Men and times of the Revolution; or, Memoirs of Elkanah Watson, includng journals of travels in Europe and America, from 1777 to 1842, with his correspondence with public men and reminiscences and incidents of the Revolution

Front matter

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Preface

My father, from the age of nineteen to near the close of his life, which was protracted to more than four-score of years, was in the habit of recording his observations of men and incidents, as the events occurrred to which they relate.

This period embraced the epoch of the War of Independence, and of those amazing mutations which have marked the transformation of dependent colonies into a mighty nation ; and of a rude and sequestered wilderness into a territory teeming with beauty, cultivation and affluence.

In Europe and America he was in the midst of the scenes of this pregnant era, an intimate associate with many of the individuals who impelled or guided these changes, and a vigilant observer of the occurrences connected with their development.

The journals of my father form a large body of manuscript, which, in connection with a multiplicity of publications on various and most diversified subjects, and a highly extensive correspondence with some of the most eminent men of our annals, comprehend many volumes. These materials constitute the elements of the work I now respectfully submit to the public.

I have intended to compress it iAto as narrow space as practicable ; although the mass of original documents in my possession, is far from having been exhausted by the contents of this publication. In my selections from the correspondence of my father, I have refrained, with a few and special exceptions,

IV PREFACE.

from the introduction of any letters written by men who are still living.

In 1821, my father revised and compiled a considerable portion of his earlier journal, and arranged them in a consolidated form. Several years preceding his death, I had advanced in the preparation of this work, to nearly the period of his return from Europe. This part of it received his careful revision. My labors were, at that point, arrested by feeble health ; but, at his decease, all of his literary papers were confided to me, as his literary executor.

In arranging the narrative of personal incidents, and the correspondence, for publication, I have felt constrained to withhold much of a private and confidential character, although it possesses peculiar intrinsic value and interest. I have been deeply solicitous to avoid not only all appearance, but to escape every suspicion of having violated, in any instance, the sanctity of friendship, or of exposing to the public eye the frank and unguarded communications of confidential intercourse.

A remarkable prescience will be often observed in the writings of my father, when results and effects will appear to have been anticipated with singular sagacity, from existing causes. Many other coincidences of a still more striking character, I have omitted, from an apprehension that the idea might be excited, that the speculations had been recorded after the events occurred, which they profess to foreshadow.

The extraordinary and perilous journey of my father, in the crisis of the Revolution, from Massachusetts to Georgia; his subsequent expedition from New-England to North Carolina, soon after its termination ; his travels, at a later period, in newly occupied territories ; and his explorations of districts, almost in their primeval condition, opened to him capacious fields of observation and reflection. His journals reflect, during these events, his daily impressions, formed by occurrences as they transpired. They contain a critical exhibition of the state of the country, the aspect of society, the modes of intercourse, the existing prospects, the population and condition of cities and villages, the industrial pursuits, the commerce and

PREFACE. V

internal communications of the country, recorded at the time, and from personal inspection. I think no similar memorial of that period exists.

Presuming that these features of his works would be regarded with interest by the American people, I have preserved them with considerable minuteness.

1 venture to hope, that the account he presents of the incidents of his travels ; his descriptions of the various districts of America he explored, and his illustrations of the appearance and state of the country, and the varied phases of its society, will be found of value, and instructive. They will, I trust, be esteemed an important acquisition to our sources of national history, as they afford data by which the vast progress of the Republic, in its prosperity and power, may be best realized and most adequately appreciated

These views will explain to the reader the object of my presenting, with so much occasional particularity, notices of places, geographical observations, descriptions of the means of travelling — of the exposures and inconveniences to which he was subjected and the absence of facilities and accommodations which he encountered in his extended American wanderings. The facts, thus exhibited, will portray more vividly to the mind, than any elaborate comments, the magic changes and the unparalleled advance, which, in three-fourths of a century, have signalized the career of our country.

While sojourning in Europe, during the Revolution, for the term of about five years, my father travelled extensively in France, England, Flanders and Holland.

The patronage and friendship of Doctor Franklin and Mr. -Adams, introduced him into the refined circles of French society, and to an intercourse with the eminent statesmen and philosophers of England. He was the bearer of despatches from Paris to London, connected with the preliminary negotiations which resulted in the treaty of peace ; and, among a very limited number of Americans, was present in the House of . Peers, when the King of Great Britain acknowledged the independence of the American colonies. His journals embrace ample details of these events, and descriptions of tlie countries he visited — their scenery, resources and conditions, and the manners and peculiarities of their people, with reminiscences of the distinguished persons with whom he associated.

In my anxiety to secure brevity, I may have too much contracted this portion of my materials.

The portion of this work devoted to an account of the origin, history and influence of the Berkshire Agricultural Society, and my father's labors in the cause of agriculture, may not have interest to the mere politician or student, but to that large and growing class of intelligent readers, who are connected with husbandry, either in its practical pursuits, or as promoters of its scientific progress, the views and facts contained in that department, will possess, I think, more than ordinary value. It will be enriched by the voluminous correspondence of John Adams, Chancellor Livingston, Colonel Humphreys, Richard Peters, and other eminent rural and political economists on agriculture and its kindred topics.

The influence of my father's New-England education, will be discovered in incidental remarks on subjects of local peculiarities and domestic interest ; revealed, however, without bitterness or intolerance : the fervor of the whig sentiment of '76 is exhibited in severe strictures upon the character and policy of England ; the prejudices of his puritan birth are occasionally betrayed — ^excited, however, by the abuses, as he regarded them, of some of its institutions, rather than the tenets of the Roman Catholic Church.

These I have deemed it expedient to preserve, as the expression of opinions and sentiments which were cherished at that remote period, without assuming either their defence or repudiation.

It has not been my design to present a minute detail of the life of a private citizen, but merely to trace an outline of it, in order to form a tissue upon which I may interweave, with some symmetry and system, his journals, his observations and reflections ; the projects he initiated, the speculations he advanced ; his notices of men and incidents, and the public events with

JPREFACB!. vii wKIch he was connected, or had contemplated as a close and attentive observer.

It is proper I should state, in conclusion, that I have not introduced into this work any portion of the correspondence of my father with many eminent persons, which I have in my possession ; and that, generally, I have selected only a part of the letters from the writers, whose correspondence I have used.

These materials form a large volume of documents, which I contemplate publishing at some future period.

W. C. Watson.

Port Kent, Essex Co., N. Y., August, 1855.

Chapter I

Birth — School — Generals Scammel and tV^adsworth — Premonitions of the Revolution — Military Companies — Lexington — Carry Supplies to the Army — Military Tyro — Seizure of John Brown — Schooner Gaspee — First cruise against British Flag — Inoculation — Magic Egg — Retort on Tories — Service — Prospect of Colonies.— 1-26.

CHAPTER n.

Journey to South Carolina — Connecticut — Suffering Patriot — New-Jersey — Capt. Hoogland — German Population — Lafayette — Moravian Brethren — Rope Ferry— Reading — Penn — Dunkers— Lancaster — Enter Virginia — Slares .—27-33 .

CPIAPTER ni.

Night Travelling — An Incident — Fredericksburgh—Williamsburgh— Jamestown — James River — Suffolk — Arrest — Dismal Swamp— Edenton — Hugh Williamson — Hutchinson Letters — Scenery — Pamlico Sound — Deer — Wild Turkeys — Turpentine making — River Neuse — Newbern — A Night Bivouac — Wilmington — Deer Hunting — Opossum — The Ocean — Gen. Mcintosh — Capture of Burgoyne — Southern Hospitality — Runaway Negroes — Wingan Bay — Georgetown — Charleston.— 34-43.

CONTENtg.

CHAPTER IV.

Orange Orchard — Fire at Charleston — Gov. Rutledge — Tour in Georgia — Warmth of Season — Gouging Match — Amusing Scene — Indians — Little Carpenter— Port Royal Island — Cotton Picking by hand — Eli Whitney's Cotton Gin — Beaufort— Dr. Zubley— Silk— Tea— Savannah.— 44-51 .

CHAPTER V.

Rice — Cotton — Whitefield — Ogeechee River — Planter's Residence — Slaves^ Face of the Country — Products — Health — Woods on Fire — Charleston — Fort Moultrie — Females — Departure — Sergeant Jasper — Night Adventure — Negro Sale — Tarborough — Halifax — Roanoke River — Horned Snake — Blazed Trees — James River. — 52-59.

CHAPTER VI.

^« Hanover Court-House — Election — Manners — Fight — Alexandria — Potomac —

Inland Navigation — Slavery — Washington City — Baltimore — Pennsylvania — ■ Contrast — Pennsylvania Farmer — Valley Forge — Bethlehem — Moravian Ceremony— Continental Troops — Small-Pox — General Reflections. — 60-66.

CHAPTER VII.

Rhode Island — Newport — Providence — Plymouth — Boston— Marblehead— Salem — New-Hampshire — Lexington — Climate — General Remarks — Painful Scene— Mrs. Rennals— Siege of Newport— John Hancock— James Otis— Count D'Estaing — Gen. Sullivan — Battle — Determine to go to France — Packet Mercury — Henry Laurens. — 67-75.

CHAPTER VIII.

Sail for Europe — St. George's Banks — Porpoises — Whales — Take a Dolphin — France— St. Martins— Isle De Rhe— Manners— La Rochelle— French Vehicle- Postillion— La Vendee— Nantes— Horse Patrol— Safety in Travelling— Amiens —Angers— Beggars— Peasantry— Versailles— Lanterns— Paris.— 76-85.

CONTENTS. XI

CHAPTER IX.

Dr. Franklin — Count De Vergennes— King and Queen — French Dinner and Manners — Paris — Gates — Police— Manufactures— Louvre— Dr. Franklin's Standing and Influence— Notre Dame— St. Germain's — Marlie — St. Cloud's — Elysian Fields — City of Orleans — Payed Road — Vineyards — Peasantry— Forest— Fuel of

France — Canals — Orleans — Burgundy — Languedoc — Blois — Illumination

Grand CauBeway — Night Travelling — Roman Work — Tours — Angers.— 86-97.

CHAPTER X.

Ancinis— Invasion of England— Importance of American Revolution— Wedding— Wooden Shoes — Peasantry— Dancing— Degradation of the People — Effects of the Revolution— Musical Taste— Taking the Veil— Letter from John Adams- Count D'Artois— Regal Hunting— Royal Privileges. — 98-104.

CHAPTER XI.

Rennes—Moreau— Customs— Fashionable Dinner— Tom. Paine— Contest with a Priest— Louis Littlepage— Journey to Paris— Country Cure— Monks of La Trappe — Mrs. Wright— FrankUn's Head— Anecdotes.— 105-123.

CHAPTER XII.

Chantilly— Lisle— Ostend— Canals Bruges — Ghent— Silas Dean — Letter

from Author of McFingal— Tomb of Rousseau— Dr. Franklin— Capture of Cornwallis— De Vergennes' Circular.— 124-134.

CHAPTER XIII.

Correspondence with Washington — Mercantile Prosperity— Influenza— Col. Laurens — Henry Laurens — Paris— Envoys— Journey to England— Amiens- Boulogne — Calais — Mon. Dessein—Yorick— Cross the Channel— Changes- Reynolds' Escape— Dover— London— Lord Shelburne— Comparison of France and England— Duke of Manchester— English Society— Greenwich Hospital— Blackheath— Dr. Price. — 135-149.

XII CONTENTS.

CHAPTER Xrv.

Royal Family — Child, the Banker — Irish Giant — Anecdote — English Travelling— Country — Oxford — Woodstock — Stratford on Avon— Shakspeare — Birmingham—Tory Relatives— Peter Oliver— Dr. Priestly— Mr. Watt— Letter of Dr. Franklin — Anecdote — Letters from John Adams — Dr. Moyes — Sister of Garrick — Litchfield — Road to Liverpool — Alarm — Impressment — Liverpool — Warrington — Country Frolic — Manchester — Worsley Mills — Subterranean Navigation — Rockdale Church — Tempest — Beautiful Scenery — Halifax. — 150-166.

CHAPTER XV.

Establishment— Leeds— Clothier's Hall — Political Sentiments — Sheffield — Matlock— Lead Mine — Singular Petrifaction — Derby — Broom Grove — Worcester — Tevpksbury — Bristol — Bath — Death of Col. Laurens — Devizes — Rottcnborough — Earl of Effingham — English Nobility — Edmund Burke — Prince of Wales — Destiny of England — Opera — Portrait by Copely — House of Lords — King's Speech Recognizing American Independence — Reflections — House of Commons — Interview with Lord Shelburne — Windsor — Royal Family — Return to Paris — Treaty — Anecdote — Letter of Monsieur Demmartin. — 167-183.

CHAPTER XVI.

Nantes — Roman Tower — Leave Nantes — Royal Hunt — Commercial Distress — Margate — Portsmouth— Isle of Wight — Salisbury— Old Sarum — English Election— Fox and Howe — Ignorance of America — Wildman — Bees — London and Paris.— 184-193.

CHAPTER XVII.

Passage to Holland— Helvoetsluys— Storks— Brielle— Revolution — The Maese —Rotterdam— American Flag— Dutch Chimes— Braakle—Truckscutes Country — Delft— William of Orange — Hague — Churches— Mr. Adams — North Sea — Gardens—Mon. Dumas— La Maison du Bois—Ryswick— Incident— Letter of Mr. Adams — His Position and Character— Letter from him — Description of Hague — Leyden — Mon. Luzac — Description of Leyden — Monument to Boerhaave. — 194- 213.

CONTENTS. XttI

CHAPTER XVm.

Haarlem — Koster — Printing — Faust — Haarlem Organ — Lake — Amsterdam — Public Buildings — Spill House — Rasp House — Punishment — Sardam — Bruck — Utrecht — Political Excitement — Canal Travelling — Rhine — The Seven Provinces — Scheldt — Antwerp — Roads — Country Manners — Holland — Zealand — Friedland — Reflections— Form of Government— American Confederacy— Canals. — 214-230.

CHAPTER XIX.

Land in England — Tea Drinking — Anecdote — Incident — Granville Sharp — Ignatius S^ncho — Homeward Voyage — Gale — Sailor's Superstition — Land— American Farmer — Discontents — Lecture — Home — Gen. Green. — 231-238.

CHAPTER XX>

Passage to New-York — Hurl-Gate — New- York — Long-Island — Dr. Moyes — Journey to Philadelphia — Robert Morris — Philadelphia — Journey to Baltimore — Baltimore — Alexandria — Visit Mt. Vernon — Washington — Falls of the Potomac — Canals — Annapolis — Stage Sleighs — Journey North — Journey to North Car o' lina — Norfolk — Mode of Travelling — Interior of North Carolina — Marine Shells — Mrs. Ashe and Col. Tarleton—Halifax—Warrington — Anecdote — Deer-Hunting —Nut-bush Adventure— Scotch-Irish— Battle-Ground of Guilford.— 239-254.

CHAPTER XXT.

Moravians — Quakers — Yadkin — Mecklenburgh — Gen. Polk — Visit Catawba Indians — Indian Chief — New River — Educated Indian — Indian Queen — Hanging Rock — Gen. Sumpter — Flat Rock — Camden — Battle-Field — Gates and Green — Adventure — Western Emigration — Yankee Trick — Cock-Fight — New Constitution—Election—Party Contest— Return North.— 255-264.

CHAPTER XXII.

Materials for the Work — Marriage — Springfield, Western Massachusetts — Hudson — Albany — John De Neuville — Schenectady — Col. Talbot — Johnson Hall — Mohawk Valley — German Population — Revolutionary Sufferings — Site of Utica — Privations — Whitesborough — Settlers — Mohawks — Gen. Herkimer — Battle-

XIV CONTENTS.

Field — Indians — Fort Stanwix — Treaty — Wood Creek — Inland Navigation — Peter Otsequette — Descent of the Mohawk — Site of Troy — Lansingburgh — Half- Moon — Cohoes Falls — The Hudson — Romance in Real Life — ThriUing Incident — Residence in Albany — Freedom of the City — Local Improvements — Albany Bank — Incident — Grave of Franklin — Last Interview^ v^rith him — Franklin and Adams.— 265-287.

CHAPTER XXIII.

New Lebanon Springs — Shakers — Saratoga — Ballston — Western Tour — German Population — Mohaw^k Valley — Bateau Travelling — Night Bivouac — Fort Stanwix — Wood Creek — Canal Improvements — Write Home — Oneida Lake — Fish — Anticipations — Hermit — Fort Brewerton — Onondaga River — Salmon — Indian Fishing — Indians — King Kiadote and Queen — Indian Tongue — Seneca River— Salt Lake— Salt Works— Canals.— 288-302.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Robbery — Indian Salt Makers — Indian Royal Family — Indian Habits — Seneca River — Encampment — Aromatic Grass — Salt Deposites — Salt Manufactures — Salt Marshes — Cayuga Lake — Medical Practice— Pioneers — Healthiness of Savage Life — Seneca Falls — Canals — Prospects — Country — Seneca Lake — Geneva — Appletown — Indian Orchard — Gen. Sullivan — Senecas — Religious Meeting — Navigate Seneca Lake — Ovid — Return — Description of Cayuga and Seneca Lakes — Aspect of the Country — Want of Water — Indian Navigation — Attractions of the Country — Speculative Views — ^^Connection of the Lakes and Susquehanna River— First Western Stage.— 303-315

CHAPTER XXV.

N^ Appeals to the Legislature and public on the subject of Inland Navigation- Labors in that Cause — Gen. Schuyler — Letter from him — Canal Law, '92 — Letter from Gen. Schuyler — Letter from Robert Morris — Tribute to him — Cana' Companies — Effects of Improvement — Niagara Falls Canal — Company Organized— Canal Controversy of 1820 — De Witt Clinton — Hosack's Memoirs of him . — Letter of Robert Troup to Dr. Hosack — Letters of John Adams. — 316-331.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Attacks on Land Office— Character of Gen. Schuyler— Gen. Varnum— Sketch of his Life — Letter to his Wife — Talleyrand — French Emigrants — War with

CONTENTS. XV

France — Truxton — Projects of Local and Public Improvements — Chancellor Livingston— His Character and Services — Letters from him — Louisiana Treaty — Introduces Merino Sheep — Sheep Shearing Festival — Prices of Merinos — Doctor Mitchell — Gen. Humphreys — Letter from him — Steamboats — Mr. Muller — Music from Jews' Harps — Letters to and from John Adams — Hostility of Hamilton to him.— 332-348.

CHAPTER XXVIL

Tour to Vermont and Lake Champlain — Ballston — Sans Souci — Manners — Saratoga — Congress Hall — Culture of Sand Plains — Glenn's Falls— Lake Geprge — Sail Down — Beautiful Scenery — Fish — Outlet of Lake George — Ticonderoga — Crown Point — Lake Champlain — Vermont — Farms and Farmers — Vergennes — Arnold's Fleet — Burlington — Sand Bar — Grand Isle — Cumberland Head — Plattsburgh — Saranac Indians — Country — Peru —Quakers— Splendid View from Hallock's Hill — Historic Ground — Au Sable River — Adgates' Falls — Walled Banks of the x\u Sable — Willsboro' Mountains — Ferry — Valley of Otter Creek — Middle bury — Gen. Nixon — Rutland — Union College — Dr. Nott — Sermon on Death of Hamilton— Incident — Politics — Letters from Dr. Nott — Party Contest, 1807 — Letters on that subject from Eli.' ha Jenkins, Thomas Tillotson, and E. C. Genet —349-363.

CHAPTER XXVIIL

Removal to Pittsfield — Berkshire County — State of Manufactures and Agriculture—Introduction of Improved Stock— First Exhibition— Efforts to Promote Improvements — Letter From Elbridge Gerry — Organization of Berkshire Agricultural Society — Plan, Operations, and History of it — Its Influences and Effects —Description of a Fair by a Virginian— The War of 1812— Letters from Chancellor Livingston and Col. Humphreys — Letters from John Adams on that subject and Agriculture.— 364-381,

CHAPTER XXIX.

Gen. Hull — Letters from him — Letter from Robert Fulton— Patriotic Extract — Jewish Phylactery — Letter to Dr. Williamson — Return to Albany — Testimonials of Respect— Tariff Policy— Destiny of New-England— Address before Berkshire Society — Agricultural Labors in New- York — Otsego County Agricultural Society — Gov. Clinton — Report on Agriculture— Correspondence— Organization of County Societies — Foreign Circular — Introduction of Seeds — Letters from Richard Peters— Correspondence with Hartford County Society.— 382-403.

XVI CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXX.

Agricultural Law — National Board of Agriculture — Correspondence with Thomas Jefferson — Letter from James Madison — Letter from Dr. Mitchell — Pat_ tern Farm — Tour to Detroit — Canal Boat — Incident — Syracuse — Progresi of Improvement — Auburn — Cayuga Agricultural Society — Letter from Col. Mynderse — Geneva — Canandaigua — Batavia — Causeway — Holland Purchase — Pennsylvania Wagons — Buffalo Harbor — Black Rock — Gen. Porter — Steamboat — Niagara—Ferry— Battle of Chippewa — Rapid Falls — Battle of Bridgewater — Gen. Riall— Anecdote— Fort Erie— Attack.— 404-419,

CHAPTER XXXI.

Voyage up Lake Erie — Discomforts — Land at Erie — Harbor — Perry's Fleet — Hulks — His Victory — Influence and Nature of it — Anecdote of Ship Lawrence — Constitution and Java — Gen. Hyslop's Testimony — Plan for Improving the Harbor— Old French Fort — Gen. Wayne — Grand River — Cleveland — Harbor— Storm — Archipelago of the West — Put-In Bay — Detroit River — Detroit — Fourth of July — View of Lake Erie — Anticipated Progress — Description of Detroit — River and Island — Wretched Agriculture — Face of the Country — Explorations — Wolves — Old Orchards — Indians — Disgusting Scenes — Hull's Surrender — Return Voy aore — Reflections and Anticipations on Michigan. — 420-431.

CHAPTER XXXII.

Correspondence with Mr. Adams — Letters from him — Letter from John Q. Adams — Tour into Canada — St. John's — La Prairie — St. Lawrence — Montreal — La Chine Canal — Account of Works — Prospect and Effect of Canadian Canals — ■ American Tourists — Speculative View of the Future. — 432-442.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Removal to Port Kent — Aids Public Improvements — Crooked Lake Canal — Letter of Gen. McClure — Letter of W. W. McKay — Conception of the Crooked Lake Canal — Retirement — Project of Connecting Boston and the St. Lawrence — Rail Road — Convention at Montpelier — Speech — Comments of the Press — / Labors — Au Sable Valley Rail Road — Temperance Reform — Address— Cholera — Last Visit to Berkshire — Address to the Society — Testimonials of Respect — Theory of Future Population — Mr. Clay — Gov. Seward and Mr. Van Buren — — Incident — Tribute to Henry Coleman — Letter from him — Sickness— Ruling Passion— Reflections— Death— Epitaph. — 443-460.

MEN AND TIMES

OF

THE EEYOLUTION.

CHAPTER I.

Birth — Gens. Scammel and Wadsworth — Premonitions of the Revolution— Military Companies — Lexington — Carry Supplies to the Army — Military Tyro — Seizure of John Brown — Schooner Gaspee — First Cruise against British Flag — Inoculation — Magic Egg — Retort on the Tories — Service — Prospect of Colonies.

I WAS born on the 22(1 day of January, 1758, in Plymouth, Mass., within rifle-shot of that consecrated rock, where, in New-England, the first European foot was pressed. Among the pious and devoted pilgrims of the May-Flower, Edward Winslow, the third governor of the infant colony, was an energetic and conspicuous leader. From him I am descended in the sixth generation on my mother's side. Born and nurtured among the descendants of the Puritans, I was early imbued with tlieir high sentiments of religious and political liberty. My father and all my relatives, with a few exceptions, were zealous and active Whigs, aiding with their hands and purses the glorious struggle for Independence. I remained at the ordinary common-school until the age of fourteen. This school was kept by Alexander Scammel and Peleg Wadsworth, y both afterwards distinguished officers in the revolutionary \ army. In common with the other patriotic spirits of the age, they evidently saw the approach of the coming tempest. I >^^^^\x remember them as early as 1771, intently studying military -^^ tactics, and have often seen them engaged in a garden adjoining my father's, drilling each other. They formed the boys into a military company, and our school soon had the air of a miniature arsenal, with our wooden guns and tin bayonets suspended around the walls. At twelve o'clock, the word was given, " to arms," and each boy seized his gun ; then, led by either Scammel or Wadsworth, we were taught military evolutions, and marched over hills, through swamps, often in the rain, in the performance of these embryo military duties. A sad and impressive commentary upon the effect of these early influences, is affi^rded by the fact that half this company perished in the conflicts of the Revolution. Scammel was tall in person, exceeding six feet, slender and active. He was kind and benevolent in his feelings, and deeply beloved by his pupils. He was eminently distinguished during the Revolution for his conduct and bravery. In 1777, he was very conspicuous at the battle of Saratoga, leading his regiment of the New-Hampshire troops, in a desperate charge upon Burgoyne's lines. At the siege of Yorktown, he held the important station of Adjutant-General to Washington's army, and there fell in a reconnoisance upon the British works.

In the month of September, 1773, at the age of fifteen, I left my

native place, and proceeded to Providence, Rhode Island, to

^-^^^ engage in my apprenticeship with John Brown, the founder of

Brown University, and then one of the most extensive and

energetic merchants of ximerica.

In the December of that year, the tea was destoyed at Boston, and our disputes with the mother country began to assume a serious aspect. The public mind was gradually ripening to the fearful appeal to arms. During the summer of this year the youth of Providence formed themselves into military associations. We often met to drill, were well equipped, and in uniform dresses. I enrolled myself in the cadet company commanded by Col. Nightingale, consisting of seventy-five youths, the flower of Providence. The uniform of this company was scarlet coats, faced with yellow. These companies, five in number, were reviewed by the distinguished Gen. Lee, in the autumn of 1774, and received from him the

highest encomiums. In a letter to the Duke of , October

29th, 1774, after speaking of the preparations in progress in the different colonies to resist oppression, he adds, "I was present at a review of some of their companies in Providence, R. I. I really never saw anything more perfect."

The storm now thickened in our political horizon — some acts of hostihty had already been committed near Salem. The whole country was agitated as if passing over a threatening volcano. Liberty companies in every community were organizing. The intelligence of the march upon Lexington reached Providence in the afternoon of the 19th of April, 1775. Our five companies flew to arms. The whole population was convulsed by the most vehement excitement. AYe were unprovided w^ith cartridges, and were compelled to defer our march until morning. I spent the most of that agitated night with many of our company, in running bullets and preparing ammunition. We mustered early the next morning, and marched for the scene of action. The royal governor, Wanton, issued a proclamation, which was little regarded, interdicting our passing the colony fine, under the penalty of open rebellion. Capt. Green, afterwards the celebrated Gen. Green, with his company of Warwick Greens, and Capt. Varnam, afterwards a revolutionary general, with his company of Greenwich Volunteers, marched with us at the same time towards Lexington.

We had advanced six miles amid the cries and tears of w^omen, every road we passed enveloped in a cloud of dust from the march of armed men, hastening onward, when an express met us, with the information that the regulars had been driven back into Boston.

These exhilarating, though tragic scenes, began to unsettle my mind, and incapacitate it for the dull drudgery of a store.

Many of my acquaintances had determined to enter the army ; anxious to pursue the same course, I appHed to my father and Mr. Brown, but in vain, to be released from my indentures.

On the 3d of July, 1775, Gen. Washington assumed the command of the forces then besieging Boston. He found an army animated with zeal and patriotism, but nearly destitute of every munition of war, and of powder in particular. Mr. Brown, anticipating the war, had instructed the captains of his vessels to freight on their return voyages with that article. At this crisis, when the army before Boston had not four rounds to a man, most fortunately one of Mr. Brown's ships brought in one-and-a-half tons of powder. It was immediately forwarded, under my charge, to head-quarters at Cambridge. I took with me six or eight recruits to guard it. I delivered my letter to Gen. Washington in person, and was deeply impressed with an awe I cannot describe in contemplating that great man, his august person, his majestic mien,' his dignified and commanding deportment, more conspicuous perhaps at that moment from the fact that he was in the act of admonishing a militia colonel with some animation. He directed a young otBcer to accompany me and superintend the delivery of the powder at Mystic, two miles distant. Whilst delivering it at the powder-house, I observed to the officer, " Sir, I am happy to see so many barrels of powder here." He whispered a secret in my ear, vnth an indiscretion that marked the novice in military affairs. " These barrels are filled with sand." "And wherefore?" I inquired. "To deceive the enemy," he replied, " should any spy by chance look in." Such was the wretched appointment of that army upon which rested the hopes of American liberty.