Men and times of the revolution; or, Memoirs of Elkanah Watson, including 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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MEN AND TIMES

Chapter I

Birth — School — Generals 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 Tories — Service — Prospect of Colonies. — 1-26.

Chapter II

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

Chapter III

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.

Chapter IV

Oranore 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 — Homed 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 — Marblchead — 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.

COKTENTS. 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 — Paved Road — Vineyards — Peasantry — Forest — Fuel of

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

Grand Causeway — 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'Arlois— 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 — Frankhn'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.

CONTENTS.

Chapter XIV

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 — Tewksbury — Bristol — Bath — Death of Col. Laurens — Devizes — Rottenborough — 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 — vSalisbury — Old Sarum — English Election— Fox and Howe — Ignorance of America — Wildman — Bees — London and Paris.— 184-193.

CH.VPTER XVII.

Passage to Holland — Helvoetsluys — Storks — Brielle — Revolution — The Maesc — 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. Xm

Chapter XVIII

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 — Friediand — Reflections — Form of Government— American Confederacy — Canals. — 214-230.

Chapter XIX

Land in England — Tea Drinking — Anecdote — Incident — Granville Sharp — Ignatius Sancho — 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 Morns — Philadelphia — Journey to Baltimore — Baltimore — Alexandria — Visit Mt. Vernon — Washington — Falls of the Potomac — Canals-r-AnnapoIis — 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 XXI

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 — Thrilling Incident — Residence in Albany — Freedom of the City — Local Improvements — Albany Bank — Incident — Grave of Franklin — Last Interview with him — Franklin and Adams.— 265-287.

Chapter XXIII

New Lebanon Springs — Shakers — Saratoga — Ballston — Western Tour — German Population — Mohawk 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 Savatre 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 W^cstern Stage. — 303-315

Chapter XXV

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 frora Jews' Harps — Letters to and from John Adams — Hostility of Hamilton to him.— 332-348.

Chapter XXVII

Tour to Vermont and Lake Champlain — Ballston — Sans Souci — Manners — Saratoga — Congress Hall — Culture of Sand Plains — Glenn's Falls — Lake George — 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 Au 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 frora 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 J Society — Gov. Clinton — Report on Agriculture— Correspondence— Organization of County Societies — Foreign Circular — Introduction of Seeds — Letters from Riebard 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 — Progress 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. Rial!— 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 age — Reflections and Anticipations on Michigan. — 420-43L

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 Caned — 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 REYOLUTION.

Chapter I

Birth — Gens. Scammel and Wadsworth — Premonitions of the Eevolution — Military Companies — Lexington — Carry SuppHes 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 22d 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 their higii 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, 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 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 afforded 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 m(?nth 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 America.

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

OB, MEMOIRS OF ELKANAH WATSON. 19

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 hostility 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. We were unprovided with 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 line, 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 women, 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 appUed 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 officer to accompany me and superintend the delivery of the powder at Mystic, two miles distant. Whilst delivering it at the powder-house, 1 observed to the officer, " Sir, 1 am ha])py to see so many barrels of powder here." He whispered a secret in my ear, with an indiscretion that marked the novice in military affiiirs. " 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.

Soon after this occurrence, Mr. Brown, having contracted to supply the army of Washington with flour, sailed for Providence with a cargo from Newport. The British not having seized any American vessels, he apprehended no danger, although Commodore Wallis, with two twent}- -gun ships, lay in the harbor. His vessel was, however, seized, and himself sent a prisoner to Boston in irons, charged with heading a party in

1772, disguised as Indians, Avhich burnt his Majesty's schooner Gaspee in Providence river. The charge was true, although the British government could never obtain any evidence of the fact. That bold and successful enterprise was one of the prominent events which accelerated the impending revolution,*

Mr. Brown had occupied a father's place to me ; I felt grateful, and in common with the whole community, indignant and exasperated at his seizure. A consultation was immediately held, and it was decided to send an express to Plymouth,

* The following narrative of that occurrence was written by Colonel Ephraim Bowen, a prominent and highly respectable citizen of Providence, Rhode Island, who was a youthful actor in the scene, and a member of our cadet company. It is due to history, and the memory of the daring spirits who accomplished the deed, that a narrative of it so authentic *and reliable, should be perpetuated. " In the year 1772, the British government had stationed at Newport, Rhode Island, a sloop-of-war, with her tender, the schooner called the Gaspee, of eight guns, commanded by William Duddingston, a lieutenant in the British Navy, for the purpose of preventing the clandestine landing of articles subject to the payment of duty. The captain of this schooner made it his practice to stop and board all vessels entering or leaving the ports of Rhode Island, or leaving Newport for Providence.

On the 17th of June, 1773, Captain Thomas Lindsey left Newport, in his packet, for Providence, about noon, wifh the wind at north, and soon after the Gaspee was under sail, in pursuit of Lindsey, and continued the chase as far as Namcut Point. Lindsey was standing easterly, with the tide on ebb, about two hours, when he hove about at the end of Namcut Point, and stood to the westward ; and Duddingston in close chase, changed his course and ran on the point near its end and grounded. Lindsey continued in his course up the river, and arrived at Providence about sunset, when he immediately informed Mr. John Brown, one of our first and most respectable merchants, of the situation of the Gaspee. Mr. Brown immediately resolved on her destruction, and he forthwith directed one of his trusty shipmasters to collect eight of the largest long boats in the harbor, with five oars to each, to have the oar locks well muffled to prevent noise, and to place them at Fenner's wharf, directly opposite to the dwelling of Mr. James Sabin. Soon after sunset, a man passed along the main street, beating a drum, and informing the inhabitants that the Gaspee was aground on Namcut Point, and inviting those persons who felt a disposition to go and destroy • that troublesome vessel, to repair in the evening to Mr. James Sabin's house. About nine o'clock I took my father's gun, and my powder-horn and bullets, and went to Mr. Sabin's, and found it full of people, where I loaded my gun, and all remained there till ten o'clock, some ccisting bullets in the kitchen, and others mailing arrangements for departure, when orders were given to cross the street to Fenner's wharf and embark, which soon took place, and a sea-captain acted in order to fit out two armed schooners to intercept, if possible, the captured flour-vessel, in her circuitous passage around Cape Cod, and release Mr. Brown. In the service of Mr. Brown, and a native of Plymouth, I was entrusted with the important mission. With my musket at my back, I mounted a fleet horse, and arrived in Plymouth by two o'clock in the morning, alarmed the town by the cry of fire, and roused up the Committee of Safety. At sunrise I was awakened by the beat of the drum to muster volunteers for the enterprise, and without hesitation fell into the ranks. By two o'clock the same

as steersman of each boat, of whom I recollect Captain Abraham Whipple, Captain John B. Hopkins, (with whom I embarked) and Captain Benjamin Dunn. A line from right to left was soon formed, with Captain Whipple on the right, and Captain Hopkins oi^ the right of the left wing. The party thus proceeded till within about sixty yards of the Gaspee, when a sentinel hailed, " Who comes there r' No answer. He hailed again, and no answer. In about a minute Duddingston mounted the starboard gunwale, in his shirt, and hailed, " Who comes there V No answer. He hailed again, when Captain Whipple answered as follows : " I am the Sheriff of the County of Kent ; I have got a warrant to apprehend you ; so surrender, d — n you."

I took my seat on the thwart, near the larboard row-lock, with my gun by my right side, and facing forward. As soon as Duddingston began to hail, Joseph Bucklin, who was standing on the main thwart by my right side, said to me, " Ephe, reach me your gun, and I can kill that fellow." I reached it to him accordingly, when, during Captain Whipple's replying, Bucklin fired, and Duddingston fell ; and Bucklin exclaimed, " I have killed the rascal !" In less time than a minute after Captain Whipple's answer, the boats were alongside the Gaspee, and boarded without opposition. The men on deck retreated below as Duddingston entered the cabin.

As it was discovered that he was wounded, John Mawney, who had, for two or three years, been studying medicine and surgery, was ordered to go into the cabin and dress Duddingston's wound, and I was directed to assist him. On examination it was found the ball took effect directly below the navel. Duddingston called for Mr. Dickinson to produce bandages and other necessaries for the dressing of the wound, and, when finished, orders were given to the schooner's company to collect their clothing and everything belonging to them, and to put them into the boats, as all of them were to be sent on shore. All were soon collected and put on board of the boats, including one of our boats.

They departed and landed Duddingston at the old still-house wharf at Pautuxet, and put the chief into the house of Joseph Rhodes. Soon after, all the party were ordered to depart, leaving one boat for the leaders of the expedition, who soon set the vessel on fire, which consumed her to the water's edge.

The names of the most conspicuous actors are as follows, viz : — Mr. John afternoon, we embarked on board of two dilapidated fishing schooners, equipped with two old cannon each, with powder loose in barrels, and between thirty and forty men to a vessel, black and white, all officers and all men. Thus equipped, we plunged into the ocean, reckless of every consequence, determined to rescue Mr. Brown. We had no commission, and had we been captured, would, in all probability, been hung as pirates, with little formality. We cruised ten days east of Cape Cod, without success, and being pursued by a twenty-gun ship, escaped into the harbor of Plymouth. Thus it fell to my singular destiny, to sail from the place of my nativity, at the age of seventeen, in probably the first American vessel that opposed the British flag. We embarked, on this occasion, within a few rods of the rock upon which, one hundred and fifty-five years before, the Pilgrims had landed, in the assertion of that liberty of which they implanted the earliest seeds, and which was now endangered in the hands of their descendants.