The Montrose Democrat. (Montrose, Pa.) 1849-1876, July 12, 1855, Image 1

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    Cljase Iroprittor
stittt Pletrt.
A Sigh will oft from Memory Spring
, Oft though Memory's gilded chalice
Gleams with cheerful, happy light,
And the heart's bespangled he a ven
Bears no trace of sorrow's night:
still, from out that golden sparkle, .
Darkly looms. the mist of Mdness—
Breathes the soft, regretful sigh.
Hearts with ur.requited longings
Sigh for pleasures unenjoyed—
Once on Fancy's future written,
Now on Memory's leafless void
Hours oft spent in vain endeavors,
• Lured by smiles thailead through gloom,
Fill the fount of sighs, and darlien
Brightest pathways to the-tomb. .
Love r -ah yes! love, too, has whispered - f
Words that waked a- deethless thrill—
Kindled passion's flsme, that - brightened ;
Died; and left life darket still, •
Rouse then from false Fancy's dreamings!
Leave pursuits that sorrows bring !
Quenchdespairin ,, love, and lighten
"Sighs that ott"from memory spring."
Visaßaucous.
M • . From Peterson's Magazine.
' GOITSEN
BY CARRY STANLEY*
Author of "Ada Lester's Season in Ncio
York."
CHAPTER.
Such was the beginning of my acquaintance
With Harry Anstruther, and so it-continued
during the rest of his vacation.
The next sear passed happily to me, but
the winter vacation did not bring Harry 'as
formerly. He was an orphan and the uncon
trolled possesor of a large • fortune, and • had
made up his mind, as he Wrote his aunts to see
something of the world.
By-and-bye vague rumors of mad, college
pranks began to Circulate in our little coterie,
and the elderly ladies'; who a.s....mbled at aunt
Patty's tea-table, nodded their heads and
looked mysterious when- master Harry's name
was m6tioned. . ,
As I entered the parlor one day, I heard a
visitor say,
"You should really write to .. .him, Miss:An
struther, and expostulate with'. him about hfs
conduct. ' George assures'me that he is at the
head:of all mischief in college, and he would
have been expelled long igoif he had not
. been
itradtoit in escaping positive proof. But per
haps George, dear
: boy, is too'severe for his
standard is., so high," ani.l.llrs,.Welsh arranged
her sables with much satisfaction as.she spoke.
"Bis standard is not too high for detrac
tion," said I, with no little temper, as the lady
smild herself out of the•room. • •
Aunt Margaret made no answer, but sighed
as her knitting-needles clicked and flashed
with unusual rapidity. But the tears came
to good aunt Patty's eyes as she said;
"I wouldn't hive believed it. of Harry.—
He was always full of fun, and maybe he did
.just for mischief dress hisiself up like slob
ber, and stop the farmers on. their way to
market., and make them give up their money
tad things, but I don't believe be gambles
so," and the most troubled tears I had ever
seen in aunt Patty's eys.i, stood there now.
"There must be some truth in it., sister,"
replied aunt Margaret, sternly, "Judge Hale
has forbidden him his house," and she turned
her back a little more to the light as she
spoke.
"Poor boy, a'nd maybe he was in love with
Nelly Hale," and aunt Patty,. *hose warm
heart extended its charities to all. sorts of
troubles, fell into a reverie.
All further discussion of the subject was
stopped by the waiter bringing in. an armful
of wood for the fire. As he was retirin , r,aunt
Margaret said,
James, I wish, while we are out driving,
you would take down master 'tarry's portrait
froth over the mantel, and place it in our
chamber.
James was too much 'astonished 'to make
•his usual elaborate obesience, and stood star
ing vacantly at his mistress till she reminded
him of his duty by adding, " You may order
the carriage now." •
; .
Aunt Patty had looked up with-a fright
ened air at her sister, but the Misses Anstruth
er were really, heroines to their servants, so it
was.not till after James had certainly closed
the door that she said,
"Oh I Margaret, bow can yon do so; it
seems so cruel for us to d e sert poor Harry
because everybody else does." ,
" I cannot' have this portrait:banging there
made an excuse for people like Mrs. Welsh
to discuss him as they please," was the reply.
- When we returned - from ottr drive, I could
have cried too with aunt. Patty, to miss the
gay, pleasant face, which had looked down
so saucily on me so long, in the cheerful
morning light, or in the grey gloaming, or
flickering firelight, as on the first evening Of
our acquaintance. "
I was now nearly seventeen, and my mirror
told me plainly enough that I Do longer look
ed like the imp or elf of Harry's early ac
quaintance. I. was an heiress and a belle ; a
belle most probably because I was an heiress.
I had" filled up" certainly ; whether as my
cousin had insinuated' by tea-and muffins, I .
cannot say; but if George Welsh, who was
now one of my most devoted ad miters, was'
,to be' believed Alice Brant herself . would
bear no comparison to me in grace.
With Door Harry, in the meanwhile, mat
tent went from tad to worse. The gentleman,
who had been his guardian, confe,ssed "to his
aunts that.he had spent every cent of MI; for
tune that *as available, and thii was by far
the greater part or it. Then again, through
Mrs Welsh, whom I now looked upon- al%
bird of ill omen' we heard of grave professors
, being c aricatur ed-to their faces, and reckless
oragies, and all the other evils of
college life. .But our cup of trouble on his
account was fillet, when we learned that be
had fought a duel. We knew nothing posi
tive--about it, only that hisopponent bad been
aevemely wounded, and that a woman had
beeu the cause.
The morning after we b ear d of this, I was
called into the sister's chamber. Aunt Mar
garet had washed a little table, on which
sha was.auusliug, up to the mantel, and was
asdaavorlng to detach Harry's tortrait from
the beckon which it hung. She said,
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W,EEKLY 3OURNAL7i)EVOTED TO .POLITICS, NEWS, LITERATURE,
"Isabel, my demi , won't you please to help
me dciwn with tliis I Sister has refused, and
I cannot expose ourselves to the remarks of
the servants, by having them do IL"
, " Poor boy,-Ic,annot," said aunt Patty, as
she rummaged in her. drawers . to hide the
falling. tears.
r,
Aunt Margaret
Looked around . sternly as
she answered,. t .
" Sister,.it is dun to ourselves to forget
him."'
I assisted her silontly, and helped to carry
my : cousin Harry'4. 'portrait =to the lumber
room. . -
(To Contintied.)
ow
Lieut. Boyd imfore Col. Butler.
•4n iszeident of S wage forbe . arance .and Civ
ilized Vindietiveliess.
- . i
,The.,fearffil nraiaticre in Wyoming Valley
v.:tined a thrill nfltorror throughout thecoun
try, end a universal cry of, vengeance rose on
every. hand. Government awoke to the neces
sity. of striking a blow which should teach
the savages and their more barbarous conjuors,
the blood-thirsty Tories, that, if slow to de•
fend l it was povVerfril to revenge; if weak
to;
prevent, it was:stron to punish such in
hnman. acts.: accordingly an army of five
theuizand men were assembled, in the fall of
vt7p, for the purpose of penetrating the In
dian country, in Western New York, and de
stroying the 1 nest Of - vipers at. Niagara, - the
head-qUarters from whence the Indians drew,
their supplies, and , - receired their rewards.—.
The expedition Was under conlmatid of - Gen-
Sullivan, and,embraced, among other corps,
a part of Morgan'A :riflemen. iii.fterl 4 1 severe
battle at 'coeewawith, (now Elmira;) Sullivan
pushed on, destroying everythingjin his way,
until he :reached. Little Beardstown, where
was a deep strearti, which requik -bridging
before the army cot ld cross. While wait
ing t here;
.Lieut.' Boyd, of the rifle corps--'.-
a young officer ofsreat prornise—was sent
with twentpsix men, aercsa :the river. to re
, . ,
counortre,, Piloted by a faithful Indian guide,
, .
lioVd and his party reacW* the village,
which they found deserted, although it was
evident that Indians had - recently been there,
as their fires were sill burning. - Night was
approaching when Boyd had completed his
xecimnoiseznce, and he concluded to encamp
on the ground where he was. In the morn
ing, as -the first dawn illumined: the east,
some of his men were on Itheir feet, and rip
,
proaching the village, discovered two Indi,
ans skOking :theta. One of these was shot
and . stialped by it man named Murphy, who
could never forego a stria, at an Indian. even
when be endangered his own life thereby.—
Suspecting, from the presenee of these, that
more Igians- might : be 'in the neighborhood,
and haying performed the' duty assigned to
him, Boyd commenced to retrace his stem.
Ile soon :discovered, however, that a large
party of the ene,ry, chiefly Indians, were ly
ing in , amhash .tweeri him and the army.
;.,
'..St...eing 'that his case as i a desperate one, and
having no other [alternative, he , determined
to cut his Way through, if. possible. Forming
his men in a send phalanx, and cheering
Itoby his voice and example, he led them
the attach The first ,harge was =sue
ce4ful ; and, singular asi it. may seem, not'a
man of the little party was killed, although
they were opposed by some five hundred sav
ap warriors and Tories. Tue second and
third attacks- were more unfortunate, almost
all, of the party being killed, while only two
or ;three succeeded' in getting through. Boyd,
and .a man named Parker, were taken prison
ers on the spot; and some few fell as if dead,
and thus escaped, as the Indians were too
busy lb following the living to trouble the
deal ' ..
As soon as Boyd found himself in the hands
of the blood-ihirsty and revengeful Tories, he
I demanded an interview with Brandt, the In
dian leader, keferring to throw himself upon
\ his 'well-knolwn - clemency, rather than to
trust to the generosity or forbearance of his
Tory. cdleague. The chief, being near, .pre
seated himself; when Boyd, ring a Mason-,
is sign, and grasping his hand, gave him the
gripe of , a Master Mason, and claimed his pro
tection. 'Brandt being a Mason, recognized
both, and claimed the two prisoners as his
own, promising and assuring them that their
lives should be, spared. And,
,so indeed,
would they have been, had not Brandt been
called away from the,catup, on duties of im
portance requiring his attention. Whether
there was a ruse to draw him away, is not
mail cannot known for certainty; but
adiantage was taken of his absence, by. Col.
Butler,* to endeavor to extort from the pris
oners, un ler the threat of torture, information
regarding Sullivan's army.
Dear reader, accompany me to the council
home of the village, Where were assembled a
groupe worthy the pendil ',,of the most skilful
artist,.
. _
. Before a table, on which was scttered maps,
. .
papersovraing Materials; etc., was seated a
sboit, fleshy, ill-formed man, whose head
. (phrenologically 'considered) gave token of
all the animalpassions.; and but few of the
.r4ral or intellectual faculties, and whose
features wiere as expressive as hiithead of all
the peculiarities of his nature, which was crud
in the extreme, 'His dress was-the uniform of
,the 1103-6! Greens,, of which regiment he was
the Colonel.,l This was. Col. Butler. Oppo
site to him !i sat an aid-de-camp, prepared to
commit to paper the statement of the prison
- er,
In front, of Butler, kneeling upon one knee,-
was the light; active form of Lieut. Boyd.—
His white twitting shirt brought him in bold
relief from the. dusky forms of the savages,
two of whom held him in their grasp, while
behind him stood the stalWart form of Little
Beard, the most vindictive and cruel of the
allies ofßritaiTi. He was distinguished for
his diabolical ir.ventions in torturing a pris
oner, and whenever such scenes were to be
enacted, he -was master of theeceremonie‘.
With one hand twined in the long hair of
Boyd''s head, he wielded in the other a toma
hawk, which was raised to strike the death
blow, ,on. the signal from Butler. Behind
him stood the other prisoner Parker, in the
hands of l a fourth savage. &vend warriors
and soldiers coMpleted this group of fearful
innxot.
Listen l .l Col. Butler is interrogating the
prisoner.
" What is your name i"
"Boyd." •
"Your rank,"
"Lieusenant p "
" What corps!'
Wren's ride company."
Pontrest, Susquellanna 4 Canntn, Tfjurisban
" What is the number of - Gen. Sullivan's
army f." ..
\ -
" I sl4li. not answer the quest*"
. "Boyd,: life is'sweet, and you are yet a
.young mint ; there is nolsassibility of your es
cape, and you have only. one alternative;
either aniwer my question-or you .must,die."
"Colonel Butler," replied the interpid youth,
"I ani in your hands, do with me as you see
fit. I know your power and your will to put
me to the severest torture, but you cannot
.shake my determination to refuse to answer
.your - questiotei _
: ' "Your death may be upon your own head,
then. Take hint away."
Parker was thereupon questioned in like
'manner, with equal spirit refused,. to answer.
Ile; too,. was banded over to the tender mer
cies of the barbarous savages, whit commenc
ed at Once their brutal and fearful orgies.
Tyingßoyd to a- tree; after stripping him of
his clothing,.they fOrrtilld a ring about him
and commenced their. infernal dance over a
1 prisoner at .the stake. Every means which
artful cunning could invent. or lint° conceive,
Fwas brought in play to intimidate-the cour
age of Boyd, but without. effect., They,pierc
ed him with their knives; they struck tlAir
tomahawks iti his face, stuck sharp sticks into
his flesh, and then commence(' to throw their
hatchets.- as near his head and bddy as they
,could, and not kill him. Finding that their
6adeaiors •to frighten him were Of no effect,
and fearing the return of Brandt, they finally
cut a small hole in his bowels, took out an
intestine which they fastened to the tree, and
then unbinding hint, with scourges drove him
around the tree until he was disemboweled!
He was then-beheaded, and , his head stuck
on a pole beneath a dog's heal, -which horrid
trophy was left when they retired - i from the
town.
Parker, who bad been compelled to wit
tis this fearful seeue i in anticipation of a
similar or worse fate, was, however, owing to
their haste, simply beheaded, and his body
uith that pf Boyd', was left where they suf
fered.. They were found and buried. the next
day by the army in passing through the town.
*This was Col. John Butler, the Tory refugee,
and tnust not .be confounded with Col. ZebuKm
Butler. the patriot, who commanded at Wyom.
fit has beeh supposed that Boyd hoped that
rßrandt would yet be able to s.n•e him frem death,
but such could riot have been the case, fur the
tomahawk was uplifted above his head, and he
must have believed that immediate death would
follow his refusal.
o.ronintunicatiolls.
- [The foll Owing address was delivered by the
author at Auburn centre,July 4th, tcrla large
and deeply interested audience, who were not
satisfied -with merely hearing, but were anx
ious to read the same in print; Accordingly
a couiniittee'of three were designated by the
friends to solicit its .publfcation in behalf of
the citizens and Good,Ternplars present.]
111 iIIITHEIL
Delivered at Auburn Centre, July, 4, 1855,
DT W. A. WAGNER.
Ladies. and Gentlemen :
The present, is a time of no ordinary im
portance ; both to the old and the new world - .
.While we continue to preServe those inesti
mable blessings; which are the natural results
of liberty and independence; ivecanitot form
any adequate estimation of the beneflts,which
the nations - of Europe t are yet to receive from
American example. While we continue as a
national l people to 'celebrate this day ; err
memorable, connected as it was with a na
tion's thraldom, in the darkest hours of peril
and danger; we Cannot but feel, but what
there is a connecting tie of the utmost impor
tance; visibly existing between us, and the
Heroes of - the revolution. .The ties of na
tionality, and consanguinity, no one will
question ; but 'what all have just claims to
one or the other, But while speaking of
them in connection. with the transaction that
has rendered this day famous iii, the annals of
History ; it appears as though we were in the
immediate presenue of the living though de
_
parted dead: . .
k .
. Our manifestations of joy, by them cannot
be witnetwed ; neither can they mingle in our
festivities to-day,: which are made manifest
throughout every State of our, great confed
eracy. This day will doubtlessly be cele
brated in various:manners, according to the
spirit and enthusiasm of different localities.—
A day like this ifi of too great importance, to
remain unnoticed, overlooked; or forgotten.
Should that time, ever arrive, when the Ainer
ican people Will Become insensible to the im
portance of cornnietnorating this day, 7 --then
may we justly ascribe to it the extinguishing
rays of. American liberty. - But while, we
continue to revive the recollection of a try
ing yet glorious past; it awakens in the mind
of every individual, that important relation
existing between himself and his country.—
No other way, can we so effectually perpetu
ate those laudable purposes, which actuated
the heroes of the !revolution to deeds of dar
ing and bravery that posterity after them
might enjoy,hat to them for a time seemed
forbidden ; th' n, iby our annual demonstra-
I T.
torn of joy. And, now, to embalm the rec
ollection, of those thrilling events forever in
our memories ; we must not be unroidful of
our duty in
.keePing alive, the . momentous
importance of those times, which prompted
the drawing of that instrument, which hai
been to us the great source of so much joy
and happiness; and posterity will come forth
and imitate our: example. Having dwelt
thus briefly upon the sacred remembrance and
importance of commemorating this day, we
will now glance hurriedly at various other
points, that require a brief notice on this oc-
. .
anion. Iu the earlier pentids of our-country
when as a people; our ancestor's who occu
pied America's rugged inetintains, her fertile
plains,.and smiling valleys were -depeudent k ,
upon the British Parliament for such laws as
to them seemed befitting to grant, and trans,
mit to the American ColOnies. When their
necessities were the greatest, and required the
kind protection that, the mother Country
could impart to them ; it was ungratefully
withheld to nourish-and resuscitate other col
onies, or for other purposes; which rendered
their conduct in their -own estimation ; per
fectly unjustifiable as*ell. as inexcusable.
As America advanced in wealth, strength,
and greatness, and to a degree of importance
by the untiring industry of her citizens,
.ca
pable of pursuing the same course,as she had
the mother-country generously offered
to protect her twgleeted colonies from foreign
aggression, usurpation and wrong; During
t he reign of British terror .and glory, the
f ‘inericans.proved, themselves powerful auxil
iaries to the English, suffering - themselves "-to.
be ungenerously dictated by - the ambition• of
her imperious. masters. At the title_ of the
dissolution, between the colonies and s tbe
ril l other country, England never enjoyed a
'snore formidable position.
Her nrinies bad been victorious upon . the
land of every clime, her fleets traversed the
oceans, Visited every sea with undisputed maj
-1 sty and- power. At thiS time,'America,
- ,
voting and feeble, possessed but three mill
"ons of people, to contend against her power
..
ul adversary ;: without arms, without money
to defray their expenses, and provide against
''tnknown - contingeneies. - With nothing for
their shield, but strong rains and brave
;;hearts, and with unconquerable zeal, tliey
'broke the bondage of their oppression, and
Ilurled it with defiance to theground. Their
h rights as British freemen 'were disregarded,
, and tyrannical laws enforced, hostile to both
reason and jto.iee, various Odious laws were
i passed 'on the Colonists, - which were reptig
nant to their feelings of right and humanity,
and, were conseip:ently by them, 'utterly ig
-1 noril.d and despised. But the last, and griev
ious of their arbitrary laws were, the taxing
. of America without her consent, or thecon
-1 curring voice of her Legislature. -llail the
English, evinced a liberal feeling toward the
Americans, and not treated them as an infe
rior people ; they might have been able to
iliave continued their unjust encroachments to
a later period, With greater and more won-
Aerial- success. The itvidity of England,
blinded, by the hope'of ;gain; and the pros
, t
! pect of replenishing, hdr treasurf ; inspired
ier with a new courage, to make a new of-- -
fort, to extort from the Americans, t it sub
! stance, and apply it, .tplheir necessi es felt
so keenly at home:: The passage of ' ch ar ,
bitraiy,laws were more easily etfectek in the
British Parliament '; than what, 64 were ex
ecutel'in their transatlantic domains. When
we consider the light, 'which was.taken of the
question at issue. in England, by her people,
her Parliament, and her uncompromising
monarch—the reason of her blindness; her
zeal and extortion assume no longer an. inex
plicable mystery. They urged that, they bad
just retired from an expensive war, contract
ed and carried on in defense of the colonies :
and hence it seemed to them but natural,that
the Provinces should be made to pay - a pot
. Lion of the expert:Sea.. This being the light
they took of the question at issue, and . how
could it.be expected, that they would con:I-
I - promise the dignity of a mighty people with
that of a young nation, scarcely paised the .
I -
1 years of infancy. :The Ainerican people did
not consider themselves exempt from taxation
in defraying the l eXpenses of government ; but
they-held, as. British freemen, the right of be
t ing exempt from taxation unless they were
permitted to represent their-own interests and
preserve those rights-which the?held sacred
las life. This being refused them, for obvious
reasons, in consequence of - the broad expanse
lof waters bet Ween them, and their inferior
abilities, which to English seemed' sufficient
excuses to exclude the Americans from the
halls of Britistyranny and usurpation. It(
was not the bu - then that this tax imposed
I
upon the people, that occasioned them tore=
rnonstrate ; but the ratticrern which.is- in
volved. .
The Americans knew full well, that if they
tamely submitted in this instance, that the
same acquiescence mould .be eer'legitimate
ly claimed, and when once firmly: bound, re
monstrance and resistance would alike prove
abortive. The turbulent matters of political
affairs were continually growing more hos
tile in Arnerica ; and King George found 'it
(as he thought) necessary' to transport Brit
ish troops to America's shores', to restore
peace and quiet ; and command the faithful
Observance . of hia iniquitous Laws; through
fear of BritiSh ViNGEANCE. The menacing
aspect or English prowess did not abate the
patriotic feeling, which first burst from the
lips of Pterrucx.HExar, and spread itself with
unequalled celerity throughout every, Ameri
can heart. Before the opening of the war of
Independence, the people became constantly
more alarmed for their safety, and • looked
anxiously forward for the coming of that time
which: should bring them the welcome news
of a change in the British Ministry, 'and a
change productive &favorable consequences.
The feeling with reference to tho taxing of
America, was the same, whether in the hands
of•the Whig or Tory Administration.. This
question was rendnred popular with the mid
dle classes•in England, because it 'promised
them relief from their onerous taxes and peen
embarrassments.
.A,GRICULTURE, SCIENCE, • A,ND MORA.LITY.
orating, 114 12, 1855.
It is quite evident; and also reasonable to
draw the inference, that had not the British
Ministry been blinded by the frequent repre
sentations of malignant pessont, heated by
partisan bitterness towards the Americans'
and their rights; that the war which almost
immediately followed would not have occur
red under such auspices. It was rep e
,seated
to the King, that the americans did t pro
test so much against the principle involved
in the Bill, as they did through- pecuniary
considerations. This unfounded assertion,
found willing advocates, and ready support
ers,;—to give credence to the who/Taa/e de
famation of american sincei ity and unwaver
ing purpose. Blinded bv•delusoryvisions of
the future, and relying upon their military
greitnes.s; they hesitated not in transporting
swarms of
.mercenary hirelings to our unpro
tected shores. - While matters were -continu
ally growing more threatening, and concilia
tion between the two nations more distant.;
the americans wore not idle in making stick
preparations, as were possible, in • placing
themselvesin a state of defence. The first
skirmish that occurred, took place at Lezitig
r _ton, where comparatively few citizens collect
ed to'impede the progress of Major Pitcarin;
who was on his way with a portion of Brit
ish Grenadiers and several companies of light
infantry to Concord, for the purpose of des
troying the provincials magazines and muni
tions of war. The few. citizens that, had col
lected at Concord had no iminediate intention
of disputing the passage, as they were too
few in number. But as Major Pitcarin ap
peared in sight;—!saw the hostile array be
fore him, he advanced considerably excited
and exclaimed "disperse you rebelS E lay down
your arms - and . disperse", The Provincials
hesitated to obey. " Springing from his sad
dle, he drew a pistol fired at the foremost
minute man and then gave his men orders to
fire." The conflict began, several were kill
ed and wounded, and the Provincials were
obliged to retire. The English commander
seeing the imprudence of this act, hurried on
eagerly to Concord. here the Provincials
were in arms, but being too few in number to
make a successful stand, they were driven be
forethe light infantry, while the remainder
proceeded to destroy• the stores, which tho
Provincialshad not had time to remove.—
The news of the massacre at Lexington,
spread with wonderful rapidity;—and ral
lied the citizens from all quarters,lo mingle
in the deadly strife. At tenth, the victori
ouslight infantry; were in turn obligeeto
retreat. So harrassed were they in their flight
that nothing but the timely 'arrival of rein-
Aircetnents under Lord Percy,—saved them
from meeting with an uniform fate . before
the death—destroying weapons or American
rifles. Thus began, one of the many series of
the Revolution , and 'shortly after followed
the famous Battle of Bunker IR, which'gave
a renewed courage to the Americans, and in
spired them with a new hope, that their cause
bad not been fruitlessly undertaken. In that
Bloody strife-for oppression on one side, land
independence upon . the other ;—the veteran
troops of England, were taught a dear, Yet
profitable lesson respecting their foes that
day, though d es pised in peace,they were not
to be scorned in war. Various other assaults
were made where-in the Americans were gen
erally victorious during the first year of the
revolution. .
The second year brings us down to a- pe
riod of the most inconceivable importance;
not only to themselves, but tp all Rho may
follow after them; and eventually the whole
world will be immensely profited, besides
what she has already received from'the fade
less exaMple of 70'. At the expiration of the
year seventy-five, and 'opening of _seventy-six
the people began to.look seriously for the .fi
nal seperat ion of the Colonies froin'the moth
er country. The spirit of Independence had
burst the fetters of oppression, and its senti
ment could no longer be concealed, or kept
in silence. The feeling and enthusiasm were
vividly portrayed in the public journals, es
says were written : phamphlets Were scatter
ed for the general diffusion of knowledge of
their rights; breathing forth masterly levee
tives against Monarchies, and shoiving the
incalculable importance ola brave people to
become•free, and assume before the . world an
independence of Government. It was du
ring this. period of popular enthusiasni, that
Congress was pending at Philadelphia for
the adjustment of Military affairs, and the es
tablishment of a proper system of self govern
ment., The course Congress had been and
was pursuing, bore evident testimony that
they were constantly approaching nearer
and nearer to Independence,by passing laws,/
more•and more irreconcilable withallegiance.
At last, on the 7th of Juno, Richard Henry
Lee, one of the Delegates of Virginia submit
ted a resolution in Congress, fieclaring the
Colonies, free and Independent States. Able
and eloquent debates ensued. Finally that
memorable document from-lhe pen. of Thom
as Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence
was adopted on the 4th of July, severity nine
years ago to day. For more than a year the
americans had virtually been in a state of in
dependence ; and therefore it became neces
sary for them to throat .off their disguise and
assume before the world the position they re
ally held. Everywhere the hour Wats hailed,
both in the army, and with the people, with
joy and enthusiasm. The success that had
hitherto attended the eolonista in
_almost ev
ery respect, seemed teeming with such events _
for the future as would speedily effect their
liberation. But the dark hotir, of the Bove-.
Intl= were' rapidly lengtheningout their
shadows, to engulph all •their - Earthly - •:: i'---p-c„,„--. '
; t i o t,-, while victory w.as s sessfk linty is lrhie .
in a - pall of gloom. - .;," .;," ' . ...:;5,54-1,.:!. 'tir e grasp of General Sullivan. "I At this ciritii,:
- It was during this period, that* ticiAl4 I cal moment General Wive waSiwildif i'usb- -.- • -
enthusiasm died away; recruits Werattlieult ing to and fro among his . shattered-,ranks„ .
to be obtained, and an ill-distiplitiiiil,-.Militirt • _ wheii!a brisk fire °pealing' in the rear, tome& --, •,.
composed tile army. As a result of these4n, the sea/Caof victory in - -favor oi* the English, '•
harassing affairs, the battle of. Long Islr'ind A soldier :taking fright, exclaiined,that the . •
was lost, and Waishinitton was compelledtAo British had' cut them off; at. the samejmo- ~• ._
retire front New York.! . Even the most snn- !tient troops- were seen ' advancing their-num-
!, - ,
guine 'espensers. of independence, began! to ber magnified by the obscurity. Pattie-0d
grow lukewarm ;- and gook upon their delis-. fear, - struck terror -to :their hearts; while the
eranee, as Something only to be talked of,and officers vainly- expostulated that the • I ririg7:,
not . realizcol. While despair decked the - iia- I did- not come from - the British,: bat. On - lhe . -
Lion in mourning ;---iiiscorrifit tire and defeat I contrar,Y, a portionof General Greene's Mt-61°n . '
kept pace with the army, and followed in! its •1 was approachingre engage in the battle. - 1 But. .
footsteps..• The‘spirit of, the army began; to - all efforts provedunavailing, iii • staying the
droop under these withering *calamities,' and already reeling front; apd retient was inevit-..' ~
it required-all the energies of a Washington able. At the battle of :Monnltoutb, the pro ! . .:
to soothe their Aroubles and keep. them, in vincials were victorious; yet-the scales oraton!
obedience. Being frequently hemmed in by' Cess fluctuated variously in this.inadlymfuri-,,
his adversary, when he and his ' .- army - were ated battle ; and night alone, clesed tbe. bloody
deemed an eas , prey; his vigilant eye,i as scene. • On the following mini:ling . : General s.
though • ided by the finger of God, was; al .„. Washingten, intended to folle i vS - up. and•coni
.,
wa ys a ~, - le his pursuers.., While Brit plete his temporary victory ; When' the! Intel
ish t - •ression were looining ' up, . ige rice, MO received, :that the!'" enemy:hini.si•
g desperately .to , he free ; lop t ly- decamped during the slight.
nat . . sponsibility was seemingly At. Saratoga the splendid eqiiiptetltraCipa of
resting:upon ' ashington to work out its ea- Englaiel,- , aeder the- command of . the
lay,
- t
ry, or bury it in its own mint. With-a.hand- dem Burgonye, were compelled to lay dOwd .
..ful of men, he Was driven before the
.I,•etori- ;• , theirarms. and surrender theniselves prisoners'
ous army of England from one eritienehmert of . ''-' a- r. • ...The British, Ministry though eonfi-
to another; until finally
„Washington . con-.. dent of subduing 'the colones
_at Abe d'om- .
ceived a plan, if successful; Which would re - .menceinent
. :by- a
..few• well directed: blows,.
saw their now , glaring.thistalo, and regarded •:.
Store confidence again in the heart of his dea
pairing countrymen. At this calumnious pc.= the Comptering .. of the ephiulies impossible; ill
turned their •attention to the&oaf in.;:vaiti,
rind; - General Lee, - was marcliiftiftoWards
Washsngtoti to effect a junction. Lee hay- hopes'ef Subduing at, least n! portion Of : the-,
ing incautiously :retired some three. m i les rebellious 'colonies. During this campaign at
from his forces to pass the night ;' Where he the Snob ;
, Charleston, theCipital of - South
was surprised by a british officer, who having
, Carolina was besieged and I fell into the
cite
learned - Lee's :unprotected positieiii;Ysallied die's hands. .General Lineele„the A.merican
out. quickly, and with bold dash captured his commander vainly expected Maid
.from North, .
'
valuable prize. ' The disastrous nors of Lce'k Carolina, wbieb had been .promised him— -
hence it explains, why, e acted-asthe sequel .
lie • -
capture, sent a, vitalizing sensation through
has alreoy proven... Had
. h , e - been aware of
Out the people, and caused zealous. eSpeasers
the heart rending fact, that siiecoowolild not -
eachof Independence to look despairingly upon
arri t e . , - lie might have .acte4.lldi,ffe rent ly, either ".
other, and feel as though all earthly-and
safe hia.retreat whileiretreat Was.pessi-.
heavenly hope were - extingiii;hed forever.— Mr.d''
. .ble„ot made an honorable capitulation:: This.
Even Cogress now, began to lea; doubtingly
irt which they'. 'was one of the s seyerest bloWs, that indepen
upon the success of their cause,'
detic,.., had yet received.
had embarked ; and . for w hi g h th ey Were mor-
In cow-0( 1 11(111,e, South Carolina was coin- .
tally strit gling in death's exi)iring throes of: •
,pletely oserrun, giVen' up tO;la*le.ss hands of
atibnal agony boding ominottslv of inevit
;•
'le death, or severe and abject - slavery.—
mid the dreadful storm, that was sWeeping ,
4epre.lit'tors, who ruthlessly eommitte4 waste; .
etelt.ged not . nufrequently the plains. witii.the •
terribly throughout the colonies, ,none that bleu,] of thernaSSacred; (misled - terror to --..
witnessed the darkness and gloom that per- the heart of the 'family circle, and domestie"
vaded thecolonics, but what trembled ALI the fireside by their utfeeling, inhuman; and btu
men
! acing approach of their dame; Save..the tal 'atrocities; L unequaled. in -the
_nnuals of
immortal Washington. '' - . . civilized - nationa. : Partizan-warfare Was now '
4arried on , in conse=q uence, ;of the provincials
His un fl inching courage, and iron will, res- ~ . ' • ' . - ' .
-iimintitive numbers, w h i ch ultimately preyed ..
cued his country from the gaping • jaws Of
an iricalcuable blessing to the cause of Inde-'
death, and caused the heart of every pinyin- a n
• Among the • heroic leadera,"_wh . o .
cial to Weep ; not to weep' tears of 'Chiding
gured. conspicuously in the warfare at: the
regret, or inexpressible anguish, bat tears Of
South, stands proinently the names of Generals . -
unspeakable joy. Washington being drit•en ..tempter and Marion; whose hair-bieteith'el- -
before the British army, Crosse,' t i the Delaware, 'capes ; bold vig orous movernents• and 'daring
destroyed the bridges behind him. ! AR the '. .. , - • • ! •
rear portion of his army reached the bank
1 - dittury importance; both.at honie iioa abroad: .
exploits, entitle toem -, to . a 'position of no or- .
the British appeared in - .sight on the . - oppo - T i , d e li ne a te ~ • - the '•- • • ' of
•
site. Finding irimpossible to reach ;the 0 ' • • - ' -
P - the revolution , would -be utt erly impossible
posite shore, they retraced their steps in d.i s-- for me, without prod tieing, a feeling of tines- '
appointment and chagrin'. Winter was ap- !
sines in those Who might kindly feel dispos2 -
proaching, Washington remained .quiet until .
.: P ' } ed''' to lisle through - politene ss , politeness to my feeble
the 25th of December, wheelie re-crossed the • • - 1 •" -' ' •
an - interest ing 1 remarks.. A 'few other - points -'
Delaware, marched to Trenton, and them
. in connection with the foregoing tieciissimily -
captiired 10 8 0 prisoners; besides -as many' arises; :that - i' eqUire- the- foregoing ,
thougho ' it.be in '
stand of arms, and six field pieces.- This an obliterated manner 'While hostilities
. .
brilliant feat of arms, was performed after haw-' w ere he. carried - • ' - -..-
ing on, at the smith; the ene s ,
ing surmounted almost incredible. diffieulties, M - y -- a . t. the north, were in a statnofinactivity.
that obstructed- their difficult transit. - This
• ! 'General Greene - logs dispatched - with re=in=
was a favorable change effected for indepen- fordernents ti{ the Rith • and after' •
deuce, when eta time, it waS . evidently -eb-• , •• o
• • - -•- • ' ' •
nianeuvers between the tio•Conten
bing at its lats. - est tide. I - - • - -•
mien they separated;. not .intil.haWes . "•
From the bititle of T renton; to the close- of
:,....!'battle .of Guilford Court:Rause,- Where the -.
the revolutionithe cause of independence ivas • . ~..
Americansnwaited the arrival of the-English
steadily on-tini incre. '..tholirrh fluctuating
.. , . under Lord Cornwallis. ,In this engagement
at times like Ali e -rolling tide of e the mighty
, „.• the Americans were .refillsed ,•bUt not defeat- •
deep ; . .yet, it, bore evident hates of its on- • ed. Lord
,Cotnwhllis retreated Step - by step',
ward advancement. The third eventful ne
, before his wary. antagonist,
: until . finally he
rind of the revolution, embraces the alliance made -a temporary
, ng
stand at,Eutnw Spring*
witlarance; which was accomp l ished, afte r
• s '
.Here, the contest,was desperate, and theE"
- -
•
a -series of labor and comple x difficulties' hy lish -were- gain obliged tallietreat;. teaYing . .
.the-unreinitting exertion of !AmeriCan ' Min,. ilieblood y field in possessT n'raf the victorious-'
.
utters. - . Americans . . Cornwallis n w - p - Ushed• CM eag- .:
..• . .
The arrival of French troops, filled the peo- erly to Wilmington; where,. after bating hela- - -
PIC with rejoicing, although their deliverance a council-of war,it' wardeter/xi hied' to pine?
,
Was far - off; yet. they . had - Maple reason ..to triter the- -State of • Virginia with fire 'anti
know from their alliance with France, ' th. at sviord. .Tha. militia refusing tolollow hini - -
they and their cause were net :whcillyi over-.
•
looked. by the, people of Europe bi..these con- 1 1 • -
'mercilesi- grasp o - f the - f e ll_destroyer of he- -
wincing proofs, visibly manifested. It ,Was du-man a h •
ppmess„--retraced •:their .sterks, while -
ring this period, that the Battles of Brandy- '
the enmy was blindly permitted `to intricate.
wine, Germantown,r..
.. and Monmouth. were - himself into a-Web, u - hi C h -tint; des - seeineit' iip- , ,
fought. The first. proving disastrous to the patently - Weaving. - Yorktown, shortly • Isfter ,
provincial arms, yet it was not. : destitite of felhintcr the hands of the allied 'treops. - Thi s
- some got results. It gaye a favorable op - was the lea Victory of -. any coasiderable.
•
im
portunity of judging the intrinsic worth of p s is - a ' ase , that', occurred during the remainingthoie generous . foreigners.' who came here' to part of.the're volutionary Struggle.: Predate=
espouse the declaration of independence.--. rv - warfare continued until the' Close of the
To evince. their honesty of purpose and•fideli-.
ty, they offered themselves a Willing sacirifice
in a strangers cause and eagerly sought the
hottest of the strife and earn - age. . I ties here
where count _Pulaski, a . bride Polo at • the
head of the light infantry, charged . 'the• ene
my in a gallant . manner, and, bravely distin
guished himself ase 'meritorious officer.. It
was . here ; where the generous and °mensal
tnoui Lafayette, first engaged in the \ bloody.
and desperate struggle which was then fierce
ly. raging in Anieric,e... r . : ~. .: .: . . •
His * cOndmit then, and. afterwards; clearly:
showed,Ahat h.e was not prinupted by. selffab
motives
,of horior,or emolument, ininsheaths
frig his sword in defence of the injured codo
nice. 'The second 'engagement, though' like=
wise.Oisestrens in its resnlte,.' may: be entirely
attributed to the ignetance of the provinciiis'
I ,
$ .
i Vuntb7---20.1
war.
At last on the 3d . of Septembe; "1783, the,
fi n al treaty of peace. was signed mi&conclnd‘
ed at . Paris. This treaty toedgOirei l i the in
dependence of the revolted colonik and gave
them other Immunities-and privileges, which
Were purchasM \by the blood rttout ancestors ;
by their desperate. -updertalting; and their,
chivalrous deed's-of daring and. bravery. Aftt
ter the British evacuated New York' atol
hostilities at an end ; 'Washington. tr e k hi s
farewell departure of the army, arniffthe sor-
row and grief," that pervaded his firithful tot-'
lowers. =Many of those war-worn votelans
felt confident, =they shonittnever Bee theirlie;
loved General again; wept tirotuselg
heart-rending oecfsion. Washingt*ltim,
self was unable to-restrain-his emotion. Af
tor he had Parted from them formerly, beam
%