DEATH OF MAJOR ANDRE
In the year 1780, General Arnold, who, from his rank and talents, had been in great favor with the Americans, quitted their ranks and joined the British army. This, though a valuable acquisition, was to dearly purchased by the degradation and death of the brave and amiable Major Andre, who volunteered his service to make arrangements with Arnold on the occasion. By some accident, Major Andre was compelled to remain disguised with the American lines all night, and next morning was discovered, after he had passed them on his way to New York. He was seized, confined, tried and sentenced to be hung as a spy, notwithstanding every remonstrance that could be urged against it.
The American officers who guarded him the day before his execution, describe him as maintaining the utmost firmness and composure; and when they were silent and melancholy, he would, by some cheerful remark, endeavor to dispel the gloom. However, his composure was not the result of a want of sensibility, or a disregard of life; but of those proud and lofty feelings, the characteristics of true greatness, which raises the soul above the influence of events, and enables the soldier, with unfaltering nerve and steady eye, to meet death in whatever form it may approach him; for in his sleep, nature would play her part --and home and friends --his sisters and his love, would steal upon his heart, contrasting fancied pleasures with certain pain, rendering his dreams disturbed, and his sleep fitful and troubled.
Early in the morning, the hour of his execution was announced. His countenance did not alter. His servant burst into tears; "Leave me," said he, with greatness, "until you can behave more manfully." The breakfast was furnished from the table of General Washington. He ate as usual, then shaved and dressed himself; placed his hat upon the table, and cheerfully said, "I am ready at any moment to wait upon you, gentlemen." Lieutenant Bowman describes it as a day of settled melancholy, and that Major Andre was, apparently, the least affected.
To General Washington it was a trial of excruciating pain. It was with great difficulty that he placed his name to the warrant for his execution. Captain ------- and Lieutenant Bowman walked arm in arm with Major Andre. It is well known that he solicited to be shot; and it was not until he came within sight of the gallows that he knew the manner of his death. "It is too much," said he, momentarily shrinking. "I had hoped," added he, recovering himself, "that my death might have been otherwise. But I pray you to bear witness that I die like a soldier."
P171
NANCY HART
Nancy Hart and her husband settled, before the revolutionary struggle, a few miles above the ford on Broad river, known the name of the Fishdam ford, in Elbert county, Georgia, in the bend of the river, near a very extensive canebrake; --an apple orchard still remains to point out the spot, and to prove the provident powers of its planters.
In altitude, Mrs. Hart was almost Pantagonian, and remarkably well limbed and muscular --in a word, she was 'lofty and sour; she possessed none of that nobility of nerve, which characterizes modern times; marked by nature with prominent features, circumstances and accident added not a little to her peculiarities; she possessed none of those graces of motion which a poetical eye might see in the heave of the ocean's wave, or the change of the summer's cloud; nor did her cheeks (I will not speak of her nose) exhibit those rosy tints that dwell on the brow of the evening or play in the gilded bow. No one claims for her throat that it was lined with fiddle strings; but this must be acknowledged that her step bespoke energy; and be it said, only for the sake of truth, that she could round off a sentence regardless of being called a hard swearer.
The perforating punch of the grate-maker never did closer work on the yielding tin, than did that dreadful scourge of beauty, the smallpox, when it sat its emphatic signature on the face! She was horribly cross-eyed as well as cross-grained, but nevertheless she was a sharp-shooter. Nothing was more common than to see her in pursuit of the bounding stag --the huge antlers that hung round her cabin, or upheld her trusty gun, gave proof of her skill in gunnery, and the white comb drained of its honey, and hung up for ornament, testified her powers in bee finding. She was remarkable for her frequent robberies on these patterns of industry, and piqued herself on the invention of an infallible bait for their discovery. Many can testify to her magical art in the mazes of cookery, being able to get up a pumpkin in as many forms as there are days in the week: she was extensively known and employed for her profound knowledge in the management of all ailments, and yielded the palm to no one in the variety and rarity of her medicaments.
Her skill and knowledge took wider and more profitable range, for it is a well known fact that she held a tract of land by the safe tenure of a first survey, which was made on the Sabbath, hatchet in hand. But she was most remarkable for her military feats. She possessed high-toned ideas of liberty; not even the marriage knot could restrain her on that subject; like "the wife of Bath," she received over her tongue scourged husband
"The reins of absolute command,
With all the government of house and land,
And empire o'er his tongue and o'er his hand."
The clouds of war gathered and burst with a dreadful explosion in this state. Nancy's spirit rose with the tempest; she declared and proved herself a friend to her country, ready "to do or die." All accused of whiggism had to hide or swing. The lily-livered Mr. Hart was not the last to seek safety in the canebrake with his neighbors; they kept up a prowling skulking kind of life, occasionally sallying forth in a kind of predatory style. The Tories at length determined to beat the brake for them. They however concluded to give Mrs. Hart a call, and in true soldier manner ordered a repast. Nancy soon had the necessary materials for a good feast spread before them: the smoking venison, the hasty hoe-cake, and the fresh honeycomb, were sufficient to provoke the appetite of a gorged epicure!
They simultaneously stacked their arms and seated themselves, when, quick as thought, the dauntless Nancy seized one of the guns, cocked it, and with a blazing oath declared that she would blow out the brains of the first mortal that offered to rise or to taste a mouthful. They all knew her character too well to imagine that she would say one thing and do another, especially, if it lay on the side of Satan. "Go," said she to one of her sons, "and tell the Whigs that I have taken six Tories." They sat still, each expecting to be offered up with doggedly mean countenances, hearing the marks of disappointed revenge, shame and unappeased hunger.
Whether the incongruity between Nancy's eyes caused each to imagine himself her immediate object, or whether her commanding attitude, stern and ferocious fixture of countenance, overawed them, or the powerful idea of their unsoldierlike conduct unnerved them or the certainty of death, it is not easy to determine. They were soon relieved, and dealt with according to the rules of the times. This heroine lived to see her country free; she, however, found bees and game decreasing, and the country becoming old so fast, that she sold out her possessions, in spite of the remonstrances of her husband, and was among the first of the pioneers who paved the way to the wilds of the west.
P173
HARRIET ACKLAND
"During a halt of the army, in their retreat on the 8th of October," says General Burgoyne, "I received a message from Lady Harriet Ackland, submitting to my decision a proposal of passing to the American camp, and requesting Gen. Gate's permission to attend her husband, who, wounded, was a prisoner. Though I was ready to believe, for I had experienced that patience and fortitude in a supreme degree were to be found, as well as every other virtue, under the most tender forms, I was astonished at this proposal. After so long an agitation of spirits, exhausted not only for want of rest, but want of food, drenched in rains for twelve hours together, that a woman should be capable of such an undertaking as delivering herself to the enemy, probably in the night, and uncertain what hands she might first fall into, appeared an effort above human nature.
"The assistance I was enabled to give was small indeed; I had not even a cup of wine to offer her; but I was told that she had found, from some kind hand, a little rum and dirty water. All I could furnish to her was an open boat and few lines, written on dirty wet paper, to Gen. Gates, recommending her to his protection. The chaplain who had officiated at the funeral of Gen. Frazier accompanied her, and with one female servant, and the major's valet, who had then in his shoulder a ball received in the late action, she rowed down the river to meet the enemy."
P176
RUNNING THE GAUNTLET FOR STEALING TEA
During the time we were throwing the tea overboard, there were several attempts made by some of the citizens of Boston and its vicinity, to carry off small quantities of it for their family use. To effect that object, they would watch their opportunity to snatch up a handful from the deck, where it became plentifully scattered, and put it into their pockets. One Captain O'Connor, whom I well knew, came on board for that purpose, and when he supposed he was not noticed filled his pockets, and also the lining of his coat.
But I had detected him, and gave information to the captain of what he was about. We were ordered to take him in custody, and just as he was stepping from the vessel, I seized him by the skirt of his coat, and in attempting to pull him back, tore it off; but springing forward by a rapid effort, he made his escape. He had, however, to run a gauntlet through the crowd upon the wharf; each one, as he passed, giving him a kick or a stroke.
The next day we nailed the skirt of his coat, which I had pulled off, to the whipping-post in Charlestown, the place of his residence, with a label upon it, commemorative of the occasion which had thus subjected the proprietor to the popular indignation.
Another attempt was made to save a little tea from the ruins of the cargo, by a tall aged man, who wore a large cocked hat and white wig, which was fashionable at the time. He had slyly slipped a little into his pocket, but being detected they seized him, and taking his hat and wig from his head, threw them, together with the tea of which they had emptied his pockets, into the water. In consideration of his advanced age, he was permitted to escape, with now and then a slight kick.
The next morning, after we had cleared the ship of the tea, it was discovered that very considerable quantities of it were floating up on the surface of the water; and to prevent the possibility of any of it being saved for use, a number of small boats were manned by citizens and sailors, who rowed them into those parts of the harbor wherever the tea was visible, and by beating it with oars and paddles, so thoroughly drenched it, as to make its entire destruction inevitable.
P178
MAJOR PITCAIRN AT LEXINGTON
A considerable quantity of military stores having been deposited at Concord, an inland town about eighteen miles from Boston, General Gage purposed to destroy them. For the execution of this design, he, on the night preceding the nineteenth of April, detached Lieutenant-Colonel Smith and Major Pitcairn, with eight hundred grenadiers and light infantry: who at eleven o'clock embarked its boats at the common in Boston, crossed the river Charles, and landing at Philips' farm in Cambridge, commenced a silent and expeditious march for Concord.
Although several British officers, who died at Cambridge the preceding day, had taken the precaution to disperse themselves along the road leading to Concord, to intercept any expresses that might be sent from Boston to alarm the country; yet messengers, who had been sent from town for that purpose, eluded the British patrols, and gave an alarm which was rapidly spread by church bells, signal guns, and volleys. On the arrival of the British troops at Lexington, towards five in the morning, about seventy men, belonging to the minute company of that town, were found on the parade under arms. Major Pitcairn, who led the van, galloping up to them, called out, "Disperse, disperse, you rebels; throw down your arms and disperse."
The sturdy yeomanry not instantly obeying the order, he advanced nearer; fired his pistol; flourished his sword; and ordered his soldiers to fire. A discharge of arms from the British troops, with a huzzah, immediately succeeded; several of the provincials fell, and the rest dispersed. The firing continued after the dispersion, and the fugitives stopped and returned the fire. Eight Americans were killed, three or four of them by the first fire of the British; the others after they had left the parade; several were wounded.
P180
MRS. BURR AND THE BURNING OF FAIRFIELD
On the 7th of July, 1779 Gov. Tryon, with the army which I have already mentioned, sailed from New Haven to Fairfield; and the next morning disembarked upon the beach. A few militia assembled to oppose them; and in a desultory, scattered manner, fought with great intrepidity through most of the day. They killed some, took several prisoners, and wounded more. But the expedition was so sudden and unexpected, that the efforts made in this manner were necessary fruitless. The town was plundered; a great part of the houses together with two churches, the court-house, jail, and school-houses, were burnt. The barns had just been filled with wheat and other produce. The inhabitants, therefore, were turned out into the world, almost literally destitute.
Mrs. Burr, the wife of Thaddeus Burr, Esq., high sheriff of the county, resolved to continue in the mansion of the family and make an attempt to save it from the conflagration. The house stood at a sufficient distance from other buildings. Mrs. Burr was adorned with all the qualities which gave distinction to her sex; possessed of fine accomplishments, and a dignity of character, scarcely rivaled; and probably had never known what it was to be treated with disrespect or even inattention. She made a personal application to Gov. Tryon, in terms which, from a lady of her high respectability, could hardly have failed of a satisfactory answer from any person, who claimed the character of a gentleman. The answer which she actually received was, however, rude and brutal; and spoke the want not only of politeness and humanity, but even of vulgar civility. The house was sentenced to the flames, and speedily set on fire. A attempt was made in the mean time, by some of the soldiers, to rob her of a valuable watch, with rich furniture; for Gov. Tryon refused to protect her, as well as to preserve the house. The watch had already been conveyed out of their reach; but the house filled with every thing which contributes either to comfort or elegance of living, was laid in ashes.
While the town was in flames, a thunderstorm overspread the heavens just as night came on. The conflagration of near two hundred houses illumined the earth, the skirts of the clouds, and the waves of the Sound, with a union of gloom and grandeur, at once inexpressibly awful and magnificent. The sky speedily was hung with the deepest darkness, wherever the clouds were not tinged by the melancholy luster of the flames. At intervals, the lightning blazed with a livid and terrible splendor. The thunder rolled above. Beneath, the roaring of the fires filled up the intervals with a deep and hollow sound, which seemed to be the protracted murmur of the thunder, reverberated from one end of heaven to the other.
Add to this convulsion of the elements, and those dreadful effects of vindictive and wanton devastation, the trembling of the earth; the sharp sound of muskets; and the shouts of triumph, with the groans here and there of the wounded and dying. The place before your eyes crowds of miserable sufferers mingled with bodies of the militia, and from the neighboring hills taking a farewell prospect of their property and their dwellings, their happiness and their hopes; and you will form a just but imperfect picture of the burning of Fairfield. It needed no great effort of imagination to believe, that the final day had arrived; and that amid this funereal darkness, the morning would speedily dawn, to which no night would ever succeed; the graves yielded up their inhabitants; and the trial commence, at which was to be settled the final destiny of man.
The apology Gov. Tryon made for this Indian effort, was conveyed in the following sentence: "The village was burnt to resent the fire of the rebels from their houses, and to mask our retreat." This declaration unequivocally proves that the rebels were troublesome to the invaders, and at the same time is to be considered as the best apology they were able to make. But it contains a palpable falsehood, intended to justify conduct which admits of no excuse, and rejects with disdain every attempt at palliation. Why did this body of men land at Fairfield at all? There were here no stores; no fortress; no enemy, except such as were to be found in every village of the United States. It was undoubtedly the original object of the expedition to set fire to this town, and the apology was created after the work was done. It was perfectly unnecessary to mask the retreat. The townsmen, and the little collection of farmers assembled to aid them, had no power to disturb it. No British officer, no British soldier, would confess, that in these circumstances he felt the least anxiety concerning any molestation from such opposers.
The injuries done to a single family, were an immense overbalance for all the good acquired in this expedition, either by the individuals engaging in it, or the nation in whose service they acted. Particularly that highly respectable pair, Mr. And Mrs. Burr, in the loss of the mansion of their ancestors, and the treasures with which it had been stored through a long succession of years, --where the elegant hospitality which had reigned in it --the refined enjoyments which were daily felt and daily distributed to the friend and the stranger --the works of charity which were there multiplied, and the rational piety, which was at once the animating and controlling principle, diffused a brilliancy marked by every passing eye, --lost more than the British nation gained by this devastation.
P184
THE ELOQUENCE OF PATRICK HENRY
Patrick Henry was the son of Colonel John Henry, a native of Abderdeen, in Scotland, and born at Studley, in the county of Hanover, and state of Virginia. In his youth, he gave no signs of future greatness. No persuasion could him induce him either to read, or to work; but he ran wild in the forest, and divided his time between the uproar of the chase, and the languor of inaction.
He married at eighteen; he was for some time a farmer, and then entered into mercantile undertakings, which in a few years rendered him a bankrupt, and reduced him to a state of wretchedness. He now determined to try the bar. About this time, the famous contest between the between the clergy on one hand, and the legislature and the people on the other, concerning the stipends of the former, took place; and he exhibited such displays of eloquence in "the parsons' cause," as it was termed, as drew the admiration of all his fellow-citizens. His exertions were so unexampled, so unexpected, so instantaneous, that he obtained the appellation of "The Orator of Nature."
When the question was first agitated concerning the right of the British parliament to tax America, he gave, as had been truly remarked, "the first impulse to the ball of the revolution." Men who were on other occasions distinguished for intrepidity and decision, hung back, unwilling to submit, yet afraid to speak out, in language of bold and open defiance. In this hour of despondency, suspense, and consternation, Henry arose, to cheer the drooping spirits of his countrymen, and to call forth all the energies of the Americans, to contend for their freedom. When the house of Burgesses was within three days of its expected close, Henry produced, and carried the far-famed resolutions concerning the stamp act, which formed the first firm opposition to the scheme of taxing America by the British parliament. In 1774, he appeared in the venerable body of the old continental congress of the United States, when it met for the first time. Henry broke the silence, which, for a while, overawed the minds of all present, and as he advanced, rose with the magnitude and importance of the subject, to the noblest displays of argument and of eloquence.
"This," said he. "is not the time for ceremony: the question before the house is one of awful moment to this country. It is nothing less than freedom, or slavery. If we wish to be free, we must fight. I repeat it, sir, we must fight! an appeal to arms, and to the God of Hosts, is all that is left us. It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, peace! Peace! But there is no peace. The war is actually begun. The next gale that sweeps from the north, will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms. Our brethren are already in the field. Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish! What would they have? Is life so dear, and peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but for me," cried he, with both his arms extended aloft, his brows knit, every feature marked with the resolute purpose of his soul, and his voice swelled to its boldest not of exclamation" give me liberty, or give me death!" He took his seat, and the cry "To Arms!" seemed to quiver upon every lip, and gleam from every eye.
Henry lived to witness the glorious issue of that revolution which his genius had set in motion; and, to use his own prophetic language, before the commencement of that revolution, "to see America take her station among the nations of the earth."
P186
EMILY GEIGER
At the time General Green retreated before Lord Rawdon from Ninety-six, when he had passed Broad River, he was very desirous to send an order to General Sumter, who was on the Watersee, to join him, that they might attack Rowdon, who had divided his force. But the general could find no man in that part of the state who was bold enough to undertake so dangerous a mission. The country to be passed through for so many miles was full of bloodthirsty tories, who on every occasion that offered, imbued their hands in the blood of the whigs. At length Emily Geiger presented herself to Gen. Greene, and proposed to act as his messenger; and the general, both surprised and delighted, closed with her proposal.
He accordingly wrote a letter and delivered it, and at the same time communicated the contents of it verbally, to be told to Sumter in case of accident. Emily was young, but as to her person or adventures on the way, we have no further information, except that she was mounted on horseback, upon a side-saddle, and on the second day of her journey she was intercepted by Lord Rawdon's scouts. Coming from the direction of Greene's army, and not being able to tell an untruth without blushing, Emily was suspected, and confined to a room; and as the officer in command had the modesty not to search her at the time, he sent for an old tory matron as more fitting for that purpose. Emily was not wanting in expedient, and as soon as the door was closed and the bustle a little subsided, she ate up the letter piece by piece.
After a while the matron arrived, and upon searching carefully nothing was to be found of a suspicious nature about the prisoner, and she would disclose nothing. Suspicion being thus allayed, the officer commanding the scouts suffered Emily to depart for where she said she was bound; but she took a route somewhat circuitous to avoid further detention, and soon after struck in the road to Sumter's camp, where she arrived in safety. Emily told her adventure, and delivered Greene's verbal message to Sumter, who in consequence soon after joined the main army at Orangeburg. Emily Geiger afterwards married Mr. Threrwits, a rich planter on the Congaree. She has been dead 35 years, but it is trusted her name will descend to posterity among those of the patriotic females of the revolution.
P188
CAPTAIN ROSS
During the first American war, Captain Ross of the British army made engagements with a young lady in England, which her parents refused to ratify. Honor and duty compelled him to go to America, and the object of his affections as resolved to follow him. She departed in men's clothes, and jut arrived at the scene of war time enough to learn that a sanguinary skirmish had taken place between the savages and the detachment commanded by the object of her search. She flew to the field of battle, found it strewed with dead bodies, in the midst of which she perceived the form of Captain Ross! She instantly caught him in her arms, and thought she felt his heart beat. She discovered he was wounded, and she endeavored to stanch the wound, which was yet bleeding, and for some time she applied her lips to it and sucked it. This remedy, well known, but seldom resorted to, insensibly restored him to life. In the mean time she feared, by making herself known, she might cause an emotion to her lover, which might be attended with certain danger. She therefore disguised her complexion and her features, as she had already disguised her sex, and with unremitting care, nursed and attended him for forty days; at the end of which, perfectly assured of his restoration to health, she made herself known to him, who during his long indisposition had never ceased to speak of her, and express the regret he felt that ere he quitted this world he should hot have the satisfaction of being united to her he so fondly loved. It is not easy to describe the joy of the lovers in a meeting so unhoped for. They departed for Philadelphia, where they ratified their vows of eternal affection at the altar.
P190
SAMUEL ADAMS AND AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
Mr. Adams was a member of the first continental Congress, which assembled in Philadelphia on the 5th of September, 1774; and continued a member of that body until the year 1781. During this period, no delegate acted a more conspicuous or manly part. No one exhibited a more indefatigable zeal, or a firmer tone of character. He early saw that the contest would not probably be decided without bloodshed. He was himself prepared for every extremity, and was willing that such measure should be adopted, as should lead to an early issue of the controversy. He was accordingly among the warmest advocates for the declaration of American independence. In his view, the die was cast, and a further friendly connection with the parent country was impossible.
"I am perfectly satisfied," said he, in a letter written from Philadelphia, to a friend in Massachusetts, in April, 1776, "of the necessity of a public and explicit declaration of independence. I cannot conceive what good reason can be assigned against it. Will it widen the breach? This would be a strange question, after we raised armies, and fought battles with British troops; set up an American navy; permitted the inhabitants of the colonies to fit out armed vessels, to capture of the ships, etc., belonging to any of the inhabitants of Great Britain; declaring them the enemies of the United colonies; and torn into shivers their acts of trade, by allowing commerce, subject to regulations to be made by ourselves with the people of all countries, except such as are subject to the British king. It cannot surely, after all this, be imagined that we consider ourselves, or mean to be considered by others, in any other state than that of independence." The independence of America was at length declared, and gave a new political character, and an immediate dignity to the cause of the colonies. But notwithstanding this measure might itself bear the aspect of victory, a formidable contest yet awaited the Americans. The year following the declaration of independence, the situation of the colonies was extremely gloomy. The stoutest hearts trembled within them, and even doubts were expressed whether the measures which had been adopted, particularly the declaration of independence, were not precipitate. The neighborhood of Philadelphia became the seat of war; Congress now reduced to only twenty-eight members, had resolved to remove their session to Lancaster.
At this critical period, Mr. Adams accidentally fell in company with several other members, by whom the subject of the state of the country was freely and confidentially discussed. Gloomy forebodings seemed to pervade their minds, and the greatest anxiety was expressed as to the issue of the contest. To this conversation Mr. Adams listened with silent attention. At length he expressed the surprise, that such desponding feelings should have settled upon their hearts, and such desponding language should be even confidentially uttered by their lips. To this he was answered, "The chance is desperate." "Indeed, indeed, it is desperate," said Mr. Adams, "if this be our language. If we wear long faces, others will do so too; if we despair, let us not expect that others will hope; or that they will persevere in a contest, from which their leaders shrink. But let not such feelings, let not such language be ours." Thus, while the hearts of others were ready to faint, Samuel Adams maintained his usual firmness, his unshaken courage, and his calm reliance upon the aid and protection of Heaven, and contributed in an eminent degree to inspire his countrymen with a confidence of their final success.
A higher encomium could not have been bestowed on any member of the continental Congress, than is expressed in relation to Mr. Adams by Mr. Galloway, in his historical and political reflections on the rise and progress of the American rebellion, published in Great Britain, 1780. "He eats little," says the author, "drinks little, sleeps little, thinks much; and is most indefatigable in the pursuit of his object. It was this man, who by his superior applications, managed at once the factions in Congress at Philadelphia, and the factions of New England."
P193
BARON STEUBEN'S WIT
Dining with him shortly after the resignation of Mr. Robert Morris, as financier of the United States, the cause of which appeared inexplicable to the company present, "To me," said Baron Steuben. "there appears no mystery. I will illustrate my sentiments by a simple narrative. When I was about to quit Paris to embark for the United States, the better to ensure comfort when in camp, I judged it of importance to engage in my service a cook of celebrity. The American army was posted at Valley Forge when I joined it. Arrived at my quarters, a wagoner presented himself, saying that he was directed to attach himself to my train, and obey my orders.
Commissaries arriving, furnished a supply of beef and bread, and retired. My cook looked around him for utensils indispensable, in his opinion, for preparing a meal, and finding none, in an agony of despair, applied to the wagoner for advice. "We cook our meat," replied he, "by hanging it up by a string, and turning it before a good fire, till sufficiently roasted." The next day, and still another passed, without material change. The commissary made his deposit. My cook showed the strongest indications of uneasiness by shrugs and heavy sighing; but, with the exception of a few oaths, spoke not a word of complaint. His patience, however, was completely exhausted; he requested an audience and demanded his dismission. "Under happier circumstances, mon general," said he, "it would be my ambition to serve you, but here I have no chance of showing my talents, and I think myself obliged, in honor, to save you expense, since your wagoner is just as able to turn the string as I am." "Believe me, gentlemen," continued the baron, "the treasury of America is, at present, just as empty as my kitchen was at Valley Forge; and Mr. Morris wisely retires, thinking it of very little consequence who turns the string."
P194
THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT AND THE STAMP ACT
At the time of that disastrous warfare, in which Washington rose upon the ruins of the incautious Braddock, resolutions had passed the British parliament, for laying a stamp duty in America; but they were not followed immediately by any legislative act. The declaratory opinion of that body met no opposition, on either side of the Atlantic; because "the omnipotence of parliament," was then a familiar phrase; but afterwards, when the measure was examined, it was better understood, and constitutional objections were urged by many sagacious statesmen, both in England and America.
But, notwithstanding the powerful reasons offered against this unjust and hazardous experiment, George Grenville, impelled by a partiality for a long-cherished scheme, in the following year, 1765, again brought into the house of commons this unpopular bill, and succeeded in its enactment. By this, the instruments of writing in daily use among a commercial people, were to be null and void, unless executed on paper or parchment stamped with a specific duty. Law documents and leases, articles of apprenticeship and contracts, protests and bills of sale, newspapers and advertisements, almanacs and pamphlets. --all must contribute to the British treasury. When the measure was examined, Charles Townshend delivered a speech in its favor; in concluding which, "Will these Americans," he said, "children planted by our care, nourished by our indulgence, till they are grown up to a degree of strength and opulence, and protect4ed by our arms; will they grudge to contribute their mite to relieve the weight of the heavy burden under which we lie!" --
"They, planted by your care!" replied Colonel Barre: "no; they were planted by your oppressions. They fled from tyranny, to an uncultivated, inhospitable country, where they exposed themselves to all the hardships to which human nature is liable; and amongst others, to the cruelty of a savage foe, the most subtle, and I will take it upon me to say, the most formidable people, on the face of the earth; and yet, actuated by principles of true English liberty, they met all hardships with pleasure, compared with what they had suffered in their own country, from the hands of those who should have been their friends.
"They nourished by your indulgence! They grew up by your neglect. As soon as you began to extend your care, that care was displayed in sending persons to rule them, in one department and another, who were, perhaps, the deputies of deputies to some members of this house; sent to spy out their liberties, to misrepresent their actions, and to prey upon their substance: men, whose behavior, on many occasions, has caused the blood of those sons of freedom to recoil with them; men promoted to the highest seats of justice --some who, to my knowledge, were glad in going to a foreign country, to escape being brought to a bar of a court of justice in their own.
"They protected by your arms! They have nobly taken up arms in your defence, have exerted a valor amidst their constant and laborious industry, for the defence of a country, whose frontier was drenched in blood, while its interior parts yielded all its little savings to your emolument. And believe me, that the same spirit of freedom which actuated these people at first, will accompany them still: --but prudence forbids me to explain myself further. God knows, I do not, at this time, speak from any motives of petty heat. I deliver the genuine sentiments of my heart. However superior to me, in general knowledge and experience the respectable body of this house may be, yet I claim to know more of America than most of you; having seen that country, and been conversant with its people. They are, I believe, as truly loyal as any subjects the king has; but a people jealous of their liberties, and who will vindicate them, if ever they should be violated. But the subject is too delicate; I will say no more."
The night after the bill passed, Dr. Franklin wrote to Mr. Chas. Thompson, "The sun of liberty is set; you must light up the candles of industry and economy." --Mr. Thompson answered, "I was apprehensive that other lights would be the consequence, and I foresee the opposition that will be made."
P198
REPEAL OF THE STAMP ACT
Notwithstanding that the stamp law was to have operated from the first of November, yet legal proceedings in the courts were carried on as before; vessels entered and departed without stamped papers; printers boldly circulated their newspapers, and in most departments, business was conducted, by common consent, in defiance of the parliament, as if no stamp act was in existence. The people of Philadelphia, and after them, nearly all the commercial portion of English America, prohibited lawyers from instituting any action for money due to an inhabitant of England.
Nor was their det4ermined spirit of opposition confined to a mere defensive means of parliamentary defeat. Still further measures were adopted. Associations were formed against importing British manufactures, until that law should be repealed; which, by throwing many thousands in the mother country out of employment, and depriving her merchants of the usual benefits attending extensive orders, made it the interest of both classes in England to advocate the cause of the Americans.
In order to remedy the deficiency of British goods, the colonists applied with diligence to domestic manufacturers; to increase the quantity of wool, they abstained from eating lamp; and to form a barrier against the encroachment of the obnoxious act, they resolved to protect, by force of arms, all who should be in danger from resistance.
Conduct so magnanimous and firm had the desired effect. Warm discussions followed in the British parliament. The Marquis of Rockingham, much esteemed for his sincerity and the vigor of his genius, was appointed first lord of the treasury, in the room of George Grenville; and General Conway was called to fill the place of colonial secretary. Anxiously desirous to obtain a revocation of the obnoxious taxes, the new administration employed the opinion and authority of Dr. Franklin; who, as agent for some of the colonies, was examined at the bar of the house of commons; and in that pungent manner, characteristic of his superior mind, gave extensive information, which served greatly to remove prejudices, and promote a disposition friendly to a repeal.
The ablest speakers in both houses denied the justice of taxing the colonies. "You have no right," said William Pitt, "to tax America. I rejoice that she has resisted. Three millions of people, so lost to every sense of virtue, as voluntarily to submit to be slaves, would have been fit instruments to make slaves of all the rest." The opposition could not be withstood; the repeal was carried in March; an event which caused great joy in England. The ships in the river Thames displayed their colors, and the city was illuminated. In America, the home-spun clothes were presented to the poor, and orders for British goods were given more extensively than ever.
P200
ROYAL COMMISION TORN TO PIECES
The news of the battle of Lexington flew through New England like wildfire. The swift horseman, with his red flag, proclaimed it in every village, and made the stirring call upon the patriots, to move forward in defence of the rights so ruthlessly invaded and now sealed in the martyr's blood. Putnam, if will be recollected, left his plow in the furrow, and led his gallant band to Cambridge. Such instances of promptness and devotion were not rare. We have the following instance of the display of fervid patriotism from an eye-witness --one of those valued relics of the band of '76, whom now a grateful nation delights to honor.
When the intelligence reached New Salem, Mass, the people were hastily assembled on the village green, by the notes of alarm. Every man came with his gun, and other hasty preparations for a short march. The militia of the town were then divided into two companies, one of which was commanded by Capt. G. This company was paraded before much consultation had been had upon the proper steps to be taken in the emergency, and while determination was express on almost every countenance, the men stood silently leaning on their muskets, awaiting the movement of the spirit in the officers. The captain was supposed to be tinctured with toryism, and his present indecision and backwardness were ample proof, if not of his attachment to royalty, at least of his unfitness to lead a patriot band. Some murmurs began to be heard, when the first lieutenant, William Stacy, took off his hat and addressed them. He was a man of a stout heart, but of few words.
Pulling his commission from his pocket, he said --"Fellow-soldiers, I don't know exactly how it is with the rest of you, but for me, I will no longer serve a king that murders my own countrymen:" and tearing the paper in a hundred pieces, he trod it under foot. Sober as were the people by nature, they could not restrain a loud wild huzza, as he stepped forward and took his place in the ranks. G. still faltered, and made a feeble endeavor to restore order; but they heeded him as little as the wind. The company was summarily disbanded, and a reorganization began on the spot. The gallant Stacy was unanimously chosen captain, and with a prouder commission than was ever borne on parchment, he led a small but efficient band to Cambridge. He continued in service through the war, reaching we believe, before its close, the rank of lieutenant-colonel, under the command of Putnam.
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