The life of William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, Major-General in the Army of the United States during the Revolution : with selections from his correspondence

Front matter

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COLLECTIONS

Preface

The chief materials of the following memoir lay for many years unknown in the possession of the widow of its subject, and were not examined until some time after her decease. They w ere then lost sight of for a long period, in consequence of a hasty removal from an alarm of yellow fever, and when recovered they were presented to the Historical Society of New-York, as a fit depositary for documents serving to illustrate our revolutionary annals.

As the author is well aware that whatever of value or interest may attach to his work will be due to the correspondence it embraces, he cannot forbear expressing his regret that a number of the most important letters in the original collection are not now to be found. They were selected from the mass, and laid aside for greater security ; but, as not unfrequently happens in such cases, they were lost— perhaps, hrough the very means intended for their preservation. This accident is the more to be lamented, as the letters in xiv PREFACE.

question comprised the correspondence of Lord Stirling, both during his residence in England and after his return to this country, with the Earls of Chatham, Bute, and Shelburne, Mr. Charles Townshend, Mr. Wedderburn — afterwards Lord Loughborough — and other British statesmen, upon American affairs, during a period when most of those persons were cabinet ministers, and all of them members of Parliament.

The same packet contained also, what was still more valuable, the private correspondence of General Washington with Lord Stirling, during the revolutionary war. This circumstance will account for the very few letters from the former to be found in this publication. Every effort has been made, as may be supposed, to recover the lost packet, but hitherto without success. Should it chance, however, to come to light hereafter, the contents will be communicated to the public through some proper medium.

The plan adopted in the execution of the present work has fortunately left little else for the biographer than the task of connecting the letters by a running narrative, with explanatory notes and observations, — a method recommended not only by approved examples, but as calculated to avoid the temptation, as well as the suspicion, of partiality, which might otherwise arise from the relationship of the author with the subject of his memoir. If in any instance, however, his narrative has received a colouring from so natural a bias, it can hardly escape the attention of his readers, and can never

PREFACE. XV

mislead them — inasmuch as they will be able to form their own judgments of the character of Lord Stirling from the correspondence itself, independently of the remarks by which it is accompanied, and to decide upon his conduct from the extraneous evidence afforded by authentic memorials of the period.

In committing these pages to the press, the author gladly embraces the opportunity of acknowledging his obligations to the Historical Society of New-York ; and in particular to Prosper M. Wetmore, Esq., Chairman of its Executive Committee, for the liberality and courtesy, which, by placing the original documents at his disposal, have enabled him to avail himself of them in the execution of his work. To that body, also, and especially to the exertions of one of its most active and efficient members, Dr. John W. Francis, the thanks of the public, as well as of the author, are due for the recovery of these papers on the occasion already referred to.

Morristovm, N. /., January 8, 1847.

ADVERTISEMENT.

The Committee charged with the publication of this volume would, in behalf of the New Jersey Historical Society, express their obligations to Professor Jared Sparks, LL. D., for his liberality, in placing at the disposal of the Society the plates of the battlecrounds which illustrate the work.

Chapter I

Introductiori— Birth of Lord Stirling — His father, James Alexander, a native of Scotland — Cause of his emigration to America — Enters office of Secretary of the Province, on his arrival at New-York — Appointed Surveyor- General of New- York and New Jersey— Commences practice of the Law ■ — Attains eminence as Chamber Counsel — Appointed Attorney-General of New Jersey, and a Member of Council in both Provinces — -Distinguishes himself as an Advocate in Zenger's case — Excluded from the Bar in New- York for the boldness of his defence, and from the Council — Afterwards restored — Marries widow of " Ready-money " Provoost — Death of James Alexander — Lord Stirling, his only son— His education — Succeeds bis father as Surveyor-General of New Jersey — Becomes a merchant, an army-contractor, and commissary — Appointed Aid-de-camp and Secretary to Gen. Shirley— Accompanies Shirley to England— Examined as a witness on his behalf at the Bar of the House of Commons — Letter from Charles Townshend— Prefers claim to Earldom of Stirling — Returned heir-male of the last Earl — Legal question as to descent of Earldom. 1716-1759 ]

CHAPTER IL

Object of Mr. Alexander in preferring his claim — Assumes the title of Earl of Stirling, after opinion of Wedderburn, and other Counsel, in favour of his right— Contemplates establishing himself in Scotland — Correspondence with Staats L. Morris, the Duchess of Gordon, and others — Hires house in London — Resides there some years — Correspondence with Rev. J. Porteous, Andrew Stuart, William Trumbull and Philipps Lee — Death of his mother — Returns to America. 1759-1761. ....... 27

CONTENTS.

Chapter III

Lord Stirling resides at first in New- York — Commences building at Baskenridge — Removes to New Jersey — Appointed member of Provincial Council — Corresponds with his friends in England — Letter to the Earl of Bute — Other claims to Earldom, not established — Interests himself for King's College — Sir James Jay — Correspondence with Lord Romney, the Earl of Bute, Thomas Harley, Peter De Lancey, Jr., Ph. Livingston, Jr., John Penn, Henry Drummond, William Coxe, R. H. Morris, the Earl of Bute, Governor Franklin, William Amherst, and General Gage. 1761-1764. . 50

Chapter IV

Attempt to ta.\ America by authority of British Parliament — Opinion of Sir Robert Walpole — "Boldness" of George Grenville-^Stamp Act, opposed by Lord Stirling — Its repeal — Correspondence wilh Henry Wilmot, Governor Franklin, Captain Kennedy, Philip Livingston, Jr., John Taber Kemp, Daniel Coxe, and Chief Justice Smith — The Earl of Perth — Lord Drummond — Proprietary rights in New Jersey — Robbery of Treasury of that Province — Ford, Cooper, and other counterfeiters — Correspondence with Colonel Samuel Ogden — Advertisement of Col. Ogden. 1764-1774. 82

Chapter V

Occupations of Lord Stirling at Baskenridge — Opposes ministerial measures for taxing the Colonies — Chosen Colonel of a militia regiment — Governor Franklin's remonstrance — Lord Stirling's justification — Subsequent correspondence, and rupture between them — Appointed by Congress to command 1st New Jersey regiment in Continental service — Establishes his head-quarters at Elizabethtown — Governor Franklin made prisoner — Lord Stirling collects recruits and volunteers ; embarks them on board small craft ; boards and captures British armed transport — Complimentary Resolutions of Congress — Correspondence respecting prize — Promoted to be Brigadier General — Ordered to New-York. — Succeeds to command of that place — Prepares for its defence — Constructs fortifications in harbour, and on river above — Calls in Militia — Letter to Colonel Ward — Corresponds with General Schuyler — Regulations agreed on with Provincial Congress, for defence of City — Corresponds with President of Congress, General Washington, and the Governors of Connecticut and New Jersey — Note from Dr. Franklin — British land at Gravesend — Battle of Long Island — Lord Stirling made prisoner — His letter to General Washington — Letter of General Sullivan — Lord Stirling exchanged. 1774-1776. . . 112

Chapter VI

Lord Stirling rejoins the army in New Jersey — Commands on the lines — Affair at Short-liills — Prevents advance of Cornwallis to Morristown — Ordered to watch British at Princeton, while Washington attacks Hes-

CONTENTS. Xi

sians at Trenton — Promoted to be Major General — Sent again to the lines — Engages Cornwallia near Scotch-plains— Defeats his attempt on Camp at Middlebrook — Ordered to the Highlands — Recalled on appearance of British fleet in the Delaware — March of American army to Wilmington — Battles of Brandywine and Germantown — Council of War —Lord Stirling's opinion — Army encamps for the winter at the Valley- Forge. 1776-1777 168

Chapter VII

" Conway Cabal ;" exposed by Lord Stirling ; favoured by Congress — Conway appointed Inspector General, Gates and Mifflin to Board of War — Conway repairs to army ; received coldly by Washington ; shunned by Officers; resigns and returns to France — Wilkinson's account of the affair grossly inaccurate — His intrigues and duplicity — Appointed Secretary to Board of War ; treated coldly by Gates ; resigns, and quarrels with him — Brevetted a Brigadier, but compelled to resign — Appointed Clothier General Letter of Abraham Clark — Movements of the British — They evacuate Philadelphia ; followed by Washington ; encamp near Monmouth Court-House — Battle of Monmouth — Conduct and arrest of General Lee British retreat to Sandy Hook — Embark on board of fleet — Return fo New- York — Washington advances to the Hudson, crosses the river, and encamps at White Plains — Lord Stirling presides at Court- Martial on Lee — Sentence suspending Lee approved by Congress — His subsequent death. 1777-1778 180

Chapter VIII

Arrival of French fleet — Visit to New- York of Lady Stirling end her daughter — Their letters to Lord Stirling — He is ordered to New Jersey — Directs expedition of Major H. Lee against Powles Hook, and covers his retreat — Receives thanks of Congress — Letter to General Washington — Letter from General Greene — Arrival of another French fleet with Rochambeau's army — Council of War — Lord Stirling's opinion — Plan for attacking New- York, formed and abandoned ; renewed the ne.xt year ; again relinquished on arrival of De Grasse — Combined American and French army marches to Virginia. 1778-1779 199

Chapter IX

Lord Stirling ordered to Albany — Takes command of Northern Department — Threatened invasion from Canada — His measures to repel it — Orders to Generals Van Rensselaer and Gansevoort — Corresponds with General Stark — Detaches Colonel Wiilet to the Mohawk — British advance by Lake George — Lord Stirling repairs to Saratoga, where he concentrates his force — Issues order of battle — Receives intelligence of Cornwallis's surrender — British retreat to Canada — Lord Stirling dismisses Militia — Letters to General Heath, and Colonel Wiilet — Further correspondence with Stark— Letter to General Washington. 1779-1781 214

Xn CONTENTS,

Chapter X

Lord Stirling ordered to New JprciPv Tn .^ j • , o,

Count ALandre d'HanIhe r T' '" '^'' State-Letter from

I are a Hanache— Correspondence with Colonel Brearlv and

Governor Livingston OrrI.«r-Prl f-s r^- vi n . , oreariy, and i..eut CoL W S. Sm.th, and Major Matthew Clarkson-Letter to

Marquis de Bou.lle-Letter from Col. Jame. Monroe-Again orde d t^

take command at Albany-Correspondence with Lieut. Col H Dearborn

from Oene^al Washington tot t.^^::^::;^:^^^ ceivmg information of hi. death-His character. ]78i-1783

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Portrait of Lord Stirling, .

Plan ofthe Battle of Long Island", . ' '. ' ' ' ^^^""'"^S title-page.)

Plan of the Battle of Brandyvrine,' ..'''' ^^^

Plan ofthe Battle of Germantown, ^^^

Battle of Monmouth, • . , ^"^"^

Order of Battle at Sarafoo-a * ^^^

''••••-. 227

ERRATA.

On page 2, line 10, for '« where," read mre

Page 95, Note, dele" the son of."

Page 113, line 17, for " Sterling," read StirHn^

THE LIFE OF LORD STIRLING.

Chapter I. 1716-1759

Among the soldiers of the American Revolution there is none, perhaps, of equal rank, whose services have been so imperfectly commemorated as those of Major-General William Alexander, better known by his title of Lord Stirhng. It seems, therefore, not less consonant to justice than duty, that one of his descendants should attempt to compensate for this neglect ; and by a full but impartial biography, to illustrate the character and record the acts of an officer, who was surpassed by few of his contemporaries in military experience and enterprise, — by one only in disinterested and zealous devotion to his country — by none in the sacrifices he made for it.

The subject of this memoir was born in the year 1726, at the city of New-York. His father, James Alexander, was a native of Scotland, and took refuge in America, in 1716, in consequence of the part he had taken in favour of the House of Stuart in the rebellion of the preceding year. James Alexander was remarkable at an early age for proficiency in the mathematics, and skill in those branches of practical science which are founded or dependent upon them. Thence he obtained some distinction as an officer of engineers in the service of the Pretender. He seems, however, to have joined the standard of that unfortunate adventurer rather from national than political predilection : certain it is, that his family connections where whig, and that he proved himself a stanch friend of whig principles from the moment of his arrival in the colonies.

At that period too, he enjoyed, through the influence of John Duke of Argyle,* the hereditary friend of his family, not merely the connivance, but the patronage of the provincial representatives of the House of Branswick. Not long after his arrival at New- York, he received an appointment in the office of the Secretary of the Province, " the best school," says Mr. Smith, the historian of New-York, " for instruction in matters of government." According to the same authority, Mr. Alexander " afterwards became equally distinguished for his humanity, generosity, great abilities, and honourable stations."!

His mathematical acquirements soon recommended him to the appointments of Surveyor General in New- York and in New Jersey ; and in 1720, with his countryman. Dr. Cadwallader Golden, he was chosen by Governor Burnet,t also a Scotchman, a member of his

* The "great Duke" of Sir Walter t William Burnet, son of the excellent

Scott — whose character is portrayed with Bishop of that name, and a son worthy

historical fidelity in that most delightful of his illustrious sire. He had exchanged

of fictions" The Heart of Mid-Lothian." the office of Comptroller of the Customs

t Hist, of New- York, ed. 1830, p. 271. with Governor Hunter for the Govern-

THE LIFE OF LORD STIRLING.

Council, " in which choice," says the historian, " the Governor showed his wisdom, for they were both men of learning, good morals, and solid parts."

Whilst employed in the Secretary's office, Mr. Alexander found leisure to commence the study of the law, which he subsequently pursued in the intervals of his labours as Surveyor General. When called to the bar he soon became more devoted to his professional business, than to public affairs, though not to the neglect of his official duties. According to Mr. Smith, Mr. Alexander was " by no means distinguished as a public speaker, yet he attained great eminence from his profound legal knowledge, sagacity, and penetration, — was regularly consulted on the most important questions, and his replies were received as the answers of an oracle." On one signal occasion, however, he gained not less celebrity for talents and intrepidity as an advocate, than for the soundness of his side-bar opinions — while manifesting at the same time the most devoted zeal, and unconquerable perseverance as a patriot.

With his friend William Smith,* the father of the historian, and afterwards Chief Justice of the Province,

ment of the two Colonies of New Jersey his own. Governor Burnet's family re-

and New-York, and entered upon his mained in this country. His daughter

official duties, in the latter Province, in was married to William Browne, Esq.^

September, 1720. He is described as of Beverly, Massachusetts, and left a son,

" polite, sociable, well-read, quick, Intel- William Burnet Browne— who married

ligent, and well-disposed ;" and his con- a relative of General Washington's, and

duct certainly formed a strong contrast settled in Virginia— where many of iiis

with that ofhis military predecessors. He descendants now reside. He also left

had not their usual rage for making mo- two daughters— one married to a Mr.

ney nor their rapacity for power. He mar- Hall, of Maryland, and another who

ried into the Dutch colonial family of Van long lived, and died unmarried in New-

Horne, and was transferred to the Gov- York.

ernment of Massachusetts, much to the * They came to America in the same

regret of the people of New- York, and ship.

Mr. Alexander volunteered his services as Counsel for Peter Zenger, the printer of the "New-York Journal," whose trial is famous in our colonial annals. Zenger had been arrested and imprisoned for certain publications in his newspaper, alleged to be libellous, and was brought before Mr. Justice DeLancey upon a writ of Habeas Corpus — when his Counsel, Messrs. Alexander and Smith, objected to the legality of the warrant upon which Zenger had been committed, and insisted upon his discharge, or admission to bail. They prevailed so far as to obtain an order for his release upon giving bail, — but the amount was fixed at eight hundred pounds, notwithstanding the prisoner had sworn that exclusive of his wearing apparel and the tools of his trade he was not worth forty. He was unable or unwilling to procure the bail required, and was of course remanded to prison . The grand jury refused to indict him ; but an information ex officio was exhibited against him by Bradley, the Attorney General. The Counsel of Zenger excepted to the information on the ground, in the first place, that the commissions of the Judges of the Supreme Court, in which it had been filed, ran during pleasure, and not during good behaviour ; and secondly, that they had been granted by the Governor (Cosby) without the advice and consent of his Council. The Court not only refused to hear the exceptions,* but threw Messrs. Alexander and Smith over the bar for presuming to make them ;t nor

* The Chief Justice (Morris) thought and an intimate friend of Mr. Alexan-

the exceptions well taken ; but his opin- der's, volunteered and took the lead in his

ion was overruled by the puisne Judges, defence. The trial took place before De

De Lancey and Philipse. Lancey — now Chief Justice — and Phi-

t The Court afterwards assigned Mr. lipse, the two Judges who had overruled Chambers as Counsel for Zenger ; and the exceptions ; but Zenger was aeon the trial Andrew Hamilton, an emi- quitted by the Jury. In an article in the nent member of the Philadelphia bar American edition of the Edinburgh En-

THE LIFE OF LORD STIRLING.

were they permitted to resume their practice until the next year, when, upon the death of Governor Cosby, Mr. Alexander was recalled to his seat in the Council, and both he and Mr. Smith were readmitted to the bar.

In both stations the former continued to maintain his reputation, as the constant and fearless advocate and defender of popular rights and constitutional principles. He stood alone in the Council in opposing the election of George Clark, as President of that body — or acting Governor of the Province in 1736; and he finally lost his life by repairing to Albany, when suffering from severe illness, to oppose a ministerial scheme oppressive to the colonists.* A letter, written not long before his death, is preserved in Mr. Sedgwick's Life of Governor Livingston, " as one of the very few literary remains of a man highly distinguished in his day, but who has left but scanty memorials of his character and ability."!

It was not merely as a lawyer, a politician, or a statesman, that Mr. Alexander was distinguished, but also as a man of science. He was not only the principal author, with Dr. Colden, of the memorable report on the Indian trade in defence of the policy of Governor Burnet; but, together with Dr. Franklin, Francis Hopkinson, and others, founded the " American Philosophical Society." He maintained, moreover, a constant correspondence with Halley, the Astronomer Royal at Greenwich, and other learned mathematicians in different parts

cyclopedia— understood to have been t Vide Sedgwick's Life of Livingfurnished by Dr. J. W. Francis of New- ston. p. 49. It is addressed to John York— the learned contributor mentions Taber Kempe, afterwards Attorney Genthat the late Gouvemeur Morris observed eral of the Province of New-York, who, to,him, that " the trial of Zenger in 1735 with the younger Smith, Governor Livwas the germ of American freedom." ingston, and James Duane, were at the * Vide Smith's History of New- York, same time students at law in the office edit. 1830, vol. 2, p. 281. of Mr. Alexander.

of Europe, upon subjects relating to their common pursuits — while his skill as a scientific surveyor is attested by the instructions given to his subordinates for running the line of partition between East and West Jersey.

About ten years after his removal to this country, Mr. Alexander intermarried with the widow of David Provoost, who — from his wealth acquired in that illicit trade to which the restrictive system of the mother country afforded such strong temptations to the colonists as to render its pursuit too general to be deemed disreputable — had obtained the soubriquet of " Ready-money Provoost." After the death of this worthy, his more respectable relict engaged in lawful commerce on her own account, and in her own name, and so continued to conduct it after her second marriage. James Alexander died in 1756, leaving an ample provision for his widow, and a large but not productive landed estate to be divided between his son and several daughters, who survived him.*

The son had received as good an education as the provincial schools afforded, with the additional advantage of private instruction from his father, in those branches of science to which the latter was particularly addicted, and for which the former had inherited an aptness and taste. t He did not, however, at first pursue them practically; as he entered upon the active business of life, first as the clerk, and afterwards as the copart-

* He had acquired considerable real t In the library of the N Y. Histori-

estate in the city, and elsewhere in the cal Society may be found a manuscript

Province of New- York, and was one of account of his observation of the transit

the Proprietaries of East Jersey. His of Venus in 1769, — after he had suc-

daughters were Mary, married to Peter ceeded his father as Surveyor Geiieral of

Van Brugh Livingston ; Elizabeth, marri- New Jersey, ed to John Stevens ; Catherine, to Walter Rutherford, and Susannah, to John Reid.

ner of his mother. In the course of their trade the firm obtained contracts for the supply of the king's troops with clothing and provisions, which led to the junior partner's joining the commissariat of the army. The zeal, activity, and military spirit he displayed in the discharge of his duties, in the field, as well as in the camp, attracted the notice of the commander-in-chief. General Shirley, whose staff he was eventually invited to join as aid-de-camp and private secretary. In this capacity he served during the greater part of the war, which, although not formally declared in Europe until 1756, had actually commenced on this continent, some years before.* It was thus that young Alexander had the early opportunity of acquiring a knowledge of military affairs, during three severe campaigns in which he served with General Shirley. The following letter from one of his friends, who was afterwards a member of the Congress that declared independence, shows the footing upon which the aid-de-camp was supposed to stand with his General.

Leivis Morris, Jr. to Major William Alexander.

" Dear Sir, — I beg leave to recommend to you Mr. John Duane, who is greatly desirous of entering the army. He is a smart active young fellow of about twenty-two ; of good fortune, education and spirit ; and from the opinion I entertain of him I have no doubt but he will make a good officer. As I have an esteem for him and his family — with which I suppose you are

* In this interval, viz. in 1754, Mr. Smith, raised jeeOO to purchase books

Alexander, together with Philip Living- to lend to the people, which led to the

ston, Robert R. Livingston, Wm. Liv- establishment of the N. Y. Society Li-

ingston, John Marvin Scott, and Wm. brary.

probably acquainted* — I shall be extremely obliged to you if you will be kind enough to apply to his Excellency General Shirley on his behalf; and if there is a vacancy, to use your influence to procure him a commission. If there is none at present, be pleased to acquaint the General that he is willing to enter as a volunteer. If there is any prospect of his promotion, I should be glad to have a line from you soon.

In December, 1755, a Congress of the Provincial Governors had assembled at New- York, and agreed to raise ten thousand men to enable General Shirley to reduce the posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and the French forts on Lake Ontario. But nothing was done in execution of this agreement. The plans of General Shirley were consequently defeated, — and his recall followed. Major Alexander accompanied him to England in the autumn of 1756, to aid in the settlement of his accounts, and to vindicate by his testimony the character of his commander. He was accordingly examined as a witness on his behalf at the bar of the House of Commons, in April, 1757, and his evidence contributed materially to the justification of his friend and patron. The candour and intelligence of the young American in giving his testimony received the marked approbation of the House, and contributed, with the influence of Shirley and the letters he had brought with him from other military men of rank and family, to facilitate his introduction

* It would seem from this, that the Continental Congress, the first Mayor of

person recommended was a relation, — the City of New- York, after the Revo-

probably a brother of James Duane, an lution ; and the first District Judge of the

early friend and companion of young U. S., for the District of N. Y., under

Alexander's, afterwards a member of the the Federal Constitution.

to some of the most eminent public characters in England; while his conciliatory manners, social accomplishments, general information, and enlightened views in regard to the mutual interests of the mother-country and her colonies, recommended him strongly to their esteem and confidence. Among the friends distinguished for rank and station that he made at this period, was the eloquent and ingenious Charles Townshend, the versatility of whose talents and temper has obtained a permanent celebrity in the splendid eulogy and quaint metaphors of Edmund Burke.* The acquaintance between them commenced soon after the examination of Mr. Alexander before the House of Commons, of which Mr. Townshend was a leading ministerial member, and speedily ripened into a friendship which led to a correspondence, of which it is to be regretted that the following letter is all that remains. f

The Right Honourable C. Townshend to William Alexander, Esq.

" Dear Sir, — I am obliged to you for thinking of me in your leisure, and shall be happy to receive you here whenever you are so kind as to favour us with your company. Our house is never full, nor can it ever be more agreeable to us than when you have an apartment in it. If General Shirley or Mr. Morris, J or both, can persuade themselves to show us the same mark of their kindness, they will oblige us also. I have only to hope

* In his famous speech on American t Vide Preface. Taxation. In describing the parliamen- i Robert Hunter Morris, Chief Justary eloquence and tact in debate of Mr. tice of New Jersey in 1738, and Gover- Townshend, Burke, with his usual fe- nor of Pennsylvania in 1754. licity of familiar allusion, observed that Mr. Townshend, when he spoke, " took the House between wind and water."

that you will not only just appear, and then leave us to regret, but that you will pass some time with us.

" The season is too far advanced to expect any but laborious shooting ; but I have hounds at command, and will attend you if you love that sport, as far as a sober hare-hunt, at a prudent hour. If you do not love fieldsports, there are many fine seats around me ; — within doors, there are books, and you may depend upon having the uncontrolled direction of your own thoughts, time, and amusements.

" Thus we live, and if you like to live thus, you can nowhere bestow your leisure where it will be more acceptable than upon

Your affectionate and faithful servant."

It was from the encouragement of Mr. Townshend, the Duke of Argyle, and the Earl of Bute, in addition to the persuasions of General Shirley, and of his friends Messrs. Thomas and John Penn, the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania, and of Mr. Morris, their Governor of that Province, that Mr. Alexander was induced to lay claim to the vacant Earldom of Stirling. His father, before leaving Scotland, was known to be the presumptive heir to the tide, but not to the estates of Henry the then Earl. But upon the death of that nobleman, which happened in 1737, James Alexander, not less from the moderation of his views than from the circumstances under which he had left his native country, made no claim to the succession. The son, however, had derived from his father and mother together, a considerable inheritance, and had acquired by marriage* a fortune, sufficient in those days