UC-NRLF 
 
GIFT OF 
 U.C. Lambda Chapter 
 
 PHI DELTA KAPPA 
 
 EDUCATION Dfefl. 
 
PREMIUM HISTORY. 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 UNITED STATES, 
 
 FROM THEIR 
 
 ITRST SETTLEMENT AS COLONIES, 
 
 TO THE 
 
 CJLOSK OF THE WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN 
 
 IN 1815. 
 
 TO WHICH ARE ADDED 
 
 QUESTIONS, 
 
 ADAPTED TO TH USE OF SCHOOLS. 
 
 ""Civ tus, incredibile meniorutu est, adepta libertate, quantum brevi crevcrit." Sul. 
 
 NEW YORX : 
 COLLINS, KEESE & CO. 
 
 254, Pearl Street. 
 
 1839. 
 
 \\ 
 
U+H 4/4f*4 
 
 Southern District of New- York, ss. 
 
 BE IT REiMEMBERED, That on the >d day of August, in 
 the 50th year of the independence of the United States of America, 
 Charles Wiley, of the said District, hath deposited in this office the 
 title of a book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the 
 words following to wit : 
 
 History of the United States, from their First Settlement as Co 
 lonies, to the close of the War with Great Britain, in 1815. 
 
 " Civitas, incredibile memoratu est, adepta libertate, quantum 
 brevi cre\erit." Sa/htst. 
 
 In ccnforrnity to the Act of the Congress; of the United States, 
 entitled " An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the 
 copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors 
 of such copies, during the times therein mentioned:" and also to 
 an Act, entitled, " An Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled an Act 
 for the encouragement, of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, 
 Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such copies, 
 during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits 
 thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical 
 aud other prints." JAMES DILL, 
 
 Clerk of the Southern District of New-York. 
 
t^MMGfci UbKAKY Or tUUCATK 
 UNiViERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 BERKELEY. 
 
 At a meeting of the American Academy of Language 
 and Belles Lettres, held at the City Hall, in the city of New 
 York, October 20, 1820,- Hon. Brockholst Livingston, 
 First Vice President, in the chair ; Rev. John B. Romeyn, 
 D. D. Clerk, the following preamble and resolution, offeree 
 by W. S. Cardell, Esq., seconded by the Rev. Doctor Wain- 
 wright, were unanimously adopted : 
 
 As the proper education of youth is, in all commtmitiep, 
 closely connected with national prosperity and honor; and 
 as it is particularly important in the United States, that the 
 rising generation should possess a correct knowledge of their 
 own country, and a patriotic attachment to its welfare $ 
 
 RESOLVED, that a premium of not less than four hundred 
 dollars, and a gold medal worth fifty dollars, be given to the 
 author, being an American citizen, who, within two years 
 shall produce the best written history of the United States, 
 and which, with sucti history, shall contain a suitable expo 
 sition of the situation, character, and interests, absolute and 
 relative, of the American republic ; calculated for a class- 
 book in academies and schools. This work is to be exam 
 ined and approved by a committee of the institution, in refer 
 caice to the interest of its matter, the justness of its facts and 
 principles, the purity, perspicuity, and elegance of its style, 
 and its adaptation to its intended purpose. 
 
 By order of the Academy, 
 
 ALEX. McLEOU, fcec g Scc ry. 
 
 The undersigned, being appointed a committee with full 
 powers to examine the several works submitted, and award 
 the medal and premium, in pursuance of the above resolu 
 tion, having perused four books, offered by different authors, 
 according to the conditions required, have selected one as 
 being the best of the four; and after referring it to its author 
 for such minor corrections as might render it more accept- i 
 able to the public, do now finally adjudge said medal nnd 
 premium to be due to the writer of the work recently printed, 
 entitled, 
 
 "A HISTORY of the UNITED STATES, from their First Set 
 tlement as Colonies, to the Close of the War with Great 
 Britain, in 1815. 
 
 Civitas, incredibUe memoratu cat, adepta libertate, quantum brcvi 
 
 WM. P. VAN NFSS,) 
 
 ALKX R McLEOU, > Committee 
 
 JACOB MORTON, ) 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Introduction .... - 7 
 
 History of Virginia .... 15 
 
 Massachusetts - - - 26 
 
 New Hampshire - - - 55 
 
 Connecticut ..... 59 
 Rhode Island - - - . .66 
 
 New York 68 
 
 New Jersey - - - * .-84 
 
 Delaware - - . 67 
 
 Pennsylvania, - - - .89 
 
 Maryland ..... 93 
 
 North Carolina - - - . 9tf 
 
 South Carolina .... UK) 
 
 Georgia ...... 105 
 
 French War of 1756-63 . - . 110 
 
 Revolution - - - - - 126 
 
 Revolution ..... 139 
 
 Expedition against Canada - 159 
 
 Campaign of 1776 .... 169 
 
 Campaign of 1777 .... 179 
 
 Campaign of 1778 .... 189 
 
 Campaign of 1779 .... 194 
 
 Campaign of 1780 - - 198 
 
 Campaign of 1781, and Termination of the War - 20S 
 Adoption of the Constitution, and Washington s Ad 
 ministration - - 218 
 Mr. Adams s, Mr. Jefferson s, and part of Mr. Madi 
 son s Administration Decoration of War - 237 
 Campaign of 1812 - - - . 25ft 
 Campaign of 1813 .... 259 
 
 Campaign of 181.4 Conclusion of the War - 272 
 Appendix ..... 284 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 THE following work was -begun many years since : the 
 appearance, soon after, of several books, on .a plan nearly 
 similar, and the want of sufficient, leisure, induced the 
 Author to relinquish his design. Perceiving, from the 
 .subsequent offer of a premium for the best written work 
 of the kind, that another was wanted, he resumed and 
 completed his undertaking. 
 
 It was his .purpose to present a correct and interesting 
 narrative of all the important events in the history of his 
 country :; to exhibit, in a strong light, the principles of 
 political and religious freedom which our forefathers pro 
 fessed, and for which they fought &nd conquered ; to record 
 the numerous examples of fortitude, courage, and patriot- 
 asm, which have rendered them illustrious; and to produce, 
 <not so much by moral reflections, as by the tenor of the, 
 narrative, virtuous and patriotic impressions upon the 
 mind -of .the reader. It was his aim to render the book 
 worthy to be read, not only in the -academies and schools 
 of his ooimtry, but by that very numerous portion of his 
 fellow citizens, who have seldom the opportunity to pe- 
 aruse more voluminous productions ; and : by those who 
 might wish to review their studies, and fix in their 
 memory the succession <sf events ; and it was also his aim 
 to exhibit & style which should be -correct and pure ; 
 -should foe free from ambitious ornament, and from those 
 faults with which the writers of this country have been 
 too justly charged, lie by no moans s^pjrases that he has 
 accomplished all he aimed at. 
 
 It was thought indispensable that a Ifeistory, intended to 
 foe accessible to all, should contain some account of the 
 states <of the <imion ; in order that many preju 
 1* 
 
6 PREFACE, 
 
 dices, tbe offspring of ignorance, might be removed 1 ,. a v ii$ 
 that the injurious effects, which must flow from an ac 
 quaintance with the history of a single state only, might 
 be avoided. It was the correct remark of an able writer; 
 that the history of colonies generally affords hut two in 
 teresting eras r that of their settlement,, and that of theh 
 independence. To both f these the author has more 
 particularly directed, his attention. 
 
 Let those who imagine that no book can do- good that 
 is not a great book, consider that every American should 
 be acquainted with the history of his country,, and that a. 
 voluminous history would not be read, by one twentieth 
 part of the population; that, on most minds, the same or 
 even stronger impressions would be made by a work well 
 written on trie plan of this, than by a minute* and of 
 c^",rfe often tedious, detail of every event ; that the peru 
 sal of such a work, in early life* must excite rather than, 
 gratify curiosity ; that much r very much good would be 
 done, should 1 a knowledge of the important events be- 
 communicated, and correct impressions- be given, to those 
 who would otherwise remain entirely ignorant ; and that.,, 
 in fact, this book contains more than many an octavo of 
 high price. 
 
 But while it is Important that no American citizen 
 should be ignorant of the principal events in the history of 
 his country, it is the indispensable duty of all, who- can 
 enjoy the opportunity,, to read and to study the larger and 
 more particular his f cries which have been published. 
 
 There is little danger that this small and favored class* 
 will neglect this duty The danger is greater, that much 
 tfre most numerous portion of the population that, portion- 
 in whose hand s are the destinies of the republic would 
 read nothing oa the subject should expensive works 
 be published: 
 
HISTORY 
 
 UNITED STATES, 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 THE continent of America was probably unknown to tho 
 ancients. If once known, as some have supposed, to the 
 Carthaginians, the Scandinavians, and the iWelch, all know, 
 ledge of it was afterwards lost. Tho discovery of this ex* 
 tensive region, constituting nearly one half of the habitablo 
 globe, was the accidental result of the attempts, made in the 
 fifteenth century, to find a passage, by sea, from the ports of 
 Europe to the East Indies, whose precious commodities 
 were then transported, over land, by a long, dangerous, and 
 expensive route. 
 
 2. This passage was universally sought by s.iiling south, 
 along the western coasts of Europe and Africa, in the hope 
 of finding the termination of the continent, when the Indies, 
 it was supposed, might be attained, by taking at first an 
 easterly and then a northerly course. The discovery of the 
 Capo of Good Mope, in 1487, encouraged expectation, and 
 gave increased activity to the spirit of adventure. 
 
 3. Among tho navigators of that age, Christopher Co 
 lumbus, a native of the republic of Genoa, was distinguished 
 for experience and skill in his profession, for extensive 
 knowledge, and for a bold and original genius. The shape 
 of the earth, then known to be round, and the fact that 
 pieces of carved wood, a canoe, and two human bodies, of a 
 complexion different from that of Europeans, had been driven, 
 by long westerly winds, upon the shores of islands contiguous 
 to Europe, suggested to his observing mind the project of 
 seeking the East Indies by sailing directly west. 
 
8 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 4. Unable to defray the expenses of an expedition, ho 
 Bought first the assistance of his native city. His country 
 men, accustomed only to cruising, in frail vessels, along the 
 shores of the continent, treated the project as chimerical, 
 and declined furnishing aid. A pressing application to the 
 king of Portugal, in whose dominions he had resided, met 
 likewise with ridicule and rejection. Persevering in his pur 
 pose, he then sent his brother, Bartholomew, to England, to 
 apply to Henry VII., and went himself to Spain, which was 
 then governed by Ferdinand and Isabella, from whom he 
 solicited assistance. 
 
 5. J^or a long time he solicited in vain. At length the 
 qaeru.. persuaded by his representations, became his friend 
 and patron. -By ii -.1 directions, three small vessels were 
 fitted out, and hs wns authorized to sail with these upon his 
 propped voyag-b of discovery. On the third of August, 
 i43^. ha dopv .rted froiu P-ilor, in Spain, directing his course 
 towards the Canary Islands. 
 
 6. He stopped there to refit, and, on the sixth of Sep^ 
 tember, boldly adventured into seas which no vessel had yet 
 entered, with no chart to direct him, no guide but his com- 
 pass, and without any knowledge of the tides or currents 
 which might interrupt his course. lie moved rapidly before 
 the trade wind, which blows invariably from the east to 
 the west between the tropics, judiciously concealing from 
 his ignorant and timid crews the progress lie made, lest they 
 might be alarmed at the speed with which they receded 
 from home. 
 
 7. About the fourteenth of September, he was distant 
 nearly six hundred miles from the most westerly of the Ca 
 naries ; and hero the magnetic needle was observed to vary 
 from its direction to the polar star, and incline towards tho 
 west; an appearance which, although now familiar, had 
 never before been observed. 
 
 S. Columbus and his companions were alarmed. They 
 were far from land, and far from the tracks of other navigat 
 ors. All before and around them w r as unknown, and their 
 only guide seemed to be no longer entitled to their confi 
 dence. But although alarmed, Columbus lost not his pre 
 sence of mind. He assigned a reason for the variation, 
 which, without satisfying himself, silenced the murmurs of 
 his companions, 
 
 9. But the interval of quiet and subordination was short. 
 Disaffection soon reappeared among the ignorant and waver 
 ing, and, gradually spreading, at length pervaded the whole 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 squadron. TliQ men blamed their sovereign for listening ta 
 the schemes of a dreaming adventurer. The indications of 
 land had all proved fallacious. They would be amused and 
 deceived no longer. They agreed that Columbus should 
 be forced to relinquish an undertaking which seemed to 
 promise nothing hut destruction ; and some of tho more jjr- 
 daring talked of throwing him into the sea, as a visionary 
 projector, whose death would cause no regret, and produce 
 no inquiry. 
 
 10. Amidst these difficulties, v-^Columbus displayed tho.-ee 
 traits of character which proved the greatness of his min.l, 
 a.nd his peculiar fitness for the arduous duties of his statioii. 
 Ho appeared! with a steady and cheerful countenance, as if 
 satisfied wit) i what ho had done* Sometimes he sootiied lu 
 companions by holding oat to them a prospect of riches and 
 of fame, and by offering a gratuity to him who should first 
 discover land. Sometimes he assumed a tone of authority, 
 threatening them with the vengeance of their sovereign, an-.i 
 everlasting infamy, should they compel him to abandon ths 
 undertaking. 
 
 11. These encouragements and threats prevented open an-1 
 forcible resistance to his authority. Meanwhile the sqaa.dro.i 
 proceeded onward; the indications of land had become fre 
 quent, and convinced him that it could not 1)?. f.ir distant. 
 Bat his crow were unconvinced, and their discontent in 
 creased. Assembling tunmltuouly on deck, they demanded 
 to be conducted back to Spain. As a last expedient, he pro 
 posed that they should continue on their course three days 
 longer, and if, in that time, land should not be discovered, 
 ho would then comply with their demand. 
 
 12. They consented. Before the time expired, Columbur, 
 on the 11th of October, at midnight, saw a. light glimmer 
 ing ai a distance. "A light! a light!" \vrai; the joyful ej- 
 cl inflation, which instantly resounded through the squadron, 
 On the approach of morning, all hands stood gazing v. \tentl / 
 in the direction where land, it was expected, would be dis 
 covered. ^ 
 
 13. Soon, on board tho Pinta, the most forward vessel, 
 was heard tho cry of "Land! land!" which was repeated, 
 with almost frantic delight, by the crews of the other ves 
 sols. Passing from one extreme to. the other, tiiey, who i 
 few days before had reviled and insulted their commander, 
 now regarded him as one whom the Deity had endowed 
 with knowledge and penetration above the common lot of 
 mortals. 
 
Ifc INTRODUCTION, 
 
 14. At sunrise, Columbus, in a rich and splendid dressy 
 landed, and, with a drawn sword in his hand r and displaying 
 the royal standard, took possession of the island for the 
 crown of Spain, aB his followers kneeling on the shore and 
 kissing the ground with tears of joy. The natives, who had 
 assembled in great numbers on the first appearance of the 
 ehipe, stood around the Spaniards, gazing in speechless as- 
 tonishment, 
 
 15. " The Europeans were hardly less amazed at the scene 
 before them. Every herb, and shrub, and tree, was different 
 
 from those which flourished in Europe. The inhabitants 
 appeared in the simple innocence of nature r entirely naked. 
 Their black hair, long and uncurled, floated upon their 
 tshoulders or was bound in tresses around their heads. 
 Though not tail, they were well shaped and active. They 
 were shy at first, through fear, but soon became familiar 
 with the Spaniards ; from whom, with transports of joy, they 
 received various trinkets, for whjch, in return, they gave 
 such provisions as they had, and some cotton yam, the only 
 commodity of value they could produce." 
 
 16 To this island Columbus gave the name of San Sal 
 vador. The natives called it Guanahani, and by that name 
 it is now known. It is one of the Bahama isles, and is above 
 three thousand miles from Gomera, the most western of the 
 Canaries. From the poverty and ignorance of the inhabit 
 ants, Columbus was convinced that he had riot yet arrived at 
 the rich country which was the object of his search. Leav 
 ing Guanahani, he discovered and visited several other 
 Islands, and at length arrived at one called Hayti, and by 
 him Hispaniola, Here he remained a fow weeks, and then 
 returned to Spain. 
 
 17. The news of his wonderful discovery filled the king 
 dom with astonishment and joy. His reception at court 
 was accompanied by flattering and splendid ceremonies 
 ordained for the occasion ; and he was honored by many 
 proofs of royal favor. He made three subsequent voyages, 
 and, in 1498, discovered the continent of America, at the 
 mouth of the Oronoco, a river of the third or fourth magni 
 tude in the New World, but far surpassing tho largest in 
 the Old. 
 
 18. The honor, however, of first discovering the conti 
 nent, must, without diminishing the merit of Columbus, be 
 given to John Cabot and his son Sebastian. They were 
 \ 7 enetians by birth, but, soon after the result of the first 
 voyage of Columbus was known, were sent, by the king of 
 
INTRODUCTION, 11 
 
 England, on an expedition of discovery, in the same direc 
 tion. In June, 1497, they arrived at the island of New. 
 ibundland, in North America, and, proceeding westward, 
 soon after reached tke continent. It being their object alsp 
 to find a direct passage to the East Indies, they first sailed 
 northwardly in search of it, as far as the 57th degree of lati 
 tude ; then, returning, cruised along the coast, to East Flo 
 rida; and thence sailed to England without having ma.de 
 any settlement.. Up<?n the discoveries made in this voyage? 
 the English founded their claim to the eastern portion of 
 North America. 
 
 19. In 1499, Alonza de Ojeda, a companion of Columbus 
 fin his first expedition, sailing under the patronage of several 
 Portuguese merchants, discovered the continent at Paria, in 
 the 5lh degree of north latitude. Americus Vespucius, a 
 Florentine gentleman who accompanied him, published, on 
 his return, an account of the voyage and a description of the 
 country which they had visited ; and from him it derives the 
 name it bears. 
 
 20. In 1504, several adventurous navigators, from different 
 .parts of France, came, in small vessels, to fish on the banks 
 of Newfoundland. In 1524, John Verrazzano, a Floren- 
 line, in the employment of the king of France, sailed alonnr 
 the coast of America, from Florida to the 56th degree ot 
 north latitude. He is supposed to have entered the harbor 
 of New York. He made, the next year, another voyage, 
 from which he never returned, nor is it known by what 
 disaster he perished. 
 
 21. During the next forty years, frequent voyages were 
 made to the coast of North America. Of some, the object 
 was fishing ; fathers, trade with the natives. In 1540. the 
 French made an attempt to plant a .colony in Canada, which 
 was unsuccessful. 
 
 22. The religious wars which aflicted France in the six 
 teenth century, induced that illustrious statesman, Jasper 
 Cotigm, the head of the Protestant sect, to project, in 1502, v- 
 a settlement in America, to which feis brethren might retire 
 from the persecution of the Catholics. Fitting out two ships, 
 he sent them thither under the command of John Ribaut, 
 who landed at a place supposed to be within the limits of 
 South Carolina, built a fort, left a part .of his men, and 
 returned to France. 
 
 23. The men who were left, soon after mutinied, killed 
 their commander, built and equipped a vessel, and put to 
 tsea, Having been .out several -weeks, and consumed, all 
 
12 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 their provisions, one of their number, who consented to !>e 
 made a victim to save his comrades, was killed and. eaten. 
 A fsw days afterwards, they were taken up by an English 
 vessel and carried to England. This was the first attempt 
 lo plant a colony within the limits of the United States ; and 
 it is worthy of remark, that to secure an asylum from reli 
 gious persecution was the object in view. Coligni after- 
 wards sent a party to Florida, who WCKJ treacherously 
 massacred by the Spaniirds. 
 
 24. In 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, having received 
 from queen Elizabeth a grant of such " remote, heathen 
 and barbarous lands" as he might discover and occupy,, 
 fitted out a squadron of five ships, and sailed for America. 
 On arriving before St. John, in Newfoundland, he found 
 thirty-six vessels fishing in the harbor. He landed, and 
 took possession of the country in the name of his sovereign. 
 On his return to England, he suifrred shipwreck and 
 perished. 
 
 25. The next year, Sir Walter Raleigh, distinguished 
 M the history of England as a gallant knight and as the 
 favorite of the queen, obtained a renewal of the patent 
 granted to Sir Humphrey, who was his half brother, and 
 despatched to America two ships- commanded by captains 
 Amidas and Barlow. They first landed on an island in 
 the inlet to Pamplico sound, then proceeded to the isle of 
 lloanoke at the mouth of Albemarle sound, in North Caro- 
 
 liria, and at bcth places were treated with great respect by 
 the natives. 
 
 26. Having freighted their ship? with furs, sassafras, and 
 cedar, they returned to- England, where th^y published mar 
 vellous accounts of the beauty of the country, the fertility 
 of the soil, the mildness of the etimate, and the innocence 
 of the natives. The queen was so charmed with the de 
 scription, that, as a memorial that the country had been 
 discovered during the reign of a virgin queen, she called it 
 Virginia. 
 
 27. The next year Raleigh sent from Kngfond seven- 
 vessels, commanded by Sir Riichard Grenville, and carrying 
 upwards of one hundred persons, destined to begin a set 
 tlement. They were left under Ralph Lane, on Roanoke 
 island. Tho success- of the Spaniards in finding gold in 
 South America, led these adventurers to employ their timer 
 in a fruitless search for it here. In 1586, they were vi- 
 elted by Sir Francis Drake, who, at their request, conveved 
 them back to England* Lane canrjnng h-wae- a f 
 
INTRODUCTION. 13 
 
 of tobacco, the Indian custom of smoking it was adopted 
 by Raleigh, a man of gayety and fashion, and introduced 
 *it court. 
 
 28. Soon after Drake departed, Grenville again arrived 
 tvith provisions for the settlement. Finding it abandoned, 
 he left fifteen men to keep possession of the country. In 
 1587, three other ships were sent to the same pla.ce, but tho 
 men who had been left could not be found, having prob;ibiy 
 b^en murdered by tho savages. After remaining a few 
 weeks on the coast, the ships returned to England, leaving 
 one hundred and seventeen men on the island. War then 
 existing between England and Spain, two years elapsed 
 before the coast was again visited. In that period the vvholo 
 number perished ; but in what manner has never been as- 
 cortained. Thus ended the exertions of Raleigh to plant a 
 colony in America. 
 
 29. These successive misfortunes withdrew, for several 
 years, the attention of the English from these distant re 
 gions. In 1G02, Bartholomew Gosnold made a voyage to 
 America. Instead of taking the circuitous, but usual route, 
 by the West India islands, he steered directly west from 
 England, shortening the voyage at least one third, and ar 
 rived, in May, on the coast of Massachusetts, lie discov 
 ered a hviiidland, and taking a great quantity of codfish near 
 it, called it Cape Cod. Proceeding southwardly, he passed 
 Gay Head, entered Buzzard s bay : and upon an island within 
 it erected a small fort, the ruins of which were visible so lat<3 
 as 1797. After trading awhile wi Ji the Indians, he returned 
 hoins. 
 
 30. The report made by Gosnold revived the spirit of ad- 
 venture. In 1603 and 1605, two voyages were made in the 
 sirno direction, and Peno oscot bay, Massachusetts bay, and 
 the rivers between them, wero discovered. The accounts 
 given by the last navigators confirmed the report of Goanold, 
 and led to a more extensive scheme of colonization than had 
 yet been attempted. 
 
 31. Of this scheme Mr. Richard Hakluyt was the most 
 active promoter. By his persuasion, an association of gen. 
 tlenum, in different parts of the kingdom, was formed for the 
 purpose of sending colonies to America. Upon their appli 
 cation to king James, he, by letters patent, dated in 1GOG, 
 divided the country of Virginia, then considered as extending 
 from the southern boundary of North Carolina to the north 
 ern boundary of Maine, into two districts, and constituted 
 tWJ companies for planting colonies within them. 
 
 2 
 
14 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 32. The southern district lie granted to Sir Thomas Gates 
 and his associates, chiefly resident in London, and therefore 
 styled the London Company ,\ The northern district he 
 granted to Thomas Hanhain and his associates, who were 
 styled the Plymouth Company^ The two districts were styled 
 South and North Virginia. The members of these compa 
 nies were principally merchants ; their objects were the ex . 
 tension of commerce and the discovery of mines of the pre 
 cious metals, which were supposed to abound in North as 
 well as in South America. 
 
 33. For the supreme government of the colonies, a grand 
 council was instituted, the members of which were to reside 
 in England, and to be appointed by the king. The subordi 
 nate jurisdiction was committed to a council in each colony, 
 the members of which were to be appointed by the grand 
 council in England, and to be governed by its instructions. 
 To the emigrants and their descendants were secured the 
 enjoyment of all the rights of denizens or citizens, in the 
 same manner and to the same extent as if they had remained 
 or been born in England. 
 
 34. Before the date, however, of these letters patent, the 
 king of France granted to the Sieur De Monts all the terri 
 tory from the 40th to the 46th degree of north latitude, or 
 from New Jersey to Nova Scotia, then called Acadia. By 
 virtue of this grant a settlement was made in 1604, on the 
 south-eastern side of the bay of Fundy, and called Port 
 Royal. In 1608, Samuel Champlain, the agent of De Montp, 
 laid the foundation of Quebec, the capital of Canada. From 
 these possessions of the French, the colonies of New Eng 
 land and New York wero, for more than a century, fre 
 quently and cruelly annoyed. 
 
^ CHAPTER I. 
 
 HISTORY OF VIRGINIA. 
 
 THE London Company, soon after its incorporation in 
 1606, despatched to America three ships, -having on board 
 one hundred and five persons, destined to begin a settlement 
 in South Virginia. Christopher Newport; commanded the 
 squadron. lie was accompanied by captain Gosnold and 
 other distinguished individuals ; some allured by curiosity, 
 and some by the prospect of gain, to visit a country said to 
 be inhabited by a new race of beings, and to abound in silver 
 and gold. 
 
 2. A sealed box was delivered to Newport, with directions 
 that it should not be opened until twenty-four hours after the 
 emigrants had landed in America. During the voyage, vio 
 lent dissensions arose among the principal personages on 
 board the squadron. Of most of them, John Smith, one of 
 the adventurers, incurred the distrust and hatred. His su 
 perior talents, and the fame he had acquired by his exploits 
 in war, excited their envy, and probably caused him to claim 
 foi himself greater deference than they were willing or bound 
 to yield. 
 
 3. In his youth, he had been a merchant s apprentice. At 
 the age of fifteen, he quitted his master, and travelled in 
 France, the Netherlands, Egypt, and Germany. Having 
 joined the army of the emperor of Austria, who was then at 
 war with the Turks, he received, as a reward for a successful 
 stratagem, the command of a troop of horse. 
 
 4. In three personal cornb;;.ts with Turkish champions, 
 lie came off victorious, at each time killing his adversary. 
 In a battle which subsequently took place, he was wounded 
 and taken prisoner. After his recovery, he was sent as a 
 slave to Constantinople. He had fallen into the hands of 
 a cruel master ; but his mistress, captivated by his fine ap 
 pearance and heroic character, and commisserating his fate, 
 sent him, in the absence of her husband, to her brother, 
 who dwelt near the sea of Asoph. He, disregarding her 
 dirp"*ions, assigned to Smith degrading and laborious tasks, 
 and beat him without mercy whenever he failed to perform 
 them. 
 
 5. Seizing a favorable opportunity, he killed his new 
 master, and fled into Russia. After visiting Germany, 
 France, Spain, and Morocco, he returned to England, be- 
 
16 VIRGINIA. 
 
 came acquainted with Gosnold, and was easily persuaded to 
 embark in an expedition to a country he had not yet visited, 
 in search of new scenes and new adventures. While 
 yet at sea, he was accused of an intention to murder the 
 council, usurp the government, and make himself king of 
 Virginia ; and upon this absurd accusation was put in con- 
 finement. 
 
 6. The place of their destination was the disastrous posi 
 tion of the Roanoke. A storm fortunately drove them to the 
 mouth of Chesapeake bay, which they entered on the 2b th 
 of April, 1607. Discovering a large and beautiful river, 
 they gave it the name of James river, ascended it, and on its 
 banks had several interviews with the natives. 
 
 7. In one of these, a chief came forward, holding in ono 
 hand his bow and arrows, in the other a pipe of tobacco, and 
 demanded the cause of their coming. They made signs of 
 peace, and were received as friends. Paspiha, another chief, 
 when informed of their wish to settle in the country, offered 
 them as much land as they wanted, and sent them a deer 
 for their entertainment. 
 
 8. On the 13th of May, they debarked at a place which 
 they called Jamestown. On opening the sealed box, it was 
 found to contain the names of the council and instructions 
 for their guidance. In the list were the names of Gosnold, 
 Smith, VVingfield, and Newport. Wingneld was elected 
 president, and a vote was passed . bxcluding Smith from his 
 seat at the board. He was, however, released from con. 
 finement. 
 
 9. The whole country was then a wilderness, in which 
 a few Indians roamed in pursuit of their enemies, or of 
 wild beasts for food. In color they wore darker than the 
 European, but not so black as the negro. They possessed 
 all the vices and virtues of the savage state ; were cun, 
 ning in stratagem, ferocious in battle, cruel to their con 
 quered enemies, kind arid hospitable to their friends. They 
 had no written language ; they were unacquainted with 
 the use of iron and the other metals ; their weapons of 
 war were a bow and arrows, a stone hatchet, which they 
 called a tomahawk, and a club. They lived principally by 
 hunting, but sometimes cultivated small patches of InJiau 
 corn. 
 
 10. From such neighbors the emigrants could expect 
 but little aid or comfort. Yet they took no care to provide 
 for their future subsistence or preservation. They plant- 
 ed nothing the first year. The provisions brought from 
 
VIRGINIA. , 17 
 
 England were soon consumed. In four months, famine and 
 the diseases of a hot and damp climate swept away fifty of 
 their number. 
 
 11. These dreadful distresses led them to reflect upon 
 their situation and conduct. Having become sensible of 
 their injustice to Smith, the} 7 , at his request, had granted 
 him a tried, which resulted in an honorable acquittal. His 
 personal talents and activity now enforced, in adversity, the 
 same regard and deference, which in prosperous times, are 
 yielded oiily to vested authority and official station. 
 .-. 12. By his advice, a fort was erected, to protect them 
 from the attacks of the Indians. To procure provisions and 
 explore the country, he made frequent and distant excur 
 sions into the wilderness. In one of these, he seized an In 
 dian id!, made with skins stuffed with moss, for the redemp. 
 tion of which as much corn was brought him as he required. 
 Sometimes he procured supplies by caresses, sometimes by 
 purchase, and when these means failed of success, he scru 
 pled not to resort to stratagem and violence. 
 
 13. But in the midst of his activity and usefulness, he 
 was, vvhils exploring the source of the river Chickahominy, 
 surprised and attacked by a party of Indians. He defended 
 himself bravely until his companions were killed, when he 
 turned to flee. Running at hazard, he sunk to his neck in a 
 swamp, and was taken prisoner. 
 
 14. The exulting savages conducted him in triumph, 
 through several towns, to tlieir king, Powhatan. At the 
 end of six weeks, their chiefs assembled to deliberate on 
 his fate. They decided that he should die. He was led 
 forth to execution ; his head was placed upon a stone, and 
 an Indian stood near with a club, the instrument of death. 
 At this instant, Pocahontas, the young and favorite daugh 
 ter of the king, appeared, and rushing between the execu 
 tioner and the prisoner, folded his hea d in her arms, arid 
 entreated her father to spare his life. Powhatan relented, 
 directed Smith to be conducted to his wigwam or hut, and 
 soon afterwards sent him, escorted by twelve guides, to 
 Jamestown. 
 
 15. On his arrival there, he found the number of settlers 
 reduced to\ thirty-eight. and most of these had determined to 
 abandon the country. By persuasions and threats, he in 
 duced a majority to relinquish their design. The remainder, 
 raor r i resolute, went on board a small vessel in the river. 
 Against these he instantly directed the guns of the fort, 
 
 2* y 
 
18 VIRGINIA. 
 
 when, to avoid the clanger of being sunk, they hastened 
 back to their companions. 
 
 16. Sustaining now a high reputation among the Indians, 
 he obtained from them occasional supplies of provisions, 
 which preserved the colony from famine. The princess 
 Pocahontas, also, remembering him whose life she had 
 saved, frequently sent him such articles as were most 
 needed. The settlers were thus enabled to subsist until 
 captain Newport, who had returned to England, again ar 
 rived at Jamestown, with a quantity of provisions, and one 
 hundred and twenty persons, who carno to reside in tho 
 colony. I 
 
 17. &\ danger being m appearance over, the emigrants 
 no longer submitted to the authority, nor listened to tho 
 advice of Smith. Disorder and confusion followed ; and 
 about this time, that raging passion for gold, which first im 
 pelled Europeans to resort to this country, was again ex 
 cited. In a stream north of Jamestown, a glittering earth 
 was discovered, which was supposed to be gold dust. " Im 
 mediately," says Stith, in his history, "there was no thought, 
 no discourse, no hope, and no work, but to dig gold, wash 
 gold, refine gold, and load gold." And notwithstanding tho 
 remonstrances of Smith, a ship was freighted with this 
 worthless commodity and sent to England. 
 
 18. Finding he could not be useful in Jamestown, and 
 unwilling to be idle, Smith set out upon an expedition to 
 explore the coasts of the Chesapeake./ With great labor and 
 fatigue, he examined every inlet, river, and bay, as far as the 
 mouth of the Rappahannock ; whence, his provisions being 
 exhausted, he returned home. 
 
 19. He found the people turbulent and discontented. 
 They charged the president with squandering the public 
 property, arid imposing upon them unnecessary fatigue, by 
 compelling them to build for himself a house of pleasure in 
 the woods. He was deposed ; Smith was chosen to succeed 
 him ; he refused to accept the office, but no other person 
 was appointed. 
 
 20. Having procured a supply of provisions, he again de 
 parted to complete the survey of the Chesapeake. He visited 
 all the countries on both shores; he traded with some 
 tribes; he fought with others; and left, among all, the 
 highest admiration of the beneficence or valor of the English. 
 Returning after an absence of six weeks, lie was agiin 
 chosen president. Yielding to the general wish, he con. 
 
VIRGINIA. 19 
 
 Rented to accept the office. Under his administration, nabitft 
 of industry and subordination were formed, and peace and 
 plenty smiled upon the colony. 
 
 21. In 1609, the London Company, having obtained a 
 new charter, conferring greater powers and privileges than 
 the former, despatched to Virginia nine ships, carrying five 
 hundred emigrants, and certain officers appointed to super, 
 eede the existing government. The ship, in which these 
 officers embarked, was driven ashore on the island of Ber 
 mudas. T ho settlers, who carne in the others, were licen 
 tious, profligate, and disorderly. Assuming the power of dis 
 posing of the government, they conferred it sometimes on 
 one, and sometimes on another. 
 
 22. In this confusion, Smith hesitated but a short time 
 in deciding what course to pursue. He determined that his 
 authority was not suspended until the arrival of the persons 
 appointed to supersede him, and resumed, with a strong 
 hand, the reins of government. He boldly imprisoned the 
 fenders of the sedition, and restored for a time regularity and 
 obedience. 
 
 23. The Indians, jealous of the increasing power of the 
 strangers who had invaded their country, concerted a plot 
 to destroy them. Pocahont.as, the constant friend of Vir 
 ginia, hastened, in a dark and dreary night, to Jamestown, 
 and informed Smith of his danger. Measures of precau 
 tion were instantly taken. The Indians, perceiving that 
 their design was discovered, again brought presents of peace 
 to the English. 
 
 24. Soon after, Smith, having received by accident a se 
 vere wound, returned to England to procure the aid of a 
 surgeon. * Disastrous consequences followed. The In 
 dians, learning that the rnan whom they dreaded most had 
 left the colony, attacked it with united forces. A dread 
 ful famine ensued. To such extremity were the settlers 
 reduced, that they devoured the skins of the horses, the 
 bodies of the Indians whom they had killed, and at List 
 those of their own companions, who had sunk under accu 
 mulated miseries. Th\:se tremendous sufferings were ro 
 collected long afterwards with horror, and the period was 
 remembered and distinguished by the name of the " STARV 
 ING TIME." 
 
 25. In six months, the colony, from five hundred per- 
 fions, was reduced to sixty ; and thcss were exceedingly 
 dejected. In this situation, they were visited by those who 
 were shipwrecked at Bermudas. All immediately deter- 
 
20 VIRGINIA. 
 
 mined to return to England. For this purpose, the rein-, 
 nant of the colony emb, ; rkod on board the ships just arrived, 
 and saibd down tho river. Fortunately they wore met by 
 lord Delaware, who had been appointed governor of Virginia, 
 and who, having brought with him a supply of provisions, 
 persuaded them 1,0 return to Jamestown. 
 
 26. This nobleman, by tho mildness of his temper and 
 his assiduity in business, restored order and contentment ; 
 and the Indians were again taught to respect and fear the 
 English. After a shout administration, he was succeeded 
 by sir Thomas Dale, by whom, on the recurrence of dis 
 orderly conduct, martial law was proclaimed and rigidly 
 enforced. lu the same year, [16il,] sir Thomas Gates was 
 appointed governor. He brought with him to Virginia a 
 reinforcement of settlers, by whom new towns were founded. 
 And another charter was granted by the king, conferring 
 additional privileges. 
 
 27. In 1612, c.iptam Argal, having learned, while on a 
 trading voyage to the Potomac, that Focahontas was in 
 the neighborhood, visited and persuaded her to go on board 
 his vessel. \ He treated her respectfully, but detained and 
 carried her to Jamestown. Re presumed that the posses 
 sion of Pocahontas would give the English an ascendency 
 over Powhatan, who was known to feel a strong attach, 
 merit to his daughter. In this, however, he was disap. 
 pointed. Powhatan, noble by nature, felt indignant at this 
 instance of treachery in the English. He offered a, ransom 
 for his daughter, but refused to consent to any terms of 
 peace until she was re stored. 
 
 28. During her stay at Jamestown, (her beauty, her art 
 less simplicity, and those graces of manner which ever ac 
 company dignity of mind and innocence of heart, won the 
 affections of Mr. Rolfe, a young and respectable planter. 
 He succeeded in producing a reciprocal attachment. They 
 were married with the consent of Powhatan. The conse 
 quence of this marriage was peace with her father, and with 
 all the tribes who stood in awe of his power. 
 
 29. Rolfe and his princess made a voyage to England, 
 where she was received by the king and queen witn the 
 attention due to her rank. For her virtues, and her disin 
 terested services, she was universally beloved and respected. 
 She died when about to return to America, leaving one son, 
 from whom are descended some of the most respectable fami 
 lies in Virginia. 
 
 30. In 1613, ciptain Argal was sent with a naval force, 
 
VIRGINIA. 2 
 
 to drive the French from the settlements they had begun in 
 Acadia, which were considered to be within the limits of 
 North Virginia. He accomplished the object of the expedi 
 tion, and, when returning, visited a Ducch trading- establish 
 ment on Hudson s river, which was also within the same 
 limits. The governor, too feeble to resist, acknowledged 
 himself subject to the king of England. 
 
 31. The king, in his instructions given at the time of the 
 first emigration to Jamestown, directed ; that all the land 
 should be owned in common, and that the produce of the 
 labor of all should be deposited -in the public stores. In 
 such circumstances, no one would labor with the same stea 
 diness and animation as if he, and he alone, was to possess 
 and enjoy the fruits of his industry. A different regulation 
 was now adopted. To each inhabitant, throe acres of land 
 were assigned in full property, and he was permitted to 
 employ, in the cultivation of it, a certain portion of his 
 time. The effects of thi alteration were immediately visi 
 ble, and demonstrated so clearly its wisdom, that soon after 
 another assignment of fifty acres was made ; and the plan 
 of working in a common field, to fill the public stares, was 
 entirely abandoned. 
 
 32. Since the year 1611, the colony had been governed 
 by martial law, which was administered by deputy-gov 
 ernor A rgal, with so much rigor as to excite universal dis 
 content. The council in England, listening to the com 
 plaints of the Virginians, appointed Mr. ofotrdly governor, 
 and instructed him to inquire into arid redress their wrongs. 
 
 * He arrived in April, 1619, and immediately, to the great 
 joy of the inhabitants, called a general assembly of the 
 colony. It met at Jamestown, on the 19th of June, and 
 was composed of delegates from the boroughs, then 
 amounting to seven. They, the governor, and the council, 
 sat and deliberated in the same apartment, and acted as one 
 body. 
 
 -33. Emigrants continued to arrive frequently from Eng 
 land ; but nearly all were men, who came for the purpose of 
 obtaining wealth, and intended eventually to return. With 
 such views, they were evidently less useful to the colony 
 than if they should be induced to regard it as their home, 
 and as the abode of their posterity. To produce this desi 
 rable attachment to the country, ninety girls, young and un- 
 corru-pt, were sent over in the year 1620, and sixty more in 
 the subsequent year, and immediately sold to the young 
 planters as -wives. The price was, at first, one hundred, and 
 
22 VIRGINIA. 
 
 afterwards, one hundred and fifty pounds of tobacco, then, 
 selling at three shillings the pound ; and it was ordained, 
 that debts, contracted for wives, should be paid in preference 
 to all others. 
 
 34. About the same time, another measure, of a differ 
 ent character, was adopted. The company were ordered 
 
 . by the king to transport to Virginia one hundred idle and 
 dissolute persons, then in custody for their offences. 
 They were distributed through the colony, and employed as 
 laborers. 
 
 35. A Dutch vessel also brought into James river twenty 
 Africans, who were immediately purchased as slaves. This 
 was the commencement, in the English American colonies, 
 of a traffic abhorrent to humanity, disgraceful to civilization, 
 and fixing the foulest stain upon the character of the age and 
 people. 
 
 36. The colony was now in the full tide of prosperity. Its 
 numbers had greatly increased, and its settlements were 
 widely extended. At peace with the Indians, it reposed in 
 perfect security, and enjoyed without alloy all the happiness 
 which its fortunate situation and favorable prospects afforded. 
 It was doomed to experience a reverse of fortune, sudden, 
 distressing, and terrible. 
 
 37. Powhatan, the friend of the English was dead. Ope- 
 cancanough, a chief endowed with all those qualities which 
 give rank and reputation to an Indian warrior, had suc 
 ceeded him in his influence and power ; but he was the 
 secret and implacable enemy of the whites. By his art and 
 eloquence, he united all the neighboring tribes in the horri 
 ble design of destroying every man, woman, and child, in 
 the English settlements. 
 
 38. The plan was concerted and matured, with all the 
 becresy and dissimulation which characterize the savages. 
 While intent on their plot, they visited the settlements, 
 lodged in the houses, bought arms of the English, and even 
 borrowed their boats to enable them to accomplish their bar 
 barous purpose. 
 
 39. On the evening before the fatal day, they brought 
 them presents of game ; and the nex,t morning came freely 
 among them, behaving as usual. Suddenly, precisely at 
 mid-day, the blow fell, at the same instant, upon the unsus 
 pecting settlers ; and three hundred and forty-seven men, 
 women, and children, were victims to savage treachery and 
 cruelty. The massacre would have been more extensive had 
 not a domesticated Indian, residing in one of the villages, 
 
VIRGINIA. 23 
 
 revealed the plot to his master, whom he had been solicited 
 to murder. Information was instantly given to some of the 
 nearest settlements, and just in time to save them from the 
 calamity which fell upon the others. 
 
 40. The horrid spectacle before them roused the English 
 from repose to vengeance. A vindictive and exterminating 
 war succeeded. The whites were victorious, destroying * 
 many of their enemies, and obliging the remainder to retire 
 far into the wilderness. But their own number melted away 
 before the miseries of war ; their settlements were reduced 
 from eighty to eio-ht, and famine again visited them with its 
 afflicting scourge / In 1624, out of nine thousand persons, 
 who had been sent from England, but eighteen hundred ex 
 isted in the colony. 
 
 41. These continual misfortunes attracted the attention of 
 king James. He revoked the charter which he had granted, 
 and committed the management of ail the affairs of the 
 colony to a governor and twelve counsellors, who were to 
 be appointed by the king, and to be guided by his instruc 
 tions. Of these instructions, those concerning tobacco, the 
 principal article exported from the colony, may be taken as 
 a sample. It was ordained that those who raised it should 
 not themselves be permitted to dispose of it, but should ex 
 port it to England, and deliver it to certain designated 
 agents ; and they alone were authorized to sell it. 
 
 42. Under such arbitrary regulations, the people lived and 
 suffered, until the year 1036, when sir John Harvey held 
 the orfice of governor. He was haughty, rapacious, un 
 feeling, and fitted, by his disposition, to exercise power 
 in the true spirit of his instructions. Inflamed to mad 
 ness by his oppressions, the Virginians, in a fit of popular 
 rage, seized and sont him a prisoner to England. At tho 
 same time, they despatched t.v. o deputies ch;irrod to re 
 present the grievances of the colony and the governor s mis 
 conduct. 
 
 43. Charles I., who was then king, indignant at tho vio 
 lent proceeding, received the deputies sternly, and sent bacl 
 the governor, invested with all lus former powers. He was. 
 however, in 1G3D, succeeded by loir Willium Berkeley, wht 
 was instructed again to allow the Virginians to elect ropre. 
 sentatives. Such was their gratitude to the king for this 
 favor, that during the civil wars between him and his par 
 liament, they were faithful ko the royal cause, and con 
 tinued faithful even after he was dethroned and his son dri- 
 von into exile. 
 
24 VIRGINIA. 
 
 44. The parliament, irritated by this conduct of the 
 Virginians, sent sir George Ayscue, in 1652, with a pow 
 erful fleet, to reduce them to submission. Berkeley, with 
 more spirit than prudence, opposed this force ; but after 
 making a gallant resistance, he was obliged to yield. He 
 obtained the most favorable terms for the colony, but ask 
 ed no stipulations in his own favor. Withdrawing to a 
 retired situation, he lived beloved and respected by the 
 people. 
 
 45. For nine years afterwards, governors appointed by 
 Cromwell continued to preside over the colony. But the 
 predilection for royalty, which the inhabitants had dis 
 played, was remembered, and they were less favored than 
 those of New England, who, like the predominant party in 
 Great Britain, were republicans in politics, and puritans in 
 religion. Arbitrary restrictions upon the commerce of Vir 
 ginia checked its prosperity, and produced discontent. At 
 length, the sudden death of governor Matthews afforded, to 
 the adherents of the royal cause, a favorable opportunity, 
 which they gladly seized, to proclaim Charles II., and to 
 invite Berkeley to resume the authority of governor. He 
 consented, requiring only their solemn promise to W/,ard 
 their lives and fortunes in supporting the cau^o iney had 
 espoused. 
 
 46. At this period no intelligence had been received of 
 the death of Cromwell. Fortunately for the colony, iliat 
 event happened soon after; the king whom they had pro 
 claimed was restored to the throne ; and Virginia for a long 
 time boasted, that she was the last of the British dominions 
 that submitted to Cromwell, and the first that returnud to 
 her allegiance. 
 
 47. Charles II. confirmed sir William Berkeley in the 
 office of governor; but with characteristic ingratitude, he 
 neglected the interests of the colony, and even imposed addi 
 tional restrictions upon its commerce. He also granted to 
 his favorites large tracts of land which belonged to the co 
 lony. These injuries, inflicted by a hand which ought to 
 have bestowed favors, wounded the. feelings oi the Virgi 
 nians, and produced murmurs and complaints. No relief 
 being granted, an open and turbulent insurrection was the 
 consequence. 
 
 48. At the head of the insurgents was Nathaniel Bacon. 
 He was a lawyer, educated in London, and was appointed a 
 member of the council, a short time after his emigration to 
 Virginia. He was young, boU. ambitious , his person en. 
 
VIRGINIA. 25 
 
 gaging, and his elocution commanding. He harangued the 
 citizens upon their grievances ; inflamed their resentment 
 against their rulers; declaimed particularly against the lan 
 guor with which the war, then existing with the Indians, 
 had been conducted; and such was the effect of his repre 
 sentations, that he was elected general by the people. 
 
 49. He applied to the governor for a commission confirm 
 ing this election, and offered instantly to march, at the head 
 of the citizens, against the savages. Sir William indig 
 nantly refused, and issued a proclamation commanding the 
 insurgents to disperse. Bacon had advanced too far to re 
 cede with honor or safety. He hastened, at the head of six 
 hundred armed followers, to Jamestown, surrounded the 
 house where the governor and council were assembled, and 
 repeated his demand. 
 
 50. The council, intimidated by the threats of the enraged 
 multitude, hastily prepared a commission, and, by their en- 
 treatios, prevailed on the governor to sign it. Bacon and 
 his troops then began their march against the Indinns. But 
 the council, when relieved from their fears, declared the 
 commission void, and proclaimed him a rebel. Enraged at 
 this conduct, he instantly returned, with all his forces, to 
 Jamestown. The governor fled, the council dispersed, and 
 he found himself in possession of supreme power. To give 
 it some show of legality, he called together the most con 
 siderable gentlemen in the colony, who bound themselves by 
 oath to support his authority. 
 
 51. Some districts remained faithful to Berkeley, who 
 collected forces, and made inroads into those sections 
 where Bacon s authority was recognised. The latter re 
 taliated, and for some months, a civil war, with all its 
 peculiar horrors, raged in Virginia. Jamestown was burned, 
 and some of the finest and best cultivated districts were laid 
 waste. 
 
 52. King Charles, informed of the situation of aff irs, 
 despatched a body of troops to. the assistance of Berkeley* 
 Bacon and his followers, unintmiidated by their approach, 
 determined to oppose them ; but when prepared to take 
 the field, this daring and successful leader, having exer 
 cised the supreme power,- for seven months, sickened and 
 died ; and no person being found among the insurgents 
 qualified to supply his place, as the general of an army or 
 as a popular leader, they laid down their arms and dis 
 persed. 
 
 53. Governor Berkeley again assumed the supreme 
 
 3 
 
26 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 authority, and finding the rebels in his power, pursued thon* 
 with unsparing rij?r. Many were triad by courts martial, 
 and executed. 1 V assembly interfered, praying him to 
 Btop the work of tfeath, and enacted laws which gradually 
 restored tranquillity. Soon after, sir William returned to 
 England, and his authority devolved on colonel Jeffreys, the 
 lieutenant-governor. Under his administration, peace was 
 concluded with the Indians; and notwithstanding the lyran 
 nical regulations of the king, and the oppressive restrictions 
 upon commerce, the colony increased in wealth and popula 
 tion. In the year 1688, thu number of inhabitants exceeded 
 60,000. 
 
 54. Between this period and the commencement of the 
 French war of 1756, an account of which will be found in a 
 subsequent chapter, but few events occurred in the colony 
 of sufficient importance to find a place in history. Its posi 
 tion, remote from the settlements cf the French in Canada, 
 and of the Spaniards in Florida, was favorable to its quieL 
 New England and New York, on the one hand, Georgia 
 and the Carolinas on the other, protected it from savage 
 incursions. Its affairs were administered by governors 
 appointed by the king, and representatives chosen by the 
 people. 
 
 55. The laudable efforts of these representatives, to rarest 
 the progress of slavery in the colony, ought not to be passed 
 over in silence. Convinced of its inhumanity, and foresee. 
 ing the dreadful evils which it must produce, they often 
 passed laws prohibiting the importation of slaves ; but those 
 who were higher in authority, yielding to the wishes of mer 
 chants engaged in the abominable traffic, persisted, with 
 criminal obstinacy, in withholding their assent. England, 
 riot America, is responsible for the wretchedness which hef 
 kings and her officers were often importuned, but refused, to 
 avert. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 OF the two companies incorporated by king Jame, aa 
 account of the proceedings and dissolution of one, and a 
 history of the colony it founded, have been given in tiny 
 preceding chapter. To the other, or Plymouth Company, 
 
MASSACHUSETTS. 27 
 
 was assigned a portion of the American continent lying far- 
 Uier to the north, arid at that time called North Virginia. 
 
 2. The latter, in 1606, the year in which both were incor- 
 
 E orated, despatched a ship to make discoveries within the 
 m its of its grant. Bofore the voyage was completed, she 
 was captured by the Spaniards. Another ship, afterwards 
 sent for the same purpose, returned with such a favorable 
 account of the territory, that the company was encouraged 
 to proceed in the undertaking. 
 
 3. The next year, forty-five men were sent over and left 
 at the mouth of the river Kenncbec. In 1608, dispirited by 
 the hardships they had endured, they returned to England 
 in ships which had brought them provisions and succors. 
 The company, disappointed and dissatisfied, desisted for a 
 while from all attempts to effect a settlement. 
 
 4. In 1614, John Smith, the same who acted a conspicu 
 ous part in the settlement of Virginia, made a voyage 
 to this northern country, touching first at the mouth of 
 the Konnebec. Sailing thence, in an open boat, he sur 
 veyed the coast to the southern boundary of Massachusetts 
 bay. The northern promontory he named Tragabigzanda, 
 in honor of the Turkish lady to whom he had formerly been 
 a slave. The three small islands, lying near the head of 
 the promontory, he called the Three Turks heads, in 
 memory of his victory over the three Turkish champions. 
 Both appellations have been changed for others. On his 
 return to England, he presented to prince Charles a map 
 of the country, and gave him such a glowing description 
 of its beauty and excellence, that he, in the warmth of his 
 admiration, declared that it should bear the name of NEW 
 ENGLAND. 
 
 5. Smith afterwards made an attempt to transport a colony 
 thither, which was unsuccessful ; and New England might 
 long have remained the abode of wild boasts and savages 
 only, had not motives, more powerful than the love of gain 
 or of perilous adventures, impelled men, differing from all 
 others who had been the founders of colonies, to select it as 
 the place of their residence. 
 
 6. In the beginning of the seventeenth century, James I. 
 asserted and maintained a despotic power over the con 
 sciences of his English subjects. All w T ho presumed to dis, 
 sent from the creed which he had adopted were persecuted 
 with extreme rigor. In that age, the maxirn was avowed by 
 ecclesiastics of all sects, as well as politicians, that unjfor- 
 
 . mity in religion was essential to the repose of society, a,nd 
 
28 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 that it was therefore the right and duty of every sovereign 
 to preserve it in his dominions, by the exercise of all his 
 powers of restraint and punishment. 
 
 7. But free inquiry had lately received sucli an impulse 
 from the success of -Luther and the other reformers, that the 
 civil authority was unable to arrest or control it. Various 
 sects arose, dissenting from the established religion, and all 
 distinguished by their democratic tenets respecting church 
 government. Persecuted at home, a small number, belong, 
 ing to the sect which were afterwards called Independents, 
 removed to Leyden, in Holland, where they formed a dis 
 tinct society under the care of their pastor, the Rev. John 
 Robinson. By their rigid virtues and exemplary deport 
 ment, they acquired the respect of the magistrates and ci 
 tizens. 
 
 8. After residing several years in that city, various consi 
 derations induced them to resolve to leave it. In 16-18, they 
 applied to the London, or South Virginia, Company, for a 
 grant of land in America ; and to ensure success, they ob 
 served, "that they were well weaned from the delicate milk 
 of the mother country, and inured to the difficulties of a 
 strange land ; that they were knit together by a strict and 
 sicred bond, by virtue of which they held themselves bound 
 to take care of the good of each other and of the whole ; 
 that it was not with them as with other men, whom small 
 things could discourage, or small discontents cause to wish 
 themselves home again." 
 
 9. A grant was obtained, and in September, 1G20, a part 
 of them set sail for Hudson s river ; but the master of the 
 ship, bribed, it is said, by the Dutch, who claimed the 
 sole right of trading in that quarter, carried them farther 
 north; and the first land they discovered was Cape Cod. 
 This, they were aware, was beyond the limits of the Lon 
 don Company, but it was now November, and too late in 
 the season to put again to sea. They therefore determined 
 to land at the first pi ice they could find suitable for a set 
 tlement. 
 
 10. Bafora leaving the ship, the heads of familios and free 
 men, forty-one in number, signed a solemn covenant, com 
 bining themselves into a body politic for the purpose of mak 
 ing equal lav/s for the general good. They ordained that a 
 governor and assistant should be annually chosen ; but the 
 sovereign power remained in the whole body of freemen. 
 John Carver was elected governor. "^-^ 
 
 11. On the llth of December, [O. S.,] they landed on a 
 
MASSACHUSETTS. 29 
 
 desolate coast. Sterile sands and gloomy forests were the 
 only objects that met their view. The severity of the 
 cold, greater than they had ever experienced, admonished 
 them to seek protection against it ; and their first employ- 
 mciit was the erection of hats in the most convenient and 
 sheltered situations. In these miserable abodes they passed 
 the winter, those at least who survived it. By the suc 
 ceeding spring, one half of their number had perished, 
 exhausted by continual suffering, and by the privation of 
 every worldly comfort which they had been accustomed to 
 enjoy. 
 
 12. Their settlement was found to be within the limits of 
 the Plymouth Company, from which they solicited and 
 obtained a grant of land ; but they were never incorporated 
 by the king. They callo# the place New Plymouth. They 
 of! en received small additions to their number, which, in 
 1630. amounted to three- hundred. 
 
 13. In the mean time, the same causes that drove Mr. 
 Robinson and his congregation from England had continued 
 to operate. A class of dissenters, denominated puritans 
 from tiie austerity of their manners, and from their claims 
 to superior purity in worship and discipline, had become 
 numerous ; and as, by their new mode of worship, they 
 violated the laws of the land, they were prosecuted as crim 
 inals. Their faith was confirmed and their zoal increased 
 by their sufferings ; and having learned that complete re 
 ligious freedom was enjoyed at New Plymouth in America, 
 they naturally directed their thoughts to that country, as a 
 secure asylum from persecution. 
 
 14. In 1,6:27, an association of puritans, residing at Dor 
 chester and the vicinity, was formed for the purpose of 
 planting a colony in New England, to which they arid their 
 brethren might repair, and, in seclusion and safety, worship 
 God according to the dictates of conscience. They obtained 
 from the Plymouth Company a grant of the territory which 
 now constitutes a part of the state of Massachusetts, and 
 sent over, under the direction of John Endicott, a small 
 number of people, to begin a plantation. These, in Sep 
 tember, landed at a place called, by the Indians Naumkeak, 
 and, by themselves, Salem. 
 
 15. The next year, they obtained a charter from the 
 crown, by which the usual powers of a corporation were 
 coaifvrrod upon the grantees, by the name of the "Governor 
 and Company of Massachusetts Bay, in New England." 
 ^t ordained, that the officers of the company should be a 
 
 3* 
 
30 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 governor, a deputy-governor, and eighteen assistants, to be 
 named, in the first instance, by the crown, and afterwards 
 elected by the corporation. Four stated meetings of all the 
 members were to be held annually, under the denomination 
 of the General Court, at which they were authorized to 
 admit freemen or members, and to make such ordinances or 
 laws, not repugnant to the laws of England, as they might 
 deem expedient. The colonists, and their descendants, were 
 declared to be entitled to all the rights of natural born 
 English subjects. 
 
 16. At a General Oi"*, held at London, in 1629, the 
 officers prescribed by the charte r were elected, and several 
 ordinances were adopted for the government of the com 
 pany. Three hundred people were sent over, of whom one 
 hundred, dissatisfied with the situation of Salem, removed 
 to Charlestown. Religion w r as the first object of their care 
 in the country they had adopted. *| A religious covenant was 
 agreed -upon, and a confession 6f faith drawn up, to which 
 their assent was given. Pastors were chosen, and were, 
 from necessity, installed into their sacred offices by the im 
 position of the hands of the brethren. 
 
 17. The ensuing winter was a period of uncommon suf 
 fering and sickness. The cold was intense ; the houses 
 were unfinished ; the provisions were insufficient and un 
 wholesome. Before spring, nearly half their number perished, 
 " lamenting that they could not live to see the rising glories 
 of the faithful." 
 
 18. These calamities had -some effect in deterring others 
 from joining them; but the consideration that the general 
 courts were held, the officers elected, and the laws enacted, 
 in London, had still greater influence. It did not comport 
 with the views and dfeelings of those who disdained to sub- 
 mil to authority in matters -of faith, to consent to remove 
 to the new world, and there be governed by laws which, 
 they could have no part in enacting. Representations 
 to this effect were made to the company, who resolved 
 that the government and patent should be removed to Mas . 
 gachus- tts. 
 
 19. This wise resolution gave such encouragement to 
 emigration, that, in 1639, more than fifteen hundred per 
 sons came over, and founded Boston and several adjacent 
 towns. Of these persons, all were respectable, and many 
 were from illustrious and noble families. Having been 
 accustomed to a life of ease and enjoyment, their sufferings, 
 the first vear, were great, and proved fatal to many ; among 
 
others, to the lady Arabella, who, to use the words of an 
 eaily historian of the country, "came from a paradise df 
 Aplenty and pleasure, dn the family of a noble earl, into a wil 
 derness of wants; and although celebrated for her many vir 
 tues, yet was net able to encounter the adversity she was 
 surrounded with : and, in about a month after her arrival, 
 she ended her days at Salem, where she first landed." Mr. 
 Johnson, her husband, overcome with grief, survived her 
 but a short time. 
 
 20. Before December two hundred perished. On the 
 24th of that month, the cold became intense. Such a 
 Christmas-eve they had never before known. Yet the in 
 clemency of the weather continued to increase. They 
 were almost destitute of provisions, and many were obliged 
 to subsist on clams, muscles, and other shell fish, with 
 nuts and acorns -instead of bread. Many more died; but in 
 this extremity, that ardor of conviction which compelled 
 -them to emigrate, remained in full force-, and they met, 
 with a firm, unshaken spirit, the calamities which assailed 
 them. 
 
 21. One great object of the puritans, in retiring to the 
 unoccupied regions of New England, V/as the establishment 
 of a religious commonwealth, as nearly upon the model of 
 that of the Jews as the difference of circumstances would 
 admit. To accomplish this object, "they deemed it neces- 
 sary, and at a general court, held; in 1631, they ordained, 
 that none but those who had made a profession of religion, 
 and had become members of some church, should bo ad 
 mitted members of the corporation, or enjoy the prrviljge oT 
 voting. 
 
 22. This law has been too severely censured by those who 
 have lived in mrtre liberal and enlightened times. It contra 
 dicted none of the professions o-f the .puritans- It was in 
 strict accordance with the avowed motives ef their emigra 
 tion. It exhibited less intohfrantj than was thon displayed 
 by every other natien. It violated the rights of no one, for 
 no one could claim a right to come into the territory which 
 they had purchased. And it was doubtless essential, such 
 was then the temper of man s minds, to the repose ef their 
 little society. 
 
 23. The colonists had frequently boon alarmed, but neV<* 
 yet attacked, by the Indians. Tlu-ss were not. m fact, in a 
 condition to do much injury. A fjw years before the arri 
 val of the English, a contagious distemper swept away 8. 
 great number, almost exterminating several tribes. In 
 
3& MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 the small pox destroyed many who had survived the pesti- 
 lence ; and the territory, contiguous to the first settlements 
 of the English, seemed to have been providentially made va. 
 cant for their reception. As an attack from this quarter 
 was, however, possible, and as the French, who had a trad-. 
 ing. establishment at Acadia, had discovered some symptoms 
 of hostility, it was thought advisable to erect fortifications 
 at Boston, and other places, and to open a correspondence 
 with their neighbors at New Plymouth. 
 
 24. So far from the capital Imd the settlements extended, 
 that it was found extremely inconvenient for all the freemen 
 to assemble and tr.ansa.ct the necessary public business. In 
 1634, the mode of legislation was altered, by the general 
 consent of the towns. They delegated to twenty-four repre 
 sentatives the authority granted, by, the charter, to the whole 
 body- of freemen. This important alteration was adopted the 
 more readily, as the emigrants had been familiar, in their 
 Dative country, with the representative system. The appel 
 lation of General Court, which, had been applied to all tho 
 freemen when assembled, was now transferred to their re 
 presentatives. 
 
 25. In the same year.* Roger Williams, the minister of 
 Salem, having occasioned disturbances, by advancing tenets 
 considered not only heretical but seditious, and being found 
 irreclaimable, was ordered to- leave the colony. He retired 
 to Relioboth, which was then within the jurisdiction of 
 Plymouth. 
 
 26. In 1635, Massachusetts received from England a 
 large number of inhabitants ; and among them came two 
 who afterwards acted conspicuous parts in the affairs of 
 their native country. One was Hugh Peters, who was sub. 
 sequently a chaplain of Oliver Cromwell ; the other was 
 Mr. Vane, afterwards sir Henry Vane. The latter was but 
 twenty-five years of age ; but by his show of great humility, 
 his grave and solemn deportment, and his ardent professions 
 of attachment to liberty, he stole the hearts of tiie puritans, 
 and, the year after his arrival, was made governor of tho 
 colony. 
 
 22. His popularity, however, was transient. During 
 his administration, the celebrated Mrs. Hutch insori, a 
 woman who was distinguished for her eloquence, and had 
 imbibed the enthusiasm of the age, instituted weekly 
 meetings for persons of her own sex, in which she corn, 
 inented on the sermons of the preceding Sunday, and ad- 
 TCanced certain mystical and extravagant doctrines. These 
 
MASSACHUSETTS. 33 
 
 Spread rapidly among -the people, and ma riy became con 
 verts. 
 
 28. Governor Vane, with Mr. Cottbn and "Mr. Wheel 
 wright, two distinguished clergymen, embraced them with 
 ardor ; hnt lieutentant-governor Wintlirop, and a majority 
 of the churches deemed them heretical arid seditious. 
 Groat excitement was produced among the people ; many 
 conferences were held ; public T fasts were appointed; a ge 
 neral synod was summoned ; and after much intemperate 
 discussion, her opinions were determined : to be erroneous-, 
 and she and some of heir adherents were bariished from the 
 colony. 
 
 29. Not being again chosen governor, ; Vane returned in 
 disgust to England, engaged in the civil wars, which soon 
 after afflicted that country, sustained high offices in the re. 
 publican party, and after the restoration of Charles II., wjis 
 accused of high treason, convicted, arid executed. Peters 
 pursued a similar career, and met With the same fate. 
 
 30. In such high repute, at this time, were the settlements 
 in Massachusetts, that fcther Englishmen, still more conspic 
 uous, had determined to leave their native land, that they 
 might enjoy, in a desert, the civil and religious liberty which 
 was denied them at home. Among these were Mr. Hanib- 
 den, sir Arthur Hasalrig, and Oliver Cromwell, whom king 1 
 Charles, by express order, detained, when on the point of 
 embarking. Little did he imagine that, by this act of arbi 
 trary power, he kept within his kingdom those restless vota. 
 rics of freedom, who were destined to Overturn his throne, 
 and bring his head to the block. 
 
 31. By the settlement of $Lissaclmsetts, the attention of 
 emigrants was diverted from the colony of Plymouth, where 
 the soil was less fertile. It nevertheless continued to in 
 crease, although slowly, in population. .In 1G33, the govern 
 ment of that colony built a trading house, near Hartford, 
 which was the first biiildirig erected within the boundaries of 
 Connecticut. Soon after, many persons repaired thither 
 from Massachusetts. In 1636, Roger Williams laid the 
 foundation of Jlhode Island. Subsequently, New 1 1 am p. 
 shire and New Haven were founded, which increased to five 
 the number of colonies in New England. 
 
 32. The rapid progress of the English settlements ex- 
 cited the jealousy of the natives. They had welcomed, 
 without fear, the emigrants who first landed, not antici- 
 ipatmg their -future encroachments. The experience of a 
 
$4 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 few years convinced them that they must either extennL 
 natc these invaders of their country, or be themselves exicr. 
 minated. 
 
 33, Within tlie boundaries of Rhode Island and Connec 
 ticut, lived two warlike tribes, the Pequods and Narragan- 
 sets. The former were hostile, the latter friendly, to the 
 whites. Between the two tribes an inveterate enmity exist* 
 ed ; but the more sagacious and politic Pequods proposed 
 that all animosities, should be forgotten, and their united 
 Strength directed against their invaders, before they had be 
 come too strong to be resisted. At first the Narragansets 
 wavered ; but their hatred of the Pequods overpowered the- 
 suggestions of policy.. They disclosed the proposal to the 
 English, and invited them to join in a war against their com 
 mon enemy. 
 
 34, The colonies were roused to a sense of their dan* 
 ger. In 1G3J, Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Connecticut, 
 agreed to unite their forces, and attempt the entire de 
 struction of the Pequods. Captain Mason, with eighty 
 men, principally from Connecticut, and three hundred 
 friendly Indians, was immediately sent into the country 
 Qf the enemy. Early in the morning o the 26th of May, 
 he attacked one of the principal villages, which had been 
 surrounded with palisades. The resistance was brave 
 and obstinate, and the issue of the battle for some time 
 fjoubtful ; but the whites, forcing their way into the en 
 closure, set fire to the wigwams, and then, retreating a 
 short distance, surrounded the town,. Many of the In-, 
 dians perished in the flames ;. others were shot, in their, 
 attempts to flee. Of 673 or six hundred, within tho 
 enclosure, but few escaped. The Jjlriglish troops, of whom 
 two were killed and sixteen wounded, returned in triumph to 
 Hartford. 
 
 35, In June, another body of troops, principally from, 
 Massachusetts, marched into- the enemy s country, sur r . 
 rounded a swamp, into which a party of them had retired* 
 and took eighty captive. Some escaping, they were pur 
 sued to another swamp, situated near New Haven, where 
 the whole strength of the tiiibe was collected. This was, 
 in like manner, surrounded ; a sharp contest ensued.;-, but 
 the whites were agaiix victorious. Two hundred Pequocla 
 were killed or made prisoners. The remainder fled to tho 
 country of the Mohawks. The brilliant success of the En 
 glish, in this first, and short war with the natiy.es, gave the 
 
MASSACHUSETTS. 35 
 
 neighboring tribes such an exalted idea of theifr prowess, 
 that, for neaily forty years, they were never attacked nor mo* 
 losted. 
 
 36. Ten years ha.d now elapsed since the first settlement 
 was made at Salem-. It has been computed that, within that 
 time, twenty-one thousand persons arrived in Massachusetts. 
 The dissenters in England having obtained the ascend*, 
 ency in the government, all motives for emigration ceased ; 
 and it is supposed that, for many years afterwards, more 
 persons returned to England, than came from England to 
 the colonies. 
 
 37. Such, however, were the character and virtues of tho 
 emigrants; such the power over difficulties which their re* 
 golute minds, and bodies hardened by labor, had imparted to 
 them, that they continued to increase, with astonishing 
 rapidity, in wealth and numbers. And a vote of the house 
 of commons, stating that "the plantations in New Eng* 
 land had had good and prosperous success, without a.ny 
 public charge to the state," is quoted by a historian of those 
 tiinss, as an honorable testimony of the high merit of tha 
 colonists. 
 
 38. Circumstances and events had already impressed a 
 character upon them, which, though softened in its worst 
 features by the progress of refinement, still distinguished 
 their descendants. Persecution made them bigots ; piety 
 made them moral ; poverty made them frugal ; incessant 
 toil rnado them hardy arid robust ; dreary solitudes 1 made 
 them gloomy and superstitious ; their numerous clergy and 
 well-educated leaders made them venerate literature and the 
 sciences, 
 
 31). Four of the New England colonies, Mansa6hil6Vf.t4) 
 Connecticut, Plymouth, and Now Haven, apprehending dun* 
 ger from the Indians, from the Dutch, at New York, and 
 from tho French, at Acadia, formed, in 1643, a firm and per. 
 {tettial league, offensive and defensive. By the articles of 
 this league, each colony was to appoint two commissioners, 
 who wei e to assemble, by rotation, in the respective colo* 
 rues, and were empowered to enact ordinances of general 
 concern ; and, in case of invasion, each colony was bound, 
 upon the application of throe magistrates of the invaded co. 
 hniy, to furnish a stipulated proportion of men and money. 
 
 40. Strengthened by this league, the colonies were re 
 spected by their civilized and savage neighbors. With the 
 French, under D Aulnoy, Massachusetts had a long and 
 troublesome dispute ; which was adjusted, in 1644, by- a. 
 
36 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 treaty made by governor Endicott, and afterwards ratified by. 
 the commissioners. 
 
 41. When representatives were first chosen, they sat and 
 voted in the same chamber with the assistants. In 1635, 
 when Mr. Hooker applied for permission to form a settle 
 ment on Connecticut river, a majority of the assistants voted 
 against granting permission ; but a majority of the whole as 
 sembly in favor of it. The representatives contended that a 
 majority of the assistants was not necessary, and that the 
 vote had passed in the affirmative. The assistants claimed 
 to.be a distinct branch of the legislature, and contended that 
 it had passed in the negative. 
 
 42.. No provision having been, made for a case of this kind, 
 an adjournment, for a week, took place ; a public llu*t was 
 appointed, and, the divine direction implored in all the con- 
 gregaliops. When the assembly again met, a sermon was 
 preached, by Mr. Cotton, which induced the representatives 
 to yield to the claim of the assistants. In 1644, the dispute 
 was renewed, and the assistants were victorious. The re 
 presentatives then proposed that tho two classes should sit 
 apart, arid form distinct bodies, and in this proposition the 
 assistants concurred. 
 
 43. Tho contest between ths king and parliament at length 
 resulted in open war : and the New England colonies, actu 
 ated by the samo feelings as the puritan* in England, em 
 braced, with ardor, the cause of the latter. The parliament 
 rewarded this attachment by exempting them from ail taxes ; 
 and when the supreme authority devolved upon Cromwell, 
 as protector of the liberties of England, they found in him a 
 friend no less sincere and zealous. 
 
 44. After the conquest, of Ireland, he invited them to ro 
 turn and settle in that country ; and, subsequently, having 
 conquered Jamaica, he endeavored to persuade them to re 
 move to that fertile island, and more congenial climate. But 
 his arguments and solicitations were unavailing. They en- 
 jpyed in their present abodo, complete religious freedom, and 
 that privilege they were unwilling to hazard m. pursuit of 
 advantages less essential to their happiness. 
 
 45. In 1641, the settlements of New Hampshire were 
 incorporated with Massachusetts. And, in 1652, the in. 
 habitants of tho province of Maine were, at their own re- 
 quest, taken under her protection. This province had. 
 been granted to sir Ferdinand Gorges, who, in 1639, first 
 established a government over it. In 1640, a general* 
 
 as held at Saco... Upon /the death of the proprietor^. 
 
MASSACHUSETTS. 37 
 
 in 1C49, most of the officers whom he had appointed, de 
 serted it, and the people found it necessary to resort else 
 where for protection. 
 
 46. In 1656, several Quakers arrived in the colony. In 
 this age cf enthusiasts, these sectarians partook of the all- 
 pervading enthusiasm. The behavior of some of them, 
 moved as they doubtless supposed by a divine impulse, gave 
 great offence to the rigid puritans. For their conduct, 
 inconsistent with the high respect which was thought to be 
 due to magistrates and ministers, they were first imprisoned 
 and them banished. A law was passed prohibiting Quakers 
 from coming into the colony, imposing tho penalty of ban- 
 ishment upon the first offence, and of death upon such as 
 should return after banishment. Four, who were so ex 
 cited as to return and obtrude themselves upon the notice of 
 the government, suffered the death which they appeared to 
 seek. This cruel, unjust, and impolitic law vvas soon after 
 wards repealed. 
 
 47. Cromwell, who had governed England with greater 
 ability and higher merit than most of her kings, died in 
 1658, and after an interval of two years, Charles II., a 
 prince destitute of honor and virtue, was recalled from 
 exile, and placed upon the throne. lie was reluctantly 
 acknowledged by the colonies of New England. They had 
 been the favorites of the parliament and the protector, and 
 apprehended, with good reason, the loss of their civil and 
 religious privileges. 
 
 48. A short time after, Whalley and Goffo, two of the 
 judges who had sentenced Charles I. to be b?headed, hav 
 ing fled before the return of his successor, arrived in New 
 England. Thoir first place of residence was Cambridge ; 
 but they often appeared publicly in Boston, particularly on 
 Sundays and other days of religious solemnities. They had 
 sustained high rank in Cromwell s army, were men of un 
 common tulents, and by their dignified manners and grave 
 deportment, commanded universal respect. 
 
 49. As soon as it was known that they were excepted 
 from the general pardon, the governor suggested to the 
 rourt of assistants the expediency of arresting them. A 
 majority opposed it, and many members of the general court 
 gave them assurances of protection. Considering them 
 selves, however, unsafe at Cambridge, they removed to New 
 Haven, where they were received with great respect by the 
 plorgy and magistrates. 
 
 50. After a short residence there, enjoying, in private, 
 
38 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 the society of tlieir friends, the governor of Massachusetts 
 received a mandate to arrest thorn, A warrant was imme 
 diately issued, authorizing two zealous loyalists to seareh 
 for, and sei^e them, wherever found, in New England. 
 They hastened to the colony of New Haven, exhibited the 
 warrant to the governor, who resided at Guilford, and re 
 quested him to furnish authority and assistants to pursue 
 them. Desirous of favoring the exiles, he affected to deli 
 berate until the next morning, and then utterly declined 
 acting- officially, without the advice of his council. 
 
 51. In the mean time, they were apprized of their dan 
 ger, and retired to a new place of concealment. The pur 
 suers, on arriving at New Haven, searched every suspected 
 house, except the one where the judges were concealed. 
 
 This they began to search, but were induced by the address 
 of the mistress of it, to desist. When the pursuers had 
 departed, the judges, retiring into the woods, fixed their 
 abode in a cave. 
 
 52. Having there heard that their friends were threat 
 ened with punishment, for having afforded them protection, 
 they came from their hiding place for the purpose of deliver 
 ing themselves up ; but their friends, actuated by feelings 
 equally noble and generous, persuaded them to relinquish 
 their intention. Soon after, they removed to Milford, where 
 they remained about two years. 
 
 53. Upon the arrival of other persons, instructed to ap 
 prehend them, they repaired privatoly to Hadley, in Mas 
 sachusetts, where they resided fifteen or sixteen years, 
 but few persons being acquainted with the place of their 
 concealment. There is, in that neighborhood, a tradition, 
 that many years afterwards two graves were discovered 
 in the minister s cellar; and in these, it was supposed, 
 they haxl been interred. At New Haven, two graves are 
 shown, said to be those of the two judges. It is not im 
 probable that tlieir remains were removed t& this place from 
 Hadley. 
 
 54. A singular incident which occurred at the latter 
 place, in 1675, shows that one of these illustrious exiles 
 had not forgotten the avocations of his youth. Tho people, 
 at the time of public worship, were alarmed by an attack 
 from the Indians, and thrown into tbe utmost confusion. 
 Suddenly, a grave, elderly person appeared, differing in his 
 mien and dress from all around him. He put himself at 
 their head, rallied, encouraged, and led them against the 
 enemy, who were repulsed and completely defeated. As 
 suddenly, the deliverer of Hadley disappeared. The people 
 
MASSACHUSETTS. 39 
 
 lost in amazement, and nianj verily believed that an 
 angel sent from heaven had led thorn to victory. 
 
 55. Their treatment of the king s judges, and in truth all 
 their conduct, evinced the republican spirit of the colonists. 
 By the royal government of England, they could not, there 
 fore, be regarded with favor. In 16G3, it was enacted, 
 that no European commodity should be imported into the 
 (Colonies, unless shipped directly from England, and in 
 British vessels. By this regulation, in connection with 
 others that had been previously made, all the trade of the 
 colonies was secured to the mother country- They sub 
 mitted reluctantly to these restrictions, and often made them 
 the subject of complaint. Bat England, believing that they 
 augmented her wealth and power, obstinately refused to 
 repeal them. 
 
 56. In 1664, the king despatched four commissioners to 
 visit the several colonies in New England, to examine into 
 their condition, to hear and decide complaints, and to make 
 to him a report of their proceedings and observations. This 
 measure was dictated by no friendly motive, and was consi 
 dered by the colonies as a violation of their charters. 
 
 57. The first session of the commissioners was at Ply 
 mouth, where but little business was transacted ; the next in 
 Rhode Island, where they heard complaints from the Indians, 
 and all who were discontented, and made divers determina 
 tions respecting titles to land, which were but little regarded. 
 In Massachusetts, the general court complied with such of 
 their requisitions as they thought proper ; but, professing 
 sincere loyalty t his majesty, declined acknowledging their 
 authority, and protested against the exercise of it within 
 their limits. 
 
 58. In consequence of this manly assertion of their char 
 tered lights, an angry correspondence took place between 
 them, at the close of which the commissioners petulantly 
 told the general court, " that they would lose no more of 
 their labors upon them," but would represent their conduct 
 to his majesty. 
 
 59. From Boston, the commissioners proceeded to New 
 Hampshire, where they exercised several acts of govern 
 ment, and offered to release the inhabitants from the juris 
 diction ef Massachusetts. This offer was almost unani 
 mously rejected. In Maine, they excited more disturbance. 
 They encouraged the people to declare themselves inde 
 pendent, and found many disposed to listen to their sug 
 gestions; baat Massachusetts, by a prompt and vigorous 
 
40 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 exertion of power, constrained the disaffected to submit to 
 her authority. 
 
 GO. Connecticut appears to have been the favorite of the 
 commissioners. She treated them with respect, and corn, 
 plied with their requisitions. In return, they made such a 
 representation of her merits to the king, as to draw from him 
 a letter of thanks. "Although, 5 " says he, "your carriage 
 doth of itself most justly deserve our praise and approbation, 
 yet it seems to be set off with more lustre by the contrary 
 behavior of the colony of Massachusetts." 
 
 61. At the end of fifty years from the arrival of the emi 
 grants at Plymouth, the New England colonies were sup^ 
 posed to contain one hundred and twenty towns, and as 
 many thousand inhabitants. The acts of parliament not 
 being rigidly enforced, their trade had become extensive and 
 profitable. The habits of industry and economy, which had 
 been formed in less happy times, continued to prevail, and 
 gave a competency to those who had nothing, and wealth to 
 those who had a competency. The wilderness receded be 
 fore adventurous and hardy laborers, and its savage inhabi 
 tants found their game dispersed, and their favorite haunts 
 invaded. 
 
 t&. This was the natural consequence of the sales of land, 
 which were, at ail times, readily made to the whites. But 
 this consequence the Indians did not foresee ; and when they 
 felt it in all its force, the strangest passions were awakened 
 which can animate civilised or savage man, the love of 
 country and of independence. 
 
 63. A leader only was wanting to concentrate and direct 
 their exertions, and Philip, of Pokanoket, sachem of a tribe 
 living within the boundaries of Plymouth and Rhode Island, 
 assumed that honorable, but dangerous, station. His father 
 was the friend t but he had ever been the enemy of the whites ; 
 and this enmity, arising from causes of national concern, 
 had been embittered to vindictive hatred by their conduct 
 towards his elder brother. This brother, being suspected 
 of plotting against them, was seized by a detachment of 
 soldiers, and confined ; and the indignity so wrought upon 
 his proud spirit, as to produce a fever, that put an end to* 
 his life. 
 
 64. Philip inherited the authority and proud spirit of his 
 brother. He exerted all the arts of intrigue, and powers 
 of persuasion, of which he was master, to induce the In 
 dians, in all parts of New England, to unite their efltbrta 
 for the destruction of the whites. He succeeded in form 
 
MASSACHUSETTS. 41 
 
 ing a -confederacy, able to send into action between three 
 and four thousand warriors. 
 
 65. The English were , apprized of the plots of the In- 
 dians, and niadj preparations to meet their hostilities. They 
 hoped, however, that the threatened storm would pass by, as 
 others had, and that peace would be preserved. But the 
 insolence of Philip, and the number of his adherents, in- 
 ocreased daily.; and, in June, 1675, some of them entered the 
 town of -Swanzey, in Plymouth, where, after slaughtering 
 the cattle, and plundering the houses, they fired upon the 
 inhabitants, killing- and wounding several. 
 
 66. The troops c*f that colony marched immediately to 
 Swanzey, and were soon joined by a detachment from Mas- 
 sachusetts. The Indians tied, and marked the course of their 
 flight by burning the buildings, and fixing en poles, by the 
 way-side, the hands, scalps, and heads of the whites whom 
 they had killed. The troops pursued, but, unable to over 
 take them, returned to Swanzey. 
 
 67. The whale country was alarmed, and the number of 
 troops augmented. By this array of force, Philip was in 
 duced to quit his residence at Mount Hope, and take post 
 near a swamp at Pocasset, now Tiverton. At that place, 
 the English attacked him, but were repulsed- Sixteen whites 
 were killed^ and the Indians, by this success,, were made 
 bolder. 
 
 68, C At this time, most of the settlements were surrounded 
 t>y thick forests, and the Indians lived intermixed with the 
 whites. The former were acquainted, of course, with the 
 dwellings of the latter, with their reads, and places of re. 
 ssort ^ could watch their motions, and fall upon them in their 
 defenceless aad unguarded momenta? Many were shot dead 
 as they opened their doors in the morning ; many while at 
 work in their fields, and others while travelling to visit their 
 neighbors, or places of worship. At aM times, at all places, 
 an all employments, were their lives in jeopardy ; and no 
 one ceuld teli but that, in the naext moment, he should 
 receive his death shot from his fearn, tke thicket, or the 
 way-side. 
 
 69. Whenever the eemy assembled in force, detachments 
 were sent, against them.; if weaker than these, they would 
 retreat; if stronger, assault and conquer them. Defe-neeless 
 villages were suddenly attacked, the houses burned, and the 
 men. women, and children killed, r carried into captivity. 
 Their ruin was the work of a msme&t ; and when accom 
 plished, its authors vanJieked. 
 
 4* 
 
42 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 70. The colonies, losing individuals, families and vil 
 lages, found their numbers sensibly diminished ; their 
 strength impaired ; and began to apprehend even total ex- 
 tinction. Nothing but a vigorous effort could save them.. 
 The commissioners met, and determined to despatch an 
 army of a thousand men, to attack the principal position 
 of the enemy. Josiab Winslew, governor of Plymouth, 
 was appointed Commander-in-chief ; and a solemn fast, to 
 invoke the divine aid, was proclaimed throughout New 
 England, 
 
 71. On the 18th of December, the different bodies of troops 
 formed a junction at a place in the country of the Narra. 
 gansets, about fifteen miles from the enemy. The weather 
 was extremely cold, but the men, from necessity, passed the 
 night, uncovered, in ilie fields. At dawn of day, they began 
 their march, wading through the deep snow, and at one 
 o clock, arrived near the enemy s post, which was upon a 
 rising ground, in the midst of a swamp. It was surrounded 
 by palisades, and on the outside of these was a fence of 
 brush, a rod in width. 
 
 72. Here was fought the most desperate battb recorded 
 in the early annals of the country. It continued three 
 hours. The English obtained a decisive victory. One thou 
 sand Indian warriors were- killed ; three hundred more, and 
 as many women and children, were made prisoners. But 
 dearly was the victory purchased. Six brave captains, and 
 eighty men, were killed, and one hundred and fifty were 
 wounded. 
 
 73. From this blow, the confederated Indians never reco 
 vered ; but they still remained sufficiently strong to harass 
 the settlements by continual inroads. In retaliation, the 
 English sent several detachments into their territories, neLrly 
 all of which were successful. Captain Church, of Plymouth, 
 and Captain Bennison, of Connecticut, were conspicuous for 
 their bravery and good fortune. 
 
 74. In the midst of these reverses, 1 Philip remained firm 
 and unshaken. His warriors were cut off; his chief men r 
 his wife and family, were killed or taken prisoners ; and 
 at these successive misfortunes, he is represented to have 
 wept with a bitterness which proved him to possess the 
 noblest of human virtues and affections ; but he disdained 
 to listen to any offers of peace. He even shot one of his 
 men, who proposed submission. At length, after being 
 hunted from swamp to swamp, he was himself shot, by 
 the brother of the Indian he had killed/ After his 
 
MASSACHUSETTS. 43 
 
 the remnant of his followers either submitted to the English, 
 or united with distant tribes. 
 
 75. Never was peace more welcome, for never had war 
 been more distressing. The whole population was in mourn- 
 ing for relatives slain. Nearly a thousand houses had been 
 burned, and goods and cattle of great value had been plun 
 dered or destroyed. The colonies had contracted a heavy 
 debt, which, their resources having been so much diminished, 
 they found an almost insupportable burden. But, in their 
 deepest distress, they forbore to apply to the mother country 
 for assistance ; and this omission excited surprise and jea 
 lousy. " You act," said a privy counsellor, " as though 
 you were independent of our master s crown ; and though 
 poor, yet you are proud." 
 
 76. In 1680, New Hampshire, at the solicitation of John 
 Mason, to whose ancestor a part of the territory had been 
 granted,, was constituted a separate colony. Massachusetts, 
 apprehending the loss of Maine also, purchased of the heirs 
 of Gorges their claim to the soil and jurisdiction, for twelve 
 hundred and fifty pounds. 
 
 77. The disregard of the acts of trade had given great 
 offence to the mother country, and the governors of New 
 England were peremptorily required to enforce them. But 
 being enacted by a parliament in which the colonies were 
 not represented, they were regarded as violations of their 
 rights, and continued to be evaded with impunity. Edward 
 Randolph was therefore sent over, commissioned as inspector 
 of the customs in New England. He was also the bearer 
 of a letter from the king, requiring that agents should be 
 sent to the court of London, fully empowered to act for the 
 colonies. 
 
 78. It was well understood to be the intention of the 
 king to procure, from the agents, a surrender of the char 
 ters, or to annul them by a suit in his courts, that he might 
 himself place officers over the colonies, who would be sub 
 servient to his views. The inhabitants of Massachusetts 
 felt that to be deprived of their charter, which secured to 
 them the right of self-government, would be the greatest of 
 calamities ; and their agents were instructed, in no emer 
 gency, to surrender it. This being known to the king, a 
 prosecution was instituted against the corporation, and, in 
 1684, a subservient court decreed that the charter should be 
 cancelled. 
 
 79. All impediments to -the exercise of the royal will 
 being thus removed, king Jamos established a temporary 
 
44 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 government over the colony, first appointing Joseph Dud- 
 ley, and, in 1686, sir Edmund Audross, governor. This 
 latter appointment caused the most gloomy forebodings. 
 Sir Edmund had been governor of New York, and it was 
 known that his conduct there had been arbitrary and ty 
 rannical. 
 
 80. Having secured a majority in the council, he .assumed 
 control over Che press, appointing Randolph licenser. He 
 established new and oppressive regulations concerning taxes, 
 public worship, marriages, and the settlement of estates. 
 He, and, by his permission, his subordinate officers, extorted 
 enormous fees for their services. He declared that, the 
 charter being cancelled, the old titles to land were of no 
 validity, and compelled the inhabitants, in order to avoid 
 suits before judges dependent on his will, to take out new 
 patents, for which large sums were demanded. 
 
 81. The hatred of the people was excited in proportion to 
 their sufferings. In the beginning of 1689, a rumor reached 
 Boston, that William, prince of Orange, had invaded Eng 
 land, with the intention of dethroning the king. Animated 
 by the hope of deliverance, the people rushed spontaneously 
 to arms, took possession of the fort, seized Andross, Ran 
 dolph, and other obnoxious persons, and placed them in 
 confinement. A council of safety, consisting of their former 
 magistrates, was then organized, to administer the govern 
 ment until authentic intelligence should be received from 
 England., 
 
 82. In a few weeks, a ship arrived, bringing the glad 
 tidings that William and Mary were firmly seated on the 
 throne. They were immediately proclaimed, in all the co 
 lonies, with unusual rejoicings. The people of Massachu 
 setts applied for the restoration of their old, or the grant of 
 a new charter. A definite answer was deferred, but the 
 council was authorized to administer the government, ac 
 cording to the provisions of the old charter, until further 
 directions should be given. Andross, Randolph, and others, 
 were ordered home for trial. 
 
 83. In this unsettled state of the country, the French in 
 Canada and Nova ^cotia kistigated the northern and eastern 
 Indians l<> commence hostilities against the English set- 
 Clements. Dover and Salmon Falls, in New Hamsphire, 
 
 Casco, in Maine, and Schenectady, in New York, were 
 attacked by different parties of French and Indians, and 
 the most shocking barbarities perpetrated upon the inha 
 bitants. 
 
MASSACHUSETTS. 45 
 
 84. Regarding Canada, as the principal source of their mi- 
 scries, New England and New York formed the bold project 
 of reducing it to subjection. By groat exertion, they raised 
 an army, which, under the command of general Winthrop, 
 was sent against Montreal, and equipped a fleet, which, 
 commanded by sir William Phipps, was destined to attack 
 Quebec. 
 
 85. Both returned unsuccessful, disappointing the san 
 guine hopes of the people, and burdening them with a debt 
 which they had not the means of discharging. To pay off 
 her troops, Massachusetts put in circulation bills of credit 
 or paper money, an expedient which was afterwards often 
 resorted tiu, and, though it aiforded relief at the moment, 
 produced, in its consequences, extensive and complicated 
 mischief. 
 
 86. In the mean time, a new charter had been granted to 
 Massachusetts, which added Plymouth, Maine, and Nova 
 Scotia, to her territory. The only privilege it allowed to 
 the people was, the choice of representatives. These were 
 to elect a council, and both bodies were to constitute the le 
 gislative power. It reserved to the king the right of ap 
 pointing the governor and lieutenant-governor. To the 
 governor it gave the power of rejecting laws, of negativing 
 the choice of counsellors, of appointing all military and ju 
 dicial officers, of adjourning and even of dissolving the assem 
 bly at pleasure. Laws, although approved by him, might 
 be abrogated by the king, within three years after their 
 enactment. 
 
 87. The king, to rcndor the new charter more acceptable, 
 appointed sir William Phipps, a native of the province, go 
 vernor, and in 1692, he arrived at Boston. The new govern 
 ment went into operation without any opposition from the 
 inhabitants ; and almost the first act of sir William Phipps 
 and his council, was the institution of a court to try tiie un 
 fortunate victims of popular delusion, accused of witchcraft, 
 at Salem. 
 
 88. The belief in this supposed crime had been so prevalent 
 in England, that parliament had enacted a lav/ punishing it 
 with death. Under this law, multitudes had been tried and 
 executed in that country, and two or three in Massachusetts, 
 some of whom acknowledged they were guilty. Accounts of 
 these trials and confessions, and particularly of some trials 
 before sir Matthew Hale, a judge revered in the colonies, 
 had been published and distributed throughout the country. 
 They were read, in a time of deep distress and gloom, by a 
 
46 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 people naturally sedate, and accustomed to regard with awe 
 the surprising and unaccountable incidents and appearances 
 which, in this new world, were often presented to their con- 
 ternplation. 
 
 89. In February, 1692, ! a daughter and a niece of Mr. 
 Paris, the minister of Salem, were afflicted with disorders 
 affecting their bodies in the most singular manner. The 
 physicians, unable to account for the contortions, pronounced 
 them bewitched ; and the children, hearing of this, declared 
 that an Indian woman, who lived in the house, was the 
 cause of their torments. Mr. Paris concurred with the phy 
 sicians. Several private fasts were kept at this house, and 
 the gloom was increased by a solemn fast throughout the 
 colony. 
 
 90. The Indian woman confessed herself guilty. The 
 children were visited, noticed, and pitied. This en. 
 couraged them to persevere, and other children, either 
 from sympathy or the desire of similar attentions, exhibited 
 similar contortions. A distracted old woman, and one who 
 had been a long time confined to her bed, were added to the 
 list of the accused j and, in the progress of the infatuation, 
 women of mature age united with the children in their ac 
 cusations. 
 
 91. The accused were multiplied in proportion to the 
 accusers. Children accused their parents, and parents 
 their children. A word from those who were supposed 
 to be afflicted, occasioned the arrest of the devoted victim j 
 and so firmly convinced were the magistrates, that the 
 prince of darkness was in the midst of them, using buinan 
 instruments to accomplish his purposes, that the slightest 
 testimony was deemed sufficient to justify a commitment for 
 trial. 
 
 92. The court, especially instituted for this purpose, held 
 a session in June, and afterwards severdi others by adjourn, 
 ment. Many were tried, and received sentence of death. A 
 few pleaded guiltv. Several were convicted upon testimony, 
 which, at other times, would not have induced suspicion of 
 an ordinary crime, and some upon testimony retracted after 
 conviction. Nineteen were executed, and many yet remained 
 to be tried. 
 
 93. At this stage of the proceedings, tlu legislature estab 
 lished, by law, a permanent court, by which the other was 
 superseded, and fixed a distant day for its first session at Sa 
 lem. In the mean time, the accusations multiplied, and addi 
 tional jails were required to hold the accused. The impostors, 
 
MASSACHUSETTS. 47 
 
 hardened by impunity and success, ascended from decrepit 
 old women, to respectable characters, and at length, in their 
 ravings, named ministers of the gospel, and even the wife of 
 the governor. 
 
 94. The community were thrown into consternation. 
 Each felt alarm for himself, his family, and friends. The 
 shock roused them to reflection. They considered more 
 closely the character of the accusers ; the nature of the al 
 leged crime ; the testimony, often contradictory and never 
 explicit ; and more than all these, the high standing of some 
 who were implicated ; and began to doubt whether they had 
 not been too credulous and precipitate. 
 
 95. At the next term, the grand jury found indictments 
 against fifty ; but, on trial, all were acquitted accept three, 
 and them the governor reprieved. He also directed that all 
 who were in prison should be set at liberty. A belief, how- 
 ever, of the truth of the charges, still lingered among the 
 people, and prevented any prosecution of the impostors. 
 That all were impostors cannot be believed. Many must 
 have acted under the influence of a disordered imagination, 
 which the attendant circumstances were well calculated to 
 produce. 
 
 96. Besides establishing courts of justice, the legislature, 
 at its first session under the new charter, passed a law 
 which indicates the same independent spirit that afterwards 
 resisted the usurpations of the British parliament. It 
 provided that no tax should be imposed upon any of his 
 majesty s subjects, or their estates, in the province, but by 
 the act and consent of the governor, council, and represent 
 atives of the people, in general court assembled. It is 
 almost superfluous to say, that this law was disallowed by 
 the king. 
 
 97. The war with the t French and Indians, which be 
 gan in 1690, was not ve.t terminated. For seven years 
 were the frontier ,etL.;r^;.nts harassed by the savages; 
 and the English employed expeditions against them. A 
 history of these would consist only of repeated accounts 
 of Indian cunning and barbarity, and of English enterprise 
 and fortitude. Peace between England and France, which 
 took place in 1697, was soon followed by peace with the 
 savages. 
 
 98. But in a few years war again broke out in Euiope, 
 which was the signal for hostilities in America. The first 
 blow fell upon Deerfield. In February, 1704, it was sur 
 prised in the night, about forty persons were killed, an<? 
 
48 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 more than one hundred made prisoners, among whom were 
 Mr. Williams, the minister, and his family. The killed 
 were scalped, and the prisoners commanded to prepare for a 
 long march to Canada. 
 
 99. On the second day Mrs. Williams was so exhausted 
 with fatigue that she could go no farther. Her husband so- 
 licited permission to remain with her ; but the retreating 
 savages, according to their custom in such cases, killed her 
 Biid compelled him to proceed. Before the termination of 
 their journey, twenty more became unable to walk, and were 
 in like manner sacrificed. Those who survived the journey 
 to Canada, were treated by the French with humanity ; and 
 after a captivity of many years, most of them were redeemed, 
 and returned to their friends. 
 
 100. New York having agreed with the French and the 
 western Indians to remain neutral, these were enabled to pour 
 their whole force upon Massachusetts and New Hampshire, 
 the inhabitants of which, for ten years, endured miseries pe 
 culiar to an Indian war, and more distressing than their de 
 scendants can well imagine. The enemy were at afl times 
 prowling about the frontier settlements, watching in con- 
 ccalment for an opportunity to strike a sudden blow and fly 
 with safety. The women and children retired into the gar 
 rison ; the men left their fields uncultivated, or labored with 
 arms at their sides, and with sentinels at every point whence 
 an attack could be apprehended. 
 
 101. Yet notwithstanding these precautions, the enemy 
 were often successful, killing sometimes an individual only, 
 sometimes a whole family, sometimes a band of laborers, ten 
 or twelve in number ; and so swift were they in their move 
 ments, that but few fell into the hands of the wiiites. It was 
 computed that the sum of one thousand pounds was expend 
 ed for every Indian killed or made captive. 
 
 102. In 1707, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode 
 Island despatched an armament against Port Royal, in Nova 
 Scotia, which was then in possession of the French. It re 
 turned without accomplishing its object. In 1710 New Eng 
 land, assisted by a fleet furnished by the mother country, suc 
 ceeded in reducing the place ; and its name, in compliment 
 to queen Anne, was changed to Annapolis. 
 
 103. The success of this enterprise encouraged the 
 commander, general Nicholson, to visit England and pro 
 pose an expedition against Canada. His proposition waa 
 adopted, and in June, 1711, admiral Walker, with a fleet 
 of fifteen ships of war, and forty transports, bringing an 
 
MASSACHUSETTS. 40 
 
 army of veteran troops, arrived at Boston. Taking on 
 board two additional regiments, he sailed from that port 
 about the last of July. At the same time general Nicholson 
 repaired to Albany to take command of the troops that were 
 to proceed by land. 
 
 104. When the fleet had advanced ten leagues up the river 
 St. Lawrence, the weather became tempestuous and foggy. 
 A difference of opinion arose concerning the course to bo 
 pursued, the English pilots recommending one course, and 
 the colonial another. The admiral, entertaining, like all 
 other English officers, an opinion of the abilities of the colo. 
 nists, corresponding with their dependent condition, adopted 
 the advice of his own pilots. Pursuing the course they ro- 
 commerided, nine transports were driven, about midnight, 
 upon the rocks, and dashed to pieces. 
 
 105; From every quarter cries of distress arose, convoy 
 ing, through the darkness, to those who were yet afloat, in 
 telligence of the fate of their comra.des, and of their own 
 danger. The shrieks of the drowning pleaded powerfully 
 for assistance, but none could be afforded until the morning 
 dawned, when six or seven hundred, found floating on the 
 scattered wrecks, were rescued from death, more than a 
 thousand having sunk to rise no more. Not a single Ameri 
 can was lost. 
 
 106. Weakened by this terrible disaster, the admiral de 
 termined to return to England, where he arrived in the 
 month of October. Thither misfortune attended him. On 
 the fifteenth his ship blew up, and four hundred seamen pe 
 rished. ; The New England troops returned to their homes, 
 arid Nicholson, having learned the fate of the fleet, led back 
 his troops to Albany. The next year the colonies found no 
 repose. In 1713, France and England made peace at 
 Utrecht, and, in the same year, peace was concluded with 
 the Indians. 
 
 107. Such was the destruction of lives in this war, that 
 the population of New England was sensibly retarded. Her 
 expenses were also enormous. Although the annual taxes 
 paid by the inhabitants were greater than in any other por 
 tion of the British empire, yet the colonies most exposed were 
 burdened, at the close of the war, with a heavy debt, in the 
 shape of bills of credit, or paper money, which impeded their 
 prosperity, perplexing individuals and the government in all 
 their transactions. 
 
 108. In 1716, Samuel Shute, a colonel in the army of the 
 celebrated duke_ of Marlborough, was appointed governor 
 
 9 
 
50 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 On his arrival in the province, he found the people divided 
 into two parties, one in favor of a public bank, which had 
 just been established, the other of the incorporation of a pri 
 vate bank. He joined the former ; the latter of course be- 
 came hostile ; and, led by a Mr. Cooke, opposed with viru 
 lence all his measures. 
 
 109. In 1720, this party, embracing a majority of the re. 
 presentatives, elected their leader speaker. The choice was 
 communicated to the governor, who interposed his negative 
 The house persisted in their choice, denying his right to in 
 terfere. The controversy continued several days, when the 
 governor dissolved the assembly, and directed that a new 
 election should be made by the people. 
 
 110. The charter not giving, in express terms, to the go 
 vernor, the power to reject a speaker, the people resolved tc 
 support their representatives, and nearly all of them were 
 again elected. When met, to avoid a second dissolution, 
 they chose a Mr. Lindall speaker ; but in a warm remon 
 strance to the governor, condemned his conduct, and re 
 asserted their sole and exclusive right to choose their pre 
 siding officer. 
 
 111. The session was short, and but little was done that 
 did not display the angry feelings of the house. Instead of 
 six hundred pounds, the usual grant to the governor for half 
 a year s salary, they appropriated but five hundred, and, as a 
 mark of their displeasure, deferred that art. until near the 
 close of the session. 
 
 112. At their next meeting, the same feelings prevailed, 
 and the same diminished sum was voted. The governor then 
 informed them, that he had been instructed by the king to 
 recommend to the assembly, to establish for him a perma 
 nent and honorable salary. The house, aware of the im- 
 porta.nce of retaining the power of granting such sums as the 
 governor might merit by his conduct, replied, that the sub 
 ject was new, and expressed a wish that the court might 
 rise. With this request the governor complied. 
 
 113. This disagreement continued, the ill temper of 
 both parties increasing, through several subsequent ses 
 sions. The representatives, confident of the support of the 
 people, refused to establish a permanent salary for the go 
 vernor, and often withheld the pittance they gave, until he 
 had sanctioned those measures which they desired should be 
 adopted. 
 
 114. Jlis residence in the province being rendered, by 
 this dispute, unpleasant, he suddenly and privately quitted 
 
MASSACHUSETTS. 51 
 
 it, in December, 1722. Upon his arrival in England, he 
 exhibit**! charges against the house, of having made ra- 
 rious encroachments upon the king s prerogative, which 
 the agents of the province were instructed to answer and 
 repal. 
 
 115. He remained in Engln.nd until 1728, when he re 
 signed his office, and William Burnet, then governor of New 
 York, was appointed his successor. In his first speech, 
 he informed the house that he had received positive in 
 structions from the king to insist on a permanent salary. 
 The representatives, generous of their money, but tena 
 cious of their rights, appropriated three hundred pounds for 
 the expenses of his journey, and fourteen hundred pounds 
 towards his support, not specifying for what time. The first 
 sum ha accepted ; but absolutely declined receiving any 
 compensation for his services, except in the mode of a fixed 
 salary. 
 
 116. The delegates were equally decided; and having 
 transacted all their necessary business, requested the gover 
 nor, by message, to adjourn them. He replied, that lie could 
 not comply with their request, as, if he did, lie should put 
 it out of their power to pay immediate regard to the king s 
 instructions. A few days afterwards, the request was again 
 made and again denied. 
 
 117. Messages, containing arguments and replies, were 
 often interchanged by the parties. After two months had 
 been consumed in the controversy, the governor, imagining 
 the members were influenced by the citizens of Boston, 
 transferred the general court to Salem. They were detained 
 there two months ; were then allowed to return to their 
 homes ; were again assembled after a short recess ; and hav 
 ing sat seventeen days, were ngain adjourned without exhi 
 biting any symptoms of compliance. 
 
 118. A new assembly was elected, and several sessions 
 in the summer of 1729. displaying- the same spirit as the 
 former. In the mean time, information was transmitted 
 from England, that the king approved the conduct of the 
 governor, and condemned that of the house. Still the 
 members continued inflexible. In August, they were re 
 moved to Cambridge, which served to exasperate rather 
 than to convince them. Here, however, the controversy 
 was suspended, for a time,- by the death of the go 
 vern or, which was supposed to have been hastened by 
 his unsuccessful contest with the house of representa 
 tives. 
 
52 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 119. His successor was Mr. Belcher, then agent in Eng. 
 land. As he belonged to the popular party, his appoint 
 ment gave rise to the expectation, that the instruction, 
 to obtain a permanent salary, was withdrawn. But from 
 his first speech it appeared, that it was not only unre- 
 scinded, but enforced by a threat of .punishment in case of 
 refusal. 
 
 120. The house, unintimidated by the threat, refused. 
 The governor, during the two first years of his administra 
 tion, made several attempts to -induce them to comply. All 
 failing, he endeavored to obtain a relaxation of his instruc 
 tions. Permission was at length granted that he might 
 receive a particular sum, which was voted, and a similar 
 permission was afterwards annually given. Thus ended a 
 contest which prepared the people of Massachusetts to em 
 bark in another in which more important rights were to bo 
 defended. 
 
 121. These turbulent times were succeeded by a calm 
 which continued several years ; during which, however, the 
 ejiiemies of governor Belcher, by incessant misrepresenta 
 tion, deprived him of the favor df the ministry in England. 
 In 1740, he was removed from office, and Mr. William 
 Shirley appointed in his place. 
 
 122. In 1744, war again broke out between England and 
 Franco, and the colonies were involved in its calamities. 
 Their commerce and fisheries suffered great injury from 
 privateers, fitted out at Louisburg, a French port, on capo 
 Breton. Its situation gave it such importance, that nearly 
 six millions of dollars had been expended on its fortifications. 
 Mr. Vaughan, of New Hampshire, who had often visited 
 that place as a trader, conceived the project of an expedi 
 tion against it. He communicated it to governor Shirley, 
 and, being ardent and enthusiastic, convinced him that the 
 enterprise was practicable, and inspired him with his own 
 enthusiasm, 
 
 123. Having exacted of the general court an oath of se 
 crecy, the governor, in January, 1745, communicated to them 
 the project. Many heard it with amazement. So strong 
 was the place, and so weak, comparatively, were the colo 
 nies, that the thought of attacking it seemed rash and pre 
 sumptuous. From respect to him, however, his proposal 
 was referred to a committee ; they reported against it ; the 
 house accepted the report, and the members dismissed from 
 their minds all thoughts of the expedition. 
 
 124. During the secret deliberations the people watched 
 
MASSACHUSETTS.. 53 
 
 with anxiety to ascertain their object. The disclosure was 
 made by an honest member, who, incautiously, in hie; fa. 
 mily devotions, prayed for the divine blessing on the attempt, 
 should it be made. The people were instantly struck with 
 the advantage of possessing the place. When the decision 
 was made known, a petition, signed by a large number of 
 merchants, was presented to the general court, praying them 
 to, comply with tho governor s proposal. The subject was 
 again discussed, and a vote in favor of the expedition was 
 passed by a majority of one. 
 
 125. The question was now decided, and all who were 
 before averse to the enterprise, united heartily with its sup. 
 porters to carry it into, execution. The other New England 
 colonies were solicited, and agi^eed to furnish assistance ; 
 and a boat was despatched to commodore Warren, in the 
 West Indies, to invite his co-operation. Colonel Pepperell 
 was appointed Commander-in-chief, and Roger Wolcott, of 
 Connecticut, second in command. 
 
 126. In two months, an army of more than four thousand 
 men was enlisted, clothed, victualled, and equipped for ser 
 vice, in the four New England colonies, which did not then 
 contain four hundred thousand inhabitants. On the 23d of 
 March, the despatch bout returned from the West Indies, 
 with advice that commodore Warren declined furnishing aid. 
 This intelligence was kept secret. The troops of Massa 
 chusetts embarked, as though nothing discouraging had 
 happened ; and about the middle of April, they, as well as 
 those sent by Connecticut and New Hampshire, arrived safe 
 at Canso. 
 
 127. Commodore Warren had but just despatched his an 
 swer, when he received orders to repair to Boston with such 
 ships as could be spared, and concert measures with governor 
 Shirley for his majesty s service in North America. He 
 sailed instantly ; but learning, in his course, that the trans 
 ports had left Boston for Canso, he steered directly for that 
 place, where he arrived on the 23d of April. He added 
 much to their naval strength, and much to that confidence, 
 which, by promising, ensures victory. 
 
 128. Several vessels of war, which had been sent to cruise 
 before Louisburg, had captured a number of French ships, 
 and prevented any intelligence of, the expedition from reach 
 ing the enemy. These vessels were daily in sight of the 
 place, but were supposed to be privateers, and caused no 
 alarm. The appearance of the fleet, on the 30th of April, 
 gave the French the first intimation of their danger. 
 
 5* . 
 
54 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 129. The troops immediately landed, and the next day a 
 detachment of four hundred, marching round the hills, ap 
 proached within a mile of the grand battery, setting fire to 
 all the houses and stores on the way. Many of these con 
 tained pitch and tar, which produced a thick smoke, that 
 completely enveloped the invaders. The fears of the French 
 were increased by their uncertainty. They imagined the 
 whole army was corning upon them, and, throwing their 
 powder into a well, deserted the battery, of which the New 
 England troops took possession without loss. 
 
 130. This was uncommon good fortune ; but the most 
 difficult labors of the siege remained to be performed. The 
 cannon were to be drawn nearly two miles, over a deep 
 morass, in plain view, and within gun-shot, of the enemy s 
 principal fortifications. For fourteen nights, the troops, 
 with straps over their shoulders, and sinking to their knees 
 in mud, were employed in this service. 
 
 131. The approaches were then begun in the mode which 
 se-emed most proper to the shrewd understandings of un 
 taught militia. Those officers, who were skilled in the art 
 of war, talked of zigzags and epaule7nents ; but the troops 
 made themselves merry with the terms, and proceeded in 
 their own way. By the 20th of May, they had erected five 
 batteries, one of which mounted five forty-two pounders, and 
 did great execution. 
 
 132. Meanwhile the fleet, cruising in the harbor, had been 
 equally successful. It captured a French ship of sixty-four 
 guns, loaded with stores for the garrison, to whom the loss 
 was as distressing as to the besiegers the capture was fortu 
 nate. English ships of war were, besides, continually ar 
 riving, and added such strength to the fleet, that a combined 
 attack upon the town was resolved upon. The enemy, dis 
 covering this design, deemed it unwise to abide the hazard 
 of an assault. On the 15th of June, the French commandei 
 proposed a cessation of hostilities, and, on the 17th, capi 
 tulated. 
 
 133. Intelligence of this event, flying swiftly through the 
 colonies, diffused great and universal joy. And well might 
 the citizens of New England be elated with the glad tid 
 ings. Without even a suggestion from the mother country, 
 they had projected, and, with but little assistance, had 
 achieved, an enterprise of vast importance to her and to 
 them. Their commerce and fisheries were now secure, and 
 their maritime cities relieved from all fear of attack from 
 that quarter. 
 
NEW HAMPSHIRE. 55 
 
 134. France, fired with resentment at her loss, made ex. 
 traordmary exertions to retrieve it, and to inflict chastise 
 ment on New England. The next summer, she despatched 
 to the American coast a powerful fleet, carrying a large 
 number of soldiers. The news of its approach spread terror 
 throughout New England ; hut an uncommon succession of 
 disasters, which the pious of that time attributed to the spe 
 cial interposition of Providence, deprived it of all power to 
 inflict injury. After remaining a short time on the coast, it 
 returned to France, having lost two admirals, both of whom, 
 it was supposed, put an end to their lives through chagrin ; 
 having also, by tempests, been reduced to one half its force, 
 and effected nothing. 
 
 135. In 1748, peace wa.s concluded, each party restoring 
 all its prisoners and conquests ; a striking, but not uncom 
 mon, illustration of the folly of war. Louisburg, though 
 conquered by the colonies, was exchanged, by Great Britain, 
 for territories which she had lost in Europe. New England 
 murmured at this injustice ; but what avail the murmurs of 
 the weak ? 
 
 136. From this period to the commencement of the next 
 French war, but few important events occurred in Massa 
 chusetts. The bills of credit, which the colony had issued 
 to defray its enormous expenditure, were redeemed by the 
 government, at their depreciated value. This example was 
 followed, though tardily, by the other governments. At the 
 time of their redemption, they were worth no more., in some 
 colonies, than one tenth, and in others, one twentieth, of the 
 sum for which they had been issued. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 NEW HAMPSHIRE. 
 
 WITH the history of Massachusetts, the parent of the 
 New England colonies, that of Now Hampshire has bee"n 
 necessarily blended. A brief relation of some detached 
 events, which occurred in the latter colony, will now be 
 given. 
 
 2. John Mason, Ferdinand Gorges and others, having 
 obtained, of the Plymouth or New England company, 
 grants of several tracts of land, lying north of Massachu 
 setts, sent from England, in 1623, a few persons to begin 
 
56 NEW HAMPSHIRE.. 
 
 a settlement. Part landed, and, for a short time, remained 
 at Little Harbor, on the west side of Piscatuqua river, and 
 near its mouth, Here the first house was built, which 
 was called Mason Hall. The remainder, proceeding 
 higher up the river, settled at Cochecc^ afterwarcts called 
 Dover. 
 
 3. Fishing and trade being the principal objects of these 
 emigrants, their settlements increased slpwly. In 1629, 
 the territory situated between Merrimac and Piscataqua 
 rivers, and extending sixty miles from the sea, was granted 
 to Mason alone, and then first called New Hampshire. In 
 1631, the first house was built, at Portsmouth. In 1638, 
 the reverend John Wheelwright, who, in 1629^ but previous 
 to the date of Mason s patent, had purchased the land of 
 the Indians, laid the foundation of Exeter. The next 
 year, thirty-five persons, residing in that town, combined 
 and established civil government. Within a year or two 
 afterwards, the inhabitants of Dover and Portsmouth fol 
 lowed their example, each town remaining distinct and 
 independent. 
 
 4. In 1641, these little republics, distrusting their a.bility 
 to protect themselves, formed a coalition with Massachusetts, 
 and long remained a part of that colony. The civil wars in 
 England diverted the attention of Mason from his grant, and 
 those who migrated to. the country purchased of Wheel- 
 wright v the lands which th".y occupied. In the war with 
 Philip, the settlements Oil Piscataqua and Oyster rivers were 
 attacked by the Indians, aud suffered severely. 
 
 5. In 1675, Robert Mason, grandson and heir of John 
 Mason, applied to the king to obtain possession of the terri 
 tory and rights which had been granted to his ancestor. 
 Notice of this application was given to Massachusetts, and 
 the parties were heard before the king in council. In 1679, 
 a decree was passed, that Now Hampshire should be consti 
 tuted a separate province, to be ruled by a president and 
 council, who were to be appointed by the king, and a house 
 of representatives to be chosen by the people. No decision 
 was made affecting the titles to land. 
 
 6. The first assembly, consisting of eleven members, 
 met, in 1680, at Portsmouth. At this session, a code of 
 laws was adopted, of which the first, in a style worthy of 
 freemen, declared, "that no act, imposition, law, or ordi 
 nance, should be imposed upon the inhabitants of the 
 province, but such as should be made by the assembly, 
 and approved by the president and council." This was 
 
NEW HAMPSHIRE. 57 
 
 iwelve years previous to the enactment of a similar law in 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 7. In the same year, Mason, who had been appointed a 
 member of the council, arrived in the<colony. He assumed 
 the title of lord proprietor, claimed the soil as his property, 
 and threatened to prosecute all who would not take from 
 him leases of the lands they occupied. His pretensions 
 were resisted by most of the inhabitants, who claimed the 
 fee-simple of the soil by a more righteous, if not more legal 
 title. 
 
 8. The peace of the colony was long disturbed by these 
 conflicting claims. At the head of those who contended with 
 Mason, stood Major Waldron, of Dover. Against him, and 
 many others, suits were instituted. No defence was made ; 
 judgments were obtained, but so general was the hostility to 
 Mason, that he never dared to enforce them. 
 
 9. Over Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the same go- 
 vernor usually presided. After Andros was deposed, the 
 Inhabitants of the latter colony desired to be incorporated 
 with their former brethren. Their request was opposed by 
 Samuel Allen, who had purchased Mason s title, and was 
 refused. Allen was made governor of the colony, and, by 
 his influence, John Usher, his son-in-law, was appointed 
 lieutenant-governor. Under his administration, the disputes, 
 occasioned by adverse claims to land, continued to rage with 
 -increased violence. Other suits were instituted, and judg 
 ments obtained ; but the sheriff was forcibly resisted, by a 
 powerful combination, whenever he attempted to put the 
 plaintiff in possession. 
 
 10. From Indian wars this colony suffered more than any 
 of her sisters. The surprise of Dover, in 1689, was attended 
 by circumstances of the most shocking barbarity. That the 
 natives had been cruelly injured by major Waldron, the prin 
 cipal citizen, may account for, if not extenuate, their fero 
 city in obtaining revenge. 
 
 11. Having determined upon their plan of attack, they em 
 ployed more than their usual art, to lull the suspicions of the 
 inhabitants. So civil and respectful was their behavior, that 
 they often obtained permission to sleep in the fortified house* 
 in the town. On the evening of the fatal night, they 
 assembled in the neighborhood, and sent their women to 
 apply for lodgings, at the houses devoted to destruction ; 
 who were not only admitted, but were shown how they 
 could open the doors should they have occasion to go out in 
 the night. 
 
58 NEW HAMPSHIRE. 
 
 12. When all was quiet, the doors were opened and the 
 signal given. The Indians rushed into Waldron s house, 
 and hastened to hi<s apartment. Awakened by the noise, he 
 seized his sword, and drove them back ; but when returning 
 for his other arms, was stunned with a hatchet, and fell. 
 They then dragged him into his hall, seated him in an 
 elbow chair, upon a long table, and insultingly asked him, 
 "Who shall judge Indians now?" After foasting upon 
 provisions, which they compelled the rest of the family to 
 procure, each one, with his knife, cut gashes across his 
 breast, saying, " I cross out my account,." When, weakened 
 with the loss of blood, he was about to fall from the table, 
 his own sword was held under him, which put an end to his 
 misery. 
 
 13. At other hc-oscs, similar acts of cruelty were perpe 
 trated. In the whole, twenty-three persons were killed, 
 twenty-nine carried prisoners to Canada, and mostly sold to 
 the French. Remembering kindness as well as injury, they 
 spared one woman, who, thirteen years before, had conferred 
 a favor on one of the party. Many houses were burned, 
 much property was plundered, and so expeditious were the 
 Indians, that they had fled beyond reach before the neigh, 
 boring people could be collected. 
 
 14. The war thus commenced was prosecuted with great 
 vigor. The French, by giving premiums for scalps, and by 
 purchasing the English prisoners, animated the Indians to 
 exert all their activity and address, and the frontier inhabit, 
 ants endured the most aggravated sufferings. The settle, 
 ments on Oyster river were again surprised ; twenty houses 
 were burned, and nearly one hundred persons were killed or 
 made prisoners. Other towns were attacked, many persons 
 slain, and many carried into captivity. The peace of Rys- 
 wick, in 1697, closed the distressing scene., In 1703, an- 
 other war began, which continued ten years., 
 
 15. In 1719, above one hundred families, mostly Pres 
 byterians, emigrated from the north of Ireland, and settled 
 the town of Londonderry. They introduced the foot 
 spinning-wheel, the manufacture of linen, and the culture 
 of potatoes. They were industrious, hardy, and useful 
 citizens. 
 
 16. From 1722 to 1726, the inhabitants again suffered the 
 afflictions of an Indian war. Following the example of the 
 French, the goT^rnment offered premiums for scalps, which 
 induced several volunteer companies to undertake expedi 
 tions against the enemy. One of these, commanded by cap. 
 
CONNECTICUT. 59 
 
 tain Lovewell, was greatly. distinguished, at first by its suc 
 cess, and afterwards by its misfortunes. 
 
 17. Long after" the transfer from Mason to Allen, some de 
 fect in the conveyance was discovered, which rendered it 
 void. In 1746, John Tufton Mason, a descendant of tho 
 original grantee, claiming the lands possessed by his ances 
 tors, conveyed them, for fifteen hundred pounds, to twelve 
 persons, subsequently called the Masonian proprietors. 
 They, to silence opposition, voluntarily relinquished their 
 claim to the lands already occupied by others. 
 
 18. They also granted townships on the most liberal 
 terms. Reserving certain portions of the lands for them 
 selves, for the first settled ministers, and for schools, they 
 required merely that the grantees should, within a limited 
 time, erect mills and meeting-houses, clear out roads, and 
 settle ministers of the gospel. In process of time, nearly all 
 the Masonian lands, being about one fourth of the whole, 
 were, in this manner, granted ; and contention and lawsuits 
 ceased to disturb the repose, and to impede the prosperity of 
 the colony. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 CONNECTICUT. 
 
 IN 1631, viscount Say and Seal, lord Brook, and others, 
 obtained from the Plymouth Company, in England, a grant 
 of the territory which now constitutes the state of Connec 
 ticut ; arid so little was then known of the geography of the 
 new world, that the grant was made to extend, in longitude, 
 from the Atlantic Ocean to the South Sea. In the same 
 year, the Indians, living on Connecticut river, having invited 
 the colony of Plymouth to make a settlement on their lands, 
 governor Winslow, and others, visited the country, and se- 
 lected a place near the mouth of the little river in Windsor, 
 for the erection of a trading house. 
 
 2. The Dutch of New York, apprized of this project of 
 the English, and determined to anticipate them, immediately 
 despatched a party, who erected a fort at Hartford. In Sep 
 tember, 1633, a company from Plymouth, having prepared 
 the frame of a house, put it on board a vessel, and, passing 
 the fort, conveyed it to the place previously selected. In 
 October, they raised, covered, and fortified it with palisades- 
 
00 CONNECTICUT. 
 
 TKti Dutch, considering them intruders, sent, the next 
 yeki a party of seventy men to drive them from the country, 
 but iiiding them strongly posted, they relinquished the 
 desig i. 
 
 3. In the autumn of 1635, many of the inhabitants of 
 Dorchester and Watertown, in Massachusetts, having heard 
 of the fertile meadows on Connecticut river, removed thither, 
 and began settlements at Weathersfield and Windsor. 
 During the next winter, their sufferings from f inline were 
 extreme. So destitute *were they of provisions, that many, 
 in dread of starvation, returned, in December, to Massachu 
 setts. In their journey through the dreary wilderness, 
 at this inclement season, they encountered indescribable 
 hardships. 
 
 4. In the same autumn, Mr. Winthrop arrived from Eng 
 land, with instructions from the patentees to erect a fort at 
 the mouth of the river, and make the requisite preparation 
 for planting a colony. The fort was but just completed 
 when a party, sent, for the same purpose, by the Dutch, at 
 New York, arrived in a vessel, but were not permitted to 
 land. 
 
 5. The next spring, those who had been compelled by fa 
 mine to revisit Massachusetts, returned to Connecticut. In 
 June, the reverend Mr. Hooker, of Cambridge, and about 
 one hundred men, women, and children, belonging to his 
 congregation, travelling through the wilderness, laid the 
 foundation of Hartford. They were nearly two weeks on 
 their journey ; they drove their cattle with them, and sub 
 sisted, on the way, upon the milk of their cows. 
 
 6. In 1637, all the settlsrnents in New England were in 
 volved in hostilities with the Pequods, a tribe of Indians in 
 habiting New London arid the country around it. Some 
 account of this war has been given in the history of Massa 
 chusetts. Previous to any expedition against them, they had 
 killed many of the emigrants to Connecticut, had captured 
 others, and tortured them to death. In the short war which 
 followed, their surviving brethren, fur bravery in battle and 
 fortitude in suffering, were not surpassed by any portion of 
 the English troops. 
 
 7. At first the emigrants acknowledged the authority 
 of Massachusetts. In January, 1639, the freemen, having 
 convened at Hartford, adopted a constitution for them, 
 selves. They ordained that two general courts, or assem 
 blies, should be held annually, one in April, the other in 
 September ; that at the court held in April, styled the court 
 
CONNECTICUT. 61 
 
 of election, the freemen should choose a governor, six ma 
 gistrates, and all the public officers ;. that to the other, the 
 several towns should send deputies, who, in conjunction with 
 the governor and magistrates, were authorized to enact laws, 
 and perform all necessary public services. No general court 
 could be adjourned or dissolved, without the consent of a 
 major part of the members. 
 
 8. In the same year, George Fenwick, one of the paten 
 tees, came over with his family, and settled at the mouth of 
 the river. In honor of lord Say arid Seal, and lord Brook, 
 he called the place Saybrook. Others afterwards joined 
 him ; and for several years they were governed by their own 
 magistrates and laws. In 1644. Mr. Fenwick, for seven 
 thousand dollars, assigned to the general court of Con 
 necticut, the fort at Saybrook, and all the rights conferred 
 by the patent from the Plymouth company in England. 
 This settlement then beaame a part of the colony. The 
 claim of Plymouth colony, founded upon their having first 
 made an establishment at Windsor, had been previously 
 purchased. 
 
 9. In the mean time, another colony had been planted 
 within the limits of the Connecticut patent. In June, lb 37, 
 two large ships arrived at Boston, from England, having on 
 board Mr. Davenport, Mr. Eaton, and many others, whom 
 pious motives had impelled to emigrate to New England. 
 Being highly respectable, and some of them possessing great 
 wealth, the general court of Massachusetts, desirous of de 
 taining them in the colony, offered them: any place they 
 might select for a plantation. 
 
 10. Wishing, however, to institute a civil and religious 
 community, conforming in all things to their peculiar 
 principles, they removed, the next year, to Quinnipac, 
 which they called New Haven. Soon after their arrival, 
 at the close of a day of fasting and prayer, they subscribed 
 what they termed a plantation covenant, solemnly binding 
 themselves, " until otherwise ordered, to be governed in 
 all things, of a civil as well as religious concern, by the 
 rules which the scripture held forth to them." They pur 
 chased of the natives large tracts of land, and laid out 
 their town in squares, designing it for a great and elegant 
 city. 
 
 11. In 1639, all the free planters, assembled in a large 
 bam, proceeded to lay the foundation of their civil and reli 
 gious polity. They resolved that none but chureh members 
 tfhould b ^ allowed tho nriviloorp ot" voting, or be elected to 
 
 h 
 
G2 CONNECTICUT. 
 
 office ; that all the freemen should annually assemble and 
 elect the officers f the colony ; and that the word of God 
 should be the only rule for ordering the affairs of the com- 
 monwealth. Such was the original constitution of New 
 Haven ; but as the population increased, and new towns 
 were settled, different regulations were adopted, and the in- 
 stitutions and laws became gradually assimilated to those of 
 Connecticut. 
 
 12. With the Dutch at New York, both colonies had con- 
 stant and vexatious disputes; The former claimed all the 
 territory as far east as Connecticut river ; the latter com 
 plained that the Dutch often plundered their property : that 
 they sold guns and ammunition to the Indians, and even en- 
 couragedthem to make war upon the English. The fear of 
 attack from that quarter was one of the reasons which, in 
 1643, induced the colonies of New England to form a con 
 federation for their mutual defence. 
 
 13. In 1650, a treaty of amity and partition was concluded 
 at Hartford, between the English and Dutch, the latter re 
 linquishing their claim to the territory of Connecticut, ex^ 
 cept the lands which they actually occupied. Soon after, 
 England and Holland were involved in war with each other, 
 but their colonies in America agreed to remain at peace. 
 Notwithstanding this agreement, the Dutch governor was 
 detected in concerting with the Indians a plot for the total 
 extirpation of the English. 
 
 14. Connecticut and New Haven were alarmed ; a meet 
 ing of the commissioners of the united colonies was called, 
 and evidence Of the plot laid before them. A majority was 
 in favor of war; but the colony of Massachusetts, being re 
 mote from the danger, was averse to it. As she was much 
 stronger than either of the others, it was, at the suggestion 
 of her deputies, resolved that agents should first be sent 
 to demand of the Dutch governor an explanation of his 
 conduct. 
 
 15. The agents obtained no satisfactory explanation. 
 On their return, a-Aother meeting of the commissioners 
 was held at Boston, additional testimony was laid before 
 them, ana several ministers of Massachusetts were invited 
 to assist at their deliberations, a practice not unusual at 
 that period. 
 
 18. The opinion of these ministers being requested,, 
 ihey observed, "that the proofs of the execrable plot, 
 lending to the destruction of the dear saints of God, wero 
 of such weight as to induce them to believe the reality 
 
CONNECTICUT. 63 
 
 -of it ; yet they were not so fully conclusive as to bear up 
 their hearts with the fulness of persuasion which was meet 
 in commending the case to God in prayer, and to the people 
 in exhortations ; and that it would be safest for the colonies 
 to forbear the use of the sword." 
 
 17. Bat all the commissioners, except one, were of opi 
 nion that recent aggressions justified, and self-preservation 
 dictated, an appeal to the sword. They were about to de 
 clare war, when the general court of Massachusetts, in di 
 rect violation of one of the articles of the confederation, re 
 solved, "that no determination of the commissioners, though 
 all should agree, should bind the colony to engage in hos 
 tilities." 
 
 18. At this declaration, Connecticut and New Haven felt 
 alarmed and indignant. They considered the other colonies 
 too weak, wUhout the assistance of Massachusetts, to con 
 tend with the Dutch and their Indian allies. They argued, 
 entreated, and remonstrated, but she continued inflexible. 
 Tiiev then represented their danger to Cromwell, and im 
 plored his assistance. He, with his usual promptitude, sent 
 a Heel, for thoir protection, and for the conquest of their ene 
 mies ; but peace in Europe, intelligence of which reached 
 New England soon after the arrival of the fleet, saved the 
 Dutch from subjugation, and relieved the colonies from the 
 dread of massacre. 
 
 19. After Charles II. was restored to the throne, Connec 
 ticut applied to him for a royal charter. A trifling circum- 
 ptarice induced him, forgetting all his arbitrary maxims, to 
 comply with her wishes to their utmost extent. Her agent, 
 Mr. Winthrop, having an extraordinary ring, which had 
 been given to his grandfather by Charles I., presented it to 
 his son. He immediately granted a charter, more liberal in 
 its provisions than any that had yet been granted, and con 
 firming in every particular, the constitution which the peo 
 ple had themselves adopted. 
 
 20. This charter comprehended New Haven ; but, for 
 several years the people of that colony utterly refused to con 
 sent to the union. In this opposition to the commands of 
 the king, and the remonstrances of Connecticut, they per 
 severed until 1665, when the apprehension of the appoint 
 ment of a general governor, and of their being united with 
 some other colony, having a charter less favorable to liberty, 
 impelled them, though reluctantly, to yield. 
 
 21. In the war with Philip, which began in 1675, Con- 
 ftecticut suffered less than her sister colonies. Her aid, 
 
64 CONNECTICUT. 
 
 however, in flill proportion to her strength, was always 
 freely afforded ; and no troops surpassed her volunteers in 
 bravery and enterprise. A large number, and many of 
 them officers, were killed at the assault upon the fort at 
 Narra.ganset. 
 
 22. In 1686, king James II., desirous of annulling, not 
 only the charters which had been granted to his English 
 cities, but those also which had been granted to his Ameri 
 can colonies, summoned the governor of Connecticut to ap 
 pear and show cause why her charter should not be declared 
 void. And sir Edmund Andross, who had been appointed 
 governor of New England, advised the colony, as the course 
 best calculated to insure the good will of his majesty, to re 
 sign it voluntarily into his hands, he having been instructed 
 to receive it. But the people estimated too highly the pri 
 vileges it conferred to surrender it until necessity compelled 
 them. 
 
 23. Sir Edmund, therefore, repaired, with a body of troops, 
 to Hartford, when the assembly were in session, and de 
 manded of them the charter. They hesitated and debated 
 until evening. It was then produced and laid upon the table, 
 a large number of people being present. Suddenly, the can 
 dles were extinguished. With counterfeited haste, they were 
 again relighted ; but the charter could no where be found. 
 In the dark, it had been privately carried off by a captain 
 Wadsworth, and concealed in a holiow tree. Sir Edmund, 
 however, assumed the government of the colony, and ruled 
 with the same absolute sway, though not with the same op 
 pressive tyranny, as in Massachusetts. 
 
 24. When James was driven from his throne and kingdom, 
 and his governor deposed, Connecticut resumed her former 
 government. The assembly voted a flattering address to 
 king William. The suit, instituted for the purpose of annul 
 ling her charter, was abandoned; and her inhabitants, while 
 enjoying greater privileges than any of their brethren, had 
 reason to congratulate themselves upon their address and 
 good fortune in preserving them. 
 
 25. But, not long afterwards, they were again called upon 
 to defend these privileges from encroachment. In 1692, 
 colonel Fletcher was appointed governor of New York, and 
 was authorized, by his commission, to take command of the 
 militia of Connecticut. This power having been given, by 
 the charter, to the governor of the colony, he determined not 
 to relinquish it, and in this determination was supported by 
 the people. 
 
CONNECTICUT. 65 
 
 86. The next year, when the general court were in session, 
 colonel Fletcher repaired to Hartford, and required that the 
 militia of the colony should be placed under his command. 
 This was resolutely refused. He then ordered the trainbands 
 of the city to be assembled. This being done, he appeared 
 before them, and directed his aid to read to them his commis 
 sion and instructions from the king. 
 
 27. Captain Wadsworth. the senior officer of the militia 
 present, instantly ordered the drums to beat, and such was 
 the noise, that nothing else could be heard. Colonel 
 Fletcher commanded silence . and again his aid began to 
 read. " Drum, drum, I say," exclaimed Wadsworth, arid 
 a command so acceptable to the players, was obeyed with 
 spirit. Once more the colonel commanded silence, and a 
 pause ensued. " Drum, drum, I say," cried the captain, 
 and turning to governor Fletcher, addressed him, with 
 energy in his voice and meaning in his looks, " If I am in 
 terrupted again, I will niake the sun shine through you in a 
 moment." 
 
 28. Deeming it unwise to contend with such a spirit, co 
 lonel Fletcher desisted, left Hartford the next night, and re 
 turned to New York. A representation of the opposing claims 
 being made to the king, he decided that the governor of Con 
 necticut should have the command of the militia ; but in 
 time of war, a certain number should be placed under the 
 orders of Fletcher. 
 
 29. In 1700, Yale College was founded. It owes its ex 
 istence to the beneficence and public spirit of the clergy. It 
 was first established at SuybrocK ; and, in 1702, the first 
 degrees were there conferred. Elihu Yale made several 
 donations to the institution, and from him it derives the 
 name it bears. A succession of able instructors has raised 
 it to the second rank among the literary institutions of the 
 country. 
 
 30. In 1708, an act was passed by the legislature, requir 
 ing the ministers arid delegates of churches to meet and form 
 an ecclesiastical constitution for the colony. A meeting was 
 in consequence held at Saybrook, the result of which was 
 the celebrated Saybrook platform. At the subsequent session 
 of the legislature, it was enacted that all the churches, 
 united according to this platform, should be owned as estab 
 lished by law, allowing, however, to other churches, the right 
 of exercising worship and discipline in their own way, ac 
 cording to their consciences. 
 
 31. In the several abortive attempts to reduce the French 
 
 f> * 
 
66 RHODE ISLAND. 
 
 settlements in Canada, and in the expedition against Loui*- 
 burg, Connecticut furnished her full quota of troops, arid 
 bore her proportion of the expenses. Of these, a history is 
 elsewhere given. After the death of Philip, most of the In. 
 dians abandoned her territory, and seldom returned t j mo 
 lest the inhabitants ; who, living in the enjoyment of all the 
 privileges they desired, felt no inducement, and were afford- 
 ed no opportunity, to perform such actions as enliven the 
 pages of history. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 RHODE ISLAND. 
 
 ROGER WILLIAMS, who was banished from Massachusetts, 
 for avowing the doctrine, that the civil magistrate is bound 
 to grant equal protection to every denomination of Chris 
 tians, a doctrine too liberal for the age in which he lived, re 
 paired to Seeconk, where he procured a grant of land from 
 the Indians. Being informed, by the governor of Plymouth, 
 that the land was within the limits of that colony, ho pro. 
 ceeded to Mooshausic, where, in 1636, with those friends 
 who followed him, he began a plantation. 
 
 2. He purchased the land of the Indians, and, in grateful 
 acknowledgment of the kindness of Hoaven, he called the 
 place Providence. Acting in conformity with the wise and 
 liberal principle, for avowing and maintaining which, he had 
 suffered banishment, he allowed entire freedom of con 
 science to all who came within his borders. And to him 
 must be given the glory of having first set a practical exam 
 ple of the equal toleration of all religious sects in the same 
 politic \\ community. 
 
 3. His benevolence was not confined to his civilized breth 
 ren. He labored to enlighten, improve, and conciliate the 
 savages. He learned their language, travelled among them, 
 and gained the entire confidence of their chiefs. He had 
 often the happiness, by his influence over them, of saving 
 from injury the colony that had proclaimed him an outlaw, 
 and driven him into the wilderness. 
 
 4. In 1638, William Coddington, and seventeen others, 
 being persecuted for their religious tenets in Massachusetts, 
 followed Williams to Providence. By his advice, they pur 
 chased of the Indians the island of Aquctnec, now called 
 
RHODE ISLAND. *# 
 
 Rhode Island, and removed thither. Coddington was chosen 
 their judge, or chief magistrate. The fertility of the soik, 
 and the toleration of all Christian sects, attracted numerous 
 emigrants from the adjacent settlements. 
 
 5. When the New England colonies, in 1643, formed their 
 memorable confederacy, Rhode Island applied to be admitted 
 a member. Plymouth objected ; asserting that the settle*- 
 ments were within her boundaries. The commissioners de 
 cided that Rhode Island might enjoy all the advantages of 
 the confederacy, if she would submit to the jurisdiction of 
 Plymouth. She declined, proudly preferring independence to 
 all the benefits of dependent union. 
 
 G. In 1644, Williams, having been sent to England as 
 agent for both settlements, obtained of the Plymouth Com 
 pany a patent for the territory, and permission for the inhab 
 itants to institute a government for themselves. In 1647, 
 delegates chosen by the freemen, held a general assembly at 
 Portsmouth, organized a government, and established a code 
 of laws. The executive power was confided to a president 
 and four assistants. 
 
 7. Upon the application of the inhabitants, the king, ! in 
 1663, granted a charter to Rhode Island and Providence 
 Plantations. The supremo, or legislative power, was to l>3 
 exercised by an assembly, which was to consist of thy go 
 vernor, of ten assistants, and of representatives from the se 
 veral towns, all to bs chosen by the freemen. This assembly 
 granted to all Christian sects except Reman Catholics, the 
 right of voting. In 1665, they authorized, by law, the seizure 
 ef the estates of Quakers, who refused to assist in defending 
 the colony ; but this law 7 , being generally condemned by the 
 people, was never executed. 
 
 8. When Andross was made governor over New England, 
 he dissolved the charter government of Rhode Island, and 
 ruled the colony, with the assistance of a council appointed by 
 himself. After he was imprisoned, at Boston, the freemen met 
 at Newport, and voted to resume their charter. All the officers 
 who, three years hefore, had been displaced, were restored. 
 
 9. The benevolence, justice, and pacific policy of \Vik 
 Hams, secured to the colony an almost total exemption from 
 Indian hostility. In 1730, the number of inhabitants was 
 18,000; in 1761, it was 40,000. Brown University was 
 founded, at Warren, in 1764, and was removed, a few years 
 after, to Providence. Its founder Avas Nicholas Brown, wha 
 gave to the institution five thousand dollars. /" 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 NEW YORK. 
 
 IN 1G09, Henry Hudson, an Englishman, but sailing- in? 
 the service of the Dutch East India Company, discovered 
 Jupng Island, the harbor of New York, and the river to, 
 which his name has been given. In 1613^ several Dutch 
 merchants, to whom the republic of Holland had granted the 
 exclusive right of trading to this part of America, erected a 
 fojft. near Albany, which they named fort Orange, aiid a few 
 trading houses on the island of New York, then called, by 
 \l*v Indians, Manhattan. 
 
 2. In the same year, captain Argal, who had been sent 
 by Virginia to drive the French from their settlements on the 
 bay of Fundy, visited, on his return, the Dutch on. Hudson s 
 liver. Claiming the country for his nation, by right of prior 
 discovery, he demanded the acknowledgment of its autho 
 rity. ESeing few in number, they prudently submitted, with 
 out attempting to insist.. 
 
 3. But receiving a reinforcement the next year, they again 
 Asserted the right of Holland to the country, and erected fort 
 Amsterdam on the south end of the island. The English, 
 for many years, forbore to interfere in their pursuits or claims. 
 In 1621, the republic, desirous -of founding a colony in Ame 
 rica, granted to the Dutch West India Company, an exten 
 sive territory on belli sides of the Hudson. The country 
 was called New Netherlands. The boundaries were not ac-. 
 eurately defined, but were considered, by the company, as 
 including Connecticut slyer at the north, and Delaware river 
 <&t the south, 
 
 4. In 1623, they erected a fort on the Delaware, which 
 they called Nassau; and, ten years afterwards, another on 
 the Connecticut, which they culled Good Hope. Near the 
 former the Swedes had a settlement. From the interfering 
 Claims of the two nations, quarrels arose between the set 
 tlers, which, aftej continuing several years, terminated in the 
 subjugation cf the Swedes. Towards the fort on the Con 
 necticut, the settlements of the English rapidly approached, 
 and s<aon occasioned disputes, which had a longer duration 
 and a different result. 
 
 5. The Dutch did not escape the calamity of war with 
 the savages. Hostilities commenced in 1643, continued; 
 several, years, arid were very destructive to, both 
 
ItfEW YORK. G9 
 
 Will iam Kioft, the governor of the New Netherlands, in 
 vited captain Underbill, who had been a soldier in Europe, 
 and had made himself conspicuous in New Hampshire, by 
 his eccentricities in religion and conduct, to take command 
 of his troops. Collecting a rTying party of one hundred and 
 fifty men, he was enabled to preserve the Dutch settlements 
 from total destruction. The n limber of Indians, whom he 
 killed in the course of the war, was supposed to exceed four 
 hundred. In 1646, a severe battle was fought on that part 
 of Horse-neck called Strickland s Plain. The Dutch were 
 victorious ; on both fides great numbers were slain ; ; and for 
 a century afterwards the graves of the dead were distinctly 
 visible. 
 
 6. In 1650, Peter Stuyvosant, then the able governor of 
 the New Netherlands, met the commissioners of the New 
 England colonies at Hartford, where, after much alterca 
 tion, a lino of partition between their respective territories 
 was fixed by mutual agreement. Long Island was divided 
 between them ; the Dutch retained the lands which they 
 occupied in Connecticut, surrendering their claim to the 
 residue. 
 
 7. But Charles II., denying their right to any portion of 
 the country, determined to expel them from it. In 1664, he 
 granted to his brother, the duke of York and Albany, all the 
 territory between Nova Scotia and Delaware bay ; and though 
 England and Holland were then at peace, immediately sent 
 three ships and three hundred troops to put him in posses*, 
 sion of his grant. Colonel Robert Nichols conducted the 
 expedition. The squadron, having visited Boston, reached 
 the place of its destination in AugtasL 
 
 8. The commander summoned governor Stuyvesatit to 
 surrender the town, promising to secure to the inhabitants 
 their lives, liberty, and properly. At first, he refused ; but 
 the magistrates and people, allured by the prolFered terms, 
 constrained him to consent. Fort Orange surrendered, soon 
 after, to sir George Carteret. In compliment to the duko, 
 the name Manhattan was changed to New York, and 
 Orange to Albany. 
 
 9. Nichols . assumed the government of the country he 
 had conquered, and continued, for three years, to rule over 
 it with absolute power, but with great lenity and justice. 
 During his administration, New York was made a city. 
 Upon his return to England, he was succeeded by colonol 
 Lovelace, who administered the government with 
 moderation. 
 
TO NEW YORK. 
 
 10. In 1G73, England and Holland being then at war, a 
 few Dutch ships were despatched to, reconquer the country 
 On their arrival at Staten Island, a short distance from the 
 city, John Manning, who had command $f the ftwt, sent 
 down a messenger, and treacherously madje terms with the 
 enemy. The Dutch sailed up the harbor, landed their men, 
 and took possession of the fort arid city, without firing or 
 receiving a shot. 
 
 11. Captain Anthony Colve was appointed governor, but 
 he retained the authority for a few months only. The next 
 year, peace was concluded, and the country restored to the 
 "English, The duke obtained a new patent, confirming his 
 title to the province, and appointed major Andross, the same 
 who was afterwards the tyrant of New England, to be go, 
 ve-rnor over- hijs territories in America. 
 
 !2. Neither the administration of Address, nor that of his 
 successor, Anthony Bxockholst, w r as distinguished by any 
 remarkable event. In 1682, colonel Thomas Donga;i, who, 
 as well as the Puke, was a Roman Catholic, was appointed 
 governor, and the next year arrived in the colony. Until 
 this time, the governor and council had possessed absolute 
 power. The inhabitants, who, whether Dutch or English, 
 were born the subjects of a state comparatively free, having, 
 in an address to the duke, claimed a share in the legislative 
 authority, colonel Dongan was directed to allow the free- 
 hohlfrs to meet and choose rcpr-r-s.eotatives. 
 
 13. On the 17th of October, the first assembly met, con-. 
 si-sting of the council and eighteen representatives. By the 
 declaration of the governor-, they were invested with the 
 golo power of enacting laws and levying taxes ; but the laws, 
 could have no, force until ratified by the duke. With this 
 participation of power, the people were gratified a.nd con- 
 tented ; and the colony began to. enjoy the inestimable ad. 
 vantages of a regular government. 
 
 14. "The interior of New 7 York was originally inhabited 
 by a confederacy which consisted at first of five, and after, 
 wards of six nations of Indians. This confederacy was 
 formed for mutual defence against the Algonquins, a power 
 ful Canadian nation, and displayed much of the wisdom and 
 sagacity which mark the institutions of a civilized people. 
 By their ia$ion, they had become formidable to the surround 
 ing tribes. Being the allies of the English, the French 
 wore nlja^med at their successes, and became jealous of their 
 ficiwer. 
 
 la,. In 1G84, Pe la Barre^ the. governor of Canada* 
 
NEW YORK. 71 
 
 marched to attack them, with an army of seventeen hundred" 
 men. His troops suffered so much from hardships, famine 
 and sickness, that he was compelled to ask peace of those 
 whom he had come to exterminate. He invited the chiefs 
 of the Five Nations to meet him at his camp, and those 
 of three of them accepted the invitation; Standing in a 
 circle, formed by the chiefs and his own officers, he ad 
 dressed a speech to Garrangula, of the Onondago tribe, iii 
 which he accused the confederatevS of conducting- the Eng*. 
 Hsh to the trading grounds of the French, arid threatened 
 them with war and extermination if they did net alter their 
 behavior. 
 
 16. Garrangula, knowing the distresses Of the French 
 troops, heard these threats with contempt. After walking 
 five or six times round the circle, he addressed the following 
 bold and sarcastic language to De la Barre, calling him 
 Yonnondio, and the English governor, Corlear. 
 
 17. " Yonnondio, I honor you, and the warriors thai afc 
 with me likewise honor yen* Your interpreter has finished 
 your speech ; I now begin mine. My words make haste to 
 roach your ears ; hearken to them. Yonnondio, y<j\l mitst 
 have believed, when you left Quebec, that the sun had con 
 sumed all the forests which render Our country inaccessible 
 to the French, or that the great lakes had overBoAVn their 
 banks and surrounded out castles, sO that it wafc impossible 
 for us to get out of them. Yes, Yonnondio, .you must have 
 dreamed so, and the curiosity of so gfeat a wonder has 
 brought you so far. Now you are- undeceived, for I, and 
 the warriors here present, are come- to assure you, that the 
 Senecas, Oayugas, OnOndagog, One^dbes, and Mo>hawks> 
 are yet alive. 
 
 18. " I thahk you, irt their riante-, for bringing back inta 
 their country the pipe Of peace, which your predecessor 
 received from theit- hands. It was happy for you that 
 you left under ground that murdering hatchet which lias 
 ? >een so often dyed in the blood of the French. Hear, 
 Y^onnondio, I db not sleep J I have my eyes open, and the 
 nun which enlightens me, discovers to me a great captain, 
 ut the he^ad of a company of soldiers, who speaks as if lie 
 was dreaming. He says that he only came to smoke the 
 jTeat pipe of peace with the Onondagos. But Garrangula 
 says, that he sees the contrary ; that it was to knock them 
 en the head, if sickness had not weakened the arms of the 
 J ronch.. 
 
 11). " We can-feel the English to our lakes, to trade there 
 
72 NEW YORK. 
 
 with the Utawawas and Quatoghies, as the Adirondaos 
 brought the French to our castles to carry on a trade which 
 the English say is theirs. We are born free ; we neither 
 depend on Yonnondio nor Corlear. We may go where we 
 please, and buy and sell what we please. If your allies are 
 your slaves, lise them as such ; command them to receive no 
 other but your people. 
 
 2!J}.. " Hear, Yonnondio ; what I say is the voice of all 
 the Five Nations. When they buried the hatchet at 
 Cadaracuj, in the middle of the fort, they planted the treo 
 of peace in : tlie same place, to be there carefully preserved, 
 that, instead of a retreat for soldiers, the fort might be a 
 rendezvous for merchants. Take care that the many 
 soldiers who appear there, do not choke the tree of peace, 
 and prevent it from covering your country and ours with 
 its branches. I assure you that our warriors shall dance 
 under its leaves, and will never dig up the hatchet to cut it 
 down, till their .brother Yoruiondio or Corlear shall invade 
 the country which the Great Spirit has given to our an 
 cestors." 
 
 21. Do la Barre was mortified and enraged at this bold 
 reply ; but, submitting to necessity, he- concluded a treaty 
 of peace, and returned to Montreal. Xlis successor, Da 
 Nonvillo, led a larger army against the Confederates ; but 
 fell into an ambuscade and was defeated. These wars 
 within the limits of the colony, kept colonel Dongan ac 
 tively employed, and served to perpetuate the enmity of the 
 Indiana against the French, and their attachment, to the 
 English.. 
 
 22. In the mean time, the duke of York ascended the 
 throne of England. Claiming unlimited authority as king, 
 and professing the Catholic religion, he was hated and feared 
 by a great portion of the inhabitants, who were devoted to 
 the cause of freedom,, asd to the principles of the Protes 
 tants. The governor was also an object of their dislike and 
 distrast. Catholics, countenanced by him, repaired in great 
 numbers to the colony, and pious Protestants trembled for 
 their religion. 
 
 B>3., In the beginning of the year 1689, information was 
 received from England that the people had resolved to de 
 throne their sovereign, a.nd offer the crown to William, 
 prince of Orange ; arid fronj, Massachusetts, that the citizens 
 had deposed and imprisoned; sir Edmund Andross, their go 
 vernor. This encouraged tho disaffected, and presented an 
 example for their imitation. 
 
NEW YORK. 73 
 
 24. Several militin. captains assembled to determine on the 
 measures expedient to be adopted. Of these, Jacob Leisler 
 was the most active. He was destitute of every qualifica 
 tion necessary to conduct a difficult enterprise, but pos 
 sessed the esteem and confidence of the other officers, and 
 of the people. Milborne, his son-in-law, concerted all his 
 measures, and controlled his conduct. 
 
 25. They determined to obtain possession of the fort. 
 Leisler entered it with fifty men, and published a declaration 
 in favor of the prince of Orange. The magistrates and most 
 respectable citizens discountenanced the proceeding, and, at 
 first, but few had the courage to declare themselves his 
 friends. To induce them to act, a report was circulated 
 that three ships, with orders from the prince, were sailing 
 up the harbor. His party was instantly augmented by six 
 captains, and nearly five hundred men, a force sufficient to 
 overpower all opposition. 
 
 26. Before these disturbances, colonel Dongan had re 
 signed his office, and embarked for England. Lieutenant- 
 governor Nicholson, unable to contend with Leisler, ab 
 sconded in the night. The province being thus left without 
 a chief magistrate, Leisler was promoted, by his adherents, 
 to that station. He sent an address to king William and 
 Queen Mary, whoso authority be acknowledged, and, soon 
 after, a private letter to the king, expressing, in low and 
 incorrect language, the warmest protestations of loyalty and 
 zeal. 
 
 27. His sudden elevation excited th^ envy of those magis 
 trates and citizens who had declined to join him in proclaim 
 ing king William. Bayard and Courtl.mdt, unable to raise 
 a party against him in the city, retired to Albany, where 
 their exertions were .successful. To diminish their influence, 
 and to allay the jealousy of others, he invited several 
 worthy citizens to unite with him in administering the go 
 vernment, a trust which had been confided to him alone, by 
 the militia. 
 
 28. In a few months, howr-ver, a letter arrived from the 
 ministry in England, directed " to such as. for the time be 
 ing, take care for administering the laws of the province,* 1 
 and conferring authority to perform all the duties of lieu 
 tenant-governor. Lpislor considered this letter addressed to 
 himself, assumed the authority conferred, appointed his 
 council, and issued commissions in his own name. 
 
 29. The people of Albany, led by Bayard, Courtlandt, 
 
74 NEW YORK. 
 
 and Livingston, acknowledged king William, but refused to 
 submit to Leisler. Milborne was sent with a body of troops 
 to enforce obedience, but, finding Ihem united, he returned 
 without attempting it. The next spring, going with a 
 stronger force, he succeeded. The leaders of the party fled, 
 and their property was confiscated. This arbitrary and un 
 just measure so exasperated the sufferers, that they and their 
 posterity long retained the most violent animosity against 
 Leisler and his adherents. 
 
 30. During these troubles in the colony, war was declared 
 between France and England. Do Nonville being recalled, 
 count Frontenac was appointed governor of Canada. In 
 January, 1690, he despatched several parties against the 
 English settlements. One of these, consisting of French 
 men and Caghnuaga Indians, was sent against Albany, but 
 resolved to attack Schenectady. To the inhabitants of 
 this village, information was given of their danger ; but 
 they, judging it impossible for the enemy to march several 
 hundred miles in the depth of winter, disregarded the in 
 telligence. No regular watch was kept, nor military order 
 observed. 
 
 31. The French and Indians arrived near the town on 
 the eighth of February. They divided their number into 
 small parties, that every house might be invested at the 
 same time. On Saturday night, at eleven o clock, they 
 entered at the gates, which they found unshut. The in 
 habitants having retired to rest, universal stillness reigned. 
 Suddenly, in every quarter, the horrid yell was heard. 
 They sprang from their beds, conscious of the danger 
 which surrounded them. Opening their doors, they met 
 the. savages, with uplifted tomahawks, on the threshold. 
 Each, at the same instant, heard the cry of his affrighted 
 neighbor. Soon succeeded t*he groans of the dying. In a 
 fow minutes, the buildings were on fire. Women were 
 butchered, and children thrown alive into the flames. The 
 Indians, frantic from slaughter, ran, with f;tal haste, 
 through the village, massacring many, who, in their at 
 tempts to escape, were betrayed by the light of their own 
 houses. 
 
 32. Some eluded their pursuers; but a fate almost as 
 dreadful awaited them. They were naked ; a furious 
 storm came on ; Albany, their only refuge, was at a dis 
 tance ; and often their terror converted into savages the 
 trees and wild beasts which they saw in their flight. Part 
 
NEW YORK, 75 
 
 arrived in safety ; twenty-five lost their limbs by the severity 
 of the cold. At Schenectady, sixty were killed, and twenty- 
 five made prisoners. 
 
 33. To avenge these barbarities, and others perpetrated in 
 New England, a combined expedition against Canada 
 was projected. An army, raised in New York and Con 
 necticut, proceeded as far as the head of Lake Champlain, 
 whence, finding no boats prepared, they were obliged to 
 return. Sir William Phipps, with a fleet of more thai i 
 thirty vessels, sailed from Boston into the St. Lawrence, 
 and, landing a body of troops, made an attack by land and 
 water upon Quebec ; but the return of the army to New 
 York, allowing the whole force of the enemy to repair to 
 the assistance of the garrison, he was obliged to abandon the 
 enterprise. To the misconduct or incapacity of Leisler 
 and Mil borne, the failure of this expedition was attri 
 buted. 
 
 34. As soon as king William could find leisure to attend 
 to his colonies, he appointed colonel Henry Sloughter 
 governor of New York. Never was a governor more neccs- 
 -sary to the province, and never, perhaps, has it ^cen ruled 
 by one less qualified for the station. He was destitute of 
 talents, licentious, avaricious, and a bankrupt 
 
 35. Leisler, when informed of this appointment, ought 
 to have relinquished the authority he had exercised; but 
 he was weak, intoxicated with power, and determined to 
 retain it. Although twice required, he refused to surren 
 der the fort ; but sent two persons to confer with the gov 
 ernor, who, declaring them rebels, arrested and confined 
 thorn. Alarmed by this measure, Loisler attempted to es. 
 cape, but was apprehended, with many of his adherents, and 
 brought to trial, 
 
 36. In vain did they plead their zeal for king William 
 In vain did Leisler insist that the letter from England 
 authorized him to administer the government. They uad 
 lately resisted a governor with a regular commission, and 
 this governor, and a .subservient court, were resolved upon 
 their conviction. Leisler and Milborne were condemned to 
 death for high treason. 
 
 37. Soon after their trial, the affairs of the province 
 required Slaughter s presence at Albany. The faction 
 opposed to them, entreated him, before his departure, to 
 sign the warrant for their execution ; but he, unwilling 
 to sacrifice two men, who, though they had sometimes 
 crredj had served his master with zeal, refused. Unable 
 
76 NEW YORK. 
 
 to effect their purpose by persuasion, they resorted to a 
 detestable expedient. A sumptuous feast was prepared, to 
 which the governor was invited. When he had drunk to 
 intoxication, they presented him the warrant, which he 
 signed, and when he had recovered his senses, the prisoners 
 were no more. 
 
 38. On application to the king, their estates, which had 
 been confiscated, were restored to their heirs. Their bodies 
 were afterwards taken up and interred, with great pomp, in 
 the old Dutch church ; and their descendants are considered 
 honored, rather than disgraced, by the conduct and fall of 
 their ancestors. 
 
 39. In July, 1691, Sloughter, having returned from Al 
 bany, ended, by a sudden death, a short, weak, and turbu 
 lent administration. About the same time, major Peter 
 Schuyler, at the head of three hundred Mohawks, made a 
 sudden and bold attack upon the French settlements, at the 
 north end of lake Champlain. An army of eight hundred 
 men was despatched from Montreal to oppose him. With 
 these he had several irregular, but successful conflicts ; in 
 which he killod a number of the enemy, greater than that of 
 his whole party. 
 
 40. In 1692, colonel Fletcher arrived as successor to 
 Sloughter. He was a good soldier, was active, avaricious, 
 and passionate. From the talents aad information of major 
 Schuyler, he derived great assistance, and was governed 
 by his advice, particularly in transactions relative to the 
 Indians. 
 
 41. As a great portion of the inhabitants were Dutch, 
 all the governors, to produce uniformity 211 religion and 
 language, had encouraged English preachers and 1 school 
 masters to settle in the colony. No one pursued this object 
 with more zenl than Fletcher, who was devote*! to the 
 church of England. At two successive sessions, he recon-i 
 mended the subject to the attention of the assembly ; but the 
 members, being generally attached to the church of Holland,, 
 disregarded his recommendations. Fortliw neglect, he gave 
 them a severe reprimand. 
 
 42. The subject being laid bofore tliera, at a subsequent 
 session, they passed a bill providing for the settlement, m 
 certain parishes, of ministers of the m>spel, to be chosen 
 ty the people. The council added an amendment, giving 
 to the governor the power of approval or rejection. The 
 house refused to concur in the amendment, at whic-fo 
 Fletcher was so much eniaged, that be coiimiiiiuled thena 
 
NEW YORK, 77 
 
 instantly to attend him, and, addressing them in an angry 
 speech, prorogued them to the next year. 
 
 43. In 1637, a peace which gave security and repose to 
 the colonies, was concluded between Great Britain and 
 France. The next year, the earl of Ballamorat was appoint 
 ed governor. He was particularly instructed to clear the 
 American seas of the pirates who infested them, and who, 
 it was suspected, had even received encouragement from 
 Fletcher. 
 
 44. The government declining to furnish the necessary 
 naval force, the earl engaged, with others, in a private un 
 dertaking against them. The associates, procuring a vessel 
 of war, gave the command of it to a captain Kid, and sent 
 him to cruise against the pirates, lie had been but a 
 short time at sea, when, disregarding his instructions, he 
 made a new contract with his crew, and, on the Atlantic 
 a.rid Indian oceans, became himself a daring, atrocious, and 
 ^successful pirate, 
 
 45. Three years afterwards, he returned, burned his ship, 
 and, with a strange infatuation, appeared publicly at Boston. 
 fie was apprehended and sent to England, where he was 
 tried and executed. The earl and his partners, some of 
 whom resided in England, were accused of sharing in his 
 plunder, but in all his examinations he declared them in- 
 nOC^nt. 
 
 46. Notwithstanding the death cf Leislei, the people were 
 still divided into Leislerians and anti-Leislerians. Fletcher 
 fiad been the instrument of the lattor ; lord Bellamont es 
 poused the cause of the former. He, however, persecuted 
 110 one ; but exorcised authority with justice arid moderation. 
 He died in 1701. 
 
 47. The next year, lord Cornbury was appointed governor 
 He presented a striking proof of the folly of hereditary dis 
 tinctions. He was the son of the celebrated eurl of Claren 
 don ; but possessed not one of the virtues of his ancestor. 
 Mean, profligate, and unprincipled, he was a burden to his 
 friends at home, and was sent to America to be bwyond the 
 reach of his creditors. 
 
 48 He declared himself an anti-Leislerian, and the first 
 assembly that he summoned was composed principally of 
 men of that party. They presented him two thousand pounds 
 to defray the expenses of his voyage. They raised several 
 sums of money for public purposes, but the expenditure being 
 intrusted to him as governor, he appropriated most of it to 
 liis own use. 
 
 7* 
 
78 NEW YORK. 
 
 49. His acts of injustice and oppression ; his prodigality j 
 his indecent and vulgar manners, rendered him universally 
 odious. Iri 1708, the assemblies of New York and of New 
 Jersey, of which colony he was also govern >r, complained 
 to the queen of his misconduct. She removed him from of- 
 ^ce ; he was soon after arrosted by his creditors, and re- 
 mained in custody until the death of his illustrious father, 
 when he returned to Kngland and took his seat in the house 
 of lords. 
 
 50. A proceeding of the house of representatives, near the 
 close of his administration,, ought not to be passed over with 
 out notice. Wearied by their sufferings, they appointed a 
 committee of grievances, who reported a series of resolutions 
 having reference to recent transactions, which resolutions 
 were adopted by the house. One of them, in explicit lan 
 guage, asserted the principle, w that the imposing and levy 
 ing of any moneys upon her majesty s subjects of this colony, 
 under any pretence or color whatsoever, without consent in 
 general assembly, is a grievance and a violation of the peo>- 
 pie s property." It is riot un instructive to observe how early, 
 in some of the colonies, were sown- the seeds of the American 
 revolution. 
 
 51. In 1710, general Hunter, who had been appointed 
 governor, arrived in the province. He brought with him 
 near three thousand Germans, some of whom settled in New 
 York, and some in Pennsylvania. The latter transmitted to 
 their native land such favorable accounts of the country 
 which they had chosen for their residence, that many others 
 followed and settled In that colony. The numerous descend 
 ants of these Germans are honest, industrious, and usefu. 
 citizens. 
 
 52. The prodigality of lord Cornbury had taught the 
 assembly an important lesson. Before his removal, they 
 had obtained from the queen permission, in cases of special 
 appropriations, to appoint their own treasurer. They now 
 passed a bill confiding to this officer the disbursement of 
 certain sums appropriated for ordinary purposes.. The coun 
 cil proposed an amendment. The house denied the right of 
 that body to amend a money bill. Both continuing obstinate, 
 the governor prorogued them, and at tlieir next session dis 
 solved them. 
 
 53. At this time war existed between England and 
 France. In 1709, expensive pro partitions were made for an 
 attack upon Canada, but the promised assistance not arriving 
 from England, the enterprise was abandoned. In 1711, the 
 
NEW YQRK. 79 
 
 project was resumed. A fleet sailed up the St. OLawrence, to 
 attack Quebec ; and an army of four thousand men, raised 
 by New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, inarched to in 
 vade Canada by the route of lake Charnplain. The fleet, 
 shattered by a storm, was compelled to return. The army, 
 informed of the disasters of the fleet, returned also, having 
 accomplished nothing. 
 
 54. The people, approving the conduct of their represen 
 tatives in relation to the revenue, had re-elected nearly all 
 of them, and they were now in session. To defray the ex 
 penses of the late expedition, they passed several bills which 
 were amended in the council. Between these two bodies, 
 another contest ensued. The representatives, deriving their 
 authority from the people, considered themselves bound to 
 watch over the expenditure of their money. The council, 
 deriving their authority from the same source as the gover 
 nor, were desirous of increasing his influence by giving him 
 the management of the revenue. During this, and a subse 
 quent session, both continued inflexible. The governor, pro 
 voked at the obstinacy of the representatives, dissolved the 
 assembly. 
 
 55. At the ensuing election, which was warmly contested, 
 most of the members chosen were opposed to the governor. 
 The assembly was dissolved by the death of the -queen. The 
 next was dissolved by the governor, soon after it first met, a 
 majority of the representatives being known to be unfriendly 
 to his views. The people became weary of contending. 
 Most of the members chosen at the succeeding election, were 
 his friends and partisans, and, for several years, the utmost 
 harmony existed between the different branches of the go 
 vernment. 
 
 56. Governor Hunter quitted the province in 1719, and his 
 authority devolved on Peter Schuyler, the oldest member of 
 the council. The next year, William Burnet, son of the ce 
 lebrated bishop of that name, was appointed governor. 
 Turning his attention towards the wilderness, he perceived 
 that the French, in order to connect their settlements in Ca 
 nada and Louisiana, to secure to themselves the Indian 
 trade, and to confine the English to the sea coast, were busily 
 employed in erecting a chain of forts from the St. Lawrence 
 to the Mississippi. 
 
 57. He endeavored to defeat their design, by building a 
 trading house, and afterwards a fort, at Oswego, on lake 
 Ontario. But the French had the command of more abun 
 dant resources, and implied them to the accomplishment of 
 
SO NEW YORK. 
 
 their object, with great activity and zeal. They launched 
 two vessels upon that lake ; and, going farther into the wil 
 derness, erected a fort at Niagara, commanding the entrance 
 into it ; they had previously erected fort Frontenac, com- 
 manding the outlet. 
 
 58. The assembly, elected in 1716, had been so obse 
 quious to the governor, that he continued it in existence 
 until the clamors of the people induced him, in 1727, to 
 dissolve it. That which next met, was composed entirely 
 of his opponents- The court of chancery, in which he 
 presided, had become exceedingly unpopular. It had been 
 instituted by an ordinance of the governor and council, 
 without the concurrence of the assembly; the mode of 
 proceeding was novel ; and some of the decisions had 
 given great offence to powerful individuals. The house 
 passed resolutions declaring it " a manifest oppression and 
 grievance," and intimating that its decrees were void. The 
 governor instantly called the assembly before him, and dis 
 solved it. 
 
 59. Baing soon after appointed governor of Massachu 
 setts, he was succeeded by colonel Montgomery, upon whose 
 death, in 1731, the supreme authority devolved upon Rip 
 Van Dam, the senior member of the council. Under his 
 short and inefficient administration, the French were per 
 mitted to erect a fort at Crown Point, within the acknow 
 ledged boundaries of New York, from which parties of sa 
 vages were often secretly despatched to destroy the English 
 settlements. 
 
 60. Van Dam was superseded by William Cosby, who ar 
 rived in August, 1732. Having been the advocate, in par 
 liament, of the American colonies, he was at first popular, 
 but soon lost the affection and confidence of the people. By 
 his instigation, one Zanger, the printer of a newspaper, was 
 prosecuted for publishing an article declared to be deroga 
 tory to the dignity of his majesty s government. He was 
 zealously defended by able counsel, and an independent jury 
 gave a verdict of acquittal. The people applauded their 
 conduct, and the magistrates of the city of New York pre 
 sented to Andrew Hamilton, one of his defenders, the free 
 dom of the city, in a gold box, and their thanks for " his 
 learned and generous defence of the rights of mankind, and 
 the liberty of the press." 
 
 61. Governor Cosby died in 1736, and was succeeded by 
 George Clark, at that time senior counsellor, but soon after 
 appointed lieutenant-governor. Again was revived the cori. 
 
NEW YORK. 81 
 
 test which had ended, twenty years before, in the victory 
 gained by governor Hunter over the house of representatives. 
 The colony being in debt, the house voted to raise the sum of 
 six thousand pounds ; but, in order to prevent its misappli 
 cation, declared, that it should be applied to the payment 
 of certain specified debts. Offended by this \ote, Clark 
 resorted to the expedient which had usually been adopted 
 to. punish or intimidate; he immediately dissolved the as- 
 sernbly. 
 
 62. At the next election, great exertions were made by 
 the opposing parties. The popular party was triumphant. 
 At their second session, the house voted an address to the 
 lieutenant-governor, which is worthy of particular notice. 
 In bold and explicit language, they state some of the vital 
 principles of free government, refer to recent misapplications 
 of money, arid proceed : 
 
 63. " We therefore beg leave to be plain with your 
 honor, and hope you will not take it amiss when we tell 
 you, that you are not to expect that we will either raise 
 sums unfit to be raised, or put what we shall raise into 
 the power of a governor to misapply, if we can prevent 
 it ; nor shall we make up any other deficiencies than what 
 we conceive are fit and just to be paid ; nor continue what 
 support or revenue we shall raise, for any longer tiinc than 
 one year ; rior do we think it convenient to do even that, 
 until such laws are passed as we conceive necessary for 
 the safety of the inhabitants of this colony, who have re- 
 posed a trust in us for that only purpose, and which we are 
 sure you will think it reasonable \ve should act agreeably to; 
 and by the grace of God we shall endeavor not to deceive 
 them." 
 
 (54. With a body of men, so resolute in asserting their 
 rights, the lieutenant-governor wisely forbore to contend. 
 He thanked them for their address, arid promised his cordial 
 co-operation in all measures calculated to promote the pros 
 perity of the colony. He gave his assent to a law provid. 
 ing for the more frequent election of representatives ; which 
 law, however, two years afterwards, was abrogated by the 
 king. 
 
 65. But between a house of representatives and a chiei 
 magistrate, deriving their authority from different sources, 
 harmony could not long subsist. Mr. Clark, in his speech 
 at *he opening of the next session, declared that unless 
 the revenue was granted for as long a time as it had been 
 granted by former assemblies, his duty to his majesty 
 
 
82 NEW YORK, 
 
 forbade him from assenting to any act for continuing the 
 excise, or for paying the colonial bills of credit. The 
 house unanimously resolved, that it would not pass any bill 
 for the grant of money, unless assurance should be given 
 that the excise should be continued and the bills of credit 
 redeomed. 
 
 66. The lieutenant-governor immediately ordered the 
 members to attend him. He told them that " their pro- 
 ceedings were presumptuous, daring, and unprecedented ; 
 that he could not look upon them without astonishment, 
 nor with honor suffer the house to sit any longer :" and he 
 accordingly dissolved it. Little more than a year had 
 elapsed, since the members were chosen ; but in that time 
 they had, by their firm and spirited conduct, in support of 
 the rights of the people, merited the gratitude of their con- 
 stitucnts. i 
 
 67. About this time, a supposed " negro plot" occasioned 
 great commotion and alarm in the city of New York. The 
 frequent occurrence of fires, most of which were evidently 
 caused by design, first excited the jealousy and suspicion of 
 the citizens. Terrified by danger which lurked unseen in 
 the rnidst of them, they listened with eager credulity to 
 the declaration of some abandoned females, that the ne 
 groes had combined to burn the city and make one of 
 their number governor. Many w r ere arrested and committed 
 to prison. Other witnesses, not more respectable than the 
 first, came forward ; other negroes were accused, and 
 even several white men were designated as concerned in the 
 plot. 
 
 68. When the time of trial arrived, so strong was the 
 prejudice against the miserable negroes, that every lawyer 
 in the city volunteered against them. Ignorant and unas 
 sisted, nearly all who were tried were condemned. Four 
 teen were sentenced to be burned, eighteen to be hung, se 
 venty-one to be transported, and all these sentences were 
 executed. Of the whites two were convicted and suffered 
 death. 
 
 69. All apprehension of danger having subsided, many 
 began to doubt whether any plot had in fact been concerted. 
 None of the witnesses were persons of credit, their stories 
 were extravagant and often contradictory ; and the project 
 was such as none but fools or madmen would form. The 
 tw r o white men were respectable ; one had received a liberal 
 education, but he was a Catholic, and the prejudice against 
 Catholics was too violent to permit the free exercise of rea- 
 
NEW YORK. 83 
 
 son. Some of the accused were doubtless guilty of setting 
 fire to the city ; but the proof of the alleged plot was not suf- 
 ficiently clear to justify the numerous and cruel punishments 
 that were inflicted. 
 
 70. In April, 1740, the assembly again met. It had now 
 risen to importance in the colony. The adherence of the 
 representatives to their determination, not to grant the reve 
 nue for more than one year, made annual meetings of the 
 assembly necessary. This attachment to liberty was mista 
 ken for the desire of independence. Lieutenant-governor 
 Clark, in a speech delivered in 1741, alludes to " a jealousy 
 which for some years had obtained in England, that the 
 plantations were not without thoughts of throwing off their 
 dependence on the crown." 
 
 71. In 1743, George Clinton was sent over as governor 
 of the colony. lake most of his predecessors, he was wel 
 comed with joy ; a.nd one of his earliest measures con 
 firmed the favorable accounts, which had preceded him, 
 of his talents and liberality. To show his willingness to 
 repose confidence in the people, he assented to a bill lim 
 iting the duration of the present and all succeeding as 
 semblies. The house manifested its gratitude by adopt 
 ing the measures he recommended for the defence of 
 the province against the French, who were then at war with 
 England. 
 
 72. In 1745, the savages in alliance with France made 
 frequent invasions of the English territories. The inhab 
 itants were compelled to desert Hosick ; Saratoga was 
 destroyed ; the western settlements in New England wero 
 often attacked and plundered. Encouraged by success, 
 the enemy became more daring, and small parties ventured 
 within the suburbs of Albany, and there lay in wii.it for 
 prisoners. It is even said that one Indian, called Tornon- 
 wilemon, often entered the city and succeeded in taking 
 captives. 
 
 73. Distressed by these incursions, the assembly, in 1746, 
 determined to unito with the other colonies and the mother 
 country in an expedition against Canada. They appro 
 priated money to purchase provisions for the army, and 
 offered liberal bounties to recruits. But the fleet from Eng 
 land did not arrive at the appointed time ; the other colo 
 nies were dilatory in their preparations, and before they were 
 completed, UIQ season for military operations had passed 
 away. 
 
 74. Early in the next year, a treaty was concluded, and 
 
84 NEW JERSEY. 
 
 the inhabitants were, for a short period, relieved from the 
 burdens and distresses of war. During the interval of peace, 
 no event of importance happened in the colony. Upon the 
 recurrence, a few years afterwards, of hostilities, its territory 
 was the theatre of sanguinary conflicts. B&t of that war, in 
 which all the colonies acted in concert, a connected history 
 will be hereafter given. 
 
 CHAPTER VIL 
 NEW JERSEY. 
 
 THE first settlement within the limits of New Jersey was 
 made by the Danes, about the year 1624, at a place called 
 Bergen, from a city of that name in Norway. Soon after- 
 wards, several Dutch families sealed themselves in the vici 
 nity of New York. In 1626, a company was formed in 
 Sweden, under the patronage of king Gustavus Adolphus, 
 for the purpose of planting a colony in America. The next 
 year a number of Swedes and Finns came over, purchased of 
 the natives the land on both sides of the river Delaware, but 
 made their first settlement on its western bank, near Chris, 
 tina creek. 
 
 2. About the year 1640, the English began a plantation at 
 Elsinburgh, on its eastern bank. The Swedes, in concert 
 with the Dutch who then possessed New York, drove them 
 out of the country. The former built a fort on the spot 
 whence the English had been driven ; and, gaining thus the 
 command of the river, claimed and exorcised authority over 
 all vessels that entered it, even those of the Dutch, their late 
 associates. 
 
 3. They continued in possession of the country on both 
 sides of the Delaware, until 1655, when Peter Stuyves;mt, 
 governor of the New Netherlands, having obtained assistance 
 from Holland, conquered all their posts? and transported most 
 of the Swedes to Europe. The Dutch were now in posses 
 sion of the territory, comprising, at this time, the states of 
 New Jersey, New York, and Delaware. 
 
 4. Soon, however, this territory changed misters. King 
 Charles II., having granted it to the duke of York, sont an 
 armament, in 1664, to wrest it from the Dutch. After re 
 ducing New York, the squadron proceeded to the settlements 
 on the Delaware, which immediately submitted. In thii 
 
NEW JERSEY: 85 
 
 same year, the duke conveyed that portion of his grant, lying 
 between Hudson and Delaware rivers, to lord Berkeley and 
 sir George Carteret. This tract was called New Jersey, in 
 compliment to sir George, who had been governor of the 
 island of Jersey, and had held it for king Charles in his con 
 test with the parliament. 
 
 5. The two proprietors formed a constitution for the 
 colony, securing equal privileges and liberty of conscience 
 to all, and appointed Philip Carteret governor. He came 
 over in 1665, fixed the seat of government at Elizabelh- 
 town, purchased land of the Indians, and sent agents into 
 New England to invite settlers from that quarter. The 
 terms offered were so favorable that many accepted the 
 invitation. 
 
 6. A few years afterwards, the repose of the colony began 
 to be disturbed by domestic disputes. Some of the inhabi 
 tants, having purchased their lands of the Indians previous 
 to the conveyance from the duke, refused to pay rent to the 
 proprietors. Others were discontented from different causes. 
 In 1672, an insurrection took place, the people assumed the 
 government, and chose Jaines Carteret, the son of Philip, 
 their governor;. The father returned to England, and ob 
 tained from the- proprietors such favorable concessions and 
 promises as quieted the people, and induced him again to 
 submit to his authority. 
 
 7. Lord Berkeley disposed of his property, rights, and pri 
 vileges in the territory, to Edward Billinge ; and he, being 
 involved in debt, consented that they should be sold for the 
 benefit of his creditors. WILLIAM PEXN, Gawcn Lawrie, and 
 Nicholas Lucas, were appointed trustees for that purpose. 
 In 1676, the trustees arid sir George Carteret made partition 
 of the territory, they taking the western and he the eastern 
 portion. 
 
 8. West Jersey was then divided into one hundred shares, 
 which were separately sold. Some of the purchasers emi 
 grated to the country, and all made great exertions to pro 
 mote its population. Possessing the powers of government, 
 as well as the right of soil, they formed a constitution, in 
 which, for the encouragement of emigrants, they secured to 
 them ample privileges. 
 
 9. But previous to the transfer from Berkeley to Billinge, 
 the Dutch being at war with England, reconquered the 
 country, and retained it, until 1674, when it was restored by 
 treaty. A new patent was then granted to tho duke, in 
 cluding the same territory as the former. In 1678, sir Ed 
 
 8 
 
8G NEW JERSEY. 
 
 mund Andross, who had been appointed his sole governor in 
 America, claimed jurisdiction over the Jerseys, insisting that 
 the conquest by the Dutch divested the proprietors of all 
 their rights. 
 
 10. He forcibly seized, transported to New York, and 
 there imprisoned those magistrates who refused to acknow 
 ledge his authority. He imposed a duty upon all goods 
 imported, and upon the property of all who came to settle 
 in the country. Of this injustice the inhabitants loudly 
 complained to the duke ; and at length their repeated 
 remonstrances constrained him to refer the matter to com. 
 missioners. 
 
 11. Before them the proprietors appeared. In strong Ian- 
 guage they asserted, and by strong arguments supported, 
 their claim to the privileges c freemen. They represented, 
 that the king had granted to the duke the right of govern, 
 ment as well as the right of soil. That the duke had trans 
 ferred the sa.me rights to Berkeley and Carte ret, and they to 
 the present proprietors. 
 
 12. " That only," they added, " could have induced us to 
 purchase lands and emigrate. And the reason is plain ; to 
 all prudent men, the government of any place is more invit 
 ing than the soil ; for what is good land without good laws ? 
 What but an assurance that we should enjoy civil and reli 
 gious privileges, could have tempted us to leave a cultivated 
 country, and resort to a gloomy wilderness ? What have wo 
 gained, if, after adventuring in this wilderness many thou 
 sands of pounds, we are yet to be taxed at the mere will and 
 pleasure of another ? What is it but to say, that people fres 
 by law under their princa at home, are at his mercy in his 
 plantations abroad ? . 
 
 13. " \Ve humbly say, that we have lost none of our 
 liberty by leaving our country ; that the duty imposed upon 
 us is without precedent or parallel ; that, had we foreseen 
 it, we should have preferred any other plantation in Ame 
 rica. Besides, there is no limit to this power; since wo 
 are, by this precedent, taxed without any law, and thereby 
 excluded from our English right of assenting to taxes ; 
 what security have we of any thing we possess ? We can 
 call nothing our own, but are tenants at will, not only 
 for the soil, but for our personal estates. Such conduct has 
 destroyed governments, but never raised one to any true 
 greatness." 
 
 14. The commissioners adjudged the duties illegal and 
 oppressive, and they were not afterwards demanded. Emi- 
 
DELAWARE. S7 
 
 f rants continued to arrive and the country to prosper. In 
 G81, the governor of West Jersey summoned a general as. 
 sembly, by which several fundamental laws were enacted, 
 establishing 1 the rights of the people, and defining the powers 
 of rulers. 
 
 15. In 1682, the territory of East Jersey passed from Car- 
 teret to William Pcnn, and twenty-three associates, mostly 
 of the Quaker persuasion. They appointed Robert Barclay 
 author of the " Apology for the Quakers," governor over it 
 for life. The multitude of proprietors, and the frequent 
 transfers and subdivisions of shares, introduced such confu 
 sion in titles to laud, and such Uncertainty as to the rights 
 of government, that, for twenty years afterwards, both Jer 
 seys were in a state of continued disturbance and disorder. 
 In 1702, the proprietors, weary of contending with each 
 other, and with the people, surrendered the right of govern 
 ment to the crown. Queen Anne reunited the two divisions, 
 and appointed lord Cornbury governor over the provinces of 
 New Jersey and New York. 
 
 16. These provinces continued, for several years, to be 
 ruled by the same governor, but each chose a separate as 
 sembly. In 1738, the inhabitants, by petition to the king, 
 desired that they might, in future, have a separate governor. 
 Their request was granted, Lewis Morris being the first that 
 was appointed. 
 
 17. In the same year, a college was founded at, Prince 
 ton and called Nassau Hall, New Jersey then contained 
 above forty thousand inhabitants. Being remote from 
 Canada, the source of most of the Indian wars which 
 afflicted the northern colonies, it enjoyed a complete 
 exemption from that terrible calamity, and until the com 
 mencement of the revolution, furnished no materials for 
 history. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII, 
 DELAWARE. 
 
 Tins colony was first settled by a company of Swedes 
 and Finns, under the patronage of king Gustavus Adolphus. 
 They came over in 1627, and landing at cape Henlopen, 
 were so charmed with its appearance, that they gave it 
 the name of Paradise Point. The country they called 
 
88 DELAWARE. 
 
 New Sweden, and the river Delaware, New - Swedclancl 
 stream. They purchased of the Indians the lands on both 
 sides of that river, from the sea to the fulls, and seated 
 themselves at the mouth of Christina creek, near Wil 
 mington. 
 
 2. Being frequently molested by the Dutch, who claimed 
 a right to the country, they, for their protection, built forts 
 at Christina, Lewistovvn, and Tinicum. The lust waa 
 their seat of government, and there John Printz, their 
 governor, erected an elegant mansion, which he named 
 Printz Hall. 
 
 3. In 1651, the Dutch built a fort at New Castle. Printz, 
 considering this place to be within the Swedish territories, 
 formally protested against the proceeding. .Risingh, his suc 
 cessor, made a visit, under the guise of friendship, to the 
 commander of the fort, and, being accompanied by thirty 
 men, treacherously took possession; of it, while enjoying his 
 hospitality. 
 
 4. Peter Stuyvesant, the Dutch governor of New York, 
 was not of a temper to permit ,zn injury thus committed to 
 pass unavenged. Accompanied by an armament, a part of 
 which was furnished for the occasion by the city of Amster 
 dam, in Holland, he, in 1655, returned the visit of the Swedes. 
 He first reduced the fort at "New Castle ; then at Christina 
 creek, where Risingh commanded; and afterwards the 
 others. Some of the Swedes,* on taking the oath of allegiance 
 to Holland, were permitted to remain ; the rest were sent to 
 Europe. 
 
 5. The settlements on the ^Delaware continued under the 
 control of the Dutch, until 1864, when the New Netherlands 
 were conquered by the English. They were then considered 
 as a part of New York. In 1082, William Penn purchased 
 of the duke of York, the town of New Castlo, and the country 
 twelve miles around it ; and by a subsequent purchase, ob 
 tained the land lying upon the Delaware, and between New 
 Castle and cape Henlopen. These tracts, which constitute 
 the present state of Delaware, were called the " Territo 
 ries," and were, for twenty years, governed as a part of Penn 
 sylvania. 
 
 6. They were divided Into three counties, New Castle. 
 Kent, and Sussex, each of which sent six delegates to thd 
 general assembly. In 1703, these delegates, dissatisfied 
 with the last charter which Penn had prepared, and a 
 majority of the assembly had adopted, seceded, and, liberty 
 being given, formed a separate and distinct assembly. The 
 
PENNSYLVANIA, 8U 
 
 two portions of the wo TT ince vere never afterwards united, 
 but the pr .^rieior continued to possess the same jurisdiction, 
 and the same person uniformly acted as governor over 
 both. 
 
 7. Sheltered by the surrounding provinces, E^laware 
 enjoyed an entire exernntrci. rrom wars, except those in 
 which, as a oar f if ,ne British empire, she was obliged to 
 participalO. In the war with Franco, which terminated 
 in 17G3, she was second to none in active zeal to assist 
 the parent state. In the revolutionary war, the Delaware 
 regiment was considered the most efficient in the conti 
 nental army. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 WILLIAM PENN, the founder of Pennsylvania, was the son 
 of sir William Penn, an admiral in the British navy. In 
 his youth he joined the Quakers, then an obscure and per 
 secuted sect. While superintending the settlement of New 
 Jersey, he became acquainted with an extensive tract 
 of fertile, unoccupied land, lying between the territories 
 of the duke of York and lord Baltimore. At his solici 
 tation, and in recompense for unrequited services which 
 his father had rendered the nation, this tract was, in 
 1681, granted to him in full property, and by the king called 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 2. Desirous of selling his lands and founding a colony, he, 
 In a public advertisement, described the country, and set forth 
 the advantages which it offered to emigrants. Many per- 
 sons, chiefly Quakers, were induced to purchase. The fee 
 simple of the soil was sold at the rate of twenty pounds for 
 every thousand acres ; and they who rented lands, agreed to 
 pay one penny yearly per acre. Before the emigrants em. 
 barked, certain " conditions and concessions" were by them 
 and the proprietor agreed upon and subscribed. 
 
 3. In the fall, three ships, carrying settlers, sailed for 
 Pennsylvania. The pious and philanthropic proprietor 
 sent a letter to the Indians, informing them that " the 
 great God had been pleased to make him concerned in 
 their part of the world, and that the king of the country 
 where he lived, had given him a great province therein; 
 
 8* 
 
90 PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 but that he did not desire to enjoy it without their consent ; 
 that he was a man of peace ; and that the people whom he 
 sent were of the same disposition ; and if any difference 
 should happen between them, it might be adjusted by an 
 equal number of men chosen on both sides." The position 
 selected by these emigrants for a settlement was above the 
 cowfluence of the Delaware and the Schuylkill. 
 
 4. In April, 1682, Penn published a Frame of Govern 
 ment, the chief object of which was declared to be " to sup 
 port power in reverence with the people, and to secure 
 the people from the abuse of power." He published also a 
 Body of Laws, which had been examined and approved 
 by the emigrants in England ; and which, says an eminent 
 historian, " dons great honor to their wisdom as statesmen 
 to their morals as men, and to their spirit as colonists. 
 From the duke of York, he obtained the relinquishment of a 
 tract of land, lying on the south side of the Delaware, 
 a part of which was already settled, and in August, ac 
 companied by about two thousand emigrants, set sail for 
 America. 
 
 5. He landed first at New Castle, which was a part of 
 the "Territories," as the land conveyed to him by the 
 duke was called. Upon this tract he found about three 
 thousand Dutch, Swedes, and .Finns. He proceeded to 
 Chester, where he called an assembly on the fourth of 
 December. This assembly annexed the Territories to the 
 province, adopted the Frame of Government, and enacted in 
 form the Body of Laws. Penn also made a treaty with the 
 Indians, from whom he purchased as much land as T the 
 circumstances of the colony required. He selected the 
 site, and marked out the plan, of an extensive city, : to 
 which he gave the name of Philadelphia, or the city of love. 
 Before the end of the year, it contained eighty houses and 
 cottages. 
 
 6. The settlement of none of the colonies commenced 
 under such favorable auspices as that of Pennsylvania. 
 The experience of half a century had disclosed the evils to 
 be avoided, and pointed out the course to be pursued. The 
 Indians, having been already taught to fear the power of the 
 whites, were the more easily conciliated by their kindness. 
 The soil being fertile, the climate temperate, and the game 
 abundant, the first emigrants escaped most of the calam 
 ities which afflicted the more northern and southern pro 
 vinces. The increase of population exceeded, of course, all 
 former example. 
 
PENNSYLVANIA. 91 
 
 7. In the new city, a second assembly was held in March, 
 1683. At the request of the freemen and delegates, Penn. 
 granted them a second charter, which diminished the num 
 ber of the council and assembly, and was, in other respects, 
 different from the first. Some of the regulations, at that 
 time adopted, bear the impress of the proprietor s singular 
 genius, and benevolent disposition. 
 
 8. It was ordained " that, to prevent lawsuits, three 
 arbitrators, to be called peace-makers, should be chosen 
 by the county courts, to hear arid determine small differ 
 ences between man and man : That children should be 
 taught some useful trade, to the end that none might be 
 idle, that the poor might work to live, and the rich if they 
 should become poor : That factors, wronging their employ 
 ers, should make satisfaction arid one third over : That 
 every thing, which excites the people to rudeness, cruelty, 
 and irreligion, should be discouraged and severely punished : 
 That no one, acknowledging one God and living peaceably 
 in society, should be molested for his opinions or his 
 practice, or compelled to frequent or maintain any ministry 
 whatever." 
 
 9. These judicious regulations attracted numerous emi 
 grants ; and to their salutary influence must be attributed 
 the qualities of diligence, order, and economy, for which the 
 Pennsylva.nians are so justly celebrated. Within four years 
 from the date of the grant to Penn, the province contained 
 twenty settlements, and Philadelphia two thousand inhabi 
 tants. 
 
 10. In 1G84, the proprietor returned to England. He 
 left his province in profound tranquillity, under the ad 
 ministration of five commissioners chosen from the coun 
 cil. The unfortunate James II. soon after ascended the 
 throne. " As he has," said Penn, " been my friend, and 
 my father s friend, I feel bound in justice to be a friend 
 to him." He adhered to him while seated on the throne, 
 and for two years after he was expelled from his kingdom, 
 the government of the province was administered in his 
 name. 
 
 11. By this display of attachment to the exiled monarch, 
 he incurred the displeasure of king William. On vague 
 suspicion, and unfounded charges, ho was four times im 
 prisoned. The government of his colony was taken from 
 him, and given to colonel Fletcher, the governor of New 
 York. But by the severest scrutiny, it was rendered 
 apparent, that he had, in all his conduct, been actuated as 
 
99 PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 much bv the love of his country as by personal gratitude. 
 JLix regained the good opinion of king William ; and, being 
 permitted to resume and exercise his rights, appointed Wil- 
 liiiin ^idr/zl^ir to be his deDut^.g-overnor. 
 
 12. In 1699, he again visited Pennsylvania, and found the 
 people discontented. They complained that his powers and 
 their rights were not defined with sufficient precision, and 
 demanded a new charter. In 17.01, he prepared and pre. 
 sented one to the assembly, which was accepted. It gave to 
 the assembly the right of originating bills, which, by the 
 previous charters, was the right of the governor alone, and 
 of amending or rejecting those which might be laia oefore 
 them, i o ih . governor it <rive the r*:gh.., of rejecting bills 
 passed by the assembly, of appointing his own council, and 
 of exercising the whole executive power. The Territories, 
 now the state of Delaware, refusing to accept the new 
 charter, separated from Pennsylvania, and were allowed a 
 distinct assembly. The same governor, however,. presided 
 over both. 
 
 13. Immediately after his third charter was accepted, 
 Penn returned to England, and the executive authority was 
 afterwards administered by deputy-governors appointed by 
 the proprietor. The people incessantly murmured and com 
 plained ; but the uninterrupted and unparalleled prosperity 
 of the colony demonstrates, that but slight causes of com- 
 plaint existed. That which produced the greatest and most 
 constant irritation was the refusal, by the deputy-governors, 
 to assent to any law imposing taxes on the lands of the 
 proprietors, although the sum raised was to be expended 
 for the benefit of the whole province. This unwise, and 
 indeed unjust, claim of exemption, occasioned greater dis 
 gust than injury, and embittered all the enjoyments of the 
 inhabitants. 
 
 14. But these dissensions did not in the least retard the 
 prosperity of the colony. Nor did any other cause, having 
 that tendency, exist. The upright conduct of Penn, in his 
 intercourse with the Indians, was imitated by those who 
 came after him ; and. for seventy years, uninterrupted har 
 mony existed between them and the whites. In the early 
 part of the revolutionary war, the people adopted a new con 
 stitution, by which the proprietor was excluded from all 
 share in the government. He was offered, and finally ac 
 cepted, the sum of 570,000 dollars, in discharge of all quit- 
 rents due from the inha.bitants. 
 
.CHAPTER X. 
 MARYLAND. 
 
 DURING the reign of James I., the laws against Roman 
 Catholics were severe, and the popular hatred was inveterate. 
 Lord Baltimore, a distinguished member of that sect, re 
 solved, in consequence, to remove from England to Virginia, 
 believing that he might there enjoy his religious opinions, 
 without violating the laws or incurring reproach. But the 
 people among whom he came to reside, were almost as into 
 lerant as those he had left, and he soon found it necessary 
 to seek some other asylum. 
 
 2. Having ascertained that the territory on both sides of 
 Chesapeake bay, was inhabited only by the natives, he con 
 ceived the project of planting there a colony for himself, and 
 for all who might wish to retire from religious persecution. 
 He explored the country, returned to England, obtained the 
 assent of king Charles I. to a grant of territory, but died 
 before the requisite formalities were completed. 
 
 3. Cecil, his eldest son, and heir to his estate and title, 
 obtained for himself the grant intended for his father. To 
 the new colony the name of Maryland was given, in honor 
 of Henrietta Maria, the royal consort of Charles. The land 
 conveyed being within the boundaries of Virginia, the plant 
 ers in that province remonstrated against the grant. The 
 king refusing to rescind; it, lord Baltimore made prepara 
 tions to commence a settlement. He appointed his brother, 
 Leonard Calvert, governor ; who, near the close of the year 
 1633, sailed for America, accompanied by about two hun 
 dred emigrants, mostly Roman Catholics. 
 
 4. They arrived in February, 1634, at the mouth of the 
 river Potomac. At a conference with the Indians who dwelt 
 on the shore, they purchased Yoamaco, a considerable vil 
 lage, the site of which St. Mary s now occupies. By this 
 measure, wise as well as just, the rightful proprietors of the 
 soil were satisfied, convenient habitations and some culti 
 vated land were obtained, and the first settlers were of course 
 exempted from the miseries of famine, and from the diseases 
 which it produces. 
 
 "5. Other circumstances favored the rapid population of 
 the colony. The charter .granted more ample privileges 
 than had ever been^conce ded to a subject ; the country was 
 inviting-; the natives were friendly ; from the south church 
 
94 MARYLAND. 
 
 men drove puritans, from the north puritans drove church, 
 men, into her borders, where all were freely received, pro 
 tected, and cherished. 
 
 6. The charter granted to the inhabitants the privilege of 
 passing laws eit u/ ~ ; by themselves or representatives, without 
 reserving to. the crown, as had been done in all previous 
 charters, the right to reject the laws so passed. At first, 
 when the freemen were few in number, each attended in 
 person, or authorized some other freeman, who chose to 
 attend j to vote and act in his stead. The increase of popu 
 lation soon rendered it necessary to adopt a different mode 
 of legislation. In 1639, an act was passed, constituting a 
 " house of assembly," to be composed of such as should be 
 chosen by the people, of such as should be summoned or ap 
 pointed by the proprietor, and of the governor and secretary. 
 These were to sit together, and the laws which they should 
 enact were to possess the same validity, as though the pro 
 prietors and all the people had concurred in enacting 
 them. 
 
 7. In 1650, a second alteration was made. The legis 
 lative body was divided into two branches, the delegates 
 chosen by the people constituting the lower house, and the 
 persons summoned by the proprietors, the upper house. It 
 ought to be stated, for the honor of lord Baltimore and his 
 associates, that, \vhile the Catholics retained the ascondoncy 
 in the province, the assembly passed no law abridging the 
 liberty of conscience. 
 
 8. But this colony, as well as all the others, in the early 
 period of their existence, was afflicted with intestine trou 
 bles. They were principally caused by one William Clay- 
 borne. While a member of the Virginia council he had ob 
 tained a license from the king, to traffic in those parts of 
 America where no other person enjoyed the exclusive right 
 of trade. Under this license, he had made a small settlement 
 on the island of Kent, and, when the grant was made to lord 
 Baltimore, refused to submit to his authority, He persuaded 
 the natives that the " new corners" were Spaniards, and 
 enemies to the Virginians. An Indian war was the conse 
 quence, which continued several years, and was productive 
 of considerable distress. 
 
 9. Clayborne was indicted and convicted of murder, pi 
 racy, and sedition ; and fleeing from justice, his estate was 
 confiscated. He applied to the king for redress, but after a 
 full hearing, was dismissed without obtaining any order in 
 his favor. When the civil war, between the king and par. 
 
MARYLAND. 95 
 
 41 
 
 Hament, began, he embraced the cause of the latter, re 
 turned to Maryland, a-nd, by his intrigues, fomented, in 
 645, a rebellion against its rulers, who were attached to the 
 royal cause. Calvert, the governor, was compelled to fly to 
 Virginia, and the insurgents seized the reins of government. 
 The next year, however, the revolt was suppressed and 
 tranquillity restored. 
 
 10. Bat after the parliament had triumphed over the 
 king, they appointed commissioners for " reducing and 
 governing the colonies within the bay of Chesapeake." 
 Among these was Clayborne, the evil genius of Maryland. 
 The proprietor, consenting to acknowledge the authority of 
 parliament, was permitted to retain his station, but was una 
 ble to preserve tranquillity. The distractions of England, 
 finding their way into the colony, occasioned a civil war, 
 which ended in the discomfiture of the governor and Roman 
 Catholics. 
 
 11. The next assembly, which was entirely under the 
 influence of the victorious party, ordained that persons 
 professing t ;e Catholic religion should not be considered 
 within the protection of the laws. Thus they were 
 ungratefully persecuted by men whom they had tuken to 
 their bosom, and in a colony which they had founded. 
 Laws unfavorable to the Quakers were also enacted, and 
 here, as in England, the upper house was voted to be 
 useless. At the restoration, in 1660, Philip Calvert ^as ap 
 pointed governor, and the ancient order of things restored. 
 The colony then contained about twelve thousand inha 
 bitants. 
 
 12. In 167(5, died Cecil, lord Baltimore, the father of the 
 province. For more than forty ye;<rs, he had directed its 
 affairs as proprietor, and displayed, in all his conduct, a be- 
 nevolent heart and enlightened understanding. Although 
 he lived in an age of bigotry, lie was liberal in his opinions; 
 and for all his exertions to contribute to the happiness of 
 his follow beings, he desired no reward but their gr<ti- 
 tude. This reward he rocoived. The records of the Ma 
 ryland assembly contain frequent memorials of the respect 
 and affection of the people. He was succeeded, as proprie 
 tor, by his eldest son, Charles, who had, for several years, 
 boon governor of the colony, and displayed the same amia 
 ble qualities which had rendered his father respected and 
 beloved. 
 
 13. In the year 16S9, the epoch of the revolution in 
 England, the repose of Maryland was again disturbed. 4 
 
96 NORTH CAROLINA. 
 
 rumor was artfully circulated, that the Catholics had leagued 
 with the Inidans to destroy all the Protestants in the pro- 
 vince. An armed association was immediately formed, for 
 the defence of the Protestant religion, and for asserting the 
 rights of king William and queen Mary. The magistrates 
 attempted to oppose by force this association ; but, meeting 
 with few supporters, were compelled to abdicate the go 
 vernment. 
 
 14. King William directed those who had -assumed the 
 supreme authority to exercise it in his name ; and for twen 
 ty-seven years the crown retained the entire control of the 
 province. In 1716, the proprietor was restored to his rights ; 
 and he and his decendents continued to enjoy them until the 
 commencement of the revolution. TJie people then as 
 sumed the government, adopted a constitution, and refused 
 to admit the claims of lord Baltimore to 1 jurisdiction or pro- 
 perty. 
 
 CHAPTER XE 
 NORTH CAROLINA. 
 
 IN 1630, Charles Ii granted to sir Robert Heath all tho 
 territory between the 30th and 36th degrees of north lati 
 tude, and extending from the Atlantic ocean to the South 
 sea, by the name of Carolina. Under this grant, no settle 
 ment was made. Between 1640 and 1650, persons suffering 
 from religious intolerance in Virginia, fled beyond her li 
 mits, and, without license from any source, occupied that 
 portion of North Carolina, north of Albernarle sound. They 
 found the winters rnild and the soil fertile. As their cattlo 
 and swine procured their own support in the woods, and mul 
 tiplied fast, they were enabled, with little labor, to live in the 
 enjoyment of abundance. Their number was annually aug 
 mented ; they acknowledged no superior upon earth, and 
 obeyed no laws but those of God and nature. 
 
 2. In 1661, another settlement was made, near the mouth 
 of Clarendon river, by adventurers from Massachusetts. The 
 land being sterile and the Indians hostile, they, in 1663, 
 abandoned it. Immediately afterwards, their place was sup 
 plied by emigrants from Barbadoet, who invested sir John 
 Yeomans with the authority of governor. 
 
 3. Sir Robert Heath having neglected to comply with 
 
NORTH CAROLINA. 97 
 
 the conditions of his patent, the king, in 1663, granted the 
 game territory to lord Clarendon and seven others, and 
 invested them with ample powers of government over thoee 
 who should inhabit it. To encourage emigration, they 
 gave public assurances, that all who might remove to their 
 territory, should enjoy unrestricted religious liberty, and be 
 governed by a free assembly. The settlers on Albemarle 
 sound were, on certain conditions, allowed to retain their 
 lands. A government over them was organized at the 
 head of which a Mr. Drurmnond was placed. With the 
 regulations imposed, they were dissatisfied, and revolted ; but 
 their grievances were redressed, and, in 1G68, they returned 
 to their duty. 
 
 4. At the request of the proprietors, the celebrated John 
 Locke, whose political writings were then much ;*ad and 
 admired, prepared for the colony a constitution of govern, 
 raont. It provided that a chief officer, to be called the 
 palatine, and to hold his office during life, should be elected 
 from among the proprietors ; that a hereditary nobility, to 
 be called landgraves and caziques, should be created ; and 
 that, once in two years, representatives should be chosen 
 by the freeholders. All these, with the proprietors or their 
 deputies, were to meet in one assembly, which was to be 
 called the parliament, and oveiv which the palatine was to 
 preside. The parliament could deliberate and decide only 
 upon such propositions as should be laid before it by a grand 
 council composed of the palatine, nobility, and deputies of 
 the proprietors. 
 
 5. This constitution, however wise it might seem to 
 English politicians, was not adapted to. i the sentiments and 
 habits of the people for whom it was prepared. Its aris 
 tocratic features displeased them. The measures adopted 
 to introduce and enforce it, produced, in connection with 
 Vther causes, an insurrection, in the progress of which the 
 f/alatine and the deputies were seized and imprisoned. Ap 
 plication was made to Virginia for assistance in restoring 
 order ; but the fear of punishment induced the insurgents 
 to submit, before an armed force could be arrayed against 
 them. 
 
 6. In 1,67,0, William Sayle, under the direction^ of the 
 proprietors, made a settlement at Port Royal, within the 
 limits of South Carolina. The next year, dissatisfied with 
 this station, he removed his colony northward, to a neck 
 of land between Ashley and Cooper rivers, where he laid 
 out a town, which, in honor of the king then reigning, 
 
 9 
 
98 NORTH CAROLINA. 
 
 he called Charleston. Dying soon after, sir John Yeom-affs, 
 who had, for several years, been governor at Clarendon, was 
 appointed to succeed him. This now settlement attracted at 
 first many inhabitants from that at Clarendon, and at length 7 
 entirely exhausted it. Being remote from Albernarle, the 
 proprietors established a separate government over it, and 
 hence arose the distinctive appellations of North and South 
 America. 
 
 1. The prosperity of the northern colony was retarded by 
 domestic dissensions. To allay them, Beth Sothel, one of 
 the proprietors, was appointed chief magistrate. His com- 
 duct, far from restoring quiet and contentment, increased 
 the disorders which had before prevailed. He is represented 
 as the most corrupt and rapacious of colonial governors. 
 He plundered the inndeent and received bribes from 
 felons. For six years, the inhabitants endured his injustice 
 and oppression. They then seized him, with a view of send- 
 ing him to England for trial. At his request, he was de 
 tained and tried by the assembly, who banished him from the 
 colony. 
 
 8. His successor was Philip Ludwell, of Virginia, and to 
 him succeeded John Archdale, who was a Quaker and one 
 of the proprietors. Both were popular governors; under 
 their administration, the colony prospered and the people 
 were happy. I In 1693, at the request of the Carolinians, the 
 constitution of Locke was abrogated by the proprietors, and 
 each Colony was afterwards ruled by a governor, council, 
 and house of representatives. 
 
 9. In 1707, a company of French Protestants arrived and 
 seated themselves on the river Trent, a branch of the Neuse ; 
 in 1710, a large number of Palatines, fleeing from religions 
 persecution in Germany, sought refuge in the same part of 
 the province. To each of these, the proprietors granted one 
 hundred acres of land. They lived happy, for a few years, 
 in the enjoyment of liberty of conscience, and in the pros- 
 pect of competence and ease. 
 
 10. But suddenly a terrible calamity fell upon them. 
 The Tuscarora and Coree Indians, smarting under recent 
 injuries, and dreading total extinction from the encroach-- 
 ment of these strangers, plotted, with characteristic 
 secrecy, their entire destruction. Sending their families 
 to one of their fortified towns, twelve hundred bowmen 
 sallied forth, and in the same night, attacked, in separate 
 parties, the nearest settlements of the Palatines. Men, 
 women, and children, were indiscriminately butchered. 
 
NORTH CAROLINA. 99 
 
 The savages, with the swiftness and ferocity of wolves, ran 
 from village to village. Before them, was the repose of in- 
 noc-ence ; behind, the sleep of death. A few, escaping, 
 alarmed the settlements more remote, and hastened to South 
 Carolina for assistance. 
 
 11. Governor Cravon immediately despatched to the aid 
 of the sister colony, nearly a thousand men, under the com 
 mand of colonel Barnwell. After a fatiguing march through 
 a hideous wilderness, they met the enemy, attacked, defeat 
 ed, and pursued them to their fortified town, which was 
 immediately besieged. In a few days, peace, at their soli- 
 citation, was concluded, and colonel Barnwell returned to 
 South Carolina. 
 
 12. The peace was short, and upon the recommence 
 ment of hostilities, assistance was again solicited from the 
 southern colony. Colonel James Moore, an active young 
 officer, was immediately despatched, with forty white men 
 and eight hundred friendly Indians. He faurid the enemy 
 in a fort near Cotechny river. After a siege^ which conti 
 nued more than a week, tho fort was taken and eight hun 
 dred Indians made prisoners. The Tuscaroras, disheart 
 ened by this defeat, migrated, in 1713, to the north, nnd 
 joined the celebrated confederacy, denominated the Five 
 Nations. The others sued for peace, and afterwards conti 
 nued friendly. 
 
 13. Until 1729, the two Carolinas, though distinct for 
 many purposes, remained under the superintendence and 
 control of the same proprietors. Neither had been pros 
 perous ; and the interests of the governors and governed 
 being apparently adverse to each other, 1he latter became 
 discontented and refractory. They complained to the king, 
 who directed inquiry to be made in his courts. The charter 
 which he had granted was declared forfeited, and over each 
 colony, royal governments, entirely unconnected with each 
 other, were established. 
 
 14. Soon after this event, the sail in the interior of North 
 Carolina was found to be superior in fertility to that on the 
 sea-coast. The settlements, consequently, advanced rapidly 
 into the wilderness. From the northern colonies, particu 
 larly Pennsylvania, multitudes were allured to this region 
 by the mildness of the climate, and by the facility of obtain, 
 ing in abundance all the necessaries of life. At peace with 
 the Indians, and fortunate in her governors, the colony con 
 tinued to prosper until the commencement of the troubles 
 which preceded the revolution. 
 
100 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 SOUTH CAROLINA. 
 
 THIS colony, and that of North Carolina were, as has al 
 ready been stated, included in the same charter, in 1670, 
 governor Sayle made, at Port Royal, the first permanent set- 
 tlement within its limits. The next year, he founded Old 
 Charleston, on the banks of the river Ashley. In 1684, all 
 the freemen, meeting at this place, elected representatives to 
 sit in the colonial parliament, according to the provisions of 
 the constitution prepared by Mr. Locke. 
 
 2. Several circumstances contributed to promote the set- 
 tlement of this colony. The conquest of New York induced 
 many of the Dutch to resort to it. From England, puritans 
 came to avoid the profanity and licentiousness which dis 
 graced the court of -Charles M. ; and cavaliers to retrieve 
 their fortunes, exhausted by the civil wars. The arbitrary 
 measures of Louis XIV. drove many French Protestants into 
 exile, some of whom crossed the Af-lantie and settled in 
 
 Carolina. Many of these exiles were rich ; all were indus 
 trious, and by their exemplary demeanor gained the good 
 will of the proprietors. 
 
 3. The situation of Charleston being found inconvenient, 
 the inhabitants, in 1680, removed to Oyster Point, where a 
 new city was laid out, to which the name of the other was 
 given. In the same year, commenced a war with the 
 Westoes, a powerful tribe of Indians, which threatened great 
 injury to the colony. Peace, however, was soon restored. 
 In 1690, Seth Sothel, one of the proprietors, having, for 
 corrupt conduct, been driven from North ^Carolina, appeared 
 suddenly at Charleston, and, aided by a powerful faction, 
 assumed the reins of government. Two years afterwards h& 
 was removed from office. 
 
 4. The proprietors, having observed the good conduct of 
 the French Protestants, directed the governor to permit them 
 to elect representatives, a privilege which they had never 
 yet exercised. The English Episcopalians, unwilling thai 
 any of their hereditary enemies, who did not belong to their 
 church, should be associated with themselves in the enjoy 
 inent of the rights of freemen, were exasperated, and op 
 posed the concession with great clamor and zeal. They 
 even Went further. # Warmed by opposition, they proposed 
 to enforce, with respect to them, the lavVs of England 
 
SOUTH CAROLINA. 101 
 
 against foreigners, insisting that they sor.ld AOt legally 
 possess real citati li~ A the coioriy. They also declared that 
 their marriages, being solemnized by French ministers, were 
 void, and that the children could not inherit the property 
 of their fatness. By ti. display of a spirit so illiberal and 
 unchristian, these strangers vve v ,o alarmed and discouraged. 
 They knew not for whom LMoy.J iaboim 1 ,, But, .eoriivte- 
 nanced by the governor, they re;.n.li ae(.i> in, Uie colony, avid, 
 for the present, withdrew thiik- cjahu to the right of suf 
 frage. , - ,. 
 
 5. Yet the ferment did not subside 1 on the removal of the 
 cause which produced it. Such was the general turbulence 
 and disorder, the people complaining of their rulers aiid 
 quarrelling among themselves, that, in 1695, John Archdale 
 was sent over, as governor of both Carolinas, and invested 
 with full power to redress all grievances. He succeeded 
 in restoring order, but found the antipathy against the 
 unfortunate exiles too great to be encountered, with any 
 hope of success, until softened by time and their amiable 
 deportment. These produced the eifects which he anti- 
 cip ited. In a few years, the French protestants were 
 admitted, by the general assembly, to all the rights of citi 
 zens and freemen. 
 
 (>. Although the proprietors, by the regulations which 
 were in force before the constitution of Locke was adopted, 
 and which were restored upon its abrogation, had stipulated, 
 that liberty of conscience should be universally enjoyed ; yet 
 one of them, lord Granville, a bigoted churchman, and 
 James Moore, the governor, resolved to effi-ct, if possible, 
 the establishment, in the colony, of the episcopal religion. 
 They knew that a majority of the people were dissenters, 
 and that by art and intrigue only, could their design be 
 accomplished. The governor, who was avaricious and 
 venal, became the tool of Granville. He interfered in the 
 elections, and, by bribing the voters, succeeded in procuring 
 a majority in the assembly who would be subs - vient to his 
 wishes. 
 
 7. A law was passed, establishing the episcopal religion, 
 and excluding dissenters from a seat in the assembly. It 
 was Lad before the proprietors, without whose sanction it 
 could not possess permanent validity. Archdale, who had 
 returned to England, opposed it with ability and spirit. He 
 insisted that good faith, policy, interest, even piety, concurred 
 to dictate its rejection. But lord Granville declared himself 
 in favor of it, and it received confirmation. 
 9* 
 
102 SOUTH CAROLINA 
 
 8. The dissenters saw themselves at once depn. 
 those privileges for which they had abandoned their native 
 country, and encountered the dangers and hardships of 
 the ocean and a wilderness. Some prepared to leave the 
 colony arid settle in Pennsylvania. Others proposed that 
 & -remonstrance; against the law should first be presented 
 to the house of lord s,.-. ind this measure was adopted. The 
 lords expressed by a vote their disapprobation of the law, 
 p.n-J/apcri their solici 4 atian, queen Anne declared it void. 
 Sooii a flei, lord Urariville died, and the colony, controlled 
 6y more liberal councils, again enjoyed the blessings ol 
 domestic quiet. 
 
 9. In 1702, war then existing between England and Spain, 
 governor Moore, thirsting for Spanish plunder, led an expe 
 dition against St. Augustine. It was badly planned, worse 
 executed, and failed. Returning from defeat abroad, he met, 
 at home, the reproaches of his people. To silence these, he 
 marched, at, the head of a body of troops, against the Apa- 
 lachian Indians, who had become insolent and hostile. In 
 this expedition he was successful, taking many prisoners, 
 and laying their towns in ashes. By his victories over the 
 savages, he retrieved his character ; and, by selling the pri 
 soners as slaves, obtained, what he most coveted, considerable 
 personal emolument. 
 
 10. In 1706, the Spaniards, from Florida, invaded Caro 
 lina. The governor, Nathaniel Johnson, having received 
 intimation of their approach, erected fortifications and 
 made arrangements to obtain, 9/1 short warning, the assist, 
 ance of the militia. When the enemy s -fleet appeared 
 before Charleston, the whole strength of the colony was 
 summoned to defend it. A force so formidable ensured its 
 safety. After burning a few detached buildings, the enemy 
 retired without inflicting other injury. One of their 
 ships, having ninety men on board, was captured by the 
 Carolinians. 
 
 11. In 1715, after several years of profound peace, an 
 Indian war broke out. All the tribes, from Florida to cape 
 Fear, had boen long engaged in a conspiracy to extirpate 
 the whites. In the morning of the 15th of April, the first 
 blow \v.is struck. At Poc italigo, and the settlements around 
 Port Royal, ninety persons were massacred. The inhabi 
 tants of the latter pkco escaped, by embarking precipitately 
 on board a vessel, which was tliefn in the harbor, arid sailing 
 dilectly to Charleston. 
 
 12. This massacre was perpetnited by the southern In- 
 
sown CAROLINA. id& 
 
 dians. The northern, at the same time, attacked the settle 
 ments near them. Many of the inhabitants were killed, and 
 many fled to Charleston. At a plantation on Goose creek, 
 seventy whites and forty faithful negroes, being protected hy 
 a breast-work, determined to maintain their post. On tho 
 first attack, their courage failed, and they agreed to surren* 
 der. Tiie instant they were in the power of the efticmy, all 
 were barbarously murdered. 
 
 13. Governor Craven, at the head of twelve litmdrecl 
 men, marched against the salvages. He discovered in tho 
 wilderness several small parties, who fled before him. &t 
 Saltcatchers, he found them all assembled, and there an 
 obstinate and bioody battle was /found* The whiles /oro 
 victorious, driving the enemy before them, and compelling 
 them to leave the province, ftlost of them fled to Florida, 
 where they were received, in the most friendly manner, by 
 the Spaniards. 
 
 14. In tiiis shOrt war, four hundred whites were killed, 
 property of great value destroyed, and a large debt ccm- 
 tracted. The proprietors, though earnestly .solicited, refused 
 to afford any roiiof, or to pay any portion of the dubt. TliP 
 assembly determined to remunerate the colony, bydispc-iiij:; 
 of the land from which the Ihcli ins had been driven. Tho 
 terms offered were so favorable, that five hundred Irishmen 
 immediately came over, and planted themselves on the 
 frontiers. 
 
 15. The proprietors, refusing to satictio& the proceedings 
 of the assembly, deprived these e infants of their lands. 
 Some, reduced to extreme poverty, [perished from want ; 
 others resorted to the northern toionics. A strong barrier 
 between the old settlements aiftd the savages, was thus re 
 moved, and the country agrfin exposed to their incursions. 
 The people were exasperated, and longed for a change of 
 masters. 
 
 16. The corrupt and ^oppressive conduct of T^ofct, tho 
 chief-justice, and Tihett, the receiver-general, increased the 
 discontent. Of the former, the governor and council coin- 
 plained to the proprietors, and solicited his recall. Instead 
 of removing him, they thanked him for his services, ami 
 removed the governor arfd council. With the governor next 
 appointed, though a man generally beloved, the assembler 
 refused to have any concern or intercourse. They drew up 
 articles of impeachment against Trott, accusing him of coK 
 *tiption ai -1 gross misconduct, and sent an agent to Eng^aM&p 
 
104 SOUTH CAROLINA, 
 
 to maintain their- accusation before the proprietors. He wag, 
 jiev-Ttheless, continued in office. 
 
 17. The patience of the people was exhausted, and they 
 V/<.it<id only for a favorable opportunity to throw oif their 
 c^i-essive yoke. In 1719, at a general review of the militia 
 3JL Charleston, occasioned by a threatened invasion of the 
 Colony, from Florida, the officers and soldiers bound them. 
 pelves, by a solemn compact, to support each other in resist- 
 i,ng tij-j tyranny of the proprietors ; and the assembly, which 
 \v;iK then in session, requested the governor, by a respectful 
 gtd(ii; ess., to, consent to administer the government in the 
 i^ame of the kmg. 
 
 $8. He ifeiused, and by proclamation, dissolved the as- 
 gernbjy. The members immediately met as a convention, 
 aiid elcoted colonel James Moore their governor. He was 
 a bold man, and exceedingly vyel] qualified for a popular 
 leader, in a turbulent season. lie accepted the appointment, 
 and, assisted by the convention, and supported by the people, 
 administered the affairs of the colony. 
 
 19. The conduct of the proprietors and people was brought 
 before, his majesty in council. After a full hearing, it was 
 ^ecidecl, that both colonies should be taken uu/der the pro^ 
 tection of the crown. Several years afterwards, seven of 
 the proprietors sold to the king their claim to the soil and 
 jjents, and all assigned to him their right of jurisdiction. 
 The government was subsequently administered by execu 
 tive officers, appointed by the crown, and by assemblies, 
 Chosen by the people, arid under their control the colony 
 prospered, 
 
 $), In 1738, occurred an alarming insurrection of the ne 
 groes. A number of them, assembled at Stono, surprised 
 and killed two men who had charge of a warehouse, from 
 which they took gups and ammunition. They then chose a 
 Captain, sjid, with drums beating and colors flying, marched 
 south westward. They burned every house on their way, 
 killed all the whites they could find, and compelled other 
 negroes to join them. 
 
 21- Governor BylL, who was returning to Charleston, 
 from the southward, acci,dentaHy met them, hastened out of 
 their way, and spread an alarm. The news soon reached 
 Wiltown, where, fortunately, a large congregation were 
 attending divine service. The men, having, according to 
 a law of the province, brought their arms to the place 
 of worship, marched instantly in quest of the negroes, who, 
 
GEORGIA. 105 
 
 by this time, fead become formidable, and spread terror and 
 desolation aroimd them. 
 
 22. Whila, in an oj)en field, they were carousing and 
 dancing, with tnmtic exultation at their late success, they 
 were suddenly attacked by the whites. ( Some were killed, 
 the remainder rl jd. iVlost of tlie fugitives were taken and 
 tried. They who had been compelled to join the con* 
 spirators. were pardoned ; bfet all the leaders and -first 
 insurgents suffered death. About twenty whiles were mur 
 dered. 
 
 23. From this period until the era of the revolution, no 
 important event occurred in the coltJUy. It was sometimes 
 distressed by : Indiun wars ; but the number of inhabitants, 
 and the means of subsistence and conifo rt, were constantly 
 increasing. Emigrant:;; came principally from the north srfc 
 colonies-; but often lii rge bodies of protestants arrived from 
 Europe ; in one year, 1752, "the number who came exceeded 
 sixteen hundred. 
 
 CHAPTER Xltl. 
 GEORGIA. 
 
 UrdN the southern part of the territory included in the 
 Carolina charter, no settlement was made, until several 
 years after that charter was forfeited. In June, 1732, so- 
 yeral benevolent gentlemen, in England, concerted a project 
 for planting a colony in that unoccupied region. Theft 
 principal object was to relieve, by transporting thither, thfe 
 indigent subjects of Great Britain ; but their plan of bene 
 volence embraced afoo the persecuted protesta&ts Off at! 
 nations. 
 
 . "0 a project springing from motives so noble arid dis* 
 interested, the people and the government extended thei f 
 encouragement and patronage. A patent was granted by 
 the king, conveying to twenty-one trustees the territory now 
 constituting the state of GEORGIA, which was to be appor 
 tioned gratuitously a.mong the settlers ; and liberal donation^ 
 were made by the charitable, to defray the expense of trans, 
 porting them across the Atlantic, and of providing for their 
 support the first season. 
 
 3. The concerns of the colony Were managed by the tru*. 
 tees, who freely devoted much of ; their time to the -undo*- 
 
106 GEORGIA. 
 
 taking. Among other regulations, they provided, that the* 
 lands should not be sold nor devised by the owners, but 
 should descend to the mule children only ; they forbade the 
 use of ruin in the colony, and stnctly prohibited the importa 
 tion of negroes. But none of these regulations remained 
 Jong in force. 
 
 4. In November, 1732, one hundred and thirteen erni- 
 grants embarked for Georgia, at the head of whom the trus 
 tees had placed James Oglethorpe, a zealous and active 
 promote? of this scheme of benevolence. In January, they 
 urrivod at Charleston ; and the Carolinians, sensible of the. 
 advantage of having a barrier between them and the Indians, 
 gave the adventurers a cordial welcome. They supplied 
 them with provisions, and with boats to convey them to the 
 pi ice of their destination. Yamacraw bluff, since called 
 pavannah, was selected as the most eligible place for a set- 
 tlement. 
 
 5. The next year, five or six hundred poor persons arrived, 
 and to eacii a portion -of the wilderness was assigned. But 
 it was soon found that these emigrants, who were the refusa 
 of cities, had been rendered poor by idleness, and irresolute 
 by -poverty, were not fitted to fell the mighty groves of 
 Georgia. A race more hardy and enterprising was neces. 
 sary. The trustees, therefore, offered to receive, also, such 
 #s had not, by- pprse cation or poverty, been rendered objects 
 *>f compassion, and to. grant to all, who should settle in the 
 colony-, fifty acres of land. In consequence of this offer, 
 more than four hundred persons, from Germany, Scotland, 
 and Switzerland, arrived in the year 1735. The Germans 
 settled at Ebenezer, the Scotch at New Inverness, now 
 Dai-ion. 
 
 6. In 1736, John Wesley, a celebrated methodist, made 
 ti visit to Georgia, ft>.r the purpose of preaching to the colo- 
 pfcts, and converting the Indians. He was then young 
 and virdont ; the people around him felt less ardor than 
 himself, and his pious zeal soon brought him into collision 
 with some of the principal settlers. He was accused o, 
 diverting the people from their labor to attend his reli. 
 gious. meetings, and of exercising unwarranted ecclesias 
 tical authority. Persecuted by his enemies, and finding 
 he could render no further service, tp the cause of religion 
 in the colony, he returned to England, and there, for many 
 years, pursued a distinguished career- of piety and useful- 
 $iess. 
 
 7. Two years afterwi- 1 * George Whitfield. another 
 
GEORGIA. 157 
 
 and more celebrated Methodist arrived in tlie colony. He 
 had already made himself conspicuous in England, by his 
 numerous eccentricities, his ardent piety, his extraordinary 
 eloquence, his zeal arid activity in propagating his opinions 
 He came to Georgia for the benevolent purpose of establish 
 ing an orphan house, where poor children might be t .jd, 
 clothed, and educated in the knowledge of Christianity; In 
 prosecution of this purpose, he often crossed the Ath.nt.ic, 
 and traversed Great Britain and America, soliciting aid front 
 the pious and charitable. Wherever he went, he pfoached, 
 with sincerity and fervor, his peculiar doctrine*, making 
 proselytes of most who heard him, and founding a sect, which 
 has since become numerous and respectable. His orphan 
 house, during his life, did not flourish, and after his death 
 was entirely abandoned. 
 
 8. In 1740, the trustees rendered an account of their ad 
 ministration. At that time, -two thousand four hundred and 
 ninety-eight emigrants had arrived in the colony./ Of these, 
 fifteen hundred and twenty-one were indigent Englishmen, 
 or persecuted Protestants. The benefactions, from govern* 
 ment and from individuals, had been nearly half a mllron of 
 dollars ;, arid it was computed that, for every person trans 
 ported arid maintained by the trustees, more than three hun 
 dred dollars had been expended. 
 
 9. The hope which the trustees bad cherished, that the 
 colony, planted at such vast expense 1 , would be prosperous, 
 and the objects of their benevoleaice happy, were Completely 
 disappointed. Such was the character of the greater part of 
 the. settlers, and such the restrictions imposed, that the plan 
 tations languished and continued to require tlie contribuiions- 
 of the charitable. 
 
 10. War having been declared against &pasrt, Mr . OgT^-- 
 thorpe was promoted to the rank of general in the British 
 army, and at the head of two thousand me, partly from Vir 
 ginia and the Cafolinas, undertook an cxpeditiota against 
 Florida. He took two Spanish poi ts and besieged St. Au 
 gustine ; but encountering an obstinate Fesistane e, was com 
 pelled to re tarn unsuccessful to 1 Geetfgk. 
 
 11. Two years, afterwards, the Spaniards, m retaliation, 
 prepared t& invade Georgia ; and they intended, if success 
 ful there, to subjugate the Carolina? and Virginia. On re 
 ceiving information of their approach, general Ogiethorrvo 
 sdicked assistance from South Carolina. But the inhab 
 itants of that colony, entertaining a strong prejudice against 
 him, k* consequence of his late defeat, and terri&erd by-thu 
 
1&> (SEORGM. 
 
 danger which threatened themselves, determined to providfc 
 only for their own safety,. 
 
 12. Meanwhile general Oglethorpe made preparations 
 for a vigorous defence. lie assembled seven hundred 
 men exclusive of a body o Indians, fixed his head quar 
 ters at Frederica, on the island of St. Simon, tind, with this 
 email hand, determined to encounter whatever farce might 
 be brought against him. It was his utmost hope that he 
 might be able to resist the enemy until a reinforcement 
 should arrive from Carolina, which. he daily and anxiously 
 expected. 
 
 V j, On the last of Juno, the Spanish fleet, consisting of 
 thirty-two* sail, and having on board more than three thou 
 sand men, came to anchor off St. Simon s bar. Notwith 
 standing all the resistance which general Oglethorpe could 
 oppose, t-hey soiled up the river Alatarnaha, landed, upon tho 
 island, and there erected fortifications. 
 
 14. General Oglethorpe, convinced that his small force, if 
 divided, must be entirely inefficient, assembled the whole of 
 it at Frederica. One portion he employed in strengthening 
 his fortifications ;, the Highlanders and Indiana ranging 
 night and day thr-ORgh the woods, often attacked the out 
 posts of tho enemy/ The toil of the troops was incessant ; 
 and tho long delay of the expected succors, so cruelly, with* 
 ncld by South Carolina, caused tho most gloomy andidepree- 
 .si/itr apprehensions. 
 
 15. Learning that the Spanish army occupied two distinct 
 positions, Oglethorpe conceived tho project of attacking one 
 by surprise. He selected the bravest of his little army, and in 
 the night marched, entirely unobserved, to within two .miles 
 of tho camp which he intended to assail. Directing his troop 
 to halt, he advanced* at the l&ead of a small body, to recon 
 noitre the enc?^:.. While thus employed, a French soldier 
 of his party, nrjjig* his musket, deserted to the Spaniards. 
 Discovery destroying all hope of success, the general imme 
 diately returned to. Ifrederica. He was not only chagrined 
 at this occurrence, but apprehended instant danger from the 
 disclosure which the deserter, would doubtless make of his 
 Weakness. 
 
 1,6, In this embarrassment, he devised an expedient which 
 was attended with tho mosfe ha.ppy success. He wrote a let 
 ter to. the deserter, instructing, htrn to acquaint the Spa 
 niards with the defenceless i$ate of Frederica ; to urge them 
 to attack the place, and if hp could not succeed, to persuade 
 iheru, to, remain three days*, longer on the island; for 
 
1754.] GEORGIA, 109 
 
 that time, according to late advices from Carolina, he should 
 receive a reinforcement of two thousand men and Fix ships 
 of war. He cautioned him against dropping any hint of the 
 attack, meditated by a.dmiral Vernon, upon St. Augustine, 
 and assured him that the reward for his services should be 
 ample. 
 
 17. For a small bribe, a soldier who had been made pri 
 soner in one of the numerous skirmishes, engaged to deliver 
 this letter to the deserter, and w.is then s;t at liberty. As 
 was foreseen, he carried it directly to the Spanish general, 
 who immefiiately suspected the deserter to be a spy from the 
 English camp, and ordered him to be put in irons. But al 
 though his suspicions were awakened, he was yet uncer 
 tain whether the whole might not be a stratagem of his an 
 tagonist. 
 
 18. While hesitating what to believe, three small vessels 
 f war appeared oft* the coast. Supposing they brought the 
 reinforcements alluded to in the letter to the deserter, he he 
 sitated no longer, but determined to make a vigorous attack 
 upon the English, before these reinforcements could arrive 
 and be brought into action. 
 
 19. General Oglethorpc, by mero accident, obtained infor 
 mation of their design. A small party was instantly placed 
 iu ambuscade ; the Spaniards advanced near them, halted t.o 
 rost, and laid asid: their arms. A sudden and well directed 
 fire, killing many, threw th?> enemy into confusion. After 
 a f?w more discharges, th:-v fled to thoir for till cations, which 
 they demolished, and hastily embarking, made every possible 
 effort to escape from the reinforcements that were supposed 
 to be approaching, 
 
 20. Thus was GeorgJA, with trifling lor-s, delivered from 
 tho most imminent danger. General Qglethorpe not only 
 retrieved, but exalted his reputation. From .the Carolinians, 
 grateful for their preservation, and from the governors of 
 most, of the northern colonies, he received cordial congratu 
 lations upon his address and good fortune. And so mortified 
 were the Spaniards ;it the result of the expedition, that the 
 command?-.*, on his return, was arrested, tried, and cashiered 
 for misconduct. i 
 
 21. But the prosperity of the colony was retarded by those 
 disturbances. For ten } ears longer, it remained under the 
 management of the trustees, who, embarrassing it by too 
 much regulation, discouraged the emigrants and checked its 
 growth. At length, disappointed in their hopes, and wea led 
 by complaints, they surrendered their charter to the crov n; 
 
 10 
 
110 FRENCH WAR OF 1754-63. [1754, 
 
 and, in 1754, a royal government was established >ver the 
 colony. 
 
 22. New regulations being adopted, Georgia began to 
 flourish. Among her governors, James Wright deserves ho 
 norable notice for his wisdom in discerning, and his zeal in 
 pursuing, her true interests. The cultivation of riee and 
 indigo was prosecuted with augmented industry, skill, 
 and profit; and in every succeeding year, an increased 
 amount of these staple commodities was exported to the 
 mother country. The Florida Indians were sometimes 
 troublesome, but were as often chastised and compelled to 
 sue for peace. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 FRENCH WAR OF 1754-63. 
 
 THE treaty of Aix la Chapelle concluded in 1748, between 
 England and France, restored tranquillity to America. At 
 this period the number of inhabitants in the thirteen colonies 
 was about one million one hundred thousand. The English 
 settlements had not advanced tar into the wilderness, but 
 extended along the ocean from Newfoundland to Florida. 
 Those of the French at the north, reached from the mouth 
 of the St. Lawrence to Montreal ; and they had built forts 
 and trading houses on lake Ontario. At the south, they had 
 planted New Orleans, and having discovered the river Mis 
 sissippi, they claimed the fertile and delightful valley through 
 which it runs, and the whole country watered bv its tribu 
 tary streams. 
 
 2. They at length determined to connect their northern 
 and southern settlements by a chain of posts extending along 
 the frontiers of the English, from lake Ontario to the 
 Ohio, and down that river and the Mississippi to New 
 Orleans. While they were intent on this project, a com 
 pany of English traders, having obtained from the king a 
 grant of land, established trading houses on the banks of 
 the Ohio. 
 
 3. The French seized some of these traders, and conveyed 
 them prisoners to Canada. The company complained to 
 governor Dinwiddic, of Virginia. The land having been 
 granted as a part of that colony, he determined to send a 
 messenger to the commander of the French forces on the 
 
1754.3 FRENCH WAR OF 175463. Ill 
 
 Ohio, and require him to withdraw his troops. For this mis 
 sion he selected George Washington, who was then twenty- 
 one years of age, and who afterwards became illustrious in 
 the annals of his country. 
 
 4. To the letter of B-inwiddie, the French commander re 
 plied, that he had taken possession of the country in pursu 
 ance of directions from his genera], then in Canada, to whom 
 he would transmit the letter, and whose orders he should im 
 plicitly obey, j This reply not being satisfactory to the go 
 vernor, prepar&tiGns were made in Virginia, to maintain by 
 force the rights of the British crown. Troops, constituting 
 a regiment, were raised, the command of whom, on the 
 death of the colonel first appointed, was given to Mr. 
 Washington* 
 
 5. At the head of about four hundred men, !ie advanced, 
 early in the spring, into the territory in dispute. On his 
 route, he met, attacked, and defeated, a French party under 
 the command of one Dijonvllle, who approached him in a 
 manner indicating hostile intentions.. He proceeded towards 
 fort Du Quesne, situated at the junction of the Alleghany 
 and Monoiigahela. From this fort, De Villier, at the head 
 of nine hundred men, marched out to attack him. 
 
 6. Healing <sf the approach of this party, colonel 
 Washington halted, and hastily erected some Imperfect 
 works, by means of which he hoped to prolong his defence 
 until the arrival of reinforcements. He was closely 
 fcesieged by De Villier, but making an -obstinate defence, 
 was offered the most honorable terms f capitulation. 
 These he accepted, aad returned with his regiment to 
 Virginia. 
 
 7. In this 3 r ear, .delegates from seven of the colonies met 
 at Albany, for the purpose of holding a conference with the 
 JSix Nations of Indians. This business being finished, a con 
 federation of the colonies was proposed by the delegates from 
 Massachusetts. A " Plan of Union" was agreed upon, to be 
 submitted to the colonial legislatures, and to parliament, for 
 their adoption. 
 
 8. This plan provided that delegates to a General Council 
 .-should foe chosen by the representatives of the people, in the 
 colonial assemblies, and that a president-general should be 
 appointed by the crown. This council was to possess the 
 control of the military force of the confederacy, and the 
 power to concert all measures for the common protection 
 and safety. The presidenttgeneral was to hasre a negative 
 <upen the jWGeeeddngs jffif the Delegates. 
 
112 FRENCH WAR OF 1754 63. L 1754. 
 
 9. This plan was rejected by parliament, /because the de 
 legates were to be chosen by the representatives of the peo- 
 piy. It was rejected by the colonies because it placed too 
 much power in the hands of the king. In England appre 
 hensions were already entertained of the growing importance 
 of the colonial assemblies. $n America, the people began, 
 perhaps iin consciously, to be ^aetuated by the spirit of inde 
 pendence. 
 
 10. The conduct of the French, on the Ohio, convinced 
 the cabinet of London that their claim to the country, 
 through which that river flows, mast be relinquished, or 
 maintained by the sword. They did not hesitate which 
 alternative to choose. Early in the spring of 1755, thoy 
 despatched general Braddock to America, with a respecta 
 ble force, to expel the French, and keep possession of the 
 territory. And preparations having been made by Fran OB 
 to despatch a reinforcement to her armies in Canada, 
 admiral Boscawen vas ordered to endeavor to intercept 
 the French fleet before it should enter the gulf of St. 
 Lawrence. 
 
 11. In April, general Braddock met the governors of the 
 several provinces, to confer upon the plan of the ensuing 
 campaign. Three expeditions were resolved upon : one 
 against Du Quesne, to be commanded by general Braddock * T 
 one against forts Niagara arid Frontinac, to be commanded by 
 governor Shirley ; and one against Crown Point, to be com 
 manded by general Johnson. The last mentioned post was 
 the nearest to New England of any in the possession of the 
 enemy ; and from it almost all the Indian parties, which had, 
 in the late wars so cruelty harassed the northern colonies, 
 were despatched and supported. The expedition a gainst it 
 was proposed and urged by Massachusetts, and was to be ex 
 ecuted by colonial troops, raised in Now England and New 
 York. 
 
 12. While preparations were making far these expeditions, 
 another, which had been previously concerted, was carried 
 on against the French forces in Nova Scotia. This pro 
 vince was settled by the French, but was coded to the Eng 
 lish by the treaty of Utrecht. Its boundaries not having- 
 been defined, the French continued to occupy a portion of 
 the territory claimed by the English, and had built forts for 
 their defence. To gain possession of these was the object of 
 the expedition. 
 
 13. About two thousand militia, commanded by colonel 
 Winslow, embarked at .Boston ; and being joined on their 
 
3755.!] FRENCH WAR OF 1754 63. 113 
 
 passage by three hundred regulars, ar/ived, in April, at the 
 place of destination. The forts were invested; the resist, 
 a nee made was trifling and ineffectual ; and in a short time 
 the English gained entire possession of the province, accord 
 ing t their own definition fits boundaries. fThree only of 
 their men were killed. \ 
 
 14. The preparations of general Braddock, in Virginia, 
 had proceeded slowly. It had been found extremely difficult 
 to procure horses, wagons, and provisions. Impatient of 
 delay, he determined to set out with twelve hundred men, 
 selected from the different corps, and to proceed, as rapidly 
 as possible, towards fort Du Quesne. The residue of the 
 army, and the heavy baggage, were left under the command 
 of colonel Dunbar, who was directed to follow as soon as 
 the preparations were completed, 
 
 15. Braddock had been educated in the English army ; 
 and in the science of war, as then taught in Europe, he de- 
 served and enjoyed the reputation of more than ordinary 
 .skill. Of this reputation he was vain, and disdained to con. 
 sider that his skill was totally inapplicable to the mode of 
 warfare practised in the forests of America, Before he left/ 
 England, he was repeatedly admonished to beware of a sur 
 prise ; and on his march through the wilderness, the provin. 
 cial officers frequently entreated him to scour the surround 
 ing thickets. But he held these officers and the enemy in 
 too much contempt to listen to this salutary counsel. 
 
 1G. On approaching fort Du Quesne, colonel Washing- 
 tori, who accompanied him as his aid, made a last attempt 
 to induce him to change his order of march, fie explained 
 the Indian mode of warfare; represented his danger; and 
 offered to take command of the provincials and place him 
 self in advance of the army. This offer was declined 
 The general proceeded, confident of the propriety of his. 
 conduct 5 the provincials followed, trembling for the conse 
 quences. 
 
 17. On the nsnth of July, the army crossed the Mononga 
 nela, within a few miles of Du Quesne. Their route leo 
 through a defile, which they had nearly passed, when a 
 tremendous yell and instantaneous discharge of fire arms 
 suddenly burst upon them from an invisible foe. The van 
 was thrown into confusion. The general led tho main 
 body to its support. For a moment?, order was restored, and 
 a short cessation of the enemy s fire, occasioned by the death 
 of their commander, seemed to indicate that all danger was 
 over. 
 
 10 * 
 
114 FRENCK WAR QF 175453. [1755, 
 
 18. But the attack was soon renewed with increased 
 fury. Concealed behind trees, logs, and rocks, the Indiana 
 poured upon the troops a deadly and incessant fire, Officers 
 and men fall thickly around, and the survivors knew not 
 where to direct their aim to revenge their slaughtered 
 comrades. The whole body was again thrown into con 
 fusion. The .general, obstinate and courageous, refusec 
 to retreat, but bent his whole efforts to restore and main 
 tain order. He persisted in these efforts, until five horse* 
 iiad been shot under him, and every one of his officers C3 
 horseback, except colonel Washington, was either killed c 
 wounded. 
 
 19. The general at length fell, and the rout became 
 universal. The troops flsd precipitately until they met 
 the division under Dunbar, then sixty miles in the rear. 
 To this .body the same panic was communicated. Turn 
 ing about, thoy fled with the rest, and although no enemy 
 Irid been seen during the engigemerit, nor afterwards, yet 
 the army continued retreating until it reached fort Cum 
 berland, one hundred and twenty miles from the place of 
 action. There they remained but a short time.. With 
 the remnant of the army, amounting to fifteen hundred 
 men, colonel Dunbar, upon whom, on the deatli of Brad- 
 dock, the command devolved, marched to Philadelphia, 
 laavl ig the frontiers of Pennsylvania and Virginia destitute- 
 of defence. 
 
 20. The provincial troops, whom Braddock had so much 
 despised, displayed, during the battle, the utmost calmness 
 and courage. Though placed in the rear, they alone, led 
 on by Washington, advanced against the Indians and 
 covered the retreat. Had they been permitted to tight in 
 their own w;iy, they could easily have defeated the enemy. 
 In this battle, sixty-four, out of eighty-five officers, were 
 cither killed or wounded, and at least one half of the 
 privates. 
 
 21. The two northern expeditions, though not so disas 
 trous, were both unsuccessful. General Shirley, who had 
 been appointed to cc.iimand that against Niagara, met with 
 so many dolnys that lie did not reach Oswego until late in 
 August. While en barking there to proceed against Nia 
 gara, the autumnal rains beg iri, his troops became discour 
 aged, his Indian allies deserted him, and he was compelled 
 to relinquish his design. 
 
 22. The forces destined to attack Crown Point, and the 
 equisite military stores, could not be collected at Albany 
 
1755.] FRENCH WAR OF 175463. 115 
 
 until the List of August. Thence the army, under the com 
 mand of general Johnson, proceeded to the south end of lake 
 George, on their way to the place of destination. There he 
 learned, that the armament, fitted out in the ports of Franco, 
 eluding the English squadron, had arrived at Quebec, and 
 that baron Dicskau, commander of the French forces, was 
 advancing with an army towards the territories of the Eng 
 lish. He halted, erected slight breastworks, and detached 
 colonel Williams with a thousand men to impede the pro . 
 gress of the enemy. 
 
 23. Dieskau, who was near, was immediately informed 
 of the approach of this detachment. Without losing a mo 
 nient, he directed his troops to conceal themselves. The 
 English advanced into the midst of their enemy 4 and from 
 every quarter, received, at the same moment, a sudden and 
 unexpected fire. Their leader fell, and the men fled, in dis 
 order, to the camp. 
 
 24. They were followed closely by the enemy, who ap 
 proached within one hundred and fifty yards of the breast 
 work ; and, had they made an immediate assault, would 
 probably, such was the panic of the English, liave been sue 
 cessful. But here they halted, to make dispositions for 
 a regular attack. The Indians and Canadians were de 
 spatched to the flanks, and the regular troops began the 
 attack with firing, by platoons, at th.^ centre. The fire 
 was ineffectual, and the provincials gradually resumed their 
 courage. 
 
 25. A few discharges of the artillery drove the Canadians 
 and Indians to the swamps. The regulars, although desert 
 ed by the auxiliaries, maintained the conflict for more than 
 an hour, with much steadiness and resolution. Dieskau, 
 convinced that all his efforts must be unavailing, then gave 
 orders to retreat. This produced some confusion, which be 
 ing perceived by the provincials, they simultaneously, arid 
 without orders or concert, leaped over the intrenchments, 
 fell upon the French soldiers, and killed, captured or 
 dispersed them. The baron was wounded and made 
 prisoner. 
 
 2G. The next day, colonel Blanchard, who commanded at 
 fort Edward, despatched captain Folsom, of New Hamp 
 shire, with two hundred men, to the assistance of general 
 Johnson. On his way, he, discovered between three and four 
 hundred of tho enemy seated around a pond, not far from 
 th*3 place whore colonel Williams had been defeated. Not- 
 Vithstanding his inferiority in numbers, he determined to 
 
116 FRENCH WAR OF 174463. [1756. 
 
 attack them. So impetuous was the onset, that, after a sharp 
 conflict, the enemy fled. In the several engagements, the 
 provincials lost about two hundred men ; the enemy up. 
 wards of seven hundred. 
 
 27. General Johnson, though strongly importuned by the 
 government of Massachusetts, refused to proceed upon his 
 expedition, which ^as abandoned, and most of his troops re 
 turned to their respective colonies. Thus ended the cam 
 paign of 1755. It opened with the brightest prospects ; im- 
 morise preparations had been made, yet not one of the ob 
 jects of the three great expeditions had been attained. 
 
 28. During the fall and winter, the southern colonies 
 were ravaged, and the usual barbarities perpetrated upon 
 the frontier inhabitants, by the savages, who, on the defeat 
 of Braddock, and the retreat of his army, saw nothing to 
 restrain their fury. In Virginia and Pennsylvania, dis 
 putes existed between the governors and legislatures, 
 which prevented all attention to the means of defence. 
 Scarcely a post was maintained, or a soldier employed in 
 their service. 
 
 29. The colonies, far from being discouraged by the mis 
 fortunes of the last campaign, determined to renew arid in 
 crease their exertions. General Shirley, to whom the super 
 intendence of all the military operations had been confided, 
 assembled a council of war at New York, to concert a plan 
 for the ensuing year. He proposed that expeditions should 
 be carried on against Du Quesne, Niagara, and Crown Point, 
 and that a body of troops should be sent, by the way of the 
 rivers Kennebec and Chaudtere, to alarm the French for the 
 safety of Quebec. This plan was unanimously adopted by 
 the council. 
 
 30. Shirley, on the last of January, returned to Boston to 
 meet the assembly of Massachusetts, of which colony he was 
 governor. He endeavored to persuade them to concur in 
 the measures proposed ; but, disgusted with the proceedings 
 of the Last campaign, and especially at general Johnson s 
 neglecting to pursue his advantages, they were unwilling to 
 engage in offensive operations, unless the command of their 
 forces should be given to general Winslow, who had ac 
 quired popularity by his success in Nova Scotia. Their 
 wishes were complied with, and their concurrence was then 
 granted. 
 
 31. In April, news arrived from Great Britain, that the 
 conduct of general Johnson, instead of being censured, was 
 considered highly meritorious ; that, as a reward for his sue- 
 
1756.] FRENCH WAR OF 175463. 117 
 
 cess, the king had conferred upon him the title of baronet, 
 and parliament a grant of five thousand pounds sterling; 
 that his majesty disapproved of the conduct of Shirley, arid 
 had determined to remove him from command. 
 
 32. This inform .ition not being official, general Shirley 
 continued his preparations with his usual activity and zeal. 
 While engaged in collecting, at Albany, the troops from the 
 different colonies, general Webb brought from England of 
 ficial information oi his removal. On the 25th of June, ge 
 neral Abcrcrombie arrived, and took command of the army. 
 It now consisted of about twelve thousand men, and was 
 more numerous and better prepared for a field than any army 
 that had ever been assembled in America. 
 
 33. Singular as it may appear, while this sanguinary war 
 raged in America, the intercourse between the two nations 
 in Europe, not only continued uninterrupted, but seemed 
 rnoro than usually friendly. This unnatural state of things 
 could not long continue. Great Britain declared war in May, 
 and Frmce in June. 
 
 31. The change of commanders delayed the operations of 
 the English army. The French were active ; and on tho 
 12lh of July, general Abercrombie received intelligence that 
 they meditated an attack upon Osvvego, a post of the utmost 
 importance. General Webb was ordered to prepare to march 
 with a regiment for the defence of that place. In the mean 
 time, lord Loudon, who had been appointed commander-in. 
 chief over all the British forces in the colonies, arrived in 
 America. 
 
 35. Amidst the ceremonies which followed, the affairs of 
 the war were forgotten. General Webb did not begin his 
 march until the 12th of August. Before lie had proceeded 
 far, ho learned that Oswego was actually besieged by a largo 
 army of French and Indians. Al armed for his own safety, 
 he proceeded no further, but employed his troops in erecting 
 fortifications for their defence. 
 
 3G. General Mcmtcalm, the commander of the French 
 troops in Cinada, beg-in the siege of Oswego on the 12th of 
 August. On the 14th, the English commander having been 
 Killed, terms of surrender were proposed by the garrison, 
 and were agreed to. Those terms were shamefully violated. 
 Several of the British officers and soldiers were insulted, 
 robbed, and massacred by the Indians. Most of the sick 
 were scalped in the hospitals, and the French general deliv 
 ered twenty of the garrison to the savages, that being the 
 number they had lost during the siege. Those unhappy 
 
118 FRENCH WAR OF 1754-63. [1757. 
 
 wretches were, doubtless, according to the Indian custom, 
 tortured and burnt. 
 
 37. General Webb was permitted to retreat, unmolested, 
 to Albany. Lord London pretended it was now too late 
 in the season to attempt any thing farther, though the 
 troops under general Wirislow were within a few days 
 march of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and were suffi 
 cient in number to justify an attack upon those places. 
 He devoted the remainder of the season to making prepa 
 rations for ari early and vigorous campaign the ensuing 
 year. 
 
 38. This spring had opened with still more brilliant pros 
 pects than the last ; and the season closed without the occur 
 rence of a single event that was honorable to the British 
 arms, or advantageous to the colonies. ? This want of suc 
 cess was justly attributed to the removal of the provincial of 
 ficers, who were well acquainted with the theatre of opera 
 tions, but whom the ministry, desirous of checking the 
 growth of talents in the colonies, were unwilling to employ. 
 Yet the several assemblies, though they saw themselves 
 thus slighted, and their money annually squandered, .made 
 all the preparations that were required of them for the next 
 campaign. 
 
 39. The reduction of Louisburg was the object to which 
 the ministry directed the attention of lord London. In the 
 spring of 1757, he sailed from New York, with 6000 men, 
 and, at Halifax, met admiral Holbourn, with transports con 
 taining an equal number of troops, and a naval force consist 
 ing of fifteen ships of the line. When about to proceed to 
 their place of destination, intelligence arrived that the gar 
 rison at Louisburgh had received a large reinforcement, and 
 expected and desired a visit from the English. Disheartened 
 by this intelligence, the general and admiral abandoned the 
 expedition. 
 
 40. While the English commanders were thus irresolute 
 and idle, the French were enterprising and active. In 
 March general Montcalm made an attempt to surprise fort 
 William Henry, at the south end of lake George, but was 
 defeated by the vigilance and bravery of the garrison. 
 He returned to Crown Point, leaving a party of troops 
 at Ticonderoga. Against this post near four hundred 
 men were sent from the fort, under the command of colonel 
 Parker. 
 
 41. The colonel was deceived in his intelligence, de 
 coyed into an ambuscade, and attacked with such fury, 
 
1757.] FRENCH WAR OF 175463. 119 
 
 that but two officers and seventy privates escaped. Encour 
 aged by this success, Montcalin determined to return and 
 besiege fort William Homy. For this purpose, he assem 
 bled an army consisting of regular troops, Canadians and In 
 dians, and amounting to near ten thousand men. 
 
 42. Major Putnam, a brave and active partisan, obtained 
 information of the purposes of Montcalm, which he commu 
 nicated to general Webb, who, in the absence of lord Lou- 
 don, commanded the British Hroops in that quarter. The 
 general enjoined silence upon Putnam, and adopted no other 
 measure, on receiving the intelligence, than sending colonel 
 Monro to take command of the fort. 
 
 43. The day after this officer, ignorant of what was to 
 happen, had arrived at his post, the lake appeared covered 
 with boats, which swiftly approached the shore. Montcalm, 
 with but little opposition, effected a landing, and immedi 
 ately began the siege. The garrison, consisting of two 
 thousand five hundred men, animated by the expectation of 
 relief, made a gallant defence. 
 
 44. General Webb had an army at fort Edward, of more 
 than four thousand men, and it was in his power to call in a 
 large number of provincial troops from New York and New 
 England. To him colonel Monro sent repeated and press 
 ing solicitations for immediate succor. These he disregarded, 
 seeming entirely indifferent to the distressing situation of 
 his fellow soldiers. 
 
 45. At length, on the ninth day of the siege, in compli 
 ance with the entreaties of the friends of Monro, gene 
 ral Webb despatched sir William Johnson, with a body 
 of men to his relief. They had riot proceeded three 
 miles when the order was countermanded. Webb then 
 wrote to Monro that he could afford him no assistance, 
 and advised him to surrender on the best terms that he could 
 obtain. 
 
 46. This letter was intercepted by Montcalm, who, in 
 a conference which he procured, handed it himself to the 
 commander of the fort. All hope of relief being ex 
 tinguished, articles of capitulation were agreed to. In 
 these it was expressly stipulated by Montcalm, that the 
 prisoners should be protected from the savages, by a guard, 
 and that the eick and wounded should be treated with 
 humanity. 
 
 47. But the next morning a great number of Indians, 
 having been permitted to enter the lines, began to plunder 
 Meeting with no opposition, they fell upon the sick and 
 
120 FRENCH WAR OF 175463. 1758.] 
 
 wounded, whom thoy immediately massacred. Tliis excited 
 their app"tite for carnage. The defenceless troops were 
 surrounded and attacked with fioncl-^ke fury. Monro, hast- 
 ening to Montcalrn, implored him to provide the stipulated 
 guard. 
 
 48. His entreaties were ineffectual, and the massacre pro. 
 ceeded. All was turbulence and horror. On every sitlo, 
 savages were butchering and scalping their wretched vie- 
 tirns. Tiieir hideous yells, the groans of the dying and the 
 frantic shrieks of others, shrinking from the uplifted toma 
 hawk, were heard by the French unmoved. The fury of 
 the savages was permitted to rag?i without restraint, until a 
 large riurnbor were killed, or hurried captives into the wil 
 derness. 
 
 49. The day after this awful tragedy, major Putnam was 
 sent, with his rangers, to watch the motions of the enemy. 
 When ho came to the shore of the lake, their rear was hardly 
 beyond the reach of musket shot. The prospect was shock 
 ing and horrid. The fort was demolished. The barracks 
 and buildings were yet burning. Innumerable fragments of 
 human carcasses still broiled in the decaying fir?s. Doad 
 bodies, marigbd with tomahawks and scalping knives, in all 
 the wantonness of Indian barbarity, Wjfe every where scat 
 tered around. 
 
 59. General Webb, apprehensive of an attack u.pon him 
 self, sent expresses to the provinces for reinforcements. 
 They were raised and despatched with expedition ; but as 
 Montcalrn returned to Ticonderoga, they wero kept in ser 
 vice but a few weeks. And thus ended the third campaign 
 in America. 
 
 51. These continual disasters resulted from folly and mis 
 management, rather than from want of means and military 
 strength. The British nation was alarmed and indignant, 
 and the kino; found it necessary to change his councils. At 
 th? head of the new ministry h?, placed the celebrated 
 William Pitt, who rose, by the force of his talonts alone, 
 from the humblo post of ensign in the guurJs, to the 
 control of the destinies of a mighty empire. Public con 
 fidence revived, and the nation soomed inspired with new 
 life and vigor. 
 
 52. For the nnxt campaign, the ministry determined 
 upon three expeditious ;f one of twelve thousand men 
 against Louisburgh ; ono of sixteen thousand agains: 
 Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and on-3 of eight thousand 
 against fort Du Quesnc. The colonies wero called upor. 
 
1758.} FRENCH WAR OF 175463. 121 
 
 to. render all the assistance in their power. Lord London 
 having been recalled, the command of the expedition against 
 Louisburgh was given to general Arnherst, under whom ge 
 neral V/olfe served as Brigadier. The place was invested 
 on the 12th of June. Amherst made his approaches with 
 much circumspection ; and, without any memorable inci 
 dent, the siege terminated, on the 26th of July, by the sur- 
 renuer of the place. Whenever an opportunity occurred, 
 general Wolfe, who, was then young, displayed all that fire, 
 impetuosity, and discretion^ which afterwards immortalized 
 his name. 
 
 53. The expedition against Ticonderoga was commanded 
 by general Abercrornbie. He was accompanied by lord Howe, 
 whose military talents and amiable virtues made him the 
 darling of the soldiery. This army consisted of seven thou 
 sand regular, troops, and ten thousand provincials. When 
 approaching the fort, a skirmish took place with a small 
 party of the enemy, in which lord Howe was killed at the 
 first fire. On seeing him fall, the troops moved forward with, 
 an animated determination to avenge his death. Throe hun 
 dred of the enemy were killed on the spot, and one hundred 
 and forty made prisoners. 
 
 54. The ardor of his men, and the intelligence gained from 
 the prisoners, induced general Abercrombie to make an as 
 sault upon the works. It was received with undaunted bra 
 very, and was persevered in with singular obstinacy. For four 
 hours the troops remained before the walls, attempting to 
 scale them, and exposed to a destructive fire of musketry 
 and artillery. The general, desparing of success, then 
 directed a retreat. Near two thousand of the assailants 
 were killed or wounded. The loss of the French was not 
 great, and most of the killed were shot through the head, 
 the other parts of their bodies being protected by their 
 works. 
 
 55. After this bloody repulse, Abr-rcrombie despatched 
 colonel Bradstreet, with three thousand men, mostly provin 
 cials, against fort Frontinac, which was situated on lake 
 Ontario, and contained a large quantity of merchandize, pro 
 visions, and military stores. It fill an easy conquest, and 
 the loss was severely felt by the French. The western In 
 dians, riot receiving their usual supply of merchandize, re 
 laxed in their exertions ; and the troops at Du Quesne suf 
 fered from the want of provisions and military stores. These 
 circumstances contributed essentially to facilitate the opera. 
 UJHS of the third expedition. 
 
 11 
 
122 FRENCH WAR OF J 754 63. [1759. 
 
 56. This was placed under the command of general 
 Forbes. He left Philadelphia in the beginning of July, and 
 after a laborious march, through deep morasses and over 
 unexplored mountains, arrived at Raystown, ninety rnilos 
 from Du Quesne. An advanced party of eight hun 
 dred men, undei* the command of major Grant, was met 
 by a detachment from the fort, and defeated, with great 
 slaughter. 
 
 57. Forbes, undismayed by this disaster, advanced with 
 cautious and steady perseverance. The enemy, <j-ljeryii?g 
 his circumspection, determined not to abide the/ event of 
 a siege. After dismantling the fort, they retired down the 
 Ohio, to their settlements on the Mississippi. General 
 Forbes, taking possession of the place, changed its name to 
 Pittsburgh. 
 
 58. The campaign of 1758 was highly honorable to the 
 British arms. Of the three expeditions, two held completely 
 succeeded, and the leader of the third had made an important 
 conquest. To the commanding talents of Pitt, and the con 
 fidence which they inspired, this change of fortune must 
 be attributed ; and in no respect were these talents more 
 strikingly displayed, than in the choice of nten to execute 
 his plans. 
 
 59. Encouraged by the events of this yeai% the English 
 anticipated still greater success in the campaign which was 
 to follow. The plan marked out by the minister^ was indi, 
 cative of the boldness and energy of his genius, f Three dif 
 ferent armies were, at the same time, to be led against the 
 three strongest posts of the French in America; Niagara, 
 Ticonderogu, and Quebec. ; The latter post was considered 
 the strongest ; and it was therefore intended that, should 
 Ticorideroga be conquered, the victorious army should press 
 forward to assist in its reduction. 
 
 60. In the beginning of July, general Prideaux embarked 
 on lake Ontario, with the army destined against Niagara. 
 and, on the sixth, landed about three miles from the ififrt 
 He immediately commenced a siege, in the progress of which 
 he was killed, by the bursting of a shell. The command 
 devolved upon sir William Johnson. An army of French 
 and Indians approaching soon after, he detached a part of 
 his forces to meet them. A battle ensued; the English 
 gained the victory, which was followed by the surrender of 
 the fort. 
 
 61. General Amherst, to whom was assigned the expo- 
 dition against Ticonderoga, found so many difficulties to 
 
1759.] FRENCH WAR OF 1754^-63. 123 
 
 surmount, thatjhe was unable to present himself before that 
 place until late in July. It was immediately abandoned by 
 the enemy. The British general, after repairing the works, 
 proceeded against Crown Point. On his approach, this was 
 also deserted, the enemy retiring to the Isle aux Noix. To 
 gain possession of this post, great efforts were made, and 
 much time consumed ; but a succession of storms on lake 
 Cham plain prevented success. General Amherst was com. 
 polled to lead back his army to Crown Point, where he en- 
 camped for the winter. 
 
 62. The expedition against Quebec was the most daring 
 and important. That place, strong by nature, had been 
 made still stronger by art, and hud received the appropriate 
 appellation of the Gibraltar of America. Every expedition 
 against it had failed. It was now commanded by Montcalni, 
 an officer of distinguished reputation : and an attempt to re. 
 duce it must have seemed chimerical to. any one but Pitt. He 
 judged rightly, that the boldest and most dangerous enter 
 prises are often the most successful. They arouse the ener 
 gies of man, and elevate them to a fcvcl with the dangers 
 and difficulties to be encountered, especially when committed 
 to ardent minds, glowing with enthusiasm, and emulous of 
 glory. 
 
 63. Such a mind he had discovered in general Wolfe, 
 whose conduct at Louisburg had attracted his attention. He 
 appointed him to conduct tiie expedition, and gave him for 
 assistants, brigadier-generals Moncton, Townshend, and 
 Murray ; all, like himself, young and ardent. Early in the 
 season, he sailed from Halifax, with eight thousand troops, 
 and, near the last of June, landed the whole army on the 
 island f Orleans, a few miles below Quebec. 
 
 64. From this position he could take a near and distinct 
 view of the obstacles to be overcome. These were so great, 
 that even the bold and sanguine Wolfe perceived more to 
 fear than to hope. In a letter to Mr. Pitt, written before 
 commencing operations, he declared that he saw but little 
 prospect of reducing the place. 
 
 65. Quebec stands on the north side of the St. Lawrence, 
 and consists of an upper and lower town. The lower town 
 lies between the river and a bold and lofty eminence, 
 which runs parallel to it, far to the westward. At the top 
 of this eminence is a p^ain, upon wM<>h the upper town is 
 situated. Below, or east of the city, is the river St. 
 Charles, whose channel is rough, and whose banks are 
 steep and broken. A short distance farther down is the 
 
i24 FRENCH WAR OF 1734 63. [1759 
 
 river Montmorency ; and between these two rivers, and 
 reaching from one to the other, was encarnpsd the French 
 army, strongly entrenched and at least etuial in number to 
 that of the English. 
 
 6(>. General Wolfe took possession of Point Levi, on the 
 bank of the river opposite Quebec, and from that position 
 cannonaded the town. Some injury was done to the houses, 
 but his cannon were too distant to make any impression upon 
 the works of the enemy. He resolved to quit this post, to 
 land bolow Montmorency, and passing that river, to attack 
 the French general in his entrenchments. 
 
 67. He succeeded in landing his troops, and, with a por 
 tion of his army, crossed the Montmorency. A partial en- 
 gagement took place, in which the French obtained the ad 
 vantage. Relinquishing this plan, he then determined, in 
 concert with the admiral, to destroy the French shipping and 
 magazines. Two attempts were unsuccessful ; a third was 
 more fortunate, yet but little was effected. At this juncture, 
 intelligence arrived that Niagara was taken, that Ticonde- 
 roga and Crown Point had been abandoned, but that general 
 Amherst, instead of pressing forward to their assistance, 
 was preparing to attack the Isle aux Noix. 
 
 68. Wolfe rejoiced at the success of his brethren in arms, 
 but could not avoid contrasting their success with his own 
 ill fortune. His mind, alike lofty and susceptible, was deeply 
 impressed by the disasters at Montmorency ; and the ex- 
 treme chagrin of his spirits, preying upon his delicate frame, 
 sensibly affected his health. He was observed frequently to 
 sigh ; and, as if lifj was only valuable while it added to his 
 glory, he declared to his intimate friends, that he would riot 
 survive the disgrace which he imagined would attend the 
 failure of his enterprise. 
 
 69. Despairing of success below the town, he next direct 
 ed his efforts towards effecting a landing above it. He re- 
 moved a part of his army to Point Le^ i, and the remainder 
 higher up the river. He now found that, on this quarter, 
 the fortifications were not strong; and discovered that the 
 heights behind them might possibly be gained, by ascending 
 the precipice in a narrow path, which was defended only by 
 a captain s gmrd. 
 
 70. The difficulties attending this enterprise were nume 
 rous. The current was rapid, the shore shelving, the only 
 landing place so narrow that it might easily be missed in 
 the dark, and the steep above, such as troops, even when 
 unopposed, could not ascend without difficulty. Yet the 
 
1759.] FRENCH WAR OF 174463. 125 
 
 plan, though bold and ha/ardous, was well adapted to the 
 desperate situation of affairs, and was determined on. 
 
 71. To conceal their intention, the admiral retired seve 
 ral leagues up the river. During the evening a strong 
 detachment was put on board the boats, and moved silently 
 down with the tide, to the place of landing, where they 
 arrived an hour before daybreak. Wolfe leaped on shore, 
 was followed by the troops, and all instantly began, with 
 the assistance of shrubs and projecting rocks, to climb up 
 the precipice. The guard was dispersed, and by the dawn 
 of day, the whole army gained the heights of Abraham, 
 where the different corps were formed under their respective 
 leaders. 
 
 72. Montcalm, at first, could not believe that the English. 
 had ascended the heights. When convinced of the fact, he 
 comprehended the full advantage they had gained. He saw 
 that a battle was inevitable, and prepared for it with prompt 
 ness and courage. Leaving his camp at Montmorency, he 
 advanced towards the English army, which was formed in 
 order of battle to receive him. 
 
 73. The French advanced briskly. The English reserved 
 their fire until the enemy were near, and then gave jt with 
 decisive effect. Early in the engagement, Wolfe was wound 
 ed in the wrist, but preserving his composure, he contin 
 ued to encourage his troops. Soon after, he received a 
 shot in the groin. This painful wound he also concealed, 
 placed himself at the heaa of the grenadiers, aud was lead 
 ing them to the charge, when he received a third? and mortal 
 wound. 
 
 74. Undismayed by the fall of their general, the English 
 continued their exertions under Moncton, who, in a short 
 time, was himself wounded, and the command devolved upon 
 Townshend. About the same time, Montcalm received a 
 mortal wound, and the second in command also fell. The 
 left wing and centre of the French gave way. Part were 
 driven into Quebec, and part over the river St. Charles. 
 
 75. On receiving his mortal wound, Wolfe was conveyed 
 into the rear, where, careless about himself, he discovered, 
 in the agonies of death, the most anxious solicitude con 
 cerning the fate of the day. From extreme faintncss, he 
 had reclined his head on the arm of an officer, but was soon 
 iroused by the cry of, "They fly, they fly." "Who fly?" 
 exclaimed the dying hero. " The French," answered his 
 \ttendant. " Then," said he, " I die contented," and im- 
 .uediately expired. A death so glorious, and attended by 
 
 11 * 
 
126 REVOLUTION. 
 
 circumstances GO interesting, has seldom been recorded in 
 history. 
 
 76. Five days after the the batt.le. the city surrendered, 
 and received an- English garrison. The French concentra 
 ted their remaining forces at Montreal, and, early in the 
 spring, made attempts to regain possession of Quebec. Un 
 successful in these, they returned to Montreal, towards which 
 the whole British force in America, under the command of 
 general Amherst, was approaching. This force was too 
 strong to be resisted. In September, 1760, that city sur 
 rendered, and soon after all the French posts in Canada fell 
 into the power of the English. 
 
 77. In the other parts of the world, their arms were 
 equally successful ; and at the commencement of 1763, a 
 peace, highly advantageous to their interests, was con 
 cluded at Paris. By the treaty, France ceded to Great 
 Britain all her northern settlements in America, which 
 relieved the colonies from the continual dread of savage in 
 cursions. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 REVOLUTION. 
 
 IN the late brilliant contest, England had made unprece 
 dented exertions. At its close, she found that, though she 
 had encircled her name with glory, and added extensive ter-" 
 ritories to her empire, she had increased, in proportion, the 
 burdens of her subjects, having added three hundred and 
 twenty millions of dollars to the amount of her debt. To 
 find the means of defraying the annual charges of this debt, 
 and her other increased expenditures, was the first and diffi 
 cult task of her legislators. 
 
 2. Regard for their own interest and popularity impelled 
 them to avoid, if possible, imposing the whole burden upon 
 themselves and their fellow subjects at home ; and their 
 thoughts were turned to the colonies, as the source whence 
 alleviation and assistance might be derived. On their ac 
 count, it was alleged, the contest had been waged ; they 
 would share the advantages of its glorious termination, and 
 justice required that they should also defray a portion of tha 
 the expenses. 
 
 3. To adopt this expedient, the British ministry wero 
 
1764.] REVOLUTION. 127 
 
 the more naturally led by the opinion winch all the European 
 governments entertained of the relation between the mother 
 country and her colonies. They were supposed to be de 
 pendent on her will ; their inhabitants a distinct and subor 
 dinate class of subjects, and their interests entirely subser 
 vient to her aggrandizement and prosperity. 
 
 4. Acting upon these principles, Great Britain had, by her 
 laws of trade and navigation, confined the commerce of the 
 colonies almost wholly to herself. To encourage her own 
 artisans, she had even, in some cases, prohibited the esta- 
 lishment of manufactories in America. These restrictions, 
 while they increased her revenue and wealth, greatly dimi 
 nished the profits of the trade of the colonies, and sensibly 
 impeded their internal prosperity. They were most injurious 
 to New England, where the sterility of the soil repelled the 
 people from the pursuits of agriculture ; there they were 
 most frequently violated, and there the arbitrary mode of 
 enforcing them, by writs of assistance, awakened the atten 
 tion of a proud and jealous people to their natural -rights, to 
 Ihoir rights as English subjects, and to the rights granted 
 and secured by their charters. 
 
 5. In the beginning of - the -year 17G4, the British parlia 
 ment enacted a law imposing duties upon certain articles of 
 merchandise, to bo paid in the colonial ports. Mr. Gron- 
 ville, the prime minister, also proposed a resolution, " that 
 it would be proper to charge certain stamp duties on tho 
 colonies," but postponed the consideration of that subject 
 to a future session. As it was foreseen that the law would 
 be disregarded, if extraordinary measures were not adopted 
 to enforcs it, provision was made that all penalties for 
 Violations of it, and of all other revenue laws, might be 
 recovered in the admiralty courts. The judges of these 
 courts were dependent solely ; on the kin<r, and decided the 
 causes brought before them, withoiit the intervention of a 
 lury. 
 
 6. Intelligence of these proceedings occasioned, in Ame 
 iica, great and universal alarm. They were considered the 
 >;ommoncemont of a system of taxation, which, if not vigor 
 ously resisted, would, in time, be extended to every article 
 )f commerce, and to every internal source of income ; and 
 f the colonists could be deprived in one class of causes, 
 vby not in all, of that inestimable privilege, the trial by 
 jury ? 
 
 7. The general court of Massachusetts, at their session 
 in June, took this law into consideration. The house of 
 
128 REVOLUTION. [1764 
 
 representatives sent a spirited letter of instructions to 
 their agent, in England, in which they denied the right of 
 parliament to impose duties and taxes upon the people not 
 represented in the house of commons ; and directed him : 
 to remonstrate against the duties imposed, and the stamp, 
 act in contemplation. They also, acquainted the other 
 colonies with the instructions they had given to their agent, 
 and desired their concurrence in the mode of opposition 
 adopted. In the course of the year, several other colo. 
 nies, particularly New York and Virginia, remonstrated in 
 respectful, but decided terms, against the proceedings of 
 parliament. 
 
 8. In these several state papers, the right of Great 
 Britain to collect a tax in the colonies, was explicitly de-. 
 nied ; and the denial was supported by clear and powerful 
 arguments. It was stated that the first emigrants came 
 to America with the undoubted consent of the mother coun 
 try ; that all the expenses of removal, of purchasing the 
 territory, and, for a long time, of protection from savage 
 warfare, were defrayed by private individuals, except in 
 the single instance of the settlement of Georgia ; that 
 charters under the great seal, were given to the emigrants,, 
 imparting and securing to them and to their descendants, 
 all the rights of natural born English subjects ; that of 
 these rights, none was more indisputable, t and none more 
 highly valued, than that no subject could be deprived of 
 his property but by his own consent, expressed in person 
 or by his representative ; that taxes were, but grants, by 
 the representative, of a portion of his own property, and 
 of that of those who had authorized him to act in their 
 behalf. Could it be just, it was asked, that the represen 
 tatives of Englishmen should " give and grant" the pro- 
 perty of Americans ? With what safety to the colonies, 
 could the right of taxing them be confided to a body of men 
 three thousand miles distant, over whom they had no con 
 trol, none of whom could be acquainted with their situation 
 or resources, and whose interests would impel them to make 
 tho burdens of the colonists heavy, that their own might be 
 light ? 
 
 9. But, besides infringing the rights of freemen, tho 
 measure was neither equitable nor generous. The cola, 
 nies had domestic governments which they alone sup. 
 ported ; in the late war, their exertions had been greater, 
 in proportion to their ability, than those of England ; they 
 also had contracted debts which they must themselves 
 
1765.] REVOLUTION. 129 
 
 pay ; the taxes laid by many of the assemblies, were higher 
 than those paid by the inhabitants of England ; if the war 
 h:id been waged on their account, it was because, as colo 
 nies, they were beneficial to the mother country ; and from 
 its happy termination, they derived no advantage which was 
 not the source of ultimate profit to her. 
 
 10. Upon men who entertained the strictest notions of 
 colonial dependence, and parliamentary supremacy, these 
 arguments had little effect. The minister was not diverted 
 from his purpose. In March, 1765, he laid before parlia 
 ment a bill, imposing stamp duties on certain papers and 
 documents used in the colonies. At the first reading, it was 
 warmly opposed ; by some because it was impolitic, by two 
 only because it was a violation of right. 
 
 1 : I. The bill was supported by Charles Townshend, a bril 
 liant orator on the side of the ministry. At the conclusion 
 of an animated speech, he demanded : " And these Ameri 
 cans, children planted by our care, nourished by our indul 
 gence, protected by our arms, until they are grown to a good 
 degree of strength and opulence, will they grudge to contri 
 bute their mite to relieve us from the heavy load of national 
 expense which we lie under ?" 
 
 12. Colonel Barre, immediately rising, indignantly and 
 eloquently exclaimed : " Children planted by your care ! 
 No. Your oppressions planted them in America. They 
 fled from your tyranny into a then uncultivated land, 
 where they were exposed to all the hardships to which 
 human nature is liable ; and among others, to the cruelties 
 of a savage foe, the most subtle, and, I will take upon 
 me to say, the most terrible, that ever inhabited any part 
 of God s earth. And yet, actuated by principles of true 
 English liberty, they mot all these hardships with pleasure, 
 when they compared them with those they suffered in 
 their own country, from men who should have been their 
 friends. 
 
 13. " They nourished by your indulgence ! No. They 
 grew by your neglect. When you began to care about 
 them, that care was exercised in sending persons to rule 
 x>ver them, who were the deputies of some deputy sent to 
 spy out their liberty, to misrepresent their actions, and to 
 prey upon them ; whose behavior, on many occasions, has 
 caused the blood of those sons of liberty to recoil within 
 them ; men promoted to the highest seats of justice, some 
 of whom were glad, by going to a foreign country, to escape 
 ibeing brought to the bar of justice in their own. 
 
130 REVOLUTION. [17G5, 
 
 14. " They protected by your arms ! They have nobly 
 taken up arms in your defence. They have exertod their 
 valor amidst their constant and laborious industry, for the 
 defence of a country which; while its frontier was drenched 
 in blood, has yielded all its little savings to your emolument. 
 Believe me, and remember I. this day told you so, the 
 same spirit which actuated that people at first, still conti 
 nues with them ; but prudence forbids me to explain myself 
 further. 
 
 15. " God knows I do not at this time speak from party 
 heat. However superior to me in general knowledge and 
 experience any one here may be, I claim to know more ol 
 America, having been conversant in that country. The 
 people there are as truly loyal as any subjects the king has, 
 but they are a people jealous of tiieir liberties, and will vin 
 dicate them if they should be violated. But the subject is 
 delicate ; I will say no more.* 
 
 16. Eloquence and argument availed nothing. The bill 
 was almost unanimously passed. The night after, doctor 
 Franklin, then in England as agent for Pennsylvania, wrote 
 to Charles Thompson : " The sun of liberty is set ; you must 
 light up the candles of industry and economy." " Be as 
 sured," said Mr. Thompson, in reply, * that we shall light 
 up torches of quite another sort ;" thus predicting the com 
 motions which followed. 
 
 17. The act provided that all contracts and legal processes 
 should be written on stamped paper, which was to be fur 
 nished, at exorbitant prices, by the government, or should 
 have no force in law. Information of its passage was re 
 ceived in all the colonies with sorrow and dismay. They 
 saw that they must either surrender, without a struggle, 
 their darling rights, or resist the government of a nation, 
 which they had been accustomed to regard with filial respect, 
 and was them the most powerful in the world. 
 
 18. The general assembly of Virginia were in session when 
 the information arrived. Of that body, Patrick Henry, a 
 young man, but a distinguished orator, was a member. 
 Near the close of the session, he proposed five resolutions, 
 in the first four of which were asserted the various rights 
 and privileges claimed by the colonists, and, in the fifth, 
 the right of parliament to tax America, was boldly and 
 explicitly denied. These he defended by strong reason and 
 irresistible eloquence, and they were adopted by a majority 
 of one. 
 
 19. The next day, in his absence, the fifth resolution 
 
1735.1 REVOLUTION. 131 
 
 was rescinded ; but that and the others had gone forth to the 
 world, and imparted higher animation to the friends of free 
 dom. They were a signal to the resolute and ardent ; they 
 gave encouragement to the tirnid and cautious: they were 
 industriously but privately circulated, in the principal cities, 
 until they arrived in New England, where they were fear 
 lossly published in all the newspapers. 
 
 20. Nearly at the same time, and before the proceedings 
 of Virginia were known in Massachusetts, her general court 
 adopted measures to procure a combined opposition to the 
 offensive laws. They passed a resolve proposing that a con 
 gress of delegates from the several colonies* should be held 
 at New York, and addressed letters to the other assemblies, 
 earnestly soliciting their concurrence. 
 
 21. These legislative proceedings took place in May and 
 June, 1765. They were the moderate and dignified expres 
 sion of feelings, which animated, in a more intense degree, 
 a great majority of the peop e. In New England, associa 
 tions, for the purpose of resisting the law, were organized, 
 assuming, from Barrc s speech, the appellation of " Sons 
 of Liberty ;" pamphlets were published vindicating the 
 rights of the colonies ; and the public journals were filled 
 with essays pointing out the danger which threatened the 
 cause of liberty, and encouraging a bold and manly re 
 sistance. 
 
 22. Excited by these publications, a multitude assembled 
 in Boston, on the 14th of August, burned the effigy of An 
 drew Oliver, who had been appointed stamp-distributer, and 
 demolished a building which they supposed he had erected 
 for his office. Fearful of farther injury, Mr. Oliver declared 
 his intention to resign, when the people desisted from mo 
 lesting him. 
 
 23. Several days afterwards, a mob beset t.lio house of Mr. 
 Story, an officer of the detested admiralty court. They broke 
 his windows, destroyed his furniture, and burned his papers 
 They then proceeded to the house of lieutenant-governoi 
 Hutchinson, by whose advice, it was supposed, the stamp-ad 
 had been passed. Thoy entered it by force. Himself, hia 
 wife, and children fled. His elsgant furniture was carried 
 off or destroyed. The partitions of the house were broken 
 down, and the next morning nothing but tho bare and deso 
 late walls remained. 
 
 24. When intelligence of these proceedings reached Now 
 port, in Rhode Island, the people of that place assembled 
 and committed similar outrages. Two houses were pillaged, 
 
132 REVOLUTION. [17G5; 
 
 and the stamp-distributer, to preserve his own, was obliged 
 to give to the leader of the exasperated populace a written 
 resignation of his office. In Connecticut, similar commo 
 tions were also quieted by the resignation of the distributer 
 of stamps for that colony. 
 
 25. In New York, the people displayed equal spirit, but 
 loss turbulence and rage. The obnoxious act was printed, 
 under the title of " The folly of England, and the ruin ot 
 America," and thus exhibited for sale in the streets. At an 
 early period, the stamp-distributer prudently resigned his 
 office ; and when the stamped paper arrived, it was deposited 
 for safe keeping in the fort. A mob required the lieutenant- 
 governor to place it in their hands. He refused ; but, terri 
 fied by their menaces, consented to deliver it to the magis 
 trates, who deposited it in the cuvy hall. Ten boxes, which 
 afterwards arrived, were seized by the people, and committed 
 to the flames. 
 
 *2G. So general was the opposition to the law, that the 
 stamp-officers, in allthe colonies, were compelled to resign. 
 In Boston, care was taken, on the one hand, to prevent the 
 . recurrence of violent proceedings, and, on the other, to keep 
 in full vigor the spirit of resistance. A newspaper was es 
 tablished, having for its device a snake divided into as many 
 parts as there were colonies, and for its motto, " Join or 
 die." Mr. Oliver was required to resign his office, with more 
 ceremony and solemnity, under a large elm, which had, from 
 the meetings held under it, received the name of the tree ot 
 liberty. 
 
 27. In October, the congress recommended by Massa 
 chusetts, convened at Now York. Delegates from six 
 provinces only were present. Their first act was a De 
 claration of Rights, in whicli they asserted, that the colo 
 nies were entitled to all the rights and liberties of natural 
 born subjects within the kingdom of Great Britain, the 
 most essential of which were the exclusive right to tax 
 themselves, and the privilege of trial by jury. A peti 
 tion to the king, and a memorial to both houses of par 
 liament, were also agreed on ; -and the colonial assemblies 
 were advised to appoint special agents to solicit, in con 
 cert, a redress of grievances. Tti interest the people of 
 England in the cause of the colonies, the merchants of 
 New York directed tht.ir correspondents, in that country, 
 to purchase no more goods until the stamp-act should bo 
 repealed. Imrnediatelv after, non-importation agreements 
 were adopted in the other colonies, and associations were 
 
1766 ] REVOLUTION. 133 
 
 organized for the encouragement of domestic manufactures. 
 To av.oid the necessity of stamps, proceedings in the courts 
 of justice were suspended, and disputes were settled by 
 arbitration. 
 
 28. In the mean time, an entire change had taken place 
 in the British Cabinet, and a proposition to repeal the stamp- 
 act was, by the new ministry, laid before parliament. An 
 interesting debate ensued. Mr. Grenvillo, the late prime 
 minister, declared, that to repeal the act under existing cir 
 cumstances, would degrade the government, and encourage 
 rebellion. " When," he demanded, " were the Americans 
 emancipated ? By what law, by what reason do they un 
 gratefully claim exemption from defraying expenses incurred 
 in protecting them ?" 
 
 2$/ William Pitt, he who had wielded, with such mighty 
 effect, the power of England, in the late war, rose to reply. 
 Ho regretted that he had not been able to attend in his place, 
 and oppose the law on its passage. " It is now an act that 
 has passed. I would speak with decency of every act of this 
 house ; but I must beg the indulgence of this house to speak 
 of it with freedom. Assuredly a more important subject 
 never engaged your attention ; that subject only excepted, 
 when, nearly a century ago, it was the question whether you 
 yourselves were bond or free ? 
 
 30. " Those who have spoken before me, with so much 
 vehemence, would maintain the act because our honor de 
 mands it. But can the point of honor stand opposed against 
 justice, against reason, against right? It is my opinion that 
 England has no right to tax the colonies. At the same time, 
 I assert the authority of this kingdom over the colonies to 
 be sovereign and supreme, in every circumstance of govern 
 ment and legislation whatsoever. 
 
 31. " Taxation is no part of the governing or legislative 
 power: The taxes are a voluntary gift and grant of the 
 commons alone ; when, therefore, in this house, we give and 
 grant, we give and gmnt what is our own. But in an Ame- 
 riciin tax, what do we do ? We, your majesty s commons of 
 Great Britain, give and grant to your majesty what? Our 
 own property ? No. We give and grant to your majesty 
 the property of your commons in America. It is an absurdity 
 in terms. 
 
 32. " It has been asked, when were the Americans 
 emancipated ? But I desire to know when they were 
 made slaves. I hear it said, that America is obstinate ; 
 America is almost in op:in rebellion. I rejoice that Ame- 
 
 J 
 
]34 REVOLUTION. [1?6 
 
 rica has resisted. Three millions of people, so dead to all 
 the feelings of liberty as voluntarily to submit to bo slaves, 
 would have been lit instruments to make slaves of our 
 selves. 
 
 33. " The honorable member has said, for he is fluent 
 in words of bitterness, that America is ungrateful. H& 
 boasts of his bounties towards her. But are not these 
 bounties intended finally for the benefit of this kingdom T 
 The profits of Great Britain, from her commerce with the 
 colonies; are two millions a year. This is the fund that 
 carried you triumphantly through the last war. The es 
 tates that were rented at two thousand pounds a year, se 
 venty years ago, are at three thousand pounds at present. 
 You owe this to America. This is the price she pays you 
 for protection. 
 
 34. " A great deal has been said without doors, and more 
 than is discreet, of the power, of the strength of America. 
 
 >Iii a good cause, on a sound bottom, the forco of this coun 
 try can crush America to atoms. But on the ground of 
 this tax, when it is wished to prosecute an evident injus. 
 tice, I am one who will lift my hands and my voice 
 against it. In such a cause, your success would be do 
 plorable and victory hazardous. America, if sho foil, 
 would fall like the strong man. She would embrace tlte 
 pillars of the state, and pull down the constitution along 
 with her." 
 
 35. The sentiments of this great statesman prevailed in 
 parliament. The stamp-act was repealed ; but another act 
 was passed declaring that "-the legislature of Great Britain 
 has authority to make laws to bind the colonies in all cisw? 
 whatsoever." The merchants of London rejoiced at thin 
 repeal. They had felt the effects of the colonial non-impor 
 tation agreements, and dreaded that still more injurious 
 consequences would follow* 
 
 36. But far greater were the rejoicings of the Ameri 
 cans. They had obtained the object for which they had 
 contended. They regarded the declaratory act as the 
 mere reservation of wounded pride, and welcomed with 
 transport the opportunity of again cherishing thoir former 
 
 . affection for the laud of their fathers. The assemblies of 
 several colonies voted their thanks to Mr. Pitt, and to 
 others in England, who had supported their cause ; and 
 that of Virginia resolved to eroct an obelisk to their ho- 
 jior, and a marblo Btutuo of the kiag, as a memorial of 
 gratitude. 
 
176?.] REVOLUTION. 135 
 
 37. By the people of New England and New York less 
 joy was felt and less gratitude displayed. The laws impos. 
 ing duties on their trade were still in force. The courts of 
 admiralty, sitting without juries, still retained jurisdiction of 
 all revenue causes. Their repeated contests with their go. 
 vernors had weakened their attachment to the nation that 
 appointed them, and confirmed their republican principles. 
 They still remembered the past and entertained suspicions 
 of ihe future. 
 
 38. The very next year events occurred which justified 
 these suspicions. A law of parliament, which remained un- 
 repealed, directed that whenever troops should be marched 
 into any of the colonies, quarters, rum, arid various necessary 
 articles, should be provided for them, at the expense of tho 
 colony. The assembly of New York refused obedience to 
 this law, considering it an indirect mode of taxing them 
 without their consent. To punish this disobedience, parlia 
 ment immediately suspended the authority of the assembly. 
 It was easily seen that nothing had been gained, if this 
 power of suspension, for such a cause, existed, and could be 
 exorcised at pleasure. 
 
 39. The alarm, occasioned by this act of despotic power, 
 was increased by a measure, which, under the auspices 
 of a new ministry, was adopted in Juno, 1767. A duty was 
 imposed by parliament on the importation into the colonies, 
 of glass, tea, and other enumerated articles, an.d provision 
 was made for the appointment of commissioners of the cus 
 toms to be dependent solely on the crown. 
 
 40. Early in the next year, the general court of Massa 
 chusetts, pursuing the same course as in 1764, addressed a 
 letter to their agent in London, containing able arguments 
 against those duties, and requested him to communicate the 
 letter to the ministry. They also sent to the other colonial 
 assemblies a circular letter, in which these arguments were 
 repeated, and suggested the expediency of acting in concert, 
 in all endeavors to obtain redress. 
 
 41. These proceedings incensed and alarmed the ministry. 
 They feared that a union of the colonies would give them 
 strength and confidence, and determined, if possible, to pre 
 vent it. They instructed sir John Bernard, then governor 
 of Massachusetts, to require the general court to rescind the 
 vote directing the circular letter to be sent, and in case of 
 refusal to dissolve it. The governor communicated these 
 instructions to, the house of representatives, which, by a voto 
 
136 REVOLUTION. [1768 
 
 of ninety-two to seventeen, refused to rescind, and was ac 
 
 cordingly dissolved. 
 
 42. The attempt to intimidate did but strengthen opposi 
 tion. The non-importation agreements, which had been 
 lately abandoned, were renewed, and more extensively adop 
 ted. The citizens of Boston met, and proposed that a con- 
 vention of delegates from the several towns in the province, 
 should be held at that place. Nearly every town accord 
 ingly sent delegates. This convention, though it disclaimed 
 all legal authority, was regarded with the same respect as a 
 legitimate assembly. Its proceedings were unimportant, 
 but by its sessions in the metropolis of New England, the 
 people became accustomed to pay deference to a body of 
 men deriving all their authority from the instructions of 
 their constituents. 
 
 !* 43. On so many occasions had the refractory spirit of 
 the citizens of Boston been displayed, that general Gage, 
 who was commander-in-chief of all the troops in the co 
 Ionics, was ordered to station a regiment in that town, as 
 well to overawe the citizens, as to protect the officers of 
 the revenue in the discharge of their duty. Before the 
 order was executed, the seizure of a sloop belonging to 
 Mr. Hancock, a popular leader, occasioned a riot, in which 
 those officers were insulted and beaten. The general, on 
 receiving information of this event, sent two regiments in 
 stead of one, and on the first of October they arrived in the 
 harbor. , 
 
 44. The ships that brought them, taking a station thai 
 commanded the whole town, lay with their broadsides 
 towards it, ready to fire should resistance be attempted. 
 The troops, with loaded muskets and fixed bayonets, 
 then landed ; and, tho selectmen having refused to provide 
 quarters, they took possession of the stale-house. All the 
 rooms, except one reserved for the council, were filled, 
 and two pieces of cannon were placed near the principal 
 entrance. 
 
 45. With indignant and exasperated feelings, the people 
 witnessed this threatening display of military force. They 
 saw the hall of their venerated legislature polluted by the 
 tread of foreign mercenaries. They saw soldiers parading 
 their streets, and guards mounted at the corners. They 
 were challenged as they passed, and the unwelcome din 
 of martial music often disturbed their repose. They 
 knew that intimidation was the object, and felt a stronger 
 
1769.] REVOLUTION. 137 
 
 determination to resist than had before animated their bo. 
 goms. 
 
 40. Resolutions, in the mean time, had been adopted in 
 parliament, censuring, in the strongest terms, the conduct 
 of the people of Massachusetts, and directing the governor 
 to m;.ke strict inquiry, as to all treasons committed in that 
 province, since the year 1767, in order that the persons 
 most active in committing them might be sent to England 
 for trial. 
 
 47. These resolutions rendered it sufficiently evident 
 that Great Britain had determined to adhere to the system 
 of measures she had adopted. In May, they were taken 
 into consideration by the house of burgesses of Virginia. 
 In sundry resolutions, they reasserted the right of the co 
 lonies to be exempted from parliamentary taxation, and 
 declared that seizing persons in the colonies,, suspected of 
 having committed crimes therein, and sending them beyond 
 sea to bs tried, violated the rights of British subjects, as 
 lit deprived them of the inestimable right of being tried by 
 % jury of the vicinage, and of producing witnesses on their 
 trial. 
 
 48. While these resolutions were under discussion, the 
 house, apprehensive of an immediate dissolution should the 
 subject of their deliberations be known to the governor, 
 closed their doors. The instant they were opened, a mes 
 sage was announced, requesting their attendance before him. 
 " Mr. Speaker," said he, " and gentlemen of the house of 
 burgesses, I have heard of your resolves, and augur ill of 
 their effects. You have made it my duty to dissolve you, 
 and you are dissolved accordingly." 
 
 49. This, like every previous measure of intimidation, ex 
 cited to a still higher degree the spirit of opposition. The 
 members assembled at a private house, elected their speaker 
 to preside as moderator, and unanimously formed a non 
 importation agreement similar to those previously adopted at 
 the north. In a few weeks, the example of Virginia was 
 followed by most of the southern colonies. 
 
 50. To the citizens of Boston, the troops quartered among 
 them were a painful and irritating spectacle. Quarrels oc 
 curring daily between them and the populace, increased tho 
 animosity of each to ungovernable hatred. At length, on 
 the evening of the fifth of March, an affray took place in 
 King. street, [since called State-street,] in which a detach 
 ment of the troops commanded by captain Preston, after 
 
 12*, 
 
J33 REVOLUTION. [1770. 
 
 being insulted, pelted with snow-balls, and dared to fire, 
 discharged their muskets upon the multitude, killing four 
 persons and wounding others. 
 
 51. The drums were instantly beat to arms, and several 
 thousand people assembled, who, enraged by the sight of the 
 dead bodies of their fellow citizens, slain in a cause de ir to 
 them all, prepared to attack a larger detachment, which had 
 been sent to support their comrades. In this state of excite- 
 ment, they were addressed by lieutenant-governor ; Hutchin- 
 : on, who appeared in the rnidst of them. Though personally 
 obnoxious, he calmed their fury, and prevailed upon them to 
 disperse until morning. 
 
 52. The next day, captain Preston and his party were ar 
 rested and committed to prison. The citizens met and op 
 pointed a committee to demand the immediate removal of 
 the troops from the town. At this meeting Samuel Adams, 
 an inflexible patriot, was distinguished for his decision and 
 boldness. After some hesitation, on the part of the com 
 manding officer, they were sent to castle William, and were 
 accompanied by several officers of the customs who dreaded 
 the indignation of the people. 
 
 53. Three days afterwards, the funeral of the deceased 
 took place. It was conducted with great pomp, and unu 
 sual ceremonies, expressive of the public feeling. The 
 shops were closed. Tiie bells of Boston, Roxbury, antl 
 Charlestown were tolled. Four processions, moving from 
 different parts of the town, met at the fatal spot, and pro* 
 ceeded thence towards the place of interment. This united 
 procession comprised an immense number of people on foot 
 and in carriages, all displaying the deepest grief and indig 
 nation. The bodies were deposited together in the same 
 vault. 
 
 54. When the passions of the people had in some degree 
 subsided, captain Preston and his soldiers were brought to 
 tri:il. They were defended by -John Adams and Josiah 
 Quiucy. two able lawyers, and distinguished leaders of the 
 popular party. For nearly six weeks, the court were em 
 ployed in examining witnesses, and in listening to the argu 
 ments of counsel. C ipt (in Preston, not having ordered his 
 men to fire, was acquitted by the jury. Of the soldiers, six 
 were also acquitted, there being no positive testimony that 
 they firod upon the people ; and two wore acquitted of mur 
 der, as great provocation was off-rod, but found guilty of 
 manslaughter a result evincing the integrity of the jury 
 
1775.] REVOLUTION. IB 
 
 and the magnanimity and uprightness of the counsel for the 
 accused. 
 
 55. While these eve hts were occurring in the colonies, 
 an attempt, supported by the -prune minister, was made in 
 England, to repeal all the laws for raising a revenue in 
 America. The parliament, with a mixture of timidity and 
 obstinacy, characteristic of the councils of the nation at that 
 period, relinquished all the duties but that en tea, and this 
 they unwisely retained to assert and display their supremacy 
 Over the colonies. 
 
 56. This partial repeal produced no change in the sL-nti 
 merits of the people. By rendering the contest moro 
 clearly a contest of principle, it sanctified their conduct in 
 their own view, and ennobled it in that of the world. Tho 
 non-importation agreements, however, were made to cor- 
 respond witli the altered law. r l>a only was to be ex 
 eluded from the country ; and this article of luxury was ba 
 nished from the -tables of all who were fricmdly to Americar- 
 rights. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 REVOLUTION. 
 
 TUF. years 1771 and 1772 were not distinguished by any 
 Important event. The southern colonies, more agricultural 
 than commercial, suffered but little from the operation of the 
 laws of trade, and, having mostly popular governors, conti 
 nued tranquil. In Massachusetts, various causes contri 
 buted to increase the discontent which previously existed. 
 Governor Hutchinson, having adjourned the general court 
 to Salem, refused, notwithstanding reiterated remonstrances, 
 to permit them to return to Boston. He withdrew the pro 
 vincial troops from the castle and supplied their place with 
 regulars, as the British troops were then called. He de 
 clined receiving his salary from the colonial treasury, stating 
 that his majesty had assigned to him, and also to the judges, 
 permanent and honorable salaries, to be paid in Great Bri. 
 tain. These measures were highly unpopular, and ospc 
 cially the last, which released those officers from all depend, 
 ence on the people. , 
 
 2. To ascertain the sentiments of the inhabitants ; to 
 
# REVOLUTION. [1-773. 
 
 e.nliorUts?i the remotest parts of. the province by. diffusing in- 
 wjlligence, and distributing political essays ; and to produce 
 o cert in. measures, James. Warren and Samuel > Adams 
 suggested and procured the appointment, in every town, of 
 Committees of correspondence. By the agency of these, re, 
 solutions and, addresses, sometimes inflammatory and always 
 spirited, were speedily cony.eyed through the country, arpus- 
 24 1 g tlie attention of all and exhorting to perseverance in tho 
 cause of liberty. This example was soon after followed in 
 other colonies; and in 1773, at the suggestion of the Vir- 
 fjpni<\ asserr^ly,, standing committees were appointed, by tho 
 Colonial, legislatures, to correspond with each other. This 
 institution, when more active opposition . became necessary, 
 Was found extremely useful. 
 
 3}. In this year, Dr. Franklin obtained in London a num. 
 flier -of original letters from governor Hutcbinson, lieutenant* 
 governor Oliver and others, to their correspondents in par, 
 liamcnti In these letters, the opposition in Massachusetts 
 was stated to be confined to a few factious individuals, who 
 had been emboldened by the weakness of the means used to 
 :ips tr.n in them. Measures more vigorous were recommended : 
 ivjid Ike ministry were urged to take from the people and 
 exorcise themselves the power of appointing counsellors 
 and all colonial magistrates. These letters he transmitted 
 tp, Boston. 
 
 4. The source and occasion of the offensive proceedings 
 of parliament were now disclosed. The passions of the peo 
 ple were highly inflamed, and the weight of popular indig 
 nation fell upon the authors of these letters. The centra.! 
 committee of correspondence, at Boston, sent printed copies, 
 enclosed, in a spirited, circular, to all the towns in the pro 
 vince, And the general, court, in several resolutions which 
 were also published; animadverted witli severity upon tho 
 misrepresentations and advice contained in the letters, thus 
 increasing the irritation which their discovery and perusal 
 llad occasioned. 
 
 5. Meanwhile tho tea of the East India Company, not 
 finding a market in America, accumulated in their ware. 
 Bouses in England. Encouraged by the government, they 
 resolved to export it on their own account, and appointed 
 consignees in the various seaports in the colonies. Tboso 
 i n Philadelphia were induced, by the disapprobation ex- 
 pressed by the citizens, to decline their appointment. In 
 New York, spirited handbills were circulated menacing 
 ^Hji ruin every person who shpuld be .concerned in vending 
 
[1773. REVOLUTION. 141 
 
 tea, and requiring the pilots, at their peril, not to conduct 
 ships, loaded with that article, into the harbor. Intimidated 
 by these proceedings, the captains of the tea ships, bound to 
 tho<e ports, returned with their cargoes to England. 
 
 G. I;i Boston, inliamm itory handbills were also circulated, 
 and meetings held; but the consignees, being mostly rela 
 tives of the governor, and relying on his support, refused to 
 decline their appointments. Their refusal enraged the cili* 
 zens, and tho co;mnunity became agitated by the operation 
 of highly excited passions. Meetings were more frequently 
 held. Tha co.nmiUees of correspondence were every where 
 active. The people of the country exhorted their brethren 
 in Boston to act worthy of their former character, worthy of 
 "Sons of Liberty," upan whose conduct, in the present 
 emergency, every thing depended. 
 
 7. On the 29th of November, a ship, laden with tea, came 
 into the harbor. Notifications wen; immediately posted up, 
 inviting every friend to his country to meet forthwith and 
 concert united resistance to the arbitrary measures of Bri 
 tain. A crowded meeting was held, and a resolution adopt 
 ed, " that the tea should not be landed, that no duty should 
 be paid, ai^i tlmt it should be sent back in the same vessel. 5 
 A watch was also organized to prevent it from being secretly 
 brought on shore. 
 
 S, A short time was then allowed for the captain to pre 
 pare to return home with his cargo. Governor Hutchinsoti 
 refused to grant him the requisite permission to pass the 
 castle. Other vessels, laden with tea, arrived. The agita 
 tion increased, and on the 18th of December, the inhabitants 
 of Boston and the adjoining towns assembled to determine 
 what course should be pursued. At this important meeting, 
 JonihQuincy, desirous that the consequences of the mea 
 buros to be adopted should be first seriously contemplated, 
 thus addressed his fellow citizens. 
 
 9. "It is not, Mr. Moderator, the spirit that vapors within 
 these walls that will sustain us in the hour of need. The 
 proceedings of this day will call forth events Which will 
 make a very different spirit necessary for our salvation. 
 Whoever supposes that shouts and hosannas will termi 
 nate our trials, entertains a childish fancy. We mt:st bo 
 grossly ignorant of the Value of the prize for which wfe 
 contend ; \vf. must be equally ignorant of the power of those 
 who have combined against us"; ^ve must be blind to that 
 inveterate malice and insatiable revenge which actuate our 
 enemies, abroad and in oiir bosom, to hope that v;e shall 
 
MS REVOLUTION. [1774, 
 
 end till? controversy without the sharpest conflicts-- or to, 
 itatter ourselves thai popular resolves, popular harangues, 
 g.nd popular acclamations, will vanquish our foes.. Let u# 
 consider the issue ; let us look to the end ;, let us weigh and 
 deliberate, before we advance to those measures which must 
 bring on the most trying and terrible struggle this country 
 ever s?jw." 
 
 10. In the evening the question was put, "Do you abide 
 by } T our former resolution to prevent the landing of the tea ?." 
 The vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Application 
 was again made to the governor for a pass.. After a short 
 chilay, his refusal was communicated to the assembly. In- 
 jftantly a person, disguised like an Indian, gave the war 
 whoop from, the gallery. At this signal, the people rushed 
 out. of the house and hastened to the wharves. About twen* 
 ty persons, in the dress of Mohawks, boarded the vessels, and, 
 protected by the crowd on shore, broko open three hundred 
 and forty-two chests of tea, and emptied their, contents into, 
 the ocean, Their purpose accomplished, the multitude re 
 turned without tumult, to their, habitations. 
 
 11. These proceedings excited the anger of parliament 
 q.nd the displeasure of tfye British nation. Punishment, 
 .not a change of measures, was resolved upon. An act, 
 closing the port of Boston, and removing the custom-house 
 to Salem, was passed* and was to continue in force until 
 compensation should be made for the tea destroyed ; another 
 act was passed, taking from the general court and giving 
 to the crown the appointment of counsellors ; arid ge 
 neral Gage was. made governor in the place of Mr. Hutch, 
 in son. 
 
 12. IntelliffejMje of the Boston pert-bill occasioned a inert.,.. 
 tng of the citizens of the town ; they were sensible that " the 
 most trying and terrible struggle" was indeed now approach. 
 ing, but felt unawed by its terrors. They sought not to 
 ^belter themselves from the storm by submission, but became 
 nior-e resolute as it increased. Thoy declared the act to bo 
 unjust and inhuman,, and invited their brethren in the other 
 Qolonies ta unite w.ij-h. them in a general non-importation, 
 agreement. 
 
 "13. A similar spirit pervaded and animated the wholfc 
 Country. Addresses from the adjacent towns, and from every, 
 part of the continent, were sent, to the citizens of Boston, 
 $p[Inuding their resolution, exhorting them to perseverance, 
 g.nd assuring them that they were considered as suffering in 
 use.. In Virginia, the first, day of 4 imp,, whoa 
 
1774.] REVOLUTION. 143 
 
 the law began to operate, was observed as a public and so* 
 lenin fast. With devout feelings, the divine interposition 
 was implored, in all the churches, to avert the evils of civil 
 war, and to give to the people one heart and one inind^ 
 firmly to oppose every invasion of their liberty. 
 
 14. The same day was observed, with similar solemn ity^ 
 in most of the other colonies ; and thus an opportunity was 
 presented to the ministers of the gospel to dispense political 
 instruction, to paint, in vivid colors, the sufferings of tte 
 titifcens of Boston, and to warn their congregations, that., 
 should Great Britain succeed in her schemes, the danger tx> 
 their religious would be as great as to their civil privileges \ 
 that a tame submission to the will of parliament would inevU 
 tably be followed by bishops, tithes, test acts, a,nd eCclesiaih 
 ticai tribunals. 
 
 15. The sufferings of the inhabitants of Bost.bn were in 
 deed severe. Nearly all were compelled to be idle. Many, 
 by loss of employment, lost their sole means of support, la 
 this extremity, contributions in money and provisions w^fe 
 forwarded to them from all the colonies, as proofs of isynu 
 pathy in their distresses and of approbation cf {.heir hav* 
 ing met and manfully withstood the first shock of arbitrary 
 power, 
 
 10. Gradually and constantly had the minds and feelings 
 of the Americans been preparing far this important crisis. 
 That enthusiastic patriotism which elevates tfje soul above 
 all considerations of interest or danger had now become 
 their ruling passion. The inhabitants of Salem spurned 
 advantages to be derived from the punishment inflicted on 
 a sister town, for it.s zeal in a sacred and common-cans^. 
 " We must,* said they, in a remonstrance to the governof, 
 "be dead to every idea of justice, lost to all feelings of 
 humanity, coiild we indulge one thought to seize on wealth* 
 and raise our fortunes from the ruin of our suffering neigh 
 burs." 
 
 17. In June, the general court assembled at Salem, ; fi$ 
 among their first acts were, the recommendation of a 
 continental congress, which had been suggested by the 
 committee of correspondence in Virginia, and the choice 
 of delegates to attend it. While engaged, with closed 
 doors, in this business, governor Gage, who had received 
 a private intimation of their purposes, dissolved the court 
 by a proclamation which was read upon the steps. In all 
 the other colonies, except Georgia, delegates wjre u!s 
 c-hosen. 
 
144 REVOLUTION. [1774. 
 
 IP. On the 5th of September, these delegates met at Phi- 
 ladelphia. Peyton Randolph, of Virginia, was unanimously 
 elected president, and Charles Thompson, secretary. It was 
 determined that each colony should have but one vote, what- 
 ever might b-3 the number of its deputies, and that all their 
 transactions, except such as they might resolve to publish, 
 should be kept inviolably secret. 
 
 19. Resolutions were then adopted, expressing the sym 
 pathy of congress in the sufferings of their countrymen in 
 Massachusetts; and highly approving the wisdom and forti 
 tude of their conduct. They also resolved that the importa 
 tion of goods from Great Britain should csase on the first 
 day of the succeeding December, and all exports to that 
 country on the 10i .li of September, 1775, unless American 
 grievances should be sooner redressed. These resolutions 
 possessed no legal force, but never were laws more faithfully 
 observed. 
 
 20. In other resolutions, they enumerated certain rights, 
 \vhicli, as men and English subjects, "" they claimed, de- 
 m-inded, and insisted on ;" and recounted numerous viola 
 tions of those rights by parliament. Addresses to the people 
 of (ireat Britain, to the inhabitants of Canada, and to their 
 Constituents, w.ei 3 prepared and published ; and an affec 
 tionate petition to the king was agreed upon. 
 
 21. In these able and important state papers, the claims, 
 principles, and feelings of their constituents are clearly and 
 eloquently sot forth. They glow with the love of liberty ; 
 they display a determination, too firm to be shaker, to de 
 fend and preserve it at every hazard ; they contain the 
 strongest profef sicns of attachment to the mother country, 
 arid of loyalty to the king. A desire of independence is ex 
 pressly disavowed. " Place us,"~ says the congress, " in the 
 situation we wero in, at the close of the last war, and our 
 former harmony will ba restored." "We ask," say they in 
 iaeir petition, "but for peace, liberty, and. safety. We wish 
 not a diminution of the prerogative, nor do. we solicit the 
 grant of any new right in our favor. Your royal authority 
 over us, and our connection with Great Britain, we shall 
 always carefully and zealously endeavor to support and . 
 maintain." 
 
 22. These papers, going forth to the wo^ld, made the 
 cause of the colonies known throughout Europe, and con 
 ciliated those who, had embraced liberal principles in poli 
 tics, or felt displeasure at. the pride and haughtiness of Bri 
 tain. Their tone of rnaijly energy, and the knowledge they 
 
S774] REVOLUTION. 145 
 
 displayed of political science, excited universal applause and 
 admiration, 
 
 23. " When your lordships," said Mr, Pitt, in the British 
 senate, " have perused the papers transmitted to us from 
 America ; when you consider the dignity, the firmness, and 
 the wisdom, with which the Americans have acted, you 
 cannot but respect their cause. History, my lords, has been 
 my favorite study ; and in the celebrated writings of anti 
 quity I have often admired the patriotism of Greece and 
 Rome ; hut, my lords, I must declare and avow, that in 
 the master states of the world, I knovr not. the people nor 
 the senate, who, in such a complication of difficult circum 
 stances, can stand in preference to the delegates of America 
 assembled, in general congress, at Philadelphia. I trust 
 that it is obvious to your lordships, that all attempts to 
 impose servitude upon such men, to establish despotism over 
 Fuch a mighty continental nation, must be vain, must be 
 futile." 
 
 24. In America, the proceedings of congress were read 
 with enthusiasm and veneration. Their reasoning s con 
 firmed the conviction, strongly felt by nearly the whole 
 people, of the perfect justice of their cause. In the ad 
 dress to theirasolviis, they were admonished " to extend 
 their views to mournful events, and to be in all respects 
 prepared for evory contingency." Groat efforts were con- 
 f-equsntly made to provide anus azai all the munitions of 
 Avar, independent companies were formed ; voluntary train 
 ings were frequent ; the old and the young, tire rich and 
 the poor, devoted their hours of amusemont and of leisure, 
 t ) exercises calculated to fit them, to net a part, in the ariti- 
 rip.ited conflict, Tiie country was alive witli the hustle of 
 preparation, and in evosy countenance could be road the 
 expectation of import? nt transaction;?, in which ail must 
 jp:irticipate 
 
 25. Complete unanimity, however, did not exist. Some 
 of the late emigrants from England, the most of those 
 who hold offices by her appointment, many whose timidity 
 nugnined her power, clung to her authority, and as the 
 crisis approached, decUr^d themselves her adherents. 
 These were denominated torbs ; the friends of liberty, 
 wldgs names by which the advocates of arbitrary power, 
 aw! the fri?nds of constitutional liberty,- were distinguished 
 iia England. . 
 
 i36. Gonnral Gage, who had been recently appointed pxv. 
 vernor of Massachusetts, withdrew, from other posts on the 
 13 
 
14G DEVOLUTION [1775*, 
 
 continent, several regiments f troops, and emsamped 1 them 
 on the common, in Boston. He afterwards erected fortifica 
 tions on the Neck, a narrow isthmus which unites the- town 
 with the main land " r and on the night of the iirst of Sep 
 tember, he seized the powder deposited in the provincial 5 
 arsenal at Cambridge. 
 
 27. The people, meanwhile,, were not idle. They ap 
 pointed delegates to a provincial congress, which assembled 
 in the beginning of October- Mr. Hancock was chosen 
 president, and the delegates resolved, that, for the defence 
 of the province, a military force-, to consist of one fourth 
 of the militia, should be organized and stand ready to 
 march at a minute s warning ; that money should be raised 
 *o pu-jsehase- military stores ; and they appointed a committee 
 of supplies, and a committed of safety, to sit during: the 
 recess* 
 
 26. The more southern provinces, particularly Pennsyl 
 vania, Virginia, and: Maryland, displayed*the same love of 
 liberty and determination to- resist ;, provincial congresses 
 vere convened, committees- appointed, and resolutions 
 passed, designed and adapted to> animate- those who, in 
 Massachusetts, stood in> the post of danger, and to excite 
 in all hearts that devotion to > country which is alone capa 
 ble of sustaining a people in ai* arduous struggle with a 
 superior foo. 
 
 20. in tlve parliament of G^eat Britain , American affairs 
 came on to be discussed, in the beginning, of the year 1775. 
 Several plans of conciliation were brought forward by the 
 opposition and rejected ; but one r proposed by lord North,, 
 the prime minister, was adopted. The pin-port of it was,, 
 that if any colony would engage t& contribute a sum satis 
 factory to his majesty, for the common defence, the parlia 
 ment would forbear to tax that colony so lon-gr as the con 
 tribution wax punctually paid. This plan; conceded nothing.- 
 To weaken the colonies by dividing them was so* evi 
 dently the object, that all indignantly spanned the proffered- 
 terms. 
 
 30. In connection with this conciliatory proposition, as 
 it was called, measures of punishment and intimidation were 
 adopted. The northern colonies wero prohibited from fish 
 ing on the banks of Newfoundland, additional restrictions 
 wore imposed upon the trade of all of them, and several 
 ships of the line and ten thousand troops, were- eat to 
 America. 
 
 31. In the debates in pailiament, Che friends of Ilia- 
 
1775.] REVOLUTIONARY WAIL 147 
 
 Colonies, although few, were animated in their praise and 
 eloquent in their defence- The adherents -of the ministry 
 indulged in the -grossest abuse and ridicule. The Ameri 
 cans, they -said, were naturally cowards, habitually lazy, 
 and constitutionally feeble; they were incapable of disci 
 pline.; and a small force would be sufficient to conquer 
 -them. This ignorance of their character, which was gene 
 ral throughout England, doubtless caused the ministry to 
 persist in measures which, had their information been cor- 
 U ect, they would newer have ventured to undertake. 
 
 32. On the evening >of the 18th of April, general Gage 
 despatched from Boston a bedy of eight hundred troops to 
 destroy a -quantity of provisions and military stores de 
 posited by the committee of supplies, at Concord- Intel 
 ligence of this movement was sent to Lexington and 
 Concord a few iaeurs before the troops embarked- The 
 ringing of bells and the firing 1 ef ^signal gnus brought the 
 minute-men together. Early the next morning, those of 
 Lexington assembled on the green near the meeting-house. 
 A few minutes afterwards, the advanced body of the regu 
 lars approached within musket shot. Major Pitcairn, 
 Tiding -forward, exclaimed, " Disperse, you rebels ; throw 
 down your arms arid disperse." Not being instantly 
 obeyed, he discharged his pistol and ordered hiis men to 
 lire. They fired and killed several. The militia dispersed ; 
 ;but the firing continued. In the whole, eight were killed, 
 some of whom wore sht in their concealment behind the 
 fences. 
 
 33. The detachment proceeded to -Concord. The minute- 
 men of that town had also assembled 4 but being few in 
 m umber, they retired on the approach ef the regulars. 
 These entered the tevni and destroyed the provisions and 
 .stores. The minute-men were reinforced, and advanced 
 again towards the regulars. A skirmish ensued, in which 
 captain 3G)av>is, of Acton, was killed. The British troops 
 were compelled to retreat, leaving behind them several 
 Stilled and wounded. 
 
 34. The whole country was n?ow in arms, and the troops 
 retreated with precipitation. The militia not only pressed 
 aipon their rear, kmi placed themselves singly behind trees 
 and stone wails, and, from these secure coverts, fired upon 
 them as they passed. At Lexington they .met a reinforce 
 ment under lord Percy, which general Gage had despatched 
 -on receiving information -of ike -oceurrejiees there in the 
 
148 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1775 
 
 35. After resting a moment, the whole body proceeded 
 towards Boston. In their progress they were more and 
 more harassed by the provincials, whose nunAer hourly 
 increased, and who became in proportion more adventurous. 
 Having an intimate knowledge of aH the roads, they could 
 pursue with less fatigue, and meet the enemy unexpectedly 
 at the various windings ; and being all experienced marks- 
 men, their shots seldom failed of effect. At sunset, tho 
 regulars, almost overcome with fatigue, passed along 
 Charlestown Neck, and found, on Bunker s Bill, a place of 
 security and repose, 
 
 3G. In this engagement, sixty-five of the royal forces 
 were killed, one hundred and eighty wounded, and twenty, 
 eight made prisoners. Of the provincials, fifty were killed, 
 thirty-four were wounded, and four were missing. The- 
 killed were lamented and honored as the first martyrs in 
 the cause of liberty. In the various sections of country 
 from which they came, hatred of Great Britain took still 
 deeper root ; and New England, connected more than any 
 other part of the world, as one great family, by the closest 
 intimacy of all the inhabitants, universally feh the depriva 
 tion with a mixed feeling of sorrow and rage. 
 
 37. Intelligence of the battle of Lexington spread rapidly 
 through Massachusetts, an-d the adjoining provinces. The 
 farmer left his plough in the furrow, the mechanic dropped 
 the utensil in his hand, and seising their arms, all hastened 
 to the environs of Boston. In a lew days, a large army 
 \vas assembled, which, under the command of general 
 Ward, of Massachusetts, and general Putnam, f Connec 
 ticut, closely invested the tow, and alarmed general Gage 
 for the safety of his garrison. 
 
 38. In the remoter provinces, the intelligence was con 
 sidered of solemn and alarming import. The great drama 
 was opened, and the part which each should take must 
 immediately be chosen. By many a resort to- arms had 
 never been anticipated. To them, the decision was more 
 painful ; but all the colonies, except Georgia, adopted at 
 once the heroic yese>lu>ti ; Gn to unite their fortunes with those 
 of New England. 
 
 3D. Connecticut had poured forth her full proportion of 
 hardy yeomanry to man the lines around Boston ; but 
 several, who remained at home, conceived the project of 
 surprising Ticonderoga, a fortified post on the western- 
 shore of lake Olvuyjplain,. and commanding the entrance- 
 into Canada. They communicated their design to, 
 
a775.!j EEVOLUTIONARY WAR. 149 
 
 Ethan Mien, -of Vermont, who, upon their arrival at Cas- 
 tleton, with forty men, met them there at the head of two 
 hundred and thirty Green Mountain :bys. The next day, 
 captain Benedict Arnold, of Connecticut, wlao, upon the 
 first alarm, had hastened to Boston, arrived from that 
 place, hawing conceived the arne project, and been author 
 ized, hy the committee of safety in Massachusetts, to under, 
 take it. 
 
 40. AHei and Arnold, at the head of the Green Mountain 
 (boys, hastened to Ticonderoga, and the remainder of the 
 party to Skeeasbaroiigh. On the night f tiic ninth of May, 
 about eighty, all that the -boats could carry, crossed the lake, 
 and, at dawn of -day, landed near the fortress.. They ad 
 vanced to the gateway. A sentinel snapped his fusee at 
 Colonel Allen and retreated. The Americans fallowing, 
 found the commander in bed. -Colonel Allen demanded the 
 -surrender of the fbrt. " By what authority do you demand 
 at?" "In the name," replied Allen, "of the Great Jo ho- 
 wah and the Continental Congress.." The British ofiicer, 
 having but fifty men, saw that resistance would be vain, and 
 .agreed to sutTender.. 
 
 41. When the remainder of the party arrived, they were 
 ^despatched, under colonel Seth Warner, to take possession, 
 of Crown Point; and Arnold, hastily -maiming a schooner, 
 -.sailed to capture a sloop of war lying at the outlet <cf the 
 iake. These two expeditions, as well as that against 
 "Skeensborough, were successful; and thus v/as ^obtained, 
 without blo@ ls hed, ttie command of these important posts, 
 together with mare than one hundred pieces of ca/rmcm, and 
 <other munitions ef wax. The unexpected news xaf this bril 
 liant success, imparted high -courage a-&d ammatiou to the 
 Americans, 
 
 42. Most of the militia, who had repaired to Boston, 
 returned soon after t their homes, but a sufficient number 
 remained, pested near the Neck, to prevent the British 
 from leaving the town by land. Betweea detachments 
 from these aiid parties of regulars, wlio were often sent to 
 ^collect fora/ge on the islands in tlie harbor, frequent skir 
 mishes took place, in joost of whie h the Americans were 
 successful. 
 
 43. In the beginning .of .Jisfie, several transports, filled 
 with troops, commanded by generals Howe, Canton, and 
 Surgoyne, acrived from England, and general -Gage began 
 to act with more decision and vigor. He issued a procla- 
 
 declaring thase in arnm, aiud all uljvo aided them, 
 13 * 
 
150 REVOLUTIONARY* WAR, [1775. 
 
 rebels and traitors, and threatened to punish them as such, 
 unless they immediately returned* to their peaceful occu 
 pations. Ho promised his majesty s- pardon to all who 
 should in this manner give proof of their repentance and 
 amendment, excepting Samnel Adams and John Hancock, 
 whose crimes, he alleged, were too flagitious to admit of 
 pardon. 
 
 44. This proclamation, and the arrival of the troops, far 
 from dismaying, aroirsed the people to greater activity and 
 watchfulness. Again the militia assembled and surrounded 
 Boston. Unwilling^ to endure the- inconvenience and disgrace 
 of this confinement, genera-i Gaga made preparation to pe 
 netrate, with a portion of his army, into the country. To 
 prevent this, the provincial generals resolved to occupy Ban 
 ker s Hill, an eminence in Charlestown, situated on a penin 
 sula that approaches near to- Boston. 
 
 4,5. On the evening of the !6th of Jane, a thousand men-, 
 under the command of colonel Prescot, of Massachusetts, 
 colonel Stark, fronrNew Hampshire, and captain Knowlton, 
 from Connecticut, were despatched on this service. They 
 were conducted, by mistake, to Breed s Hill, which was 
 nearer to the water and to Boston, than Bunker s. At twelve- 
 o clock they began to throw up- entrenchments, and by dawn 
 of day had completed a redoubt eight rods square. As soon 
 as they were discovered, they were fired upon from a ship of 
 war and several floating batteries lying near, and from a for 
 tification in Boston opposite the redoubt. The Americans,, 
 nevertheless, encouraged by general Putnam, who- often vis 
 ited them on the hill, continued to labor until they had 
 finished a slight breastwork extending from the redoubt 
 eastward to the water. And m the- morning they received a 
 reinforcement of five hundred men. 
 
 46. The temerity of tire provincials astonished and in 
 censed general Gage, and he determined to drive them imme 
 diately from their position. About noon, a body of three 
 thousand regulars, commanded by general Howe, left Bos 
 ton in boats, and landed in Charlestown, at the extreme 
 point of the peninsula. Generals Clinton and Bnrgoyne took 
 their station on an eminence in Boston-, eomroanding a dis 
 tinct view of the hill. The spires of the churches, the roofs 
 of the houses, and 1 all the heights in the neighborhood, were 
 covered with people, waiting, m dreadful anxiety, to witness 
 the approaching battle. 
 
 47. The regulars, forming at the place of landing, 
 marched ^slowly up the hill, halting- frequently to- 
 
1775.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 151 
 
 time to the artillery to demolish the works. While ad 
 vancing, the village of Charlestown, containing about four 
 hundred houses, was set on fire by order of general Gage. 
 The flames ascended to a lofty height, presenting a sublime 
 and magnificent spectacle. The Americans reserved their 
 fire until the British were within ten rods of the redoubt ; 
 then, taking a steady aim, they began a furious discharge. 
 Entire ranks of the assailants fell. The enemy halted, 
 and returned the fire ; but that from the redoubt continuing 
 incessant, and doing great execution, they retreated in haste 
 and disorder down the hill, some even taking refuge in their 
 boats. 
 
 48. The officers were seen running hither and thither, 
 collecting, arranging, and addressing their men, who were 
 at length induced again to ascend the hill. The Americans 
 now reserved their fire until the the enemy had approached 
 even nearer than before, when a tremendous volley was at 
 once poured upon them. Terrified by the carnage around 
 them, they again retreated with precipitation, and such was 
 the panic, that general Howe was left almost alone on the 
 hill side, his troops having deserted him, and nearly every 
 officer around him being killed. 
 
 49. At this moment, general Clinton, who had observed 
 from Boston the progress of the battle, feeling that British 
 honor was at stake, hastened with a reinforcement to the as- 
 sistancc of his countrymen. By his exertions, the troops 
 were a third time rallied, and were compelled by the officers, 
 who marched behind them with drawn swords, to advance 
 again towards the Americans. The fire from the ships and 
 batteries was redoubled, and a few pieces of cannon had been 
 so placed as to rake the interior of the breastwork from end 
 to end. 
 
 50. The provincials, having expended their ammuni 
 tion, awaited in silence the approach of the regulars. 
 The latter entered the redoubt. The former, having no 
 bayonets, defended themselves, for a short time, with the 
 butt end of their muskets. From this unequal contest, 
 they were soon compelled to retire. As they retreated 
 over Charlestown Neck, the fire from the floating batte 
 nes was incessant; but, providentially, a few only wero 
 killed. The enemy had sustained too much injury to think 
 of pursuit. 
 
 51. In this desperate and bloody conflict, the royal forces 
 consisted, as has been stated, of three thousand men, and 
 the provincials of but fifteen hundred. Of the former, 6110 
 
152 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1775. 
 
 thousand and fifty-four were killed and wounded-;, of the 
 latter, four hundred and fifty-three. Tins disparity of loss, 
 the steadiness and bravery displayed by their recent, undis 
 ciplined levies, occasioned among the American? the highest 
 exultation, and. in their view, more than counterbalanced 
 the loss of position. If this is a British victory, how many 
 such victories, they triumphantly asked, can their army 
 achieve without ruin 1 
 
 52. But deep arid heart-felt sorrow was intermingled with 
 their rejoicings. Among the killed was doctor Warren, a 
 patriot, who, at an early period, had espoused with warmth 
 the cause of freedom ; who had displayed great intrepidity 
 in several skirmishes ; had four days before been elected 
 major-general; and had, on the fatal day, hastened to the 
 field of battle, to serve his country as a volunteer. For his 
 many virtues, his elegant manners, his generous devotion 
 to his country, his high attainments in political science, 
 he was beloved and respected by his republican associates ; 
 and to him their affections pointed as a future leader, in a 
 cause dear to their hearts, and intimately connected with 
 their glory. 
 
 53. In the midst of these military transactions, a conti 
 nental congress assembled at Philadelphia. It comprised 
 delegates from twelve colonies, all of whom were animated 
 with a determined spirit of opposition to parliamentary taxa 
 tion. A majority, however, had not yet formed the hardy 
 resolution to separate from the mother country, and aim at 
 independence. The measures partook of the opposite feel- 
 ings of the members. Mr. Hancock, the proscribed patriot, 
 was chosen president; they resolved that another humble 
 petition for redress of grievances, should be presented to the 
 king ; but they also resolved that means of defence should be 
 immediately prepared, and proceeded to the choice of offi 
 cers to command their united forces. 
 
 54. To induce the friends of liberty in the southern 
 provinces to embark more warmly in the cause of resist 
 ance, the northern delegates determined to give their 
 suffrages, for a commander-in-chief, to a person residing 
 in that quarter. Fortunately, one was found eminently 
 qualified for the office. By unanimous vote of the con 
 gress, GEORGE WASHINGTON, then present as delegate from 
 Virginia, was elected. He had served, with high reputa 
 tion, in the late war with France ; was distinguished in 
 his native province for his military knowledge, his great 
 wealth, the dignity of his deportment, his unsuspected 
 
1775.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 153 
 
 integrity, and his ardont attachment to the interests of his 
 country, 
 
 55. The president, addressing him in his seat, announced 
 to him the choice which the congress had made. Washing, 
 ton declared his acceptance with a diffidence which gave to 
 his groat talents a brighter lustre ; and assured congress that, 
 as no pecuniary compensation could have tempted him to ac 
 cept the office, at the sacrifice of his domestic ease and hap 
 piness, he would receive no p:iy, and would ask only the re 
 muneration of his expenses. Arteinns Ward, Charles Lee, 
 Philip Schuylsr, and Israel Putnam, were then chosen ma 
 jor-generals, and Horatio Gates adjutant-general. Lee had 
 lately hold the office of colonel, and Gates that of major, in 
 the British army. 
 
 56. Congress also resolved that, for defraying the ex 
 penses which might he incurred, bills of credit, or paper 
 monoy, to the amount of three millions of dollars, should 
 bo issued, and pledged the colonies for their redemption. 
 A solemn and dignified declaration, setting forth* the 
 causes and necessity of taking up arms, was prepared to 
 be published to the army in orders, and to the people from 
 tliM pulpit. After particularizing the aggressions of Great 
 Britain, with the energy of men feeling unmerited injury, 
 they exclaim : 
 
 57. " But why should we enumerate our injuries in de 
 tail? By one statute it is declared that parliament can of 
 right make laws to bind us in all cases whatsoever. What 
 is to defend us against so enormous, so unlimited a power ? 
 Not a single man of those who assume it, was chosen by us, 
 or is subject to our control or influence ; but, on the con 
 trary, they aro all of them exempt from the operation of 
 such laws, and an American revenue, if not diverted from 
 the ostensible purposes for which it is raised, would actu 
 ally lighten their own burdens, in proportion as it increases 
 ours. We saw the misery to which such despotism would 
 reduce us. We, for ton years, incessantly and ineffectu 
 ally besieged the throne as supplicants ; wo reasoned, we 
 remonstrated with parliament in the most mild and decent 
 language. 
 
 58. "We are now reduced t the alternative of choosing 
 an unconditional submission to the will of irritated minis 
 ters, or resistance by force. The lattpr is our choice. We 
 have counted the cost of this contest, and find nothing so 
 dreadful as voluntary slavery- Honor, justice, and humanity 
 forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received 
 

 /,. . 
 
 154 REVOLUTIONARY W.AR. [1775. 
 
 from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity 
 have a right to receive from us. We cannot endure the in. 
 farny arid guilt of resigning succeeding generations to that 
 wretchedness which inevitably awaits them if we basely en- 
 tail hereditary bondage upon them. 
 
 59. "Our cause is just; our union is perfect. Our 
 internal resources are great ; and, if necessary, foreign 
 assistance is undoubtedly attainable. We gratefully ac 
 knowledge, as a signal instance of the divine favor towards 
 us, that his providence would riot permit us to be called 
 into this severe controversy, until we were grown up to 
 our present strength, had been previously exercised in war. 
 like operations, and possessed the means of defending our. 
 selves. 
 
 60. "With hearts fortified by these animating reflections 
 we most solemnly, before God and the world, DECLARE, that 
 exerting the utmost energy of those powers, which our be- 
 neficent Creator hath graciously bestowed, , the arms we 
 hav^ been compelled by our enemies to assume, we will, in 
 defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and per 
 severance, employ for the preservation of our liberties, being, 
 with one mind, resolved to die freemen rather than to live 
 slaves." 
 
 61. Soon after his election, general Washington, accom 
 panied by general Lee, and several other gentlemen, set out 
 for the camp at Cambridge. In every place through which 
 he passed, he received the highest honors. A committee 
 from the provincial congress of Massachusetts, met him at 
 Springfield, and conducted him to head-quarters, where an- 
 other committee presented him a respectful and affectionate 
 ^address. 
 
 62. He found the army, consisting of fourteen thousand 
 men, posted on the heights around Boston, forming a line 
 which extended from Roxbury on the right, to the river Mys 
 tic on the left, a distance of twelve miles. The troops were 
 ardently devoted to the cause of liberty, but destitute of dis 
 cipline, averse to subordination, without powder, without 
 tents, and without most of the conveniences usually provided 
 for regular armies. 
 
 63. With the assistance of general Gates, he introduced 
 some degree of regularity and system. Several barrels of 
 powder were obtained from New Jersey, and captain Manly, 
 commander of the privateer Loe, captured an ordnance ship, 
 containing arms, ammunition, and a complete assortment of 
 such working tools as were most needed in the American 
 
1775.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 155 
 
 camp. This providential capture was followed by others, 
 which supplied the most pressing- wants of the army, en a- 
 bled it to continue, through the year, the blockade of Bos 
 ton, and contributed greatly to distress the enemy, for whose 
 use the cargoes were destined. 
 
 64. Events occurring this year, in the southern colonies, 
 still further weakened the attachment of the people to Great 
 Britain. In Virginia, lord Dunmore the governor, seized, by 
 night, some powder belonging to the colony, and conveyed 
 it on board a British ship in James river. Intelligence of 
 this transaction reaching Patrick Henry, he placed himself 
 at the head of the independent companies in his vicinity, 
 and marched towards the seat of government, with the avow- 
 ed purpose of obtaining, by fores, restitution of the powder, 
 or its value. He was met by a messenger, who paid him the 
 value of the powder, when he and the militia returned to their 
 homes. 
 
 65. Alarmed by this display of spirit and patriotism, lord 
 Dunmore fortified his palace. From this castle, he issued a 
 proclamation, charging Henry and his associates with re 
 bellious practices, which offended the people, who highly 
 approved their conduct. Other causes increasing the popu 
 lar ferment, he quitted his palace, and repaired to a ship of 
 war then lying at Yorktown. 
 
 66. In November, he issued another proclamation, offer 
 ing freedom to those slaves belonging to rebel masters, who 
 should join his majesty s troops at Yorktown. Several hun 
 dred, in consequence, repaired to that place. A body ot 
 militia immediately assembled, and, while posted neai 
 the city, were attacked with great bravery, by the regulars, 
 royalists, and negroes. The militia, repelling the attack 
 with equal bravery, gained a decisive victory. Lord Dun 
 more then evacuated the city, and, followed by his white 
 and black forces, sought refuge on board the ships of his 
 majesty. Soon after, Norfolk, set on fire by his order, was 
 mostly consumed ; and its destruction was completed by the 
 provincials, to prevent the enemy from deriving supplies 
 from that quarter. 
 
 67. The governor of North Carolina, following the exam 
 ple of lord Dunmore, fortified his palace at Newbern. This 
 caused a commotion among the people, which induced him 
 to retire on board a ship in the harbor. \Vhile there, he 
 made zealous exertions to organize a party in favor of the 
 royal cause; and a band of Scotch Highlanders, settled in 
 the interior country, listened to his persuasions. On their 
 
156 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1775. 
 
 march to the sea coast, they were met by a party of militia 
 who attacked and dispersed them. This early victory se 
 cured the predominance of the whigs, and crushed the hopes 
 and spirits of the tories. 
 
 G8. South Carolina had always, with great unanimity and 
 zeal, resisted parliamentary taxation ; and soon after the 
 battle of Lexington, the governor, lord William Campbell, 
 apprehensive of danger to his person, retired from the pro 
 vince. In July, Georgia chose delegates to the continental 
 congress, increasing to THIRTEEN the number of the UNITED 
 COLONIES. 
 
 69. The province of New York contained many warm 
 advocates for freedom ; but its capital had so long been the 
 head-quarters of the British army in America, that many oj 
 the principal inhabitants, having contracted intimate rela. 
 tions with British officers, had become devoted to the royal 
 cause. The assembly, acting under their influence, declined 
 to choose delegates to the continental congress held in May, 
 1775; but the people, a majority of whom were actuated by 
 different feelings, elected a provincial congress, by whom 
 those delegates were chosen. 
 
 70. When intelligence of the battle of Lexington reached 
 the city, captain Sears, an active and intrepid leader of the 
 44 sons of liberty," took effectual measures to prevent vessels 
 bound to ports in America, where the royal cause prevailed, 
 from sailing. An association was also formed, consisting of 
 one thousand of the principal inhabitants, who bound them 
 selves to assist in carrying into execution whatever measure 
 might be recommended, by the continental congress, to pro 
 vent the execution of the oppressive acts of the British par 
 liament. 
 
 71. The ministry, desirous of retaining in obedience this 
 important colony, appointed Mr. Tryon to be governor over 
 it. He had before filled the same office ; was a. man of ad 
 dress, and greatly boloved by the people. He came fully em 
 powered to gain adherents by dispensing promises and mo 
 ney at his discretion. The success of his intrigues alarmed 
 congress, who, having particular reference to him, recom 
 mended that "all persons whose going at I:rg3 might en 
 danger the liberties of America, should be arrested and se 
 cured." Gaining early intelligence of this, he also sought 
 refuge on boinl a ship in the harbor. 
 
 72. Although the autumn of 1775 was not distinguished 
 by any brilliant exploit, yet the time of congress, and of the 
 commander-in-chief, was not unprofitably employed. Con- 
 
17,76.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 157 
 
 slant attention was paid to the discipline of the troops ; ar 
 rangements were made to obtain a supply of military stores ; 
 the building and equipment of a riLval force was commenced ; 
 two expeditions were organized and despatched against Ca 
 nada, one by the way of lake Champlain, the other of the river 
 Kennebec ; and general Lee, with twelve hundred volunteers 
 from Connecticut, was directed to proceed to New York, and, 
 with the aid of the inhabitants, fortify the city and the 
 highlands. 
 
 73l The abolition of all legal authority in the colonies, 
 was an evil for which, though less than had been anticipated, 
 it was yet expedient to provide a remedy. New Hampshire 
 applied to. congress for advice on this subject. A favorable 
 opportunity was thus prevsented to the zealous patriots in 
 congress, to. propose a remedy for the evil, which should, at 
 the same time, exhibit in practice the fundamental prin 
 ciple of tlteir political creed, that all legitimate authority 
 must be derived from the people ; and should also pre 
 pare the way for their darling object, a declaration of in. 
 dependence. 
 
 74. A resolution was introduced, recommending that a 
 convention of representatives, freety elected by the people 
 of that colony, should be called, for the purpose of estab 
 lishing such a form of government as they might deora 
 proper. It was warmly opposed by those members who 
 were yet desirous of an accommodation with the mother 
 country. An amendment being made, providing that the 
 government established should continue in force no longer 
 than the existing contest with Great Britain, the resolu 
 tion passed. Representatives were accordingly chosen, who, 
 on the 5th of January, 1776, adopted a written constitu 
 tion, acknowledging no source of power but the people. 
 In other colonies, the same course was soon afterwards 
 pursued. 
 
 75. A transaction, displaying the vindictive feelings of the 
 British, occurred in October. The ministry had issued or 
 ders to the officers of the navy to proceed, as in the case of 
 actual rebellion, against all the colonial seaports accessible 
 to ships of war, which should discover symptoms of attach 
 ment to the cause of liberty. Falmouth, a flourishing town 
 in Massachusetts, having given some particular offence, its 
 destruction, under color of these orders, was resolved on, 
 and captain Mowatt, with four ships, was despatched on that 
 service. 
 
 7G. The citizens made an effort, by negotiation, to avert 
 14 
 
158 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1776. 
 
 their ruin ; but as the terms which were offered could not 
 be accepted without dishonor, they were at once rejected. 
 The bombardment immediately commenced, the town was 
 set on fire, and four hundred buildings reduced to ashes. 
 This wanton act of devastation was strongly reprobated 
 throughout America, and served to inflame rather than to 
 intimidate, the people. The town has since been rebuilt, 
 its name changed to Portland, and it is now the capital of 
 Maine. 
 
 77. As the year 1775 drew near to a close, the condition 
 of the army, employed in the blockade of Boston, engaged 
 the attention of congress. A spee<ly adjustment of the dis. 
 pute being at first expected, the men had been enlisted tc 
 serve only until the first of January. No prospect now 
 appeared of an immediate accommodation. It was there, 
 fore resolved to form a new army, to consist of twenty 
 thousand men, and to be raised, as far as practicable, from 
 the troops then in service. Unfortunately it was determined, 
 that the enlistments should be made for one year only, an 
 error the consequences of which were afterwards very 
 severely felt. 
 
 78. It was supposed lijfiat most of those whom patriotism 
 had impelled to join the army, would continue in the service 
 of their country ; but when the experiment was made, it 
 was found that their ardor had considerably abated. The 
 blockade of Boston presented no Opportunity of acquiring 
 glory, by deeds of noble daring ; the fatiguing duties of the 
 camp wore upon their spirits, affected their he-alth, and pro 
 duced an unconquerable longing to revisit their homes 
 Notwithstanding the great exertions of general Washington, 
 no more than half the estimated number had been enlisted 
 at the close of the year. 
 
 79. The people and the troops, supposing the army to be 
 stronger than it was, expressed great dissatisfaction at the 
 inactivity of the commander-in-chief, which some in.puted 
 to dishonorable motives. An attack upon Boston was 
 loudly demanded. Washington three times proposed it 
 to a council of war ; but in every instance the decision was 
 unanimous against it. At the last time, however, the coun 
 cil recommended that the town should be more closely in- 
 vested. On the evening of the fourth of March, 1776, tho 
 attention of the enemy being diverted, by a brisk cannonade, 
 to a different quarter, a party of troops, under the command 
 of general Thomas, took possession, in silence, of Dorches 
 ter heights, and, with almost incredible industry, erected bo- 
 
1775.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 159 
 
 fore morning, a line of fortifications which commanded the 
 harbor and the town. 
 
 80. The view of these works, raised like an exhalation 
 from the earth, excited the astonishment of general Howe, 
 who, on the resignation of general Gage, had been appoint 
 ed commander-in-chief. lie saw that he must imm-.-diately 
 dislodge the Americans or evacuate the town. The next 
 day he ordered 3000 men to embark in boats, and proceeded, 
 by way of Castle island, to attack the works on the heights. 
 A furious storm dispersed thorn ; the fortifications, in the 
 mean time, were rendered too strong to be forced ; and gen 
 eral Howe was compelled to seek safety in an immediate de 
 parture from Boston. 
 
 81. Of the determination of the enemy to evacuate the 
 town, general Washington was soon apprized. The event 
 being certain, he did not wish by an attack to hasten it, as the 
 fortifications at New-York, to which place he presumed they 
 would repair, were not in sufficient forwardness to protect 
 it. The embarkation was made on the 17th of March ; a 
 few days after, the whole fleet set sail, and the American 
 army hastened, by divisions, to New York. 
 
 82. The acquisition of this important town occasioned 
 great and general rejoicing. The thanks of congress were 
 voted to general Washington and his troops, for their wise 
 arid spirited conduct ; a medal of gold was ordered to be 
 struck in commemoration of the event. The British fleet, 
 instead of conveying the troops Lo New York, steered for 
 Halifax, having on board a large number of tories and 
 their baggage. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 EXPEDITION AGAINST CANADA. 
 
 IT has been already stated, that two expeditions were des 
 patched against Canada. The command of that, which was 
 ,o proceed by way of lake Champlain, was given to general 
 Schuyler of New York. The number of troops, to be em. 
 ployed was fixed at three thousand, and they were to be 
 drawn from New York and New England. Governor 
 Carleton, gaining intelligence of the project, despatched 
 
160 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1775. 
 
 about eight hundred men to strengthen the works at St. 
 Johns, on the river Sore!, a position commanding tho usual 
 entrance into Canada. 
 
 2. Brigadier-general Montgomery, a young officer of 
 brilliint talents, and ambitious of glory, was ordered to 
 proceed in advance, with the troops, then in readiness, and 
 attack this important position, before it had been made too 
 strong to be taken. When commencing his career, the 
 glory and fate of Wolfe were present to his thoughts, and 
 to his wife his parting words were, " You shall never blush 
 for your Montgomery." General Schuyler soon followed, 
 and on arriving at Isle aux Noix, in the vicinity of the 
 British works, he addressed a proclamation to the Cana 
 dians, exhorting them to join their brethren in the cause of 
 freedom, and declaring that the American army came as 
 friends of the inhabitants, and as enemies only of the 
 British garrisons. 
 
 3. The fortifications at St. Johns being found stronger 
 than \vas anticipated, general Schuyler returned to Albany, 
 to hasten the departure of the remaining troops, artillery, 
 arid munitions of war. He was prevented, by a severe 
 illness, from again joining the army, and the chief com. 
 mand devolved upon Montgomery. On receiving a reinforce, 
 tnent, he invested St. Johns : but being yet almost destitute 
 of battering cannon and of powder, he made no progress 
 in the siege. And the soldiers, carrying with them into 
 the field that attachment to liberty and equality which 
 gavo birth to the contest, displayed such utter aversion to 
 discipline and subordination as increased, in a great degree, 
 his difficulties and vexations. 
 
 4. Colonel Allen, the hero of Ticonderoga, had a com. 
 mand under Montgomery. Having been despatched, with 
 major Brown, into the interior of Canada, he was, on his 
 return, persuaded by the latter to undertake the rash pro- 
 ject of attacking Montreal. He divided his detachment, 
 consisting of less than three hundred men, into two 
 parties, intending to assail the city at opposite points, 
 Major Brown was prevented from executing his part of tho 
 enterprise. Colonel Allen and his small party, opposed by 
 the whole forco of th-3 enemy under governor Carleton, 
 fought with desperate valor. Many were killed ; the sur. 
 vivors, overpowered by numbers, were compelled to surren 
 der. The governor, viewing Allen, not as the intrepid sol. 
 dier, but as a factious rebel, loaded him with irons and sent 
 bim to England for trial. 
 
1775.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 161 
 
 5. On the 18th of October, a fortunate event brightened 
 the prospects of the Americans. Fort Chamblee, situated 
 several miles north of St. Johns, was supposed to be 
 beyond their reach, and was but, slightly guarded. A 
 detachment under majors Brown and Livingston, attacking 
 it unexpectedly, gained possession of it with little loss. 
 Several pieces of cannon, and 120 barrels of powder, were 
 the fruits of the victory. The Americans, encouraged by 
 success, immediately, in defiance of the continual fire of 
 the enemy, erected a battery near fort St. Johns, and made 
 preparations for a severe cannonade, and an assault, if ne 
 cessary. 
 
 G. At this juncture, Montgomery received intelligence 
 of an action between governor Carleton and a body of 
 Green Mountain boys commanded by colonel Warner. 
 The former elated by his victory over Allen, collected about 
 eight hundred regulars, militia, and Indians, with the view 
 of raising the siege of St. Jjohns. In full confidence of suc 
 cess, they left Montreal, embarked in boats and proceeded 
 towards the southern shore of the St. Lawrence. In tho 
 bushes at the water s edge colonel Warner, having received 
 information of their purpose, concealed three hundred men, 
 who, when the enemy approached the shore, poured upon 
 them a fire so unexpected and destructive, that the flotilla 
 returned, in confusion, to Montreal. 
 
 7. On the first, of November, Montgomery commenced 
 a heavy cannonade of the enemy s works, which was con 
 tinued through the day. In the evening, he sent to the 
 British commander, by one of governor Carleton s men, who 
 had been made prisoner by Colonel Warner, intelligence of 
 the governor s defeat, and demanded the surrender of tho 
 fort. It was accordingly surrendered, and the next morning 
 entered by the American troops. 
 
 8. Montgomery hastened to Montreal, and, at the same 
 time, despatched down the Sorel, the mouth of which is 
 below that city, a naval force to prevent the escape of the 
 British to Quebec. Governor Carleton, believing the city 
 not tenable, quitted it in the night, and, in a boat with muf 
 fled oarri, was conveyed through the American squadron. 
 The next day, general Montgomery entered the city, and al 
 though no terms were granted to the inhabitants, he treated 
 them with the kindness of a fellow citizen, declaring that 
 the property, rights, and religion of every individual should 
 be sacredly respected. 
 
 U. Bv his benevolence and address, he gained the affec* 
 14* 
 
162 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1775 
 
 tions of the Canadians, many of whom joined his standard 
 Moro, however, of his own troops, whose term of enlistment 
 had expired, insisted on retufcsing to their homes. So dear 
 to them were the delights of the domestic fireside, and so vi 
 vidly were they recalled to memory by the severe duties of 
 the campaign, that the high character of the commander, 
 his address, his entreaties, availed nothing to induce them to 
 proceed on the expedition. With the remnant of his army, 
 consisting of no more than three hundred men, he began his 
 march towards Quebec, expecting to meet there another 
 body of troops sent to a ct ; in concert with him. 
 
 10. These troops were a detachment from the army before 
 Boston, consisting of one thousand men, and commanded 
 by colonel Arnold ; who, as a soldier, was adventurous, irn. 
 pel.uous, and fearless ; as a man, overbearing, avaricious, 
 and profligate. Their route lay along the coast to the 
 mouth of the Kennebec, in Maine, thenqjf up that river to 
 its source, and thence over lofty mountain?, through a 
 wilderness unexplored by civilized man, to the river St. 
 Lawrence. They were unable to begin their march before 
 the middle of September ; on the 22d, they embarked in 
 boats, at Gardiner, on the Kennebec, and proceeded to as- 
 cend that river. 
 
 11. They found the current rapid, and the navigation in 
 terrupted by frequent cataracts. Around these they were 
 obliged to draw, by hand, their provisions, arms, and even 
 their boats. Nor was their route on land less difficult. 
 They had deep swamps to pass, and craggy mountains to as 
 cend. The toil was so incessant, and the fatigue so great, 
 that many, falling sick, were sent back, and along with 
 these the rear division, commanded by colonel Erio^, re 
 turned without the knowledge of Arnold. 
 
 12. Before they readied the height of land, provisions bo 
 came scarce. Dogs, cartridge-boxes, and shoes were eaten. 
 At the summit, the whole stock was divided equally among 
 them, each receiving but two quarts of flour as his por 
 tion. The order of march was no longer observed. The 
 soldiers were directed to proceed, singly or by companies, as 
 they might choose, slowly or with speed, as they were able, 
 to the nearest Canadian settlement, then one hundred miles 
 distant. When the company, whose superior strength ena 
 bled them to keep in advance, were thirty miles from any 
 human habitation, the last morsel of food had been con 
 sumed. 
 
 13. In this extremity. Arnold, with a few of the most 
 
- 1775.] EVOLUTIONARY WAR. 105 
 
 vigorous, made a forced marcli to the first villagt^ officer 
 turned to his almost faraisiied companions, with foou 
 cient to satisfy tiic first wants of nature. Refreshed + ne 
 strengthened, they hastened forward, arid, on the fourth ^ 
 November, arrived at the Froiich settlements on the Chau. 
 diere, having been thirty-two days without seeing the abodes 
 of civilized man ; and having, in that time, performed a 
 marcli unexampled for its temerity and hardship. 
 
 14. The inhabitants welcomed them with cordial hospi. 
 >ality. Though separated, in a great measure from the 
 world, they had heard of the dispute between Great Britain 
 and her colonies, and as the very name of liberty is dear to 
 the heart of man, their sympathies were all enlisted on the 
 side of the Litter. Arnold distributed proclamations among 
 them similar to those issued by general Schuylsr. As sooii 
 as the scattered soldiers were assembled, he contir ucd his 
 march, and, on tho ninth of November, a rrived at Poirit 
 Lsvi, opposite Quebec. 
 
 15. Nothing could exceed the surprise and astonishment 
 of the citizens on seeing a body of hostile troops emerging 
 frfem tho southern wilderness. Had Arnold, at this moment 
 of panic, boon able to cross the river, tho city must havo 
 fallen an easy conquest ; but boats were not at hand, and a 
 furious storm, ^occurring at the time, rendered crossing im 
 possible. 
 
 16. Having procured boats, and the storm having abated, 
 he crossed the river on tho night of the 13th, and landed 
 near the place where Wolfe had landed in the preceding 
 war. Mounting tho same steep ascent, he formed his troops 
 on the plains of Abraham, and marched towards the city. 
 Convinced, by a cannon.ado from tho walls that the garrison 
 were ready to receive him, he returned, encamped on the 
 plain, and on the 18th marched to Point aux Trembles, 
 twenty miles from Quebec, where he determined to await 
 the arrival of Montgomery. 
 
 17. Ho came on the first of December. How great was 
 the joy, and how lively the gratulations, they only can ima 
 gine, who, after long absence and suffering, have met, in a 
 foreign land, their friends and former companions. Arnold s 
 troops had, indeed, great cause of rejoicing. They were en- 
 tirely destitute of winter clothing, and had endured extreme 
 distress from the severity of the cold. Montgomery had 
 brought a supply from Montreal, which he immediately dis 
 tributed among them. 
 
 18. Tljo r united force amounted to no more than nine 
 
1G4 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1775 
 
 hundred effective men. On the fifth, the general, at the 
 head of these, up eared before the city and sent a flag with 
 a summons to sui.erider. Tiie delay which had taken place, 
 had enabled governor C irleton to increase the strength of 
 the works, and to change the sentiments of the citizens from 
 friendship for the Americans to hostility. He ordered his 
 troops to fire upon the bearer of the flag. 
 
 19. Montgomery soon discovered the defection of his 
 friends, and perceived that he must depend upon his own 
 force alone for the accomplishment of his object. When 
 ho compared this force with that of the enemy, who were 
 fifteen hundred strong ; when he reflected that his troops 
 were recent levies, whose term was nearly expired, and 
 whose thoughts were fixed upon their homes, his hopes 
 of success became faint, and his forebodings gloomy. He 
 believed, however, that success was possible, and his high 
 sens 3 of honor and of duty impelled him to hazard every 
 thing to obtain it for his country. 
 
 20. He at first determined to batter the walls, and harass 
 the city, by repeated and furious attacks, hoping that an op. 
 portanity might occur of striking some decisive blow. lie 
 raised a mound, composed of snow and water, which soon 
 became ice, and there planted his cannons, six only in num 
 ber. After a short trial, they were found inadequate, and 
 this plan was abandoned. 
 
 21. Meanwhile, the snow foil incessantly, the cold be. 
 came intense, and the sufferings of the troops, from 
 
 rigor of the season and their co^inual H^oil, siitSwWd all 
 that they had ^gjg]ri^gtbre -felt, "or Witnessed, or imagined. 
 To in ere ise^lhe-ir aistress, the small-pox broke out in the 
 camp, presenting death in a new shape, and adding to the 
 severity of their labors, by lessening the number to bear 
 them. In the midst of these trials, their attachment to the 
 cause, and devotion to their commander, remained una 
 bated; but these, he reflected, must soon give way before 
 such severe and constant suffering ; and for himself, he 
 determined to make immediately a bold and desperate 
 effort. 
 
 22. Assembling his officers, he proposed to storm the 
 city. He placed before them the motives which operated; 
 upon his own mind. He did not deny that the enterprise 
 was highly difficult and dangerous, but maintained that 
 success was possible. He addressed a band of heroes 
 whose sentiments were congenial with his own, and the 
 decision was unanimous in favor of his proposition. The 
 
1775.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 165 
 
 plan and time of attack were concerted, and to each officer 
 was assigned his particular duty. 
 
 23. On the last day of December, at four o clock in the 
 morning, while a violent snow storm was raging, the troops 
 marched from the carnp in four columns, commanded by 
 Montgomery, Arnold, Livingston, and Brown. The two 
 latter were directed to make feigned attacks upon the 
 upper town, in order to distract the attention of the garri 
 son ; while the two former proceeded to assault the lower 
 town at opposite points. 
 
 24. Livingston and Brown, impeded by the snow, did 
 not arrive in season to execute their feints. Montgomery, 
 advancing, at the head of his column, along the bank of 
 the river, came to a barrier or stockade of strong posts. 
 Two of these he sawed off with his own hands. The 
 guard within were alarmed, and fled to a block-house, fifty 
 yards distant, where several pieces of cannon were sta 
 tioned. He passed through the opening in the barrier, en- 
 couraging his men to follow. The troops at the block-house, 
 to whom the guard had communicated their terror, began to 
 desert it. 
 
 25. At this moment, Montgomery halted, to allow the 
 troops near him to form in a body. Observing this delay, 
 a Canadian, who lingered, behind, returned to the block- 
 house, seized a match \vhich was burning,, and discharged 
 a cannon loaded with grape shot, and fortuitously pointed 
 at Jhe little band. The discharge was instantly fatal to 
 Montgomery, ; ad to.-severaj .favorite officers standing 
 around him. The men, seeing thei 4>ebved leader fall, 
 shrunk back ; colonel Campbell, the next in "command, 
 ordered a retreat, and that portion of the garrison stationed 
 at the block-house, was left at liberty to hasten to another 
 part of the city, already in commotion from the attack of 
 Arnold. 
 
 26. This officer, marching like Montgomery, at the head 
 of his column, had entered the town. Advancing along % 
 narrow street, which was swept by the grape shot of the 
 enemy, he received a severe wound in the log, and was car 
 ried to the hospital. Captain Morgan, afterwards distin 
 guished by his exploits at the south, assumed the command. 
 Placing himself at the head of two companies, he boldly ap 
 proached the enemy s works, and entering through the em 
 brasures, drove the men from their guns. 
 
 27. Here he halted until the rear of the column came up. 
 When time was given for reflection, the danger of their 
 
166 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 1775.} 
 
 sitixition, a small band in the heart of a hostile city, filled 
 even the bosoms of the brave with dread. Morgan retained 
 liis firmness ; and when the morning 1 dawned, with a voice 
 that resounded through the city, summoned his troops to the 
 assault of a second battery, a short distance in advance of 
 the first. 
 
 28. Before this a fierce combat ensued. Many of the 
 enemy were killed, but more Americans, who were ex- 
 posed to a destructive fire of musketry from the windows 
 of the houses. Some of the most during- mounted the wall, 
 but, seeing on the other side, two ranks of soldiers, with 
 their muskets on the ground, presenting hedges of bayonets 
 to receive them, should they leap forward, they recoiled arid 
 descended. 
 
 29. Weary with exertion, and benumbed with cold ; ex 
 posed to a deadly fire from every quarter ; their arms ren 
 dered useless by the snow which continued to fall, the sol 
 diers sought refuge in the houses. Perceiving that all fur 
 ther attempts w r ould be vain, Morgan gave the signal of re^ 
 treat. Some of the men fled, but most were unwilling to 
 encounter another tempest of shot. They refused, however, 
 to yield, until assured of the fate of Montgomery ; when, 
 losing all hope of success and escape, they surrendered them 
 selves prisoners of war. 
 
 30. The loss of the Americans, in this desperate enter 
 prise, was ahove four hundred, of whom one hundred and 
 fifty were killed. The whole continent bewailed the 
 death of Montgomery. He was conspicuous, even in those 
 times of enthusiasm, for his ardent devotion to., the cause 
 of freedom. He was endeared to the good, by the exercise, 
 in the midst of war, of the most amiable virtues. His sol 
 diers adored him for his lofty spirit and daring bravery. The 
 enemy respected him for his honorable, conduct, and dis 
 tinguished military qualities. Until his last enterprise, con 
 tinual success bore testimony to the greatness of his talents; 
 and defeat, whon he was no more, confirmed the testimony 
 of success. Congress resolved that a monument should 
 be erected to perpetuate his f.!,mn. It lives yet fresh in the 
 memory of Americans. In 1818, New York, his adopted 
 state, removed his remains from Quebec !,o her own metro 
 polis, where the monument had been placed, and near that 
 they repose. 
 
 31. Some of the Americans, on their escnpe from, .Quebec, 
 retreated precipitately to Montreal, Arnold, with difficul 
 ty, detained about four hundred;, who, breaking up their 
 
1776.] REVOLUTIONARY VfA R. 107 
 
 camp, retired three miles from the city. Here this heroic 
 baud, though much inferior in number to the garrison, 
 kept it in continual awe, and, by preventing all commu 
 nication with the country, reduced it to great distress for 
 the want, of provisions. 
 
 32. Congress, on rec giving 1 information of the disaster of 
 the 31st of December, directed reinforcements to be sent to 
 Canada ; and after the beginning of March, Arnold s party 
 was almost daily augmented by the arrival of small bodies of 
 troops. But its strength did not increase with its numbers. 
 The small-pox still continued its ravages ; fatigue, without 
 hop?, depressed the spirits of the soldiers ; the difficulty of 
 obtaining provisions became every day greater; and the 
 haivjh measures adopted by Arnold to procure them, exaspe 
 rated the inhabitants around him. 
 
 33. On the first of May, general Thomas, who had been 
 appointed to succeed Montgomery, arrived from the camp at 
 Roxbury. On reviewing his army, lie found it to consist of 
 less than two thousand men, of whom half were not fit for 
 duty. A council of war was held, who resolved that it was 
 expedient to take a more defensible position higher up the 
 St. Lawrence. To this decision they were led by the know 
 ledge that the ice was leaving ihe fiver, and by the expecta 
 tion that reinforcements from England would immediately 
 come up. The next morning, in fact, while the Americans 
 were engaged in removing the sick, several ships appeared 
 in sight, and entered the harbor. A multitude of troops 
 were immediately poured into the city. 
 
 31. At one o clock, Carleton made a sortie at the head of 
 a thousand men. Against these general Thomas, at that 
 moment, could oppose but three hundred. All the stores, 
 and many of the sick, fell into the power of the enemy. The 
 latter were treated, by the governor ith great tenderness 
 and whon restored to health, wei 3 ^sistecl to return to their 
 homes. The Americans retreated to the mouth of the Sorol, 
 where they were joined by sovp.nl regiments, and where their 
 worthy commander died of the small-pox, which yet pre 
 vailed in the camp. 
 
 35. While patriotism and valor were, in this quarter un 
 successfully contending with a superior force, the Ameri 
 cans sustained a heavy and unexpected calamity, resulting 
 from cowardice, in another. At a fortified place, called the 
 Codars, forty miles above Montreal, colonel Bjdell was sta 
 tioned with four hundred mon, and two pieces of cannon. 
 Assembling a force of six hundred, mostly Indian warriors, 
 
1G8 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1775. 
 
 captain Foster, who, commanded at O.swegatchie, descended 
 the river to attack this post. 
 
 36. Colonel Bedell, leaving major Butterfield in command, 
 repaired to Montreal ; to obtain assistance. Shortly after- 
 wards, captain Foster appeared, and invested the fort. He 
 had no artillery, and in the course of two days, but one man 
 was wounded. More efficient than his arms, was the inti 
 mation, that if any of the Indians should be killed, it would 
 not be in his power to restrain them from the massacre of 
 the garrison. Intimidated by this, major Butterfield surren 
 dered his, whole party prisoners of war, stipulating only for 
 their baggage and their lives. 
 
 37. Upon the representation of colonel Bedell, a reinforce 
 ment was ordered to march from Montreal ; but he declined 
 returning with it, and the command was given to major 
 Sherburne. The day. after the surrender of the fort, of 
 which event the major ; was ignorant, and about four miles 
 from it, he was met by a large body of Indians, to whom, 
 after an obstinate and bloody conflict, he was obliged to 
 surrender. The whole loss of the Americans was at least 
 five hundred. 
 
 33. General Sullivan was appointed to succeed general 
 Thomas, and on the first of June, arrived at the river Sorei, 
 where he found between four and five thousand men. But 
 the army of the enemy had, in the mean time, been aug 
 mented to thirteen thousand.. Commanding a force so de 
 cidedly superior, governor Carleton pressed forward in pur 
 suit, and the Americans retreated slowly and reluctantly be 
 fore him. At St. Johns, the pursuit ceased ; but general 
 Sullivan, in obedience to orders from general Scimyler, 
 continued his march to Crown Point, at the head of lake 
 Champlain. 
 
 39. Thus terminated the expedition against Canada. In 
 its conception it was singularly bold and romantic. In its 
 progress were displayed fortitude and bravery seldom 
 equalled in military annals. Its failure was a painful dis 
 appointment, to the patriots of the day. It is now consoling 
 to reflect, that success would probably have proved injurious 
 to the cause of independence. To protect the province, the 
 military force of the confederacy must have been too much 
 extended, and colonies more important have been left de 
 fenceless. 
 
1C9 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 CAMPAIGN OF 1776. 
 
 THE last: humble petition, of congress to the king was pre 
 sented by Mr. Perm, the late governor of Pennsylvania. 
 A few days afterwards, he was told by the minister that 
 no answer would be made to it. The haughty spirit, 
 which dictated this reply, pervaded both houses of parlia 
 ment. 
 
 2. In December, a law was passed amounting 1 to a 
 declaration of war against the colonies. Treaties were 
 made with the landgrave of Hesse Cassel and other Ger 
 man princes, hiring of them seventeen thousand men, to 
 be employed against the Americans ; and it was determined 
 to send over, in addition to these, twenty-five thousand Eng 
 lish troops. 
 
 3. In the beginning of the year 1776, a fleet under sir 
 Peter Parker, and two thousand live hundred troops com 
 manded by earl Cornwallis, were despatched upon an expe 
 dition against the southern colonies. Soon after, admiral 
 Hotham set sail with a large number of transports, carrying 
 the first division of Hessians ; and, in May, followed admiral 
 lord Howe, who had been appointed commander of the naval 
 force on the American station, lie, and his brother, general 
 Howe, had also been appointed joint commissioners to grant 
 pardons on submission. 
 
 4. On the first of May, the fleet, under Sir Peter Parker, 
 arrived on the coast of North Carolina, where sir Henry 
 Clinton, arriving at the same time from New York, took 
 command of the troops. The late defeat of the Highland 
 emigrants had so dispirited the loyalists in this colony, that 
 he determined to proceed farther south, and attack Charles 
 ton, the capital of South CarpKna. 
 
 5. Fortunately, an official letter, announcing the speedy 
 departure of the expedition from England, had been inter 
 cepted early in the spring, and time was thus given to place 
 this city in a state of defence. A strong fort was built on 
 Sullivan s island, a position from which ships, on entering 
 the harbor, could be greatly annoyed ; the streets, in differ 
 ent places, were strongly barricaded; the stores on the 
 wharves, though of great value, were pulled down, and lines 
 of defence erected along the water s edge. 
 
 6. On learning the near approach of the enemy, the 
 
170 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1776. 
 
 militia of the country were summoned to defend the capi 
 tal. They obeyed with alacrity, increasing to five or six 
 thousand the number of troops. General Lee had been ^ent 
 from New York to take the chief command ; and his high 
 military reputation gave confidence to the soldiers and inha 
 bitants. Under him were colonels Gadsden, Moultrie, and 
 Thompson. 
 
 7. In the morning of the 28th of June, nine ships of 
 war, carrying two hundred and fifty guns, began a furious 
 attack upon the fort on the island, which was garrisoned 
 by about four hundred men, under the command of colonel 
 Moultrie. At the same time, a detachment of troops was 
 landed on an adjoining island, and directed to cross over, 
 at a place where the sea was supposed to be shallow, and at 
 tack it in the rear. 
 
 8. The heavy and incessant fire of "the enemy was re 
 ceived with coolness, and returned with skill. Many of 
 their ships suffered severely, and particularly the Bristol, on 
 board of which was commodore Parker. She was twice in 
 flames, her captain was killed, and so dreadful was the 
 slaughter, that, at one time, the commodore was the only 
 person upon deck unhurt. 
 
 9. In the midst of the action, general Lee visited the gar 
 rison. He was delighted with the enthusiasm they exhibited. 
 Nothing seemed capable of quenching their ardor. Soldiers, 
 mortally wounded, exhorted their comrades never to abandon 
 the standard of liberty. " I die," said sergeant M Donald, 
 in his last moments, * for a glorious cause ; but I hope it 
 will not expire with me." 
 
 10. The British troops, destined to attack the fort in the 
 rear, found it impossible to reach the island. The engage 
 ment with the fleet continued until dark. The ships, hav 
 ing received too much injury to renew it, moved off in the 
 night ; and a few days afterwards, the fleet, with the troops 
 on board, set sail for New York, where the whole British 
 force had been ordered to assemble. 
 
 11. The killed and wounded on the part of the enemy, 
 amounted to near two hundred. Of the Americans, ten 
 were killed, and twenty-two wounded. The troops, for 
 their gallantry received the thanks of Congress, and high 
 and well merited praise from their countrymen. Their suc 
 cess was auspicious to the cause of freedom. In a part of 
 the country where resistance by force had been but little con 
 templated, it aroused the people tc exertion, and inspired 
 them with confidence. 
 
1776.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 171 
 
 12. Notwithstanding the active war carried on, the colo. 
 nies still professed allegiance to the British king ; and pro- 
 tested that the sole object of all their measures, was a re- 
 dress of grievances, la the beginning of the contest, these 
 professions, in most instances, were sincere ; but a state of 
 hostility produced a rapid change of sentiment. In place of 
 attachment to monarchy and to Great Britain, succeeded 
 devotion to republican principles, and wishes for indepen 
 dence. 
 
 13. The temporary constitutions adopted by New Hamp 
 shire, and several other colonies, had shown with what 
 facility all bonds of connection with the mother country 
 could be dissolved. Essays in the newspapers, and pamph 
 lets industriously circulated, appealing to the reason and 
 to the passions of the people, enforced the necessity and 
 policy of a separation. Resistance, it was observed, had 
 baen carried too far to allow the hope that cordial liar- 
 mony could ever be restored ; submission, on any terms, to ir 
 ritate matters, would be totally unsafe ;. and the alternative 
 was presented of rising to the honorable rank of an inde 
 pendent nation, or sinking into a state of vassalage which 
 every future year would render more oppressive and degra 
 ding. 
 
 14. A pamphlet, entitled " Common Sense," and written 
 by Thomas Paine, an Englishman, was universally read, 
 and most highly admired. ^In language plain, forcible, and 
 singularly well fitted to operate on the public mind, he por 
 trayed the excellencies of republican institutions, and at 
 tacked, with happy and successful ridicule, the principles of 
 hereditary government. The effect of the pamphlet, in mak 
 ing converts, was astonishing, and is probably without pre 
 cedent in the annals of literature. 
 
 15. As a step preparatory to independence, congress, on 
 the 15th of May, recommended to those colonies that had 
 not yet adopted constitutions, to, establish, without any limi 
 tation of time, " such governments as might best conduce to 
 the happiness and safety of the people." The recommen 
 dation was generally complied with, and in every instance 
 the government was not only entirely elective, but elective at 
 such short periods as to impress upon rulers their immediate 
 accountableness to the people, and upon the people a just 
 opinion of their own importance, and a conviction of their 
 safety from misrule. 
 
 1.6. The colonies had become accustomed to contemplate 
 themselves as sovereign states; and the governments of 
 
172 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1776. 
 
 many expressed their desire that congress would declare 
 them such to the world. On the 7th of June, a resolution 
 to that effect was proposed, in that body, by Richard Henry 
 Lee, of Virginia, and seconded by John Adams, of Massa 
 chusetts. While under consideration, the colonies which 
 had not expressed their approbation of the measure, declared 
 their concurrence. A committee, consisting of Messrs. 
 JeftVrson, Adams, Franklin, Sherman, and Livingston, were 
 instructed to prepare a Declaration of Independence, which, 
 on the fourth of July, a memorable day was almost unani 
 mously adopted. 
 
 17. "We hold these truths," says this celebrated state 
 paper, "to be self evident, that all mankind are created 
 equal ; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain 
 unalienablc rights; that among these are life, liberty, and 
 the pursuit of happiness ; that to secure these rights, 
 governments are instituted among men, deriving their just 
 powers from the consent of the governed ; that whenever 
 any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, 
 it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to 
 institute a new government, laying its foundations on such 
 principles, and organizing its powers in such term, as to 
 them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and hap 
 piness." 
 
 18. To justify the exercise, on the present occasion, of 
 the right here asserted, a long enumeration is made of the 
 injuries inflicted upon the colonies, by the king of Great 
 Britain, which is closed by declaring that " a prince, whoso 
 character is thus marked by every act which may define a 
 tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people." 
 
 19. The appeals which had been made to the people of 
 Great Britain are also recounted ; " but they too have been 
 deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity. Wo must 
 therefore acquiesce to the necessity which denounces our 
 separation, and hold them, as vre hold the rest of mankind, 
 enemies in war, in peace friends. 
 
 20. " We, therefore, the representatives of the United 
 States of America, in general congre-ss assembled, appeal 
 ing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude 
 of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority 
 of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish 
 and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of right 
 ought to be, FRKE arid INDEPENDENT STATES ; that they are 
 absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that 
 all political connection between them and the -stafte f 
 
177G.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 173 
 
 Great Britain is, and of right ought to he, totally dissolved; 
 and that, as freo and independent states, they have full 
 power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, esta 
 blish commerce, and do all other acts and tilings which inde 
 pendent states may of right do. And for the support of this 
 declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine 
 Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our li^es, our 
 fortunes, and our sacred honor." 
 
 21. This declaration was communicated to the army, and 
 received with enthusiastic plaudits. A great majority of the 
 people welcomed it with joy, which was displayed, in al 
 most, every city, by extraordinary public festivities. Those 
 who had been denominated tories, were averse to a sepa 
 ration. Many joined the royal armies, and exhibited, during 
 the war, the most cruel hostility against the whigs, their 
 countrymen. 
 
 22. During the spring and summer, unremitted exertions 
 were made to fortify the city of New YorK. against which, 
 it was supposed, the whole strength of the enemy would be 
 next directed. In this crisis the people of that state acted 
 with spirit and firmness. Ono fourth of the militia of the 
 counties "contiguous to the city, were called into the public 
 service. Yet the means, in the power of the comrnander-m- 
 cliief, were riot adequate to the emergence. He had under 
 his command but fourteen thousand effective men ; and was 
 almost destitute of many articles which impart strength as 
 well as comfort to an army. As it was in the power of the 
 l,iv my to choose their point of attack, this force was neces 
 sarily divided. A part were stationed in the city, a part at 
 Brooklyn, on Long Island, and small detachments at various 
 other posts. 
 
 23. In the beginning of July, admiral and general Howe 
 arrived in the harbor of New York. They were accom 
 panied by a powerful naval force, and by an army of twenty- 
 four thousand men, abundantly supplied wiih military 
 stores. The troops were landed on Staten Island, a position 
 from which ulterior movements could most conveniently be 
 made. 
 
 . 24. General Washington, presuming that the first attack 
 would be made upon the posts at Brooklyn, strengthened 
 it by a detachment of troops fr< m the city, and gave the 
 command of it to general Putnam. On the 22d of August, 
 the British forces worn, landed on the opposite side of Long 
 Island. The two arr ies w-?re now about four miles asunder, 
 and were separate? by a range of hills, over which passed 
 
174 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1776 
 
 three main roads. Various circumstances led general Put 
 nam to suspect that the enemy intended to approach him by 
 the road leading to his right, which he therefore guarded 
 with most care. 
 
 25. Very early in the morning of the 26th, his suspicions 
 were strengthened by the approach, upon that road, of a co 
 lumn of British troops, and upon the centre ro:id, of a column 
 of Hessians. To oppose these, the American troops were 
 mostly drawn from their camp, and in the engagements 
 which took place, evinced considerable bravery. 
 
 26. These movements of the enemy were but feints to 
 divert the attention of Putnam from the road which led to 
 his left, along which general Clinton was silently advancing 
 with the main body of the British army. The report ol* 
 cannon in that direction gave the first intimation of the dan- 
 ger which was approaching. The Americans endeavored to 
 escape it, by returning, with the utmost celerity, to their 
 camp. They were not able to arrive there in time, but were 
 intercepted by general Clinton, who drove them back upon 
 the Hessians. 
 
 27. Attacked thus in front and rear, they fought a succes 
 sion of skirmishes, in the courss of which many we 1 "} killed, 
 many made prisoners, and several parties, seizing favorable 
 opportunities, forced their way through the enemy, and re- 
 guined the camp. A bold and vigorous charge, made by the 
 American general, lord Sterling, at the head of a Maryland 
 regiment, enabled a large body to escape in this manner. 
 This regiment, fighting with desperate bravery, kept a force 
 greatly superior engaged, until their comrades had passed 
 by, when the few who survived, ceasing to resist, surren 
 dered to the enemy. 
 
 28. The loss of the Americans, in killed, wounded, and 
 prisoners, considerably exceeded a thousand. Among the 
 latter wore en?;rals Sullivan, Sterling, and Woodhull. The 
 total loss of the enemy was less than four hundred. They 
 encarnpod at night before the American lines ; and the next 
 day hgan to erect batteries within six hundred yards of 
 their left. 
 
 29. While the battle was raging, general Washington 
 passed over to Brooklyn, whcr-5 he Witnessed, with inex* 
 possible anguish, the destruction of his best troops, from 
 which, such was the superiority of the enemy, it was impos 
 sible to save thorn. Finding the men dispirited by defeat, 
 he determined to remove them to the city. The retr?at was 
 cJfTectoJ, on the night of the 28th, with such silence and 
 
1776.] REVOLUTIONARY tVA&. 175 
 
 despatch, that before the suspicions of the enemy were e.T* 
 cited, the last division of boats was beyond the reach of 
 their fire. 
 
 30. So disheartened were the militia, that they deserted 
 by companies ; and even the regular troops were infected by 
 their example. Near the middle of September, the corn- 
 mander-in-chief, fearing to be enclosed in the city, retired to 
 the heights of Haerlem. The enemy immediately took pos 
 session. A few days afterwards, a fire broke out which 
 consumed about a thousand houses-. 
 
 31. General Washington, after reflecting upon the events 
 which had already occurred ; after considering the inexpe 
 rience of his troops, the condition of the country, and the 
 distance of the enemy from their resources, determined to 
 adopt a cautious system of warfare ; to risk at present no 
 general engagement-; to harass and wear out the enemy by 
 keeping them in continual motion ; and to inspire his own 
 troops with courago, by engaging them in skirmishes, in all 
 oases where success was probable. In one, fought on the 
 6th of September, the brave colonel Knowlton was killed ; 
 but the result, was so decidedly favorable to the Americans, 
 that the troops recovered their spirits ; and the general was 
 confirmed in the system he had adopted. 
 
 32. The movements of the enemy, in the -beginning of 
 October, indicated an intention cf gaining trio rear of the 
 Americans, and cuttirig off their tcmnrntunication with the 
 eastern states. The army, th M-eFtfre^niitting Haerlem, moved 
 northward towards White Plains. General Howe pursued, 
 making several attempts to bring on a general engagement, 
 which Washington avoided by skilful changes of position. 
 A partial action wis fought, on the 28th of October, in which 
 the loss on both sides Was nearly equal. 
 
 33. Finding his antagonist too cautious to bo drawn into 
 the open field, and too strong to be attacked in his entrench 
 ments, general Howe determined to return towards New 
 York, and attack forts Washington and Lee, situated opuo- 
 site to each other on the banks of the Hudson, and about 
 ten miles above the city. In these forts, garrisons had been 
 left, from a wish to preserve the command of this important 
 river. That in fort Washington, consisting in part of mili^ 
 tia, amounted to two thousand seven hundred men, tinder 
 colonel Magaw. 
 
 3i. On the l6th of November, four divisions of the 
 enemy s army, bd by their principal officers, attacked it in 
 four different quarters. The garrison, and .particularly -fill 
 
3fv REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1776 
 
 riflemen under colonel Rawlings, fought bravely., T he^Ger- 
 snans wore several times driven back, with great loss. Bat 
 o combined and vigorous attacks were at length success-, 
 iju-lv The ammunition in the fort being nearly exhausted, 
 34 id all the outposts driven in, the commander, on being a. 
 second time summoned, agreed to capitulate, on honorable 
 ferms. Tliis was the severest blow the Americans had yot 
 felt,. The loss of the enemy, however, in killed and wounded, 
 Wa s supposed to be twelve hundred men. 
 
 35. Fort Lee was immediately evacuated, the garrison 
 joining general Washington. He had previously, with one 
 division of his army, crossed over into New Jersey, leaving 
 the other, under the command of general Lee, in New York. 
 His force, even when augmented by the garrison, consisted 
 of but three thousand effective men, and they were des 
 titute of tents, of blankets, and e*\3n of utensils to cook 
 thoir provisions. His first station was Newark; but the 
 enemy pursuing him, he was compelled to retreat succes 
 sively to Brunswick, to Princeton, to Trenton, and finally 
 to cross the Delaware into Pennsylvania ; and so close was 
 the pursim. that i*ie advance of the British army was of Leo 
 ip sight. 
 
 3f>. Sma-l as was. his force when the retreat began, it 
 diminished ai2. .\y. On the last of November, many of his 
 troops were entitled to their discharge, and not cue of them 
 could be persuaded to continue another day in service. 
 Such ho feared would be the conduct of the remainder, 
 whose time would expire at the end of the year. In this 
 extremity, he urged general: Lee to hasten to bis assistance ; 
 but that officer, having other purposes in view, delayed his 
 march. He called on the militia of New Jersey and Penn 
 sylvania, but none obeyed his call. The population around 
 him were hostile or desponding, and withheld all aid from 
 ^n army whose career seemed near its termination. 
 
 37. In this darkest hour in American history, general 
 Howe issued a proclamation offering pardon to all who 
 would declare their submission to royal authority. The 
 contrast between a ragged, suffering, retreating army, and 
 a full clad, powerful, exulting foe, induced many, despair 
 ing of success, to abandon the cause they had espou&eci 
 and, accept of pardcn. Among them were Mr. Galloway 
 and Mr. Allen, who had been members cjf the continental 
 congress. 
 
 38. As the British army approached Philadelphia, con 
 gress adjourned to Baltimore., having previously invested 
 
1776.1 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 177 
 
 goneral Washington with " full power to order and direct 
 all things relative to the department, and to the operations of 
 war." Such unlimited authority could not have been placsd 
 in hands more worthy to held it. To the elastic energy of 
 his mind, and his perfect self-possession in the most despe 
 rate circumstances, is America, in a great degree, indebted 
 for her independence. 
 
 39. On the day that he was driven over the DelaT/are, the 
 British took possession of Rhode Inland. On the 13th of 
 December, general Lee, having wandered from his army, 
 was surprised and taken prisoner. In the experience and 
 talents of this officer, the people reposed -great confidence, 
 and they lamented his loss like that of an army. In its con- 
 sequences, his capture was fortunate. The command of his 
 division devolved upon general Sullivan, who conducted it 
 promptly to general Washington, augmenting his army to 
 nearly seven thousand effective nr-eii, 
 
 40. Still so much stronger were the enemy, that they 
 regarded the rebels for so they delighted to call the patriots 
 of that day as almost subdued, and doubted not that a 
 vigorous attempt, whenever they should be disposed to make 
 it, would place in their power the handful of men before 
 them. They rioted upon the plunder of the country, and 
 enjoyed in prospect the fruits of an assured and decisive 
 victory. 
 
 41. Washington saw that this tide of ill fortune must Le 
 stemmed must even be relied buck upon the enemy or it 
 would soon overwhelm his country. He resolved to hazard 
 all -that was bft. in one >vigor<ms effort for victory. On the 
 night of the 85th of December, at fh head of two thousand 
 four hundred men, he crossed the Delaware at Trenton, sur- 
 pris M! a body of Hessians stationed at that place, took nine 
 hundred prisoners, and immediately recrossed, having lost 
 but nine of his men. 
 
 42. This sudden and severe blew awakened the enemy to 
 activity. Comwallis, who had repaired to N~ew York, in. 
 trusting to his inferior officers the task of finishing the war, 
 returned, with additional troops, to regain the ground that 
 had been lost. -He concentrated his forces at Princeton-; 
 and, soon after, Washington, having 1 been .joined by a body 
 of Pennsylvania militia, ami persuaded the "New England 
 troops to serve six weeks longer, again crossed the Delaware 
 and took post at Trenton. 
 
 43. On the 2d of January, 1777, the greater -part of the 
 British armv marched to attack the Amorticuns. -!H the. 
 
17a REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1777; 
 
 evening, they encampefl near Trenton, in full expectation., 
 Qf a battle and victoryi*i the morning. Washington, sensi 
 ble of the inferiorityf&f his force ; sensible too that flight 
 would be almost as fatal as defeat, conceived another bold 
 project, which he resolved instantly to execute. 
 
 44. About midnight, having renewed his fires, he silently 
 decamped, and gaining, by a circuitous route, the rear of the 
 enemy, marched towards Princeton, where he presumed 
 Cornwallis had left a part of his troops. At sunrise, the van 
 of the American forces met unexpectedly two British regi 
 ments. A sharp action ensued ; the former gave way. At 
 this crisis, when all was at stake, the Commander-in-chief 
 led the main body to the attack. The enemy were routed 
 and fled. Fortunately the heroic Washington, though ex- 
 jjosod to both fires, and but a few yards distant from either 
 jarty, escaped unhurt. 
 
 45. Instead of pursuing them, he pressed forward to. 
 Princeton, where one regiment, yet remained. Part saved 
 themselves by a precipitate flight; about three hundred were 
 made prisoners. The British loss in killed was upwards of 
 Qne hundred ; the American was less, but in the number 
 were the bruve general Mercer, arid several valuable offi 
 cers. Among the wounded was lieutenant James Monroe, 
 afterwards raised to the highest office in. the gift of his. 
 fcllow-citi zons. 
 
 46. In consternation, the British army immediately eva-^ 
 quated Trenton, and retreated to New Brunswick. The in 
 habitants, resuming their courage, and giving full force to 
 their rage, which fear had smothered, took revenge for the 
 brutalities they had suffered. The enemy were driven from 
 all their posts in New Jersey, except Arnboy and Brunswick, 
 and the American army obtained secure winter quarters at 
 Morristown. 
 
 47. The brilliant victories at Trenton and Princeton 
 raised, from the lowest depression, the spirits of the Ameri 
 can people. They regarded Washington ;>s the savior of" 
 his country. He became the. theme of eulogy throughout 
 Europe. And having displayed, as occasions demanded, the 
 opposite qualities of caution and impetuosity, he received 
 the honorable and appropriate appellation of tho American, 
 If ah ius 
 
179 
 
 \ 
 
 CHAPTER XIll 
 CAMPAIGN OF 1777. 
 
 THE firmness manifested by congress, when disaster an$ 
 defeat had almost annihilated the American army, entitles 
 the members to the -gratitude and admiration of every friend 
 of freedom. They exhibited no symptom of terror or dis 
 may. They voted to raise an army to take the place of that 
 which was to be disbanded at the end of the year ; and, 
 made sensible by experience, that short enlistments had been 
 the cause of most of the misfortunes of their country, they 
 resolved that the new levies should be enlisted to serve three 
 ^ears or during the War, at the option ef the individual re 
 cruits. To defray expenses, they made large emissions of" 
 paper money. And to evince their firm determination to 
 the world, they solemnly declared that they would listen to 
 no terms of peace which required a relinquishment of their 
 independence, or which should deprive other nations of a 
 free trade to their ports. 
 
 2. Relying on the inveterate enmity of France against 
 Great Britain, they sent commissioners to that court, with 
 instructions to solicit a loan of money, a supply of munitions 
 of war, and an acknowledgment of the independence of the 
 United States. These commissioners were Dr. Franklin, 
 Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee. Franklin arrived at Paris in 
 December. The cause of which he was the advocato, and 
 his otv r n great fame as a philosopher, procured him a flatter 
 ing reception from all ranks of people. America, her minis 
 ter, her struggle against oppression, became the themes of* 
 popular discourse, and the government itself was rendered 
 in secret propitious to her cause. 
 
 3. The ministry permitted arms, covertly taken frCni the 
 public arsenals, to be conveyed to the United States. They 
 connived at the sale, in their West India islands, and even 
 in the ports of France, of the prizes taken by American pri 
 vateers. The value of these prizes, made in the year 1776, 
 was computed at five millions of dollars, and far exceeded 
 hat of the captures made by the enemy. 
 
 4. So popular was the cause of the United States, and 
 f> exalted the character of their military leader, that many 
 Trench officers sought an opportunity of engaging in UUKJT 
 
18fr REVOLUTIONARY WAR [1777. 
 
 service. Among these, the young marquis de la Fayette 
 was most conspicuous for his rank, and most distinguished 
 for his ardor and enthusiasm. At an early period, he com. 
 municated to the American agents his wish to join the re- 
 publican armies. At first, they encouraged his zeal, but 
 learning the disasters which preceded the victory at Tren 
 ton, they, with honorable frankness, communicated the in- 
 formation to him, and added that they were so destitute of 
 funds, that they could not even provide for his passage across 
 the ocean. 
 
 5. " If your country " replied the gallant youth, " is in- 
 deed reduced to this extremity, it is at this moment that my 
 departure to join her armies will render her the most essen 
 tial service." He immediately hired a vessel to convey him 
 to America, where he arrived in the spring of 1777. He 
 was received with cordial affection by the people, became 
 the bosom friend of Washington, solicited permission to 
 serve without pay, and was appointed major-general in the 
 army. 
 
 6. In the kst campaign, more prisoners had been taken 
 by the British than by the? Americans. They were detained 
 at New York, arid were confined in churches and prison 
 ships, where they endured the extremity of wretchedness. 
 They were expocud, without fire and almost without clothes, 
 to the inclemency of a severe winter ; were often whole 
 days without food, and when food was offered, it was but a 
 miserable pittance, damaged and loathsome. Many died of 
 hunger, and more of diseases, produced by their complicated 
 Bufferings 
 
 7. Washington remonstrated with warmth, and threat 
 ened retaliation. After his victories in New Jersey, their 
 treatment was less inhuman. An exchange was agreed 
 vpon, but many, when attempting to walk from their 
 places of confinement to the vessels provided to convey 
 them away, fell and expired in the streets. Yet in the 
 midst of these unparalleled sufferings, they had exhibited 
 fortitude more rare, and more honorable to human nature, 
 than the highest display of valor in battle. To entice 
 them to eiriist in the royal arrny, they were promised re 
 lief fiom misery, and the enjoyment of abundance. They 
 rejected tiie offer with disdain ; thus giving to the world 
 the noblest proof of the absence of all mercenary motive, 
 and of the- sincerity and fervor of their devotion to their 
 country. 
 
 8. Near the end of May, the American, army, wliich 
 
1777.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 181 
 
 had been augmented by recruits to almost ten thousand 
 men, moved from Morristown, and took a strong position 
 at Middlebrook. The British, soon after, left their encamp 
 ment, and general Howe endeavored, by various movement*, 
 to induce general Washington to quit his strong hold and 
 meet him on equal ground. But the latter, adhering to his 
 Fabian system of warfare, determined to remain in the posi 
 tion he had chosen. 
 
 9. General Howe, changing his purpose, transported his 
 Jirmy to Staten Island. lie there embarked sixteen thou 
 sand troops on board a large fleet, and, leaving sir Henry 
 Clinton in command at New York, put out to sea on the 
 26th of July. His destination was carefully kept secret. 
 On the 20th of August, the fleet entered Chesapeake bay, 
 and rendered it certain that an attack upon Philadelphia was 
 intended. The troops were landed at Elk ferry, in Mary hind, 
 fifty miles south of that city. 
 
 10. The American army immediately crossed the Dela 
 ware, and, passing through Philadelphia, directed its march 
 towards the enemy. The people, weary of delays and in 
 decisive movements, demanded that a general engage 
 ment should be hazarded for the defence of the metropolis. 
 Washington, yielding to their wishes, took a position on the 
 eastern bank of Brandywine creek, and in the direction of 
 the enemy s route. 
 
 11. On the eleventh of September, the British army ap 
 peared, and, crossing the creek at several fords, commenced 
 an attack upon the American right, which, after a short re 
 sistance, gave way. The other divisions, successively at 
 tacked, gave way in like mariner, and the rout becoming 
 general, a retreat was ordered to Chester. 
 
 12. Several portions of the American army, particularly 
 a brigade from Virginia, exhibited in this battle great 
 firmness and bravery. The misconduct of others rendered 
 their bravery unavailing. The American loss amounted 
 to twelve hundred ; the British to no more than half that 
 number. The marquis de la Fayette took part in the 
 engagement, and was wounded. The next day, the army 
 retired to Philadelphia, arid soon after to Reading, where 
 a quantity of stores had bee~ deposited. The retreat was 
 performed without a murmur, although many marched 
 without shoes, and slept on tho ground without blankets. 
 On the 26th of September, general Howe entered Phila 
 delphia in triumph, congress having previously removed to 
 Lancaster. 
 
 1G 
 
182 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1776. 
 
 13. The transactions of tho contending armies at 
 the north, since the termination of the expedition to 
 Canada, now demand our attention. The Americans 
 halted at Crown Point, the British at St. Johns, and both 
 employed the remainder of the summer in building vessels 
 and making preparations to secure the command of lake 
 Champlain. 
 
 14. On the llth of October, 1776, tho American and 
 British squadrons met, colonel Arnold, who had been a 
 sailor in his youth, commanding the former. After a short 
 contest, the enemy, not being then able to bring their whole 
 forco into action, retired. The next day, they returned to 
 the combat, and being greatly superior, drove the American 
 squadron before them, to the head of the lake. A sharp 
 action then took place ; the officers and men fought 
 gallantly, but Arnold losing a part of his force, and per 
 ceiving defeat to be inevitable, ran the remainder of his ves 
 sels on shore, and set them on fire. 
 
 15. Winter approaching, governor Carleton returned with 
 his troops to Canada. General Burgoyne, who had served 
 under him during the last campaign, made a voyage to Eng 
 land to concert a plan for future operations. It was deter 
 mined that a powerful army, departing from Montreal, 
 should proceed, by way of lake Champlain, to the Hudson, 
 with the view of obtaining, by the co-operation of the army 
 at New York, the entire command of that river. All com 
 munication between the states of New England, and the 
 others lying south of them, would thus be prevented. Either 
 section, alone and unsupported, could, it was supposed, he 
 easily subdued ; and the whole strength of the nation might 
 then be directed against the other. 
 
 16. Nothing was omitted which might insure the success 
 of this project. Seven thousand choice troops, to be sent 
 from England, were allotted to the service. They were sup 
 plied with an excellent train of brass artillery, and with 
 every thing which could add to their efficiency as an army. 
 The command was giv^en to Burgoyne, and several officers of 
 distinguished reputation were sc3lected to serve under him. 
 
 17. General Schuyler, of New York, a worthy officer, 
 whose talents were solid bu 4 not brillrmt, had the chief 
 command of the northern department. He was indefatiga 
 ble in making preparations for defence ; and such was his 
 zeal in the cause of independence, and such his deserved 
 popularity in his native state, that he doubtless accom 
 plished more than any other person could have done* 
 
1777.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 183 
 
 Still, at a late period in the spring, the fortifications were 
 incomplete, and but few troops or munitions of war were 
 collected. 
 
 18. Very early in the season, Burgoyne arrived at Que 
 bec. He immediately despatched colonel St. Leger with 
 a party of regulars, lories, and Indians, by the way of the 
 St. Lawrence to Oswego, directing him to proceed thence 
 to the Mohawk, and join him at Albany. With the main 
 army, augmented, in Canada, to ten thousand men, he has- 
 tened to Ticonderoga, before which he appeared on the first 
 of July. On his way, he held a conference, at the river 
 Bouquet, with a large number of savages, whom British 
 -agents had persuaded to join the army. 
 
 19. The garrison of Ticorideroga, which was then com- 
 manded by general St. Clair, was insufficient to defend it 
 against so powerful a force. It was evacuated in the night 
 of the 5th, the troops crossing lake Champlain and retreat, 
 ing towards Castleton, in Vermont. The enemy pursued 
 ap.d on the morning of the 7th, their van overtook and at 
 tacked the American rear, under colonels Francis and War 
 ner. The action was warm and well-contested ; but other 
 troops arriving to the aid of the British, the Americans were 
 compelled to give way. 
 
 20. The retreat now became precipitate and disorderly ; 
 the pursuit rapid and persevering. At length, the republi 
 can army, diminished in number, exhausted by fatigue, and 
 dispirited by misfortunes, arrived, by various routes, at fort 
 Edward, on the Hudson, the head-quarters of general Schuy- 
 ler. These disastrous events spread terror arid dismay 
 throughout the land. The people, ignorant of the weakness 
 of the army, attributed its retreat to cowardice or treachery; 
 and trembled at the dangers which menaced them from the 
 British, Germans, and savages. 
 
 21. The royal forces, elated by success, proceeded 
 through the wilderness towards fort Edward. Their 
 progress was slow and toilsome. General Sehuyler, on 
 their approach, evacuated the fort, and retired across the 
 Hudson to Saratoga. Soon after, he descended the tiver 
 to Stillwater; and, the British continuing to advance, he 
 retreated, on the 14th of August, to the islands at the con 
 fluence of the Mohawk and Hudson, a few miles north 
 of Troy. About the same time, intelligence was received, 
 that St. Loger, having penetrated from Oswego to the Mo 
 hawk, had laid siege to foit Sehiiyler, situated in the present 
 township of Rome. 
 
184 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1777 
 
 22. The American general, before leaving fort Edward, 
 issued a proclamation calling to his aid the militia of New- 
 England and New York. Aroused by the danger, multi 
 tudes obeyed his call. Vermont poured forth her daring. 
 Green Mountain boys j the other states of New England 
 their hardy yeomanry, ardent in the cause of freedom ^ 
 New Y ork, her valiant sons, indignant at this invasion of 
 her territory, and determined to protect their property from 
 pillage and destruction. These beset the invaders an every 
 side, impeding their progress, cutting off their supplies, and 
 fatiguing them by incessant attacks. 
 
 23. Burgoyne, finding it difficult to> transport his provi 
 sions through the wilderness, despatched colonel Baum, with* 
 five hundred Hessians, to seize a quantity of be-ef and flour 
 which the Americans had collected and deposited at Ben. 
 nington. Fortunately, general Siark, at the head of a 
 party of New Hampshire militia, had just arrived at that 
 place, on his way to the main army, and been joined by 
 volunteers from the immediate neigh boyhood. Baura, as. 
 certaining their number to be greater than his own, halted 
 near Bennington, erected breastworks, and sent bask for a 
 reinforcement. 
 
 24. In several skirmishes between small detachment^ 
 the militia were uniformly successful* This sharpening 
 their courage, Stark resolved to attack the main body. 
 On the 16th of August, a fierce and sanguinary battle took 
 place. For two hours, the Hessians fought brairely, but 
 their works,, assaulted by braver troops, were at length 
 entered, and most of the detaehment either killed or made 
 prisoners. 
 
 25. Just after this action had terminated, colonel Brcy- 
 man arrived with the reinforcement sent to Baum, The 
 militia, apprehending no danger, had- dispersed in pursuit 
 of plunder or the fugitives. By carelessness was nearly 
 lost all that by valor had beon gained. Happily, at this 
 critical juncture, colonel Warner arrived from Manchester 
 with a continental regiment, and immediately fell upon 
 Breyman. The miliria, rallying, hastened to his aid. Tha 
 battle continued until sunset, when the enemy retreated, 
 and under cover of the night the greater part effected their 
 escape. 
 
 215. The tide of fortune was now turned. The decisive 
 victory at Bonnington diffused confidence and joy. Tho 
 friends of independence, before depressed by disaster and 
 defeat, were now animated by the prospect which siui- 
 
1777.1 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 185 
 
 denly burst upon them, of a glorious victory over an arro 
 gant and once dreaded enemy. The greatest zeal and 
 activity were every where displayed. Again, crowds of mili 
 tia flocked to the republican camp. 
 
 27. In a few days, cheering intelligence arrived from fort 
 Schuyler, The garrison, under colonels Gansevoort and 
 Willet, had, in the midst of the most discouraging circum 
 stances, made a gallant defence against the forces of St. 
 Leger. -General Herkimer, marching with eight hundred 
 militia to their relief, fell into an ambuscade, was defeated 
 and slain ; but a larger party was speedily collected, and 
 immediately despatched, under general Arnold, upon the 
 same service. 
 
 S8. The Indians, alarmed by their approach, and fa. 
 tigued and disgusted by the protracted labors of the sioge, 
 threatened to abandon St. Leger, if he would not relinquish 
 liis enterprise. He reluctantly consented, and with the loss 
 of his baggage and stores retreated to Montreal. Burgoyne 
 was thus deprived of his expected co-operation, and the mi 
 litia of that part of the states were enabled to join the Ame 
 rican army. 
 
 29. The disasters which befell this army at tho com 
 inencprnent of the campaign induced congress to recall the 
 generals who commanded it, and to appoint, in their places, 
 generals Gates, Lincoln, and Arnold. Having the control 
 of more abundant and powerful means, they acted with 
 more energy and boldness. Gates, leaving the encamp 
 ment on the island, to which Sehuyler had retreated, ad 
 vanced, in the beginning of September, to the neighborhood 
 of Stillwater. 
 
 30. iBurgoyne, after the defeat of Bauns, was obliged to 
 have recourse, for provisions, to the magazines at fort 
 George. The laborious task of transporting them through 
 the wilderness to the Hudson being accomplished, he moved 
 forward, and, on the 17th of September, encamped within 
 four miles of the American army. 
 
 31. The next day the first battle of Stillwater was 
 fought. It was begun by skirmishes between the scouting 
 parties of the two armies, which were respectively and 
 repeatedly reinforced, until nearly the whole of each was 
 engaged. Both fought with determined resolution ; they 
 alternately drove and were driven by each other. A con 
 tinual blaze of fira was kept up. Men, and particularly 
 officers, dropped every moment and on every side. Night 
 put an end to the conflict. 
 
 16* 
 
186 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1777. 
 
 32. The American army retired to their camp; the 
 British lay on their arms near the field of battle. The- 
 loss of the former was three hundred and nineteen ; that 
 of the latter exceeded five hundred. Each claimed the 
 victory ; the consequences of defeat were felt by the British 
 alone. Their hopes of success were diminished ; their In 
 dian allies, the Canadians, and tories, were disheartened and 
 deserted them, 
 
 33. Pressed on all sides, Burgoyne made frequent and 
 urgent applications to sir -Henry Clinton, at New York, 
 for aid, and informed him that, in expectation of such aid, 
 he would maintain his present position until the 12th of Oc 
 tober. He diminished the allowance of provisions to his sol 
 diers, and having wailed until the 7th, without receiving any 
 intelligence from Clinton, determined to make another trial 
 of strength with his adversary. 
 
 3i. Ho mule dispositions to commence the action with 
 the right wing 1 of his army ; Gates, discovering his design, 
 made a sudden and vigorous attack upon the left. In a 
 short time, the whole of both armies were engaged. This 
 battle was furious, obstinate, and more bloody than the other. 
 Arnold was eminently distinguished for his bravery and 
 rashness. Towards fright, the enemy, who had fought 
 with desperate valor, gave way. A part of their works 
 were stormed and taken, and mo?e than two hundred men 
 mad 3 prisoners. 
 
 35. Darkness put an end to this action also. The 
 Americans lay upon their arms near the enemy s linos, in 
 tending to renew the battle the next day ; but Burgoyne, 
 during the night, withdrew to a stronger position. Gates 
 forbore to pursue, believing that a bloodless victory was now 
 in his power. 
 
 36. In the mean time, sir Henry Clinton despatched 
 general Vaughan with three thousand men, to endeavor to 
 rolicve Burgoyne. He ascended the Hudson, and on the 
 sixth of October, assaulted and took fort Montgomery ; 
 bttt instead of hastening forward, he consumed a wholo 
 week in pillaging and burning Esopus, and other flourish 
 ing villages on the river. He perhaps expected that this 
 wanton destruction of property would draw off a part of the- 
 forces under Gates ; but it had no other effect than to exas 
 perate the inhabitants. 
 
 37. Burgoyne, perceiving that his antagonist was en 
 deavoring to surround him, retreated to the heights of 
 Saratoga The Americans pursued keening a sufficient 
 
1777 ] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 187 
 
 force on the east bank of the river to prevent him from 
 crossing. The situation of the BrHish troops was now dis. 
 tressing in the extreme. Many of their most valued offi 
 cers had been killed. Their strength was exhausted by 
 incessant exertion ; they were almost encircled by their 
 enemy, and were greatly annoyed by a continual and de 
 structive cannonade. From this forlorn condition but one 
 mode of escape remained, a forced march in the night to 
 fort George. This expedient was resolved on, and prepara 
 tions were made ; but the scouts sent out returned with in 
 telligence that all the passes were guarded by strong bodies 
 of militia. 
 
 38. An account of provisions was then taken, and a sup 
 ply for no more than three days was found on hand. No 
 hope of rescue within that time could be indulged. Bur- 
 goyne summoned his principal officers to a council. It is 
 eaid that while deliberating, a cannon ball crossed the ta 
 ble around which they sat. By their unanimous advice, he 
 opened a negotiation with the American general, and on 
 the 17th of October, surrendered his whole army prisoners 
 of war. 
 
 39. Great were the rejoicings occasioned by this glorious 
 victory. Many supposed that it would terminate the con 
 test. In the joy of success, all feelings of resentment were 
 forgotten. From regard to the feelings of the vanquished, 
 general Gates, while they were piling their arms, kept tho 
 victorious troops within his camp. The British officers, in 
 social converse with the Americans, were led to forget their 
 misfortune, arid the troops, when on : thdir march to Massa 
 chusetts, did not receive from the people that vindictive 
 treatment which their distressing depredations, and those of 
 their fellow soldiers under Vaughan, would have excused, if 
 not justified. 
 
 40. Against this band of marauders, general Gates 
 marched soon after the capitulation was signed ; but on 
 learning the fate of Burgoyne, they retired to New York, 
 About the same time, the garrison left at Ticonderoga, 
 having rendered thnir cannon useless, returned to Canada, 
 and the northern department was restored to perfect tran 
 quillity. 
 
 41 . While tho exertions of the northern army were re 
 warded by brilliant success, that of the south, equally brave 
 and meritorious, but enfeebled by the detachments which 
 Washington generously spared to Gates, sustained distres. 
 sing reverses. The greatest was "at Germantown, in the 
 
188 REVOLUTIONARY WAR [1777. 
 
 vicinity of Philadelphia, where the main body of the enemy 
 was stationed. 
 
 42. Upon this body, at sunrise, on the 4th of October, the 
 American general made a bold and vigorous attack. So 
 sudden and spirited, was the onset, that the enemy, unable 
 to sustain it, fled, and a complete victory appeared in pros, 
 pect. But six British companies, while retreating, threw 
 themselves into H, large stone house, from which, in entire 
 safety, they poured a destructive fire upon the American 
 troops. The pursuit was arrested, and much time consumed 
 in a vain attempt to demolish this fortress. 
 
 43. The fugitives rallied, and turned upon the assailants. 
 Confusion followed, and a thick fog, which that moment 
 arose, increased it. The different divisions, ignorant of 
 the positions and success of the others, uncertain even as to 
 their own, acted with indecision and timidity. A retreat 
 was therefore directed, and the troops withdrew in good 
 order. 
 
 44. In this action, in which fortune snatched victory from 
 the grasp of the Americans, they sustained a loss of twelve 
 hundred men ; that of the British was less than six hundred. 
 But the vanquished sustained no loss of reputation nor con 
 fidence. Their country applauded the boldness of the at 
 tempt, and the enemy felt higher respect for their courages 
 and discipline. 
 
 45. The British army soon after left Germantown, and 
 marched to attackrtho American posts on the river Delaware 
 below Philadelphia. On the 22d of October, a body of twelve 
 hundred Hessians, commanded by count Donop, made an 
 intrepid assault upon the fortifications at Red Bank. They 
 were repulsed with great loss, and; their gallant leader 
 killed. 
 
 4G. Fort Mifflin, on Mud Island, was next attacked. For 
 six days it was bravely defended. It was then evacuated, 
 the works having been almost demolished by the enemy s 
 artillery. Preparations being made for a second assault, 
 with a much larger force, upon the post at Rod Bank, that 
 was also evacuated, and thus was opened a free communica 
 tion between the British army and their fleet, which had 
 sailed round to the mouth of the Delaware. 
 
 47. After several movements of the respective armies, 
 which had no important result, general Washington with, 
 drew to winter quarters in the woods of Valley Forge. His 
 troops were destitute of shoes, and might have been tracked 
 by the blood of their feet. Th&y passed the winter in huts, 
 
1777.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 189 
 
 suffered extreme distress from want of clothing and of food, 
 but endured their privations without a murmur. How strong 
 must have been their love of liberty ! With what lively 
 gratitude ought a prosperous country, indebted to them for 
 the most valuable blessings, to remember their sufferings 
 and services ! 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 CAMPAIGN OF 1778. 
 
 WHILE the American armies were contending in the field, 
 or suffering in the camp, congress were occupied in the per 
 formance of duties important to the cause of independence. 
 At first, this body possessed no powers, but such as were 
 conferred by the credentials arid instructions given, by the 
 state legislatures, to their respective delegates. Early in. 
 1776, a confederation of the states was proposed ; but until 
 the 15th of November, 1777, all the obstacles to the measure 
 could not be surmounted. 
 
 2. The " Articles of Confederation" then adopted by con 
 gress, and subsequently ratified by the several assemblies, 
 bound the states in a firm league of friendship with each 
 other, for their common defence and the security of their 
 liberties. Delegates were to be annually appointed, who, 
 when assembled in congress, were, authorized to carry on 
 war, to make peace, and to exercise the powers of sove 
 reignty in relation to foreign nations. They were also au 
 thorized to determine the number of men, and the amount 
 of money to be raised, and to assign to each state its just 
 proportion. 
 
 3. But so unwilling were the states to relinquish their 
 recently assumed independence, that they withheld from 
 congress the authority to make laws which should operate 
 directly upon the people ; and reserved to themselves the 
 sole right of raising their proportions of money in such man 
 ner as each might deem most expedient. 
 
 4. Congress also effected a thorough reform of the com 
 missary department, in which scandalous frauds had been 
 committed. And in order to introduce a uniform system of 
 tactics and discipline, they resolved that an inspector-general 
 should be appointed. Subsequently they elected to that of- 
 
190 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1778. 
 
 fice the baron Steuben, a native of Prussia, who had served 
 in a high station in the army of Frederic the Great, and was 
 well versed in the system of manoeuvres introduced by that 
 celebrated commander. 
 
 5. The signal victory at Saratoga exalted the reputation 
 of the confederated states, in every part of Europe. The 
 French ministry no longer hesitated to acknowledge their 
 independence. On the 6th of February, they concluded, 
 with the American commissioners, treaties of commerce and 
 of alliance, in which they generously assented to terms 
 highly advantageous to the states. This event, so flattering 
 to the hopes and the pride of the people, occasioned the 
 liveliest joy, and the most ardent gratitude to France. 
 
 6. Among the people of Great Britain, the defeat of their 
 favorite general produced astonishment, dismay, and indig 
 nation. The most brilliant success was anticipated ; the 
 most ignominious result had occurred. The pride of the 
 nation was humbled, and they who had disapproved of the 
 war, poured upon the ministry a torrent of invective. To 
 increase the bitterness of their chagrin, they soon learned 
 the course which their hereditary enemy and rival had re 
 solved to pursue. 
 
 7. It was now determined, in the cabinet, to grant to 
 America all that she had demanded, in the beginning of the 
 contest. An act was passed, declaring that parliament would 
 not, in future, impose any tax upon the colonies ; and com 
 missioners were sent over, authorized to proclaim a repeal 
 of all the offensive statutes, and to treat with the constituted 
 authorities of America. 
 
 8. The commissioners, arriving at Philadelphia in the 
 spring, communicated to congress the terms offered by Great 
 Britain, which were at once unanimously rejected. Failing 
 in the use of direct and honorable means, they attempted 
 bribery and corruption. To Joseph Reed, a general in the 
 army and a. member of congress, an offer was made of ten 
 thousand pounds sterling, and any office within his majesty s 
 gift in the colonies, if he would endeavor to effect a reunion 
 of the two countries. " I am not worth purchasing," he 
 nobly replied, " but such as I am, the king of Great Britain 
 is not rich enough to do it." 
 
 9. On receiving official notification of the treaties con 
 cluded with her revolted colonies, Great Britain declared 
 war against France ; and the ministry, presuming that as. 
 sistarice would be sent them, transmitted orders by the corn- 
 missioriers, that Philadelphia should be evacuated, and the 
 
1778.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 191 
 
 royal troops concentrated at New York. The execution of 
 these orders devolved upon sir Henry Clinton, who, general 
 Howe having resigned, had been appointed commander-in 
 ch ief. On the 18th of June, the enemy quitted the city, 
 and marched slowly eastward. 
 
 10. Washington, leaving his huts in the forest, hung upon 
 the rear of the British army, watching for a favorable oppor 
 tunity to offer battle. On arriving at Monrnouth, in New 
 Jersey, general Lee, who had lately been exchanged, was 
 ordered to take the command of five thousand men, and, 
 early in the morning of the 28th, unless there should be 
 powerful reasons to the contrary, to commence an attack. 
 He was assured, that the residue of the army should follow 
 and give him support. 
 
 11. Lee made dispositions to attack accordingly, but per 
 ceiving the main body of the enemy returning to meet him, 
 he retreated. Washington, advancing to render the pro 
 mised support, saw him retiring, rode forward, and ad 
 dressed him in language implying disapprobation of his con 
 duct. He then directed him to form his men on ground 
 which he pointed out, and there oppose the progress of the 
 enemy. 
 
 12. These ordeus were executed with firmness. A warm 
 engagement ensued, and Lee, when forced from the ground, 
 brought off his troops in good order. Washington, at this 
 moment, arrived with the main body of his army, which 
 joined in the action, and compelled the enemy to fall back 
 to the position from which Lse had been driven. 
 
 13. The day had beon intensely hot; it was now almost 
 dark, and the troops were much fatigued. Further opera 
 tions were therefore deferred until the next morning. In 
 the night, sir Henry Clinton silently left his position, and 
 continued his march to New York. His loss amounted to 
 near five hundred men ; that of tho Americans to three 
 hundred. Heat and excessive fatigue proved fatal to 
 many. 
 
 14. Leo, irritable and proud, could not forget the manner 
 in which Washington had addressed him ; and in two pas 
 sionate letters, demanded reparation. A court martial was 
 instituted ; he was found guilty of misconduct on the day of 
 battle, and of disrespect to the commander-in-chief, and was 
 suspended from command for one year. He nevor after 
 wards joined the army, but died in seclusion just before the 
 close of the war. 
 
 15. The enemy having entered New York, Washington 
 
192 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1778. 
 
 conducted his army to White Plains. Congress returned to 
 Philadelphia ; and in July received, with inexpressible joy, 
 a letter from the count d Estaing, announcing his arrival on 
 the coast of the United States, with a large fleet, which had 
 been sent, by the king of France, to assist them in their 
 struggle for independence. 
 
 16. The count intended to surprise admiral Howe in the 
 Delaware, but adverse winds detained him on the passage, 
 until the British fleet had sailed for New York. He ap 
 peared before that harbor, but on sounding found that his 
 largest ships could not. enter it. A combined attack, by land 
 and water, upon the British forces at Newport, in Rhode 
 Island, was then projected. 
 
 17. General Sullivan, who had been appointed to com- 
 mand the troops, called upon the militia of New England 
 to aid him in the enterprise. His army soon amounted 
 to ten thousand men, and, as he was supported by the 
 fleet, he felt confident of success. On the ninth of August, 
 he took a position on the north end of Rhode Island, 
 and afterwards moved nearer to Newport. Admiral 
 Howe, having received a reinforcement, now appeared bo 
 fore the harbor, and the count instantly put to sea to attack 
 him. 
 
 18. While making the preparatory manoeuvres, a furious 
 storm came on, which damaged and dispersed both fleets. 
 As soon as the weather would permit, each commander 
 sought the port from which he had sailed. The army, in 
 tent upon their cwn object, witnessed with joy the return of 
 the French fleet ; and great was their disappointment when 
 the count announced his intention of proceeding to Boston 
 to refit. The American officers remonstrated, but he was 
 inflexible, and departed. 
 
 19. The army, deserted by the fleet, could remain no 
 longer, with safety, on the island, as the enemy might easily 
 transport, by water, large reinforcements from New York 
 to Newport. General Sullivan immediately retreated to his 
 first position. He was pursued, and, shortly after halting, 
 was attacked by the enemy. They were gallantly resisted 
 and repulsed with loss. 
 
 20. The next day, the two armies cannonaded each other, 
 and the succeeding night the American general, deceiving 
 the enemy by a show of resistance to the last, made a skil 
 ful retreat to the continent. A few hours afterwards, the 
 British received sndi an augmentation of their force, that 
 all resistance, on the part of tho Americans, wouid have 
 
1778.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 193 
 
 been vain. At the close of the season, the French fleet 
 sailed to tha West Indies. 
 
 21. During this year, the British troops and their allies 
 displayed, in several instances, a degree of barbarity seldom 
 equalled in contests between civilized nations. That they 
 were contending against revolted subjects, seemed to release 
 them, in their view, from all regard to the common usages 
 of war. The late alliance with France, the hated rival of 
 their nation, increased their hostility. Instead of -striving 
 to conquer an honorable foe, they thirsted as for vengeance 
 on a criminal and outlaw. 
 
 22. With such vindictive feelings, Wyoming, a happy and 
 flourishing settlement in Pennsylvania, was attacked by a 
 band of tories and Indians. The men were butchered, the 
 liouses burned, and the cattle driven off or killed. Those 
 who had been rnads widows and orphans were left without 
 shelter and without food. Seldom has war spread distress 
 and ruin over a inoro delightful region. New Bedford, 
 Martha s Vineyard, Egg-harbor, and Cherryvalley, were also 
 visited and -ravaged by the enemy. Alt the property within 
 reach was destroyed, and multitudes of peaceful and un 
 offending inhabitants were reduced to poverty arid wretch 
 edness. 
 
 23. But in no instance did the enemy evince inoro frro- 
 cious, unrelenting cruelty than in their attack upon colonel 
 Baylor s troop of light dragoons. While asleep in a burn at 
 Tappan. they *vere surprised by a party under general Givy, 
 who commanded his soldiers to use the bayonet only, and to 
 give the rebels no quarter. .Incapable of defence, they guod 
 for mercy. But the most pathetic supplications were heard 
 without awakening compassion in the commander. Nearly 
 one half of the troop were killed. To many, repeated 
 thrusts were barbarously given as long as signs of life re 
 m ai.nod. Several who had nine, ten, and eleven stabs 
 through the body, and were left for dead, afterwards reco 
 vered. A few escaped, arid forty were saved by the hu 
 manity of a British captain, who dared to disobey the orders 
 of his general. 
 
 24. Late in the fall, the army under Washington erected 
 huts near Middlebrook, in New Jersey, in which they 
 passed the winter. In this campaign, but little on either 
 side was accomplished. The alliance with France gave 
 birth to expectations which events did not fuliil ; yet th^ 
 presence of her fleets on the co:;st deranged the plans of 
 the enemy, and induced them to relinquish a part of their 
 
 17 
 
194 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [177 
 
 conquests. At the close of the year, it was apparent that 
 Great Britain had made no progress in the accomplishment 
 of her purposes. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 CAMPAIGN OF 1779. 
 
 THE campaign of 1779 was distinguished by a change o? 
 the theatre of war from the northern to the southern section 
 of the confederacy. Thither the enemy were invited by 
 the prospect of easier victory. The country was rendered 
 weak by ils scattered population, by the multitude of 
 slaves, and by the number of tories intermingled with the 
 whigs. 
 
 2. N",ar the close of the preceding year, lieutenant-colonel 
 Campbell, with 2500 men, sailed from New York to the 
 coast of Georgia, and landed his troops. Marching towards 
 Savannah, the capital, he met on his route a small body of 
 Americans, whom he defeated, and immediately took pos. 
 session of the city. A detachment from Florida under ge 
 neral Prevost invested Sunbury, which, after the fall of the 
 capital, surrendered at. discretion. These were the only 
 military posLs in Georgia. All the troops that could escape 
 retreated into South Carolina. 
 
 3. Soon after the conquest of Georgia, general Lincoln 
 took command of the American troops in the southern 
 department. In April, leaving South Carolina, he marched 
 into the interior of Georgia ; upon which the British army, 
 entering the state he had left, invested Charleston, tho 
 capital. Lincoln hastened buck to its defence. On hearing 
 of his approach, the enemy retired to Stono ferry. Thither 
 Lincoln pursued them. An indecisive action was fought; 
 and a few days afterwards, they continued their retreat to 
 Savannah. 
 
 4. Tho heat of the season suspended further operations 
 until September. Count d Estaing, with a fleet carrying 
 6000 troops, then arrived on the coast. The two armies, 
 in concert, laid siege to Savannah. At the expiration of 
 a. month, the count, impatient of delay, insisted that the 
 siege should bo abandoned, or that a combined assault 
 upon the enemy s works should immediately be made. 
 General Lincoln determined upon an assault. Great 
 
1776.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 195 
 
 gallantry was displayed by the French and American, but 
 greater by the British troops. They repulsed the assail 
 ants, killing and wounding nearly a thousand men, and 
 sustaining, on their part, but little loss. The count Pulas- 
 ki, a celebrated Polish nobleman, in the service of the 
 states, was mortally wounded. The next day tiie siege was 
 raised, the French returning home, and the Americans to 
 South Carolina. 
 
 5. In the miilst of these events, general Matthews, sail 
 ing from New York, conducted an expedition against Vir 
 ginia. On tiie 10th of May, he took possession of Ports, 
 mouth without opposition, and ravaged, for two weeks, 
 that city and the adjacent country. The booty obtained, 
 and the property destroyed, were of immense value. Be 
 fore the expiration of May, the party returned to New 
 York. 
 
 6. Early in the season, Colonel Clarke, of Virginia, who 
 was stationed at Kaskaskia, on the Mississippi, achieved 
 an enterprise conspicuous for boldness of design, and 
 evin3ing uncommon hardihood in its execution. With 
 only one hundred and thirty men, he penetrated through 
 the wilderness, to St. Vincents, a British post on the 
 W abash, in. the heart of the Indian country. His route 
 lay across deep swamps and morasses. For four or fivo 
 miles tha party waded through water, often as high as the 
 breast. After a march of sixteen days, they reached the 
 town, which, having no intimation Upf their approach, sur 
 rendered without resistance. A short time after, the fort 
 capitulated. This fortunate achievement arrested an ex 
 pedition which the enemy had projected against the frontiers 
 of Virginia, and detached several tribes of Indians from the 
 British interest. 
 
 7. The atrocities committed at Wyoming, and aj; several 
 settlements in New York, cried aloud for vengeance. 
 Congress, assembling an army of 4000 men. gave the com 
 mand of it to general Sullivan, and directed him, to conduct 
 it into the country inhabited by the savages, and retort 
 upon them their own system of warfare. Of this army, 
 one division marched from the Mohawk, tho other from 
 Wyoming, arid both forming a junction on the Susquehan- 
 nah, proceeded, on the 22d of August, towards the Seneca 
 lake. 
 
 8. On an advantageous position, the Intiians, in con 
 junction with 200 torir^s, had erected fortifications to 
 oppose their progress. These were assaulted ; the enemy, 
 
196 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1779. 
 
 after a slight resistance, gave way, arid disappeared in tho 
 woods. As the army advanced into the western part of the 
 state of New York, that region now so fertile and populous, 
 the Indians deserted their towns, the appearance of which 
 denoted a higher state of civilization than had ever before 
 been witnessed in the North American wilderness. The 
 houses were commodious ; the apple and peach-trees numer 
 ous, and the crops of corn then growing abundant. All were 
 destroyed ; not a vestige of human industry was permitted to * 
 exist., 
 
 9. Having accomplished this work of vengeance, severe 
 but deserved, and essential to the future sufcty of the whites, 
 general Sullivan returned to E;iston, in Pennsylvania, 
 where he arrived about the middle of October. His 
 whole loss, by sickness and the enemy, amounted to but 
 forty men. 
 
 10. On the first of July, general Tryon sailed from New 
 York with a large body of troops, and landing on the coast 
 of Connecticut, plundered New Haven, and laid Fail-field 
 and Norwalk in ashes. Bc-.fore his return, general Wayne, 
 with a detachment from the American army, made a daring 
 assault upon Stony Point, a strongly fortified post on tho 
 ^Hudson. About twelve at night, the troops, with unloaded 
 rnuskets, arrived before the lines. They were received with 
 a tremendous discharge of grape-shot and musketry. Rush- 
 ing forward, they mounted the walls, and, using tne bayonet 
 only, were soon in complete possession of the fort. 
 
 11. A more gallant exploit has seldom been performed ; 
 and the humanity of the victors was equal to their valor. 
 Notwithstanding the devastations in Connecticut, and the 
 butchery of Baylor s troop, the scene of which was near, not 
 an individual suffered after resistance had ceased. Of the 
 enemy, sixty were killed, and upwards of five hundred ma do 
 prisoners. The loss of the Americans was comparatively 
 small. . A gold medal, presented by congress, rewarded the 
 heroism of the victor. 
 
 12. In September, a bloody naval battle was fought, near 
 the coast of Scotland, in which John Paul Jones acquired the 
 reputation of a daring and fortunate commander. He was a 
 Scotchman by birth, but had been appointed by the Ameri- 
 can congress, a captain in their navy, and then commanded 
 a squadron fitted out in the ports of France. At half pas* 
 seven in the evening, his own ship, the Bon Homrne Rich 
 ard, of 40 guns, engaged the Serapis, a British frigate of 44 
 After the action had continued an hour, the two frigates ap 
 
1779.1 REVOLUTIONARY WAR*. 197 
 
 preached so near to each other that Jones, seizing the op 
 portunity, lashed them together.. 
 
 13. The battle now became furious, and the carnage 
 horrible. The Serapis was on fire not less than ten times ; 
 and often both frigates were on fire at the same moment, 
 presenting a sublime and dreadful spectacle. At length, 
 the Alliance, one of Jones s squadron, came to his assist. 
 ance ; but the two frigates being fastened together, many 
 of her shot struck the Bon Homme Richard. At ten o clock, 
 the Serapis surrendered. Her successful antagonist was 
 so shattered, that the crew were obliged to leave her im 
 mediately, and she soon after sunk. The Pallas, which 
 was also one of Jories?s squadron, engaged at. the same lime 
 and captured the Countess of Scarborough. The squadron, 
 with the prizes, then sailed for Holland, and arrived there in 
 safety. 
 
 14. At the close of the season, the northern army retired 
 into winter quarters, one division near Morristown, in New 
 Jersey, and the other in tiie vicinity of West Point, an im 
 portant post in the highlands. Here they endured severe 
 and constant suffering from cold, and nakedness, and hun 
 ger. Sometimes half the usual allowance, often less, was 
 distributed to the troops ; and more than once the provisions 
 were wholly exhausted. 
 
 15. Application for relief was made to the magistrates 
 of the neighborhood, and intimations were given that pro 
 visions, s/j pressing were the wants of the army, would be 
 seized by force, if not furnished voluntarily. The rnagis 
 trates promptly attended to the call. They levied contribu 
 tions arbitrarily from the people, who submitted to these ex 
 actions w r ith a degree of patriotism equalled only by that 
 displayed by the soldiers in the patient endurance of dis 
 tress. 
 
 16. Derangement in the finances produced these suffer 
 ings. Large sums had been annually raised and expended ; 
 and the ability of the people to pay taxes had progressively 
 decreased. To supply deficiencies, paper money, to the 
 amount of about one hundred and fifty millions of dollars, 
 had been issued. This gradually depreciated, and, at the 
 close of 1779, thirty dollars in paper were of no more value 
 than one in specie. To purchase provisions with this money 
 was at first difficult, and then impossible ; and congress now 
 found their funds and their credit exhausted. 
 
 17. A change of system was necessary. For the supply 
 of the army, each state was directed to furnish a certain 
 
198 REVOLUTIONARY WAa. [1780 
 
 quantity of provisions and forage. Loans were solicited 
 from the people, and nearly a million of dollars was raised 
 by bills drawn upon the American agents in Europe, in an- 
 ticipation of loans which they had been authorized to pro- 
 cure. These expedients afforded but temporary arid partial 
 relief. 
 
 18. No class of persons suffered more from the deprecia 
 tion of paper money than the army, and especially the offi 
 cers. The pay, even those of the highest grade, was render 
 ed insufficient to provide them with the necessary clothing. 
 Discontent began to pervade the whole army. It required 
 all the enthusiastic patriotism which distinguishes the sol 
 dier of principle ; all that ardent attachment to freedom 
 which brought them into the field; all the influence of the 
 commander-in-chiof, whom they almost adored, to retain in 
 the service men who felt themselves cruelly neglected by the 
 country whose battles they fought. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 CAMPAIGN OF 1780. 
 
 THE first military operations of the enemy, in the year 
 1780, were directed against Charleston, t ie Capital of 
 South Carolina. In the beginning of February, sir Henry 
 Clinton appeared before that place, at the head of a part of 
 his army. The assembly, which was thrn sitting, delegated 
 to governor Rutledge, a patriot of splendid talents, and to his 
 council, " the power to do every thing necessary for the public 
 good, except taking away the life of a citizen," and adjourn 
 ed. Armed with this extraordinary power, he made great 
 exertions to call into action the strength of the state, and to 
 place its capital in a posture of defence. 
 
 2. The people of the country disregarded his repeated calls. 
 Not more than two hundred repaired to Charleston. The 
 garrison, commanded by general Lincoln, consisted of a body 
 of militia from the country, of the citizens, of one thousand 
 North Carolina militia, ai:d of two thousand regulars. The 
 number of the enemy, when all their reinforcements had ar 
 rived, amounted to nine thousand. 
 
 3. On the first of April the siege was begun in form, by 
 the erection of works at the distance of eleven hundred 
 
1780.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. J9& 
 
 yards from -the city. On the 9th, the fleet, propelled by a 
 strong wind, passed the forts on Sullivan s island, without 
 stopping toTctum their fire, and gained entire command of 
 the harbor. On the 14th, lieutenant-colonel Tarleton sur 
 prised a body of cavalry, which, to preserve a communica 
 tion with the v country, had been stationed "at Monk s Corner. 
 Soon after, batteries were erected near the * city, from which 
 the fire was incessant and destructive. 
 
 4. An offer to capitulate was then made ; but the British 
 commander refused to accept the terms proposed. On his 
 part, terms were offered, which were rejected by general Lin 
 coln. Tiie siege was then pressed with increased vigor, and 
 approaches made to within rnusket-shot of the American 
 lines. The soldiers within were often killed at their guns by 
 the enemy s marksmen. 
 
 5. The citizens whose intercession had induced general 
 Lincoln to determine to defend the place, perceiving that 
 preparations for an assault were in forwardness, and seeing 
 no hope of relief or escape, now requested him to accept the 
 terms which sir Henry Clinton had proposed. A ne 
 gotiation between the two commanders was, in conse 
 quence, opened, and, on the 12lh of May, the capitulation 
 was signed. 
 
 6. The capital having surrendered, measures were adopt 
 ed to overawe the inhabitants of the country, and induce 
 them to return to their allegiance to the king. Garrisons 
 were placed in different parts of the state, and 2000 men 
 were despatched towards North Carolina, to repel several 
 parties of militia, who were hastening to the relief ofCharles- 
 ton. Colonel Tarltori, making a rapid march of one hun 
 dred and five miles in fifty-four hours, rnct, at the Woxhaws, 
 and attacked one -of these parties, commanded by colonel 
 Buford. His force, being superior, was soon victorious. 
 The vanquished, ceasing to resist, implored for quarter. 
 Their cries were disregarded. Upwards of two hundred and 
 fifty were killed, or too badly wounded to be removed from 
 the field. This barbarous massacre spread dismay through 
 out the country, and gave a sanguinary character to future 
 conflicts. 
 
 7. To avoid being treated as enemies, the greater part 
 of the inhabitants either gave their parole as prisoners, 
 or submitted to become subjects of the king. Sir 
 Henry Clinton, afterwards, by proclamation, discharged the 
 former from their parole, and called upon all to embody 
 
200 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1780 
 
 as militia in the service of Great Britain. Indignant at 
 this dishonorable conduct, which left them only the alter 
 native of righting for or against their country, multitudes, 
 seizing their arms, resolved on a vindictive war with their 
 invaders. 
 
 8. A party, who had taken refuge in North Carolina, chose 
 uolonel Sumpter their leader. At the head of these, he re 
 turned to his own state, attacked and defeated several scat 
 tered detachments from the British army. In one engage- 
 ment, so decisive was his victory, that nine only out ot 
 nearly three hundred escaped. By a succession of gallant 
 enterprises, he reanimated the friends of freedom, and a spi 
 rit of determined hostility to Gr,eat Britain was again mani. 
 fested in every part of the state. 
 
 9. This spirit was cherished by the approach, from the 
 north, of 4000 men, principally continentals, under the com 
 mand of general Gates. On their march through a sterile 
 country, they endured all the evils and distresses of extreme 
 famine. Lord Cornwallis, whom Clinton, on his return to 
 New York, had left commander-in-chief, hastened to oppose, 
 in person, this victorious general. He placed himself at the 
 head of two thousand veteran troops who had before been 
 stationed at Camden, on the northern border of the state. 
 
 10. On the night of the 15th of August, he marched, with 
 his whole force, to attack the Americans in their camp at 
 Clermont. They, at the same hour, began to move to 
 wards Camden. The advanced parties met in the night, and 
 engaged. In several skirmishes which took place, the Bri 
 tish obtained the advantage. This made a deep impression 
 on the militia, whose spirits were depressed by gloomy fore 
 bodings. 
 
 1L When the morning dawned, the enemy advanced to 
 the attack. At the first onset the Virginia militia fled 
 from the field, and their example was followed by others. 
 The continentals, though left alone to contend with supe 
 rior numbers, maintained the conflict with great firmness. 
 For a short time, they had the advantage of their opponents, 
 but were at length overpowered, and the flight became 
 general. 
 
 12. The fugitives were pursued by Tarleton s legion, 
 with relentless fury. When all were killed, captured or 
 dispersed, the pursuers, with speed unchecked, took the 
 route towards Sumpter s encampment. This active par. 
 tisan, who had lately been victorious in a skirmish, retreat- 
 
1780.1 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 201 
 
 sd precipitately on hearing of tho defeat of Gates. At tho 
 Catawba ford, supposing 1 he was beyond danger, be baited, 
 that bis troops, who were fatigued, might repose. His sen. 
 tinels slept at their posts, and the legion rode into his camp 
 before preparations could be made for defence. Between 
 three and four hundred were killed or wounded. The re 
 mainder were dispersed in the woods ; three hundred prison. 
 ers were released ; all the baggage and stores fell into the 
 power of the victors. 
 
 18. Again supposing the state to be subdued. Cornwallis 
 adopted measures of extreme severity to suppress every latent 
 inclination to revolt. He directed that all who, having once 
 submitted, had lately given aid to the armies of congress, 
 should be deprived of their property and imprisoned; and 
 that all who had once borne arms with the British, and af 
 terwards joined the Americans, should suffer death. In con. 
 sequence of these orders, several were executed, and many 
 were reduced to poverty and wretchedness. 
 
 14. In these times of confusion and distress, the mischie 
 vous effects of slavery in facilitating the conquest of the 
 country, became apparent. As the slaves had no interest at 
 stake, the subjugation of the states was a matter of no con- 
 sequence to them. Instead of aiding in its defence, they, by 
 a variety of means, threw the weight of their little influence 
 into the opposite scale. 
 
 15. There were yet some citizens, who, in all fortunes, 
 adhered with firmness to tho cause of independence. Of 
 these, in one part of the state, general Sumpter was the 
 leader, in another, general Marion. The cavalry of the 
 latter were so destitute of the weapons of war, that they 
 were obliged to cut their swords from the saws of the saw 
 mills. He was so successful in concealing himself in 
 woods and marshes, that the enemy were never able to 
 attack or discover him. From these dark retreats he often 
 sallied forth, and fell unexpectedly upon parties of the 
 enemy, when marching through the country, or posted in 
 garrisons to overawe the inhabitants. In one of these sallies, 
 he released one hundred and fifty continentals captured at 
 Camden. His repeated and successful excursions preserved 
 alive the spirit of resistance, and his high fame as a partisan 
 was never tarnished by any violation of the laws of war or 
 humanity. 
 
 16. Of those who submitted through fear, or from attach 
 ment to the royal cause, major Ferguson, a British officer of 
 distinguished merit, was appointed commander. He was 
 
202 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1780. 
 
 despatched, by Cornwallis, into the western part of North 
 Carolina, where, other tories joining him, his force was aug 
 mented to 1400, men. An enterprise against this party was 
 concerted by the commanders of the mililia, in the adjacent 
 parts of the two Carolina*; and Virginia. About, the first of 
 October, they, by great exertions, assembled 3000 men at, 
 Gilbert-town. From these, fifteen hundred choice riflemen 
 were selected ; who. mounted on the best horses, hastened to 
 the attack of Ferguson. 
 
 17. He awaited them on the top of King s mountain. 
 The militia, in three divisions, led by colonels Cleveland, 
 Shelby, and Campbell, ascended it in different directions. 
 These divisions, successively arriving, were each repulsed ; 
 but each, when the enemy, by an attack from a different 
 quarter, were recalled from pursuit, returned again to the 
 charge. In this manner the action was continued for an 
 hour with great spirit. Ferguson was then killed ; and 
 with him expired the courage of hie party. Eight hun 
 dred threw down their arms, and became prisoners. One 
 hundred and fifty were killed. Very few of the assailanis 
 fell. 
 
 18. Cornwallis, confident of his ability to subjugate the 
 state, had followed Ferguson into North Carolina. Re 
 ceiving notice of his entire defeat, he returned and took 
 post at Winnsborougrh. As he retired, Gates, who had 
 assembled an army of 1400 men, advanced to Charlotte, 
 where he determined to pass the winter. He was soon 
 after recalled by congress, and, on the recommendation of 
 Washington, general Greene was withdrawn from the 
 northern army to take command of the department of the 
 south. 
 
 19. By the northern army, which, as has been stated, was 
 posted at West Point and Morristown, little more was at 
 tempted, during the year, than to watch the motions of the 
 enemy in New York, and protect the inhabitants from their 
 incursions. The troops, unfed, unpaid, and unemployed, dis 
 covered, at various times, a disposition to mutiny. On these 
 occasions, the British commander, by means of emissaries 
 sent among them, invited them to repair to the city, where 
 he promised them comfort and abundance. His invitations 
 were disregarded. Relief from distress was all they sought, 
 and when that was obtained, they cheerfully returned to 
 their duty. 
 
 20. In July, a French squadron under admiral Ternay, 
 bringing 6000 troops, commanded by count Rochambeau, 
 
1780.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 203 
 
 arrived at Rhode Island, which had previously been evacu 
 ated by the enemy ; they were immediately blockaded in the 
 harbor they had entered, by a British fleet. Reinforced by 
 these troops, Washington determined to attack New York ; 
 the army marched to stations near the city, and rejoiced in 
 the hope of being able to accomplish something for their 
 country; but the arrival from England of another fleet, un 
 der admiral Rodney, discoa&erted the plan which had been 
 
 C J 
 
 formed. 
 
 21. Defeat at the south and disappointment at the north, 
 overshadowed the land with gloom ; but intelligence that 
 treason lia.d appeared in the American camp, occasioned 
 Amazement and alarm. The traitor was Arnold, whom 
 bravery in battle, and fortitude in suffering, had placed high 
 in the affections of the people. 
 
 22. Upon the evacuation of Philadelphia, by the enerny, 
 in 1778, he was appointed commander of that station. Here, 
 indulging in all the pleasures of an expensive equipage and 
 sumptuous table, he contracted debts which he was unable to 
 discharge. To extricate himself from embarrassment, he 
 made large claims against the government, a portion of 
 which was rejected. lie was accused of extortion and of 
 misuse of the public money ; and for these offences was tried 
 by a court martial, and sentenced to be reprimanded by the 
 commander-in-chief. 
 
 23. From this moment, he determined to avenge his 
 wounded pride, and supply his wants by betraying his coun 
 try. In a letter to a British officer, he signified his change 
 of principle, and his wish to restore himself to the favor of 
 his prince, by some signal proof of his repentance. And 
 about this time, for a purpose which afterwards too plainly 
 appeared, he solicited and obtained the command of West 
 Point, the most important post in the possession of the Ame 
 rican armies. 
 
 21. He immediately opened a correspondence with sir 
 Henry Clinton, and proposed to deliver into his power the 
 post that he commanded. To agree upon the mode of sur 
 render, major Andre, a young man of splendid talents, and 
 adjutant-general of the British army, ascended the river from 
 New York, and, in the night, at a place near the American 
 lines, had an interview with Arnold. Before he was prepared 
 to return, the sloop of war which brought him was compelled 
 to move down the river. 
 
 25. In this emergency, Andre, disguised as a traveller, 
 assuming the name of Anderson, and furnished by Arnold 
 
204 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1780 
 
 with a pass, set out to return by land to Now York. He 
 * passed all the guards and posts without awakening suspicion ; 
 but was stopped, when near the end of his journey, by 
 three of the New York militia, whose names were Pauld- 
 ing, Williams, and Vanwart. Supposing them to be sol 
 diers of his own army, instead of producing his pass, lie do. 
 clared himself a British officer, and desired he might not ba 
 detained. 
 
 26. On discovering his mistMe, he offered them a purse 
 of gold and a valuable watch, and promised more ample 
 rewards from his government, if they would permit him 
 to escape. Rejecting, with patriotism worthy of all praise, 
 these tempting offers, they conducted him to colonel Jame 
 son, who was stationed near the American lines. In his 
 boots were found a particular statement of the strength of 
 the garrison, and a description of the works at West 
 Point. Anxious for the safety of Arnold, he desired the co. 
 lonel to inform him that Anderson was taken. An ex- 
 press was unwarily despatched with the intelligence. Ar. 
 nold, comprehending his danger, made a precipitate flight to 
 New York. 
 
 27. Andre, disdaining longer concealment, then avowed 
 himself to be the adjutant-general of the British army. 
 Suspicion being now excited, colonel Jameson transmitted 
 to the comrnander-in-chief, who was not f.tr distant, infor 
 mation of all the events which had occurred. Washington, 
 hastening to West Point, made arrangements for repelling 
 any attack that might be made. Measures of precaution 
 being taken, the fate of the prisoner was next to bo 
 decided. 
 
 28. His case was referred to a board of officers. Appear 
 ing before them, he confessed, with ingenuous frankness, 
 every circumstance relating to himself, but would disclose 
 nothing which might involve others in his misfortune. He 
 displayed, in all his conduct, while a prisoner, great noble 
 ness of mind; but the board, constrained by duty, reported 
 that he must be considered as a spy, and, agreeably to the 
 law of nations, ought, to suffer death. 
 
 29. Sir Henry Clinton, by whom he was highly "esteemed, 
 made every exertion in his power to avert his fate. He 
 en-treated, remonstrated, and threatened. To have yielded, 
 would have betrayed timidity and weakness, and encouraged 
 future treason. Andre suffered an ignominious death, with 
 a degree of composure arid fortitude which proved how 
 great and illustrious he might have been, had he not 
 
1780.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR; 205 
 
 stooped, in an evil hour, to the commission of an ignomini 
 ous action. 
 
 30. Arnold received, as the reward of his treachery, the 
 sum of 10,000 pounds, and the rank of brigadier-general in 
 the British army. But he was detested by his new associ 
 ates, and his name will be for ever synonymous with infamy 
 and baseness. In contrast with his, how bright shines the 
 fame of the three captors of Andre ! They were not then, 
 nor can they ever be, forgotten by a country which owes so 
 much to their fidelity. Each received the thanks of con 
 gress, a silver medal, and a pension for life, which has 
 been doubled at a subsequent season of greater national 
 prosperity. 
 
 31. At the close of the year 1780, the troops of the north 
 ern army retired to the winter-quarters which they had last 
 occupied. Again they endured distress at which patriotism 
 feels indignant and humanity weeps. The harvest had been 
 abundant. Plenty reigned in the land, but want in the camp 
 of its defenders. Selfishness had succeeded patriotism, las- 
 situda enthusiasm, in the breasts of the people, and congress 
 exerted its powers with too little vigor to draw forth the re 
 sources of the country. 
 
 33. The soldiers of the Pennsylvania line were station 
 ed at Morristowii, in New Jersey. They complained 
 that, in, addition to sustaining sufferings common to all, 
 they were retained in the service contrary to the terms of 
 their enlistment. In the night of the first of January, 
 thirteen hundred, on a concerted signal, paraded under 
 arms, and declared their intention of marching to Phila 
 delphia, and demanding of congress a redress of their 
 grievances. 
 
 33. The officers strove to compel them to relinquish their 
 purpose. In the attempt, one was killed and several wera 
 wounded. General Wayne presented his pistols, as if in 
 tending to fire. They held their bayonets to his breast ; 
 " We love and respect you," said they, " but if you fire you 
 are a dead man. We are not going to the enemy. On the 
 contrary, if they were now to come out, you should see us 
 fight under your orders with as much alacrity as ever. But 
 vfe will be amused n^ longer ; we are determined to obtain 
 what is our just due." 
 
 34. They elected temppr.ary officers, and moved off in a 
 body towards Princeton. General Wayne, to prevent them 
 from plundering the inhabitants, forwarded provisions for 
 their use. The noxt day he followed, and requested them to 
 
206 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1781, 
 
 appoint, a man from each regiment, to state to him their 
 complaints. The men were appointed, a conference held, 
 but he refused to comply with their demands. 
 
 . 35. They proceeded in good order to Princeton. Three 
 emissaries from sir Henry Clinton, meeting them here, made 
 them liberal offers to entice them from the servtce of con- 
 gress. The offers were instantly rejected, and the emissaries 
 seized and confined in strict custody. Here they were also 
 met by a committee of congress, and a deputation from the 
 state of Pennsylvania. The latter, granting part of their 
 demands, persuaded them to return to their duty. The 
 agents of Clinton were then given up, arid immediately ex- 
 ecuted as spies. 
 
 36. This mutiny, and another in the Jersey line, which 
 was instantly suppressed, aroused the attention of the states 
 to the miserable condition of their troops. The amount of 
 three months pay was raised and forwarded to them in spo. 
 cie. They received it with joy, as it afforded evidence that 
 their country was not unmindful of their sufferings. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 CAMPAIGN OF 1781, AND TERMINAT 
 OF THE WAR. 
 
 IN the spring of 1781, the project of besieging New \Tork 
 was again resumed. Requisitions for men arid store -j were 
 made ilpon the northern states, and, in June, the Frer ch and 
 American troops, marching from their iespective posi 
 tions, encamped together on ground contiguous to the 
 city. But reinforcements and supplies arrived slowly, and 
 the want of them compelled the troops in the field to remain 
 inactive. 
 
 2. In the southern department, far different was the for- 
 tune of the opposing armies. That of which general Greene 
 took the command, consisted of but 2000 men. Nearly 
 one half of these he despatched, under general Morgan, into 
 the western section of South Carolina, where a British party, 
 aided by the tories, were plundering and murdering the whigs 
 without mercy and without restraint. 
 
 3. Against the American detachment, Cornwallis de- 
 spatched Tarloton, with a force considerably superior, and 
 
1781.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 207 
 
 a large proportion of it cavalry. Morgan began to retreat, 
 but disdaining to fly from an enemy, and uncertain whether 
 he could escape an officer so distinguished as his pursuer, for 
 the celerity of his movements, he, on the 17th of January, 
 halted at the Cowpens, and determined to hazard a battle, 
 before his troop? became dispirited and fatigued. 
 
 4. Soon after he had placed his men, the British van ap 
 peared in sight. Confident of an easy victory, Tarleton rush, 
 ed to the charge with his usual impetuosity. The militia 
 posted in front yielded, as directed by Morgan, to the shock ; 
 arid the infantry composing the second line, retreated a few 
 yards. In tha ardor of pursuit, the enemy were thrown into 
 disorder : the infantry, facing about, poured upon them a 
 fire as deadly as it was unexpected. Their disorder was in 
 creased, and a charge with the bayonet completed their over 
 throw. One hundred of the enemy were killed, and five 
 hundred made prisoners. 
 
 5. Seldom has a victory, achieved by so small a number, 
 been so important in its consequences. It deprived Corn- 
 wallis of one fifth of his force, and disconcerted his plans for 
 the reduction of North Carolina. He sought, however, to 
 repair, by active exertions, the loss which he had suffered. 
 Having learnt that Morgan, the instant after his victory, 
 had marched with his prisoners towards Virginia, he deter 
 mined, if possible, to intercept him, and compel him to restore 
 his trophies. 
 
 6. Now commenced a military race which has hardly its 
 parallel in history. Each army strove to arrive first at the 
 fords of the Catawba, from which both were equally distant. 
 The American troops endured almost incredible hardships, 
 They were sometimes without meat, often without flour, and 
 always without spiritous liquors. Many, marching over 
 frozen ground without shoes, marked with blood every step 
 of their progress. 
 
 7. On the twelfth day after the battle, Morgan reached 
 the fords and crossed the Catawba. Two houps afterwards, 
 Cornwallis arrived, and, it being then dark, encamped on the 
 bank. In the night, a heavy fall of rain made the river im 
 passable. This gave Morgan an opportunity to remove the 
 prisoners beyond the reach of his pursuer. And here he was 
 joined by general Greene, who, leaving the main body of 
 his army, with orders to march towards Virginia, bad ridden, 
 with but two or three attendants, one hundred and fifty miles 
 for that purpose. 
 
 8. At- the end of three days, Cornwallis found means to 
 
208 REVOLUTIONARY WAfR. [1731. 
 
 pass the river. The retreat and pursuit again commenced. 
 On the second night, the Americans reached a ford on tho 
 Yadkin. Before all had crossed, the British appeared, 
 and a part of the baggage was left in their power. Again 
 the two armies lay encamped on the opposite banks, i;nd 
 before morning, this river also was made impassable by 
 the rain. This second preservation from imminent danger, 
 persuaded the Americans that their cause was favored of 
 Heaven. 
 
 9. The next day, Greene proceeded to Guilford court 
 house, where he was joined by the other division of his army. 
 Cornwallis inarching up the Yadkin, crossed at the shallow 
 fords near its source. Both armies now started for the river 
 Dan, on the borders of Virginia, and distant more than one 
 hundred miles. The knowledge that there the course must 
 terminate, gave fresh vigor to the troops, arid a new impulse 
 to their speed. On the fifth day, the American army, hav 
 ing, in the last twenty-four hours, marched forty miles, 
 crossed the river in boats which had been collected for the pur 
 pose ; and scarcely were they over, when the British appear, 
 ed on the opposite shore. 
 
 10. Chagrined that his adversary had thus eluded his 
 grasp, Cornwallis wheeled about and marched sullenly to 
 Hillsborouglu Here many loyalists resorted to his stand 
 ard. Six hundred Virginia militia having, in the mean 
 time, joined the American army, Greene determined to re- 
 cross the Dan, and, by his presence in North Carolina, 
 support the courage of those who had embraced the cause of 
 independence. 
 
 11. Cornwallis having detached Tarleton, with his legion, 
 to the country on the branches of the Haw river, in order to 
 countenance the rising of the loyalists in that neighborhood, 
 a body of cavalry, under lieutenant-Colonel Lee, and of mili 
 tia under general Pickens, were directed to march thither 
 and attack him. Lee, who led the van, overtook, in a 
 long lane, a band of tories, on their way -to the enomy. 
 Mistaking him for Tarleton, they expressed a lively joy 
 at the meeting, and declared their zealous attachment to the 
 royal cause. 
 
 12. Hoping to surprise Tarleton, who was but a mile 
 in advance, Lee forbore to correct their error ; but while 
 he was endeavoring to pass them, the militia came up 
 and engaged their rear. Relinquishing his first project, 
 he ordered his cavalry to fall upon the tories, who were 
 slaughtered without mercy, while protesting they were 
 
1781.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 209 
 
 "the very best friends of the king." Between two and 
 throe hundred were killed. Tarbton, alarmed by the 
 firing, retreated instantly to Hillsborough. On his way, he 
 cut down a small party of royalists, mistaking them for whig 
 militia. 
 
 13. Leaving Hillsborough, Cornwallis next encamped 
 near Guilford court-house. Greene, having been still 
 further strengthened by several bodies of militia, pursued 
 and offered him battle. On the 15th of March, an engage 
 ment was fought. At the first fire, the North Carolina mi 
 litia, who were in the front line, fled. The second line was 
 also routed. The continentals, who composed the third, 
 fought with their usual bravery, and for an hour and a half 
 maintained the conflict with great firmness. They at length 
 gave way, but retreated in good order, the slaughter they 
 had made in the enemy s ranks preventing pursuit. Both 
 sides sustained nearly an equal loss. 
 
 14. This victory, won by a far inferior force, was more 
 glorious than ; advantageous to the British army. Greene, 
 expecting and desiring to be attacked at this place of retreat, 
 made preparations for a second engagement. Cornwallie,- 
 far from courting a battle, deemed it prudent to retire to 
 Wilmington, near the sea. lie was pursued for a few days, 
 but so excessive had been the sufferings of the Americans, 
 from hunger and fatigue, that many fainted on the march, 
 and at Ramsay s mills the army halted to seek refreshment 
 arid repose. 
 
 15. After remaining three weeks at Wilmington, Corn 
 wallis proceeded to Petersburg!!, in, Virginia. From Ram 
 say s mills, Greene marched towards Camden, where were 
 posted nine hundred men, under the command of lord Raw- 
 don, lie took a position on Hobkirk s hill, about a mile 
 from the British entrenchments. At this position, the Ame 
 ricans were attacked on the 25th of April. In the begin 
 ning of the action, their bravery gained advantages which, 
 in its progress, were lo.st by the premature retreat of 
 two companies, occasioned by the death of all their offi 
 cers. At this reverse of fortune, Greene retired a few miles 
 from ihe field, both armies having sustained nearly an equal 
 loss. 
 
 1ft. In April and May, several British posts in South 
 Carolina fell into the power of the brave and active 
 prirtmns, who, with small bodies of troops, were ever 
 pr-s Mil. where oppression was to be resisted, or glory won. 
 Marion and Lee invested and took fort Watson. Orange- 
 
210 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1-78 
 
 burg and fort Motte surrendered to Sumpter. Lee cap- 
 tured fort Granby, and Marion drove from Georgetown 
 the troops stationed to defend it. None of these posts had 
 numerous garrisons, the prisoners being less, in the whole, 
 than eight hundred ; but the advantages they had secured 
 to the enemy rendered their capture important to the Ameri 
 can cause. 
 
 17. About the last of May, lord Rawdon retired te 
 Monk s Corner, near Charleston, leaving garrisons only at 
 Ninety-Six and Augusta. The latter post was besieged 
 oy Lee, and soon capitulated. Ninety-Six, which was 
 much stronger, was invested by the main army. The 
 siege had continued three weeks, and eventual success 
 appeared certain, when intelligence arrived that lord Raw- 
 don, having received a reinforcement from Ireland, was 
 approaching, with two thousand men, to the relief of the 
 place. All hope was now lost of reducing it by the slow 
 operation of a siege. On the 18th of June- the Americans, 
 with great gallantry, made an assault upon the works. 
 They were received with no less gallantry by the garrison, 
 and repulsed. Greene then retired towards North Caro 
 lina, and three days afterwards lord Rawdon arrived at 
 Ninety-Six. 
 
 18. During this year, the inhabitants of the Carolinas 
 endured calamity and distress, from which humanity revolts 
 with horror. The country was ravaged and plundered by 
 both armies. The people, in sentiment, were about equally 
 divided. Village was hostile to village, and neighbor to 
 neighbor ; and their hostility had been embittered by accu 
 sation and retort, by attack and reprisal, until pillage, 
 burning, and murder, became familiar to all. Whenever 
 a republican or royalist fell into the power of an adversary, 
 he was instantly sacrificed in revenge of a friend, or to 
 gratify political hatred. It is asserted that, in this man 
 ner, thousands were put to death. Each party aimed at 
 the extirpation of the other, and the whole country pre 
 sented an unvaried scene of blood and slaughter. But 
 censure ought not to rest equally upon the two parties. 
 In the commencement of the contest, the British, to terrify 
 the people into submission, set an example which the tories 
 Were quick, but the whigs slow, to follow ; anil in its pro 
 gress the American generals, and they alone, seized every 
 occasion to discountenance such vindictive and barbarous 
 conduct. 
 
 19. LO Rawdon having returned to England the com- 
 
1781.] REVOLUTIONARY WAfc. 
 
 mand of the British troops, in South Carolina, devolved 
 upon lieutenant-colonel Stewart. In the beginning of 
 September, he took post, at Eutaw. Greene marched against 
 him from the High Hills of Santee. Their forces wero 
 equal, amounting on e ach side to two thousand men. On 
 the 8th, a battle was fought, more bloody perhaps than any 
 which had occurred during the war. The attack was maoh 
 by the Americans ; the British, resolute and brave, made an 
 obstinate resistance, but were at length driven in disorder 
 from the field. 
 
 20. A small number, on their retreat, took possess ion of & 
 large brick house, and others of an adjoining picketed gat- 
 den. -From these strong positions, a deadly tire was poured 
 Upon the Americans, who persisted, for a long time, in a 
 rash attempt to take them by storm. This check enabled 
 the British commander to rally his broken battalions, and 
 
 bring them again into action. Greene, despairing of further 
 success, withdrew his troops, carrying with him his wounded, 
 and prisoners. 
 
 21. The loss on both sides was uncommonly grw.t, -in pro, 
 portion to the numbers engaged. On the American side, 
 the number of killed and wounded amounted to five hundred 
 arid fifty ; and that of the British, as stated by themselves, to 
 almost seven hundred. This sanguinary battle was followed 
 by the retreat of the British army towards Charleston. The 
 Americans pursued, and, by establishing a chain of posts at 
 a short distance from that, city, protected the state from their 
 incursions. 
 
 22. Cornwallls, who left North Carolina in April, arrived 
 at Petersburg]), in Virginia, on the 20th of May. He there 
 formed a junction with a British detachment, which, com 
 manded at first by Arnold and afterwards by Phillips, had 
 previously gained possession of Richmcrfd and Portsmouth. 
 With the force now at his command, he flattered himself 
 that he should be able to add this state also to the list of his 
 conquests. 
 
 23. The American troops, stationed in Virginia for its 
 defence, were indeed entirely insufficient to oppose any ef 
 fectual resistance. Under their gallant leader, the marquis 
 de la Fayette, they accomplished even more than was ex 
 pected ; but were unable to prevent the enemy from march 
 ing through the country, and destroying much public and 
 private property. 
 
 24. From these excursions, -Cornwallis was recalled to 
 the sea-coast by his ccmmander-in-chiuf, who, having -inter-. 
 
%& REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1781. 
 
 oopted a letter from Washington to congress, became, ac 
 quainted \yi.th the danger which threatened New York. He 
 ^yas directed to take a position near the ocean, where his 
 31 ii iy and the fleet might afford mutual protection, until the 
 Qveiit of the operations of the north should be known. Ho 
 selected York! own and Gloucester Point, situated on oppo 
 site sides of York river, which empties into Chesapeake: hay. 
 Me had; an army of more than 10,000 men, and applied all 
 liis means, with unwearied industry and zeal, to fortify these 
 Commanding positions.. 
 
 5. lf\ the mean, time, but little progress had been made 
 jp the preparutipns to besiege New York. Of the GOOO 
 meu whoiu. tho northern states were required to furnish for 
 that purpose, a few hundred only, at the beginning of Au. 
 gust, had joined the army. On the other hand, the enemy 
 in the city had been strengthened by the arrival of 3000 Ger- 
 sjvins. In this posture of affairs, the idea of an exp^dilion 
 against Oornwallis occurred to the commander-iu-chief. 
 While deliberating on the enterprise, he received informa 
 tion that a French fleet, under the count de Grusse, with 
 3000 troops on board, was on the way to America, and des. 
 tjned to the Chesapeake. 
 
 26. Me hesitated no longer, but determined to conduct the 
 .expedition in, person. The show of an intention to attack 
 New York, was nevertheless preserved. After the troops 
 left their respective positions, and crossed the Hudson, their 
 march was so directed as to lead sir Henry Clinton to be-. 
 Ijeve that it was the object of Washington to gain possession 
 cjf Staten Island, in order to facilitate his designs against 
 the city. The despatches he had intercepted assisted to de 
 ceive him, and not until the army had crossed the Delaware, 
 and was thus beyond the reach of pursuit, did he suspect the 
 ?eal ! object of his adversary. 
 
 27r. He then determined to profit by his absence, or 
 recall him, by some daring enterprise at the north. Giving 
 to the traitor Arnold, who had just returned from Virginia, 
 the command of a strong detachment, he sent him against 
 New London, a flourishing city situated upon the river 
 Thames, in his native stale. Nearly opposite, on a hill in 
 Grot.on, stood fort Griswold, which was then garrisoned 
 by militia, hastily summoned from their labors in tho 
 jjoM. 
 
 28. Against this fort Arnold despatched a part of his 
 troops. It was assaulted on three sides at the same rno- 
 Tlie garrison, fighting in view of their property 
 
1781.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 213 
 
 and their homes, made a brave and obstinate resistance. 
 -By their steady and woil-directed fire, many of the assail 
 ants were killed. Pressing forward with persevering 
 ardor, the enemy entered the fort through the embrasures. 
 Immediately all resistance ceasod. Irritated by gallantry 
 which should have caused admiration, a British officer 
 inquired who commanded the fort. " I did," said colonel 
 Ledyard, " but. you do now," and presented him his sword. 
 He seized it, and with savage cruelty plunged it into his 
 btssoin. This was - the signal for an indiscriminate mas 
 sacre. Of one hundred and sixty men composing the 
 garrison, all but fbffey were killed or wounded, and most 6? 
 them after resistance had ceased. Seldom has the glory 
 of victory been tarnished by such detestable barbari 
 ty. The enemy then entered -New London, which was 
 et on fire and consumed. The -property destroyed was 
 of immense value. Perceiving no other object within 
 the reach of his force, Arnold led back his troops to New 
 York. 
 
 29. The march of Washington was not arresteS by this 
 barbarous inroad, lie pressed forward with the utmost 
 speed, the great object in view imparting vigor to his 
 troops. At Chester, he received the cheering intelligence, 
 that admiral dc Grasse had entered the Chesapeake with a 
 force sufficiently strong to prevent the escape of the ene 
 my by water. On the 25th of September, the last division 
 of the allied forces arrived at the place appointed for their 
 meeting. The whole consisted of 16,000 men, and was 
 furnished with a large and powerful train of battering ar 
 tillery. 
 
 30. A body of troops undel- general de -Choise was sta 
 tioned to watch the small garrison at Gloucester Point, on 
 th north bank of tile river ; and on the 28th the several 
 divisions, destined to besiege the main garrison at York- 
 town, reached the positions assigned them. On the night 
 of the 6th of October, advancing to within 600 yards of the 
 enemy s lines, they began their first parallel, and labored 
 with such silence and diligence, that they were not disco- 
 vered until morning, when the works they had raised were 
 sufficient to protect them. 
 
 31. On the 9th, several batteries being completed, <i 
 heavy cannonade was begun. Many of the enemy s gurts 
 
 were dismounted, and portions of their fortifications laid 
 level with the ground, On the night of the llth, tha 
 besiegers commenced their second parallel, three 
 
1H REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1781. 
 
 yards in advance of the first. This approach was made so 
 much sooner than was expected, that the men were not dis 
 covered at their labor, until they had rendered themselves se. 
 cure from all molestation in front. The fire from the ne\v> 
 Batteries was still more furious and destructive. 
 
 39. From two British redoubts, in advance of their main 
 works, and flanking those of the besiegers, the men in the. 
 .trenches wer so severely annoyed that Washington re- 
 . solved to storm them. The enterprise against one was 
 committed to, an American, that against the other to a 
 French detachment. Colonel Hamilton, who led the van 
 of the former, made such an impetuous attack, that pos 
 session was soon obtained, with little slaughter. Retalia 
 tion for the carnage at fort Griswold might have been 
 justified. But "the soldiers," said colonel Hamilton, "in 
 capable of imitating examples of barbarity, and forgetting 
 Decent provocation, spared every man that ceased to re 
 sist." The French detachment was equally brave and suc 
 cessful, but, opposed by a stronger force, sustained a more 
 Considerable loss. 
 
 33. Cornwallis, perceiving no, hope of safety but in flight, 
 attempted, on the evening of the 16th, to cross over to 
 (Gloucester, intending to force his way through the troops 
 under de Choise, and proceed by rapid marches to New 
 York. Before reaching the opposite shore, with the first di 
 vision of his army, a storm dispersed his boats and compelled 
 liirri to abandon the project. 
 
 34. On the morning of the l 7th, additional batteries were 
 completed by the besiegers. The cannonade became too 
 powerful to be resisted. The enemy s works were sinking 
 rapidly under it. and nearly all their guns were silenced. Be 
 fore noon, Convallis boat a parley, and proposed that com- 
 jtnissio.ners should be appointed to settle terms of surrender. 
 They were accordingly appointed, and on the 19th of Octo- 
 fyer, the terms which they hacl agreed upon were ratified by 
 $ie respective commanders. 
 
 35. Thfe naval force in tjie harbor v/as surrendered to de 
 Grasse, the garrison to the American general. To the gar- 
 yifon, the same terms were granted as had been conceded to 
 the troops who capitulated at Charleston ; and general Lin 
 coln, who was present, was designated by Washington to re-. 
 qciy-e the sword of Cornwallis. The number of prisoners ex-, 
 seeded seven thousand, of whom nearly three thousand were 
 got fit for duty. 
 
 $6, Qn no, occasion during the war, did the American. 
 
1782.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR, %\5 
 
 people manifest greater exultation and joy. To the Giver of* 
 all good, they united in rendering, with grateful hearts* 
 thanksgiving and praise for the decisive victory which he 
 had enabled them to gain. From the nature and duration 
 of the contest, the affections of many had been so con 
 centrated upon their country, and so intense was their inte 
 rest in its fate, that the news of this brilliant success pro 
 duced the most rapturous emotions, under the operation of* 
 which some were deprived of their reason, and one aged pa 
 triot in Philadelphia expired. 
 
 37. The loss of a second entire army e&trfcguisheS every 
 hope, which the people of Great Britain, had entertained, 
 of the subjugation of their colonies. Their burdens, which* 
 although heavy, they had borne with patience, while ani 
 mated by the prospect of success, now pressed with in 
 tolerable weight. They demanded, with ah almost unani 
 mous voice, that an end should speedily be put to a hope* 
 less and ruinous war. But the speech of the king to par 
 liament, at the opening of the winter session, discovered* 
 that his feelings and determination remained unchanged, 
 Bearing no portion of the birrdens of war, Ije felt, with 
 undiminished force, his reluctance to part with the au 
 thority which he had Once exercised over three millions ^f 
 subjects. 
 
 38. But the house of commons, speaking the senurocnts 
 of the people, expressed, in energetic language, their d;% 
 approbation of all farther attempts to reduce the colonies 
 to obedience by fo rce. Lord North, contrary to the wishes 
 of his sovereign, then resigned the office of prime minister- 
 Another cabinet was formed, who advised the king to con^ 
 cede independence to the colonies. Early in the spring of 
 1782, pacific overtures were accordingly made to the Ameri 
 can government, and both nations desisted from hostile mea^ 
 sures. 
 
 39. Congress had previously appointed John Adams, of 
 Massachusetts, a commissioner to treat with Great Britain, 
 whenever her government should express a desire for 
 peace. He was one of the earliest op^Osers of parlia 
 mentary encroachment. Actuated by hatred of tyranny 
 as well as love of country, he had, before resistance wasl 
 contemplated by others, devoted all the energies of his 
 powerful mind to the work of enlightening the people, 
 u.ud preparing them for the contest which he foresaw was 
 approaching. In the continental congress he was conspi* 
 euous for his talents and zeaL -Appointed minister to 
 
246 REVOLUTIONARY WAR. [1783. 
 
 Holland, he succeeded in obtaining a loan at Amsterdam, 
 when the resources of his country were almost exhausted, 
 and in concluding with that republic a treaty of amity and 
 commerce. 
 
 40. As colleagues with him, congress now appointed 
 Bpnjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens. Tho 
 first was minister to France. He was beloved by his 
 country fqr the services he had rendered her ; and illus-, 
 trious throughout the world for his inventive genius and* 
 practical philosophy. John Jay was a native of New York; 
 was distinguished, for the purity of his moral character, 
 and his attachment to the rights of mankind. He had 
 long been a member - of congress, and was then the repre 
 sentative of the United State-!* at the Spanish court. 
 Henry Laurens was a citizen ot South Carolina, had been 
 president of congress, had bosn appointed minister tc 
 Holland, but when crossing the cceari, wa.s captured by a 
 British cruiser, and confined, on a charge of treason, to the 
 tower of London. In the endurance of sufferings in his 
 country s cause, he displayed a character formed after the 
 models of antiquity. 
 
 41. To negotiate with these. Mr. Oswald was appointed 
 on the part of Great Britain. The conferences were held 
 at Paris, where, in November, 1782, preliminary articles 
 were agreed upon. These were to form the basis of a defi 
 nitive treaty, the conclusion of which was. deferred until 
 peace should take place between France, the ally of the/ 
 United States, and Great Britain. That event occurred on 
 the third day of December, 1783 ; and on the same day, a 
 definitive treaty between the parent country and her late 
 colonies was also signed. 
 
 42. The provisions of the treaty attest the zeal and 
 ability of the American negotiators, as well as the liberal, 
 feelings which actuated the new British ministry. The 
 independence of the* Ignited States was fully acknowledged. 
 The right of fishing on the banks of Newfoundland, and 
 certain facilities in the enjoyment of that right, were 
 secured to them forever; and territory was ceded to then? 
 more extensive than the most s; nguine had dared to anti. 
 cipate or to hope. During the negotiation, France, to 
 ensure the future dependence of her allies upon herself, 
 endeavored by secret intrigues, to prevent them from 
 pbtining as favorable terms as even their late enemies 
 were willing to grant a striking proof of the selfishness 
 pjf nations. 
 
1783.] REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 217 
 
 43. While tho negotiations were pending, tlio American 
 troops were retained in service, but remained unemployed 
 at their various stations. They saw with pleasure the end 
 of their toils approaching 1 , but apprehended that their coun 
 try, when she no longer needed their services, would for 
 get with what zoal and fidelity they had been rendered. 
 The officers, especially, dreaded thai, after having, for 
 want of pay, expended their private fortunes, and after 
 having exhausted thoir strength in the performance ot* 
 arduous and protracted services, they should be dismissed 
 in poverty, without any secure provision for their future 
 support. 
 
 44. In the course of the war, a resolution had been 
 adopted by congress, stipulating that the officers, after 
 being disbanded, should receive half-pay for life. This reso 
 lution had never been ratified by the requisite number of 
 states, and no safe reliance could therefore be placed upon 
 it. In December, 1782, the officers forwarded to congress a 
 petition praying that all arrears which were due to them 
 might be discharged, and that, instead of half-pay for life, a 
 sum equal to five years full pay should be paid or secured to 
 them when disbanded. 
 
 45. The delay of congress to comply with this request pro 
 duced an alarming agitation in that porlion of the army sta~ 
 tionod at Newburgh. An address to the officers was pri 
 vately circulated, written with great ability, and admirably 
 well fitted to work upon those passions which recent suffer- 
 ings and gloomy forebodings had excited in every bosom. 
 The writer boldly roconunandod that, as all tin applications 
 to the sympathy and justice of congress had failed of success, 
 an appeal should bo m:ide to their fears, 
 
 4G. Fortunately, the commander-m-chief was in camp. 
 Though conscious that the officers had just, causo of com 
 plaint, he was aware, that duty to his country, and even 
 friendship for tlunn, required that h-"i should prevent tho 
 adoption of rash and disorderly expedients to obtain redress. 
 Calling them together, he, by a calm and sensible address, 
 persuaded them to rely still longer upon the disposition of 
 congress to perform for thorn \vaatevcr the limited means of 
 the nation would permit. 
 
 47. In a letter to that body, giving an account of theso 
 occurrences, ho maintained an 1 enforced tho claims of tho 
 officers with such pathos aid strenjrl-.h of reasoning, that 
 their request was granted. In November, 1783, tho 
 FATJUOT ARMY was disbanded, and again ivunjjlod with 
 19 
 
218 CONFEDERATION. [1736, 
 
 thoir fellow-citizens. In the same month, New York was 
 evacuated by the British troops. General Washington, tak 
 ing an affectionate leave of his officers, repaired to Annapo. 
 Us, where congress was sitting, and there, at a public audi 
 ence, with dignity and sensibility, resigned his commission 
 as commander-in-chief of the American armies. Then, with 
 a character illustrious throughout the world, he returned to 
 his residence at Mount Vernon, possessing the sincere love 
 and profound veneration of his countrymen. 
 
 CHAPTEP XXIV. 
 ADOPTION OF TIJE CONSTITUTION, 
 
 AND 
 
 WASHINGTON S ADMINISTRATION. 
 
 INDEPENDENCE and peace did not immediately produce all 
 the advantages which had been anticipated by an ardent 
 and sanguine people. The evils of war were protracted be 
 yond its duration. Public and private debts bore heavily 
 upon the people, restraining their enterprise and demanding 
 all thoir resources. 
 
 2. Unsupported by the sense of imminent and common 
 danger, the articles of confederation were found insufficient 
 to accomplish the purposes of a national government. They 
 conferred upon congress the power not to raise money, but 
 merely to make requisitions upon the states. These were 
 oi ten disregarded, no authority being given to enforce ooe- 
 dienco. The revenue was therefore deficient, the public cro- 
 ditors were unpaid, and the national securities or evidences 
 of debt depreciated so low that they were often sold for one 
 eighth of their nominal value. 
 
 3. Neither did these articles confer the power to regulate 
 commerce. Congress, therefore, could not make commer 
 cial treaties with foreign nations which would be obligatory 
 upon the individual states. Unprotected by treaties, and 
 unsupported by countervailing regulations, the American 
 merchants were denied all participation, except on terms 
 1 1 once burdensome and degrading, in the commerce of 
 tie world. The trade between the several states, which 
 
1786.] CONFEDERATION. 219 
 
 were considered separate and independent sovereignties, 
 was also embarrassed by numerous restrictions, producing 
 frequent collisions, and diminishing the benefits which 
 naturally flow from the unfettered enterprise and industry 
 of man. Commerce languished ; and from the want of 
 its vivifying influence, ail the energies of the country were 
 dormant. 
 
 4. To remedy these evils, congress applied to the states 
 for a grant of the power to regulate commerce, and to 
 collect a revenue from it. New York alone refuse d ; but 
 as unanimity was requisite, her single negative defeated 
 the project. In the mean time, the distress increased, 
 and in Massachusetts, where it was greatest, urged to 
 insurrection a portion of the inhabitants. Near the close 
 of the year 1786, they assembled, to the number of two 
 thousand, in the northwestern part of the state, and, choos 
 ing Daniel Shays their leader, demanded that the collec 
 tion of debts should be suspended, and that the legislature 
 should authorize} the emission of paper money for general 
 circulation. 
 
 5. Two bodies of militia, drawn from those parts of the 
 state where disaffection did not prevail, were immediately 
 despatched against them, one under the command of ge 
 neral Lincoln, the other of general Shepard. They were 
 easily dispersed ; and afterwards abandoning their seditious 
 purposes, accepted the proffered indemnity of the govern 
 ment. 
 
 6. So early as 1783, John Adams, being then minister in 
 Europe, and seeing in what light the American confedera 
 tion was regarded by foreign nations, suggested to congress 
 the expediency of effecting a closer union of the states, and 
 of conferring more efficient powers upon the general go 
 vernment. A conviction of the necessity of such a course 
 was also felt by general Washington, and most of the dis 
 tinguished patriots of that period. In September, 1786, 
 upon the proposition of Mr. Madison, of Virginia, a con 
 vention of commissioners from five of the middle states, 
 was held at Annapolis, for the purpose of devising and re 
 commending to the states a uniform system of commercial 
 regulations. 
 
 7. These commissioners, after deliberating upon the sub 
 ject, came to the conclusion that nothing short of a thorough 
 reform of the existing government should be attempted. 
 This opinion was expressed in the report of their proceed 
 ings, which was laid before congress. That body adopted. 
 
22U CONFEDERATION. [1787, 
 
 in consequence, a resolution recommending that a conven 
 tion of delegates from all the slates should ho held ul Phila 
 delphia, for the purpose of revising the articles of confede 
 ration, and reporting such alterations as would render the 
 federal constitution adequate to thy exigencies of govern 
 ment, and the }m;seuv-itkMi of the union, 
 
 8. With this recQim-nendatio n all the states, except Rhode 
 Island, complied ; and in May, 1787, the convention met. 
 Of this body of venerable and illustrious statesmen, George 
 Washington was unanimously elected president- They 
 deliberated with closed doors, and at the end of four 
 months, agreed apon a constitution for the United States 
 of America, which, after being reported to congress, was 
 submitted for ratification to, conventions holden in the re 
 spective states. 
 
 9. Tins constitution, under which the citizens of this 
 republic have enjoyed such unexampled happiness and pros 
 perity, differs, in many particulars, from the articles o-f 
 confederation. It coon-eels the states more closely toge 
 ther, by establishing a general arid supreme government 
 composed of three departments, legislative, executive, and 
 judicial. 
 
 10. The legislative department consists of a senate and 
 house of representatives, and is styled the congress. The 
 members of the house are chosc3n by the people, and hold 
 their offices two years. They are apportioned among the 
 several states, according to the number of inhabitants, as 
 ascertained every tenth year by the census, deducting two* 
 fifths of the slaves. 
 
 11. Tho senators are the representatives of the states, ia 
 their sovereign capacity, and are chosen by the state legis 
 latures, each choosing two-. The constitution ordained that 
 on assembling at the first session, they should be divided, as 
 equally as possible, into, three classes. Those composing the 
 first class were to hold their offices but two years ; those 
 composing the second class, four years , those composing 
 the third, six years. All subsequently chosen were to hold 
 their offices six years,, except such as should be chosen to- 
 supply the places o-f those who died or resigned. Besides 
 their legislative power, they have, in concurrence with the 
 executive, a voice i:i all appointments to office, and in the 
 r a t i ft cation of t r e a i i ?, s . 
 
 12. The executive power is vested in a president ap 
 pointed by electors. These electors are chosen in the 
 respective states, in such manner us the different logisla. 
 
1787.] CONFEDERATION. 221 
 
 tures may prescribe, and are equal in number to the sena. 
 tors and representatives from the state in congress. If, 
 however, no person receives a majority of the votes of 
 these electors, the president is then chosen by the repre 
 sentatives, those from ea.ch state having 1 but one vote. 
 He is elected for ftrir years ; but lie may be impeached ly 
 the house, tried by the senate, and, if convicted of mis- 
 conduct, may be removed from oflice. He is commander- 
 in-chief of the land and naval forces. He nominates to 
 the senate all offices of the general government, and, with 
 the advice and consent of two thirds of that body, ratifies 
 treaties. A vice-president is chosen at the same time, 
 and in the same manner, to perform all the duties of pre 
 sident when that office is vacant by death, resignation, or 
 removal/ . 
 
 13. To pass a law the house and senate must concur, 
 and it is then to be sent to the president, who must approve 
 it. If he does not approve it, he must return it with his 
 objections ; and it must then be agreed to by two thirds 
 of both branches. Laws thus enacted are obligatory upon 
 the citizens individually, and may be executed by officers 
 appointed by the president and senate. Under the con 
 federation, the .ordinances of congress operated only upon 
 the states, and no efficient mode was provided for enforcing 
 thorn. 
 
 14. The constitution confers on congress th^ power to 
 declare war ; to raise and support armies ; to provide and 
 maintain a navy ; to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, 
 and excises ; to regulate commerce ; to coin money ; and all 
 other powers of a general or national character. It dimi 
 nishes, in no respect, the liberty of the citizen, but transfers 
 a portion of the powers, previously exercised by the state 
 governments, to the government of the union. 
 
 15. The judicial power of the United States is vested in 
 a supreme court, and such inferior courts as the congress- 
 may establish ; and it extends to all cases arising under the 
 constitution, the laws of congress, and treaties ; to all cases 
 of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; to all controver 
 sies between citizens of different states, and between foreign 
 ers and citizens : the judges hold their offices during good 
 behavior. 
 
 16. The new constitution found opposers as well as advo 
 cates, and both were equally zealous. The former, ardently 
 attached to liberty, imagined that rulers possessing such ex 
 tensive sway, such abundant patronage, and such indepen- 
 
 13* 
 
222 WASHINGTON S [1789, 
 
 dent tenure of office, would become fond of the exercise of 
 power, and, in the end, arrogant and tyrannical. The latter 
 professed equal attachment to liberty, but contended that, 
 to preserve it, an energetic government was necessary. They 
 described, with powerful effect, the evils actually endured 
 from the inefficiency of the confederation, and demanded 
 that a trial at least should be made of the remedy proposed, 
 f These took the name of federalists, as friendly to a union of 
 the states* ; the appellation of anti-federalists was given to 
 their antagonists. \ 
 
 17. In the conventions of j eleven states, a majority r 
 though in Rome instances a snv.ill one, decided in f;vor of 
 its ratification. Provision! was then mii.de for the election 
 of the officers to compose the r.vcntive and legislative 
 departments. To the highest station, the electors, by a 
 unanimous vote, elected (-v^or^o WushingtoA illustrious 
 for his virtues and military t.lents. To the second, that 
 of vice,. president, by a vt>:.e u : -;iriy invuiliiious, thr>y ele 
 vated John Adams>\vho, in stations less conspicuous, h ; >d, 
 with equal patriotism, rendered important services to his 
 country. 
 
 18. The fourth of March, 1789, was the day designated 
 for the new government to commence its operations. The 
 delays incident to its first organization, prevented the inau- 
 gur.i/ion of the president, until the 30th of April. The ce 
 remony was witnessed, with inexpressible joy, by an im 
 mense concourse of citizens. In an impressive address to 
 both houses of congress, ho declared, with characteristic 
 modast.y, his " incapacity for the mighty and untried cares 
 before him," and offered his "fervent supplications to that 
 Almighty B?ing, whose providential aid can supply every 
 human defect, that his benediction would consecrate to the 
 liberties and happiness of the people of the United States, 
 a government instituted by themselves for these essential 
 purposes ; and would enable every instrument, employed in 
 its administration, to execute, with success, the functions 
 allotted to his charge." 
 
 19. He also expressed his firm conviction, " tjiat the foun- 
 ation of our national policy would be laid in the pure and 
 immutable principles of private morality; and that the pre- 
 crninoiice of a free government would be exemplified by all 
 the attributes which can win the affections of its citizens, 
 and command the respect of the world." 
 
 20. " I dwell," s-sid he, "on this nrospeet. with every sa 
 tisfaction which an ardent love for my country can inspire ; 
 
1790.] ADMINISTRATION. 223 
 
 since there is no truth more thoroughly established, than 
 that there exists, in thy economy arid course of nature, an 
 indissoluble union between virtue and happiness; between 
 duty and advantage ; between the genuine maxims of an 
 honest and magnanimous policy, and the solid rewards of 
 public prosperity arid felicity; und since the destiny of the 
 republican model of government is justly considered as 
 DEEPLY, perhaps as FINALLY, staked on the experiment in 
 trusted to the American people." 
 
 21. To establish a revenue sufficient for the support of 
 government, and for the discharge of the debt contracted in 
 the revolutionary war, was the first object of congress. For 
 this purpose, duties were laid on the importation of mer- . 
 chandise, and on the tonnage of vessels ; and from those 
 sources were drawn into the national treasury, funds which 
 had before been collected and appropriated by the states on 
 the sea coast. 
 
 22. Laws, creating a department of state, of the treasury, 
 and of war, were enacted ; and Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Hamil 
 ton, and general Knox, appointed secretaries or principals. 
 A national judiciary was constituted and organized. A re 
 solve was passed, directing the secretary of the treasury 
 to prepare a plan for the support of public credit ; and 
 amendments to the constitution were proposed, which were 
 subsequently ratified by the states ; arid which, removing 
 many of the objections made to it, rendered it acceptable 
 to all. 
 
 23. After the adjournment of congress, the president made 
 a tour through New England, where he was received by the 
 inhabitants with an affection bordering on adoration. People 
 of all classes crowded to behold the man whose virtues and 
 talents exalted him, in their view, above the heroes of an 
 cient and modern times ; and to present to him the undis- 
 Beinbled homage of their grateful hearts. But to none did 
 his visit give more exquisite pleasure than to the officers and 
 soldiers of the " patriot army," who had been his compa 
 nions in suffering and in victory, who were endeared to him 
 by thir bravery and fidelity in war, and by the magna 
 nimity with which, in peace, they endured unmerited neglect 
 and poverty. 
 
 24. At the next session of congress, which commenced 
 in January, 1790, Mr. Hamilton, the secretary of the 
 treasury, made his cele 1 rated report upon the public debts 
 contracted during the revolutionary war. Taking- an able 
 and enlarged view of thu advantages of public credit, he 
 
 
?4 WASHINGTON S [1790. 
 
 recommended that, not only the debts of the continental 
 congress, but those of the states arising from their exer 
 tions in the common cause, should be funded or assumed 
 by the general government ; and that provision should be 
 made for paying the interest, by imposing taxes on cer 
 tain articles of luxury, and on spirits distilled within the 
 country. 
 
 25. Upon this report an animated debate took, place. 
 Its recommendations were opposed by that party who had 
 seen or thought they had seen, in the constitution, rr my 
 features hostile to freedom, and who remembered that Mr. 
 Hamilton, when a member of the convention, had propos^ 
 that the president and senate should be appointed to bold 
 their offices during good behavior. They now expressed 
 their fears, that the assumption of these debts would 
 render the government still stronger, by drawing around 
 it a numerous and powerful body of public creditors, who, 
 in all its contests with the states or the people, would be 
 bound, by the strongest of all ties, that of interest, to sup. 
 port it whether right or wrong. This party, existing* 
 principally in the southern states, and professing an ardent 
 attachment to the equal rights of man, took the name of 
 republican. 
 
 26. Mr. Madison proposed, that whenever the public se 
 curities had been transferred, the highest price which they 
 had borne in the market should be paid to the purchaser, 
 and the residue to the original holder. After art eloquent 
 debate, this proposition was rejected. The party denomi 
 nated federal, and existing principally in the northern states, 
 supported throughout, with great ability and force of rea 
 soning, the plans of the secretary ; but on taking the vote 
 in the house of -representatives, they were rejected by a ma 
 jority of two. 
 
 27. Afterwards this national measure was connected, 
 as is too frequently the case in legislative bodies, with one 
 which had excited much local feeling. It was "understood 
 that, should the seat of government be fixed for ten years 
 at Philadelphia, and afterwards permanently at a place to 
 be selected on the Potomac, some southern members would 
 withdraw their opposition to the funding system. A law 
 to that effect was accordingly enacted. The former dis 
 cussion was then resumed. The plans of the secretary 
 were adopted in the senate and afterwards in the house, 
 two members, representing districts on the Potomac, chang- 
 uig their votes. The debt funded amounted to a little more 
 
i79L] ADMINISTRATION. 225 
 
 than seventy-five millions of dollars ; upon a part of which 
 three per cent., arid upon the remainder six per cent., in 
 terest was to be paid. 
 
 28. The effect of this measure was great and rapid. The 
 price of the public papr, wbich had fallen to twelve or 
 fifteen cents on the dollar, suddenly rose to the sum ex 
 pressed on the face of it. This difference was gained, in 
 most instances, by purchasers of the securities, who. feeling 
 indebted, for this immense accession of wealth, to the plans 
 of the secretary, reguixled him with enthusiastic attachment. 
 But in others, this wealth, suddenly acquired without merit, 
 excited envy and dissatisfaction. These joined the repub 
 lican party ; who, fancying they were witnessing the fulfil 
 rnent of their prediction, became more active in their oppo 
 sition. 
 
 29. The recommendation of the secretary to impose ad 
 ditional duties, was not acted upon until the next session 
 of congress. Those on distilled spirits were proposed in 
 order to render the burdens of the inhabitants beyond the 
 Allegheny mountains, where no other spirits were con 
 sumed, equal to those of the inhabitants on the sea coast, 
 who consumed most of the articles on which an import duty 
 was paid. In the beginning of the year 1791, they were 
 laid as proposed. A national bank, recommended also 
 by the same officer, was in the same year incorporated. 
 Both measures met a violent opposition from the republican 
 party. 
 
 30. When the new government was first organized, 
 but eleven states had ratified the constitution. After 
 wards, North Carolina and Rhode Island, the two dis 
 senting states, adopted it ; the former in November, 1789, 
 the latter in May, 1790. In 1791, Vermont adopted it. 
 and applied to congress to be admitted into the union- 
 The territory of this state, situated between New Hamp 
 shire and New York, was claimed by both, and both had 
 made grants of land within its limits. In 1777, the 
 inhabitants, refusing to submit to either, declared them 
 selves independent. Although not represented in the 
 continental congress, yoi, during the war, they embraced 
 the cause of their brethren in the other states, and to 
 them their aid was often rendered, aiid was always 
 efficient. Agreeably to their request, a*i act wus now 
 passed, constituting Vermont one of the members of the 
 union. An act was also passed, declaring that the district 
 of Kentucky, then a part of Virginia, should be admitted 
 
226 WASHINGTON S [1792 
 
 into the union on the first day of June, in the succeeding 
 year.. 
 
 31. In 1791 was completed the first census or enumera 
 tion of the inhabitants of the United States. They amounted 
 to 3,921,326, of which number 695.655 were slaves. The 
 revenue, according to the report of the secretary of the 
 treasury, amounted to 4,771,000 dollars, the exports to about 
 nineteen, and the imports to about twenty millions. A 
 great improvement in the circumstances of the people began 
 at this period to be visible. The establishment of a firm 
 and regular government, and confidence in the men whom 
 they had chosen to administer it, gave an impulse to their 
 exertions which bore them rapidly forward in the career of 
 prosperity. 
 
 32. In 1790, a termination was put to the war which, 
 for several years, had raged between the Creek Indians 
 and the state of Georgia. Pacific overtures were also 
 made to the hostile tribes inhabiting the banks of the 
 Seioto and the Wabash. These being rejected, an army 
 of 1-400 men. commanded by general Harmer, was de 
 spatched against them. Two battles were fought, near 
 Chilicothe, in Ohio, between successive detachments from 
 this army and the Indians, in which the latter were vic 
 torious. 
 
 33. Emboldened by these successes, they made more 
 vigorous attacks upon the frontier settlements, which suf 
 fered all the distressing calamities of an Indian war. Addi 
 tional troops were raised, and the command of the whole 
 was given to general St. Clair.^ With near 2000 men, he 
 marched, in October, into the wilderness. By desertion and 
 detachments, this force was reduced to fourteen hundred. 
 On the third of November, they encamped a few miles from 
 the villages on the Miami, intending to remain tliore until 
 joined by those who were absent. 
 
 34. But before sunrise, the next morning, just after the 
 troops were dismissed from the parade, they were attacked 
 unexpectedly by the Indians. The new levies, who were 
 in front, rushed back in confusion upon the regulars. 
 These, who had been hastily formed, were thrown into 
 disorder. They, however, with great intrepidity, ad 
 vanced into the n/idst of the enemy, who retired from 
 covert to covert, keeping always beyond reach, and again 
 returning as soon as the troops were recalled from pursuit. 
 In these charges man}/ brave and experienced officers 
 
1793.1 ADMINISTRATION. 227 
 
 were killed ; the loss of men was also great, and no perma 
 nent impression was made upon the enemy. 
 
 35. At length, after a contest of three or four hours, St. 
 Clair, whose ill health disabled him from performing the ac 
 tive duties of commander, determined to withdraw from the 
 field the remnant of his troops. The instant that the direc 
 tions to retire were given, a disorderly flight commenced. 
 Fortunately for the survivors, the victorious Indians were 
 soon recalled from pursuit to the camp, by their avidity for 
 plunder ; and the vanquished continued their retreat unmo 
 lested to the frontier settlements. 
 
 36. In this battle, the numbers engaged on each side 
 were supposed to be equal. Of the whites, the slaughter 
 was almost beyond example. Six hundred and thirty were 
 killed and missing, and two hundred and sixty were wound 
 ed a loss which proves at once the obstinacy of the 
 defence, and the bravery of the assailants. On receiving 
 information of this disaster, congress, resolving to prose 
 cute the war with increased vigor, made provision for 
 augmenting, by enlistment, the military force of the nation 
 to 5000 men. 
 
 37. In the autumn of 1792, General Washington was 
 again unanimously elected president of the American re 
 public, and in March, 1793, was inducted into office. 
 Mr. Adams was re-elected vice-president, in opposition to 
 George Clinton, of New York. In the progress of these 
 elections, but little party feeling was exhibited ; the repose 
 of society was not disturbed, but the citizens raised to posts 
 of the highest honor those whom their judgments and affec 
 tions designated as the most worthy. 
 
 38. While the Americans, with but little alloy, were 
 enjoying, under a government of their own choice, the 
 blessings of independence and freedom, the people of 
 France, by whose aid these blessings had been acquired, 
 were experiencing all the miseries of anarchy. Grievously 
 oppressed by institutions originating in times of ignorance 
 and barbarism, they had risen in the majesty of physical 
 strength, and declared their determination to be free. 
 Against a whole people, aroused by their sufferings to de 
 mand their rights, what effectual resistance can be opposed? 
 Before their energetic exertions, prompted by enthusiasm 
 and directed bv fatal skill, their ancient government crum 
 bled to the dust. 
 
 39. Passing at once from abject slavery to entire liberty, 
 their conduct was marked by the most shocking excesses. 
 
228 WASHINGTON S [1793. 
 
 The mild virtues of their king, alleviating but slightly the 
 evils of despotism, could not save him from that resentment 
 which consigned to indiscriminate destruction the hereditary 
 orders. Himself, his queen, arid many thousands of the no- 
 bility and clergy, suffered death on the scaffold. A new go. 
 vernment was instituted, having, for its fundamental princi 
 ple, the universal equality of man. Its form was often 
 changed, and the reins of authority were successively, but 
 unsteadily, held by the temporary favorites of an unenlight 
 ened ynd capricious people. 
 
 40. The Americans could not regard with indifference 
 this struggle of their allies for freedom. They considered 
 their excesses as the first effects of sudden relief from op. 
 pression, and hoped that experience would produce sobriety 
 of conduct and reverence for law. They hailed the French 
 revolution as the offspring of their own, and cherished the 
 flattering expectation that, by the diffusion of the principles 
 of liberty, the whole civilized world would become partakers 
 of its blessings. 
 
 41. The French people, at the same time, regarded the 
 Americans as their brethren, bound to them by the ties of 
 gratitude ; and when the kings of Europe, dreading the es 
 tablishment of republicanism in her borders, assembled 
 in arms to restore monarchy to France, they looked across 
 the Atlantic for sympathy and assistance. The new 
 government, recalling the minister whom the king had 
 appointed, despatched the citizen Genet, of ardent temper 
 and a zealous republican, to supply his place. In April, 
 1793, he arrived at Charleston, in South Carolina, where ho 
 was received, by the governor and the citizens, in a man 
 ner expressive of their warm attachment to his country, 
 and their cordial approbation of the change in her institu 
 tions. 
 
 42. Flattered by his reception, and presuming that the 
 nation and the government wore actuated by similar feel- 
 ings, he assumed the authority of expediting privateers 
 from that port to cruise against the vessels of nations who 
 were enemies to France, but at peace with the United 
 States, a procedure forbidden by the laws of nations, and 
 derogatory to the government of the counlry. Notwith 
 standing this illegal assumption of power, he received, on 
 his journey to Philadelphia, extravagant marks of publio 
 attachment ; and, on his arrival there, " crowds flocked 
 from every avenue of the city to meet the republican am*, 
 bassador of an allied nation." Intoxicated bv these con*. 
 
1793.] ADMINISTRATION. 229 
 
 tinued and increased demonstrations of regard, he persisted 
 in forming and executing schemes of hostility against the 
 enemies of France. 
 
 43. The British minister complained to the president, 
 who, by the unanimous advice of his cabinet, directed Mr. 
 Jefferson, the secretary of state, to lay before the minister 
 of France the principles which would regulate the conduct 
 of the executive in relation to the powers at war. These 
 principles forbade the course which Mr. Genet had pur. 
 sued. Relying on the popularity of his nation, he attempted, 
 by insolent and offensive declarations, to drive the president 
 from the ground he had taken. He threatened to appeal 
 from the government to the people, a measure which other 
 agents of the French ^ republic had adopted with success 
 in Europe. Here the* result was different. The people 
 rallied around rulers, having the same interest as them 
 selves. The minister was abandoned by most of his 
 friends ; his government, at the request of the president, 
 annulled his powers ; and fearing to return, he remained 
 in the country, a striking example of the imbecility of a fac 
 tious individual among a people confiding in their rulers, 
 and contented with their lot. 
 
 44. This conduct of Mr. Genet, the atrocities commit 
 ted by the French people, and the dreaded danger of their 
 example, alienated from them many of the citizens of the 
 United States, especially those belonging to the federal 
 party. And as the world was then agitated by the mighty 
 contest between France and Great Britain a contest 
 which permitted net neutrality of feeling those who 
 became hostile to the former became naturally the friends 
 of the latter. To her they were besides attracted by 
 identity of origin, by resemblance of institutions, by simi 
 larity of language, bv community of laws, of literature, and 
 of religion. 
 
 45. The republicans retained an unabated affection for 
 the French, whose services they remembered with grati 
 tude, and whose struggles for freedom, against the league 
 of European tyrants, engaged all their sympathy. Over 
 these two parties Washington, admitting no thought but 
 for his own country, watched with anxious solicitude, striv 
 ing to restrain their aberrations, and to temper their mutual 
 animosities. 
 
 46. After the defeat of St. Clair by the Indians, in 1791, 
 general Wayne was appointed to coinmand the American 
 
 20 
 
230 WASHINGTON S [1794 
 
 forces. Taking 1 post near the country of the enemy, ha 
 made assiduous and long protracted endeavors to negotiate a 
 peace. Failing in these, he marched against them, at the 
 head of three thousand men. On the 20th of August, 171)4, 
 an action took place in the vicinity of one of the British gar. 
 risons, on the hanks of the Miami. A rapid and vigorous 
 charge roused the savages from their coverts, and they wera 
 driven more than two miles at the point of the bayonet. 
 Broken and dismayed, they fled without renewing the com. 
 bat. Their houses and cornfields were destroyed, and forta 
 were erected on the sites of the towns laid waste. In 1795, 
 a treaty was concluded at Grenville, which, long and faith 
 fully observed, gave peace and security to the frontier inha 
 bitants, permitting the abundant population of the eastern 
 states to spread with astonishing rapidity, over the fertile re. 
 gion north-west of the Ohio. 
 
 -"*47. The tax which had been imposed upon spirits dis 
 tilled within the country, bearing heavily upon the peoplo 
 in the western counties of Pennsylvania, produced thero 
 dissaifection and disturbance. All excise taxes, of which 
 this was one, being considered hostile to liberty, great exer 
 tions were made to excite the public resentment against 
 those who should willingly pay it, and especially against 
 the officers appointed to collect it. In September, 1791, 
 a large meeting of malcontents was held at Pittsburgh, 
 at which resolutions, encouraging resistance to the laws, 
 were passed ; arid subsequently other meetings were held, 
 ftt which similar resolutions were adopted. Committees of 
 correspondence were also appointed to give unity of system 
 to their measures, and to increase the number of their asso 
 ciates. 
 
 48. A proclamation of the president, exhorting all por 
 ions to desist from illegal combinations, and calling on the 
 
 lagistraies to execute tiie laws, was disregarded. The mar. 
 :!ial of the state, while serving processes upon delinquents 
 and offenders, was resisted and fired upon. The inspector 
 of the revenue, dreading the indignation of the populace 
 procured a small detachment of soldiers to guard his housv,-. 
 These were attacked by a body of five hundred insurgent,;- 
 who, setting fire to several contiguous buildings, obliged tlto 
 soldiers to leave the house, and deliver themselves up. F*?. 
 veral individuals, zealous in supporting the government, 
 were ordered to quit the country and compelled to obey. An 
 intention was openly avowed of forcibly resisting the gone- 
 
1795 J ADMINISTRATION. 231 
 
 ral government with a view of extorting n, repeal of the Of 
 fensive laws. The effective strength of the insurgents \vas 
 computed at seven thousand num. 
 
 49. The president, conceiving himself bound by the most 
 solemn obligations. " to take care that the laws be faithfully 
 executed," determined to call out a part of the militia of 
 Pe n n sylvan in, and the adjacent states, to suppress this insur 
 rection. In the autumn of 1794, fifteen thousand were de 
 tached, and being placed under the command of governor 
 L^e, of Virginia, were marched into the disaffected counties. 
 The strength of this army rendering resistance desperate, 
 none was offered, and no blood was shed. A few of the most 
 active leaders were seized and detained for legal prosecution. 
 The great, body of the insurgents on submission were par 
 doned, as were also the leaders, after trial and conviction of 
 treason. The government acquired the respect of the peo 
 ple, by this exertion of its force, and their affection, by this 
 display of its lenity. 
 
 50. Since the peace of 1783, Great Britain and the 
 United States had each incessantly complained that the 
 other had violated the stipulations contained in the treaty. 
 The former was accused of having carried away negroes 
 at the close of the revolutionary war ; and of retaining in 
 her possession certain military posts situated in the west 
 ern wilderness, and within the limits of the United States, 
 in consequence of which the Americans were deprived of 
 their share of the fur trade, and the Indians incited to 
 make incursions upon the frontier settlements. The latter 
 were accused of preventing the loyalists from regaining 
 possession of their estates, and British subjects from re 
 covering debts contracted before the commencement of hos 
 tilities. 
 
 51. For the purpose of adjusting these mutual complaints, 
 and also of concluding a commercial treaty, Mr. Adams, in 
 1785, was appointed minister to London. Great Britain 
 a .ware that the articles of confederation did not authorize 
 congress to bind the states by a commercial treaty, declined 
 then to negotiate. After the constitution was ratified, minis 
 ters were interchanged, and the discussion was prosecuted 
 with no little acrimony and zeal. 
 
 52. In 1794, Mr. Jay being then minister from the Uni 
 ted States, a treaty was concluded, which, in the spring of the 
 next year was lai d before the senate. That body advised the 
 president to ratify it, on condition that an alteration should 
 be made in one of the articles. Its contents having, in the 
 
232 WASHINGTON S [1795. 
 
 mean time, been disclosed, the republican party exclaimed, 
 in intemperate language, against most of the stipulations it 
 contained. The partisans of France swelled the cry ot 
 condemnation. Public meetings were held in various parts 
 of the union, at which resolutions were passed express, 
 ing warm disapprobation of the treaty, and an earnest 
 wish that the president would withhold his ratification. 
 Sucli appeared to be the wis,h of a great majority of the 
 people. 
 
 53. General Washington, believing that an adjustment 
 of differences would conduce to the prosperity of the 
 republic, and that the treaty before him was the best that 
 could, at that time, be obtained, gave it his assent, in 
 defiance of popular clamor. So great was the confidence 
 reposed, by the people, in their beloved chief-magistrate, 
 that the public sentiment began immediately to change. 
 The friends of the treaty not only increased in numbers, but 
 gained courage to speak in its defence. And during the 
 summer of 1795, the nation was agitated by a zealous and 
 animated discussion of its merits. 
 
 54. At the next session of congress, it b&came a subject of 
 consideration in the house of representatives. The treaty, 
 its negotiator, and even the president, were virulently cen 
 sured, and warmly defended, in a debate which has seldom 
 been equalled for its intemperance, its eloquence, or its dura. 
 .tion. On the final question, a majority of three voted in fa. 
 vor of the appropriation necessary to carry it into effect. 
 The subsequent prosperity of American commerce demon- 
 strates the wisdom of tbe president s decision. 
 
 55. The conduct of Spain towards the United States, had 
 ever been cold and unfriendly. She feared lest the princi 
 ples of liberty, and the desire of independence should find 
 their w;iy into her contiguous American provinces. During 
 the negotiations at Paris, which resulted in peace, she se 
 cretly exerted her influence to cause the western bounda 
 ries of the new republic, from the great lakes to Florida, to 
 bo fixed two or three hundred miles east of the Mississippi. 
 T the repeated offers, which were afterwards made, to form 
 with her a commercial treaty, and to make arrangements re 
 specting the mutual navigation of that river, she pertina 
 ciously declined to accede. 
 
 56. When the inhabitants beyond the Alleghany moun 
 tains had become numerous, she denied them access to 
 the ocean by the medium of that river, the mouth of which, 
 was within her province of Louisiana. She intended, 
 
1795.] ADMINISTRATION. 233 
 
 perhaps, to show them the importances of that privilege 
 by withholding it, and to allure them, by the promise of 
 restoring it, to submit to her authority. The people of 
 Kentucky, indignant at the deprivation, laid th dr com 
 plaints before congress. In bold and forcible language 
 they asserted their rights, by the laws of God and of 
 nature, to the free use of that noble river, and demanded 
 that, at any cost, the acknowledgement of that right should 
 be obtained. 
 
 57. At length Spain became involved in a war with 
 France. Embarrassed at home, and intimidated by the 
 unauthorized preparations which, under the auspices of 
 Genet, were making in Kentucky to invade Louisiana, 
 Bhe intimated her readiness to conclude a satisfactory 
 treaty, should a minister be sent to Madrid for that pur- 
 pose. Thomas Pinkney was accordingly appointed, in 
 October, 1795, a treaty was signed, securing to the citizens 
 of the United States the free navigation of the Mississippi 
 to the ocean, and the privilege of landing and depositing car- 
 go?.s at New Orleans. 
 
 58. Tims were adjusted all controversies with two 
 European powers, which, while they existed, retarded the 
 prosperity, and disturbed the tranquillity of the country; 
 md from which, at different periods, even war was seriously 
 apprehended. In 1795, a treaty was also concluded with 
 the regency of Algiers, with which the republic was pro- 
 piously at war. It stipulated that the United States, in 
 conformity with the practice of other nations, should, as the 
 price of peace, pay an annual tribute to the sovereign of that 
 country. 
 
 59. Within the last two or three years, several changes 
 look place in the important offices of the nation. On the 
 Erst day of the year 1794, Mr. Jefferson resigned the office 
 of secretary of state. He had performed the duties of 
 that office with extraordinary ability, and to the entire 
 satisfaction of the president. Having been minister to 
 France at the commencement of the revolution there, he 
 bocame acquainted with its prime movers, and, anticipating 
 from their exertions the diffusion of the principles of 
 liberty and the renovation of the government, was, in the 
 early stages of its progress, its enthusiastic and undisguised 
 defender. Of the republican party, he was considered the 
 leader, enjoying their highest confidence and warmest at. 
 tachment. He was succeeded by Edmund Randolph, of 
 Virginia. 
 
234 WASHINGTON S [1795. 
 
 60. On the last day of January, 1795, Mr. Hamilton 
 retired from the office of secretary of the treasury. He 
 possessed distinguished talents, and had exerted those 
 talents to establish order where all was confusion, and to 
 raise from the lowest depression the credit of the country. 
 His complete success greatly exalted his reputation, and 
 to him the federalists felt a sincerity of attachment equalled 
 only by that entertained for Washington. With him 
 he had served in the revolutionary war, and had then ac. 
 quired his confidence and affection, which he ever after, 
 wards retained. Being the advocate of an energetic go 
 vernment, and averse to intrusting much power with the 
 people, he was peculiarly obnoxious to the republican par 
 ty. He was accused of partiality to England, and of mis 
 conduct in office. After the closest scrutiny, his official 
 character was acknowledged by his enemies, to be with 
 out stain. He was succeeded by Oliver Wolcott, of Con. 
 necticut. 
 
 61. At the close of the year 1794, general Knox resigned 
 the office of secretary of war, and colonel Pickering, of 
 Massachusetts, was appointed in his place. In August Mr. 
 Randolph, having lost the confidence of the president, and 
 having in consequence retired from the administration, Mr. 
 Pickering was appointed his successor in the department of 
 state, and James M Henry, of Maryland, was made secretary 
 ef war. No republican being now at the head of any of the 
 departments, many of the leaders of that party withdrew 
 their support from the administration ; and licentious indi 
 viduals, in their abusive attacks, dared to charge even the 
 president with corruption. But the confidence of the people 
 in his integrity and patriotism experienced not the slightest 
 abatement. 
 
 62. The conduct of France towards the American re- 
 public continued to be a source of increasing trouble and 
 vexation. Mr. Fauchet, the successor of Genet, bore, from 
 those by whom he was deputed, the strongest assurances of 
 friendship ; but encouraged and supported by a numerous 
 party ardently attached to his nation, he gradually assumed 
 towards the administration the tone of remonstrance and re 
 proach. He charged it with sentiments of hostility to the 
 allies of the United States, with partiality for their former 
 foes, an^ urged the adoption of a course more favorable to 
 the ca.ise of liberty. 
 
 63. The Ameroan government was in fact desirous ot 
 lnllincr all its duties to Fv;.rr.p and of conciliatiuo- her 
 
1796.] ADMINISTRATION. 235 
 
 friendship. Mr. Morris, the minister to Paris, having in- 
 curred the displeasure of those in power, was recalled at 
 their request, and his place supplied by Mr. Monroe of Vir 
 ginia. This gentleman was a republican, and had embraced 
 with ardor the cause of the French republic. He was re- 
 ceived in the most respectful manner by the convention, who 
 decreed that the flags of the two republics, entwined toge 
 ther, should be suspended in the legislative hall, as a mark of 
 their eternal union and friendship. 
 
 64. Mr. Adet was appointed, soon after, to succeed Mr. 
 Fauchet. He brought with him the colors of France, 
 which he was instructed, by the convention, to present to 
 the congress of the United States. They were received by 
 the president with extraordinary ceremonies, transmitted 
 to congress, arid afterwards deposited in the national ar 
 chives. In the house of representatives, a resolution was 
 unanimously adopted, expressing the lively sensations which 
 were excited by this testimony of the existing sympathy of 
 the two republics, and their hope, that the brilliant and glo 
 rious victories of the French people would lead to the per- 
 feet establishment of their liberty and happiness. 
 
 65. But France required of the United States more than 
 professions and hopes, and more than by treaty she was en 
 titled to claim. She wished to make them a party in the 
 war she was waging with the despots of Europs. Failing 
 in this, and jealous of the more intimate relations contracted 
 with her enemy, she adopted regulations highly injurious to 
 American commerce, directing her cruisers to capture, in 
 certain cases, the vessels of the United States. In conse 
 quence of these regulations, several hundreds, loaded with 
 valuable cargoes, were, while prosecuting a lawful trade, 
 taken, and the whole confiscated. 
 
 66. Believing that the rights of the nation were not as 
 serted and vindicated with sufficient spirit by Mr. Monroe, 
 the president recalled him, and Cluirles C. Pinkney, of 
 South Carolina, was appointed in his stead. In the summer 
 of 1796, he left the United States, instructed to use every 
 eifort compatible with national honor, to restore the amica 
 ble relations which had once subsisted between the sister re 
 publics. 
 
 67. General Washington having, at the sacrifice of his 
 own predilections, devoted a groat portion of his life to his 
 country; having sucessfully conducted its armies through an 
 arduous conflict for existence ; and having since directed its 
 course t.hrou h the most critical oeriod of an experiment 
 
236 WASHINGTON S ADMINISTRATION. [1795. 
 
 under a free constitution, determined to retire to the enjo > 
 ment of domestic happiness and rural quiet. In September, 
 he annouced his determination to his fellow citizens, and 
 feeling for them all the solicitude of a father for his children, 
 he published at the same time a farewell address. 
 
 68. From long experience, he had acquired an intimate 
 acquaintance with the dangers to which the liberties of the 
 republic were exposed. These he deprecated, and warned 
 his countrymen to shun, with all the impressive energy of 
 conviction, and all the ardor of parental affection. He be 
 sought them, especially, to frown indignantly upon the first 
 dawning of any attempt at a sepa ration of the union ; to 
 discard local attachments and sectional animosities ; to guard 
 against the excessive indulgence of the spirit of party, and 
 against cherishing a hatred of particular nations, and an af 
 fection for others. 
 
 69. This address was read with sentiments of profound 
 veneration in every part of the union. Some of the state 
 legislatures directed it to he inserted at large in their jour. 
 rials, and most of th^rn passed resolutions expressing their 
 respect for the author, their high sense of his exalted ser 
 vices, and the emotions with which they contemplated his 
 retirement from ofrice. 
 
 70. To fill the station from which the father of his coun 
 try liad resolved to retire, the two great political parties 
 brought forward their chiefs. The federalists, desiring that 
 the system of measures adopted by Washington should con 
 tinue to be pursued, and dreading the influence of French 
 sentiments and principles, made the most active efforts to 
 elect John AcLtms. The republicans, believing their oppo 
 nents less friendly than themselves to the maxims of liberty, 
 and too much devoted to the British nation and to British in 
 stitutions, made equal exertions to elect Thomas Jefferson. 
 
 71. The result was the choice of Mr. Adams to be presi 
 dent, and Mr. JeiTerson to be vice-president. Released from 
 public c ires, Washington hastened to Mount Vernon. Hav 
 ing established his fane as the greatest hero and most distin 
 guished statesman of the age, he there, devoting his time to 
 the cultivation of an extensive farm, added to his titles of re 
 nown that of the most industrious and intelligent agricultu 
 ralist of his country 
 
237 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 MR. ADAMS S, MR. JEFFERSON S, AND PART 
 OF MR. MADISON S ADMINISTRATION. 
 
 B E C 1^ A K A T 1 O N OF W A K . 
 
 MR. ADAMS, soon after the commencement of his presi 
 dentiul term, received from Mr. Pinkney despatches of a 
 most disagreeable and alarming nature. The directory, then 
 exercising the executive authority in France, had refused to 
 accredit him, declaring their determination not to receive 
 another minister from the United States, until they had fully 
 complied with the demands which had been mudo. He was 
 moreover ordered, by a written mandate, to quit the terri 
 lories of the republic. 
 
 2. Congress were immediately convened, and the de 
 spatches laid before them. Their proceedings indicated a 
 love of peace, but also a firm determination to yield to no 
 unjust demand. Laws were passed authorizing the president, 
 whenever he should deem it necessary, to detach eighty 
 thousand men from the militia of the United States, provid 
 ing for an increase of the navy, and for augmenting the re- 
 venue of the nation. To display to France, and to the 
 world, his desire of peace, and to leave no means unat- 
 tempted to preserve it, the president resolved to institute an- 
 other and more solemn mission. General Pinkney, John 
 Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry, were accordingly appointed 
 envoys to the French republic, and were instructed, as the 
 first had before been, to seek a reconciliation as the repre 
 sentatives of a people dreading war much, but the sacrifice 
 of honor more. 
 
 3. These also the directory refused to receive. They 
 were, however, addressed by persons verbally instructed, by 
 Talleyrand, the minister of foreign relations, to make them 
 proposals. In explicit terms, these unofficial agents demand 
 ed a large sum of money before any negotiation could be 
 opened. To thi? insulting demand, a decided negative was 
 given. A compliance was, nevertheless, repeatedly urged, 
 until at length the envoys refused to hold with them any 
 further communication. After remaining several months at 
 Paris, pressing in vain to be received and heard, two, who 
 were federalists, were ordered to leave France, but Mr. Gerry, 
 who was a republican, was permitted to remain, and was in- 
 
238 ADAMS S [1800. 
 
 vited singly to enter into discussions relating to the com- 
 mencement of a negotiation. 
 
 4. When these events were known in the United States, 
 they excited general indignation. The spirit of party ap- 
 poared to be extinct. " Millions for defence, not a cent for 
 tribute," resounded from every quarter of the union. The 
 treaty of alliance with France was declared by congress to 
 be no longer in force. Authority was given for capturing 
 armed French vess* !s. Provision was made for raising im 
 mediately a small regular army ; and, in case events should 
 render it expedient, for augmenting it. A direct tax and 
 additional internal duties were laid. 
 
 5. To command the armies of the United States, president 
 Adams, with the unanimous advice of the senate, appointed 
 George Washington. He consented, but with great reluc 
 tance, to accept the office, declaring, however, that he cor. 
 dially approved the measures of the government. 
 
 6. No opportunity was presented of testing the courage 
 and skill of the American troops. At sea, a desperate 
 lotion was fought between the frigate Constellation, of 38 
 fifuns, commanded by commodore Truxton, and the French 
 frig-;ito L Insurgcnte, of 40 guns. The latter, although of 
 superior force, was captured. The same intrepid officer, in 
 a subsequent action, compelled another French frigate, ot 
 50 guns, to strike her colors; but she afterwards escaped in 
 the night. 
 
 7. The United States, in arms at home and victorious on 
 the ocean, commanded the respect of their enemy. The 
 directory made overtures of peace. The president immedi 
 ately appointed ministers, who, on their arrival at Paris, 
 found the executive authority in the possession of Bonaparte 
 as first consul. They were promptly accredited, and in Sep 
 tember. 1SOO, a treaty was concluded satisfactory to both 
 countries. 
 
 8. While this negotiation was in progress, the whole 
 American people were overshadowed with gloom, by the 
 sudden death of the FATHER of his country. On the 14th 
 of December, 1799. after an illness of one day only, general 
 Washington expired. Intelligence of this event,, as it rapidly 
 spread, produced spontaneous, deep, and unaffected gri"f, 
 suspending every oilier thought, arid absorbing every dif 
 ferent fxjolinjr. 
 
 9. Congress, then in session at Philadelphia, immediately 
 adjourned. On assembling the next day, the house of re 
 presentatives resolved, " that the speaker s chair should be 
 
ADMINISTRATION. 233 
 
 shrouded in black, and the members wear black during the 
 session ; and that a joint committee should bo appointed to 
 devise the most suitable manner of p -ying honor to tho mo. 
 mory of the MAN first in war, first in peace, and first in tha 
 hearty of his countrymen." 
 
 10. The senate, on this melancholy occasion, addressed a 
 letter of condolence to the president of the United States. 
 " This event," they observe, " so distressing to all our fellow 
 citizens, must be particularly heavy to you, who have long 
 been associated with him in deeds of patriotism. Permit us, 
 sir, to mingle our tears with yours. On tbis occasion it is 
 manly to weep. To lose such a man, at such a crisis, is no 
 common, calamity to the world. Our country mourns a 
 father. The Almighty Disposer of human events has takon 
 from us our greatest benefactor and ornament. It becomes 
 us to submit with reverence to HIM who maketh darkness 
 his pavilion. 
 
 1 1 " With patriotic pride we review the life of our 
 WASHINGTON, and compare him with those of other 
 countries who have been pre-eminent in fune. Ancient and 
 modern names are diminished before him. Greatness and 
 guilt have too often been allied ; but his fame is whiter than 
 it is brilliant. The destroyers of nations stood abashed at 
 the majesty of his virtues. It reproved the intempemnco of 
 their ambition, and darkened the splendor of victory. 
 
 12. " Such was the man whom we deplore. Thanks to 
 God, his glory is consummated. Washington yet lives on 
 earth in his spotless example his spirit is in hoaven. L I 
 his countrymen consecrate the memory of the heroic gent/. 
 ra,l, the patriotic statesman, aiid the virtuous s.ige : let them 
 teach their (Children never to forget that the fruits of his l:w 
 bors, ,-uid of his example, fire their inker Han re. n 
 
 13. Agreeably to the report of tho committee, and the 
 unanimous resolves of congress, a fumral procession moved 
 from the legislative hall to the Gorman Lutheran church, 
 where an oration was delivered by general Lee, a represent- 
 alive from Virginia. The proco^-don was grand und solemn, 
 the oration impressive and eloquent. Throughout the 
 union similar marks of affliction were exhibited. A whole 
 bereaved people appeared in mourning. In every p:i.rt of 
 tho republic, funeral orations were delivered, and the best 
 talents of the nation were devoted to an expression of tha 
 nation s gri.3f. 
 
 14. In pursuance of .th<? law enacted in 1790, a place 
 had been selected on tho Potomac, a few mile abovs 
 
240 JEFFERSON S [1801, 
 
 Mount Yemen, for the permanent seat of the national go 
 vernment. Within a district ten miles square, which was 
 called the District of Columbia, a city was laid out, to 
 which the name of Washington was appropriately given. 
 Public buildings having been erected, the officers of go. 
 verrirnent removed to that place in 1800, and in November 
 of that year, congress, for the first time, there commenced 
 its session. 
 
 15. At this period, a presidential election again recurred. 
 From, the time of the adoption of the constitution, the 
 republican party had been gradually increasing in numbers. 
 The two parties being now nearly equal, the prospect of 
 success inspired both with uncommon ardor. The federal 
 ists supported Mr. Adarns and general Pinkney ; the repub 
 licans, Mr. Jefferson and colonel Burr. The two latter re 
 ceived a small majority of the electoral votes ; and as they 
 received also an equal number, the selection of one of them 
 to be president devolved upon the house of representatives. 
 After thirty-live trials, during which the nation felt in 
 tense solicitude, Mr. Jefferson was chosen. Colonel 
 Burr received the votes of the federalists, and lost, in 
 consequence, the confidence of his former friends. By 
 the provisions of the constitution, he became, of course, 
 vice-prescient. 
 
 16. The causes which rendered Mr. Adams unpopular, 
 and led to a change in the administration, were, his appa 
 rent coldness towards the French revolution ; the charge 
 that the federalists generally were partial to Great Britain; 
 the expenditure of money for building a navy, and for other 
 purposes alleged to be impolitic or useless ; the enactment 
 of the alien law, by which the president was authorized to 
 compel suspected foreigners to leave the country, and of the 
 sedition law, which provided that the authors and publishers 
 of false and malicious accusations against the president and 
 members of congress, should be prosecuted arid punished. 
 Eut more effectual than these, was the charge that Mr. 
 Adams, and the party which supported him, entertained po 
 litical opinions less favorable to liberty than those of the 
 party which opposed him. By deserting a man so distin 
 guished as Mr. Adams for his talents, for his experience in 
 political affairs, and for the important services which he had 
 rendered to his country in the revolutionary struggle, the 
 people showed how jealous they were of the liberty they had 
 obtained, and how firmly they were determined to guard it 
 from even possible danger. 
 
1802.J ADMINISTRATION. 241 
 
 17. The control of the government being now fransfer 
 red to the republican party, they, at the next session of con- 
 gress, repealed, after a long and eloquent debate, a law al 
 tering the judicial system, which had been passed at the 
 close of Mr. Adams s administration. This repeal annihi 
 lated the offices of sixteen judges, who had just been ap 
 pointed. At the same session, the internal duties were also 
 abolished. 
 
 18. A second census of the people, referring to 1800, was 
 completed in 1801. They amounted to 5,319,765, having 
 in ten years increased nearly one million four hundred thou 
 sand. In the same number of years the exports increased 
 from nineteen to ninety-four millions, and the revenue from 
 4,771,000 to 12,945,000 dollars ! This rapid advance in the 
 career of prosperity has no parallel in the history of nations, 
 and is to be attributed principally to the institutions of the 
 country, which, securing equal privileges to all, give to 
 the enterprise and industry of all free scope arid full cncour 
 agernerit. 
 
 19. In 1802, the state of Ohio was admitted into the 
 union. It was formerly a portion of the Northwestern Ter 
 ritory, for the government of which, in 1787, an ordinance 
 was passed, by the continental congress. With commend 
 able foresight, they provided that slavery, the source of 
 weakness, of poverty, and of crime, should never exist 
 in that extensive and fertile region. This is doubtless one 
 of the causes of the unparalleled rapidity of its population. 
 In thirty years from its first settlement, the number of its 
 inhabitants exceeded half a million. The state of Tennes 
 see, which was previously a part of North Carolina, and lies 
 between that state arid the river Mississippi, was admitted 
 in 1796. 
 
 20. The right of deposit at New Orleans, conceded to 
 the citizens of the United States by Spain, and necessary 
 to the people of the western country, had, until this pe 
 riod, been freely enjoyed. In October, the chief officer of 
 that city prohibited the exercise of it in future. This vio 
 lation of a solemn engagement produced, throughout the 
 states of Ohio and Kentucky, indignant clamor and vio 
 lent commotion. In congress, a proposition was made to 
 take possession, by force, of the whole province of Louisi 
 ana, and the injured people of the west were eager for per 
 mission to avenge their wrongs, and to regain their rights, 
 by the sword. 
 
 21. A more pacific course was adopted. Knowing 
 
 21 
 
242 JEFFERSON S [1804- 
 
 that the province had been ceded, although not tranferred, 
 to France, the president instituted a negotiation to acquire 
 it by purchase. In April 1803, a treaty was concluded, 
 conveying it to the United States for fifteen millions of 
 dollftrg. 
 
 22. The territory thus adchd to the national domain, w*v 
 first discovered by the French, who, in 1699, began a set 
 tlement within its limits. It continued a colony of that 
 nation until 1762, when it was ceded to Spain. In her pos 
 session it remained, slowly increasing- in population, until 
 October, 1800, when it was retroceded to France, and by 
 her was afterwards, as has been related, transferred to the 
 United States. The inhabitants, a mixture of French 
 and Spaniards, were not numerous. Its boundaries have- 
 never been defined. They embrace, at a moderate esti 
 mation, a territory more extensive than some of the most 
 powerful European kingdoms, and in many parts the soil 
 is exceedingly fertile. Its acquisition was considered, by 
 the United States, of the greatest importance, ns it gave them 
 the entire control of a river, which is one of the noblest in 
 the world. 
 
 23. Since the year 1801, war had existed between the 
 United States and Tripoli, one of the states of Barbary, 
 situated on the coast of the Mediterranean . No memo 
 rable event occurred until 1803, when a large squadron, 
 under the command of commodore Preble, was despatched 
 into that sea. On arriving before Tripoli, captain Bain* 
 bridge, in the frigate Philadelphia, of 44 guns, was sent 
 into the harbor to reconnoitre. While in eager pursuit of 
 a small vessel, he unfortunately advanced so far that the 
 frigate grounded, and all attempts to remove her were in vain. 
 The sea around her was immediately covered with Tripoli, 
 tan gun-boats, and captain B;i.inbridge was compelled to sur 
 render. The officers were considered as prisoners of war ; 
 but the crew, according to the custom of Barbary, were 
 tieated as slaves4 
 
 24. At the capture of this frigate, the enemy rejoiced 
 and exulted beyond measure. Lieutenant Stephen Deca- 
 tur conceived the design of retaking or destroying her,. 
 Commodore Preble, applauding the spirit of the youthful 
 hero, granted him permission to make the attempt. , In 
 February, 1804, ho nailed from Syracuse in a small 
 schooner, having on board but seventy-six men, entered 
 undiscovered the harbor of Tripoli, and, advancing boldly r 
 took a station alongside the frigate. Perceiving the crew 
 
1805 ] ADMINISTRATION. 243 
 
 in consternation, Decatur sprang on board; his men fol 
 lowed, and with drawn swords rushed upon the enemy. The 
 clocks were soon cleared, some being killed, and others driven 
 into the sea. 
 
 25. A heavy cannonade upon the frigate, from the batte 
 ries on shore and the corsairs near, was now commenced, 
 and several vessels of war were seen approaching. She was 
 set on fire arid abandoned, none of the party being killed, 
 and but four wounded. Throughout all the piratical states, 
 this brilliant exploit exalted the reputation of the American 
 uraus. The president, in reward of his address and bravery, 
 promoted lieutenant Decatur to the rank of post-captain in 
 the navy. 
 
 26. While the squadron remained before Tripoli, other 
 deeds of heroism were perforated, evincing a love of fame 
 and devotion to country unsurpassed in Grecian or Roman 
 story. The events and operations of this war shed a lustre 
 upon the American name, gave experience and character to 
 the officers, and prepared them to acquire greater glory in a 
 conquest with a nobler foe. They were equalled, however, 
 by an enterprise on land, bold and romantic in its concep 
 tion, and exhibiting, in its execution, uncommon address and 
 decision of character. 
 
 27. William Eaton, who had been a captain in the Ame 
 rican army, was, at the commencement of this war, consul 
 at Tunis. He there became acquainted with Hamet Cara- 
 manly, whom a younger brother had excluded from the 
 throne of Tripoli. With him he concerted an expedition 
 against the reigning sovereign, and returned to the United 
 States to obtain permission and the means 1o undertake it. 
 Permission was granted, the co-operation of the squadron re 
 commended, and such pecuniary assistance as could be spared 
 was afforded. 
 
 28. To raise an army in Egypt, and lead it to attack the 
 usurper in his dominions, was the project which had 
 been concerted. In the beginning of 1805, Eaton met 
 Hamet at Alexandria, and was appointed general of his 
 forces. On the 6th of March, at the head of a respecta 
 ble body of mounted Arabs, and about seventy Christians, 
 he set out for Tripoli. His route lay across a desert, one 
 thousand miles in extent. On his march he encountered 
 peril, fatigue, and suffering, the description of which 
 would resemble the exaggerations of romance. On the 
 25th of April, having been fifty days on the march, he 
 arrived before Derne, a Tripolitan city on the Mediterra- 
 
244 JEFFERSON S [1806. 
 
 nean, and found in the harbor a part of xhe American squad 
 ron, destined to assist him. He learnt also that the usur 
 per, having received notice of his approach, had raised a 
 considerable army, and was then within a day s march ol 
 the city. 
 
 29. No time was therefore to be lost. The next morn 
 ing he summoned the governor to surrender, who returned 
 for answer, " My head or yours." The city was assaulted, 
 and after a contest of two hours and a half, possession 
 gained. The Christians suffered severely, and the general 
 was slightly wounded. Great exertions were immediately 
 made to fortify the city. On the 8th of May, it was at 
 tacked by the Tripolitan army. Although ten times more 
 numerous than Eaton s band, the assailants, after per 
 sisting four hours in the attempt, were compelled to re 
 tire. On the 10th of June another battle was fought, in 
 which the enemy were defeated. The next day the Ame 
 rican frigate Constitution arrived in the harbor, which so 
 terrified the Tripolitans that they fled precipitately to the 
 desort. 
 
 30. The frigate came, however, to arrest the operations of 
 Eaton, in the midst of his brilliant and successful career. 
 Alarmed at his progress, the reigning bashaw had offered 
 terms of peace, which, being much more favorable than had 
 before been offered, were accepted by Mr. Lear, the author 
 i/od agent of the government. Sixty thousand dollars were 
 given as a ransom for the unfortunate American prisoners, 
 and an engagement was made to withdraw all support from 
 Hamet. The nation, proud of tiie exploits of Eaton, regret 
 ted this diplomatic interference, but the treaty was ratified 
 by the president and seriate ; and thus ended the war in the 
 Mediterranean. 
 
 31. Colonel Burr, having lost the confidence of the repub 
 lican party, became, in 180-i, a candidate for the office of 
 governor of New York : the federalists generally gave him 
 their votes, but Mr. Hamilton, considering him an unprinci 
 pled politician, openly opposed his election. The choice 
 fell upon the rival candidate. A. duel ensued between these 
 distinguished individuals, the challenge proceeding from 
 Burr. Hamilton was mortally wounded. This event pro- 
 duced a strong and livoly sensation throughout the union. 
 At the next, presidential election, which occurred in the 
 same year, Mr. Jefferson was elected president, and George 
 Clinton of New York, vice-president, the former receiving 
 all but fourteen votes. 
 
1807.] ADMINISTRATION. 245 
 
 32. Burr, notwithstanding his brilliant talents, now 
 sunk, for a time, into merited obscurity. His future con 
 duct showed, however, that, while unobserved by his fel 
 low citizens, he had not been idle. In the autumn of 1806, 
 his movements in the western country attracted the notice 
 of government. He had purchased and was building boats 
 on the Ohio, and engaging men to descend that river. 
 His declared purpose was to form a settlement on the 
 banks of the Washita, in Louisiana ; but the character of 
 the man, the nature of his preparations, and the incautious 
 disclosures of his associates, led to the suspicion that his 
 true object was either to gain possession of New Orleans, 
 and erect into a separate government the country watered bv 
 the Mississippi and its branches, or to invade, from the ter. 
 ntories of the United States, the rich Spanish province ot 
 Mexico. 
 
 33. From the first moment of suspicion, he was closely 
 watched by the agents of the government. At Natchez, 
 while on his way to New Orleans, he was cited to appeal 
 before the supreme ctourt of the Mississippi territory. But 
 he had so enveloped his projects in secrecy, that sufficient 
 evidence to convict him could not be produced, and he wafa 
 discharged. Hearing, however, that several persons, sus 
 pected of being his accomplices, had been arrested at New 
 Orleans, and elsewhere, he fled in diguise from Natchez, wab 
 apprehended on the Tombigbee, and conveyed a prisoner to 
 Richmond. Two indictments were found against him, one 
 charging him with treason against the United States, the 
 other with preparing and commencing an expedition against 
 the dominions of Spain. 
 
 34. In August, 1807, he was tried, upon those indict 
 ments, before John Marshall, the chief justice of the United 
 States. Full evidence of his guilt not being exhibited, he 
 was acquitted by the jury. The people, however, believed 
 him guilty ; and by their desertion and contempt, he was re 
 duced to a condition of the most abject wretchedness. The 
 ease with which his plans were defeated, demonstrated the 
 strength of the government, and his fate will ever be an im 
 pressive warning to those who, in a free country, listen to 
 the suggestions of criminal ambition. 
 
 35. The wars produced by the French revolution contin 
 ued to rage in Europe. The attempts, made by the neigh 
 boring kings, to compel republican France to resume her 
 jBonarchical institutions, had not only been resisted and de 
 feated by her indignant citizens, but they had followed homo 
 

 646 JEFFERSON S [1807. 
 
 the repelled invaders of their country, and had subdued those 
 who began the war with the hope and purpose of subduing 
 France. Tiie nation had necessarily become a nation ot* 
 soldiers, and one, more daring and fortunate than the others, 
 had been placed at their head as chief of the republic. By 
 his extraordinary talents, and the vast means subjected to 
 his single will, he acquired control over most of the Euro, 
 pcan kingdoms. 
 
 36. England, however, unsubdued and undaunted, had be- 
 come as pre-eminent on the water as France on the land. 
 Her powerful navy expelled every hostile navy from the 
 jcean, and rode triumphant in every sea. America profited 
 from the destruction of the ships and commerce of other na 
 tions. BMng neutral, her vessuls c irried from port to port 
 the productions of France and her dependent kingdoms ; and 
 also to the ports of those kingdoms the manufactures of Eng 
 land. Few ships were found on the ocean except those of 
 the United States and Great Britain. 
 
 37. The latter, having always found it impossible to 
 man her numerous fleets by voluntary enlistments, had 
 been accustomed to resort to impressment, or seizing by 
 force her subjects, and compelling them to serve, as sailors 
 on board her ships of war. Soon after the peace of 1783, 
 she claimed a right to search for and seize them, even on 
 boird of neutral vessels while traversing the ocean. In 
 the exercise of this pretended right, citizens of the United 
 States, sometimes by mistake and sometimes by design, 
 were seized, dragged from their friends, transported to distant 
 parts of the world, compelled to perform the degrading 
 duty of British sailors, and to fight with nations at peace 
 with their own. Against this outrage upon personal liberty, 
 and the rights of American citizens, Washington, Adams, 
 and Jefferson had remonstrated in vain. The abuse contin 
 ued, and every year added to its enormity, until a feeling of 
 resentment was aroused worthy the best period of the Roman 
 republic. 
 
 38. But not in this mode only were the rights of the 
 United States invaded and their interests sacrificed on the 
 ocean. The carrying trade afforded a harvest too rich, and 
 too tempting to British cupidity, to be long enjoyed unmo 
 lested. American ships, carrying to Europe the produce 
 of French colonies, were, in an early stage of the war, 
 captured by British cruisers, and condemned by their 
 courts as lawful prizes. Several European ports, under 
 the control of France, were declared, by British orders in 
 
1807.1 ADMINISTRATION. 247 
 
 council, dated in May, 1806, to be in a state of blockade, al 
 though not invested with a British fleet, and American ves 
 sels, attempting to enter those ports, were also captured and 
 condemned. 
 
 39. France and her allies suffered, as well as the United 
 States, from these transgressions of the laws of nations. Her 
 vengeance fell, not so much upon the belligerent inflicting 
 the injury, as upon the neutral enduring without resenting 
 and repelling it. By a decree, issued at Berlin, in Novem 
 ber, 1806, the French emperor declared the British islands 
 in a state of blockade, and of course authorized the cap 
 ture of all neutral vessels attempting to trade with those 
 islands. From these measures of both nations, the com 
 merce of the United States severely suffered, and their mer 
 chants loudly demanded of the government redress and pro. 
 tection. 
 
 40. In June, 1807. an event occurred, which for a time 
 concentrated upon one of the rival nations the whole weight 
 of popular indignation. The frigate Chesapeake, while 
 near the coast of the United Slates, and unsuspicious of 
 danger, was fired upon from the Leopard, a British ship of 
 superior force ; three of her men were killed and eighteen 
 wonnded. Being unprepared for action, she struck her co 
 lors, was then boarded by a detachment from the Loopard, 
 her crew mustered, and four of them forcibly carried off, 
 upon the pretence that they were British deserters. The 
 truth, upon investigation, was ascertained to be, that throe 
 of them were citizens of the United States, had been im 
 pressed by the British, and had afterwards escaped from their 
 service. 
 
 41. This insolent attack upon a national ship, this wan 
 ton exercise of a claim derogatory to national honor, 
 aroused the spirit of the republic. The distinctions of party 
 were forgotten, numerous meetings of the citizens were held, 
 and all concurred in the expression of a determination to 
 support the government of their country in its efforts to ob 
 tain, whether by negotiation or vvnr, satisfaction for this in. 
 suiting outrage. 
 
 42. The president, by proclamation, prohibited all British 
 ships of war from continuing in or entering the harbors of 
 the United States. He sent instructions to the minister at 
 London to demand satisfaction for the insult, and security 
 against, future aggression. He summoned congress to meet 
 and decide what further efforts should be adopted. The 
 British government promptly disavowing the act of its offi. 
 
248 JEFFERSON S [1808. 
 
 cer, the hostile feelings which had been exalted, began to 
 subside ; but delaying to render satisfaction, and refusing to 
 adopt, adequate measures to prevent a continuance of aggres 
 sion, they were not extinguished nor appeased. 
 
 43, Bonaparte having declared his purpose of enforcing 
 with rigor the Berlin decree ; the British government huv- 
 ing solemnly asserted the right of search and impressment, 
 and having intimated their intention to adopt measures in 
 retaliation of the French decree, the president recommend- 
 ed to congress that, the seamen, ships, and merchandise 
 of the United States should be detained in port to preserve 
 them from the dangers which threatened them on the 
 ocean. A law laying an indefinite embargo was in conse 
 quence enacted. A hope to coerce the belligerent powers 
 to return to the observance of the laws of nations, by 
 depriving thorn of the benefits derived from the trade of 
 Aruorica,. was doubtless a concurring motive for passing the 
 law. 
 
 44. A few days only had elapsed, when information was 
 received, that Great Britain had prohibited neutrals, except 
 upon the degrading condition of paying a tax or tribute to 
 her, from trading \vilh Franco or her allies, comprising 
 nearly every maritime nation in Europe. This was fol 
 lowed, in a few weeks, by a decree issued by Bonaparte, 
 at* Milan, declaring that every neutral vessel, which should 
 submit to be visited by a British ship, or to pay the tribute 
 demanded, should be confiscated, if afterwards found in his 
 ports, or taken by his cruisers. Thus, at the date of the 
 embargo, were orders a^id decrees in existence rendering 
 lia ble to capture almost every American vessel sailing on the 
 ocean. 
 
 4^>. In the New England states, the embargo, with hold, 
 ing th.e merchant from a career in which L$ had been highly 
 prosperous, and in which he imagined that lie might still be 
 favored of fortune, occasioned discontent and clamor. The 
 federalists, more numerous there than in any other part of 
 the /union., pronounced it a measure unwise and oppressive. 
 These representations, and the real and severe distress 
 which the people endured, produced a rapid change in 
 their political opinions. In a short time a majority became 
 federalists, and opposed with zeal all the measures of the 
 government. 
 
 46. In the fall of 1808, a new election of chief magistrate 
 took place. Mr. Jefferson, believing that no person should 
 hold that office more than eight years, and desirous qf 
 
1808.] ADMINISTRATION. 249 
 
 confirming the example of Washington, had previously an- 
 nounced his intention to retire to private life. James 
 Madison was elected president and George Clinton vice- 
 president. 
 
 47. In March, 1809, congress repealed the embargo, and 
 substituted a law prohibiting all intercourse with France and 
 Great Britain. Bonaparte, in retaliation, issued a decree, at 
 Rambouillet, directing that all American vessels, which were 
 then in the ports of France, or might afterwards enter, 
 should be seized and confiscated. 
 
 48. In the non-intercourse law, a provision was inserted, 
 that if either nation should revoke her hostile edicts, and the 
 president should announce that fact by proclamation, then 
 the law should cease to be in force in regard to the nation 
 so revolting. In April, Mr. Efskine, the British minister 
 at Washington, engaged, on the part of his government, 
 that the orders in council, so far as they affected the United 
 States, should be withdrawn on the 10th of June ; and the 
 president immediately issued the proclamation prescribed in 
 the law. 
 
 49. This arrangement the British ministry refused to ra 
 tify, declaring that Mr. Erskine. had no authority to make 
 it. Recalling him, they appointed Mr. Jackson his sue- 
 eessor. In a correspondence between this gentleman and 
 the secretary of state, the former insinuated that the Ameri 
 can government knew that Mr. Erskine was not authorized 
 to make the arrangement, and knew of course that it would 
 not be binding on Great Britain. This insinuation was 
 distinctly denied by the secretary, but was subsequently 
 repeated, in an offensive manner, by Mr. Jackson. He 
 was immediately informed, that, on account of his indeco 
 rous conduct, no other communications from him would be 
 received. He was shortly afterwards recalled by his go- 
 vernrnont. 
 
 50. The non-intercourse law expired in May, 1810, when 
 a proposition was made equally to both belligerents, that if 
 either would revoke its hostile edicts, that law should be re 
 vived and enforced against the other. In August, Bona 
 jKirte, by his minister of state, assured Mr. Armstrong, the 
 American envoy to France, that the Borlin and Milan de 
 crees were revoked, the revocation to take effect on the first 
 day of November ensuing. Confiding in this assurance, the 
 president, on the second day of November, issued his procla 
 mation, declaring that all intercourse with Great Britain 
 was prohibited, and that an unrestrained commerce with 
 France was allowed. 
 
250 MADISON S [1811. 
 
 51. Great Britain having 1 expressed a willingness to repeal 
 her orders whenever France should repeal her decrees, she 
 was now called upon, hy the American envoy, to fulfil her 
 ei gageinent. She objected, that the French decrees could 
 not bo considered as repealed, a letter from the minister of 
 state not being, for that purpose, a document of sufficient 
 authority. In answer to this objection, proof was presented 
 that the French admiralty- courts considered them repealed , 
 and that no American vessel, although many had cntcrei 
 the ports of France, had been subjected to their provi 
 sions. Great Britain, however, still persisted to enforce hei 
 aiders. 
 
 5 2. For tliis purpose, she had stationed ships of war 
 be for 3 the principal harbors of the United Slates. All 
 American merchantmen, departing or returning, were 
 boarded, searched, and many of them sent to British ports, 
 us legal prizes. Impressments too were frequent, and the 
 British officers, entertaining exalted ideas of their naval 
 gtrftng"th> and holding in contempt the republican flag, 
 exhibited, on all occasions, an extreme insolence of be- 
 liavior, which nations as well as individuals expose them- 
 selves to incur, by long and patient endurance of insult and 
 aggression. 
 
 53. In one instance, however, their insolence was de 
 servedly punished. Commodore Rogers, silling in the fri 
 gate President, met, in the evening, a vessel on the coast 
 of Virginia. He bailed, but instead of receiving an an 
 swer, was hailed in turn, and a shot was fired which struck 
 tho mainmast of the President. The fire was instantly 
 returned by the commodore, and continued for a few 
 mimitcs, when, finding his antagonist was of inferior force, 
 and that her guns wore almost silenced, he desisted. On 
 Iniling again, an an-swer was given, that the ship wns the 
 British sloop of war Little Bolt, of 18 guns. Thirty-two of 
 her mon- were killed and wounded, and the ship was much 
 disabled. 
 
 54. Mr. Foster, successor to Mr. Jackson, arrived at 
 Washington in the summer of 1811, and proposed terms of 
 reparation for the attack on the Chesapeake. These wre 
 a formal disavowal of the act, restoration to the frigate of 
 the surviving sailors taken from it, a pecuniary provision 
 for those who were wounded, and for the families of tho.se 
 who were killed. These terms -were accepted by the pre 
 sident. 
 
 55. But the British envoy could give no assurance thai 
 
181 L] ADMlNIS rRATlON. 251 
 
 his government was disposed to mnke a satisfactory arrange, 
 merit of the subject of impressment, or to repeal the orders 
 in council. These orders, on the contrary, continued to 
 be enforced with rigor ; and on the restoration of a free 
 commerca with Franco, a large number of American ves 
 sels, laden with rich cargoes, and destined to her ports, fell 
 Into the power of British cruisers. Such was now the state 
 of affairs, that the United States suffered the evils of war, 
 while Great Britain enjoyed the advantages. Her cruis. 
 ers, since 1803, had captured nine hundred American 
 vessels. 
 
 56. The patience of the nation was exhausted. President 
 Madison, early in November, 1811, called congress together, 
 laid before them the state of foreign relations, and recom 
 mended that the republic should be placed in an attitude to 
 maintain, by force, its wounded honor and essential interests, 
 The representatives of the people, whose sentiments and 
 feelings they expressed, determined to act in accordance 
 with tlic views of the president. 
 
 57. Laws were enacted providing for the increase of the 
 regular army to 35,000 men ; for the augmentation of the 
 naval establishment ; empowering the president to accept of 
 the services of volunteers, to make a detachment from the 
 militia, and to borrow eleven millions of dollars. It was the 
 expectation of many that Great Britain, witnessing these 
 serious preparations, would recede from the stand she had 
 taken. 
 
 58. Event?, however, occurred, while congress were L 
 session, which considerably diminished this expectat i 
 For several years, the Indian tribes residing near tho re. 
 mote lakes and the sources of the Mississippi, had dip- 
 played symptoms of hostility, murdering a number of 
 whites arid robbing others of their property. In the fall 
 of 1311, general Harrison, with a small force, was sent 
 into their territories, instructed to negotiate if possible, but 
 to fight if necessary. On the Gth of November, he ar. 
 rived at Tippecanoe, their principal town, where he was 
 met by Indian messengers, with whom an agreement was 
 made, that hostilities should not take place before the next 
 morninf, and that then an amicable conference should be 
 LeM. 
 
 59. Just before daybreak, the savages, in violation of 
 th-ir engagement, mad3 a sudden and furious attack upon 
 the troops in their encampment. Nothing but tlie pre 
 caution of sleeping in order of battle, an their arms, saved 
 
252 MADISON S [1812. 
 
 them from total defeat. A dreadful slaughter was made ; 
 but the savages were finally repulsed, dispersed, and their 
 town laid waste. A strong belief was entertained, founded 
 upon credible testimony, that they had been incited % to hos 
 tility by British agents stationed among them. 
 
 60. In February, 18152, John Henry, who had once re 
 sided in Canada, communicated to the president the fact, 
 
 ^that in 180.9, he had been employed by the governor of that 
 province, upon a secret mission to- Boston, the metropolis 
 of the New England states ; and that he was instructed to 
 confer with the disaffected, upon the subject of a separation 
 of those states from the union, and their forming a political 
 connection with Great Britain. He exhibited documents 
 in support of his disclosures, which he was led to make, 
 by the neglect of his employer to reward him for his ser 
 vices. It. did not appear that he had succeeded in corrupt 
 ing the fidelity of any individual ; but the attempt, in a time 
 of peace, and in the midst of the most amicable professions, 
 not only preserved in full force but increased the previous 
 irritation. 
 
 61. Congress continued to be employed until the 20th ot 
 May, in making preparations for war, still cherishing the 
 hope that a change of policy in Europe would render unne 
 cessary an appeal to arms. On that day, the Hornet arrived 
 from London, bringing information that no prospect existed 
 of a favorable change. On the first of June, the president 
 sent a message to congress, recounting the wrongs received 
 from Great Britain, and submitting the question whether 
 the United States should continue- to. endure them or resort, 
 to war. 
 
 62. The message was considered with closed doors. On 
 the 18th, an act was passed declaring war against Great 
 Britain. The measure was decidedly condemned by a con 
 siderable portion of the citizens, among whom were many 
 honest and able men. Exercising the undoubted privilege- 
 of freemen, they examined, with the severest scrutiny, the 
 measures and motives of the administration. They asserted 
 that the war was unnecessary, partial, and unwise ; that it 
 was unnecessary, because, in their opinion, a satisfactory 
 adjustment of all disputes might have been obtained by fur 
 ther negotiation ; that it was partial, because France hc.d 
 given greater provocation, in proportion to her means of 
 annoyance, than Great Britain ; that it was unwise, because 
 the nation was not prepared for wart because, by declaring 
 it against almost the only remaining enemy of France, the 
 
1812.] ADMINISTRATION. 253 
 
 United States indirectly but powerfully assisted Bonapaitc 
 in his design of unirorsal conquest ; and because the ex 
 penses and sufferings it must unavoidably occasion, would 
 more than counterbalance all the advant; g >s sought to !>e 
 obtained. And many, passing the limits of candid arid tern 
 perate discussion, indulged in a virulence of invective of 
 which no government should be the object that is not mani 
 festly corrupt. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 CAMPAIGN OF 1812. 
 
 TFIE poople of the United States remembered, with pride, 
 the patriotism and bravery exhibited by their army in the 
 revolutionary war. A long- period of peace and prosperity 
 had increased their confidence in their own strength ; and 
 the belief was gonerally entertained, that victory over the 
 same foe; would now be so much the more certainly and 
 easily trained, as tho nation was more rich and populous. 
 They did not reflect, that jr-;ice had impaired the military 
 energies of tho republic, white their enemy, by constant ex 
 ercise in arm;--, hid acquired, not only additional strength, 
 but grsnter skill to use and apply it. 
 
 2. From the voterai ofiicprs, who had acquired fame in 
 the former conflict, a selection was made to fill the princi 
 pal posts in the now army. Henry Dearborn, of Massachu 
 setts, was appointed rh^or- general and coanmander-in-chief 
 He was at the bit tie of Bunker s hill. In the expedition 
 against Quohoc, ho served as a eaptiin under Arnold. Ho 
 dlstinguishsd himself on those and other occasions; and at 
 the close of the war bore tho commission of colonul. Ho 
 held, for a lon ti;nn, the of!ico of secretary of war, and 
 discharge! its duties with exomphry industry and skill. 
 Thomas Pinknoy, of South Carolina, was also appointed 
 major-general. Among tho brigadiers wore Wilkinson, Hull, 
 Hampton, and BloomnVr.l. 
 
 3. At tho time of tho dr-cl.; ration of war, general Hull 
 was also governor of tho Michigan territory, of which De 
 troit is tho capital. On the I2lh of July, with two thousand 
 regulars and volunteers, he crossed the rivor dividing the 
 United States from Canada. On the same day. ho addressed 
 a proclamation to the Canadians, tendering them the bles. 
 
254 MADISON S 
 
 sings of civil and religious liberty, and assuring them, in a 
 lofty tone, " that his force was sufncient to break down all 
 opposition," and }vt was but the vanguard of one much 
 greater. It appaared to be his purpose to attack Maiden, 
 and thence proceed to Montreal. 
 
 4. Had the attack been instantly made, success would 
 have been highly probable. A month was wasted in ruinous 
 delay. Distrust and contempt expelled confidence and at 
 tachment from the breasts of the Canadians. The aidor of 
 the troops began to cool. Maiden was reinforced ; and at 
 this critical moment, information was received that Macki 
 naw, an American post above Detroit, had surrendered to a 
 large body of British and Indians, who were rushing down 
 the river in numbers sufficient to overwhelm the Ameri 
 can forces. Panic struck, general Hull hastened back to 
 Detroit. 
 
 5. General Brock, the commander at Maiden, pursued 
 him, with a force superior in number, but composed of mi 
 litia and Indians. On the I4th of August, he erected bat 
 teries opposite Detroit. The next day, he began a cannon 
 ade upon the American fortifications, which was returned 
 with precision and effect. On the IGth, the enemy crossed 
 the river, taking post about three miles nbove the city. 
 Meeting with no resistance, and hearing that some of the 
 American troops were absent, general Brock resolved to 
 march directly forward and assault the fort. 
 
 G. The troops, cool and undaunted, awaited in good order 
 f.ie approach of the enemy, anticipating an easy victory. To 
 the astonishment of all, general Hull forbade the artillery to 
 fire, and hung out a white flag in token of a wish to cupitn- 
 late. A correspondence between the two generals was im 
 mediately opened, which ended in the surrender of the army 
 arid of the territory of Michigan. 
 
 7. It is impossible to describe the indignation of tho sol 
 diers and citizens, when they saw themselves delivered, 
 by the authority of one man, into the power of an enemy 
 whom they supposed they might easily have conquered. 
 Many believed him either a traitor or coward. An event 
 so disgraceful, occurring in a quarter where success was 
 confidently anticipated, caused throughout the union the 
 greatest mortification and amazement. Stung by disap 
 pointment, all united in censuring general Hull. His 
 greatest, perhaps his only faalt, was want of decision and 
 energy. 
 
 8. "The people of Ohio and Kentucky were alarmed. 
 
1812 ] ADMINISTRATION. 255. 
 
 Nearly ten thousand citizens made a tend^ of their ser 
 vices, and a part of them, placed under the command of 
 general William H. Harrison, marched towards the terri 
 tory of Michigan. But. great and numerous were the 
 difficulties encountered ; the volunteers were unwilling to 
 .submit to the wholesome restraints of discipline ; and 
 winter arrived before any important undertaking could be 
 accomplished. Several incursions were made into the 
 "Country of the savages, who, instigated by British agents, 
 and by a celebrated Indian prophet, and commanded by Te- 
 cuniseh, a gallant warrior, had become almost universally 
 hostile. 
 
 9. For the purpose of invading Canada in another quar 
 ter, an army of regulars and militia were assembled on the 
 northern frontier of New York. It was far less numerous 
 than the government had anticipated. So hat>py was the 
 ^condition of even the poorest class of American citizens, that 
 but few could be induced to enlist as soldiers. And in some 
 -of the states the plausible doctrine was maintained, that the 
 officers ef the general government have no power over the 
 militia, until called into service and consigned to their au 
 thority, by the state executive, and that even then they can 
 not be compelled to march beyond the boundary of the re 
 public. Several governors actually withheld their militia, 
 when called for by the president, and thus diminished the 
 amount of one species of force upon which the general go 
 vernment had relied. 
 
 10. General Van Rensselaer, of the New York militia, 
 being the senior officer on that frontier, had the command of 
 these troops, which were called the army of the centre. His 
 head-quarters were at Lewistown, on the river Niagara, and 
 on the opposite side was Quoeiistown, a fortified British post. 
 The militia displaying great eagerness to be led against the 
 enemy, the general determined to cross over to Queenstown. 
 The first attempt was defeated by tempestuous weather. On 
 the 13th f October, a party, led by colonel Van Rensselaer, 
 effected a landing, although opposed by a British force sta 
 tioned on the bank. The colonel was severely wounded, 
 but the treops, tinder captains Ogiivie and Wool, advanced to 
 ^storrn the fort. They gained possession, but, at the moment 
 of success, general Brock arrived, from a neighboring post, 
 with a reinforcement of six hundred men. These., although 
 the most numerous, were gallantly driven back l]y the Ameri 
 can troops. In attempting to rally them, general Brock was 
 killed. 
 
25G MADISON S [1812. 
 
 11. General Van Re-nssclaer, who had previously crossed 
 over, now returned to hasten the embarkation of the rear 
 division. Those who had lately shown such eagerness to 
 meet the enemy, now utterly refused to pass beyond the na 
 tional boundary. He entreated and remonstrated, bat in 
 vain. Meanwhile the enemy, having received another rein 
 forcement, advanced to attack the Americans in the fort. A 
 desperate and bloody conflict ensued, of which the militia, 
 were calm spectators. In the end, the British were com. 
 pletely victorious. Of one thousand men, who crossed into 
 Canada, but few effected their escap*3. 
 
 12. Soon after, general Van Rerisselaer retired from the 
 service, and was succeeded by general Alexander Smyth, of 
 Virginia. In a turgid address to the " Men of New York," 
 he announced that, in a few days, he should plant the Ame 
 rican standard in Canada, and invited them to share in the 
 danger and glory of the enterprise. His force was increased 
 by those who obeyed his call, to 4500 men. The morning 
 of the 28th of November, was assigned as the time for cross 
 ing. So tardy were the movements of the troops, that until 
 afternoon, the first division was not ready to leave the Ame 
 rican shore. The enemy appeared in force on the opposite 
 bank ; a council of officers decided that it was inexpedient 
 at that time to cross ; and the troops were ordered to debark. 
 They were disappointed and dissatisfied ; but their clamor 
 was appeased by the assurance that another attempt would 
 speedily be made, 
 
 13. The next day, they received orders to be in readiness 
 to embark on the first of December. But their first disap 
 pointment had sensibly damped their ardor. At tho appoint 
 ed hour, the boats were not reidy to move ; ajid when ready, 
 but 1500 men were found willing to cross. A council of war 
 decided unanimously against proceeding, and again the troops 
 wore ordered to debark. The plan of invading Canada 
 was abandoned for the season. Tho blame of these fail 
 ures was attributed, by the soldiers, to- their commander ; 
 and so highly were they exasjxjrated, that, for several days, 
 liis life was in danger from their futfy. 
 
 14. The army of the north, which was under the 
 immediate command of general Dearborn, was stationed 
 at Greenbush, noar Albany, and at Plattsburgh, on lake 
 Champlain. From the latter post, a detachment marched a 
 short distance into Canada, surprised a small body of British 
 and Indians, and destroyed a considerable quantity of public 
 stores. Other movements were anxiously expected by the 
 
ADMINISTRATION, 257 
 
 people ; but after the misfortunes at Detroit and Niagara, 
 the general deemed it inexpedient to engaige in any impor-, 
 tant enterprise, 
 
 15. Thus ended the campaign of 1812. Although, on 
 many occasions, extraordinary gallantry had been dis 
 played, yet nothing was accomplished, and the losses 
 sustained were numerous and heavy. Thoss who approved 
 of the declaration of war felt disappointed, mortified, and 
 dejected. They attributed most, of the misfortunes of the 
 country to the conduct of the federalists, whom they accused 
 of endeavoring to prevent enlistments into the army, and of 
 maintaining the most perni-cious doctrines in relation to the 
 militia. The federalists, on the other hand, attributed these 
 repeated failures to the imbecility of the administration, and 
 to the unwise selection of military officers. They assumed 
 a bolder tone of censure, and evinced a more determined 
 spirit of opposition* 
 
 16. But while, on land, defeat and disgrace attended 
 the arms of the republic, 0n the ocean, where the injuries 
 which led to the war had been inflicted, they gained a rich 
 harvest of victory and glory. Upon the declaration of 
 war, the American officers and seamen glowed with ardor 
 to avenge the sufferings of their impressed fellow citizens, 
 and to vindicate the honor of the republican flag. Those 
 ships of war, which were ready for sea, immediately sailed 
 in search of the enemy. 
 
 17. On the 19th of August, captain Hull, who com 
 manded the Constitution of forty-four guns, descried a 
 British frigate. His crew, giving three cheers, requested 
 to be placed along side of their antagonist. For three 
 quarters of an hour, the latter endeavored, by skilful 
 manosuveriiig, to obtain the advantage of position. De 
 feated in this, she advanced towards the Constitution, 
 firing broadsides at intervals. When she had approached 
 within half pistol shot, a tremendous cannonade burst upon 
 her from the American frigate. In thirty minutes, every 
 mast and nearly every spar being shot away, she struck 
 Jier flag, 
 
 18. She was found to be the Guerriere of thirty-eight 
 guns, commanded by captain Dacres. Of her crew, fifty 
 were killed and sixty-four wounded, She had received so 
 much injury, that it was thought to lie impossible to get 
 tier into port, and she was burned. The injury sustained 
 by the Constitution was slight; of her crew, seven were 
 killed and seven wounded. Although she carried a few, 
 
 22* 
 
258 MADISON S [1812. 
 
 more guns than her antagonist, yet the immense disparity 
 of effect clearly demonstrated the superior skill of the 
 American seamen. Captain Hull, on his return to the 
 United States, was welcomed with enthusiasm, by his 
 grateful and admiring countrymen, who conferred upon 
 him those honors and distinctions most dear to the patriot 
 and hero. 
 
 19. But this was the first only of a series of naval vie- 
 tories. On the I8th of October,, captain Jones, in the 
 Wasp, of eighteen guns, captured the Frolic, of twenty- 
 two, after a bloody conflict of three quarters of an hour. 
 In this action, the Americans obtained a victory over a 
 force decidedly superior. On their part, but eight were 
 killed and wounded ; on that of the enemy, about eighty I 
 On the 25th, the frigater United States, commanded by 
 captain Decatur, encountered and captured the British, 
 frigate Macedonian. The former carried a few guns the 
 most, but the disparity of loss was astonishingly great.. 
 On the part of the enemy, a. hundred and four were killed 
 and wounded ; on that of the Americans, but eleven ! The 
 Wasp was unfortunately captured soon after her victory, by 
 a British ship of the line ; the United States brought her 
 prize safely to New York. 
 
 20. A foirrth naval battle was fought, and a fourth vic 
 tory gained, on the 29th of December. On that day, the 
 Constitution, of forty-four guns, then commanded by cap 
 tain Boinbridge, captured the British frigate Java, of ihirty- 
 oight. The combat continued more than three hours.. 
 The Java was reduced to a wreck ; of her crew one hundred 
 and sixty-one were killed and wounded ; of that of the Con 
 stitution, thirty-four. 
 
 21. These successive victories were peculiarly gratify 
 ing to the nation ; they were gained, in the midst of disas 
 ters on land, and by that class of citizens whose rights had 
 been violated ; they were gained over a people claiming 
 to bo lords of the sea, whom long and continued success 
 had rendered haughty and insolent, and who had confi 
 dently boasted that the whole American navy would soon 
 be swept from the ocean. 
 
 22. Many British merchantmen were likewise captured 
 by the American navy ; and privateers, issuing from 
 almost every port, and many of them bearing flags in- 
 Bctibed " Free Trade and Sailors* Rights," were remark 
 ably successful. The nuiber of prizes made during the 
 first seven months of the war, exceeded five hundred 
 
1813.] ADMINISTRATION. 259 
 
 23. In the autumn of this year, the quadrennial period 
 for the election of president and vice-president again re 
 curred. The candidates for president were, the incum 
 bent Jarnes Madison of Virginia, and De Witt Clinton of 
 New York ; for vice-president, Elbridge Gerry, of Massa 
 chusetts, and Jared Ingcrsoll, of Pennsylvania. Those 
 who were opposed to the war, supported Mr. Clinton and 
 Mr. Ingersoll ; and they were joined by many who believed 
 that, should the former be elected president, and should 
 he find it impracticable to make an honorable peace, he 
 would call forth the resources, and direct the arms of the 
 republic, with more decision and energy. Great exertions 
 were made by the partisans of the opposing candidates, and 
 the passions of the people, especially in the middle and 
 northern states, were highly excited. Of the electoral 
 votes given, Mr. Madison received one hundred and twen 
 ty-eight, and Mr. Gerry one hundred and thirty-one, and 
 were elected. Mr. Clinton received eighty-nine, and Mr. 
 Ingersoll eighty-six. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 CAMPAIGN OF 1813. 
 
 AT the commencement of the session of Congress, held 
 in the autumn of 1812, the president, in his message, stated 
 that, immediately after the declaration of war, he communi 
 cated to the British government the terms on which .its 
 progress might be arrested ; that these terms were, trie 
 repeal of the orders in council, the discharge of American 
 seamen, and the abandonment of the practice of impress 
 ment ; and that the ministry had declined to accede to his 
 offers. 
 
 2. He also stated that, at an early period of the war, he 
 had received official information of the repeal of the orders 
 in council; that two propositions for an armistice had been 
 made to him, both of which he had rejected, as they could 
 not have been accepted without conceding to Great Britain 
 the riofht of impressment. 
 
 3. The rejection of these propositions was approved by 
 the national representatives, who, far from abandoning the 
 ground they had taken, adopted more vigorous measures 
 for the prosecution of the war. The bounty, and the 
 
260 MADISON S [1813. 
 
 wages of soldiers, were increased. The president was au 
 thorized to raise twenty additional regiments of infantry, to 
 issue treasury notes, and to borrow money. Provision was 
 also made for building four ships of the line, six frigates, 
 and as many vessels of war on the great lakes as the public 
 service might require. 
 
 4. So great was the desire of the citizens of the western 
 country to regain possession of the territory of Michigan, 
 that, hi order to effect it, general Harrison resolved to un 
 dertake a winter campaign. General Winchester, with a 
 portion of the western army, proceeded in advance to French- 
 town, a village on the river Raisin, not far from Detroit. A 
 British party stationed in the village was attacked, routed, 
 and entirely dispersed. 
 
 5. The Americans encamped near the field of battle, a 
 part of them being protected by close garden pickets. Al 
 though near an enemy s post, but little precaution was taken 
 to prevent a surprise. Early in ths morning of the 22d of 
 January, they were attacked by a large force of British and 
 Indians, the former commanded by colonel Proctor, the 
 latter by the chiefs Roundhead and Splitlog. The troops in 
 the open field were thrown into disorder. General Winches 
 ter and other officers made an ineffectual attempt to rally 
 them. They fled, but, while attempting to escape, were 
 mostly killed by the Indians. The general and colonel 
 Lewis were made prisoners. 
 
 6. The troops behind the pickets maintained the contest 
 with undaunted bravery. At length colonel Proctor assured 
 general Winchester, that if the remainder of the Ameri 
 cans would immediately surrender, they should be pro- 
 teojjBd from massacre ; but otherwise he would set fire to 
 the village, and would not be responsible for the conduct 
 of the savages. Intimidated by this threat, general Win 
 chester sent an order to the troops to surrender, which they 
 obeyed. 
 
 - 7. Colonel Proctor, leaving the wounded without a 
 guard, marched back immediately to Maiden. The In 
 dians accompanied them a few rniles, but returned early 
 the next morning. Deeds of horror followed. The 
 wounded officers were dragged from the houses, killed 
 and scalped in the streets. The buildings were set on fire. 
 Some who attempted to escape were forced back into the 
 flames. Others were put to death by the tomahawk, and 
 left shockingly mangled in the highway. The infamy of 
 this butchery should not full upon the perpetrators alone. Tt 
 
lb!3.] ADMINISTRATION. 261 
 
 must rest equally upon those who instigated them to hostil 
 ity, by whofcic side they fought, who were able, and were 
 bound by a solemn engagement to restrain them. 
 
 8. The battle and massacro at French town, clothed Ken 
 tucky and Ohio in mourning. Other volunteers, indignant 
 at the treachery and cruelty of their foes, hastened to the 
 aid of Harrison. He marched to the rapids of Miami, 
 where he erected a fort, which he culled fort Meigs, in ho 
 nor of the governor of Ohio. On the first of May it was in 
 vested by a larfre number of Indians, and by a party of Bri 
 tish troops from Maiden, the whole commanded by colonel 
 Proctor. 
 
 i). Five days afterwards, general Clay, at the head of 
 1200 Kentuckians, made an attempt to raise the siege. Di 
 viding his force into several parties, and making an impetu 
 ous onset, he drove the besiegers from their works. His 
 troops, supposing the victory complete, arid disregarding the 
 orders of their commander, dispersed into the woods. The 
 enemy returning from their flight, obtained an easy victory. 
 Of the Americans, two or three hundred escaped into the 
 fort ; about three hundred were killed or made prisoners ; 
 the remainder fled to the nearest settlements. The enemy 
 sustained considerable loss. 
 
 10. The fort continued to be defended with bravery and 
 skill. The Indians, unaccustomed to sieges, became weary 
 and discontented. On the 8th of May, notwithstanding the 
 entreaties of their chief, Tecumseh, they deserted their 
 allies. On the 9th. the enemy, despairing of success, marie 
 a precipitate retreat. General Harrison, leaving general 
 Clay in command, returned to Ohio for reinforcements; 
 but in this quarter, active operations were not resumed until 
 a squadron had bueri built and prepared for action on lake 
 Erie. 
 
 11. At Sackett s Harbor, on the northern frontier, a body 
 of troops had been assembled under the command of general 
 Dearborn, and great exertions wero made, by commodore 
 Chauncey, to build and equip a squadron, on lake Ontario, 
 sufficiently powerful to contend with that of the enemy. By 
 the 25th of April, the naval preparations were so far com 
 pleted that, the general, and 1700 troops, wero conveyed 
 across the lake to the attack of York, the capital of Upper 
 Canada. 
 
 12. On the 27th, an advanced party, led by brigadier- 
 general Pike, who was born in a camp, and bred a soldier 
 from his birth, landed, although opposed, at the water s 
 
262 MADISON S [1813. 
 
 edge, by a superior force. After a short but severe conflict, 
 the enemy were driven to their fortifications. The rest of 
 the troops having landed, the whole party pressed forward, 
 carried the first battery by assault, and were moving towards 
 the main works, when the enemy s magazine blew up, with 
 a tremendous explosion, hurling upon the advancing troops 
 immense quantities of stone and timber. 
 
 13. Numbers were killed, the gallant Pike received a mor 
 tal wound; the troops halted for a moment, but recovering 
 from the shock again pressed forward, and soon gained pos 
 session of the town. Of the British troops, one hundred were 
 killed, nearly three hundred were wounded, and the same 
 number made prisoners. Of the Americans, three hundred 
 and twenty were killed and wounded, and nearly all of them 
 by the explosion of the -magazine. The flag which waved 
 over the fort was carried to the dying Pike ; at his desire it 
 was placed under his head, when, with the smile of triumph 
 on his lips, he expired. 
 
 14. The object of the expedition attained, the squadron 
 and troops returned to Sackett s Harbor, whence, the 
 wounded and prisoners being landed, and other, troops taken 
 on board, it sailed to fort George, at the head of the lake. 
 After a warm engagement, the enemy abandoned, and the 
 Americans entered the fort. The fugitives retired to the 
 heights, at the head of Burlington bay. On their retreat 
 they were joined by a detachment from fort Erie and 
 Chippeway. Two brigades, under general Chandler and 
 Winder, were despatched in pursuit. On the evening if 
 the 5th of June, they encamped at Stony creek, in the vi 
 cinity of the enemy, who, considering their situation desper 
 ate, turned upon their pursuers and attacked them in the 
 night. 
 
 15. The Americans received them with coolness y but, 
 such was the darkness, that general Chandler, intending to 
 place himself at the head of his artillery, threw himself into 
 the midst of a British party. A few minutes afterwards, the 
 same mistake was committed by general Winder. Satisfied 
 with the capture of these officers, and a few other prisoners, 
 the enemy made a precipitate retreat. The American troops 
 returned to fort George. This misfortune was soon followed 
 by another. Lioutenant-colonel Boerstler, having been sent 
 with 500 men, to disperse a body of the enemy collected at 
 the Beaver Dams, was surrounded, and the whole detach 
 ment made prisoners 
 
 16. While the greater part of the American army was 
 
1813.] ADMINISTRATION. 2G3 
 
 thus employed in Canada, the British made an attack upon 
 the important post of Sackett s Harbor. On the 27th of 
 May, their squadron appeared before the town. Alarm guns 
 instantly assembled the citizens of the neighborhood. Gen 
 eral Brown, of the New York militia, commanded in chief, 
 his whole force amounting to about one thousand men. By 
 his orders, a slight breast work was hastily thrown up, at the 
 only place where the enemy could land. Behind this, he 
 placed the militia, the regulars under colonel Backus form- 
 ing a second line. 
 
 17. On the morning of the 29th, one thousand British 
 troops landed from the squadron. They advanced toward 
 the breastwork. The militia, seized with a sudden panic, 
 fled in confusion. Colonel Mills, in a vain attempt to 
 rally them, was mortally wounded. The regulars, after a 
 spirited resistance, were compelled to retire toward the 
 town, but in their retreat they took possession of the houses 
 on the road. From these coverts they poured so destruc 
 tive a fire on the British column, that it halted and fell 
 back. General Brown, by a stratagem, converted this 
 slight check into a precipitate flight. Collecting the panic- 
 struck militia, he directed their course along a road, which, 
 while it led from the village, appeared to the British com 
 mander to lead to the place of landing. Perceiving them 
 marching with great speed, he supposed that their object was 
 to cat off his retreat, and re-ernburked so hastily as to leave 
 behind most of bis wounded. General Brown, in recom 
 pense for his services, was appointed a brigadier in the regu 
 lar army. 
 
 18. Meanwhile, upon the sea coast, a distressing and 
 predatory war was carried on, by large detachments from 
 the powerful navy of Great Britain. One squadron, station 
 ed in Delaware bay, captured and burned every merchant 
 vessel which came within its reach. The inhabitants of 
 Lewistown, in the state of Delaware, having refused to sell 
 provisions to the enemy, the village was bombarded, and se 
 veral attempts were made to land, but they were defeated by 
 the militia. 
 
 19. Early in the spring, another, and more powerful 
 squadron arrived in Chesapeake bay. It was commanded by 
 admiral Cockburn, who, departing from the usual modes of 
 honorable warfare, directed his efforts principally against 
 unoffending citizens and peaceful villages. The farm 
 houses, and gentlemen s seats near the shore, were plun 
 dered, and the cattle driven away or wantonly slaughtered. 
 
2C4 MADISON S [1&13. 
 
 Frenchtown, Havre de Grace, Frederiektown, and George, 
 town were sacked and burned. Norfolk was saved from a 
 similar fate, by the determined bravery of a small force sUu 
 tioned on Crany Island, in the harbor. A furious attack way 
 made upon Hampton, which, notwithstanding the gull ant 
 resistance of its small garrison, was captured, and the unfor 
 tunate inhabitants suffered all which a brutal and unrestram- 
 ed soldiery could inflict. 
 
 20. The ocean, in the mean time, had been the theatre of 
 sanguinary conflicts, in which the victors gained untarnish 
 ed laurels. Captain Lawrence, in the sloop of war Hornet, 
 discovering, in the neutral port of San Salvador, a British 
 sloop of war of superior force, challenged her commander to 
 meet hirn at sea. The challenge being declined, captain 
 Lawrence blockaded the port until forced by a ship of the 
 line to retire. 
 
 21. Soon after, on the 23d of February, the Hornet met 
 the British brig Peacock, of about equal force. A fierce com. 
 bat ensued. In less than fifteen minutes, the Peacock struck 
 her colors, displaying, at the same time, a signal of distress. 
 The victors hastened to the relief of the vanquished, and the 
 same strength which had been exerted to conquer was TIOW 
 exerted to save. Their efforts were but partially successful. 
 She sunk before all har crew could be removed, carrying 
 down nine British seaman and throe brave and generous 
 Americans. In the battle, the loss of the Hornet was but 
 one killed and two wounded ; that of the Peacock was never 
 ascertained. 
 
 22. On his return to the United States, captain Law. 
 ronce was promoted to the command of the frigate Chesa 
 peake, then in the harbor of Boston. For several weeks, 
 the British frigate Shannon, of equal forcn, but having a 
 sslected crew, had been cruising before the port ; and cap. 
 tain Brook, her commander, had announced his wish t.o 
 meet, in single combat, an American frigate. Inflamed by 
 this challenge, captain Lawrenco, although his crew was 
 just enlisted, and his officers were Grangers to him and 
 to each other, set sail, on the first of June, in pursuit of the 
 Shannon. 
 
 23. Towards evening of the same day. they met, and 
 instantly engaged, with unexampled fury. In a very few 
 minutes, and in quick succession, the sailing-master of the 
 Chesapeake was killed, captain Lawrence nml three lieu 
 tenants were severely wounded, her rigging was so cut to 
 pieces that she fell on board the Shannon, her chest of 
 
1813,] ADMINISTRATION. 265 
 
 arms blew up, captain Lawrence received a second and mortal 
 wound, arid was carried below; at this instant, the position 
 of the ships being favorable, captain Brook, at the head of 
 his marines, gallantly boarded the Chestipeake, when every 
 officer who itould take command being killed or wounded, 
 resistance ceased, and the American flag was struck by the 
 enemy. 
 
 24. That fortune favored the Shannon cannot be doubt- 
 ed. That the event would have been the same had fortune 
 favored neither, is rendered probable by the astonishing 
 effect of her tiro.. This unexpected defeat, impelled the 
 Americans to seek for circumstances consoling to their 
 pride, arid in the journals of the day, many such were 
 stated to have preceded and attended the action. But 
 nothing could allay their grief at the fall of the youthful 
 and intrepid Lawrence. His previous victory and mag 
 nanimous conduct had rendered him the favorite of the 
 nation, and he was lamented with sorrow, deep, sincere, 
 and lasting. When carried below, he was asked if the 
 colors should be struck. " No," he replied, " they shall 
 wave while 1 live." When the fate of the ship was de 
 cided, his proud spirit was broken. He became delirious 
 from excess of mental and bodily suffering. Whenever 
 able to speak, he would exclaim, " Don t give up the ship !" 
 an expression consecrated by his countrymen ; and he utter, 
 ed but few other words during the four days that he survived 
 his defeat. 
 
 25. This victory was not achieved without loss. Of the 
 crew of the Shannon, twenty-four were killed and fifty-six 
 wounded. Of that of the Chesapeake, forty-eight were 
 killed and nearly one hundred wounded. Great was the ex 
 ultation of the enemy. Victories over the frigates of other 
 nations, were occurrences too common to excite emotion ; 
 but the capture of an American frigate, was considered 
 a glorious epoch in the naval history of Great Britain. The 
 honors and rewards bestowed upon captain Brook wore 
 such as had never before been received but by the con 
 queror of a squadron. These demonstrations of triumph 
 wore inadvertent confessions of American superiority ; and 
 were, to the vanquished themselves, sources of triumph and 
 consolation. 
 
 2G. The next encounter at sea, was between the Ameri 
 can brig Argus and the British brig Pelican. The latter 
 was of superior force, and was victorious. Soon after, the 
 American brig Enterprise, commanded by lieutenant Bur- 
 23 f 
 
2G6 MADISON S [1813. 
 
 rows, captured the British brig Boxer, commanded by captain 
 Blyth. These vessels were of equal force, but the greater 
 effect of the fire of the Enterprise, furnished to the Ameri- 
 ricaris another proof of the superior skill of their seamen. 
 Both commanders were killed in the action, and were buried, 
 each by the other s side, in Portland. 
 
 27. The events of the war again call our attention to the 
 northwestern frontier. While each nation was busily em- 
 ployed in equipping a squadron on lake Erie, general Clay 
 remained inactive at fort Meigs. About the last of July, a 
 large number of British and Indians appeared before the fort, 
 hoping to entice the garrison to a general action in the field. 
 After waiting a few days without succeeding, they decamp- 
 ed, and proceeded to fort Stephenson, on the river Sandusky. 
 This fort was little more than a picketing surrounded by a 
 ditch; and the garrison consisted of but KK) men, who were 
 commanded by major Croghan, a youth of twenty-one. OG 
 the first of August, it was invested by 500 regulars and 800 
 Indians. 
 
 28. After a cannonade, which continued two days, the 
 enemy, in the evening, supposing a breach had been made, 
 advanced to assault the works. Anticipating this, major 
 Croghan had planted a six pounder, the only piece of cannon 
 in the fort, in a position to enfilade the ditch. It was loaded 
 with grape-shot and slugs, and was discharged the instant 
 the assailants arrived before it. The British commander and 
 many of his men were killed, and many others severely 
 wounded. The remainder, in haste and disorder, retreated 
 to their former position, and at dawn of day retired to Mai 
 den. The youthful Croghan, for his valor and good con 
 duct, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Ho 
 and his brave companions received the thanks of congress j 
 and to evince their respect for his virtues, the ladies of Chi- 
 licotho presented to him an elegant sword. 
 
 29. In the mean time, by the exertions of commodore 
 Perry, an American squadron had been prepared for service 
 on lake Eric. It consisted of nine small vessels, carrying in 
 all fifty-four guns. A British squadron had also been built 
 and equipped, under the superintendence of commodore Bar- 
 clay. It consisted of six vessels, mounting sixty-three 
 guns. 
 
 30. Commodore Perry, immediately sailing, offered bat. 
 tie to his adversary. On the tenth of September, the Bri 
 tish commander, having the wind in his favor, loft the har 
 bor of Maiden to accept the offer. In a few hours, the wind 
 
1813 1 ADMINISTRATION. 267 
 
 shifted, giving the Americans the advantage. Perry, 
 forming the line of battle, hoisted his flag, on which were 
 inscribed the words of the dying Lawrence, " Don t give 
 up the ship." Loud huzzas from all the vessels proclaimed 
 the animation with which this motto inspired their patriotic 
 crews. 
 
 31. About noon, the firing commenced ; but, the wind be- 
 ing light, the Lawrence, the commodore s flag-ship, was the 
 only American vessel that, could, at first, engage in close ac 
 tion. For two hours, she contended alone with two vessels, 
 each nearly her equal in force. All but seven of her crew 
 were either killed or wounded, and she, by the damage she 
 had received, was rendered wholly unmanageable. The 
 wind springing up, captain Elliot was at length enabled to 
 bring the Niagara into action. To this ship commodore 
 Perry, sailing in an open bo.it through the midst of the fire, 
 transferred his flag. Again the combat raged with undimin- 
 ished fury. In a short time, one of the British vessels sur 
 rendered, and soon after another ; and, the rest of the Ame 
 rican squadron now joining in the action, the victory was 
 rendered decisive and complete. At four o clock, the brave 
 and fortunate commander despatched to general Harrison, at 
 fort Meigs, this laconic epistle : " We have met the enemy, 
 and they are ours." 
 
 32. Great was the joy which this brilliant victory occasion 
 ed throughout the union. That it was achieved over a su 
 perior force ; that it was the first ever gained over a squad 
 ron ; that it was entirely decisive ; that it opened the way 
 to the recovery of all that had been lost by the defeat of ge 
 neral Hull, were circumstances which threw every other 
 victory into the shade, and cast the brightest lustre upon the 
 characters of the heroes wiio had gained it. At everyplace 
 that he visited, the gallant Perry received the most flattering 
 proofs of a nation s gratitude and love. 
 
 33. As soon as general Harrison, who had been joined by 
 governor Shelby with a large body of Kentucky militia, re 
 ceived intelligence of this victory, he hastened to the lake, 
 and was conveyed by the vessels to Maiden. The British 
 commander anticipating this movement, had abandoned that 
 place, which, on the 28th of September, was occupied, with 
 out opposition, by the American army. 
 
 34. The enemy, passing Detroit in Onir retreat, ascended 
 the river Thames, to the Moravian villages. They were 
 pursued by general Harrison, and, on the 5th of October, 
 brought to action. His force being greatly superior, a com- 
 
268 MADISON S [1813 
 
 plete victory was easily and speedily gained. Six hundred, 
 nearly the whole of the party, were made prisoners; Tecum. 
 seh, the celebrated Indian chief, was killed ; and all the 
 posts that had been surrendered by general Hull were recov 
 ered from the enemy. 
 
 35. Leaving general Cass in command at. Detroit, general 
 Harrison, with part of the regular force, again embarked, on 
 board the vessels, arid, on the 24th, arrived at Buffalo, in 
 New York, intending to join the America.n army on the Ni 
 agara frontier. But, a sufficient number of general officers 
 having been assigned to that army, he received permission to 
 return to his family. 
 
 36. Previous to the events just related, general Dearborn, 
 in consequence of severe indisposition, was withdiawn from 
 active service, and general Wilkinson appointed to command 
 the army of the centre, which comprised about 7000 men. 
 Having received orders, from the secretary of war, to de 
 scend the St. Lawrence and attack Montreal, he directed 
 the scattered detachments to assemble at Grenadier Island, 
 on lake Ontario. Such were the difficulties attending the con. 
 centration of the troops, and such perhaps the want of vigor 
 in the commander, that the flotilla, upon which they em- 
 barked, did not get under way until the 5th of November. 
 
 37. Their progress was impeded by parties which the 
 enemy, at every convenient position, had stationed on the 
 -Canada. shore. To disperse these, a body of troops, under 
 the command of general Brown, was landed, and directed to 
 march >in advance of the boats. At Chrystler s fields, on the 
 llth of November, a body of the enemy, of equal force, was 
 encountered. In the battle which ensued, both fought 
 with resolute bravery, and both claimed the victory. The 
 loss of the Americans was greatest, but they drove the 
 enemy from their position, and enabled the flotilla to pass 
 unmolested. 
 
 38. The next day, it arrived at St. Regis. At this place, 
 general Hampton, who commanded the troops at Platts. 
 burg, had been ordered to meet the main army, and no 
 doubt had been entertained of his disposition and ability 
 to comply with the order. But, he*e general Wilkinson, 
 to his surprise and mortification, was informed that the 
 contemplated junction would not take place. The project 
 of attacking Montreal was abandoned, and the army under 
 Wilkinson, marching to French Mills, there encamped for 
 the winter. 
 
 39. This abortive issue of the campaign occasioned mur- 
 
1813.] ADMINISTRATION. 269 
 
 murs throughout the nation. The causes which led to it, 
 have never been fully developed. The severest censure fell 
 upon general Armstrong, who was secretary of war, and up 
 on general Hampton. The latter soon after resigned his 
 commission in the army, and general Izard was selected to 
 command the post at Plattsburg. 
 
 40. la the progress of our narrative, some events have 
 been passed over, which will now be related. In the early 
 part of this year, the emperor of Russia offered his mediation 
 to the two powers at war. On the part of the United States 
 the offur was promptly accepted, and Messrs. Adams, Galla- 
 tin, and Bayard, were appointed commissioners to negotiate, 
 at St. lY-tersb irg, a peace under the proffered mediation. 
 
 41. On the 24th of May, congress was convened by 
 proclamation of the president. Laws were enacted impos 
 ing a direct tax of three millions of dollars ; authorizing 
 the collection of various internal duties ; providing for a 
 loan of seven and a half million of dollars ; and prohibiting 
 the merchant vessels of the United States from sailing under 
 British licenses. Near the close of the session, a committee, 
 appointed to inquire into the subject, made a long report 
 upon the spirit arid manner in which the war had been 
 conducted by the enemy. Many proofs were presented of 
 shameful departures from the rules of warfare observed by 
 civilized nations. 
 
 42. In September, commodore Chaunccy made two cruises 
 upon lake Ontario, and repeatedly offered battle to the 
 enemy s squadron, which was superior in force ; but sir 
 James Yeo, the British commander, intimidated by the result 
 of the battle on lake Erie, retired before him. On one occa 
 sion, however, in a running right, his ships sustained consid 
 erable injury. 
 
 43. In the same month, captain Rogers, who commanded 
 the frigate President, returned from a long cruise, having 
 captured eleven merchantmen ; but he met no armed ves 
 sels, the capture of which could enhance his reputation. Cap 
 tain Porter, in the Essex, rode triumphant in the Pacific 
 ocean, annoying the trade of the enemy, and protecting that 
 of the republic. 
 
 44. The Indians at the southern extremity of the union 
 had imbibed the same hostile spirit as those at the north 
 western. They had been visited by Tecumseh, and, by his 
 eloquence, persuaded that the Great Spirit required them to 
 unite and attempt the extirpation of the whites, and had pro 
 mised them victory as the reward of their exertions. In tho 
 
270 MADISON S [1813. 
 
 fall of 1812, a cruel war was carried on, by the Creeks and 
 Seminoles, against the frontier inhabitants of Georgia. Gen 
 eral Jackson, at the head of 2500 volunteers from Tennes 
 see, marched into the country of the Indians. They, over, 
 awed by his presence, desisted for a time from hostility ; but, 
 after his return, their animositj burst forth with increased 
 and fatal violence. 
 
 45. Dreading thoir cruelty, about three hundred men, wo 
 men, and children, sought safety in fort Minims, in the Ten. 
 saw settlement. Although frequent warnings of an intend 
 ed attack had been given them, yet, at noonday, on the 30th 
 of August, they were surprised by a party of six hundred In 
 dians, who, with axes, cut their way into the fort, and drove 
 the people into the houses which it enclosed. To these they 
 set fire. Many persons were burned, and many killed by the 
 tomahawk. Only seventeen escaped to carry the horrid ti 
 dings to the neighboring stations. 
 
 46. The whites resolved on vengeance. Again general 
 Jackson, at the head of 3500 militia of Tennessee, marched 
 into the southern wilderness A detachment under general 
 Coffee, encountering, at Tallnshatchie, a body of Indians, a 
 sanguinary conflict ensued. The latter fought with desper 
 ation, neither giving nor receiving quarter, until nearly every 
 warrior had perished. 
 
 47. At Talladeira, another battle was fought, in which 
 throe hundred Indians perished. The rest of the party, ex 
 ceeding seven hundred, fled. General Jackson s provisions 
 being exhausted, he was unable to pursue them. While on 
 his return to the settlements, to obtain a supply, his troops 
 became refractory, and even mutinous. Nearly all return 
 ed to their homes ; but to the small number that remained 
 were soon added a reinforcement of one thousand mounted 
 volunteers. 
 
 48. At the head of this force he marched to Emuckfaw. 
 within a bend of the Tallapoosa, where a body of the enemy 
 were posted. To several skirmishes succeeded a general 
 battle, in which the whites were victorious, but sustained 
 considerable loss. For the relief of the wounded, Jackson 
 returned to fort Strother, where the volunteers were dis. 
 charged. General White from East Tennessee, and general 
 Floyd from Georgia, led separate expeditions against the 
 Indians, and were victorious in every combat. So enraged 
 were the savages, that but few would accept of quarter or 
 seek safety in retreat 
 
 49. Yet still was the spirit of the Creeks unsubdued, and 
 
1813 ] ADMINISTRATION. 271 
 
 their faith in victory unshaken. With no little sagacity and 
 skill, they selected and fortified another position on the Tal- 
 lapoosa, called by themselves Tjhopeka, and hy the whites 
 Horse-shoe Bcind. Here nearly a thousand warriors, ani 
 mated with a fierce and determined resolution, were collect, 
 ed. Three thousand men, commanded by general Jackson, 
 marched to attack this post. To prevent escape, a detach 
 ment under general Coffee, encircled the Bend. The main 
 body, keeping within it, advanced to the fortress. For a few 
 miniates the opposing forces were engaged, muzzle to muzzle, 
 at the port-holes. Soon the troops, leaping over the walls, 
 mingled with the savages. The combat was furious and 
 sanguinary. The Indians, fleeing at length to the river, be 
 held the troops on the opposite bank. Returning, they fought 
 with increased fury and desperation, and continued to resist 
 until night. Six hundred warriors were killed ; four only 
 yielded themselves prisoners ; the remaining three hundred 
 escaped. Of the whites, fifty-five were killed, and one hun 
 dred and forty-six wounded. 
 
 50. It was expected that another stand would be made, by 
 the Indians, at a place called the Hickory ground. General 
 Jackson marched thither in April. The principal chiefs 
 came out to meet him, and among them was Wetherford, a 
 half blood, distinguished equally for his talents and cruelty. 
 " I am in your power," said he ; " do with me what you 
 please. I commanded at fort Mimms. I have done tho 
 white people all the harm I could. I have fought them, 
 and fought them bravely. There was a time when I had 
 a choice ; I have none now ; even hope is ended. Onco 
 I could animate my warriors ; but I cannot animate the 
 de-ad. They can no longer hear my voice ; their bones are 
 at Tallushatchie, Talladega, Emuckfaw, and Tohopeka. 
 While there was a chance of success, I never supplicated 
 peace ; but my people are gone, and I now ask it for my na 
 tion and myself." Peace was concluded, and the brave gen. 
 eral Jackson and his troops enjoyed an honorable but short 
 repose. 
 
272 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 CAMPAIGN OF 1814. 
 
 CONCLUSION OF THE WAR. 
 
 IN the winter of 1813-14, the fifteenth congress held a 
 
 cond session. To increase the number, and to add to the 
 
 3iciency of the army, several laws were passed, by one of 
 
 which the enormous bounty of one hundred and twenty-four 
 
 dollars was offered to recruits. The president was author- 
 
 ized to borrow twenty-five millions of dollars, and to issue 
 
 treasury notes to the amount of five millions. 
 
 2. Before the termination of the session, a communication 
 was received from the British government, declining to treat 
 under the mediation of Russia, and proposing a direct nego 
 tiation at London or Gottenburgh. The proposition was ac 
 cepted by the American government, wbo chose Gotten 
 burgh as the place of meeting, for which Ghent was after, 
 wards substituted; and Henry Clay and Jonathan Russell 
 were joined with the commissioners already in Europe. Mr. 
 Clay, in consequence, relinquished the station of speaker of 
 the house of representatives, and was succeeded by Langdon 
 Cheves, of South Carolina. 
 
 3. Early in the spring, the American army marched from 
 French-Mills ; a part of the troops, under the command of 
 general Wilkinson, proceeding to Plattsburgh, and the re 
 nuiinder, under general Brown, returning to Sackett s Har 
 bor. Near the last of March, general Wilkinson penetrated 
 into C Linn da, and attacked a body of the enemy, occupying 
 a large stone mill, on the river La Cole. He was repulsed 
 with considerable loss. This defeat detracted from his al 
 ready diminished reputation. He was removed from com. 
 mand, and general Izard appointed to succeed him. 
 
 4. For three months, .the armies of both nations con 
 tinucd inactive. Meanwhile, information was received of 
 the stupendous events which had recently occurred in 
 Europe. The emperor of Franco, having been arrested 
 in his victorious career, and sustained defeat after defeat, 
 was comp^llpd to abdicate his throne, and retire to the 
 island of Elba. Louis the XVIII. was proclaimed king; 
 and Great Britain, at peace with all the world but the 
 United States, was enabled to direct against them alono 
 
1814.J MADISON S ADMINISTRATION. 273 
 
 the immense force which had heen employed to crush 
 her rival. She delayed not to use the advantages af 
 forded bv her good fortune. From tke ports of conquered 
 France, ships of war and transports, beufmg 1 veteran and 
 victorious troops, sailed to the American continent, some 
 destined to the Niagara frontier, and some to the Atlantic 
 coast. 
 
 5. These events could not be viewed with indifference by 
 the American people. The friends of the administration 
 anticipated a severer conflict, and prepared for greater sacri 
 fices and greater sufferings. Its opposers were encouraged 
 to make more vigorous efforts to wrest the reins of authority 
 from men who, they asserted, had shown themselves incom 
 peterit to hold them. These efforts, although condemned by 
 a great majority of the people, diminished, in 110 slight de 
 gree, the strength of the republic. 
 
 6. In the beginning of July, general Brown, who had been 
 assiduously employed iu disciplining his troops, crossed the 
 .Niagara with about 3000 men, and took possession, without 
 opposition, of fort Erie. In a strong position, at Chippewa, 
 a few miles distant, was intrenched an equal number of 
 British troops commanded by general Riall. On the 4th, 
 general Brown approached their works. The next day, the 
 two armies met in the open field. The conflict was obsti 
 nate and bloody. The Americans were victorious ; and the 
 enemy, having sustained the loss of five hundred men, sought 
 safety behind their intrenchments. 
 
 7. This decisive victory, achieved after so many reverses, 
 was hailed as an omen of future success. Soon afterwards, 
 general Riall, abandoning his works, retired to the heights 
 of Burlington. Here lieutenant-general Drurnmond, with a 
 large reinforcement, joined him, and assuming the command, 
 led back the army towards the American camp. On the 
 25th, was fought the battle of Brklgewater, which began 
 before sunset and continued until midnight* 
 
 8. This battle was fought near the cataract of Niagara, 
 whose roar was silenced by the thunder of cannon and the 
 din of arms, but wa distinctly heard during 1 the pauses of 
 the fight. At intervals the moon shone brightly, but often 
 her light was obscured. Against, a superior force, the Ame 
 ricans, for several hours, contended with various success. 
 During the first part of the engagement, they were sorely 
 annoyed, into whatever part of the field they might drive the 
 enemy, or be driven by the British artillery, stationed on a 
 commanding eminence. " Can you storm that battery " 
 
274 MADISOJM S [1814 
 
 said general Ripley to colonel Miller. " I ll try, sir," was 
 the laconic answer. At the word of command, his men, 
 with steady courage, ascended the hill, advanced to the 
 muzzles of the cannon, killed with the bayonet several artil 
 lery-men, on the point of firing their pieces, and drove the 
 remainder before them. 
 
 9. Both parties were instantly reinforced, and the enemy 
 made a daring effort to regain their cannon. They were 
 repulsed, but quickly repeated the attempt. Nearly all the 
 opposing forces gathered around this position, and to possess 
 it was the sole object of both armies. Again the enemy 
 were repulsed ; but again they renewed the effort. After 
 a violent conflict, they were a third time driven from the 
 hill. The firing then ceased ; the British troops were with 
 drawn ; and the Americans were left in quiet possession of 
 \he field. 
 
 10. Generals Brown and Scott having both been severely 
 wounded, the command devolved upon general Ripley. lie 
 remained a few hours upon the hill, collected the wounded, 
 and then returned unmolested to the camp. The number of 
 the killed and wounded proves the bravery of the com 
 batants, and the severity of the conflict. On the American 
 side it was 743 ; on the British, one hundred less; and of 
 the latter 117 more were missing than of the former. The 
 British, therefore, besides losing their position, sustained the 
 greater loss of men. 
 
 11. General Ripley found his force so much weakened, 
 that he deemed it prudent again to occupy fort Erie. On 
 *Jie 4th of August, it was invested by general Drammond 
 "*ith 5000 troops. In defending it, no less bravery and skill 
 riere requisite, and no less were displayed, than in contend- 
 ig in the field. In the night between the 14th and 15th, 
 
 .he bcsiogers made an assault upon the fort, which was re 
 pelled with conspicuous gallantry by the garrison, the for 
 mer losing more than nine hundred men, the latter but 
 eighty-four. 
 
 12. The siepe was still continued. On the 2d of Septem 
 ber, general Brown, having recovered from his wounds, 
 threw himself into the fort, aivd took command of the gar 
 rison. For their fate, groat anxiety was fblt by the nation, 
 which was, however, in some degree, remove*} by the march 
 from Plattsburgh of five thousand men to their relief. On 
 the 17th, a sortie was made by the besieged, general Porter 
 of the New York militia, and general Miller of the regular 
 army, commanding divisions. The bravery of the troops 
 
1814.] ADMINISTRATION. 275 
 
 equalled that which they had displayed in the recent con 
 tests. After an hour of close fighting, they returned to the 
 fort, having killed, wounded, and takon one thousand of 
 the enemy. Their loss was severe, amounting to more than 
 five hundred. 
 
 13. On the 21st of September, the forty-ninth day of the 
 siege, general Drummond withdrew his forces, relieving the 
 garrison from their toil, which had been incessant, and from 
 their danger, which had been encountered without fear. 
 Seldom have troops deserved higher praise of their country. 
 On the 9th of October, general Izard arrived with the rein- 
 forcement from Plattsburgh, arid being senior officer, took 
 the command. On the 18th, he marched, with his whole 
 force, in pursuit of the enemy, whom he found at Chippewa, 
 strongly posted in a. fortified camp. After making several 
 unsuccessful attempts to entice them into the field, he eva. 
 cuated Canada, and placed his troops in winter quarters al 
 Buffalo, Blackrock, and Batavia. 
 
 14. The march of the troops from Plattsburgh having 
 left that post almost defenceless, the enemy determined to 
 attack it by land, and, at the same time, to attempt the 
 destruction of the American flotilla on lake Champlain. 
 On the 3d of September, sir George Prevost, the governor 
 general of Canada, with an army of 14,000 men, most of 
 whom had served in the wars of Europe, entered the terri 
 tories of the United States. As soon as his object was as. 
 certaincd, brigadier-general Macornb, the commander at 
 Plattsburgh, called 1o his aid the militia of New York and 
 Vermont, who, with alacrity and without distinction of party, 
 obeyed the call. 
 
 15. On the 6th, the enemy arrived at Plattsburgh, which 
 is situated near lake Champlain, on the northerly bank of 
 the small river Saranac. On their approach, the American 
 troops, who were posted on the opposite bank, tore up the 
 planks of the bridges, with which they formed slight breast 
 works, and prepared to dispute the passage of the stream, 
 kV .voral attempts to cross it were made by the enemy, but 
 thoy were uniformly defeated. From this time, until the 
 llth, the British army were employed in erecting batteries, 
 while the American forces were every hour augmented by 
 the arrivrJ of volunteers and militia. 
 
 1G. Early in the morning of that day, the British sqund 
 ron, commanded by commodore Downie. appeared off the 
 harbor of Plattsburgh, whore that of the United States, 
 commanded by commodore McDonough, lay at anchor pro- 
 
27G MADISON S [1814. 
 
 pared for battle. The former earned ninety-five guns, and 
 was maimed with upwards of 1000 men ; the latter carried 
 eighty-six guns, and was manned with 820 men. 
 
 17. At nine o clock the battle commenced. Seldom has 
 the ocean witnessed a more furious encounter than now took 
 place on the bosom of this transparent and peaceful lake. 
 At the same moment, the enemy on land began a heavy 
 cannonade upon the American lines, and attempted, at dif 
 ferent places, to cross the Saranac. At a ford above the 
 village the strife was hot and deadly. As often as the enemy 
 advanced into the water, they received a destructive fire 
 from the militia, and their dead bodies floated down the 
 stream, literally crimsoned with blood. 
 
 18. At half past eleven, the shout of victory, heard along 
 the American lines, announced the result of the battle on 
 the lake. A second British squadron had yielded to the 
 prowess of American seamen. The cry animated to braver 
 deeds their brethren on the laud. Fainter became the efforts 
 of the enemy. In the afternoon, they withdrew to their in- 
 trenchments. In the night, they began a precipitate retreat, 
 arid hud fled eight miles before their departure was known 
 in the American camp. 
 
 19. Upon the lake, the American loss was 110 ; the Bri 
 tish 194, besides prisoners. On land, the American loss was 
 119 ; that of the British was estimated at 2500. In the 
 latter number, however, were included more than five hun 
 dred British soldiers, who, preferring America to their na. 
 tive country, deserted from the retreating army. With 
 these splendid victories closed the campaign on the northern 
 frontier. 
 
 20. On the ocean, the republican flag maintained its high 
 reputation. Victory was not always won ; but defeat never 
 occurred a tended with dishonor. - The Essex, commanded 
 by captain Porter, aftor a bloody combat protracted longer 
 than was necessary to vindicate his fame, struck to a British 
 frigate and sloop of war, whose united force was much supe 
 rior. The American sloop Peacock captured the Epervier 
 of equal force. The sloop Wasp, commanded by captcfin 
 Blakely, captured the Reindeer, and afterwards, in the same 
 cruise, sunk the Avon, each of superior force. She made 
 several other prizes ; but never returned into port. Dark 
 ness rests upon her fate. She probably foundered at sea. 
 The republic, with deep and sincere grief, mourned the loss 
 of her gallant crew. 
 
 91. The people of the middle and southern states, an- 
 
1814.] ADMINISTRATION. 277 
 
 ticipating a great augmentation of the enemy s force, and 
 uncertain where the blow would full, made exertions to place 
 every exposed position in a posture of defence. The citi- 
 rens of New York displayed extraordinary activity and zeal. 
 Philadelphia and Baltimore were supposed to he in lesa 
 langer, but additions were made to their fortifications. For 
 he protection of Washington, a military district, ernbrac- 
 Tig Maryland, Columbia, and a part of Virginia, was esta- 
 lished, and the command of it given to general Winder, of 
 Baltimore. One thousand regular troops were placed at 
 <iis disposal, and he was authorized to call to his aid 15,000 
 militia. 
 
 22. In the beginning of August, the expected reinforce 
 ments, consisting of many vessels of war, and a large num. 
 bcr of troops, arrived in the Chesapeake from Europe. Of 
 this force several frigates and bomb vessels were ordered to 
 ascend the Potomac ; another division, under sir Peter Par- 
 ker, was directed to threaten Baltimore ; the main body as 
 cended the Patuxent as far as Benedict, where, on the 19th 
 of August, five thousand men, commanded by general Rows, 
 were landed. 
 
 23. In the mean time, general Winder had called on the 
 militia to repair to his standard. They were exceedingly 
 remiss in obeying the call. On the 22d, not more than 
 two thousand had assembled. At the head of these, and 
 of one thousand regulars, he took a position not far from 
 the enemy, intending to prevent their progress into the 
 country. 
 
 24. A particular account of the subsequent events will not 
 be attempted. General Ross, marching through a scat 
 tered population, advanced towards Washington. The Ame 
 ricans retired before him. A stand was made near Bladens. 
 burgh. The militia fled on the approacli of danger ; but a 
 body of seamen and marines, commanded by commodore 
 Barney, not only maintained their ground, but compelled 
 the enemy to give way. They rallied, however, immediate, 
 ly : outflanked the heroic band, put it to flight, and hastened 
 forward. 
 
 25. The retreating forces were ordered to assemble on the 
 heights near the capitol ; and there they were joined by a 
 body of Virginia militia. But general Winder, considering 
 hi.? force too weak to oppose effectual resistance, retreated 
 to the heights of Georgetown. Washington, thus left de. 
 fenceless, was deserted by most of the citizens. 
 
 26. On the 24th, at eight o clock in the evening, the 
 
 24 
 
278 MADISON S [18U, 
 
 enemy entered the city, and at nine, the capitol, president s 
 house, and many other buildings, were set on firy. Valua 
 ble libraries, works of taste, and elegant specimens of the 
 fine arts, were consigned to destruction. On the evening of 
 the next day, the enemy left the city, and returned unino- 
 lestcd to Benedict ; where, on the 30th, they embarked on 
 board the transports. Their lose, during the incursion, in 
 cluding deserters, and such as died from fatigue on the 
 march, exceeded eight hundred. 
 
 27. The capture of Washington reflected disgrace upon 
 those by whom it ought to have been defended. The do- 
 struction of the national edifices attached a still darker stigma 
 to the character of the enemy. The whole civilized world 
 exclaimed against the act as a violation of the rules of mo 
 dern warfare. The capitals of most of the European king 
 doms had lately been in the power of an enemy ; but in no 
 instance had the conqueror been guilty of similar conduct. 
 An indignant spirit pervaded the republic. The friends of 
 the government were not only increased in number, but felt 
 an additional motive to exert all their faculties to overcome 
 the enemy of their country. 
 
 28. The squadron which, at the same time, ascended 
 the Potomac, met with even less resistance than that 
 which ascended the Patuxent. As soon as it arrived at 
 Alexandria, the citizens proposed a capitulation ; and the 
 terms were speedily adjusted with the British commander. 
 To purchase safety, they delivered up all their shipping ; 
 all the merchandise in the city, and all the naval and ord 
 nance stores, public and private. With a fleet of prizes, 
 loaded with a rich booty, the enemy returned immediately 
 to the ocean. 
 
 29. The success of the attack on Washington encouraged 
 general Ross to undertake an expedition against Baltimore. 
 On the 12f.h of September, he landed 5000 men on North 
 Point, about fourteen miles from the city, to which he di 
 rected his march. Preparations for defence had already been 
 made. The whole of the militia had been called into the 
 field ; the aged and the rich had voluntarily entered the 
 ranks ; and assistance had been obtained from Pennsylvania 
 and Virginia. 
 
 30. General Smith, who commanded the American 
 forces, detached general Striker, with three thousand men, 
 to retard the progress of the enemy. The advanced parties 
 met about eight miles from the city. In the skirmish 
 which ensued general Ross was killed. The invaders, 
 
1814.] ADMINISTRATION. 279 
 
 however, under the command of colonel Brooke, continued 
 to advance, and soon met and attacked the detachment un 
 der Striker, One of the militia regiments gave way. This 
 communicated a panic to the others, and the general fell 
 back to the heights, where, behind breastworks hastily erect 
 ed, the main body of tiie Americans awaited an attack. 
 
 31. After landing the troops at North Point, the British 
 fleet had sailed up the Potapsco, and bombarded fort McHenry 
 and fort Covington, which stand at the entrance into the 
 harbor. The former was commanded by major Armistead, 
 the latter by Lieutenant Ncwcomb, of the navy. Both were 
 gallantly defended, the fleet was repulsed, and the commander 
 of the troops, finding that the naval force conld afford no 
 further assistance, retreated, on the 14th, to North Point, 
 and the next day re-embarked. Soon after, the fleet left 
 Chesapeake bay, and part proceeded southward to convey 
 the troops to the theatre of future operations and of unpre 
 cedented slaughter. 
 
 32. In tho New England states, a majority of the people 
 wero, from the first, opposed to the war ; and as it restrained 
 them from their most profitable pursuits, commerce and the 
 fisheries, their dissatisfaction continued to increase. They 
 complained that their peculiar interests were disregarded, 
 and that the government, employing elsewhere the resources 
 drawn from New England, did not afford them that protec- 
 
 - tion to which, as a part of the nation, they w r ere entitled. 
 The most zealous therefore recommended that not only the 
 nii.lit.i-i but the revenue should be retained at home and em. 
 ployed for their own defence and protection. 
 
 33. The general court of Massachusetts proposed that 
 a convention of delegates, from the New England states, 
 should assemble at Hartford, to devise means to obtain 
 redress of their grievances. To this proposition Con 
 necticut and Rhode Island acceded. In December the 
 convention met, consisting of delegates from those states ap 
 pointed by their legislatures ; of two from New Hampshire, 
 and one from Vermont, appointed at county meetings. 
 Their sittings were secret. Upon their adjournment, they 
 published an address to the people, in which, in bold and 
 forcible language, they enumerated the measures of the na 
 tional government, supposed to be particularly detrimental 
 to the interests of New England, and of the commercial 
 class of the nation, and proposed such amendments to the 
 constitution as would prevent, in future, lh f Adoption of si 
 milar measures. 
 
230 MADISON S [1814. 
 
 34. In the full, information was received that the Ameri 
 can and British commissioners had met and held conferen 
 ces at Ghent. Great Britain, rendered arrogant by her re 
 cent triumphs in Europe, by the capture of Washington, and 
 by the boldness of the opposition, demanded terms which 
 extinguished the hope of a speedy reconciliation. Congress 
 shrunk riot from the duty which the crisis imposed. Al 
 though the expenditures of the nation greatly exceeded the 
 income ; although its finances were in disorder, and its credit 
 was impaired, yet the national legislature, with undaunted 
 firmness, entered upon the task of furnishing the means to 
 prosecute the war with increased vigor. The taxes were 
 augmented, and new loans were authorized. The duties of 
 secretary at war, from which post general Armstrong was 
 removed, were assigned to Mr. Monroe, the secretary of stats, 
 and Mr. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, was appointed secretary of 
 the treasury. 
 
 35. The repose of general Jackson, and of the troops 
 whom he commanded, was interrupted by the arrival, at 
 Pensacola, in August, of three British ships of war, bring 
 ing three hundred soldiers, and arms and ammunition to 
 be distributed among the Indians of Florida. The troops 
 were permitted, by the Spaniards, to take possession of the 
 fort, and the commander issued a proclamation, indicating 
 an intention of carrying on war against the adjacent parts of 
 the republic. 
 
 36. General Jackson, with characteristic promptness, 
 took instant and efficient measures for calling to his aid 
 the patriotic militia, who had before been victorious under 
 his banners. Aad haying remonstrated in vain with the 
 governor of Pensacola, for affording shelter and protection 
 to the enemie0 of the United States, he, near the end of 
 October, at the head of a body of regulars and two thousand 
 mounted volunteers, inarched against that place. A flag 
 sent to demand redress, was fired on from the batteries. 
 He immediately marched into the city, stormed the fort, 
 obtained entire possession, and compelled the British to 
 evacuate Florida. 
 
 37. Returning to his head-quarters at Mobile, ho there 
 received intelligence that a powerful expedition was on 
 the way to attack New Orleans. Without delay, he 
 marched, with his troops, to that city. He found it in a 
 state of confusion and alarm. The militia, composed of 
 men of all nations, was imperfectly organized. Many, 
 feeling no attachment to the republic, had refused to enter 
 
1814.] ADMINISTRATION. 281 
 
 the ranks. No fortifications existed on the various routes 
 by which the place could he approached ; and fears were 
 entertained that the reinforcements of militia, which were 
 expected from Kentucky and Tennessee, could riot arrive in 
 V-jne to take part in the content. 
 
 38. Undismayed by the difficuties which surrounded him, 
 general Jackson adopted the most decided and efficient 
 oieatis for the safety of this rich and important city. He 
 visited in person every exposed point, and designated the 
 positions to be fortified. He mingled with the citizens, 
 arid infused into the greater part his own spirit and energy. 
 By his presence and exhortations, they were animated to 
 exertions of which before they were not supposed to be 
 capable. All who could wield a spade, or carry a musket, 
 were put to work upon the fortifications, or trained in the 
 art of defending them. 
 
 39. The Mississippi, upon the east bank of which New 
 Orleans stands, flows to the ocean in several channels. 
 One, leaving the main stream above the city, runs east of 
 it, and forms, in its course, lake Ponchartrain and lake 
 Brgne. Early in December, the enemy entered this 
 channel. Their whole force amounted to about 8000 men, 
 a part of whom had just left the shores of the Chesapeake, 
 and the remainder had arrived directly from England. A 
 small squadron of gunboats, under lieutenant Jones, was 
 despatched to oppose their passage into the lake. These 
 were met by a superior force, and, after a spirited conflict, 
 in which the killed and wounded of the enemy exceeded 
 the whole number of the Americans, they were compelled to 
 sur rentier. 
 
 40. This disaster required the adoption, in the city, of 
 more vigorous measures. Disaffection growing bolder, 
 Aiartial law was proclaimed ; the authority of the civil 
 magistrate was suspended ; and arbitrary power was as 
 sumed and exercised by the commander-in-chief. May 
 no emergency hereafter occur, in which a military officer 
 shall consider himself authorized to cite, as a precedent, this 
 violation of the constitution. 
 
 41. On the 21st of December, four thousand mih-.ia ar 
 rived from Tennessee. On the 22d, the enemy, having pre 
 viously landed, took a position near the main channel of 
 the river, about eight miles below the city. In the evening 
 of the 23d, general Jackson made a sudden and furious at 
 tack upon their camp. They were thrown into disorder ; 
 but they soon rallied and fought with bravery equal to that 
 
 24* 
 
282 MADISON S [1815. 
 
 of the assailants. Satisfied with the advantages first gained, 
 he withdrew his troops, fortified a strong position four miles 
 below New Orleans, and supported it by batteries erec-ted on 
 the west bank of the river. 
 
 42. On the 28th of December, and first of January, vigo 
 rous but unsuccessful attacks were made upon these fortifica 
 tions by the enemy. In the mean time, both armies had re 
 ceived reinforcements ; and general Packenham, the British 
 commander, resolved to exert all his strength in a combined 
 attack upon the American positions on both sides of the 
 river. With almost incredible industry, he caused a canal, 
 leading from a creek emptying into lake Borgne to the main 
 channel of the Mississippi, to be dug, that he might remove 
 a part of his boats and artillery to the latter. All things be. 
 ing prepared, the 8th of January was assigned for the assault. 
 
 43. In the night, a regiment was transported across the 
 river, to storm the works on the western bank, and turn the 
 guns on the American troops on the eastern. Early in the 
 morning, the main body of the enemy, consisting of seven or 
 eight thousand men, marched from their camp to the assault. 
 While approaching, fearless and undaunted, showers of grape- 
 shot thinned their ranks. When they came within musket- 
 shot, a vivid stream of fire burst from the American lines. 
 General Jackson having placed his troops in two ranks, those 
 in the rear loaded for those in front, enabling them to fire 
 with scarcely a moment s intermission. The militia of the 
 west, trained from infancy to the use of the rifle, seldom 
 took unsteady or uncertain aim. The plain was soon co- 
 Tered with dead and wounded. Some British regiments fal 
 tered and fell back ; but others advanced and presented new 
 victims. While bravely leading to the walls the regiment 
 which bore the ladders, general Packenham was killed. In 
 attempting to restore order and to rally the fugitives, general 
 Gibbs, the second in command, was wounded mortally, and 
 general Keene severely. Without officers to direct them, 
 the troops first halted, then fell back, and soon fled in dis 
 order to their camp. In little more than an hour, two thou 
 sand of the enemy were laid prostrate upon the field ; while 
 of the Americans but seven were killed and six wounded 
 a disproportion of loss without a parallel in the annals of 
 warfare. 
 
 44. The events of the day, on the west side of the river, 
 presents a striking instance of the uncertainty of warlike 
 operations. There the Americans were thrice the number 
 of the assailants, and were protected by intrenchments ; but 
 
1815.1 ADMINISTRATION. 283 
 
 they in gloriously fled. They were closely pursued, until the 
 British parly, receiving intelligence of the defeat of the main 
 army, withdrew from pursuit, and recrossed the river. They 
 then returned and resumed possession of their intrenchments. 
 
 45. General Lambert, upon whom the command of the 
 British army had devolved, having lost all hope of success, 
 prepared to return to his shipping. In his retreat he was 
 not molested ; general Jackson wisely resolving to hazard 
 nothing that he had gained, in attempting to gain still more. 
 
 46. In the midst of the rejoicings for this signal victory, 
 a special messenger arrived from Europe, with a treaty of 
 peace, which, in December, had been concluded at Client. 
 The British government had receded from all their demands ; 
 and as the orders in council had been repealed, and all mo 
 tive for the impressment of seamen had ceased with the war 
 in Europe, no stipulation, in relation to these subjects, was 
 inserted in the treaty, which provided merely for the resto- 
 ntion of peace and the revision of boundaries. The treaty 
 was immediately ratified by the president and senate. 
 
 47. The war, however, did not cease on the ocean, until 
 two additional victories had imparted a brighter lustre to 
 the Republican flag. In February, the Constitution, then 
 cruising under the command of captain Stewart, captured 
 the Cyane and Levant, whose forces united were superior to 
 hers; and in March, the sloop Hornet captured the brig 
 Penguin, stronger in guns and men than the victor. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 THE Eiiglish colonies of North America were sailed under the 
 most favorable auspices. The miiul of man had just hurst from: 
 thraldom, and begun to delight in the free and vigorous exercise ol 
 it? powers. Religion and government had become themes of ani 
 mated discussion. The people had boidly questioned the divine 
 right of their rulers to control their actions, and of their priests to 
 prescribe to them articles of faith. They had assumed a higher 
 rank and bolder attitude, and, conscious of their own power, had 
 begun to feel less dependence upon others. 
 
 2. From that country, where the advancement of knowledge 
 had been greatest, came those who peopled this western wilder 
 ness. They belonged principally to a class so high as to have par 
 ticipated largely in. the advantages which knowledge imparts, and 
 yet not so high as to be above the power of the oppressor. The 
 persecutions they had endured rendered the principles of civil and 
 religious liberty more dear to their hearts, and led to inquiries and 
 reflections, which fixed a conviction, o* their truth more firmly in 
 their understandings. 
 
 3. No occasion could b.e uaore fortunate, no men, could be bet 
 ter fitted, to lay the foundation of a superstructure entirely new. 
 Their knowledge enabled them to discern the good and the evil 
 of the political institutions, which had existed in the world; and 
 theii feelings, chastened by their sufferings, or elevated by their 
 favorable view: of human nature, led them to reject those pro 
 visions, which sacrificed the happiness of many to the spleodor 
 of a few, and to adopt such only as gave equal rights and privileges 
 to alK 
 
 4. In every nation of "Europe, ecclesiastical establishments ex 
 isted, almost co-ordinate with the civil authority. The officers of 
 these establishments were numerous, and their privileges extensive. 
 For their support, in early times, a tenth part of the ihcome of the 
 laity was appropriated. Possessing wealth, and rank, and learn 
 ing, their influence was gi;ea,t,,and was constantly exerted to ac 
 quire and preserve dominion over the minds and consciences of 
 men. Their success was equal to the means which they em 
 ployed. They continued to add to their wealth and power, until, 
 corrupted by luxury and idleness, they forgot their duties to God 
 and to man, and encumbered society with a useless and oppressive 
 weight* 
 
 5. l\o part of these establishments have been transferred to 
 America. The first settlers of most of the colonies were too 
 proud of their attainments in spiritual knowledge, to submit to 
 dictation m matters of faith, and too independent in feeling to 
 acknowledge a superior on earth. Here man resumed his na- 
 turai and dignified station ; and the ministers of the gospel, main 
 taining an apostolical simplicity of character and manners, have 
 seldom sought to obtain, and possess not the means of obtaining, 
 
APPENDIX. 235 
 
 any greater influence tlian that which superior virtue and piety 
 confer. 
 
 t>. The doctrine of hereditary right prevailed also throughout 
 Europe. By the fundamental regulations of nearly every kingdom, 
 the monarch and nobles transmitted to their eldest sons, even 
 though destitute of talents and virtue, their authority, privileges, 
 and rank. The people oft-<?n saw on (he throne men who were 
 guilty of th most atrocious wickedness, and whose conduct in 
 volved communities and nations in misery; but no attempt could 
 be made to remove or punish them without incurring the penalty 
 of rebellion. They saw also, in other exalted stations, men equally 
 Wicked and equally beyond their control. 
 
 7. The law of primogeniture existed as a part of the hereditary 
 system. The elclest son inherited, not the title only, but also all 
 the lands of the father. By this unjust and unnatural law, the 
 younger sons and the daughters were doomed to comparative po 
 verty. One portion of the people was made rich and another 
 poor. Few were placed in that happy medium between wealth 
 and poverty, which is most favorable to virtue, to happiness, and 
 to the improvement of the human faculties. 
 
 8. The principle, that power could be inherited, was at onc 
 rejected by the first emigrants to America. They had witnessed, 
 in Europe, the pernicious operation of this principle; they were 
 convinced of its absurdity ; and even had not such been the case, 
 that equality of rank and condition, which existed among them, 
 would have prevented any one from claiming such a privilege for 
 his family, and all others from submitting to it. 
 
 9. The law of primogeniture fell of course into disuse, or was 
 abolished. That equality of rights and of rank, which prevailed 
 at first, has continued to prevail ; and though, in some of the colo 
 nies, the extravagant grants of land, which were made by ca 
 pricious governors to their favorites, introduced great inequality 
 of fortune, yet the salutary operation of various laws is conti 
 nually diminishing this, inequality, dividing and distributing among 
 many that wealth, which, when in the hands of a few, is less 
 beneficial to tiie public, and productive of less individual enjoy 
 ment. 
 
 10. The systems of government established in the colonies, 
 were also departures from European precedents, and were in 
 perfect harmony with their social institutions. Most of the pro 
 visions of the early charters were doubtless suggested by the first 
 emigrants, and of course accorded with their liberal political 
 principle*. The kings, who granted them, conceded many pri 
 vileges to encourage the settlement of colonies in America, en 
 tertaining no suspicion that their successor s would ever have occa 
 sion to regret their concessions. These charters made but little 
 distinction in the rights and privileges of the colonists. Every 
 man could regard those around him as his equals. The sfnte of 
 individual dependence being hardly known, all sense of depend 
 ence on the mother country was gradually lost; and the transition 
 from a colonial to an independent condition was natural and una 
 voidable. 
 
286 APPENDIX, 
 
 11. In nothing is the contrast between the two systems of go 
 vernment greater than ill the requisitions, which they make o 
 the people for their support and defence. That of Great Britain 
 may be taken as a favorable example of the European govern 
 ments. The people of that kingdom pay, annually, for the sup 
 port of their sovereign and his relatives, nearly two and a haL 
 millions o.f dollars, while the compensation of the president of the 
 United States is but twenty-five thousand. In the salaries of the 
 subordinate officers of government, the disproportion is not so great, 
 but is generally, nevertheless, as four or five to one. 
 
 12. The military peace establishment of Great Britain costs an 
 Dimlly thirty-four millions of dollars; that of the United States but 
 little more than five millions. The naval establishment of the 
 former costs twenty-two millions; that of the latter less than two 
 a uxl. a lia.lt millions. British subjects pay in taxes, raised exclu 
 sively for national purposes, at the rate of fifteen dollars yearly for 
 each individual ; the citizens of the United Stales pay, in national 
 and state taxes, at the rate of but two dollar s. And as the whole 
 population of Great Britain and Ireland is included in <he esti 
 mate, the individual wealth of the subjects of the united kingdom, 
 and of the citizens of the American republic,, may, on an average, 
 be considered nearly equal. 
 
 33. With burdens thus light, not embarrassed by too much re 
 gulaticn, nor restricted by monopolies, but left at. liberty to pursue 
 their own interests, a,s individual judgment may dictate, the citi 
 xens of the republic have boldly embarked in all the ordiuary 
 pursuits of man ; and in all have met with a degree of success, 
 which exhibits a favorable and forcible commentary upon their 
 free institutions, and proves that no other people surpass them in 
 activity or enterprise. 
 
 14. In the pursuits of AGRICULTURE, by far the greatest portion 
 of the inhabitants are engaged; and for that employment the 
 country is most favorably situated. It embraces every desirable 
 variety of climate. The soil is generally good; in many parts of 
 the union, it is exceedingly fertile; and it produces, or may be 
 made to produce, almost every vegetable, which can be used as 
 the food of man, or as the material of manufactures. The 
 northern slates produce Indian corn, rye, wheat, flax, hemp, oats, 
 potatoes; and their pastures feed and fatten large numbers of 
 cattle and sheep. The middle and western states produce to 
 bacco, and the same articles as the northern, but wheat in much 
 greater abundance. In. the southern states^ cotton is principally 
 cultivated, but considerable quantities of rice and sugar are pro 
 duced. 
 
 15. In 1820, the aqmber of persons engaged in agriculture was 
 2.070,640. The- value of all Us products exported during the year 
 ending the 30th of September, 1823, was 37,646,000 dollars. The 
 principal articles were, cotto.o to the value of 20,445,000 dollars; 
 flour to the value of 4,%2,GOO dollars; tobacco to the value oh 
 4,852,000 dolhrs ; : iid rice to the value of 1,821,000 dollars. The 
 value of provisions, of ali kinds exported was 13,460,000 dollars, 
 and it has,, vo. maai.y years, been greater. A people able to spare- 
 
APPENDIX. 237 
 
 such an amount of the necessaries of life can never be in danger 
 Of suffering from want. 
 
 16. The agricultural class is conspicuous for industry, morality, 
 and general intelligence, but has less professional knowledge 
 than the same class in Europe. Land having hitherto been 
 cheap, and not exhausted by cultivation, agriculturalists have 
 not been eager, and it has not been necessary, to make practi 
 cal application of the discoveries of science. A change in these 
 respects having taken place, especially in the Atlantic states^ 
 many now study their profession as a science; and, as all profes 
 sions are estimated according to the skill and intelligence re* 
 quired to attain eminence in them, they are raising their own. 
 nearer to that rank in society, to which the utility and import 
 ance of agriculture entitle it. More taste and neatness are dis 
 played, and the appearance of the country is visibly and rapidly 
 improving. 
 
 17. The COMMERCE of the United States has yielded a rich 
 harvest of wealth. Various circumstances have directed to this 
 pursuit the attention of a large portion of the population, and 
 have contributed to their prosperity in it. For two thousand miles, 
 the republic bounds upon the sea, and in that space has many 
 excellent harbors. The finest timber for ship building is abim* 
 da nt, and easily procured. Near the chores of the northern states, 
 and on the adjacent banks of Newfoundland, are fishing sta 
 tions, unsurpassed by any in the world. Fishing is conse 
 quently a lucrative employment, in proportion to the capital in 
 vested , and attracts to it a large number of the natives of those 
 states. These become accustomed to a seafaring life, and soon 
 pass into larger vessels, destined for more distant and perilous 
 voyages. 
 
 18. The state of the world, for several years subsequent to the 
 commencement of the French revolution, offered great en courage* 
 mont to the commercial enterprise of the country. While almost 
 every other power was engaged in war, the United States were 
 neutral ; their vessels navigated the ocean in safety, vn;d were em 
 ployed to carry, from port to port, the commodities of the bellige 
 re n t nations. In fifteen years, beginning with 1793, these favora 
 ble circumstances increased the amount of American tonnage from 
 4 l .H, 000 to 1,242,000 tons, and the revenue arising from commerce 
 from 4,399,000 to 16,363.000 dollars. 
 
 19. In 1820, the number of persons engaged in commerce was 
 72,493. In 1823, the whole amount of exports was 74,799,000 
 dollars ; the amount of imports was 77,579,000 dollar?, the 
 balance, in favor of the United States, being about three mil 
 lions of dollars. As the imports, however, are always under 
 valued at the custom-house, the additional wealth, which, in that 
 year, accrued to the nation from commerce, Was undoubtedly 
 greater. 
 
 20. In other years, the commerce of the country has flourished 
 more. In 1807, the export? amounted to 108,343,000 dollars, ;md 
 the imports to 138,574,000 dollars. The principal causes of the 
 decline which has taken place, have been, the restoration of peace 
 
288 APPENDIX. 
 
 in Europe, and the increase of the product of domestic manufac 
 tures. The former has permitted all other nation* to become our 
 competitors, the latter has rendered it unnecessary to resort to 
 Europe for most of the conveniences and many of tfie luxuries of 
 life. The depression will not long continue. The independence 
 of the South American republics lias opened a wide field for the 
 enterprise of our merchants, and given a brighter hue to their fu 
 ture prospects. 
 
 21. The cou FISHERY on the north-eastern coast of America 
 attracted, at an early period, the attention of the world. In 1583, 
 sir Humphrey Gilbert found thirty-six vessels fishing in the harbor 
 of St. John, in Newfoundland. They were principally from Bis- 
 cay, in Spain, and Britany in France, and, for many years, the 
 French retained almost a monopoly of this source of wealth. In 
 1744, they employed, in this fisher} , 414 large ships, navigated by 
 about 24,000 seamen, and the quantity of fish taken amounted to 
 1,149,000 quintals. 
 
 22. The war of 1756, expelling the French from the continent, 
 transferred the privileges which they had enjoyed to Great Britain. 
 The English colonies, from their vicinity, participated largely in 
 them In the year 1760, six hundred and sixty vessels, navigated 
 6v 4,400 seamen, were fitted out from the ports of New England. 
 During the revolutionary war, the Americans were compelled to 
 relinquish this profitable pursuit; audit quired all the firmnfai 
 and address of the negotiators of (he peace of 178.3, to secure 10 
 tht;se slates those advantages which nature seems to have in 
 tended for them, and which they had enjoyed as a component 
 prxrt of the British empire. They were at length, however, not 
 withstanding the covert opposition of France, conceded by the 
 mother country. 
 
 23. From that period, till 1807, the number of vessels and men 
 employed in this pursuit continued to increase. An estimate has 
 been made that, from 1790 to 1810, twelve hundred vessels of all 
 kinds, navigated by 10,500 men and boys, were, on an average, 
 yearly employed in the Bank, Bay, and Labrador fisheries; 
 1,150,000 quintals of fish were caught and cured; and 37,000 bar 
 rels of oil were made. The annual value of the product of these 
 fisheries could not have been less than three and a half millions of 
 dollars. They were interrupted by the last war with Great Bri 
 tain, and have not since regained their former activity. As nurse 
 ries of seamen, they are important to the nation ; and as such 
 have Deceived the particular attention and encouragement of go 
 vernment. A bounty, which has, in some years, amounted to 
 200,000 dollars, is paid to the owners and crews of the vessel* 
 employed. 
 
 24. "The WHALE FISHERY of the United States ought not to be 
 passed over unnoticed. Its successful prosecution requires uncom 
 mon hardihood and skill. As eaiiy as 1690, the inhabitants of 
 Nantucket engaged in this pursuit, and were soon after joined 
 by their brethren of the town of New Bedford. In a few years 
 these monsters of the deep were driven from the American coasts* 
 but were pursued with ardor into seas the most remote. In 1715, 
 
APPENDIX. 289 
 
 two hundred and twenty-eight tons; in 1771, twenty-seven thou 
 sand tons; in 1815, forty-two thousand tons of shipping were 
 employed in this business. The product <<f this fishery, ex 
 ported in 1807, consisting of common and spermaceti oil and 
 whalebone, was valued at G0(j,000 dollars; in 1823, at 653,000 
 dollars. 
 
 25. An extract from the speech of Mr. Burke, delivered in the 
 British parliament, in 1775, presents, in eloquent language, a cor 
 rect idea of the importance of this fishery, and of the enterprise 
 and dexterity of those engaged in it. u As to the wealth which 
 the colonies have drawn from the sea by their fisheries, yot had 
 all that matter fully opened at your bar. You snreiv thought those 
 acquisitions of value ; for they seemed even to excite your envy; 
 and yet the spirit by which that enterprising employment has been 
 exercised, ought rather, in my opinion, to have raised your esteem 
 and admiration. 
 
 26. " And pray, sir, what in the world is equal to it? Pass by 
 the other parts, and look at the manner in which the people of 
 New England have of late carried on the whale fishery. YVhHo 
 we follow them among the tumbling mountains of ice, and behold 
 them penetrating into the deepest frozen recesses of Hudson s !/:iv 
 and Da vis s straits; whilst we are looking for them beneath the 
 arctic circle, we hear that, they have pierced into the opposite 
 region of polar cold; that they are at. the antipodes, and .engaged 
 under the frozen serpent of the south. FVkhnd Island, which 
 seemed too remote and romantic ai: object, for tl.e grasp of national 
 ambition, is but a stage acid resting place in the progress of their 
 victorious industry. 
 
 27. "Nor is the equinoctial heat more discouraging to (h^ia 
 than the accumulated winter of both poles. \W know that, while 
 some of them draw the line and strike the harpoon on the coast. 
 of Africa, others run the longitude and pursue the i <.>; mic game 
 along the coast of Brazil. No sea but wht 5s vexed by their 
 fisheries. No climate that is not witness to their toils. Neither 
 the perseverance of Holland, nor the activity of France, nor the 
 dexterous and firm sagacity of English enter-prise, ever carried 
 this most perilous mode of hardy industry to the extent to which 
 it has been pushed by this recent people; a people who are still, 
 as it were, but in the gristle, and not yet hardened into (he bone 
 of manhood. 
 
 28. "When! contemplate these things; when I know that the 
 colonies owe little or nothing to any care of our?, ai"< that they are 
 not squeezed into (his happy form by the consii-ai.it of watchful 
 and suspicious government, but that, through a \\ is" au<! salutary 
 neglect, a generous nature has been suffered to ink 1 its own way 
 Jo perfection; when I reflect upon these effects, -vl en I see how 
 profitable they have been to us, I TeH ail thf prido of power sink, 
 mid all presumption in the wisdom of human contrivances melt and 
 i lie away within me. My rigor relents. I pardon something to the 
 spii it of liberty." 
 
 29. MANUKACTURKS. While the United States wer* colonies, 
 Ilitj mother country endeavored to prevent the inhabitaiMH iVom 
 
 3d 
 
290 APPENDIX. 
 
 manufacturing any article whatever, even for their own use. The 
 erection of sliiting-mills was prohibited, and li utters were forbidden 
 to take any apprentice for less than seven years, or to employ 
 more than two at a time. In addition to these and other legisla 
 tive enactments, the wages of labor were high, and neither skill 
 nor surplus capital existed in the country. But little attention was 
 of course given to manufactures, and the inhabitants received their 
 supplies from the artisans of England. 
 
 30. Some attempts were however made, a few years previous 
 to me commencement of the revolutionary war, to introduce ma 
 nufactures. Such was in part the intention of the non-importation 
 agreements : and some of the colonial legislatures, to e.icou- 
 rage the production of wool, and the mannfacfire of cloths, ex 
 empted sheep from taxation. But, at no time, previous to the 
 adoption of the constitution, did manufacturers exist in the coun 
 try in sufficient number to be considered a class of the popula 
 tion. 
 
 31. And indeed it was not until the imposition of the embargo, 
 in 1807. that any considerable impulse was given to this branch 
 of industry. Prevented by this interruption of commerce, from 
 exchanging their products for foreign articles, the inhabitants 
 then attempted to fabricate them for themselves. From the 
 want of experience and skill, many of the first attempts were 
 unsuccessful ; but in a very short time, these deficiencies were 
 supplied, and at the close of the war, the amount of the products 
 of manufactures was astonishingly great. Forming an estimate 
 from the amount in 1810, which was near 170 millions, it could not 
 have been less, for 1814, than two hundred millions of dollars. In 
 this amount, however, are included the products of household ma 
 nufactures, and of the mechanic arts. 
 
 32. Peace, by affording to foreigners an opportunity of intro 
 ducing the goods which had accumulated in their warehouses, 
 checked, for a few years, the impulse which the restrictive 
 measures and the war had given. In each of the three vears 
 following 1815, the value of articles manufactured was probably 
 less than in any one of the preceding six years. From the year 
 1818 the amount has gradually increased, and in 1821 and 1822, 
 it was probably greater than it had ever before been. It will here 
 after continue to increase, and the navigation of the country will 
 be employed, not so much in bringing home the manufactures of 
 other nations, as in earning abroad those of the United States. 
 In this way, domestic manufactures will repay to commerce the 
 capital they have lately drawn from it. 
 
 33. The states in which the greatest attention is devoted to thi* 
 branch of industry, are Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Massachu- 
 oetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. The principal manu 
 factures are those of cotton and of woollen cloths, of iron, and of 
 leather. In 1820, the number of inhabitants engaged in manufac 
 tures was 349,506. 
 
 34. The question, whether agriculture, commerce, or manu 
 factures is most productive of national wealth, and to which the 
 government ought, in preference, to extend its protection aad^ 
 
APPENDIX. 291 
 
 encouragement, has lately been warmly discussed, by the poli- 
 licians and writers on political economy, in America, and in 
 Europe. Each interest has had its advocates. The decision of 
 the impartial statesman would probably be that neither should be 
 encouraged to the neglect of the others; that if either is, in any 
 degree, to be preferred, it is that which is, at the time, the 
 most depressed; or that, which supplies most of the means of na 
 tional defence, and most of the necessaries and conveniences of 
 life. 
 
 35, DEBT, REVENUE, and EXPENDITURES. When, in 1790, 
 the public debt was first funded, it amounted to about 75,000,000 
 of dollars. In 1803, by tiie purchase of Louisiana, it was aug 
 mented to about 85,500,000. In the eight years which followed, 
 a large amount was paid, leaving due, in 1812, but little more 
 than 45,000,000. To defray the expenses of the war, which 
 was declared in that year, more than 80,000,000 of new debt 
 was contracted. A large portion has since been paid, and, on 
 the first day of January, 1823, the amount of it was 90,865,877 
 
 dolla. 
 
 irorn me latter source, i,u.5,ooi ; ana irjm oiner sources, O.K;,UO<*. 
 The amount, however, which was actually received, during the 
 year, was but 20,232,427. 
 
 year, was out ^u,;*^-^ 
 
 37. The expenditures, during the same year, were as follows: 
 Civil, diplomatic, and miscellaneous, 1,967,996; for the pay and 
 
 Jiavy, 2,224,458; for the payment of the interest, and for the re 
 demption of that portion of the principal of the debt which be 
 came due within the year, 7,848,949; amounting in the whole to 
 17,676,591, and leaving an excess of revenue over expenditure of 
 2,555,836 dollars. 
 
 38. EDUCATION. In the kingdoms of Europe large sums 
 have been appropriated, by the government, for the purposes 
 of education. Nearly all, however, has been expended in found 
 ing or endowing universities. To these the sons of the noble 
 and the rich could alone gain access; and the intention aiu^ 
 effect of the expenditure has always been, to produce erudite 
 scholars and able orators, and to perpetuate and widen the se 
 paration between the higher and the lower classes of the popula 
 tion. 
 
 39. The people of the United States have had a different 
 object in view, arad one more congenial with their political in 
 stitutions. Desirous that none should be ignorant, their first 
 and principal care has been, to impart the advantages: of in- 
 fitruetion to the whole mass of the population. With this view, 
 the legislatures of many of the states have ordained that schools, 
 fee the education of all the youth in reading, writing and 
 
2H2 APPENDIX. 
 
 arithmetic, shall be kept, and supported by a public and generat 
 tax. 
 
 UK Tin:" system was adopted in Massachusetts as eany as 1H47. 
 A law was then passed, by tliat colony, providing that" a school 
 bhoitid be ke}>t in every township having fifty householder)*, in 
 which all the children, who might resort to it r should be taught to 
 re;fd and write. As the number of inhabitants increased, the 
 townships were divided into small districts, and a school supported 
 in each. Thus, the means of education were provided* at the 
 public expense, and the opportunity of acquiring it placed within 
 the power of all. 
 
 41. Immediately after their first settlement, the same system 
 \vas adopted by the other colonies of New England ; and il has t 
 by all n{ them, been preserved and cherished to the present lime. 
 Connecticut, having" a large tract of land in Ohio, which was 
 sold for [,200,000 dollars, appropriated the whole sum to the SUJK 
 port of common or primary schools. The sum has since been, 
 augmented to 1,700,000 dollars, and the interest is annually distri 
 buted to the several school districts according to the number of 
 scholars taught in each. No district, however, is entitled to any 
 aid from this fund, unless it had, in the preceding year, expended, 
 for the same purpose, a certain amount derived from its own 
 resources. 
 
 42. The effect of this system lias been, to render the great body 
 of the people of these states the most enlightened in the world 
 All can read and write, and rarely can one be found not qualified, 
 by education, to transact the common concerns of life. To edu 
 cate his children, is the first object, and the chief glory of the 
 parent; their ignorance is to him and to them disgraceful. In 
 these schools, the human mind receives its first impulse MI the 
 career of learning ; an impulse which carries many forward to high 
 stations of honor and of usefulness. 
 
 43. The great state of New York, distinguished for roagnifi 
 cent, projects of internal improvement, and for liberal patronage 
 of literature and the arts, has lately adopted a system nearly sinii 
 l;r to that of Connecticut. From various sources, it has acctmm 
 lated a fund, the income of which ?s to be applied annually to the 
 support of com-non schools. This fund, in JC 20, amounted to 
 1,215,000 dollars. Since that vear, all the unsold and unappro 
 priated lands, which, when deposed of, will probably produce 
 about one million more, have been permanently devoted to the 
 same object. The annual interest of this fund is distributed, ac 
 cording to population, among the several townships, on their 
 raising, for the same purpose, an additional sum equal to that 
 which they receive from the state. In 1821, three hundred and 
 thirty-three thousand children were tatis ht, in the several district 
 schools; a number nearly equal to that of all the children in the 
 state between five and fifteen years of age. In 1823, the number 
 taught was 400,000. 
 
 44. Virginia has also a literary fund, the interest of a pnrt 
 of which is appropriated to the support of common schoolte. 
 This fund is of recent origin, anil its income is yet small. Th 
 
APPENDIX, 293 
 
 *v&rantages of education are, however, so highly appreciated in 
 that state, by its enlightened dir/.ens, that most of die rising 
 generation are instructed in private schools, or by domestic 
 teachers. The same remark will apply to most of the mid 
 dle ami southern states; yet, in these, too many of the chil 
 dren of the poor will remain in ignorance until effectual pro 
 vision is made, by the respective govenuwents, for the instruction 
 of all. 
 
 national boundaries. In offering 
 
 national nounuaries. in onering rnis lanu lor sate, u nas re 
 served, in every township, one section, comprising (MO acres, for 
 the use of school*. As the population of the new states becomes 
 more dense, these lands will constitute a valuable and productive 
 fund, and the system of free schools, thus planted in the western, 
 will there produce the same benefits as iw the eastern portion of 
 the union. 
 
 46. Schools of a higher order, to which the name of acade 
 mies has been applied, are numerous in all tlie slates, especially 
 in those of New Ei-.gland. Many are incorporated, and some 
 possess considerable funds. That at Exeter, i*i New Hamp 
 shire, holds the highest rank; its fund? amount to 80,000 dol 
 lars; it has a library containing 700 volumes, and a handsome 
 
 taugut Hy those who have just received a degree *n the arts, 
 and who are unable, from the want of property, to engage im- 
 inedmteily in the study of tke professions which they intend to 
 pursue. 
 
 47. Of colleges and universities there is also a large !uiber in- 
 the United States. The oldest and first in rank is "Harvard Col 
 lege, at Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was established lit 1633, 
 
 . , 
 
 learned presidents and professors, has, with short intermissions, 
 feeen constantly advancing in reputation, and increasing in use 
 fulness. The library contains about twenty-five thousand volumes. 
 In 1824, the faculty consisted of a president and twenty profes 
 sors; the number of students was 222, aatl of the resident gra 
 duates 146. 
 
 48. Yale College was founded in 1700, and incorporated in 
 SuTjQL It was first established at Savbruok : but, in 1716, waa 
 f)%* 
 
294 APPENDIX. 
 
 removed to Nev/ Haven, m Connecticut. Elihu Tale, a mer 
 chant in London, having mado to it a donation of more than 
 four thousand dollars, its name vas, in 1718, changed from the 
 ColJegiate School, to Yule Oo-liege. Afterwards bishop Berke- 
 lev, the celebrated metaphysician, who had resided two years 
 in America, presented Jo it a collection of book?, consisting 
 of nearly one thousand volumes; and a farm in Newport, the 
 annual rent of which, on a long lease, is two hundred and forty 
 bushels of wheat. From the state, and from other sources, 
 it has received many liberal donations. Its libraries contain 
 about nine thousand volumes. In 18:24, the faculty consisted of a 
 president and eleven- professors, and the number of its students 
 was 341). 
 
 49. in addition to these, there are, in the union, about fifty col 
 leges and universities authorized to confer decrees, [n all of these 
 are taught the English, Latin, and Greek languages, rhetoric, ma 
 thematics, natural philosophy, logic, chemistry, astronomy, history, 
 and geography. Ln some of them are ai so taught the Hebrew,. 
 oriental, and modern European languages; anatomy, surgery, me- 
 dicintr, botany, polite literature, divinity, ethics, natural and muni 
 cipal law, politics, and elocution. 
 
 50. LITERATURE; The remark has often been made, thai 
 the United States have produced no eminent scholars; and that 
 the national character has not. been illustrated by literary and 
 scientific performances of distinguished merit. This remark is 
 doubtless just. Compared with those of the old world, their 
 v/rit^rs hr.ve not exhibited the same labored polish of style,, 
 nor their men of science the same perseverance and extent of 
 investigation. Their hisionans are not equal to Hume or Ro 
 bertson; therr poets to Milton or Pope; their chemists to Lavoi 
 sier or Davy ; nor their metaphysicians to Locke, Berkeley, or 
 Ileid. 
 
 51. But this foot implies no deficiency of mental vigor in the 
 people. The mind of the nation- has received, fro?n efreui&stances> 
 a different direction. Those who are endued with extraordinary 
 talent, whatever may have been their original propensities, h-ive 
 been called from the closet to labor in the legislative hall, or 
 the cabinet; to vindicate the cause or defend the interest of their 
 country abroad; to dispense justice from the bench, or to support 
 and defend, at the bar, the claims and the rights o4" their felibw- 
 citizeng, 
 
 5 2. To perform these duties, certainly not less honorable noF 
 less difficult than any thing which the mere scholar can perform,. 
 a greater Variety of talents, and greater intellectual labor, have 
 been required ia this than in any other country* Here, in com 
 paratively a short period, the foundations have been laid, and the 
 .superstructures erected, of new political institutions. Many go- 
 vernmeuis have been established over communities differing from 
 each other, and from those of Europe; and over these a para 
 mount government, with extensive and import:-.. it powers. For 
 each of these communities, a new system or law has been re 
 quired, and each government has a separate executive, iegiat 
 
APPENDIX. 2S5 
 
 ktive, and judicial department. The population of no country 
 has been called upon to supply such a number of legislators, or 
 judges, and of lawyers ; nor. it may be added, of instructors of 
 youth. And, while their nuinbe" accounts for the comparative 
 neglect of literature and the fine arts, the talents they have dis 
 played sufficiently vindicate the republic from the reproach of in 
 tellectual inferiority. 
 
 53. But not in these modes alone have the people of these 
 states jwoved, that in original powers of mind they may assert 
 an equality, at least, with thoae of any other nation. None 
 has made more important discoveries in the useful arts. Eng 
 land boasts of her Arkwrigbt, who invented the spinning; ma 
 chine; of her Worcester, Nevvcornen, and Watt, by whose inge 
 nuity and labors the powers of steam were substituted for the 
 uncertain aid of wind and water in moving the machinery of ma 
 nufactories. 
 
 54. America may boast of her Godfrey, whose quadrant has 
 been almost as serviceable as the compass to navigation; of her 
 Franklin, who has made our dwellings comfortable within, and 
 protected them from the lightning of heavrn ; of her Whitney, 
 whose cotton gin h;is added to the annual product of that article 
 at least one hundred millions of pounds; of her Whittemore, the 
 inventor of the wonderful machine for making cards; of her Per 
 kins, the inventor of the nail machine; and of her Fulton, who 
 has rendered the power of steam subservient to the purposes of 
 navigation. 
 
 55. But the United States have produced authors who would 
 do honor even to any other nation. The style of Franklin is 
 perspicuous and pure; and few men of any age or country have 
 contributed more, by their writings, to enlighten and to benefit 
 mankind. The histories of Marshall, Ramsay, Belknap, Wil 
 liams, and the Annals of Holmes, are works of sterling merit, 
 interesting and instructive. Among theological writers, Ed 
 wards, Hopkins, Dwight, Lathrop, l)avies, Kollock, and Buck- 
 minster, are deservedly eminent. And as a novelist, Brown has 
 few equals. 
 
 56. Many of the political writers of this country have displayed 
 g*reat vigor of thought and force of expression. The pamphlets 
 and state papers to which the revolutionary struggle gave exist 
 ence ; the numbers of the Federalist; the official letters of Mr. 
 Jefferson, as secretary of state, and of the American ministers at 
 Ghent, not only display intellectual powers, but possess literary 
 merit, of the highest order. Some of the best writers of this re 
 public have not been the authors of books. 
 
 57. To the fine arts* still less attention has been paid than to 
 literature ; but the neglect is to be attributed rather to the defi 
 ciency of patronage than to the want of capacity to excel. Ben 
 jamin West, a native of Pennsylvania, presided for many years 
 over the Royal Society, comprising the most eminent painters 
 of Great Britain. In portraJt-painlmg, Copley and Stuart have 
 acquired a high reputation ; and in historical painting, Trumbull 
 and Alston excel. The United States claim only the honor ot 
 
296 APPENDIX. 
 
 their birth; England and Italy that of patronizing and instructing 
 them. 
 
 58. RELIGION. Tlie consequences resulting from the en 
 joyment of religious liberty have been highly favorable. Fvee 
 discussion has enlightened the ignorant, disarmed superstition of 
 its dreadful powers, and consigned to oblivion many erroneous 
 and fantastic creeds. Religious oppression and the vindictive 
 feelings it arouses are hardly known. Catholics and Protes 
 tants live together in harmony; and Protestants who disagree, 
 employ, in defending their own doctrines, and in assailing 
 those of their antagonists, the weapons only of reason and elo 
 quence. 
 
 59. In the New England states, the Independents or Congrega- 
 tionalists constitute the most numerous denomination : in the mid 
 dle states, the Presbyterians; and in the southern, the Methodists. 
 Baptists, Episcopalians, and Roman Catholics, are found in all the 
 states; but in Maryland and Louisiana, the Catholics are more 
 numerous than elsewhere. Each of these seets has one or more 
 seminaries of learning, in which it* peculiar doctrines are taught, 
 and young men are educated for the ministry. Many other sects 
 exist, but reason, less tolerant than the laws, is gradually diminish 
 ing the number. 
 
 60. CHARACTER AND MANNERS. Foreigners have asserted 
 that the Americans possess no national character. If at any pe 
 riod this assertion has been true, it was then no reproach. In its 
 youth, a nation can have no established character. The inhabit 
 ants of this republic, coming from every quarter of the world, 
 speaking many different languages, dispersed over a vast extent of 
 territory, could not immediately assimilate and exhibit those few 
 prominent traits, which nations, as well as individuals, in their 
 maturity, display. 
 
 61. But the crerrn of a national character has always existed. It 
 lias grown with our growth, and is gradually throwing into the 
 shade those unfavorable and discordant traits, which have disfi 
 gured and partly concealed it from view. Who, that has read the 
 history of these states, has not perceived, in the inhabitants, an 
 energy of purpose capable of surmounting all obstacles; a spirit of 
 enterprise, that leaves nothing useful nnatternpted ; a proud sense 
 of personal dignity and independence; a decided preference of 
 utility before show; and a love of knowledge that has dispelled 
 ignorance from the land ? They may have been too much devoted 
 to the pursuit of gain ; too much addicted to habits of intempe 
 rance ; too much inflated with national vanity; bigoted and su 
 perstitious: but these traits are now less apparent: they are con 
 stantly melting away, and those more noble appearing in bolder 
 relief. 
 
 62. They whose wealth or talents place them in the first rank 
 in society, are, in their manners, free from awkwardness, formality, 
 haughtiness, and ostentation ; but they do not display the elegance 
 or refinement of the same class in Europe. The mass of the peo 
 ple are serious, shrewd, inquisitive, manly, and generally respec - 
 ltd* but they know little, and practise less, of the ceremonies of 
 
APPENDIX. 297 
 
 formal politeness. To foreigners, accustomed to the servility of 
 the lower classes in Eurooe. tliev doubtless aooear > ourli and 
 uncouriiv. ana manv lasmoname tourists mwv nnv* naa tneir 
 feelings needlessly wounded, and tlieir delicacy shocked ; but when 
 respectfully treated, they display native politeness and generosity 
 of sentiment. I hue will remove the grosser defects; but may 
 it never, by polishing too deeply, impair that strength of cha 
 racter which is essential to the permanence of our republican in 
 bti Unions. 
 
 63. A review of the rapid progress of the United States in popu 
 lation, wealth and power; a survey of their present physical and 
 moral condition ; and a comparison of them, in either respect, with 
 other nations, cannot fail to icive to an American citizen an ele 
 vated conception of his own country, and to justify the loftiest an 
 ticipations of the future. 
 
 61. In a period of thirty years, ending with 1820, the population 
 of the republic increased from 8,893,835, to 9,i42,13Q ; it conse 
 quently doubles in less than twenty-five years. In Great Britain 
 the population does not double in less than eighty years; and in 
 that country the increase is nearly, if not quite, as rapid as in any 
 other country in Europe. 
 
 65. The augmentation of wealth and power cannot be so easily 
 ascertained* tt is the opinion of many, well qualified to judge, that 
 it has been still more rapid; and when the increase of our exports, 
 which in the same period advanced from nineteen to sixty-five 
 millions; when the growth of our cities and villages; the increase 
 of our manufacturing establishments, of our national arid mercan 
 tile navy, of our fortifications and other means of defence; the 
 extent of our internal improvements; and, beyond all, the extensive 
 territories reclaimed from a state of nature and made productive 
 and valuable, are adverted to, that opinion will not appear un 
 founded nor extravagant. 
 
 66. Although now inferior to the principal nations of the 
 old world, yet but a short period will elapse before the United 
 States, should their progress hereafter be the same that it has 
 been, will overtake and pass them. Their great natural ad 
 vantages will continue to unje them forward. Extensive tracts 
 of fertile land yet remain vacant of inhabitants; the portions 
 already settled are capable of supporting a much more nume 
 rous population ; new roads and new canals will give srreater 
 activity to internal commerce, and open new fields to the un 
 tiring industry and enterprise of man ; and, a small part only being 
 required by the government, nearly the whole annual income 
 will be added to the general capital, augmenting it in a compound 
 ratio. 
 
 67. That thene splendid anticipations are not the sugges 
 tions of national vanity, the history of the past sufficiently 
 proves. Yet their fulfilment depends, in a great degree, upon 
 the future conduct of the people themselves ; upon their ad 
 herence to the principles of their fathers; upon the preserva- 
 
298 APPENDIX. 
 
 tion of free political institutions, of industrious, frugal, ajw} 
 moral habits; and, above all, upon the universal diffusion of 
 knowledge. 
 
 68. Tliis truth should sink deep in the hearts of the old and 
 the young. The citizens of this republic should never forget 
 the awful responsibilities resting upon them. They constitute 
 the oldest nation on this western hemisphere, the first on the 
 list of existing republics. They stand forward, the object ol 
 hatred to some, of admiration to many, of wonder to all; and 
 an impressive example lo the people of every country. To 
 them is committed an experiment, successful hitherto, the final 
 result of which must have a powerful influence upon the des 
 tiny of mankind; if favorable and happy, the whole civilized 
 world will be free; if adverse, despotism and darkness will 
 again overshadow it. May they ever be sensible of the vast im 
 portance of their example. May they never betray their sacred 
 tenet. 
 
QUESTIONS 
 
 TO 
 
 HALE S HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 Os.P?. 
 
 1 7 Was the coctiient of America known to the ancients ? 
 
 2 What was the object of the voyages of discovery made in the 15tfc 
 
 century 7 
 3 Who was a distinguished navigator of that age 1 
 
 4 Where was he born 7 
 
 5 Wiiat incidents led him to think that he could reach th,j Enat liidioa 
 
 by sailing west 7 
 
 6 8 To whom did he apply for assistance 7 % 
 
 7 Who became his friend and patron 7 
 
 8 When did he set sail 7 From what port 7 
 
 9 What course did lie steer 7 
 
 10 What phenomenon was first observed during his voyage t 
 
 11 Mow did his crews behave 7 What did they threaten to do ! 
 (2 How did ne appease them ? 
 
 13 - When was hind discovered 7 
 
 14 What other islands did he discover and visit! 
 
 15 How was he received on his return 1 
 
 16 - Who first discovered the continent 1 When 7 
 
 17 11 Upon what did the English found their claim to the eastern portioa 
 
 of North America 7 
 
 18 From whom does the continent derive its name ? 
 
 19 Who is supposed to have entered the harbor of New York t 
 iO What induced Coligni to attempt a settlement in America 1 
 
 21 What was the result 7 
 
 22 12 By whom was the second attempt made 7 When 7 Where t 
 
 23 Was it fortunate 7 
 
 24 13 On what occasion was the spirit of adventure revived 1 
 
 25 Who most encouraged the scheme of colonization 7 
 
 26 14 What companies were formed 7 
 
 27 What territory was granted to each 7 
 
 28 What privileges were secured to the emigrants t 
 
 29 When was Quebec settled 7 By whom 7 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 30 15 By what company was Virginia settled 7 
 
 31 How many persons were sent over 7 
 
 32 What distinguished man was ainonjg them? 
 
 33 Relate the principal events of his liie. 
 
 34 16 When did the adventurers land 7 At what place t 
 
 35 Who was elected president 7 Who was excluded 7 
 
 36 What waa the character of the aboriginal inhabitant* 1 
 
 37 17 What happened to captain Smith 7 
 
 38 Bv whom was he preserved from death 7 
 
 39 While absent, to what number hud the actUers been reduced f 
 
 40 18 How many came with Newport 7 
 
 41 How did Smith employ hinuseli 7 
 
 \ 
 
QUESTIONS. 
 
 Os.Pp 
 
 42 18 Was he chosen president 7 
 
 43 19 Relate what afterwards occurred 7 
 
 44 What induced Smith to return to England ? 
 
 45 What was the consequence 7 
 
 46 20 Who were successively appointed governors 7 
 
 47 For what purpose was Pocahontas taken I 
 
 48 What is related concerning her 7 
 
 49 21 What was the object of Argal s expedition in 1G13 t 
 
 50 What did he accomplish 7 
 
 51 What instructions were given by king James 7 
 5-2 When did governor Yeardly arrive 7 
 
 53 What did he do which gave joy to the people 7 
 
 54 22 In what state was the colony at this period 7 
 
 55 23 What misfortune happened to it 7 
 
 50 How much was the number of settlers reduced 1 
 
 57 Did the Virginians depose Harvey 7 
 
 58 What did kin? Charles do 7 
 
 59 Who succeeded Harvey 7 
 
 60 Whom did the Virginians favor, the king or parliament t 
 
 61 24 What did the parliament do 7 
 
 62 What did the Virginians do on the death of Matthews ? 
 63 Why were the people disaffected 7 
 
 64 Who was the leader of the insurgents 7 
 
 65 25 Relate the incidents of the rebellion. 
 
 66 23 What was the conduct of Berkeley towards the rebels 7 
 
 67 What, was the population in 16881 
 
 68 How was the colony governed 7 
 
 69 What course did the representatives pursue in relation to Blares ? 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 70 26 To what company was Massachusetts granted 7 
 
 71 27 When were the first men sent over iet l 1 
 
 72 When and why did they return to England 7 
 
 73 By whom was the coast of Massachusetts surveyed 7 
 
 74 In that age what was the maxim of all ecclesiastics and poll 
 ticians 7 
 
 75 28 What causes induced Mr. Robinson s congregation to remove to 
 
 Holland 7 
 
 76 To what company did they apply for a grant of land 7 
 
 77 To what part were they curried 7 
 
 78 What did they do before leaving th 
 
 79 _ When did they hind 7 
 
 fcO 29 How many perished during the winter 7 
 81 _ What was the settlement called 7 
 2 _ What was the population in 1630 7 
 
 83 What directed the attention of other? to New England 7 
 
 84 What association was formed in 16277 
 
 85 Of what company did they obtain a grant 7 
 
 86 Where did the-p<:ople they sent, out bind 1 
 
 87 What were the provisions of the charter they obtained 7 
 
 88 30 What town was next settled 7 
 
 89 What was the first object of their attention 7 
 
 90 What number perfslted before spring ? 
 
 91 __ At what time was Boston temiBed 7 
 
 92 31 What distinguished ladv fell a victim 7 
 
 93 How many perished before December 7 
 
 94 What was one great object, of the puritans 7 
 Of* What ordinance was passed in 1631 ? 
 
 % _ Were the Indians numerous, at that time, in New England? 
 97 32 When were representatives first choaeu 7 
 
QUESTIONS. 1 
 
 Q*. Pg. 
 
 W 32 Who was banished from Salem 1 For what, cause t 
 90 What, distinguished emigrants came in 1035? 
 
 100 Relate their history. 
 
 101 33 Who were detained by king Charles ? 
 
 102 What was the cause of the first war with the Indians ! 
 
 103 34 With what tribe was it carried on ? 
 
 104 Which party was victorious ? 
 
 105 35 What cause put a stop to emigration 1 
 
 106 In what year did the colonies form a league ? 
 
 107 36 What is said concerning the representatives and assistants* 
 
 108 Which did New England favor, the king or parliament? 
 
 109 Wiiat propositions d : d Cromwell make to the colonies ? 
 
 110 When was New Hampshire incorporated with Massachusetts 1 
 When was Maine ? 
 
 111 37 What law was made against Quakers? 
 
 112 What distinguished individuals ciuiie to New England about thia 
 
 time ? 
 
 113 How were they received ? Where did they reside ? 
 
 114 39 What law was enacted by England in 1663 ? 
 
 115 What measure was adopted by the king in 1664 ? 
 110 What was the conduct of the commissioners ? 
 
 117 40 How many towns and inhabitants did New England contain at the 
 
 end of 50 years from the settlement of Plymouth ? 
 
 118 What were the causes of Philip s war ? 
 
 119 41 Where were the first acts of hostility committed ? 
 
 120 Did the colonies suffer much injury from the savages 1 
 
 121 Fn what manner was the. war carried on ? 
 
 122 42 What wan the result of the great battle fought December 18 
 
 123 What feelings did Philip exhibit ? 
 12-4 What was his fate ? 
 
 125 43 What losses were sustained in this war ? 
 
 126 W r hen was New Hampshire made a separate colony 1 
 
 127 For what purpose was Edward Randolph sent over 7 
 
 128 What, was done in relation to the charter 1 
 
 129 44 What was the character and conduct of Androsn ? 
 
 130 How did the people treat Andross and his adherents 7 
 
 131 45 What was the result of the expedition to Canada 1 
 
 132 How did Massachusetts pay her troops ? 
 
 133 What were the provisions of the new charter ? 
 
 134 Who was the first governor under the new charter? 
 
 135 What distinguished the commencement of his administration t 
 
 136 46 What causes produced the delusion ? 
 
 137 How many charged with witchcraft were executed? 
 
 138 47 What law was passed at the first session "? 
 
 139 What war existed at this period ? 
 
 140 When was Deerfield attacked ? 
 
 141 How many were killed and made prisoners 1 
 
 142 48 Who were among the prisoners ? 
 
 143 How were they treated ? 
 
 144 What was the Indian mode of warfare ? 
 
 145 What expedition was fitted out in 1707 ? 
 
 146 What in 1710 ? What was accomplished t 
 
 147 What expedition was fitted out in 171 11 
 
 148 49 What misfortune occurred to the fleet? 
 
 149 What was the event of the expedition ? 
 J5W When was peace concluded ? 
 
 151 What was the effect of this war upon New England ! 
 152 Who was appointed governor in 1716? 
 
 153 50 What question agitated the people when he arrived 1 
 
 154 VVhat act of his displeased the assembly ? 
 
 155 50 Whose conduct did the people approve J 
 
 156 VVhat vote was passed respecting the governor ^ salary ? 
 
QUESTIONS. 
 .. 
 
 157 What instructions did the king give 1 
 
 158 Did the assembly comply 1 
 
 359 What steps did the governor take 7 
 
 160 51 Who was the next governor 1 
 
 161 What took place between him and the assembly 1 
 162 How was the controversy suspended 1 
 
 163 52 Who succeeded governor Burnett 7 
 
 164 How was the long controversy terminated 7 
 
 165 Who was appointed governor in 1740 7 
 
 166 What event occurred in 1744 7 
 
 167 From what port were privateers fitted out? 
 
 168 What expedition was concerted in 1745 7 
 
 169 By whom was it proposed 1 
 
 171) 53 Did the General Court in the end agree to it 7 
 
 171 What colonies furnished assistance 7 
 
 172 What naval force co-operated 7 
 
 173 54 What fortunate events occurred 7 
 
 174 What was the result of the expedition 7 
 
 175 55 What measure did France adopt the next summer 1 
 176 At what time was peace concluded 1 
 
 177 What were the terms of this peace 7 
 
 178 What became of the bills of credit 7 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 1/9 55 Which was the parent of the New England colonies ? 
 IK) To whom were the first grants made in New Hampshire t 
 
 181 56 When were the first settlements made 7 Where 7 
 
 182 When was the first house built at Portsmouth 7 
 
 183 Of whom did Wheelwright purchase land 7 
 J84 __ What town did he found 7 
 
 185 When was civil government established in Dover, Portsinc rv inO 
 
 Exeter 7 
 
 ]86 _ What steps did these towns take in 1641 7 
 187 Of whom did the emigrants purchase lands 7 
 1K8 What settlements suffered in Philip s war 7 
 1H9 When was New Hampshire made a separate province t 
 
 190 What law was passed in 1680 7 
 
 191 57 What disputes arose on the arrival of Mason 7 
 
 192 Who was appointed governor after Andross was depov4? 
 193 Did this colony sutler much from Indian wars 7 
 
 194 What town was surprised in UidU 7 
 
 195 Give an account of that event. 
 
 196 58 In what year was Londonderry settled 7 By whom * 
 ]<); What di d they introduce 7 
 
 198 59 Why did J. T . Mason claim the lands of his ancestors 
 
 199 To whom did lw, convey them 7 
 
 200 What did they do to silence opposition 7 
 
 201 How were the Masonian lands granted 7 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 20? 59 To whom wns Connecticut first granted 7 
 
 203 How far westward did the grant extend 7 
 
 204 By whom was a fort erected at Hartford 7 
 
 205 By whom was a trading house erected at Windsor 1 
 
 206 60 By whom were Weathertfield am 1 . Windsor nettlf-d 7 
 
 207 For what purpose did Winthrop corne from England T 
 203 60 Did the Dutch attempt to molest him 7 
 
QUESTIONS. 
 
 909 What persons laid the foundation of Hartford ? 
 
 210 Whose authority did the tirst emigrants acknowledge ? 
 
 211 When did the fret-men form a constitution 7 
 
 212 State the substance of this constitution. 
 
 213 61 By whom was Saybrook settled ? Whence the name ? 
 
 214 What did Femviek transfer to the General Court 7 
 
 215 By what persons was New Haven founded 7 
 
 216 Was it a distinct colony 7 
 
 217 By what, laws were they first governed 7 
 21862 With whom had both colonies disputes? 
 211) How was piirtition made in Iu7>07 
 
 220 Did the Dutch continue friendly 7 
 
 221 What did Connecticut propose to the confederacy? 
 
 222 What was the conduct of Massachusetts 7 
 
 223 63 What did Cromwell do ? 
 
 224 Did the inhabitants obtain a charter 7 
 
 225 What territory did it tonnprehend 7 
 
 226 Did New Haven willingly consent to a union 7 
 
 227 When were the two colonies united 7 
 
 228 6*4 What circumstances occurred when Andross demanded th* 
 
 charter 7 
 
 229 Did Connecticut retain her charter 7 
 
 2: -() Go What demaitd did Fletcher make of Connecticut 7 
 
 231 How was he treated 7 
 
 2^2 When was Yale College founded 7 
 
 233 When was Saybrook platform adopted 7 
 
 rru _ What did this platform relate to 7 
 
 235 GO What cause tended to preserve the peace of Connecticut ? 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 230 G6 When was Rhode Island settled 7 By whom ? 
 2. ?7 Why was he banished from Massachusetts 7 
 238 What did he call the place where he settled ? 
 
 23i* What regulations did he adopt 7 
 o 4 (, _ who repaired to Rhode Island in 1G38 7 
 
 241 67 Did Rhode Island apply to be admitted into the league 7 
 
 242 What was the decision of the commissioners 7 
 
 243 Did Rhode Island consent to the terms 7 
 244 When was the first general assembly held 7 
 245 When did the colony obtain a charter 7 
 24G What were the provisions of this charter 7 
 
 247 What law w;is passed relative to the Quakers 7 
 
 248 What secured the colony exemption from Indian hostility? 
 
 249 What was the population in 1720 7 In 1761 7 
 
 250 When was Blown university founded? 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 251 GS By whom was New York discovered 7 When ? 
 
 252 In what service did Hudson c:ail 7 
 
 253 By whom and when wa a fort erected near Albany, and trading 
 
 houses at New York 7 
 
 254 What was Albany then called 7 What was New York 7 
 
 255 What event occurred soon after 7 
 
 25G When and where was fort Amsterdam erected 7 
 
 257 To what company did the republic of Holland make a grant? 
 
 258 How far did the grant extend 7 
 
 259 What was the territory called 7 
 
6 QUESTIONS. 
 
 ds. Pg. 
 
 2GO Where did the Dutch erect forts in 1G237 
 *?f>i 68 W ; V U y.-horn .lid his produce quarrel* ? 
 
 262 When did war break out between the Dutch and Indians ? 
 
 263 09 Who commanded the Dutch troops ? 
 2<>4 In what place was a battle fought 7 
 
 205 Who agreed on a line of partition between the Dutch and En* 
 
 lish? 
 266 To whom did the king of England grant New York 7 
 
 207 What measure was thereupon taken 7 
 
 208 Did the expedition sent out succeed 7 
 
 269 What names were changed 7 
 
 270 Who assumed the government of the country 1 
 
 271 When wan New York made a city 7 
 27-2 70 What event happened in 1673 ? 
 
 273 How long did the Dutch retain possession 7 
 
 274 Whom did the duke of York appoint governor 7 
 
 275 To what religious sect did both belong 7 
 Q76 _ W!en was the first assembly held 7 
 
 277 By what people was the interior of New York inhabited 7 
 
 278 Of whom were they the allies 7 
 
 279 Who led an army against them 7 
 
 280 71 What was he obliged to do 7 
 
 281 What Indian chief addressed the French governor 7 
 
 282 Rucite his speech. 
 
 283 72 What effect had this speech on the French governor 7 
 
 284 Why was the duke of York disliked when he became king 1 
 
 285 What encouraged the disaffected 7 
 
 286 73 What measures did Leisler and Milborne undertake 7 
 
 287 What did Bayard and Courtlandt do 7 
 
 288 What authority did Leisler assume 7 Why 7 
 
 289 74 What did Milborne effect 7 
 
 290 What parties were despatched against the English 7 
 
 291 Describe the attack of Scheneetady. 
 
 292 75 What was done to avenge these barbarities? 
 
 .293 To what was the failure of the expedition attributed. 
 
 294 Whom did king William appoint governor 7 
 
 295 What was the character of this governor 7 
 
 29(5 What sentence was passed on Leisler ami Milborne 7 
 
 297 70 What was ifheir fate 7 
 
 298 By whom were the French settlements attacked 7 
 
 299 Who was 1 appointed governor in 1692 7 
 
 300 What object was he desirous of effecting 7 
 
 "301 What took .place in consequence of his recommendation 1 
 
 302 77 When was the earl of Bellamont appointed governor 7 
 
 303 In what measure did ht< engage 7 
 
 304 Relate the conduct and fate ot captain Kid. 
 
 305 Into what parties were the people divided 7 
 
 306 When was lord Cornbury appointed governor 7 
 
 307 What were his parentage and character 7 
 
 308 In what manner did he behave 7 
 
 309 78 What followed hi* removal from office 7 
 ,810 What resolution was passed 7 
 
 311 In what year did governor Hunter arrive 7 
 
 312 What pe ople came with him 7 
 
 313 What is the character of their descendants 7 
 
 314 What dispute arose between the house and council 7 
 315 _ What enterprise was projected iu 1709 7 In 1711 7 
 
 316 79 What WHB the result of the latter 1 
 
 317 Did the people justify their representatives 7 
 
 318 State the progress and termination of the dispute between the hotUMI 
 
 and council. 
 
 319 Who Hucceodcxl governor Hunter 7 
 
QUESTIONS. 
 
 .. 
 
 320 79 What projects had tho French then in view ? 
 
 321 What did governor Burnet do to defeat it 7 
 
 322 80 When was the Assembly, elected in 1710, dissolved 7 
 
 323 What tort lid the French erect while Van Dam was governor 1 
 
 3-24 Who succeeded Van Darn 7 
 
 325 What prosecution was instigated by governor Cos!/y 1 
 
 320 What, honor was conferred on one of his defenders 1 
 
 327 When was Clark appointed lieutenant-governor 7 
 
 32881 What dispute was revived between him and the Assembly 1 ? 
 
 329 Which party was tjjnmphant at the next election ? 
 
 330 Recite the uddrecs of the house to the governor. 
 
 331 What did he suv in his next speech 7 
 
 332 82 What resolve did the house pass ? 
 
 333 What plot was supposed to be concerted Jibout this time 1 
 
 334 What WHS the supposed object of the plot 1 
 
 335 How many were burned 7 Hung 1 Transported 7 
 330 83 What clidVhirk allude to in his speech 7 
 
 337 When was George Clinton appointed governor 7 
 
 338 What happened in 1745 ? 
 
 339 When did peace take place 1 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 340 84 Bv whom was New Jersey settled 7 When ? Where 1 
 
 341 When ;md where did the Swedes and Finns settle 7 
 &2 What happened in 1055 ? 
 
 343 What territory did the Dutch possess 7 
 
 344 How was it taken from them 7 
 
 345 85 To whom was it conveyed 7 
 
 340 To whom did the duke convey New Jersey 7 
 
 347 Why was it so called 7 
 
 348 Who was the first governor 7 
 
 349 What, was the origin of the dispute.* that arose ? 
 
 350 Did the people revolt 7 Did they submit 7 
 
 351 To whom did Berkeley dispose of his right? 
 
 352 Who were appointed trustees to sell it 7 
 
 353 What partition was agreed on 7 
 
 354 Was a new patent granted to the duke 7 
 
 355 80 On what did Andross insist 7 
 350 What did he do 7 
 
 357 Recite the address to the commissioners. 
 
 358 What was their decision 7 
 
 359 87 To whom was East Jei<ev transferred in 16827 
 
 360 Who was appointed governor over it. 7 
 
 361 Bv whom were the Jerseys reunited 7 
 3(52 When was Princeton Coflege founded 7 
 3twi - What was then the number of inhabitants 7 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 3f4 87 Bv whom was Delaware first settled 7 
 365 88 What did they call the country 7 
 36(5 Where did they seat themselves 7 
 367 Why and where did they build forts 7 
 
 308 Where did the Dutch build a fort 7 
 
 309 In what manner did the Swedes gain possession oFit ? 
 
 370 What course did governor Stuyvesant pursue 7 
 
 371 flow long did the Dutch retain possession 7 
 
 372 What purchases did William Penn make 7 
 373 What name was given to the tracts purchased 7 
 
 2G* 
 
QUESTIONS. 
 
 3 86 To 
 
 ; w mt colony weie u.ov uuueu i 
 
 375 When tlid a separation take piace 7 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 376 89 Who was the founder of Pennsylvania 7 
 
 377 To what religious sect did he belong 7 
 
 378 Why was the country granted to him 7 
 
 379 At what price was land sold 7 
 
 380 At what rate was it rented 7 
 
 381 In what year did the settlers leave England 7 
 
 382 90 What position did they select for a settlement ? 
 
 383 What was the object of Penn s frame of government ? 
 
 384 What people, and how many, did he find upon the " territories ? M 
 
 385 Where was the first assembly held 7 
 :386 What city did Penn found 7 
 
 387 91 For what qualities are the Pennsylvanians distinguished 7 
 
 388 What parly did Penn adhere to at the time of the English reroltt 
 
 tion 7 
 
 389 How was he treated 7 
 
 390 92 Did he regain the favor of the king 7 
 
 391 When did he again visit Pennsylvania? 
 
 392 What took place in 1701 7 
 
 393 Flow was the executive authority afterwards administered ? 
 
 394 What caused the most irritation 7 
 
 395 Did the colony prosper 7 
 
 396 What took place at the commeucement of the revolution 1 
 
 397 What sum was paid in discharge of quit-reuts 7 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 398 93 By whom was Maryland founded 7 
 399 To what religious sect did he, belong? 
 
 400 After whom was the colony named 7 
 
 401 Who was appointed the first governor 7 
 
 402 When did the first settlers arrive 7 Where ? 
 
 403 What land did they purchase 7 
 
 404 What circumstances favored the rapid population of the colonj ? 
 
 405 94 When and how was a house of assembly formed 7 
 
 406 What alteration was made in 1630 7 
 
 407 What fact is honorable to lord Baltimore and his associates ? 
 
 408 What disturbance was produced 7 By whom 7 
 
 409 95 What was the result of the disturbances 7 
 
 410 What ordinance was passed by the victorious party 7 
 
 411 What was the number of inhabitants in 1660? 
 
 412 When did lord Baltimore die 7 
 
 413 What was his character 7 
 
 414 _ What occurred in 1689 7 
 
 415 96 What directions did king WifUam give 7 
 
 416 When was the proprietor restored to his rights 7 
 
 417 What occurred at the commencement of the revolution 7 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 418 96 What territory was granted, in 1630, to Sir Robert TTeath 7 
 
 419 Bv what person* was a settlement formed north of Albemarle sound t 
 
 420 What settlement was n.ade in 1661 7 By whom 7 
 
 421 97 What grant was made in 1GU3 7 
 
 422 What assurances were given to emigrants 7 
 
QUESTIONS. i 
 
 "Qa.Pjf. 
 
 4 2o J, wno prepared a constitution tor me coionv * 
 
 424 What were tne provisions ot tins constitution ? 
 
 425 Was it acceptable to the inhabitants ? 
 42G Wliat settlement was made in 1670 1 
 
 427 In which of the Carolinas, as now divided, was it made? 
 4BS 98 Wliat was the character and conduct of So.th Sothel ? 
 4:29 When was the constitution of Locke abrogated J 
 41)0 How were the two provinces afterwards governed? 
 
 431 What emigrants came in 1707 ? In 1710 7 
 
 432 _ What calamity fell upon them ? 
 
 4.33 99 Whither did the Tuscaroras emigrate 1 
 
 434 What proceedings took place in 1729? 
 
 435 In what part of North Carolina did the settlements increase most 
 
 rapidly ? 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 436 100 When was the first settlement made at Port Royal ? 
 
 437 When was old Charleston founded ? 
 
 438 When did the freemen elect representatives ? 
 
 439 When did they meet to elect them ? 
 
 440 Whence did emigrants come 1 
 
 441 When was the present city of Charleston founded ? 
 
 442 What did the proprietors direct in regard to the French Pro 
 
 testants? 
 
 443 Was opposition made ? By whom ? 
 
 444 101 What did these Protestants do 1 
 
 445 Why was John Archdale sent over ? 
 
 446 What did he effect ? 
 
 447 What did Granville and Moore attempt? 
 
 448 What law was passed ? 
 
 449 102 What was the conduct of the lords and the qtieen ? 
 
 450 What expeditions were undertaken in 1702 ? 
 
 451 What occurred in 1706? What in 1715 ? 
 
 452 103 What sufferings were -occasioned by the war with the Indians? 
 
 453 What measure did the assembly adopt? 
 
 454 What emigrants were induced to come ? 
 
 455 What was their fate ? 
 
 456 104 What occurred in 1719? 
 
 457 How was the government afterwards administered ? 
 
 458 What occurred in 17:* ? 
 
 459 105 Was the insurrection quelled ? 
 
 460 From what countries did emigrants come ? 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 461 105 Where is Georgia situated ? 
 
 462 What, project was concerted in 1732? 
 
 463 To whom was Georgia granied ? 
 
 464 106 What regulations did the Trustees provide ? 
 
 465 When did the first emigrants embark ? 
 
 466 Who was placed at their head ? 
 
 467 What was the conduct of the Carolinians ? 
 
 468 How many emigrants came the next year ? 
 
 469 What was the character of these emigrants ? 
 
 470 What offer was made to induce a different class to emigrate? 
 
 471 Where did the Germans settle ? Where the Scotch ? 
 
 472 Who made a visit to Georgia in 17IJ6 ? 
 
 473 What was his object ? 
 
 474 Who came two voors aftwwa.rO* ? 
 
10 QUESTIONS. 
 
 QS. Pp. 
 
 475 107 Tn 17-10, how many emigrants had arrived 7 
 
 476 What was the amount of benefactions 1 
 
 477 What expedition did general Ogluthorpe undertake 7 
 
 478 Was it successful 7 
 
 479 What afterwards occurred 7 
 
 480 108 What event occurred when Oglethorpe was marching to attack 
 
 the Spaniards 7 
 
 481 What expedient did he devise 7 
 4*2 109 How did the invasion end 7 
 
 483 110 What occurred in 1754 1 
 
 484 What products were cultivated 7 
 
 110 In what year was the treaty between France and England con 
 
 eluded, which restored tranquillity to America 1 
 What was the number of inhabitants in the thirteen colonies at 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 485 110 In 
 
 486 _ ,.. 
 
 that period ? 
 
 487 Where were the English settlements 7 Where the French 7 
 
 488 What design had the French in view 7 
 
 489 What did the company of English traders do 1 
 
 490 What was the conduct of the French 1 
 
 491 111 Whom did governor Dinwiddie send as messenger to the French 
 
 commander? 
 
 492 What course did governor Dinwiddie take on receiving the an 
 
 swer ? 
 
 493 What was the result of Washington s expedition 7 
 
 494 When was the Albany plan of union formed 7 
 
 495 What did this plan provide 7 
 
 496-112 Why was it rejected in England 7 Why in America ? 
 
 497 What expeditions were resolved upon in 1755 7 
 
 498 Relate the object and result of ihe expedition to Nova Scotia. 
 
 499 Who commanded the expedition against fort Du Q.uosne 7 
 
 500 113 What was the result of the expedition 7 
 
 501 114 Who commanded the expedition against Niagara 7 
 
 502 - Was he successful 7 
 
 503 115 Who commanded the expedition a?ninst Crown Point 1 
 
 504 Relate what happened to this expedition. 
 
 505 11C Was it abandoned 7 
 
 500 What expeditions were proposed the next year 7 
 
 507 Why was Massachusetts disgusted 7 Mow appeased 7 
 
 508 J.]7 Who was appointed to succeed Shirley 1 
 
 509 H;ul war been declared between France and England 7 
 
 510 Who was appointed commander-in-chief 7 
 
 511 What post did general Muntcalm take 7 
 
 512 118 What had been accomplished hi this campaign 7 
 
 513 To what did the ministry direct the attention of lord Loudon 7 
 
 514 Did he effect the objectl 
 
 515 119 With what force did Montcnlm besiege fort William Henry 7 
 
 516 Where is that fort situated 7 
 
 517 Who was sent to command it 7 
 
 518 Relate the circumstances and result of the siege. 
 
 519 120 WJiat effect had these disasters upon the British nation 7 
 
 520 Whom did ihe king appoint prime minister 7 
 
 521 What expeditions were determined on for the next campaign 7 
 
 522 121 Who commanded that against Louisburg 7 
 
 523 Who served under him ? 
 
 524 How did the siege terminate 7 
 
 525 What was the result of the attack on Ticonderoga 7 
 
 526 What fort did colonel Bradst.met capture 7 
 
 527 122 Who commanded the expedition against Du Quesne 1 
 
QUESTIONS. U 
 
 IK. P?. 
 
 $#* 122 What .lisnsrer occurred to it 7 
 
 MW Was it successful ? 
 
 530 Where was the fort situated ? 
 
 Sfll What watf the plan of the nev* campaign 7 
 
 332 What was the event of the expeuition against, Niagara ! 
 
 &33 123 What success did general Amherst meet with 7 
 
 534 Who commanded the expedition agiiinst Quebec 1 
 
 535 What was the condition of that place ? 
 
 536 When and where did Wolfe land his army 7 
 
 537 Where does Quebec stand 1 
 
 538 124 Where did a battle take place 7 What the event 7 
 
 539 What .plan did Wolfe then form ? 
 
 540 125 In what manner did he gain the heights of Abraham 7 
 
 541 _ VVhat did Montcalm then do 7 
 
 542 What was the fate of Wolfe ? Of Moatcalm 7 
 
 543 126 What was the consequence of the battle ? 
 
 544 When was peace concluded 7 
 
 345 What did France cede to Great, Britain 7 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 S4fi 12G How much was added to the debt of England, in the late war t 
 
 547 Whence did her legislators seek assistance ? 
 
 548 127 What relation was supposed to exist between the mother country 
 
 and her colonies 7 
 
 549 What restrictions had Great Britain imposed 7 
 
 550 VVhat law was enacted in 1764 1 
 
 551 What resolution was proposed ? 
 
 552 In what, courts were penalties to be recovered 7 
 
 553 What, measures did the colonies adopt 7 
 
 554 128 Recite the 8th and 9th sections. 
 
 555 129 When was the stamp-act proposed ? 
 
 556 What language was used in supporting it 7 
 
 558 Recite Col. Barre s speech. 
 
 559 130 Did the bill pass 7 
 
 559 What took place in Virginia when the news arrived 7 
 5(50 131 What resolve was passed in Massachusetts 7 
 
 561 W T hat was the name of th associations formed in New England ? 
 
 562 What occurred in Boston 7 What in Newport? 
 
 563 132 How did the citizens of New York conduct 7 
 
 564 What title did they give to the stamp-act 7 
 
 565 When did the Congress assemble 7 
 
 566 What were the proceedings of this Congress 7 
 
 567 What agreements were adopted 7 
 
 568 133 What was proposed in rtie British parliament? 
 
 569 _ What did Mr. Grenville say 7 
 
 570 Recite William Pitt s speech. 
 
 571 134 What were the proceedings of parliament 7 
 
 572 135 Why were the people of New England and New York still diseati*- 
 
 fied? 
 
 573 For what cause was the assembly of New York suspended 7 
 
 574 What measure was adopted in June, 1767? 
 
 575 What course did the General Court of Massachusetts pursue ? 
 
 576 How were they punished 7 
 
 577 What measures were then adopted in Massachusetts 7 
 
 578 136 What step was taken by general Gage ? 
 
 579 i37 State what resolutions had been adopted in parliament. 
 
 580 What resolutions were adopted in Virginia 7 
 5H1 What did the governor do 1 
 
 382 Whatthnn enud 7 
 
12 QUESTIONS. 
 
 Qs.PS. 
 
 58;? 137 State what occurred in State-street, Boston 1 
 
 584 138 To what place were the troops removed ? 
 
 585 What trials took place 7 
 58f> Who defended the accused 1 
 
 587 We ro they convicted 7 
 
 588 139 What measure did parliament adopt ? 
 
 589 What alteration was made in the non-importation agreements? 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 590 139 What causes contributed to increase the discontent which pre 
 
 viously existed in Massachusetts 7 
 
 591 140 Bv whom were committees of correspondence recommended? 
 
 592 What was the object nnd what the effect of then 7 
 
 593 What letters did Dr. Franklin obtain and send over? 
 
 594 What effect did these letters have 7 
 
 595 What measure did the East India Company adopt? 
 
 596 What was done in Philadelphia and New fork 7 
 
 597 141 What was the state of public feeling in Boston? 
 
 598 What resolution was adopted by the citizens ? 
 
 599 What proceedings followed 7 
 
 600 Recite Josiah <4ui;.c.y s speech. 
 60) 142 What was done with" the tea 7 
 
 602 What acts were passed by parliament 7 
 
 603 143 How was the first day of June observed in Virginia ? 
 
 604 What spirit was displayed by the citizens of Salem 7 
 
 605 Wliiat was recommended by the General Court of Massachusetts 7 
 
 606 144 When did the delegates meet 7 
 
 607 What resolutions did they adopt 7 
 
 608 What effect had their proceedings on public sentiment abroad ? 
 
 609 145 Recite Mr. Pitt s speech. 
 
 610 Bv what names were the Americans distinguished? 
 
 611 140 What measures did governor Gage adopt ? 
 
 612 When did a provincial Congress meet 7 
 
 613 What conciliatory proposition was adopted in parliament? 
 
 614 Did the Americans accept it, 7 
 
 615 147 When did the battle of Lexington take place? 
 
 616 148 What was the result 7 What tire effect 7 
 
 617 What expedition was p riectt d in Connecticut ? 
 
 618 149 By whom was it execute, i 
 
 619 What posts were taken 7 
 
 620 What British generals arrived in June ? 
 
 621 What proclamation was issued 7 
 
 622 150 Why did the provincials rosolvc to occupy Bunker Hill ? 
 
 623 Who commanded the provincial troops 7 
 
 624 On what day was the battle fought 7 
 6-25 151 Relate the principal events of the battle. 
 
 620 152 How many Americans were killed and wounded ? 
 6-27 How many British 7 
 
 628 Did the result dispirit the Americans 7 
 
 629 What eminent man was killed 7 
 
 030 What measures were adopted by the continental Congress ? 
 
 631 Who was chosen Commander-in-chief 1 
 
 632 153 What other officers were chosen 7 
 
 633 What mode was adopted to defray expenses? 
 
 634 What declaration was issued 7 
 
 635 Recite the extracts inserted. 
 
 630 154 To what place did Washington repair ? 
 
 637 How numerous did he find the army ? 
 
 638 155 What occurred in Virginia 7 
 
QUESTIONS. 13 
 
 6:59 155 What in North Carolina 7 
 
 640 15(5 What in South Carolina 7 What in Georgia 7 
 
 (341 What HI JNew York 1 Who was much; governor there 7 
 
 (542 What resolution, referring to him, WHS passed by Congress 7 
 
 643 Wliat was done and projected in 1775 ? 
 
 6-J4 157 What was done in New Hatnpshire 1 
 
 615 What transactions occurred in October 1 
 
 64!) 158 How was the new army to he raised 7 
 
 647 How many enlisted 7 
 
 648 What works were erected in March 7 
 
 649 159 What did general Howe attempt? 
 
 650 Failing in this, what did he then determine 1 
 
 651 When was Boston evacuated 7 
 
 652 To what place did the American army proceed 1 
 
 653 Whither did the British fleet steer 7 
 
 CHAPTER XVll. 
 
 654 159 How many expeditions were despatched against Canada? 
 
 655 What did governor Carleton do ? 
 650 160 Who proceeded in advance ? Why 7 
 
 657 On whom did the chief command devolve 7 
 
 658 What did colonels Allen and Brown attempt 7 
 a^9 What was the fate of Allen 7 
 
 660 161 What fortunate event occurred in October 7 
 
 661 What olher victory was achieved ? 
 
 662 When was St. John s surrendered 7 
 
 6(53 - To what place did Montgomery then repair 7 
 
 6(54 1()2 With how many men did he begin his march to I uebec t 
 
 665 Who commanded the other "xpeditioe 7 
 
 666 How many did it consist of 7 
 
 667 Describe their route. 
 
 608 Were their suffering s great 7 
 
 669 163 When did they arrive at the French *3ttlements 
 
 670 When did Ire cross the river 7 
 
 671 Where did he encamp 7 
 
 672 When did Montgomery arrive 7 
 
 673 To what did their united force amount 7 
 
 674 lf>4 How strong were the enemy ? 
 
 S75 What did the general first determine 7 
 
 676 What disease broke out in the camp ? 
 
 677 What was proposed and resolved upon 7 
 
 678 105 When was the city assaulted ? 
 
 679 What disastrous event occurred 7 
 CeO What happened to Arnold 7 
 
 681 Who assumed the command 7 
 
 682 166 How did the attack terminate 7 
 
 683 What was the amount of the American lose 7 
 
 684 Where was Montgomery s monument placed 7 
 6H5 167 How far from tho city did Arnold encamp 7 
 
 680 When did general Thomas arrive from Ro.xbury 1 
 
 687 What was then done 7 
 
 688 To what place did the Americans retreat 1 
 
 689 168 What occurred at the Cedars 7 
 
 690 Who succeeded general Thomas 7 
 
 691 Of how many did his army consist 7 
 69? How strong was the enemy 7 
 
 64J3 Where did Sullivan halt 7 
 
14 
 
 QUESTIONS. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 Qs.Ps;. 
 
 694 169 What reply was made when the last petition was presented to tin 
 
 king? 
 
 695 What treaties were made with German princes 7 
 
 696 What expedition was despatched in 1776 ? 
 
 697 Who was appointed commander of the Brit sh naval forces 7 
 
 698 What preparations were made at Charlesto i ? 
 
 699 170 Relate what occurred in the attack on Sulli ari s Island. 
 
 700 What was the effect of this battle ? 
 
 701 171 What able pamphlet, was published at this t me ? 
 
 702 172 Who proposed, in Congress, a declaration of independence 1 
 
 703 Who seconded the motion ? 
 
 704 Who were the committee appointed to prepare it 7 
 
 705 On what day was it adopted ? 
 700 Recite the 17th section. 
 
 707 173 What was done at New York 7 
 
 708 How was the American army posted 7 
 
 709 Where did the British troops" first land 7 
 
 710 How were the two armies posted on Long Island 7 
 
 711 174 Describe the battle which took place. 
 
 712 Which gained the victory ? 
 
 713 __ Whither did Washington retreat? 
 
 714 175 Where did he take po.st in September 7 
 
 715 What, did the enemy then do ? 
 
 716 What calamity hap penert to the eity 7 
 
 717 _ What plan of warfare did Washing-ton adopt 7 
 
 718 To what place did he next repair I 
 
 719 What was the result of the battle there fought* 
 
 720 What fort was attacked ? 
 
 721 Where was it situated ? 
 
 722 176 Which gained tho victory 
 
 723 What then followed ? 
 
 724 What proclamation was issued ? 
 
 725 To what place did Congress remove 7 
 
 72(5 177 With what power did they invest Washington? 
 
 727 What happened to general Lee ? 
 
 728 What was the behavior of the British 7 
 
 729 What brilliant victory was achieved ? 
 
 730 178 What other exploit was performed 7 
 
 731 Who was among the wounded ? 
 
 732 _ What followed 7 
 
 733 What effect had these victories 7 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 734 179 What spirit did Congress exhibit 7 
 
 735 What measures did they take ? 
 
 736 Who were sent commissioners to France 7 
 
 737 What did the F ench ministry permit? 
 
 738 Of what value were the prizes made by American privatewt I 
 
 739 180 What distinguished Frenchman joined the Americans 7 
 
 740 What appointment did he receive ? 
 
 741 How were the American prisoners treated 7 
 
 742 181 To what place did Howe transport his troops 7 
 
 743 Whither did Washington march ? 
 
 744 Which gained the victory at Brandywine creek 7 
 
 745 What officer was wounded ? 
 
 746 To what place did Washington eventually retreat t 
 t47 When did Howe enter Philadelphia 1 
 
QUESTIONS. IS 
 
 Qs.Pe. 
 
 748 182 What was the result of the battle on lake Chafnplain t 
 
 749 What expedition was concerted in the winter? 
 
 750 By whcni was it to be commanded ? 
 
 751 What American commanded the northern department t 
 
 752 183 To what place did Burgoyne despatch Si. Leger ? 
 
 753 When did lie appear before Ticonderoga 1 
 
 754 What was the nurnher of his army ? 
 
 755 When was Ticonderoga evacuated 1 
 
 756 To what place did the Americans eventually retreat t 
 
 757 What intelligence was received from St. Leger 1 
 
 758 184 What was the effect of the American proclamation ? 
 
 759 _ Whither did Bnrgoyne despatch Baum ? 
 
 760 Who commanded the American militia? 
 
 761 Which gained the victory on the 16th of August ? 
 7tS What occurred afterwards ? 
 
 703 What was the effect of the victory at Bennington? 
 
 764 185 What was the fate of St. Leger s oxpedition ? 
 
 765 Who were appointed to command the American army 1 
 7(3(5 Describe the first battle of Stiliwater. 
 
 767 186 Describe the .second. 
 
 768 What was done bv general <V,1ughan ? 
 
 769 To what place did Burgoyne retreat ? 
 
 770 187 When did he surrender ? 
 
 771 188 Describe the battle of Germantown. 
 
 772 State the result of the assault upon Red Bank und upon fort Mif- 
 
 flin. 
 
 773 Where did Washington s army pass the winter"? 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 774 189 When was the Confederation adopted ? 
 
 775 What powers did it confer on Congress 1 
 776 What right did the states reserve ? 
 
 777 Who was appointed inspector general ? 
 
 778 190 What treaties were made with France? 
 
 779 What act was passed by th<- British parliament? 
 
 780 State what took place between the commissioners and Joseph Read* 
 
 781 What course did Great Britain pursue 1 
 
 782 191 When did the British army quit PhihuMphia ? 
 
 783 Did a battie take place soon after ? Where ? 
 
 784 Who commanded the Americans 1 
 785 What was the result of the battle ? 
 
 78f> What charges were made against Lee ? 
 
 787 What was his sentence ? 
 
 78H 192 What assistance arrived from France ? 
 
 789 What enterprise was then projected ? 
 
 790 Who commanded the American troops? 
 
 791 What occurred at sea ? 
 
 792 What was Sullivan compelled to do ? 
 79:i 193 What towns were attacked and ravaged ? 
 
 794 Relate what occurred at I appan 
 
 795 -"How and where did Washington s army pirns the winter? 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 796 194 Bv what Was the campaign of 1779 distinguiehed 7 
 TV/ What expedition sailed from New York f 
 
 798 Waal did the enemy effect in Georgia ? 
 
 799 Who took command in the southern department 1 
 
 800 What occurred at Savannah ? 
 
 01 195 What other expedition sai4cd from New York ? 
 
 27 
 
1* QUESTIONS. 
 
 O*. PS. 
 
 802 What did it accomplish ? 
 
 803 What expedition did Clark undertake ? 
 
 804 What was his success ? 
 
 &j* What w.erq the purpose and success of Sullivan s expedition? 
 80i i li)(3 What, towns were burnt in Connecticut ? 
 
 807 What exploit was performed hv gencni! Wayne? 
 
 808 What naval battle was fouffht in September . ? 
 &)9 197 Where did the northern army pass the winter ? 
 810 Were their sufferings great 1 
 
 $11 How inuch paper, money had bee.n issued 1 
 
 812 How much had it depreciated ? 
 
 Si3- What new mode was adopted to supply the army? 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 #M 198 What place did the enemy besiege in the spring? 
 
 815 Who were the opposing commanders? 
 
 816 199 What was the event of the siege ? 
 
 ?17 What exploit did colqnel Tarleton perform ? 
 
 818 What con.iuct of general Clinton excited indignation? 
 
 859 200 What service did Sampler render? 
 
 820 Who led an army from the north ? 
 
 82 1 Describe the battle near Carnoen. 
 fc 201 What occurred at the Catawbn ford ? 
 
 823 What conduct did Cornwallis adopt? 
 
 824 Who was a successful leader of the patriots ? 
 
 825 Who was appointed commander of the tories ? 
 82K 202 Where was he posted ?> 
 
 827 Hv whom was he attacked, and what was the result ? 
 
 28 Who was appointed to succeed Gates? 
 
 829 Whore was the northern array posted ? 
 
 830 What were their sufferings and conduct ? 
 8,31 What squadron and troops arrived in July ? 
 
 832 203 What project was disconcerted ? How . 
 
 833 What disaffected Arnold ? 
 ,M What plot did he meditate ? 
 
 833 With whom had lie an interview ? 
 
 8?b Relate the circumstances, of Andre s capture. 
 
 837 204 What was his conduct 1 What his fate ? 
 
 838 2&> How much did Arnold receive ? 
 83i> Wiiat occurred at, Morristown 1 
 
 8<JO What were the .cop plaints of the soldiers 1 
 84! 20fi How was the mutiny appeased? 
 842 Whai did the elates do ? 
 
 CHAPTER xxrn. 
 
 P43 20R What project was resumed in the spring of 1781 ? 
 
 844 What delayed its accomplishment? 
 
 8^ . r > 207 \yiiat commander fought the battle of the Cov/pens ? 
 
 10 Whai was the result ? 
 
 847 What did Cornwallis attempt ? 
 
 8-ir 5 Wii:l occurred on the retreat 1 
 
 8-19 208 Describe the engagement between Lee and the torios. 
 
 850 209 Give an iccount of the battle at Guilford eouri-house, 
 
 851 Where did Greene hah ? 
 
 8.^2 Whither, did Cornwallis proceed ? 
 
 8o3 Which was victorious at Hobkirk s hill? 
 
 854 What posts wore captured in South Carolina ? 
 
 55 210 What was list) .e,ve.a fc of the siege of Ninety-Six t 
 
QUESTIONS. 
 
 Qs.P?. 
 
 856 211 Describe the battle, of Eutaw 
 
 857 To what plaCe did Cornwallis repair 7 
 
 858 Why was he recalled to the sea-board 7 
 
 859 212 What posts did he fortify ? 
 
 860 What did Washington determine to do 7 
 
 861 What expedition did Clinton despatch 7 
 
 862 What did it accomplish ? 
 
 863 213 Wiiat news did Washington receive at Chester 1 
 
 864 Of how many troops did the allied forces consist 1 
 805 When was the cannonade begun;? 
 
 866 214 What occurred during the siege 1 
 
 867 When did Cornwallis surrender ? 
 
 868 What was the number of prisoners ? 
 
 869 What emotions did this victory produce in America ? 
 
 870 215 What were the feelings of the British nation 7 
 
 871 What of the king? 
 
 872 What opinion did the house 6f commons exptess! 
 
 873 When were pacific overtures made ? 
 
 874 When did hostilities cease ? 
 
 875 Who^vere the Americ.-in ministers 1 
 
 876 216 Who was the British minister ? 
 
 877 When was the definitive treaty signed ? 
 
 878 217 Why were the American troops dissatisfied t 
 878 What occurred at Newburgh ? 
 
 880 When was the army disbanded ? 
 
 881 218 When was New York evacuated ? 
 
 882 When did Washington resign his commission 7 
 
 883 To what place did he retire ? 
 
 , CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 884 218 What was the state of the country at the close of the war 7 
 
 885 How much had national securities depreciated? 
 
 886 What prevented the prosperity of commerce 7 
 
 887 219 What occurred in Massachusetts-? 
 
 888 What was the result of the meeting at Annapfclis 1 
 
 889 220 What resolution did Congress adopt 7 
 
 890 When did the convention meet 7 
 
 891 Who was chosen president of it 1 
 
 892 Did they agree upon a constitution^ 
 
 893 In what does this constitution difi er from the articles of soofode- 
 
 ration 7 
 
 894 What is said o the members of the house 7 
 
 895 What of the senators 7 
 89H What of the president 7 
 
 897 221 What of the vice-president 7 
 
 898 What is required in passing a law 7 
 
 P99 What powers are conferred on Congress 7 
 
 iXX) What is snid of the judicial department ? 
 
 901 What objections were made to the Constitution 7 
 
 902222 By what names were its friends and opposers styled f 
 
 903 By how many states was it ratified ? 
 
 804 Who was elected first president 7 Who vice-president t 
 
 !.*) When was the president inaugurated 7 
 
 SOfi 223 What duties were laid ? 
 
 907 What departments were established 7 
 
 908 Who were appointed secretaries ? 
 iOU What tour did the president make 7 
 
 910 224 What did Hamilton recommend 7 
 
 911 For \VJA: reasvaa waa ma recoicrarettletion opnoadd t 
 
!8 QUESTIONS. 
 
 Qs.Pg 
 
 9: 2 2& Wa s it adopted ? What was the amount of debt funded ! 
 
 913 225 Why were ue duties on distilled spirits proposed 7 
 
 914 When were they laid 7 
 
 915 When was the bank incorporated 7 
 
 916 When did North Carolina adopt the constitution? 
 
 917 When did Rhode Island 1 
 
 918 Where is Vermont situated 7 
 
 919 Bv what states had the territory been claimed 7 
 
 920 What did the inhabitants do in 1777 1 
 
 921 In what year was Vermont admitted into the Union t 
 
 922 When was Kentucky admitted 7 
 
 923 22l> When was the first census completed 1 
 924. -- What was the number of inhabitants 7 
 925 -T How many were slaves 1 
 
 92(5 State the amount of the revenue, imports, and exports. 
 
 927 WJien was the war willi the Creeks terminated 7 
 
 928 Wrth what tribes did war still exist 7 
 
 929 Who commanded the troops sent against them 7 
 
 930 State the circumstances and result of the battle. 
 
 931 227 Who were next elected president and vice-president ? 
 
 932 What occurred in France, at- this period 1 
 
 933 228 What were the feelings of the Americans and French t 
 
 934 Who was ap pointed minuter to tiie United States 7 
 
 935 What authority, did he assume 7 
 935 229 What course did the president take 7 
 
 931 Who was appointed to succeed St. Clair 7 
 
 938 230 Was he successful 7 
 
 939 When and where did be conclude a treaty 7 
 
 940 What produced discontent in Pennsylvania 7 
 
 941 What meeting was held at Pittsburgh 7 
 94223! What measure did the president adopt 7 
 943 Was the insurrection suppressed 7 
 
 (|_I4 What difficulties existed with England 7 
 
 945 When did Mr. Jay conclude a treaty 7 
 
 940 232 What appeared to be nublic sentiment in relation to it 1 
 
 947 Did the president ratify it 7 
 
 1)48 What had been the conduct of Spain 7 
 
 $H9 What did she deny to the western people 7 
 
 950 233 When was a treaty with her concluded 7 
 
 951 WUat privilege did it secure 7 
 
 952 When was a treaty concluded with Algiers 7 
 
 953 When did Mr. Jefferson resign 7 
 
 954 234 Wien did Hamilton 7 When did Knox 7 
 
 955 What was the conduct of Fauchet 7 
 950 235 Wlip- was ^pointed minister to France 7 
 
 957 Wii-at did France wish 7 
 
 958 What measures did she adopt 7 
 
 $59 Who was appointed minister to France in 17961 
 
 960 23G What, determination did Washington form 7 
 
 961 State the substance of his farewell address.^ 
 
 9^2 Who were brought forward as candidates for the presidency I 
 
 963 Who were chosen president and vice-president 7 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 964 237 What was the purport of the despatches received from FriuMt 
 
 965 What laws were passed 7 
 
 960 Who were appointed envoys to Franjw 7 
 967 What was the conduct of the Directly 7 
 
 966 233 What was dpnc by Congress 7 
 
QUESTIONS. 19 
 
 Qs.Pg., 
 :K>9 2^18 Who was appointed to command the army 1 
 
 970 What naval battles were fought 1 
 
 971 When was peace concluded ? 
 
 972 When did Washington die 1 
 
 973 What were the proceedings of the house ? 
 974239 What ofthe seriate? 
 
 975 240 When did Congress first meet at Washington ? 
 
 976 Who were the candidates for president and vice-president 
 
 977 How was the choice made ? 
 
 978 Who were elected ? 
 
 979 What causes rendered Mr. Adams unpopular ? 
 
 980 ?41 What was done at the next session of Congress ? 
 
 981 When was the second census taken ? 
 
 982 What was the number of inhabitants ? 
 
 983 How much had it increased in ten years 1 
 
 984 How much had the exports increased ? 
 
 985 How much the revenue T 
 
 986 To what should this prosperity be attributed T 
 
 987 -r-.When was Ohio admitted ? 
 
 988 When was the right of deposit at. New Orleans prohibited I 
 
 989 What proposition was made in Congress ? 
 
 990 What course was adopted 1 
 
 991 242 What was the price paid for Louisiana ? 
 
 992 Bv whom and when was Louisiana discovered ? 
 
 993 When ceded to Spain ? 
 
 994 Whea retroceded to France 1 
 
 995 What were the inhabitants 1 
 
 9% What occurred in the harbor of Tripoli ? 
 
 997 What exploit did lieutenant Decatur perform 1 
 
 998 243 What project did general Eaton undertake ? 
 
 999 Describe his route. 
 
 JOOO When did he arrive at Derne ? 
 
 1001 244 What ensued at that city I 
 
 J002 What arrangement was made ? 
 
 1H03 Relate what occurred iu New York, in 1804. 
 
 1004 W T ho were chosen president and vice-president in 1804 ? 
 
 1005 245 Of what was Burr suspected in 1806 ? 
 
 1006 Was he apprehended 7 
 
 1007 When and where was he tried ? 
 1C08 What was the verdict of the jury ? 
 
 1009 What was tiie state of Europe at this period ? 
 
 1010 246 What advantage did America derive ? 
 
 1011 What right did Great Britain claim ? 
 
 1012 What aggressions were committed by British cruizers 7 
 
 1013 State thVpurport of the British orders, dated in 1806. 
 
 1014 247 What decree was issued at Berlin 1 
 
 1015 What was the effect of these measures ? 
 
 1016 What event occurred in June, 1807 ? 
 
 1017 What measure." did the president adopt ? 
 
 1018 What course did the British government take 1 
 10_!9 248 What important law was enacted ? 
 
 1020 What measures were adopted by Great Britain 1 
 
 1021 What by Bonaparte 1 
 
 1022 What effect had the embargo upon the people of Now England f 
 
 1023 249 Mr. Jefferson declining, who was elected president ? 
 
 1024 Who vice-president? 
 
 1025 What law was substituted for the embargo ? 
 102fi What arrangement was made with Erskine ? 
 
 1027 Was it ratified by Great Britain ? 
 
 1028 250 Did Great Britain persist in her unfriendly conduct 7 
 
 1029 250 What occurred on the coasts of Virginia? 
 
 1030 What did Mr, Foster propose ? 
 
 27* 
 
90 QUESTIONS. 
 
 jl>3* 251 How many vesstis naa oeen caoturod since 18KJ. b* British 
 
 cruibers i 
 
 1032 What did the president recommend 7 
 
 1033 What laws were enacted 7 
 
 1034 Relate what occurred at Tippecanoe. 
 
 1035 252 What was the object of John Henry s mission 7 
 
 1036 Did he meet with any success 7 
 
 1037 When was war declared 7 
 
 1038 For what reasons was it condemned 7 
 
 CHAFPER XXVI. 
 
 1039 253 Who was appointed commander-in-chief 7 
 
 1040 W T hat other generals were appointed 7 
 
 1041 When did Hull invade Canada 7 
 
 1042 254 What events occurred in that quarter 7 
 
 1043 Who led an expedition towards the territory of Michigan 7 
 
 1044 255 For what purpose was an army assembled on the frontier 7 
 
 1045 Who commanded this afniy 7 
 
 1046 What post was assaulted 7 With what success 7 
 
 1047 250 Who succeeded Van Rensselaer 7 
 
 1048 What abortive attempts did he make 7 
 
 1049 What was done by general Dearborn 7 
 
 1050 257 Describe the battle between the Constitution and Guerriere. 
 
 1051 258 What other naval victories were gained 7 
 
 1052 What was the number of prizes made during the first seven rnontfn 
 
 of the war 7 
 
 1053 259 Who were elected president and vice president in 18127 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 1054 259 What terms were offered to the British government 7 
 
 1055 Why were the propositions of Great Britain rejected 7 
 
 1056 What measures did Congress adopt 7 
 
 1057 200 What took place at Frcnchtown 7 
 
 1058 261 To what place did Harrison march 7 
 
 1059 By whom was fort Meigs invested 7 
 
 1060 What did general Clay attempt 7 
 
 1061 _ What success did he meet with 7 
 
 1062 How die! the siege terminate 7 
 
 1063 Describe the attack upon York. 
 
 1064 262 What general was killed there 7 
 
 1065 What fort was next attacked 7 
 
 1066 What generals were made prisoners at Stony ctoek 1 
 
 1067 What other misfortune followed 7 
 
 1068 263 What poet was auacked by the British 7 
 
 1069 Who commanded there 7 
 
 1070 What was the event of the attack 7 
 
 1071 What occurred on the sea-coa?t 7 
 
 1072 264 Describe the naval action fought February 23d. 
 
 1073 Describe the action between the Chesapeake and gfhannoo. 
 
 1074 265 What were the last words of Lawrence 7 
 
 1075 He v was the victory received in England 7 
 
 1076 Wnat other contests took place at sea 7 
 
 1077 266 Describe the affair at fort Stevenson. 
 
 1078 What present did colonel Croghan receive 7 
 
 1079 Who were the lespective commanders on lake Eriel 
 iUrtf) 267 What words were inscribed on Perry s flag 7 
 
QUESTIONS. 1 
 
 Q.S. Pg. 
 
 1081 267 Relate the events of the bauJe. 
 
 1082 Recite Perry s letter to Harrison 
 
 1083 What did Harrison effect? 
 
 J084 268 Who was appointed to command the army of the centre t 
 
 1085 What orders did he receive . 
 
 108(5 What occurred while descending the St. Lawrence 1 
 
 1087 Why was the project abandoned ? 
 
 1088 269 What offer was made by the emperor of Russia ? 
 
 1089 Who were appointed commissioners ? 
 101)0 What laws were passed by Congress ? 
 
 1091 What spirit was displayed by ilie southern Indians "? 
 
 1092 270 What occurred at fort Mimms ? 
 
 1093 Describe the battle at Tuliubhatchie ; at Tailadega ; at Emuck- 
 
 faw ; at Tohopeka. 
 
 1094 271 What occurred at the Hickory ground 7 
 
 1095 Recite Wetherford s speech. 
 
 CHAPTER XX VI II. 
 
 1096 272 What bounty was offered to recruits ? 
 
 1097 What communication was received from Great. Britain 1 
 
 1098 Wan the proposition accepted ? 
 
 J099 Who were appointed additior.nl commbsionere 1 
 
 1100 What occurred at the river La Cole ] 
 
 1J01 Who was appointed to succeed Wilkinson ? 
 
 1102 What events had recently -occurred in Europe ? 
 
 1103 How were these events iiftvaritageoUa to Great Britain 1 
 1J04 273 Which party was victorious at Clnppcwa ? 
 
 1105 Relate the events cfthe battle of Bridgewa ter. 
 
 1106 274 What, step did general Ripiey take ? 
 
 1107 Bv how many troops was fort Erie invested ? 
 
 1108 What was the event of the assault made by the enemy ? 
 
 1109 What ofthe sortie made by the besieged ? 
 1110275 When was the sic*e abandoned ? 
 
 Ill I When did general "ixard arrive from Plattsburgh 1 
 
 1112 What expeditions proceeded from Canada? 
 
 1113 What was the object of each ? 
 
 1114 What took place at the ford ? 
 
 1115 276 What was the result ofthe batlle on the lake 1 
 
 11 10 What did the British army then do ? 
 1117 What actions occurred at sea ? 
 
 1158 277 Where were great exertions made for defence 7 
 
 1119 When did the main body ofthe enemy land ? 
 
 1120 Where did the Americans make a stand ? 
 
 1121 What occurred there ? 
 
 1122 Whither did general Winder retreat 1 
 
 1123 When did the enemy enter Washington 1 
 
 1124 278 What was their conduct there ? 
 
 1125 What took place at Alexandria ? 
 
 1126 What did Ross next undertake ? 
 
 1127 What was his fate ? 
 
 1128 279 How was the fleet received ? 
 
 1129 What was the event of this expedition ? 
 
 11 ISO When did the convention meet, at Hartford 1 
 
 J131 What was enumerated and proposed in their addrect ? 
 
 1132 280 What information was received from Ghent ? 
 
 1133 What measures did Congress adopt ? 
 
 1134 Who performed the d litres of secretary of war? 
 1)35 Who was appointed secretary ofthe treasury 1 
 1136 What force arrived at Pensacola ? 
 

 
 8 QUESTIONS. 
 
 Q.P* 
 
 Ii:r7 J80 What was it permitted to do 1 
 
 31 ;y What did general Jackson do ? 
 
 11M9 What information did he receive at Mobile 1 
 
 3 MO -What step did IK: then take ? 
 
 1141 What did he find the condition of New Orleans ? 
 
 314-2 281 What was his conduct ? 
 
 114:j Where did the enemy take a position, December 22d*> 
 
 3144 What occurred in the evening of the 23d ? 
 
 3145 282 Where did Jackson erect fortifications ? 
 
 1 !4(i Were these, assaulted 1 With what success ? 
 1147 When was the last assault made ? Describe it. 
 3148 What was the amount of loss on each side ? 
 II 49 2815 What took place on the west si.de of the river ? 
 1 i. r >0 What course did general Lambert then take ? 
 
 1151 When was peace concluded ? 
 
 1152 What were the provisions of the treaty ? 
 
 1153 What victories were achieved at sea? 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 1154 284 By what was the era of the settlement of this country distin 
 guished ? 
 
 31f>5 What distinguished the country whence the settlers camo ? 
 
 lirb To what class did they belong 1 
 
 J157 What powerful establishments existed in Europe ? 
 
 3158 What conduct did they pursue ? 
 
 1 !."i9 Were these establishments transferred to America ? 
 
 JlftO 28o What doctrine prevailed in Europe ? 
 
 JK51 What was the nature and consequence of this doctrine ? 
 
 ] Uv2 What is meant bv the law of primogeniture 1 
 
 1103 What was the operation of this law 1 
 
 1 U14 Does this doctrine, or this !nw, exist in the United States ? 
 
 1165 What is said of the systems of government established in the 
 colonies ? 
 
 1106 28G In what is the contrast greatest between the European and Ame 
 rican systems of government ? 
 
 11G7 What does the military peace establishment of Great Britain 
 cost? 
 
 1108 _ What that of the United States ? 
 
 3109 What the respective naval establishments ? 
 
 1170 What do .British subjects pay inviduaily in taxes ? 
 
 3171 What do those of the United States pay ? 
 
 1172 In wh:t pursuits are the greatest portion of ths inhabitants 
 paged ? 
 
 3173 T- What is produced in the northern states ? 
 
 1174 What in the middle arid western ? 
 
 1175 What in the southern ? 
 
 1176 What number was engaged in agriculture in 1820? 
 
 1177 -T- What value of agricultural products was exported ? 
 ]pa __ State the value of the principal articles. 
 
 117V 2b7 What circumstances contributed to the prosperity of commerce 7 
 1J80 State the increase of our tonnage and revenue. 
 
 1181 How many were engaged in commerce in 1820? 
 
 1182 What was the amount of exports and imports in 1823? 
 
 1183 What in 1807? 
 
 3.184 Why has commerce cteclhied ? 
 
 1185 How early did the cod fishery on the American coast attract at 
 tention 7, 
 
 . 
 
QUESTIONS. J 
 
 Qn P 
 
 Uet> i&8 How rnanv shins and seamen did the Ffomih *?np?ov n j| in 
 J744 < 
 
 1187 What quantity o,f fish did they take ? 
 
 1188 In 1760, how many vessels were fitted out from the potts of New 
 
 England? 
 
 1189 How many seamen were employed ? 
 
 1190 What is said in relation to the negotiation of the pace of 17837 
 
 1191 What estimate has been made in relation to these fisheries * 
 
 1192 What was their annual value? 
 
 1193 Why important to the nation * 
 
 1194 _ What is said of the whale fishery ? 
 
 1195 289 State the value of the products of this fishery exported in 1807. 
 
 In 1823. 
 
 1196 Recite the extracts from Burko s speech. 
 
 1197 What is said of manufactures 1 
 
 1198290 What gave the first impulse to this branch of industry T 
 
 1199 What was the amount of manufactures in 1814 ? 
 
 1200 Which are the principal manufacturing states? 
 
 1201 Which the principal manufactures ? 
 
 1202 How many were engaged in manufactures in 1H2Q1 
 
 1203 291 What was the amount of the debt in 17JO ? 
 
 1204 What in 1812? 
 
 3205 How much was contracted in the last war ? 
 
 1206 -- What wan the amount in 1823? 
 
 1207 From what is the revenue principally derived? 
 
 1208 In 1822, how much accrued from commerce, 1 
 
 1209 How much from the sale of lands? H<.w much from othor 
 
 sources ? 
 
 1210 What was the amount of expenditures in V822? 
 
 1211 What was the excess of revei.ue over exr ;nditures ? 
 
 1212 What course has been pursued in Europe, in relation to educa- 
 I tion ? 
 
 1213 _ What in the United States ? 
 
 1214 292 What law was passed in 1647 in relation to schools ? 
 
 1215 What was done when the inhabitants increased ? 
 
 1216 What is the amount of the school fund in Connecticut t 
 
 1217 How is the interest appropriated ? 
 
 1218 What has been the eflect of this system ? 
 
 1219 What is the amount of the sclwal fund in New York ? 
 
 1220 How is the interest appropriated ? 
 
 1221 How many scholars were taught there in 1823 ? 
 
 1222 What is said of education in Virginia ? 
 
 1223 293 What has the natiwnal government done in relation to educa 
 
 tion ? 
 
 1224 What is said of academies ? 
 
 3225 When was Harvard College founded ? Where *? 
 
 1226 How many volumes does the library contain ? 
 
 1227 When was Yale College founded ? 
 1228294 Where is it established 1 
 
 1229 How manj volumes does its libraries contain ? 
 12MO How many other colleges are there in the Union ? 
 
 1231 What are taught in ail ? 
 
 1232 What in addition are taught in some of them ? 
 
 1233 What remark has been made of the United States T 
 
 1234 IK it just? 
 
 1235 What direction hns been given to talents in the United States? 
 
 1236 295 What celebrated inventors may America boast of? 
 
 1237 Who are her eminent historians ? Theological writers ? 
 
 1238 What political writings are spoken of? 
 
 1239 What is said of American painters? 
 
 1240 206 Where are Congregutionalists most numerous 1 
 
fi QUESTIONS. 
 
 JS441 296 Where Presbyterians 7 Where Methodists 7 Where Roman C 
 tholics 7 . 
 
 1242 What are the distinguishing traits of the American character 7 
 
 1243 What is said of the manners of Americana 7 
 
 1244 297 How often does the population of the United States double ? 
 
 1245 How often that of Great Britain 7 
 
 1246 Has the augmentation of wealth and power heen as rapid 7 
 
 1247 What circumstances indicate that the United States will cntiu 
 
 to prosper 7 
 1348 293 Yet on what doea their prosperity depend 7 
 

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