger and feveral officers of the guards,
wounded and ftript. It is generally believed that his death was occafioned by
this miftake, for it is not certain that he fell by the fire of the enemy.
(13.) THOMAS ERSKINE, afterwards Lord Er/kine, the youngeft fon of David
Earl of Buchan, was born in 1748. He entered the Navy in 1764 as mid-
fliipman, but not thinking his profpe&s of promotion fufficiently good he
accepted a commiffion in the Army.
In 1775 he commenced the ftudy of the law, and in 1778 was called to
the Bar. His practice and reputation increafed fo very rapidly that in 1783
he received a patent of precedence at the fuggeftion of Lord Mansfield who
then prefided in the Court of King's Bench. In the fame year he entered
Parliament. In the Houfe of Commons his fuccess was not great, though
his fpeeches would appear to have been far above mediocrity. In the fame year
alfo he was made Attorney-General, an appointment which, in 1794, he was
called upon to refign in confequence of his refufmg to abandon the defence of
Thomas Paine when he was profecuted for his publication " The Rights of
Man." In 1802 he was made Chancellor of the Duchy of Cornwall, and in
1 806 Lord Chancellor, and raifed to the Peerage by the title of Baron Erfkine
of Riftormel Caftle in Cornwall. He remained in office but a fhort time, and
upon the dillblution of the Miniftry in 1807 retired from public life. In his
later years he was harrafied by pecuniary embarraflments. His firft wife died
in 1805, and an ill-alTorted fecond marriage increafed his domeftic difquietudes
and injured his reputation. His later years were marked by eccentricities
which feemed to indicate mental difeafe. He died November 17, 1823.
neiurn ims maienai 10 me uorary
from which it was borrowed.
SEP06 1i
OCT211988
RPR 15 189
f
MAR 6 1981