Reminiscences ; personal and other incidents ; early settlement ofOtsego County ; notices and anecdotes of public men ; judicial, legal, and legislative matters ; field sports ; dissertations and discussions

Preface

To my children I dedicate the following work; because when it was commenced, I had no design beyond preparing a manuscript for their perusal, and for such confidential friends as might feel an interest in looking over the lucubrations of idle hours, employed in this way, for my own amusement. It can the more appropriately be dedicated to them, from the fact that so many personal and family matters are interwoven; and from the additional, though painful reflection, that it is, probably, the only bequest they can expect.

If, therefore, they shall find by its perusal, anything that shall incite them to an industrious, honorable, and virtuous course of life, a course that shall render them good citizens, exemplary members of society, respectable in their day and generation, and worthy patterns for those who come after them, my purposes in reference to them, so far as present views are concerned, will be mainly answered.

They will, I trust, pursue such course through life, as shall square with the most rigid rules of morality, in the estimation of men; and as shall look to a future state of responsibility, where the actions, motives, and principles that swayed and governed here, shall bear the scrutiny of an after, and allv/ise and impartial judgment.

To the public in general, who have thus far patronized and sustained me, by giving countenance to my efforts; and to those who may honor me with a perusal of what I submit to public scrutiny, I owe an apology, that so large a portion relates to personal and family matters; and that so much egotism should pervade the work.

I am aware that it is subject to this criticism; and perhaps to such an extent, as to prejudice it in the estimation of many, whose approval I should be proud to merit.

iv

PREFACE.

My apology is, that when commenced, it was intended as a personal matter, having more reference to a perusal by family and friends, than by the public ; but as it progressed, it was amplified, and many subjects introduced, so that those better qualified to judge than the writer, advised and insisted that it should be submitted to the general reader.

With this view a portion was re-written; other portions revised, corrected, and enlarged, so that what was intended as a manuscript that would probably never come to light, has grown to quite a ponderous volume.

Many incidents have been introduced, that will let the reader into the habits and modes of life at the early settlement of the country; and these modes, though greatly modified by improvements, inventions and advances, within the last sixty years, are not very dissimilar to those still adopted by frontier settlements thousands of miles to the west.

The truth is, that the life of all pioneers in new countries, is beset with hardships, difficulties and privations, that few can realize who come after them

What I have written has been under the most unfavorable circumstances; for I have had scarcely any opportunity to consult books or records, as my employment has been such, that only small detached portions of time, just as I could snatch them from official duties, have been devoted to the object.

It was more to occupy my mind, and amuse myself when I had leisure hours, and half hours, that I commenced and prosecuted my reminiscences, than for any other object.

Such as they are, with dissertations and discussions on several subjects, I submit with diffidence to the public, with an earnest request, that those who may condescend to peruse them, may do so with all charity for the author ; over-looking his faults in style, his inaccuracies in regard to facts, and his errors in judgment; always giving him credit for good intentions.

If the productions of my leisure hours, many of which have been under a most melancholy and sober cast of thought, shall piove interesting to the reader; if the tendency shall be

PREFACE.

V to amuse, instruct, or improve him, and particularly the rising generation, one leading object of the writer will have been accomplished.

I hope such results may follow ; and that the portions of time thus devoted, will neither have been thrown away, or misapplied.

To those who have patronised me by a generous subscription, I return sincere and hearty thanks, and trust they will have no cause to regret the confidence thus far bestowed ; while those who may hereafter become patrons, may find, as I sincerely hope, something to amuse and instruct, and at the same time make them better citizens.

With these hopes and aspirations, I submit the work, with all its imperfections, to the perusal and candid scrutiny of an intelligent and liberal public.

LEVI BEARDSLEY.

New- York, March 11th, 1852.

CHAPTER I. Introductory Remarks — Birth

Ancestry — Leather Mitten Ordination'’ — Pedigree and Great Ages — Other Incidents, p. 1.

Chapter II

Early Recollections — Remarkable Aurora Borealis — Vulgar Superstitions— Removal to Otsego County, Spring of 1790 — Incidents of that Year — Removal to Log House in Richfield — Almost a Fright from Indians — Saw Mill and Grist Mill Built p. 18

Chapter III

Forest Scenery — Household Manufactures — Modes of Country Life- Dress — Carding and Spinning Bees — Wrestling Matches — Clearing Land — Fires in Woods — Thunder Storms — Marking Corner Tree — Killing Bears — Various Incidents, p. 29

Chapter IV

Primitive Mode of extracting Teeth — Wedding, Death and Funeral — Organization of Otsego County — Judge Cooper and others — Early Schools — Sugar Making — Scarcity of Books — Town Library — Otsego Herald — Washington’s Death — Commencement of present Century — Early Preachers — Judge Peck — Old Family Clock, with Reflections — First Visit to Albany, p. 49

Chapter V

Military Enrolment — Brigade Training — Arnold Convicted of Murder — Popular Indignation — Command Infantry Company and Volunteer — Plattsburgh Battle, Incidents and Anecdotes — Country Dances — Contest between Judge Cooper and Major Cochran — Great Eclipse, 1806

School Keeping — Great Snow Storm, April 1807 — Vote for Governor Tompkins — Political Matters — Serve as Constable — Quit Farming to Study Law, p. 73

Chapter VI

Remove to Cherry Valley, 1810— Notice of James Brackett, esq.— Incidents—Murder of Huddleston, and Execution of Van Alstine — Books read in 1810 and ’ll — Extracts, Remarks and Reflections — Ossian’s Poems a favorite Book with Buonaparte — Attempt at Poetry — Death of Parents, and Reflections— Admitted to the Bar, in 1812, and Copartnership with Jabez D. Hammond, esq.— Notice of Judge Hammond,,

CONTENTS, Vll

Chapter VII

Political Matters — Madness and extreme folly of the Federalists— -“ Fete of the Legitimates with Introductory Remarks, p„ ng

Chapter VIII

Senatorial Convention, 1813 — Parley Keyes, and Incident with Whittlesey— Visit Niagara Falls, 1815 — Appearance and Impressions — Chippeway and Bridgewater Battle Fields — Incidents — Squirrels swimming the Niagara — Buffalo and Western New-York — Observations and general Remarks, p. 144

Chapter IX

Purchase part of Grand Island — Major Noah and his Jewish Project — - Exploration of the Island, with Alvan Stewart and James O. Morse — - A Night on the Island during a Thunder Storm — Laughable Incidents — Visit Fort Erie — Profound Respect to Majesty — Alvan Stewart and general Traits of Character, p. 156

Chapter X

Visit Chautauque County — Land Purchase — Several Incidents — Mysterious Noise — Superstitious Belief — Dreams and Supernatural Appearances— Anecdotes of Solomon Southwick — The late James 0. Morse — Outlines of Character, p. 171

Chapter XI

Incidents in Justice’s Courts — Encounter with a Pettifogger — Justice Insulted for not appreciating Public Sentiment — Dutch Justice commits for Contempt— Charge of Witchcraft and threatened Lawsuits — Favorable influence of common Schools— Early Jury Trial — Hunting and Shooting Anecdotes — An Old Foxhunter confounds Religious* “tracts” with “tracks” of the Fox — An interesting Knock-down on special request — Other Anecdotes and Incidents,.... .... .... p. 184

Chapter XII

Exemption of Homestead and Household Effects — Professional Incidents — Admitted to Practice in Chancery — Anecdotes of Chancellor Kent — Judge Spencer — Judge Story — Excursion to Boston, Providence, &c.— Interesting case of Habeas Corpus — Elisha Williams and Rhode Island Bar — Presidential Election in 1824 — Last Interview with Gov. Tompkins— Celebration on Completion of Erie Canal — Governor Clinton visits Otsego, and Incidents, p* 200

Chapter XIII

Elected to the Assembly, 1825 — Democratic Caucus first held with open doors — Distinguished Men in that Legislature — Great Southern Road, the Leading Measure — First Railroad Charter — Ignorance in regard to Railroads — Great Impulses from Construction of New-York Canals and Railroads — Fiftieth Anniversary of American Independence. — Extraordinai'y Coincidence in the lives and Deaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson — Incident of Col Stranahan — Morgan Outrage, and Anti- Masonry — Reflections on Sale of Paternal Homestead — Migratory Habits of our Countrymen, p. 216

CONTENTS.

Vm

Chapter XIV

Visit Ohio 1826 — Interview with Gov. Barry — Shoot a Fine Buck— Again visit Ohio, 1833 — Maumee Country — Wayne’s Battle Field — Fort Meigs and Incidents at its Siege — Defeat of Col. Dudley — Gov. Metcalf, of Kentucky — Anecdotes of him — Indian Burying Ground- Removal of Wyandots, p.234

Chapter XV

Visit Upper Lakes, 183G — John B. Macy, esq., and Hon R. J. Walker- Reckless Speculations and Subsequent Embarrassments — Rapid Growth of Cities and Settlement of the Country — Probable Growth and Importance of Toledo — Indian Dance — Chicago in 1836, and 1847 — Its Convention — Visit Sault, St. Marie— Descend the Rapids in Bark Canoe — Incidents and Anecdotes p. 255

Chapter XVI

Election to the Senate — Centennial Celebration, Feb. 22, 1832 — First breaking out of Cholera — Great alarm — Court for Correction of Errors met in New York — Death of William H. Maynard — Slight attack of Cholera — Several Legislative Incidents — Introduction aud passage of Bill to replenish General Fund by Loans from Canal Revenue — Opposition of City of New York to Canals — Chenango Canal — Black River and Geneseee Valley Canals — Erroneous Estimates of Engineers — Report in favor of Black River Canal — “ Stand still” Policy — Report of Samuel B. Ruggles — Criticism on that Report — Canal Policy sustained by Western New York from beginning p. 265

Chapter XVII

Caucus Manoeuvres — Election of Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, to U. S. Senate, in 1833 — He opposes the Independent Treasury Bill p. 305

Chapter XVIII

Legislative matters — Makers and Indorsers liable in same Action — Act to prevent unnecessary Litigation — Imprisonment for Debt abolished — Resolution against the Re-charter of United States Bank — Small Bill Law-Democrats refuse its repeal, and are defeated in 1838 — Suspension of Specie Payments attributed to United States Bank Controversy —Inflation of Currency and Over-trading — Deposit Banks required to

discount liberally— Afterwards denounced— Bankers under a Cloud

Hard Money Gentry in Sunshine — Almost Universal Bankruptcy- Mi*. Van Bu'ren defeated in 1840 — Glance at some of the Causes of Defeat 312

Chapter XIX

Anti-Bank Feeling, and Repeal of Bank Charters— Sackett’s Harbor and Lockport Bank Charters Repealed — The former Restored at Subse-* quent Session— Charges against Messrs. Bishop and Kimball, with their Resignations— Col. Young’s Resolution, and Poor Law Debate.—

Chapter XX. '

Common Schools should be Free, but not Sectarian— School District Libraries projected and urged by the late James Wadsworth, Esq., — Shaking Quaker Investigation p 37Q

CONTENTS.

IX

CHAPTER XXL

Anecdote of the Late Senators, Griffin and Young — The Late Col. Stevens, of Hoboken — His Project for a Railroad and Locomotive in 1811 pronounced impracticable and visionary — His Experimental Steam boat in 1804 — Robt. L. Stevens, Esq., invents and brings into use the long heavy T or H Rail, in 1830 or ’31 — Extracts from Lecture of Hon. Charles King — Legislation in relation to Railroads — Opposition from Ignorance and Prejudice — New York and Erie Road — Extracts from ^Speech in favor of $3,000,000 Loan for its Construction, and Prediction \n 1836, of a Railroad to the Pacific — Invited to St. Louis Convention, 1849, and Letter in Reply — Remarks and Present Impressions in regard to Asa Whitney’s Project for Pacific Railroad — Report of Hon. Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, in New York Senate, (1831,) Predicting the Construction of Hudson River Railroad p. 391

Chapter XXII

Charter of Central Bank — A. M. Schermerhorn, First Cashier — Judge White, First President — Notice of him — Dr. Little, Notice of him and other Officers of the Bank — Pecuniary affairs — Revulsions in 1836, ’37, &c., and Losses — Remove to Oswego, 1839 — Failure of Commercial Bank of Oswego — Notice of Oswego and its future Prospects — Remove to Columbus, Ohio, 1842 — Loss by Fire — Farming, and Large Crop of Corn — Broken Arm, and other Incidents — Notice of Columbus — Return to New York, 1846 — Candidate in 1847 for Supreme Court Judge — Popular Excitement — J«nnv J -T.'i Favette — .Kossuth p. 424

CHAPTER XX ill.

Visit Cherry Valley, October, 1850 — Splendid View from its high Hills — Picturesque appearance of Forest Scenery — Flight of Birds to the South — Visit Gooperstown and Susquehanna Valley — The late George Clarke, and Incidents — Visit Oswego — Death of Christian J. Burckle.

Chapter XXIV

Tombstone Records — Recollections of Individuals — Anecdotes and Incidents— Notice of Col. Campbell and Family — Col. Clyde and his Family— Archibald McKillip — Hugh Mitchell — Wells Family— Col. Alden Notice of Col. Willett — Joseph Brandt and the Butlers — Captain Clark — A Monument wanting p 452

Chapter XXV

TJnadilla Hunts — Members of the Club — Hon. Sherman Page, Grand Sachem — A Week’s Shooting — Premium Buck awarded Dog Primo — Interlopers and Poachers punished — Shoot a large Buck — Splendid Sport for a Day, and a Carousal at Night — Various Incidents — Letters from Judge Page and Col. Clapp — Poems by the late Henry R. Storrs and Morris S. Miller — Primo extricated from a perilous condition — ■ Exploits and Incidents p. 471

Chapter XXVI

Hunting Deer on the Maumee — Several Incidents— Birth-day Hunt — Chase on Horseback, and two unhorsed — Cold bath for one,— Cutting off, but not “ bruising the Serpent’s Head” — “ Coon” Hunt at night— Habits of the Raccoon and Opossum — -Fox chase — Red, grey and black Foxes, of different classes .» p. 495

CONTENTS.

X

Chapter I

Introductory Remarks. — Birth.-— Bennington Battle . — English Puritan Ancestry. — “ heather Mitten Ordination.” — Pedigree and Great Ages. — Other Incidents .

Almost sixty-six years ! ! a brief space to be sure, when reviewed ; but long enough to make sad inroads upon the term of human existence. Old age induces, or should induce reflection. No man, with intellect, of mere ordinary grade, but looks back with deep interest to the past, and with intense solicitude, for the future. How can it be otherwise? It is a principle of our nature, stamped deep and lasting by Deity himself, that induces a retrospect. We delight to retrace our steps, from childhood to youth, and so on to old age. To call up visions, and recollections of the past. To associate in our minds, those who were once with us, who were dear to us, and who have long since been called away.

Such reflections, though for a brief season, seem like the re-union of hearts and the commingling of thoughts, once sympathising and confiding. The human mind is

1“ My way of life is fall’ll into the sear, the yellow leaf.”— *

Shakspeare, (Macbeth.)', P so constituted, that we derive pleasurable emotions, when with the natural eye we gaze on those objects that were familiar with our youth.

Who that is advanced in life, fails to appreciate an opportunity of looking at those things that attracted his attention in childhood ? no matter how humble and common place those objects may be ; a tree, a rivulet, an old stone wall, or the early family cottage, in after life , have their attractions.

Talma, the celebrated Parisian player, (so much admired and patronized by Buonaparte,) on returning to London, after an absence of many years, burst into tears on looking at the pavements, which “his little feet” as he expressed it, had so often trodden. And as with the natural eye, so memory, which acts as the mind’s eye, when it recurs to past events, imparts a pleasing, though melancholy emotion that can neither be suppressed or disregarded. t

Childhood and youth, comparatively speaking, are free from cares. We look back to early existence, as to bright and vernal spots, where life, joy, reality of present, and hopes of future enjoyment were predominant. The youthful path is through gay fields, strewed with flowers and fruits ; where the sun shines with peculiar lustre, the birds sing with the sweetest melody, and the little streams leap, and sparkle and glitter by the way-side, clear as chrystal. Old age, brings with it cares, and vexatious burthens, never dreamed of in youth, and then we contrast the present with the past.

Reason and observation tell us we shall soon be gone ; a truth universally admitted, but seldom realized. “ All men believe all men mortal, but themselves,” and yet all know that at sixty-six, they must be near the close of life. How then can a reflecting being, unless

BY LEVI BEARDSLEY.

perfectly stolid in all his faculties, look forward 'to the future without solicitude ?

Human nature recoils instinctively from death, and clings to life with a giant’s grasp. It is a great matter, “ to cast off this mortal coil, and tread that unknown country, from whose bourne no traveller returns.”

I suppose it is an instinct of age, to look with interest on past events. Probably, all men as they advance in years, are more inclined to review and call up recollections of former incidents, than they are at early periods of life. I am sure it is so with me ; and hence for several years, I have dwelt with peculiar interest, and often with delight, upon youthful scenes, youthful recollections, and friends once dear to me, in the spring time of life. Awake and asleep I have thought of them, and dreamed of them; parents and grand-parents, relatives and friends who have long since passed away have been presented in recollection, in dreams, and night visions, with all the freshness of life, and precisely as they once appeared.

How strange and mysterious this faculty of man, that fixes the memory of the past and presents objects as if in existence and life at present.

The reminiscences of past years, have suggested to me to place some of them on paper, with occasional reflections, and discussions on public measures ; interpersed with personal and other incidents, that may be interesting, at least to my children, grand-children, and friends ; and perhaps not devoid of interest to readers generally. It may be supposed from the minuteness of detail, in relation to family matters, that the work is more appropriate for those connected with the writer, than for general perusal ; and the justice of this criticism will not be denied. Still I have designed to intermix incidents and details, in which the public may feel an interest; and thus render readable, that which otherwise might be rejected at the outset. Discarding all claims to literary merit, I hope to contribute something that shall instruct and amuse the rising generation ; the tendency of which, shall be to make them better citizens, and fit them to discharge the various duties of life, with credit to themselves and benefit to our common country. Individual incidents unimportant as they appear, go to make up when combined, what we call history ; and though generally over-looked, except as connected with “ the great men of the earth,” yet as little rills and streamlets feed the mighty rivers, that sweep along with irresistible force ; so individual events help to make up the great historical mass, that floats down the current of time.

I was born Nov. 13th, 1785, in the Town of Hoosic, Rennsselaer County, New-York, on or near the Bennington battle ground. This battle was fought in the State of New-York, and has been known as Bennington Battle, from the fact that it was fought a few miles from that place ; and that the object of the expedition was to destroy or capture the provisions and munitions of war collected there for the American army : let me refer to a few incidents that my father and grand-father used to relate : —

A considerable part of the contest was on my grandfather’s farm, and in sight of his house ; in fact the enemy commenced their breast work at his house, which being of logs was intended to be filled with men as a strong point of defence. Those who commenced building this breast work, were finally called away to man the works on the hill, and thus the house was left to the family.

BY LEVI BEARDSLEY.

My grandfather, then about fifty years old, was a non-combatant ; he always regarded the life of a soldier with disrelish, full of hardship and danger, and during the French war declined entering into military service. He was an Episcopalian in sentiment, and like many others of that denomination, was reluctant to bear arms against the King, though he cheerfully paid his taxes to promote the common cause ; and used to remark that “ it was as necessary to have some at home to raise bread and meat for the armies as to engage in active warfare.”

I have no doubt he was very much under the influence of his brother John, two years younger than himself, who had been educated for the ministry, went to England for Episcopal ordination, remained there about a year, preached before the King, not far from 1758 or 9, and returned before the Revolution. His ordination vows and oath of fealty to the King controlled him ; and I have always understood my grandfather was very much under his influence ; and it was natural it should be so, for John was the educated member of the family, respectably connected by marriage with some of the influential families in Dutchess County ; where he was settled over a flourishing congregation, in the vicinity of which my grandfather had for many years resided, if not in the same parish. On the war breaking out and the English obtaining possession of the City ofNew- York, the parishioners of John assisted him to remove to the City, thus dissolving his clerical connection; but parting from them with mutual feelings of kindness and respect.

He remained in the City in the discharge of his duties as a clergyman, till the English evacuated it ; when he went to New Brunswick or Nova Scotia, where the royal government made liberal provision for him.

I do not think he ever attempted to influence any

of his brothers, except against bearing arms; and this

was not heeded by all of them, for some were active whigs. It is doubtful whether he and my grandfather ever saw each other after he removed to the City, the revolution separated them, leaving one here, an American citizen, the other removed far away and retaining his relation as a British subject ; such are revolutions. I have never seen but one of his family, a respectable lawyer in Canada, whom I shall have occasion to mention hereafter.

In one of the old free-mason lodges in the city of New-York, I have seen a charter signed by the Rev. John Beardsley, during the war, who was an officer of the lodge at that time.

It is time to quit this digression and return to the few details of the Bennington battle, which I design to relate.

My father was about fourteen years of age, and with a younger brother, was made prisoner by some lurking Indians, sent in advance of the Hessians, and were part of the force sent on that expedition.

The boys, when surprised and taken, were going to the pasture after cows ; the Indians would not permit them to escape, though they treated them with kindness and whenever they attempted to turn out of the path, the Indians would press them in, by putting their guns by their side, telling them “ not to strive.” They were finally released by the interference of the Hessian officers, a short time before the battle, and with the rest of the family were shut up in the house. After the main force had been called away from the house, to man the works on the hill, a soldier came in and commenced pulling out the “ chinking ” between the logs, to enable him to fire out.

BY LEVI BEARDSIEY.

My grandfather remonstrated, and on the soldier persisting the old man seized his musket, and being a strong man wrenched it out of his hands and tossed it up into the chamber ; then seizing him by the shoulders put him out by main force and fastened the door against him. The battle was sharply contested, but the result is known ; the Hessians were defeated and taken, and a large body of them, when they surrendered, came running down the hill near the house with as little order as so many sheep, and surrendered in plain sight,

; several being shot, after they had ceased firing. The Indians ran away early in the battle, when they were about to be surrounded ; they were painted and were nearly naked, and when they left the hill, they ran through a field covered with briars, paying little regard to briars or thorns, naked as they were .

I have often heard that race of the naked Indians, described as a masterly effort of Indian retreat ; and not altogether without its annoyances to them, as well as amusement to those who saw them scamper off through the briars.

There had been occasional skirmishing before the final contest commenced; which was on the 16th of August, 1777. The previous day, an Indian chief had been shot by a party of militia men, concealed in a field of grain, as he with several of his warriors were riding along the road on horses that had been plundered from the inhabitants. A few days after the battle, an attempt was made to exhume his body, under an impression that possibly treasures might have been buried with him. When they came to the remains, one of the volunteers who had been engaged in the conflict, stood over the grave with an uplifted tomahawk, and exclaimed with stentorian voice, “ arise, you old devil, arise.”

But the Indian gave no heed to the summons, nothing short of “ the. trump of the archangel ” would ever wake that sleeper ; and the treasure seeking whigs finding no inducement to further disturb the remains of the ghastly warrior, were glad to rebury and leave him till the “just and the unjust shall stand together.”*

I may as well remark that my ancestors, on my father’s side, came from England before the breaking out of the civil war, that resulted in the dethronement and well merited death of Charles 1 .

In characterising the death of Charles as “ well merited,” I do not intend to intimate the absence of domestic virtues on the part of the monarch. Charles possessed these, far beyond the great majority of his predecessors, and of crowned heads in general. The remark must be taken in connection with the fact that the struggle then going on, was between popular rights on one side, and arbitrary kingly power on the other.

If the parliament, or popular party succeeded, it was revolution; if the king, then the others were rebels, and must expiate the offence with their lives.

Now whatever may be conceded in reference to the virtues of Charles, it can never with truth be denied that he was an advocate of the most slavish doctrines, and the assertor of unlimited kingly authority by “divine right.” In Archbishop Laud , he had an ecclesiastic whose claims in favor of the monarch and the established church, were but little short of the most extravagant pretensions of kings and priests, in the darkest ages of Europe.

Some farther details in relation to Bennington battle may be found in an appendix.

BY LEVI BEARDSLEY.

In Strafford he had a minister, ready and zealous to carry out those pretensions with a thoroughness of purpose that allowed no mitigation. In addition, it must be admitted that Charles, obsequious to the views of his ecclesiastical and temporal advisers, was false, hypocritical, and deceptive to his opponents.

He made pretensions and promises to the representatives of the people, that he never intended to perform ; or, if for the time intended, those under whose influences he acted, had no difficulty in inducing him to change and violate his intentions.

Under the circumstances in which he and his opponents were placed, where their lives were to be sacrificed if they failed, I can see no injustice in requiring his, when arrayed against themselves. Why should the monarch who strives against popular rights be canonized and held up as a martyr, when in conflicts for power he is overwhelmed ; while his opponents who represent the great multitude, the people, are to be hanged and quartered as rebels, if they are unsuccessful?

When men are brought to this alternative, I can see no better way of ridding themselves of tyranny, than by cutting off the heads of their oppressors. It is but meting out to one party, the same measure of justice that would be enacted and meted out to the other ; and hence when we look at the tergiversations, the false pretenses, and the evident design of the monarch and his court, civil and ecclesiastical, to retain power at the expense of civil rights and popular liberty,