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4  ' 


65- 


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y^y,  ^^^^^2 


F.iioYaved  for  Hoilisters  Hi 


onnecUcuL. 


THE 


HISTOEY 


OF 


CONNECTICUT, 


FROM   THE 


PIRST  SETTLEilEXT  OF  THE  COLONY  TO  THE  AEOrTIOX  OP  THE 

PRESENT  CONSTITCTION. 

i 

BY  G.   H.  HOLLISTER.  I 


3n  too  bolunus: 


VOL.    II. 


"  Their  force  would  be  most  disproportionately  exerted  against  a  brave,  generous,  and  united  peo- 
ple, with  arms  in  their  hands  and  courage  in  their  heiuts ;  three  millions  of  people,  the  genuine 
descendants  of  a  valiant  and  pious  ancestry,  driven  to  those  deserts  by  the  narrow  maxims  of  a 
superstitious  tyranny." — Earl  of  Chatham. 


NEW    HAVEN: 

DURRIE     AND     PECK. 

1855. 


»  J  J  I  > 


Cheoked 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1855, 

BY  G.  H.   IIOLLISTEPt, 
ill  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  Connecticut. 


R.  H.  IfOBBfl, 

8tercotvj)cr,  Hnrtford,  Ct. 


CASE,  TIFFANY  &  CO., 

Printers.  Hnrtford,  Conn. 


PREFACE. 


When  employed  in  writing  the  first  volume  of  this  work,  it  was  a  pleasure  to 
dwell  upon  the  traits  of  individual  men  who  fell  under  my  observation.  But  on 
reaching  the  period  of  the  last  French  war,  the  population  of  the  colony  was 
found  to  have  multiplied  so  rapidly  that  the  task  became  more  difficult,  and  when 
the  attempt  was  made  to  give  an  account  of  men  who  lived,  and  events  which 
transpired  three  quarters  of  a  century  later,  it  appeared  almost  impossible 
to  embrace  within  a  small  volume  even  an  outline  of  our  history.  Aware  of  the 
many  imperfections  of  this  work,  it  would  be  ungrateful  in  me  not  to  acknowl- 
edge that  it  would  have  been  much  more  open  to  criticism  than  it  is,  had  not  the 
contributions  of  friends,  too  numerous  to  be  named  here,  been  used  without  stint 
as  they  were  given  without  reserve. 

The  names  of  some  of  these  contributors  have  been  already  mentioned  in  notes. 
To  them  should  be  added  those  of  the  Rev.  Tryon  Edwards,  D.D.,  the  Rev. 
Chauncey  A.  Goodrich,  D.D.,  the  Hon.  Roger  S.  Baldwin,  LL.  D.,  the  Hon.  O. 
S.  Seymour,  the  Hon.  Robert  C.  Winthrop,  LL.  D.,  the  Hon.  Joseph  Trumbull, 
LL.  D.,  the  Hon.  S.  P.  Beers,  the  Hon.  Henry  Barnard,  LL.  D.,  the  Rev.  Gurdou 
Robbins,  and  of  Charles  F.  Sedgwick,  Ralph  D.  Smith,  George  C.  Woodruff, 
Gustavus  F.  Davis,  Dvvight  Morris,  John  C.  Comstock,and  Charles  J,  Hoadley, 
Esquires. 

Most  especially  do  I  acknowleilge  an  indebtedness  which  I  never  can  repay  to 
my  excellent  friend,  P.  K.  Kilbourn,  A.M.,  of  Litchfield,  for  more  than  two  years 
of  unintermitted  toil  by  day  and  by  night,  in  reading  over,  copying,  collating,  and 
indexing  the  records  of  the  colony  of  New  Haven,  as  well  as  those  of  Connecticut ; 
in  gathering  all  the  fragmentary  evidence,  so  valueless  in  its  crude  state,  of  fifteen 
of  our  old  towns,  and  placing  it  at  my  disposal ;  in  compiling  and  arranging  the 
appendix  to  both  volumes  ;  in  preparing  the  major  part  of  the  notes  to  be  found  in 
this  work ;  in  searching  printed  authorities  and  miscellaneous  manuscripts,  and  writ- 
ing letters,  scrutinizing  the  evidences  which  have  been  woven  into  the  text,  and  in 
short,  doing  what  I  had  neither  the  time  nor  ability  to  do  in  adding  to  the  histori- 
cal value  and  to  the  completeness  of  the  work.  I  should  have  been  unable  to  do 
even  the  little  that  I  have  done,  without  him,  and  am  not  willing  to  let  this  occasion 
pass  without  attempting  to  do  him  justice.  As  a  genealogist,  I  have  never  seen 
his  superior. 

I  am  also  indebted  to  John  Kilbourn,  A. INI.,  for  some  valuable  statistics,  and  for 
other  assistance  which  I  had  little  occasion  to  expect  from  one  not  born  in  Con- 
necticut, and  who  had  spent  most  of  his  life  in  other  states. 


iv  PREFACE. 

As  tills  work  was  not  eominenced  under  the  promptings  of  any  desire  to 
obtain  money  or  win  popularity,  but  from  the  mere  love  of  the  subject  of  which 
it  treats,  I  have  no  occasion  to  solicit  the  indulgence  of  the  public.  Still  the 
kindness  of  the  legislature  of  the  state,  whose  history  I  have  attempted  to 
illustrate,  in  making  an  appropriation  to  aid  me  in  embellishing  my  work  with 
portraits  of  some  of  her  noblest  sons,  I  can  no  more  forget,  than  I  can  be  unmind- 
ful of  the  generosity  and  eloquence  with  which  that  appropriation  was  advocated 
by  John  Cotton  Smith,  Esquire,  then  a  comparative  stranger  to  me,  and  the  assiduity 
with  which  he  has  aided  the  work  in  too  many  ways  to  be  mentioned  in  a  single 
paragraph. 

In  another  part  of  this  volume,  I  have  made  a  brief  allusion  to  the  kind  assist- 
ance afforded  me  by  my  personal  friend  Mr.  George  F.  Wright.  It  is  a  source  of 
much  pleasure  to  me,  when  I  reflect  that  the  old  town  within  whose  limits  we  both 
were  born,  can  count  among  her  Masons,  her  Porters,  her  Days,  her  Whittle- 
seys,  her  Kirbys,  her  Mitchels,  her  Wheatons,  her  Bushnells,her  Brinsmades,  her 
Leavitts,  and  her  other  historical  names,  an  artist  whose  fine  genius  and  taste 
will  be  devoted  to  adorn  the  little  republic  whose  name  is  but  a  synonym  for  Liberty. 
The  two  designs  for  the  state  coat  of  arms  that  appear  in  this  work,  as  well  as 
the  elegant  paintings  from  Vv^hich  Governors  Saltonstall,  and  John  Cotton  Smith, 
were  engraved,  were  all  done  by  his  hand. 

Doubtless  the  critical  reader  will  discover  in  this  volume  errors  which  ought  to 
be  corrected,  and  will  find  that  many  events  and  many  names  have  been  either 
omitted  entirely  or  briefly  touched  upon,  which  will  seem  to  him  deserving  of  a 
more  minute  notice. 

Will  the  careful  antiquar}^,  more  especially  if  he  be  a  descendant  of  those  men 
who  have  fought  the  battles  of  the  colony,  or  aided  in  making  its  laws,  be  kind 
enough  to  forward  to  the  author  such  facts  as  he  has  in  his  possession,  and 
impart  in  a  private  and  friendly  way  his  views  upon  all  points  of  our  history 
which  appear  to  him  to  have  been  neglected.  All  such  suggestions  will  be  thank- 
fully received,  and  will  afford  a  basis  of  future  estimate,  as  well  of  men  as  of  causes 
and  effects.  Perhaps  the  reader  who  has  formed  his  taste  after  such  models  as 
Dr.  Robertson,  will  complain  that  this  work  does  not  follow  in  the  old  fashioned 
historical  track.  Tlie  author  pleads  guilty  to  the  accusation.  The  day  has  gone 
hj,  when  the  mere  dry  details  of  wars,  and  civic  intrigues,  will  ever  be  read  with 
interest.  The  writer  of  the  present  day  addresses  himself  not  to  the  few  who  are 
versed  in  the  dead  languages,  but  to  the  many  who  read  the  English  tongue. 

Besides,  this  is  a  mere  local  histoiy.  It  pretends  to  do  nothing  more  than  to 
give  an  account  of  a  small  commonwealth.  In  order  to  do  this  effectually,  it  is 
necessary  to  present  in  a  lively  way,  the  incidents  connected  with  our  progress  as 
a  people,  from  the  earliest  existence  of  our  government.  Sketches  of  individual 
character,  of  domestic  life,  pictures  of  "  the  age  of  home-spun,"  of  the  privations 
and  the  struggles  which  could  tame  the  wild  lands,  wild  men,  and  wild  beasts  of  a 
new  country,  and  sow  its  fallow  ground  with  the  seeds  of  civil  and  religious  liberty, 
can  alone  "  hold  the  mirror  up  to  nature"  and  show  us  the  very  body  and  soul  of 
our  past. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Page 

The  last  French  War. — A  turn  in  our  path ;  "Windham  county  in- 
corporated ;  incorporation  of  AYiUington,  East  Haddam,  Somers, 
Union,  Harwinton,  Canaan,  Kent,  Sharon,  New  Hartford,  New 
Fairfield,  Cornwall,  Torrington,  Salisbury,  and  Goshen ;  jealousy 
of  the  French  ;  plan  of  fortifications ;  the  French  reduce  Nova 
Scotia  ;  hostilities  continue ;  the  French  and  English  commission- 
ers fail  in  the  attempts  to  negotiate  a  peace;  the  "Ohio  Com- 
pany;" encroachments  of  the  French;  Fort  Du  Quesne ;  Colonel 
George  Washington's  victory  ;  Fort  Necessity ;  Washington  sur- 
rendered to  De  Yillier ;  meeting  of  commissioners  at  Albany ; 
consolidation  opposed  by  Connecticut,  and  finally  defeated ;  opposi- 
tion to  the  scheme  of  the  ministry  ;  Braddock  embarks  at  Cork ; 
vigilance  of  the  French ;  the  French  and  English  fleets ;  letter 
from  Sir  Thomas  Robinson ;  troops  to  be  raised  ;  bills  of  credit ; 
ofiicers  appointed  ;  expedition  against  Crown  Point ;  Baron  Dies- 
kan  ;  Colonel  Williams,  Hendrick,  and  others,  slain  ;  the  provin- 
cials repulsed,  but  finally  victorious  ;  more  troops  raised  and  ofii- 
cers appointed ;  the  objects  accomplished  ;  General  William  John- 
son knighted ;  Shirley's  expedition ;  close  of  the  campaign  of 
1755 IT 


CHAPTER  II. 

CamjKiigns  of  1756  and  1759. — Declaration  of  war  between  France 
and  England ;  Shirley  superceded  by  Abercrombie  ;  plan  of  the 
campaign  ;  Winslow  appointed  to  command  the  expedition  against 
Crown  Point ;  Abercrombie  proceeds  to  Albany  with  his  British 
troops ;  j  ealousy  between  the  British  and  Colonial  ofiicers ;  Earl 
of  Loudoun  ;  his  arrogance  ;  gallant  defense  of  Colonel  Bradstreet ; 
inefficiency  of  General  Webb  ;  Montcalm ;  Fort  Oswego  besieged ; 
death    of    Colonel   Mercer ;    the    garrison   capitulates  ;    conduct 


iv  PREFACE. 

As  this  work  was  not  commenced  under  the  promptings  of  any  desire  to 
obtain  money  or  win  popularity,  but  from  the  mere  love  of  the  subject  of  which 
it  treats,  I  have  no  occasion  to  solicit  the  indulgence  of  the  public.  Still  the 
kindness  of  the  legislature  of  the  state,  whose  history  I  have  attempted  to 
illustrate,  in  making  an  appropriation  to  aid  me  in  embellishing  my  work  with 
portraits  of  some  of  her  noblest  sons,  I  can  no  more  forget,  than  I  can  be  unmind- 
ful of  the  generosity  and  eloquence  with  which  that  appropriation  was  advocated 
by  John  Cotton  Smith,  Esquire,  then  a  comparative  stranger  to  me,  and  the  assiduity 
with  which  he  has  aided  the  work  in  too  many  ways  to  be  mentioned  in  a  single 
paragraph. 

In  another  part  of  this  volume,  I  have  made  a  brief  allusion  to  the  kind  assist- 
ance afforded  me  by  my  personal  friend  Mr.  George  F.  Wright.  It  is  a  source  of 
much  pleasure  to  me,  when  I  reflect  that  the  old  town  within  whose  limits  we  both 
vt^ere  born,  can  count  among  her  Masons,  her  Porters,  her  Days,  her  Whittle- 
seys,  her  Kirbys,  her  Mitchels,  her  Wheatons,  her  Bushnells,her  Brinsmades,  her 
Leavitts,  and  her  other  historical  names,  an  artist  whose  fine  genius  and  taste 
will  be  devoted  to  adorn  the  little  republic  whose  name  is  but  a  synonym  for  Liberty. 
The  two  designs  for  the  state  coat  of  arms  that  appear  in  this  work,  as  well  as 
the  elegant  paintings  from  which  Governors  Saltonstall,  and  John  Cotton  Smith, 
were  engraved,  were  all  done  by  his  hand. 

Doubtless  the  critical  reader  will  discover  in  this  volume  errors  which  ought  to 
be  corrected,  and  will  find  that  many  events  and  many  names  have  been  either 
omitted  entirely  or  briefly  touched  upon,  which  will  seem  to  him  deserving  of  a 
more  minute  notice. 

Will  the  careful  antiquary,  more  especially  if  he  be  a  descendant  of  those  men 
who  have  fought  the  battles  of  the  colony,  or  aided  in  making  its  laws,  be  kind 
enough  to  forward  to  the  author  such  facts  as  he  has  in  his  possession,  and 
impart  in  a  private  and  friendly  way  his  views  upon  all  points  of  our  history 
which  appear  to  him  to  have  been  neglected.  All  such  suggestions  will  be  thank- 
fully received,  and  will  afford  a  basis  of  future  estimate,  as  well  of  men  as  of  causes 
and  effects.  Perhaps  the  reader  who  has  formed  his  taste  after  such  models  as 
Dr.  Robertson,  will  complain  that  this  work  does  not  follow  in  the  old  fashioned 
historical  track.  The  author  pleads  guilty  to  the  accusation.  The  day  has  gone 
by,  when  the  mere  dry  details  of  wars,  and  civic  intrigues,  will  ever  be  read  with 
interest.  The  writer  of  the  present  day  addresses  himself  not  to  the  few  who  are 
versed  in  the  dead  languages,  but  to  the  many  who  read  the  English  tongue. 

Besides,  this  is  a  mere  local  history.  It  pretends  to  do  nothing  more  than  to 
give  an  account  of  a  small  commonwealth.  In  order  to  do  this  effectually,  it  is 
necessary  to  present  in  a  lively  way,  the  incidents  connected  with  our  progress  as 
a  people,  from  the  earliest  existence  of  our  government.  Sketches  of  individual 
character,  of  domestic  life,  pictures  of  "  the  age  of  home-spun,"  of  the  privations 
and  the  struggles  which  could  tame  the  wild  lands,  wild  men,  and  wild  beasts  of  a 
new  country,  and  sow  its  fallow  ground  with  the  seeds  of  civil  and  religious  liberty, 
can  alone  "  hold  the  mirror  up  to  nature"  and  show  us  the  very  body  and  soul  of 
our  past. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTEK  I 


Page 


The  last  French  War. — A  turn  in  our  path ;  Windham  county  in- 
corporated ;  incorporation  of  Willington,  East  Haddam,  Somers, 
Union,  Harwinton,  Canaan,  Kent,  Sharon,  New  Hartford,  New 
Fairfield,  Cornwall,  Torrington,  Salisbury,  and  Goshen ;  jealousy 
of  the  French  ;  plan  of  fortifications ;  the  French  reduce  Nova 
Scotia  ;  hostilities  continue ;  the  French  and  English  commission- 
ers fail  in  the  attempts  to  negotiate  a  peace;  the  "Ohio  Com- 
pany;" encroachments  of  the  French ;  Fort  Du  Quesne ;  Colonel 
George  "Washington's  victory ;  Fort  Necessity ;  AVashington  sur- 
rendered to  De  Yillier ;  meeting  of  commissioners  at  Albany ; 
consolidation  opposed  by  Connecticut,  and  finally  defeated ;  opposi- 
tion to  the  scheme  of  the  ministry  ;  Braddock  embarks  at  Cork ; 
vigilance  of  the  French ;  the  French  and  English  fleets ;  letter 
from  Sir  Thomas  Robinson ;  troops  to  be  raised  ;  bills  of  credit ; 
officers  appointed  ;  expedition  against  Crown  Point ;  Baron  Dies- 
kan  ;  Colonel  Williams,  Hendrick,  and  others,  slain  ;  the  provin- 
cials repulsed,  but  finally  victorious  ;  more  troops  raised  and  offi- 
cers appointed ;  the  objects  accomplished  ;  General  William  John- 
son knighted ;  Shirley's  expedition ;  close  of  the  campaign  of 
1755 17 


CHAPTER  II. 

Camimigns  of  1756  and  1759. — Declaration  of  war  between  France 
and  England ;  Shirley  superceded  by  Abercrombie ;  plan  of  the 
campaign  ;  Winslow  appointed  to  command  the  expedition  against 
Crown  Point ;  Abercrombie  proceeds  to  Albany  with  his  British 
troops ;  j  ealousy  between  the  British  and  Colonial  officers ;  Earl 
of  Loudoun  ;  his  arrogance  ;  gallant  defense  of  Colonel  Bradstrect ; 
inefficiency  of  General  Webb  ;  Montcalm ;  Fort  Oswego  besieged ; 
death    of    Colonel   Mercer ;    the    garrison   capitulates  ;    conduct 


VI  CONTENTS. 

Paob 

of  Montcalm  and  his  Indian  allies ;  retreat  of  General  "Webb ;  in- 
glorious close  of  the  campaign  of  1756  ;  the  contrast;  chagrin  of 
the  people  of  New  England  ;  preparations  for  a  new  campaign ; 
arrival  of  the  fleet  from  England  ;  expedition  against  Crown  Point 
abandoned  ;  Lord  Loudoun's  expedition  against  Louisbourg ;  his 
return  to  New  York ;  General  Webb  visits  Fort  William  Henry ; 
Israel  Putnam ;  Fort  William  Henry  reinforced  by  Colonel  Mon- 
roe ;  Montcalm  opens  the  siege ;  Monroe  implores  assistance  from 
General  Webb  ;  the  general  advises  him  to  surrender ;  he  capitu- 
lates ;  Montcalm  neglects  to  provide  a  suitable  escort ;  Indian  bar- 
barities ;  Putnam  visits  the  scene  of  slaughter ;  more  troops  called 
for ;  response  of  Connecticut 45 


CHAPTER  III. 

Cam'paign  of  1758. — Convention  of  governors  at  Hartford;  the  con- 
ference proves  unsatisfactory ;  chagrin  of  Lord  Loudoun ;  he  is 
superceded  by  General  Abercrombie;  the  curse  of  bad  rulers  ;  re- 
capitulation ;  the  new  ministry ;  popularity  of  Pitt ;  special  assem- 
bly convened ;  plan  of  a  new  campaign  ;  apportionment  of  troops  ; 
Connecticut  votes  to  raise  five  thousand  soldiers  ;  officers  appoint- 
ed; bills  of  credit  issued ;  taxes  laid;  commissioners  appointed; 
fleet  and  armament  arrive  from  England  ;  movement  against  Louis- 
bourg ;  capture  of  Louisbourg ;  expedition  against  Ticonderoga 
and  Crown  Point;  interview  between  Lord  Howe  and  Major  Put- 
nam ;  death  of  Lord  Howe  ;  his  character ;  humanity  of  Putnam  ; 
Colonel  Bradstreet ;  Colonel  Whiting;  Ticonderoga;  an  ill-con- 
trived attack  ;  the  assault  abandoned  ;  indignation  of  the  provin- 
cial and  English  troops;  unpopularity  of  Abercrombie;  Majors 
Rogers  and  Putnam ;  Molang ;  the  ambush ;  gallant  conduct  of 
Putnam ;  his  capture  and  torture ;  the  Indians  attempt  to  burn 
him  ;  he  is  rescued  by  Molang ;  review  of  the  campaign 67 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Campaigns  o/*l759  and  1760. — Proposed  plan  of  operations ;  twenty 
thousand  men  wanted  fi-om  the  colonies ;  the  Assembly  convened  ; 
letter  from  Mr.  Pitt ;  it  is  resolved  to  raise  three  thousand  six 
hundred  soldiers  in  Connecticut ;  officers  appointed ;  bills  of 
credit ;  our  quota  is  increased  to  five  thousand  men  ;  General  Am- 
herst ;  his  march  toward  Lake  Champlain ;  he  takes  possession  of 


CONTENTS.  Vll 

Page 

Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point ;  capture  of  Fort  Niagara ;  expedi- 
tion of  General  AVolfe ;  he  encamps  on  the  Isle  of  Orleans ;  Que- 
bec ;  Admirals  Saunders  and  Holmes ;  Wolfe  makes  an  attack,  but 
is  repulsed ;  a  council  of  officers ;  it  is  determined  to  renew  the 
attack;  Gray's  Elegy;  the  Heights  of  Quebec  are  scaled;  the 
army  arranged  on  the  Plains  of  Abraham  ;  surprise  of  Montcalm ; 
his  plan  of  battle ;  the  battle ;  the  fall  of  Wolfe ;  death  of  Mont- 
calm; the  victory  of  the  English  and  provincials;  Monsieur  Levi 
attempts  to  recover  Quebec ;  Murray  attacks  him,  but  is  repulsed ; 
the  enemy  open  the  siege  ;  timely  arrival  of  the  English  fleet ;  the 
destruction  of  the  French  fleet ;  flight  of  the  French  troops  ;  Con- 
necticut resolves  to  raise  five  thousand  fresh  troops ;  plan  of  a  new 
campaign ;  Amherst  marches  against  Oswego  ;  exploits  of  Put- 
nam on  the  Lake ;  Montreal  and  the  whole  country  claimed  by 
the  French,  surrenders  to  Amherst  ;  a  day  of  thanksgiving  cele- 
brated throughout  New  England  ;  the  war  continues  ;  Connecti- 
cut raises  three  thousand  two  hundred  troops  for  the  service  ;  the 
campaign  ;  reduction  of  Martinique,  and  other  French  islands  ; 
reduction  of  Havanna  ;  ravages  of  disease  ;  peace  ;  Connecticut 
officers 92 


CHAPTER  Y. 

T\e  Stamp  Act. — National  Debt  of  England;  the  colonies  to  be 
taxed  ;  a  new  administration  ;  stamp  duties  ;  the  sugar  act  ; 
the  people  of  New  England  excited  ;  a  committee  appointed  to  op- 
pose the  stamp  act ;  their  report ;  Richard  Jackson,  Esq. ;  Jared 
Ingersoll,  Esq.  ;  their  opposition  to  the  stamp  act  ;  inquiries  of 
Lord  PLalifax  ;  Ingersoll's  remonstrance  ;  Colonel  Barre  ;  his  de- 
fense of  the  colonies  ;  passage  of  the  stamp  act  ;  opposition  of 
the  clergy  ;  measures  of  the  populace  ;  ^Mr.  Ingersoll  accepts  the 
office  of  stamp-master  ;  the  Sons  of  Liberty  ;  the  people  insist 
upon  the  resignation  of  the  stamp-master  ;  the  cavalcade  ;  his 
resignation  ;  John  Durkee  ;  Colonel  Putnam  and  Governor  Fitch  ; 
repeal  of  the  stamp  act .  120 


CHAPTER  YI. 

Tlie  Boston  Port  Bill— The  new  ministry  ;  Lord  Greenville  and 
Townshend  ;  new  revenue  bill ;  alarm  among  the  colonies ;  mob 
in  Boston  ;    ships  of  war  and  an  armed  force  arrive  in  Boston  ; 


VUl  CONTENTS. 

Page 

non-importation  agreement ;  mock-festival  in  Norwich ;  a  revenue- 
sloop  stationed  at  New  London  ;  convention  of  the  mercantile  and 
landed  interests  at  New  Haven  ;  New  York  merchants  censured 
for  violating  the  articles  of  agreement  ;  domestic  manufactures ; 
committees  of  inspection  ;  the  Duke  of  Richmond  ;  the  Boston 
Port  Bill  ;  a  day  of  humiliation  and  prayer  ;  war-like  preparations 
in  Connecticut ;  contributions  to  the  people  of  Boston ;  meeting 
in  Glastenbury ;  Stonington  ;  letter  from  Joseph  Warren ;  Putnam 
and  Durkee  ;  the  march  toward  Boston  ;  delegates  to  Congress  ; 
recommendations   of  Congress 141 


CHAPTER  YII. 

Battle  of  Lexington  and  Fall  of  Ticonderoga. — March  of  General 
Gage  ;  stores  at  Worcester  and  Concord  ;  Pitcairn ;  the  fight  at 
Concord  and  Lexington ;  the  march  against  Ticonderoga ;  Allen 
and  Arnold  ;  Allen's  address  to  his  soldiers ;  the  garrison  surren- 
ders ;  Captain  De  La  Place  ;  Warren  captures  Crown  Point ;  Lake 
Champlain  in  possession  of  the  Americans ;  the  Green  Mountain 
Boys 160 


CHAPTER  YIII. 

Battle  of  BunTcer  Hill. — Colonel  Putnam  starts  for  Concord;  the 
Connecticut  militia  follow  him ;  Major  Durkee ;  action  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly ;  troops  raised  and  officers  appointed ;  the  standards 
of  our  regiments ;  the  military  code ;  Connecticut  pays  the  bills 
contracted  in  the  capture  of  Ticonderoga ;  new  recruits ;  the 
British  army;  the  American  camp  at  Cambridge;  Connecticut 
officers ;  Chester's  company ;  Noddle's  and  Hog  Islands  ;  Gage's 
Proclamation ;  General  Warren  ;  disposition  of  the  army ;  char- 
acter and  condition  of  the  provincials;  ineflBciency  of  Con- 
gress ;  opposition  to  a  general  engagement ;  the  matter  debated ; 
the  counsels  of  Putnam  prevail ;  fortifications  erected  ;  Colonel 
Prescott;  the  intrenching  party ;  daj^-light;  astonishment  of  the 
enemy ;  the  fight  commences  ;  the  chaplain  and  Colonel  Prescott ; 
progress  of  the  battle ;  incidents ;  General  Ward's  conduct ;  activity 
of  Putnam ;  British  officers ;  Captain  Chester's  letter ;  interview 
between  Putnam  and  Warren ;  Major  Small ;  Colonel  Abercrombie ; 
death  of  General  Warren  ;  close  of  the  battle 173 


CONTENTS.  IX 

I  Page 

CHAPTER    IX. 

Expedition  against  Canada. — Election  of  general  officers  by  Con- 
gress ;  speech  of  the  chiefs  and  warriors  of  the  Oneida  Indians ; 
General  Washington  joins  the  army  at  Cambridge ;  meeting  of 
Washington  and  Putnam  ;  action  of  the  Continental  Congress ;  the 
three  vines ;  invasion  of  our  coast ;  Governor  Tryon ;  Captain 
Isaac  Sears ;  destruction  of  Rivington's  press  ;  the  Indians  ;  Ar- 
nold's Expedition  through  the  wilderness ;  Generals  Montgomery, 
Wooster,  and  Schuyler  ;  Colonel  Allen  and  Major  Brown  ;  Allen 
taken  prisoner ;  the  provincials  take  possession  of  Montreal ;  un- 
successful attempt  upon  Quebec ;  Wooster  in  command  of  the 
northern  army ;  conduct  of  Schuyler ;  AYooster  appeals  to  Con- 
gress ;  his  character  vindicated 227 

CHAPTER  X. 

The  British  Evacuate  Boston. — Congress  and  Washington ;  difficul- 
ties encountered ;  troubles  in  New  York ;  Captain  Sears  and  Gen- 
eral Lee  ;  troops  raised  in  Connecticut  for  New  York  city ;  threat  of 
Gen,  Lee  ;  gallant  exploit  of  Colonel  Knowlton;  a  farce  and  tragedy ; 
condition  of  the  British  troops  in  Boston ;  General  Howe's  mis- 
mangement ;  debate  in  council ;  Dorchester  Heights ;  Colonel 
Gridley ;  Howe's  astonishment ;  preparations  for  battle ;  Howe 
summons  a  council  of  war ;  he  determines  to  evacuate  Boston ; 
measures  of  Washington  ;  embarkation  of  the  British  troops.  .  .  .  242 

CHAPTER  XL 

Battle  on  Long  Island. — The  enemy  bound  for  New  Y'ork ;  General 
Sullivan  marches  toward  that  city ;  Putnam  commands  in  New 
York ;  his  measures ;  the  Assembly  of  Connecticut ;  their  acts 
and  resolves ;  melting  of  the  statue  of  George  III. ;  distribution  of 
the  bullets  ;  the  Wolcotts  ;  appointment  of  officers ;  new  recruits 
and  officers ;  the  American  camp  ;  Putnam ;  the  "  American  Tur- 
tle ;"  Connecticut  troops  march  for  New  York ;  Long  Island ;  a 
battle ;  Connecticut  soldiers ;  triumph  of  the  enemy  ;  General 
Howe  knighted ;  the  Americans  evacuate  Long  Island ;  situation 
of  Washington  ;  Captain  Nathan  Hale  ;  his  fate  ;  Governor  Tryon 
entertained  by  Mrs.  Murray;  the  "  orchard  fight ;"  death  of  Major 
Chapman  ;  Colonel  William  Douglas ;  death  of  Knowlton ;  White 
Plains ;  Fort  Washington  ;  Captain  Beebe's  company ;  the  New 


CONTENTS. 

* 

Page 

York  convention;  Washington  retreats  through  the  Jerseys;  Mor- 
ristown  ;  the  northern  army  ;  General  Waterbury ;  Sir  Guy  Carle- 
ton  ;  his  humanity 259 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Burning  of  Daribury.  JDeatTi  of  Wooster. — Governor  Tryon ;  Gen- 
eral Howe ;  Tryon's  expedition  ;  incident  at  Hoyt's  Hill ;  Danbury 
burnt ;  the  retreat ;  Silliman,  Wooster,  and  Arnold ;  Wooster 
mortally  wounded;  action  at  Ridgefield;  Colonel  Deming;  Tryon 
re-embarks  ;  death  and  character  of  Wooster  ;  Colonel  Meigs'  ex- 
pedition to  Long  Island , 296 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Princeton  and  the  HigMands. — Putnam  and  McPherson ;  the  old 
army  and  the  new  ;  Peekskill  and  Westchester  ;  Colonel  Meigs  ; 
Nathan  Palmer  hung  as  a  spy  ;  Sir  Henry  Clinton  ;  the  enemy 
capture  Fort  Montgomery;  Major  Humphreys;  burning  of  Gen- 
eral Delaney's  mansion;  West  Point 309 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

The  northern  Ikpartment.  Gajptufe  of  Burgoyne. — General  Schuy- 
ler ;  designs  of  Burgoyne ;  he  approaches  Ticonderoga  ;  retreat  of 
St.  Clair  ;  he  withdraws  to  Fort  Edward  ;  Americans  defeated  at 
Hubbardston  ;  Gates  supercedes  Schuyler  as  commander  of  the 
northern  army ;  battle  at  Bennington  ;  general  engagement  at 
Saratoga,  September  19th;  movements  of  the  two  armies;  Bur- 
goyne surrenders  ;  terms  of  capitulation ;  Captain  Seymour ;  in- 
dignity offered  to  Burgoyne 319 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Wyoming. — The  Susquehannah  Company ;  description  of  Wyoming ; 
the  land  purchased  ;  Congress  at  Albany ;  emigrants  from  Con- 
necticut settle  in  the  valley  ;  they  are  driven  off  by  the  Indians ; 
renewed  attempts  to  settle  there ;  settlers  under  the  Pennsylvania 
claim ;  Captain  Ogden  ;  Sheriff  Jennings  ;  Connecticut  settlers  im- 


CONTENTS.  xi 

Page 

prisoned ;  they  are  released  on  bail,  and  again  imprisoned ;  at- 
tempts to  negotiate  a  settlement  of  the  controversy  ;  Fort  Durkee 
often  captured  and  re-captured  ;  Zebulon  Butler ;  negotiations  re- 
newed, but  without  success  ;  Wyoming  is  annexed  to  Litchfield 
county,  and  called  the  town  of  "VYestmoreland ;  the  contest  between 
the  settlers  and  the  government  of  Pennsylvania  continues ;  Colo- 
nel Plunket;  the  Revolution  ;  patriotism  of  the  settlers;  scouting 
parties  and  spies ;  the  soldiers  of  Wyoming  called  off  on  duty ; 
invasion  of  the  valley  by  Colonel  John  Butler;  defense  of  Colonel 
Zebulon  Butler;  death  of  Captain  Durkee  ;  the  "massacre  of  Wy- 
oming ;  shocking  incidents ;  list  of  the  slain  ;  Captain  John  Frank- 
lin ;  Indian  murders  and  captivities ;  the  old  contest  revived  ;  com- 
missioners meet  at  Trenton  ;  their  decision  adverse  to  Connecticut; 
compromise  proposed  by  the  Pennsylvania  land-holders ;  the  set- 
tlers driven  off;  their  wrongs  and  sufferings  ;  charged  with  trea- 
son ;  imprisonment  of  Colonel  Franklin  ;  abduction  of  Colonel 
Pickering ;  confirming  laws 330 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

BrandyiDine,  Germantoicn,  and  Rorsenecl'. — Battle  of  the  Brandy- 
wine  ;    Germantown ;    Colonel   Swift ;  Lieutenant   Morris ;    Mud 
Island ;  Lieutenant-Colonel  Russell ;  session  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly ;  Generals   Putnam   and    Wolcott ;    Colonels  Trumbull   and 
Wadsworth ;  Valley  Forge  ;    the   enemy  evacuate  Philadelphia ; 
battle  of  Monmouth  ;  Sullivan  attempts  to  recover  Rhode  Island  ; 
defense  of  the  sea-coast ;  troops  raised  ;  the  public  debt ;  General 
Putnam's  quarters  at  Reading ;  a  revolt  suppressed ;  the  enemy  at 
Horseneck;  Putnam's  wonderful  escape;  Tryon's   excursion   to 
New  Haven ;  he  burns  Fairfield,  Green's  Farms,  and  Norwalk ; 
Governor  Tryon  and  General  Parsons  ;  storming  of  Stony  Point ; 
Major  Tallmadge's  expedition  to  Long  Island  ;  General  Putnam 
disabled  ;  more  troops  to  be  raised  ;  convention  called  at  Hartford  ; 
dragoons  and  French  troops  quartered  in  Connecticut ;  the  south- 
ern campaign;  Washington  and  Rochambcau  in    Hartford;  the 
treason  of  Arnold  ;    fate  of  Major  Andre  ;    Jonathan  Trumbull ; 
Major  Tallmadge  ;  Mr.  Champion's  prayer  ;  a  revolt ;  the  French 
squadron  ;    mails    intercepted  ;     French    and    American    troops 
march  toward   New  York  ;  they  formed  a  junction  near  White 
Plains  ;  a  reconnoisance  ;  plan  of  operations  charged  ;  the  coast- 
guard  363 


xii  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


Fags 


Arnold  'burns  New  London.  Fall  of  Forts  Trunibull  and  GHswold. 
Frequent  disturbances  on  the  Sound  ;  prizes  taken  ;  Arnold  sails 
for  New  London ;  Colonel  Ledyard  ;  Captains  Shapley  and  Latham ; 
condition  of  the  forts;  conduct  of  Arnold;  Lord  Dalrymple;  New 
London  burnt ;  the  forts  summoned  to  surrender ;  Ledyard's  re- 
ply ;  his  gallant  defense ;  murder  of  Ledyard,  Shapley,  and  Chap- 
man; the  massacre;  Captain  Beckwith  ;  torture  of  the  wounded ; 
anecdotes  of  Arnold 896 


CHAPTER  XYIII. 

YorTctoion.  Trunibull  and  Putnam — Major  Tallmadge;  the  French 
fleet ;  Yorktown ;  the  allied  armies ;  the  combined  armies  of 
America  and  France  form  a  junction  with  Lafayette  at  Williams- 
burg, and  from  this  point  march  against  Lord  Cornwallis ;  rela- 
tive numbers  of  the  two  armies ;  the  British  strongly  fortified  at 
Yorktown ;  the  storming  of  the  outposts  ;  the  forlorn  hope ;  Colo- 
nel Alexander  Hamilton  ;  Captain  James  Morris,  of  Litchfield, 
commands  the  company  at  the  head  of  the  column  that  supports 
the  forlorn  hope ;  the  post  carried ;  the  allied  forces  get  possession 
of  the  grounds  that  overlook  the  town  ;  the  British  hemmed  in  on 
all  sides ;  the  artillery  begin  to  play  upon  the  town ;  Cornwallis 
attempts  to  cross  over  to  Gloucester,  and  force  his  way  through 
the  troops  on  that  side  of  the  river ;  a  violent  storm ;  flag  of  truce 
sent  out,  requesting  cessation  of  hostihties  for  the  space  of  twenty- 
four  hours ;  General  Washington  sends  back  word  that  he  will 
grant  them  two  hours  only  ;  surrender  of  Cornwallis  ;  the 
contest  determined ;  treaty  of  peace  ;  important  statement  of  Dr. 
Strong  ;  Colonel  Seth  Warner ;  sketch  of  Governor  Trumbull ; 
the  last  days  of  Putnam  ;  his  character 415 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

The  Constitution  of  tTie  United  States. — Meeting  of  the  convention; 
the  Connecticut  delegation  ;  their  participation  in  the  debates ;  the 
services  rendered  by  them ;  the  Shermans ;  the  Ellsworths ;  the 
Johnsons ;  the  debate  continued ;  each  article  of  the  constitution 
considered  separately  ;  the  influence  of  the  Connecticut  delegates; 
meeting  of  the  state  convention ;  speech  of  Oliver  Ellsworth  ;  rati- 
fication of  the  federal  constitution 435 


CONTENTS.  xiii 

Page 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Hfew  and  Derivative  Towns. — Organization  of  Litchfield,  Middlesex, 
and  Tolland  counties;  Lebanon,  "Woodstock,  Suffield,  Enfield, 
Somers,  Reading,  Chatham,  East  Windsor,  Southington,  Washing- 
ton, Cheshire,  Watertown,  East  Hartford,  Hartland,  Norfolk, 
Barkhamsted,  Winchester,  Colebrook,  Bridgeport,  and  other 
modern  tou'ns 463 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Miscellaneous  Events.  War  of  1812.  Hartford  Convention. — Our 
first  senators  and  representatives  in  Congress  ;  religious  tolera- 
tion ;  turnpike  roads  ;  Massachusetts'  boundary ;  General  Eaton's 
expedition  ;  Captain  Isaac  Hull ;  the  embargo ;  declaration  of  war 
against  Great  Britain ;  legislative  action  ;  opposition  to  the  war  ; 
Governor  Griswold ;  the  Constitution  and  Guerriere  ;  death  of  Gov- 
ernor Griswold  ;  Governor  Smith  ;  Commodore  Decatur's  squadron 
blockaded  in  New  London  harbor ;  a  torpedo-ship  ;  General  Bur- 
beck;  "bluehghts;"  spirited  adventures;  Captain  John  How- 
ard ;  bombardment  of  Stonington ;  Commodore  Hardy ;  Commo- 
dore McDonough ;  the  General  Assembly ;  controversy  between 
the  state  and  general  governments ;  Hartford  convention ;  roll  of 
delegates ;  doings  of  the  convention  ;  sketches  of  the  delegates 
fi:'om  Connecticut ;  the  General  Government  supplicated ;  news  of 
peace  arrives ;  exchange  of  salutes 472 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

TTie  present  Constitution  of  Connecticut. — Events  which  preceded 
and  led  to  the  constitutional  convention;  the  convention  called; 
the  constitution  formed ;  sketch  of  his  excellency,  John  Cotton 
Smith;  sketch  of  his  excellency,  Oliver  W^olcott 510 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Early  Jurisprudence  of  Connecticut. — Religious  toleration  ;  "  Quak- 
ers, Ranters,  and  Adamites  ;"  ecclesiastical  dominion  ;  the  proper 
mode  of  interpreting  laws  and  ascertaining  what  is  their  true 
spirit ;  our  criminal  code  the  simplest  in  the  world,  and  practically 


XIV  CONTENTS. 

Paob 

the  most  bloodless ;  fewer  executions  have  taken  place  in  Connec- 
ticut than  elsewhere ;  the  impropriety  of  calling  Connecticut  a 
"  blue  law"  state ;  the  authors  of  this  nick-name  were  aliens,  and 
either  dishonest  or  ignorant  of  the  history  and  character  of  the 
people  who  founded  the  colony;  religious  toleration  of  the  in- 
habitants evinced  in  affording  a  place  of  refuge  for  Mrs.  Hutchin- 
son, and  in  hiding  the  Regicides  at  the  peril  of  their  own  lives  ; 
also  in  the  statute  published  in  the  code  of  1672,  which  took  the 
lead  of  all  the  other  states  of  the  world  in  tolerating  other  denom- 
inations ;  they  believed  in  witchcraft ;  this  was  borrowed  from  the 
Hebrew  code  and  from  the  laws  of  England  ;  this  law  was  almost 
a  dead  letter  ;  it  was  not  strange  that  our  people  believed  in  the 
existence  of  such  a  crime  ;  Cudworth,  one  of  the  best  of  men ; 
James  I.,  James  H.,  Queen  Elizabeth,  Lord  Bacon,  Lord  Coke,  Sir 
Walter  Raleigh,  Lord  Mansfield,  and  Lord  Hale,  all  held  to  the 
same  doctrine ;  sumptuary  laws  ;  the  people  were  obliged  by  law 
to  go  to  meeting  ;  this  was  by  no  means  exclusively  a  puritanical 
measure ;  Act  of  35th  of  Elizabeth  ;  the  offender  not  conform- 
ing was  obliged  to  abjure  the  realm — if  he  came  back  without 
license  he  was  to  be  adjudged  a  felon  and  suffer  death  ;  our  ances- 
tors have  been  charged  with  bigotry,  and  of  being  afraid  of  the 
devil — fearing  the  devil  is  not  the  worst  cowardice  in  the  world  ; 
ecclesiastical  dominion 526 


CHAPTER  XXIY. 

E]phco'pacy  in  Connecticut. — The  Stratford  Church  ;  resolve  of  the 
General  Court ;  the  society  for  propagating  the  gospel  in  foreign 
parts ;  first  attempt  to  introduce  episcopacy  in  Connecticut ;  Mr. 
Muirson  ;  Mr.  Pigot  ;  Dr.  Cutler  ;  Dr.  Samuel  Johnson ;  Rev. 
James  "Wetmore ;  Mr.  Beach ;  efforts  to  obtain  a  bishop  ;  Dr.  Learn- 
ing ;  consecration  of  Bishop  Seabury;  sketch  of  his  character; 
Bishop  Jarvis 539 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

Ofher  Religious  Denominations. — Methodism  ;  its  rise  and  progress 
in  Connecticut ;  Jesse  Lee ;  Rev.  Dr.  Fisk ;  sketch  of  the  progress 
of  the  Baptists  ;  the  Wightmans  ;  other  distinguished  clergymen  ; 
the  "great  awakening." 554 


CONTENTS.  XV 

Paox 

CHAPTER  XXYI. 

Schools,  Colleges,  Science,  Art,  and  Literature. — Early  legislation  on 
the  subject  of  Education  ;  the  school  fund;  Honorable  James  Hill- 
house  ;  Yale  College  ;  its  presidents  and  benefactors  ;  its  graduates ; 
Jonathan  Edwards ;  Dr.  Bellamy  ;  Litchfield  Law  School,  and 
Female  Academy ;  other  institutions ;  our  poets,  the  Athens  of 
America  ;  Trumbull,  Barlow,  General  Humphreys,  and  Dr.  Dwight, 
were  the  first  American  poets  who  made  any  impression  upon  the 
popular  mind  ;  since  their  day  we  have  had  a  new  era  in  letters  ; 
Hillhouse,  the  most  stately  and  artistic  of  those  who  have  passed 
from  the  stage  of  hfe;  Brainerd,  his  "Falls  of  Niagara;"  Lemuel 
Hopkins,  Richard  Alsop,  Elihu  Hubbard  Smith,  Mrs.  Laura  Thurs- 
ton, Miss  Martha  Day,  James  Otis  Rockwell,  Hugh  Peters,  E.  P. 
Moxson,  and  others  ;  the  propriety  of  mentioning  our  living  poets 
in  the  text :  Fitz  Green  Hallack,  his  "  Marco  Bazzaris,"  his  works 
compared  with  those  of  Gray ;  his  poem  upon  Connecticut ;  Per- 
cival,  John  Pierpont,  Prentice,  Mrs.  Sigourney,  Mrs.  Ann  Ste- 
vens, Mrs.  Emma  Willard,  Goodrich,  Nichols,  Wetmore,  Hill, 
Brown,  Dow,  Burleigh,  Park,  and  AYilliam  Thompson  Bacon  ; 
John  Trumbull,  the  artist;  Whitney,  Fitch,  Junius  Smith,  Morse, 
Mansfield,  Kirby,  Treadwell,  Ballamy,  the  conclusion 644 


APPENDIX. 

Delegates  to  the  convention  that  ratified  the  constitution  of  the 
United  States ;  delegates  to  the  convention  that  formed  the  constitu- 
tion of  1818  ;  Common  Schools;  Trinity  college;  biographical 
sketches  ;  Andrew  Adams ;  Ethan  Allen ;  L'a  Allen  ;  John  Allyn ; 
Richard  Alsop  ;  Samuel  Austin ;  E.  C.  Bacon  ;  Azel  Backus ;  A.  Bald- 
win ;  S.  Baldwin ;  Joel  Barlow ;  Colonel  Beebe ;  Lyman  Beecher ;  E. 
Boardman  ;  J.  Brace  ;  S.  Bradley ;  J.  Buel ;  Aaron  Burr ;  Charles 
Chauncey  ;  "\Y.  Chipman  ;  Daniel  Chipman  ;  Thomas  Chittenden ; 
Samuel  Church ;  Leman  Church  ;  John  P.  Cushman  ;  David  Dag- 
gett ;  Silas  Deane  ;  Daniel  S.  Dickinson ;  Timothy  Dwight ;  Eh- 
phalet  Dyer ;  William  Edmond  ;  Jonathan  Edwards ;  Pierpont 
Edwards ;  Henry  W.  Edwards ;  Thomas  Fitch ;  John  Fitch ; 
Samuel  Foote  ;  Thomas  Gallaudet ;  Calvin  Goddard;  Nathan  Gold  ; 
Chauncey  Goodrich  ;  Elizur  Goodrich  ;  Gideon  Granger ;  Edward 
D.  Griffin ;  Alexander  Griswold ;  Matthew  Griswold ;  Stanley 
Griswold ;  Lyman  Hall;  James  Hillhouse;  William  Hillhouse; 
Benjamin  Hinman  ;  Royal  R.  Hinman  ;  Peter  Hitchcock  ;  Samuel 


XVI  CONTENTS. 


j 

Fags         < 


J.  Hitchcock  ;  Horace  Holley ;  Abiel  Holmes  ;  Samuel  Hopkins ; 
Titus  Hosmer ;  Stephen  T.  Hosmer ;  Samuel  Huntington ;  Joseph 
Huntington  ;  Jabez  Huntington ;  Jedediah  Huntington  ;  Benjamin 
Huntington ;  E.  Huntington  ;  I.  W.  Huntington ;  Jared  Ingersoll ; 
I.  Ingersoll ;  "William  Johnson ;  S.  S.  Johnson  ;  James  Kilbourne ; 
James  S.  Kingsley;  Ephraim  Kirby;  James  Lanman;  Richard 
Law  ;  Jonathan  Richard  Law  ;  Jared  Mansfield  ;  Charles  Marsh  ; 
Jeremiah  Mason ;  R.  J.  Meigs ;  J.  Meigs ;  Samuel  J.  Mills  ;  S.  W. 
Mitchell ;  J.  Morse ;  Amasa  J.  Parker ;  E.  Phelps ;  Samuel  S. 
Phelps;  Timothy  Pitkin ;  William  Pitkin;  D.  Plumb;  Peter  B. 
Porter ;  Samuel  Prentiss  ;  James  Riley  ;  E.  Root ;  J.  Root ;  Gurdon 
Saltonstall ;  Theodore  Sedgwick  ;  Horatio  Seymour  ;  E.  Silliman  ; 
Gold  Selleck  Silliman ;  Richard  Skinner  ;  I.  Smith  ;  Junius  Smith  ; 
Nathan  Smith ;  Perry  Smith  ;  Ambrose  Spencer ;  Harriet  Beech- 
er  Stowe ;  J.  Strong ;  M.  Stuart ;  J.  Talcott ;  Gideon  Tomlinson ; 
Uriah  Tracy ;  Samuel  AVales  ;  R.  H.  Walworth  ;  Noah  Webster  ; 
E.  Wheelock  ;  John  Wheelock ;  E.  Whittlesy  ;  Calvin  "Willey ;  E. 
WilHams ;  "William  Wilhams  ;  EHsha  Yale  ;  E.  Young  ;  sketch  of 
Colonel  Thomas  Knowlton 611 


HISTORY 


OF 


COMECTICUT. 

CHAPTER  I. 

THE   LAST   FRENCH   WAR. 

It  is  needless  to  tell  the  reader  that  a  turn  in  our  path 
presents  to  the  eye  a  landscape  more  extensive  than  any  that 
we  have  before  caught  glimpses  of  as  we  journeyed  together. 
I  do  not  mean  to  say,  that  the  character  of  the  scenery  is 
entirely  unlike  any  that  we  have  before  paused  to  look  upon ; 
but  we  seem  now  to  be  rather  in  the  condition  of  travelers 
who,  having  started  in  company  to  explore  some  navigable 
stream,  began  with  the  slender  rills  that  almost  lost  them- 
selves in  the  gorges  of  the  mountains  before  they  met ;  as 
we  advanced,  committing  our  birchen  canoes  to  the  strength- 
ening current  where  it  could  be  safely  trusted,  bearing  them 
upon  our  shoulders  where  rocks,  rapids,  or  cataracts  were 
interposed — until  the  opening  hills  disclose  at  last  a  deep  cur- 
rent rolling  between  banks  well-defined,  though  irregular 
enough  to  fill  the  soul  with  beautiful  forms,  and  bearing  us 
so  steadily  upon  its  bosom  as  it  flows  towards  the  ocean,  that 
we  become  almost  unconscious  that  we  are  moving.  Yet 
before  yielding  ourselves  up  to  the  will  and  rythm  of  the 
stream,  we  must  pause  once  more  and  explore  the  fountains 
of  some  of  its  beautiful  tributaries. 

At  the  May  session  of  the  legislature,  1726,  the  county  of 
Windham  was  incorporated,  and  the  several  county  officers 
were  appointed.  It  consisted  of  the  townships  of  Windham, 
Lebanon,  Canterbury,  Mansfield,  Plainfield,  Coventry,  Pom- 
fret,  Killingly^  Ashford,  Voluntown,  and  Mortlake  (now 
Brooklyn.) 

34 


18  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Willington  was  sold  by  the  colony  in  May  1720,  for  five 
hundred  and  ten  pounds,  to  the  following  gentlemen,  viz., 
Roger  Wolcott,  Esq.  of  Windsor,  John  Burr  of  Fairfield, 
John  Riggs  of  Derby,  Samuel  Gunn  and  George  Clark  of 
Milford,  John  Stone  and  Peter  Pratt  of  Hartford,  and 
Ebenezer  Fitch.  The  population  had  so  increased  in  1728, 
that  the  Rev.  Daniel  Fuller  was  ordained  to  the  pastoral 
office  over  the  church  and  congregation. 

East  Haddam  was  vested  with  town  privileges  in  1734, 
having  previously  for  many  years  been  a  parish  of  Haddam. 
The  first  minister  of  the  place,  the  Rev.  Stephen  Hosmer, 
was  ordained  May  3,  1704.  This  town  has  produced  its  full 
share  of  eminent  men,  among  whom  I  may  name  the  Hon. 
Epaphroditus  Champion,  member  of  Congress,  and  Col. 
Henry  Champion.  The  "  Moodus  Noises"  in  East  Haddam 
formerly  attracted  much  attention.  They  appear  to  have 
consisted  of  subterranean  rumblings,  resembling  continuous 
shocks  of  earthquakes,  some  of  which  were  so  violent  as 
visibly  to  shake  the  ground  and  buildings.  Mr.  Hosmer 
says — ^^"  Oftentimes  I  have  observed  them  coming  down  from 
the  north,  imitating  slow  thunder,  until  the  sound  came  near 
or  quite  under,  and  then  there  seemed  to  be  a  breaking,  like 
the  noise  of  a  cannon  shot,  or  severe  thunder,  which  shakes 
the  houses  and  all  that  is  in  them."  They  sometimes  occur- 
red several  times  in  a  day;  and  sometimes  only  at  long 
intervals.*' 

Somers  constituted  the  south-east  part  of  the  ancient  town 
of  Springfield,  granted  by  Massachusetts  to  Mr.  Pyncheon 
and  his  company.  In  1726,  it  was  made  a  distinct  ecclesi- 
astical society  by  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts,  and 
was  named  East  Enfield.  The  first  permanent  settlement 
was  made  in  1713,  when  Edward  Kibbee,  James  Pease, 
Timothy  Root,  and  Richard  Montgomery,  with  their  fami- 
lies, moved  on  to  the  tract.  The  town  was  incorporated  in 
1734. 

*  See  Trumbull,  ii.  91,  93. 


CANAAN,  KEXT,  SHARON.  19 

The  settlement  of  Union  began  in  1727,  and  the  town  was 
incorporated  in  October,  1734.  Among  the  first  settlers  were 
William  McNall,  John  Lawson,  and  James  Sherrer,  from 
Ireland. 

Harwinton  was  incorporated  in  October,  1737,  about  six 
years  after  the  settlement  commenced.  The  early  and  most 
prominent  settlers  bore  the  names  of  Brace,*  Messenger, 
Hopkins,  Catlin,-f  Webster,  Phelps,  and  Wilson.  The  Nau- 
gatuck  river  forms  the  western  boundary  of  Harwinton, 
separating  it  from  Litchfield. 

Canaan  was  sold  at  auction  in  New  London,  in  January, 
1738,  and  the  settlement  on  the  lands  was  commenced  during 
the  same  year  by  John  Franklin,  Daniel  and  Isaac  Lawrence 
and  others.  The  town  was  incorporated  in  1739 ;  the  Rev. 
Elisha  Webster  was  ordained  as  pastor  in  October,  1740. 
This  town  is  largely  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  iron. 
The  Housatonic  at  this  point  has  a  perpendicular  fall  of 
sixty  feet,  and  the  stream  for  several  miles  is  quite  rapid, 
affording  one  of  the  best  water  powers  to  be  found  in  the  state. 

The  tract  embracing  the  present  towns  of  Kent  and  War- 
ren, was  sold  at  auction  in  Windham  in  March,  1738,  and 
the  settlement  commenced  the  same  year.  It  was  incor- 
porated as  a  single  town  in  October,  1739,  and  was  named 
Kent.  The  first  minister  was  the  Rev.  Cyrus  Marsh.  On 
the  west  side  of  the  Housatonic,  in  the  lower  part  of  this 
town,  was  the  seat  of  the  Scatacook  tribe  of  Indians.  The 
legislature  at  an  early  date  made  a  reservation  of  certain 
lands  in  that  vicinity  for  the  benefit  of  these  Indians,  and  a 
few  individuals  of  the  tribe  still  occupy  a  portion  of  the 
reservation.  The  Moravians  established  a  mission  among 
the  Scatacooks  in  1743.  They  baptized  one  hundred  and 
fifty  of  them,  among  whom  was  the  chief  sachem. 

Sharon  was  surveyed  by  a  legislative  committee  in  1732; 

*  Tlie  late  Hon.  Jonathan  Brace,  an  eminent  citizen  of  Hartford,  was  a  native 
of  Harwinton. 

+  This  name  has  furnished  many  able  and  highly  esteemed  men,  and  has  been  a 
conspicuous  name  in  the  town  from  its  organization  to  the  present  time. 


20  HISTOKY  OF   COKNECTICUT. 

was  sold  in  October,  1738;  and  began  to  be  settled  in  1739, 
during  which  year  it  was  incorporated.  Sharon  is  a  rich 
township  of  land,  and  has  nurtured  a  goodly  number  of 
excellent  and  talented  men,  some  of  whom  lived  and  died 
within  her  borders,  while  others  became  prominent  in  neigh- 
boring or  distant  states.* 

The  settlement  of  New  Hartford  began  in  1733,  and  the 
town  was  incorporated  soon  after.  The  first  settlers  were 
Watson,  Merrell,  Gillett,  Olcott,  Kelsey,  Andrus,  Marsh, 
Shepard,  Douglas,  Goodwin,  and  others.  As  this  was  long  a 
frontier  town,  fortifications  were  erected  as  a  defense  against 
the  Indians.     The  township  contains  23,940  acres. 

In  October,  1707,  the  legislature  granted  to  Nathan  Gold, 
Peter  Burr,  Jonathan  Wakeman,  Jonathan  Sturgess,  John 
Barlow,  and  others,  of  Fairfield,  a  township  of  land  lying 
north  of  Danbury,  and  bounded  west  by  the  New  York  line 
and  east  by  New  Milford,  which  they  called  New  Fairfield. 
It  was  originally  fourteen  miles  long,  and  embraced  the 
present  town  of  Sherman.  The  fact  that  the  Indians  of 
that  region  were  thought  to  be  unfriendly,  together  with  the 
additional  circumstance  that  the  New  York  boundary  line 
was  then  unsettled,  retarded  the  growth  of  the  place  for 
many  years.  On  the  27th  of  April,  1730,  the  tract  was  laid 
out  into  fifty-two  equal  divisions,  exclusive  of  four  hundred 
acres  which  were  to  be  reserved  to  each  of  the  twelve 
original  proprietors.  At  the  May  session  of  the  legislature, 
1740,  ihe  town  was  incorporated. 

Cornwall  was  laid  out  in  fifty-three  rights,  and  sold  by  the 

*  The  Hon.  John  Canfield  was  the  first  lawyer  in  Sharon  in  point  of  time.  He 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  continental  congress  in  1786,  but  died  in  October  of 
that  year,  aged  40.  His  nephew,  the  Hon.  Judson  Canfield,  was  much  in  pub- 
lic life.  Col.  Samuel  Elmore,  a  brave  revolutionary  oflScer  ;  the  Hon.  Ansel 
Sterling,  member  of  Congress  and  Judge  of  the  County  Court;  and  the  Hon. 
John  Cotton  Smith,  L.L.  D.,  were  residents  of  Sharon  ;  as  is  also  General 
Charles  F.  Sedgwick,  the  historian  of  the  town,  a  gentleman  highly  esteemed 
both  in  public  and  private  life.  The  Hon.  Messi's.  G.  H.  Barstow,  A.  J.  Parker 
and  F.  G.  Jewett,  members  of  Congress  from  the  State  of  New  York,  are  natives 
of  Sharon. 


FMr,t:'hi^  -?/■«   FWricffU 


'"V-  i>  J'-b^J'-'""-  '^-    ■'^" 


I  I.  ..      l\',J   -   ...   ..'-'      /)^, ,,,,/; 


.'■5^ 


THE 


^Vtt' ,  Uk«X  tod  1  f(l9ll 


[1744.]  TOREIXGTOX  AXD   SALISBURY.  21 

colony  at  Fairfield  in  1738.  In  1740,  the  first  permanent 
settlement  was  made  in  the  town,  thirteen  families  havinor 
moved  in  during  that  year.  Their  names  were  Jewett, 
Spaulding,  Allen,  Barret,  Squires,  Griffin,  Roberts,  and  Fuller. 
In  August  1741,  the  Rev.  Solomon  Palmer,  of  Branford,  a 
graduate  of  Yale  College,  was  ordained  as  their  pastor.  He 
declared  himself  an  episcopalian  in  1754,  and  soon  after 
went  to  England  for  ordination.  In  the  beautiful  valley  of 
South  Cornwall,  the  Foreign  Mission  School  was  established 
in  1818  by  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign 
Missions.  At  this  school  were  educated  many  heathen  youth, 
from  among  the,  American  Indians,  and  from  the  Islands  of 
the  Pacific — some  of  whom  became  missionaries  to  their  own 
country.     The  town  contains  23,654  acres. 

Torrington  was  named  at  the  May  session  of  the  legisla- 
ture 1732,  and  the  survey  of  the  town  was  completed  in 
1734.  The  first  family  who  located  there  was  that  of 
Ebenezer  Lyman,  of  Durham,  in  1737.  Soon  after,  Jona- 
than Coe,  also  of  Durham,  married  and  settled  on  the  lands 
which  he  had  purchased  in  Torrington.  When  the  first 
minister,  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Roberts,  was  ordained  in  the 
summer  of  1741,  there  were  but  fourteen  families  in  the 
township.     The  town  was  incorporated  in  1744. 

The  township  of  Salisbury  was  surveyed  into  twenty-five 
rights  in  1732,  which  were  principally  sold  at  Hartford  by 
the  governor  and  company  in  1737.  One  of  these  rights 
w^as  reserved  for  the  first  minister  who  might  be  settled,  one 
for  the  ministry,  and  one  for  schools.  The  charter  was 
granted  in  1741.  Besides  being  the  locality  of  the  most 
valuable  bed  of  iron  ore  to  be  found  in  the  state,  it  is  famed 
for  the  richness  of  its  soil,  and  for  the  independent  circum- 
stances and  general  intelligence  of  its  inhabitants.*     It  has 

*  The  number  of  emigrants  from  this  town  who  have  become  eminent  abroad, 
is  quite  remarkable.  Among  them  have  been  Governors  T.  Chittenden,  J. 
Galusha,  and  M.  Chittenden,  of  Vermont  •,  Chief  Justice  Cliipman,  and  the  Hon. 
Daniel  Chipman,  of  the  same  state;  Chief  Justice  Spencer  of  New  York; 
General  Peter  B.  Porter,  Secretary  of  War,  Member  of  Congress,  <fec. ;  Hon. 
Josiah  S.  Johnston,  U.  S.  Senator  from  Louisiana  ;  and  ten  members  of  Congress 


22  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

various  large  manufacturing  establishments,  particularly  of 
iron.  The  mountains  and  lakes  with  which  it  abounds, 
present  some  of  the  most  beautiful  and  diversified  scenery  to 
be  found  in  New  England. 

Goshen  was  sold  at  New  Haven  on  the  first  Tuesday  in 
December  1737;  began  to  be  settled  in  1739 ;  and  was  incor- 
porated in  1749.  The  Rev.  Stephen  Heaton,  of  North 
Haven,  the  first  minister,  was  ordained  in  1740.  The  land, 
though  rough  and  hilly,  is  excellent  for  grazing;  and  large 
quantities  of  beef,  butter  and  cheese  are  annually  sent  to 
market. 

By  the  twelfth  article  of  the  treaty  of  Utrecht,  that  part 
of  the  old  French  dominion  called  Acadia,  or  Nova  Scotia, 
had  been  ceded  to  Great  Britain.  Yet  France  evidently 
intended,  from  the  first,  to  resume  as  soon  as  she  could  her 
old  sway  over  the  country  thus  torn  from  her  hands.  She 
now  renewed  her  claim  to  a  large  part  of  the  territory,  by 
invading  the  new  settlements,  building  fortifications  and 
establishing  garrisons  in  them. 

The  situation  of  the  French  and  English  colonies  "was 
not  such  as  to  answer  a  long  peace.''  The  English,  follow- 
ing the  habitudes  of  the  nation  that  still  ruled  them,  were 
engaged  in  the  pursuits  of  trade  and  agriculture.  Although 
in  their  new  retreat  a  boundless  continent  lay  stretched  out 
before  them,  inviting  them  to  take  possession,  yet  the  voice 
of  the  waves,  that  had  been  the  lullaby  of  their  infancy,  still 
echoed  in  their  ears,  and  true  to  their  earliest  associations, 
they  sought  the  friendly  neighborhood  of  the  sea.  Hardly 
an  English  settlement  had  been  formed  one  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  from  the  coast,  while  they  had  already  occupied  the 
harbors  and  mouths  of  the  rivers  of  the  whole  North  Ameri- 
can sea-board.  The  English  had  emigrated  for  the  main 
purpose    of    enjoying   civil    and    religious    liberty   without 

from  different  states.  The  Holley  family  has  been  eminently  distinguished  both  at 
home  and  abroad,  in  various  public  stations.  The  late  Hon,  Samuel  Church, 
L.L.  D.,  Chief  Judge  of  the  State,  and  the  late  Leman  Church,  Esq.,  of  Canaan,  a 
celebrated  lawyer,  were  also  natives  of  Salisbury. 


THE   FRENCH  AND   ENGLISH  SETTLERS.  23 

restraint.  The  religion  of  the  rival  colonists  was  the  very 
religion  that  they  abhorred  and  dreaded  as  the  worst  of  all 
national  calamities  and  fatal  to  the  moral  and  intellectual 
cultm'e  of  individuals. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  French,  with  little  practical 
acquaintance  with  the  principles  of  civil  liberty,  and  wedded 
to  a  religion  that  did  not  recognize  the  rights  of  an  individual 
conscience  as  the  English  understood  the  term,  had  no  sea- 
ports to  tempt  them  to  engage  in  commerce,  and  they  were 
little  inclined  to  agriculture.  They  had  possession  of  the  head 
waters  of  the  St.  Lavvrence,  a  river  that  did  not  allow 
them  to  communicate  with  the  ocean  at  all  seasons  of  the 
year,  and  of  the  Mississippi,  that  was  still  less  available  for 
maritime  communication,  and  were  as  much  shut  away  from 
the  coast,  as  if  the  vast  prairies  of  the  west — to  which  they 
laid  claim,  and  over  which  they  roamed  in  quest  of  the 
buffalo,  or  with  the  more  eager  passion  to  spread  the  religion 
that  they  loved  so  ardently  and  propagated  with  such  zeal — 
were  walled  in  by  the  high  mountains.  They  saw  with 
jealousy  the  steady  growth  of  the  English  settlements, 
stretching  along  the  sea  and  extending  slowly  like  a  fire  rang- 
ing over  a  forest,  still  further  into  the  interior  of  the  con- 
tinent. The  English  population  was  constantly  increasing ; 
while,  from  their  roving  habits  and  unsettled  mode  of  life, 
the  French  were  subject  to  sudden  checks  and  liable  at  any 
time  to  be  diverted  into  other  channels.  Their  numbers 
could  by  no  means  compare  with  those  of  the  English.  Still, 
they  were  far  from  being  an  insignificant  enemy.  Their 
two  colonies  of  Canada  and  Louisiana  were  peopled  by  bold 
and  daring  men,  who  were  united  by  the  common  sentiments 
of  national  pride  and  religious  enthusiasm. 

The  first  emigrants  from  an  old  country  to  a  new  one,  are 
always  strong-willed  and  fearless  men,  and  almost  always 
above  the  common  range  of  the  peasantry.  It  is  only 
after  a  new  country  is  partly  settled,  that  the  lowest 
classes  venture  to  seek  their  fortunes  there.  So  it  was  with 
the  French   settlers  of  Canada   and   Louisiana.     The  very 


*24:  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

extent  of  the  territory  that  they  occupied  was  calculated  to 
keep  them  on  the  alert,  and  to  give  them  a  celerity  of  motion, 
and  a  facility  of  execution  that  made  them  still  the  more  to 
be  dreaded  when  taken  in  connection  with  the  fact,  that  they 
were  not  divided  by  local  boundaries,  as  the  English  colonies 
were,  and  could  concentrate  their  power  without  the  inter- 
vention of  those  tedious  negotiations  that  often  crippled  the 
enterprises  of  their  neighbors.  The  old  national  hatred,  that 
had  existed  since  the  third  Edward  of  England  had  laid 
claim  to  the  throne  of  France  in  the  early  part  of  the  four- 
teenth century,  was  kept  more  glowingly  alive  in  the  breasts 
of  the  French  emigrants,  than  in  those  of  the  English,  who 
had  so  many  other  enemies  to  subdue,  that  their  attention 
could  not  be  confined  to  a  single  object  of  hatred  or  pursuit. 
The  French  had  also  succeeded  much  better  than  the  Eng- 
lish, in  availing  themselves  of  the  friendship  and  services  of 
the  Indians,  and  had,  from  becoming  familiarized  with  the 
horrid  modes  of  warfare  practiced  by  their  savage  allies,  and, 
from  the  rough  nurture  and  hardships  of  the  western  wilds, 
had  acquired,  (if  indeed  it  was  not  natural  to  them,)  a 
ferocity  of  disposition  that  stains  the  pages  of  their  colonial 
history  with  the  most  revolting  scenes  of  butchery  and 
murder  that  are  known  to  the  annals  of  the  world. 

Such  being  the  relative  condition  of  the  parties,  it  is 
not  strange  that  they  should  have  been  embroiled  in  wars 
for  many  years  previous  to  the  final  struggle  that  put  an  end 
to  the  French  power  in  the  west.  Regarding  with  well 
grounded  fear  the  progress  of  the  English  emigration,  and 
the  steady  advance  in  wealth  and  strength  that  attended  it, 
the  French  resolved  to  check  the  commerce,  the  agriculture, 
and  the  trade,  that  they  could  not  rival.  They  therefore 
conceived  the  plan  of  confining  the  English  within  their  old 
limits  by  means  of  a  line  of  fortifications  stretching  from 
Quebec  to  New  Orleans,  that  would  be  in  the  nature  of  a 
breakwater  to  keep  back  the  tide  of  British  enterprise.* 
Nor  did  they  confine  this  barrier  to  the  two  great  rivers,  the 

*  Holmes,  i,  49. 


ENCROACHMENTS  OF  THE  FRENCH.         25 

St.  Lawrence  and  the  Mississippi,  and  the  lands  that  lay  con- 
tiguous to  them ;  but  they  brought  the  fortresses  so  near  the 
English  settlements,  that  vast  regions  lay  between  the  banks 
of  those  rivers  and  the  arbitrary  line  thus  established ;  tracts 
of  territory  that  they  could  hardly  be  justified  in  claiming  by 
right  of  discovery,  and  that  they  appeared  as  little  anxious 
to  occupy  as  the  remorseless  savages  whose  aid  they  had 
invoked. 

Long  before  this,  a  shrewd  French  officer  had  recom- 
mended that  New  York  should  be  seized  by  his  nation  as  a 
convenient  harbor  whence  they  might  ship  their  furs  and 
carry  on  their  commerce ;  and  now,  more  than  ever  before, 
some  maritime  channel  was  felt  to  be  necessary  to  the  pros- 
perity of  the  French  colonies. 

As  early  as  the  year  1731,  this  jealousy  of  the  French 
began  to  evince  itself  in  the  erection  of  a  fort  at  Crown 
Point,  on  Lake  Champlain,  so  many  miles  to  the  eastward  of 
any  other  French  settlement,  as  to  excite  very  great  alarm 
among  the  English — especially  as  the  site  of  the  fort  was 
within  the  territory  of  the  six  nations,  their  faithful  allies, 
who  had  never  been  led  estray  by  the  arts  of  France.  This 
invasion  alarmed  the  province  of  New  York,  who  looked 
upon  it  as  the  entering  wedge  to  the  dismemberment  of  her 
territory,  and  was  watched  with  eagerness  by  Massachusetts, 
whose  authorities  had  not  forgotten  the  revelation  of  Gallic 
faith  in  taking  possession  of  the  province  of  Nova  Scotia. 

The  treaty  of  Aix  la  Chapelle  left  all  questions  of 
boundary  to  be  settled  by  the  negotiations  of  commissaries.* 
This  gave  the  French  an  opportunity  to  prepare  the  way  for 
new  encroachments  before  the  hearing  was  had.  Very  soon 
after  the  treaty  was  signed,  and  before  the  appointment  of 
the  commissaries  on  either  side,  they  attempted  to  establish 
themselves  at  Tobago,  and  were  only  driven  from  the  project 
by  the  decided  steps  taken  to  defeat  it  by  the  British  mer- 
chants.    Still,  as  the  French  had  been  restored  by  the  treaty 

*  This  treaty  was  signed  on  the  7th  October,  1748.    By  it  Cape  Breton  was 
given  up  to  the  French. 


26  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

to  the  possession  of  Cape  Breton,  they  saw  with  much  dis- 
trust that  Nova  Scotia  was  being  fast  peopled  with  English 
emigrants  who  must  ultimately  interfere  with  this  isolated 
domain.  The  attack  made  upon  the  colonists  of  Nova  Scotia 
by  the  Indians,  who  were  known  to  be  in  alliance  with  the 
French,  soon  after  the  arrival  of  Cornwallis*  in  that  province 
with  emigrants  to  people  it,  was  supposed  to  point  to  a 
general  invasion  from  Canada. 

This  storm,  that  had  been  gathering  so  long,  at  last  burst 
upon  the  English.  Early  in  the  year  1750,  a  French  army 
of  two  thousand  five  hundred  men,  and  with  a  numerous 
body  of  Indians,  were  sent  by  the  governor  of  Canada  to 
reduce  a  large  part  of  Nova  Scotia.  Such  was  the  celerity 
of  their  movements,  that  they  took  possession  with  little 
difficulty  of  the  vast  region  stretching  from  Chignecto  along 
the  north  side  of  the  bay  of  Funda  to  the  Kennebeck  river. 
This  tract  they  declared  was  under  the  jurisdiction  of  their 
king,  and  they  called  upon  all  French  neutrals  to  resort  to  it 
for  shelter.! 

This  incursion  was  followed  by  skirmishes  attended  with 
various  success,  between  the  troops  of  Cornwallis  and  the 
French  and  Indians.  Forts  were  built  and  destroyed,  and 
settlements  were  made  and  abandoned,  on  both  sides ;  but  the 
French,  if  they  gained  no  decisive  victory,  found  themselves 
able  to  keep  their  footing  and  strengthen  their  posts.  Corn- 
wallis, alarmed  at  the  growth  of  an  enemy  that  was  agile  and 
keen,  as  well  as  too  numerous  for  them  to  cope  with,  begged 
for  aid  from  Massachusetts  to  subdue  them.  This  prayer  was 
denied  on  the  ground,  that  all  the  forces  of  that  colony 
would  be  needed  at  home  to  protect  their  own  borders. 

*  The  Hon.  Edward  Cornwallis,  governor  and  commander-in-chief  of  Nova 
Scotia,  accompanied  three  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty  adventurers  from 
Great  Britain  to  that  island,  in  1749.  They  settled  at  the  bay  of  Chebucto,  which 
place  was  fixed  upon  as  the  seat  of  government,  and  was  named  Halifax,  in  honor 
of  the  Earl  of  Halifax,  their  first  commissioner  of  trades  and  plantations. 

t  Holmes,  i.  41 ;  The  "  French  neutrals"  were  the  French  inhabitants  of  Nova 
Scotia,  who  were  permitted  to  remain  there  on  their  taking  the  oath  of  allegiance 
to  the  king  of  England. 


[1751.]  THE   OHIO   COMP^UST.  27 

At  last,  the  commissioners  appointed  by  France  and  Eng- 
land, to  settle  the  questions  arising  under  the  treaty  of  Aix 
la  Chapelle,  met  at  Paris  ;  but  not  until  those  hostile  measures 
had  been  taken  to  widen  still  more  the  breach  that  separated 
the  two  nations.  The  countless  documentary  proofs,  the 
voluminous  maps,  the  claim  of  jurisdiction  by  discovery,  by 
possession  and  by  purchase  ;  the  discordant  parole  testimony, 
the  falsehoods  that  were  dressed  up  in  the  guise  of  truth  and 
presented  by  diplomatic  lawyers,  whose  object  it  was  to  mis- 
lead and  confound  the  commissaries — all  helped  to  distract 
rather  than  enlighten  the  minds  of  the  men  who  had  been 
chosen  for  this  delicate  task.  It  is  not  surprising  that  they 
gave  up  all  hope  of  ever  coming  to  a  friendly  issue,  and 
abandoned  their  undertaking  in  despair.  The  fault  of  this 
failure  to  avail  themselves  of  this  last  opportunity  of  settling 
their  old  disputes  by  means  of  amicable  negotiations,  can  be 
exclusively  charged  to  neither  party,  but  must  be  attributed 
in  part  to  a  necessity  growing  out  of  the  complex  nature 
of  the  claims,  the  remoteness  of  the  territory,  the  uncertain 
sources  of  the  evidence,  and  especially  enhanced  by  the 
natural  hatred  and  the  tares  which  had  been  sown  with  the 
seeds  of  emigration  upon  the  new  continent. 

Nor  were  the  signs  of  French  ambition  visible  only  in  the 
north  and  east.  The  arts  of  peace  had  already  drawn  the 
enterprising  traders  of  Virginia  deeper  into  the  interior  re- 
gions of  the  continent  than  even  the  adventures  of  Smith 
and  Raleigh  had  at  first  tempted  them. 

A  number  of  noblemen,  merchants,  and  planters,  of  West- 
minster, London,  and  Virginia,  had  already  procured  a  char- 
ter grant  of  six  hundred  thousand  acres  of  land  on  and  near 
the  Ohio  river,  far  in  the  interior,  in  a  soft,  sunny  land  that 
lay  beyond  the  Alleghany  mountains.  By  the  superior 
advantages  held  out  to  them,  in  the  prospects  of  a  large  and 
thriving  trade  with  the  Indians,  as  well  as  from  the  fertility 
of  the  soil,  the  hardy  adventurers  hoped  to  make  up  for  the 
inconveniences  arising  from  their  distance  from  the  sea. 
The  navigable  waters  of  the  vast   stream  that  had  lent  its 


28  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

name  to  their  company,  helped  to  supply  this  deficiency  in  a 
good  degree. 

The  intention  of  the  French,  to  keep  the  English  hemmed 
in  by  the  Alleghanies,  was  now  made  apparent,  by  unmis- 
takable proofs.  They  claimed  all  the  lands  between  the 
Mississippi  and  the  mountains,  by  right  of  their  first  discovery 
of  that  river ;  and  to  secure  their  claims  and  to  keep  open 
the  communication  between  Canada  and  Louisiana,  they  had 
already  built  a  fort  on  the  south  side  of  Lake  Erie ;  another 
about  fifteen  miles  south  of  that,  on  a  branch  of  the  Ohio ; 
and  a  third,  at  the  confluence  of  the  Ohio  and  the  Wabash. 
The  governor  of  Canada,  therefore,  as  soon  as  he  became 
aware  of  the  contemplated  settlement,  gave  public  notice 
that  he  would  treat  as  public  enemies  all  subjects  of  Great 
Britain  who  should  venture  to  settle  on  or  near  the  Ohio 
river,  or  should  dare  to  trade  with  any  of  the  Indians  who 
dwelt  there.  No  sooner  did  he  find  that  the  Ohio  company 
had  set  his  threat  and  pretended  title  at  defiance,  than  he 
proved  himself  as  good  as  his  word  by  seizing  a  number  of 
British  traders,  whom  he  caused  to  be  taken  to  the  French 
fort  on  Lake  Erie. 

The  policy  of  restricting  English  emigration  to  the  line  of 
the  seaboard,  was  fully  disclosed,  and  they  had  no  other 
course  than  to  throw  oflf  the  already  threadbare  cloak  of  dis- 
simulation, and  show  their  intentions.  They  immediately 
built  a  fort  at  Niagara,  and  two  others  upon  the  banks  of  the 
Ohio.  Their  line  of  fortifications  was  now  completed  from 
the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi  to  the  St.  Lawrence. 

The  English  colonies  were  by  this  time  thoroughly  aroused, 
and  with  the  cooperation  of  the  disappointed  noblemen  and 
merchants  who  formed  the  Ohio  company,  were  able  to  gain 
the  ear  of  the  English  government.*  A  memorial  was  pre- 
sented by  Lord  Albemarle,  the  British  ambassador  at  Paris, 
calling  in  decided  terms  for  reparation  ;  demanding  that  the 
fort  at  Niagara  should  be  evacuated  and  razed  to  the  ground, 
and  that  the  French  military  chieftains  in  America  should  be 

*  Graham's  History  United  States,  vol.  iii.  p.  361. 


[1754.]  FOKT  DU   QUESNE  EEECTED.  29 

instructed  to  desist  from  all  further  encroachments  upon  the 
English  colonies. 

This  remonstrance  produced  a  qualified  effect  upon  the 
French  government.  A  polite  though  very  equivocal  answer 
vi^as  given  to  it.  A  few  English  prisoners  who  had  been  sent 
to  France,  were  set  at  liberty,  and  the  English  government 
were  assured  that  such  orders  should  be  sent  to  the  governor 
of  Canada  as  would  be  satisfactory.  «Thus  was  England 
again  lulled  into  security.  The  governor  of  Canada  heeded 
the  public  instructions  given  him  from  the  court  as  little  as  it 
was  intended  he  should  do.  Instead  of  deserting  and  dis- 
mantling the  forts  that  inspired  the  English  with  such  well- 
grounded  fears,  he  continued  to  strengthen  them  ;  and  instead 
of  putting  an  end  to  the  depredations  complained  of  by  the 
British  minister,  he  stirred  up  the  Indians  to  join  his  own 
people  in  renewed  attacks  upon  the  English  settlers  in  Nova 
Scotia  and  along  the  banks  of  the  Ohio.* 

The  English  colonies  soon  became  aware  that  the  frontier 
line  stretching  like  a  belt  of  fire  for  a  thousand  miles  along 
the  western  horizon,  bristling  with  the  arms  of  a  proud,  im- 
placable enemy,  must  be  removed  still  further  toward  the 
setting  sun,  were  it  to  be  done,  as  Louisbourg  had  been  taken, 
without  the  aid  of  the  mother  country.  On  the  other  hand, 
the  British  government  was  willing  to  aid  in  the  enterprise 
with  more  than  its  usual  energy,  as  it  was  seen  that  the 
dominion  of  Nova  Scotia  and  the  central  regions  of  the  con- 
tinent drained  by  the  Ohio,  would  be  likely  to  go  hand  in 
hand  with  that  of  the  gulf  of  Mexico,  the  southern  Atlantic, 
and  the  West  Indies  On  the  very  ground,  where  the  mer- 
chants of  Virginia  had  begun  their  fortifications  upon  the 
Ohio,  the  French  had  already  erected  a  fort  that  they  named 
Fort  Du  Quesne.  This  stronghold  was  the  key  to  the  Ohio 
and  Mississippi  rivers. 

The  British  ministry  now  directed  the  Virginians  to  resist 
the  French  aggressions  upon  the  Ohio  by  force  of  arms. 
Orders  were  also  given,  that  several  independent  companies 

*  Graham's  United  States. 


80  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

should  be  raised  in  other  colonies  to  aid  Virginia  in  the 
undertaking.  Major  George  Washington,  (then  a  modest 
retiring  planter,)  was  elevated  to  the  rank  of  colonel,  and 
appointed  to  the  command  of  the  Virginia  troops.  As  soon 
as  the  tidings  reached  South  Carolina,  that  the  attempt  was 
to  be  made  to  drive  the  French  from  the  Ohio,  Captain  James 
Mackay  set  out  on  his  march  with  an  independent  company 
to  join  Colonel  Washington.  The  companies  from  New 
York  were  also  ordered  to  unite  with  them.  Colonel  Wash- 
ington, without  waiting  for  further  recruits,  advanced  with 
the  Virginia  and  Carolina  forces,  consisting  of  about  four 
hundred  men,  to  meet  the  enemy.  In  May,  1754,  he  fell  in 
with  a  party  from  Fort  Du  Quesne,  under  Jamonville,  and 
totally  defeated  them. 

De  Villier,  who  was  the  chief  officer  in  command  at  Fort 
Du  Quesne,  enraged  at  the  discomfiture  of  the  advance 
party,  now  marched  against  Washington  with  nine  hundred 
French  troops  and  several  hundred  Indians.  The  young 
Virginian,  whose  name  is  now  known  and  honored  where- 
ever  throughout  the  world  there  beats  a  heart  that  loves 
liberty  or  does  homage  to  valor,  had  hastily  thrown  up  a  frail 
protection  for  his  handful  of  provincials,  that  he  called  Fort 
Necessity.  Behind  its  slender  embankments  he  hoped  to  be 
able  to  defend  himself  until  the  arrival  of  the  two  companies 
that  were  expected  from  New  York.  If  Washington  was 
ever  known  to  commit  a  rash  act,  it  was  in  setting  out  upon 
this  dangerous  march  before  he  had  been  reinforced,  and  the 
early  lesson  that  was  taught  him  at  Fort  Necessity,  may  have 
tempered  his  then  impetuous  nature  with  that  happy  element 
of  caution  and  foresight  that  could  alone  have  sustained  the 
leader  of  the  colonies  in  the  long  struggle  for  which  he  was 
then  unconsciously  undergoing  a  preliminary  discipline. 
Whether  this  is  true  or  not,  the  brave  and  desperate  defense 
that  he  made  when  assailed  at  Fort  Necessity,  induced  De 
Villier  to  tender  him  honorable  terms  of  capitulation,  arid 
allow  him  to  retreat  to  Virginia  without  further  molestation.* 

*  TrumbuU,  ii.  354. 


[1754.]  PEOPOSED   UNION   OF  THE   COLONIES.  31 

Letters  had  already  arrived  from  the  lords  of  trade  and 
plantations,  advising  a  meeting  of  commissioners  from  the 
several  colonies  to  devise  a  general  plan  of  union  and  defense 
against  the  common  enemy,  and  to  make  a  league  in  the 
king's  name  with  such  of  the  Indian  tribes  as  could  be  induced 
to  join  in  it. 

In  accordance  with  this  recommendation,  in  June  1754,  a 
convention  of  the  governors  and  principal  gentlemen  of  the 
several  colonies  met  at  Albany.  The  commissioners  from 
Connecticut,  were  William  Pitkin,  Roger  Wolcott,  and 
Elisha  Williams.*  After  a  short  conference,  the  convention 
became  satisfied  that  a  union  of  the  colonies  was  necessary 
to  make  a  stand  against  the  enemy.  It  was  proposed  that 
"  a  grand  council  should  be  formed  of  members  chosen  by 
the  assemblies,  and  sent  from  all  the  colonies  ;  which  council, 
with  a  governor  general  to  be  appointed  by  the  crown,  should 
be  empowered  to  make  general  laws,  and  to  raise  money  in 
all  the  colonies  for  the  defense  of  the  whole."  This  plan  did 
not  meet  with  the  approbation  of  the  Connecticut  commis- 
sioners. Indeed,  it  might  easily  have  been  foreseen  that  it 
could  not  do  so,  by  those  who  composed  and  advocated  it, 
had  they  remembered  with  what  determination  the  colony  had 
resisted  all  attempts  on  the  part  of  the  crown  and  the  gov- 
ernors of  other  provinces  to  merge  the  charter  government 
in  a  larger  one ;  and  at  a  later  day,  to  get  the  control  of  the 
train-bands  and  to  draw  money  from  the  pockets  of  the  peo- 
ple without  their  consent.  Consolidation  w^as  the  one  thing 
that  had  been  dreaded  by  the  colony  for  years,  and  her  com- 
missioners now  regarded  it  as  a  worse  enemy  even  than  the 
French.  That  provision  in  the  proposed  plan  that  authorized 
a  governor  general  appointed  by  the  crown,  to  exercise 
authority  over  the  colony,  to  command  her  troops  and  handle 
her  money  at  pleasure,  was  enough  of  itself  to  secure  the 
dissent  of  Connecticut. 

When  the  commissioners  returned  home  and  reported  this 
scheme  to  the  General  Assembly,  it  was  attacked  in  a  most 

*  Colonial  Records,  MS. 


32  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

merciless  manner  by  the  colonial  orators  and  rejected  with 
indignation.  It  was  declared  to  be  the  opinion  of  the  assem- 
bly that  the  limits  of  the  proposed  plan  of  union  were  of  too 
large  extent  to  be  administered  by  a  governor  general  and 
council.  They  added,  too,  with  characteristic  good  sense, 
that  "a  defensive  war  managed  by  such  a  government,  hav- 
ing so  large  a  frontier,  will  prove  ruinous  to  it ;  that  the  same 
in  course  of  time  may  be  dangerous  and  hurtful  to  his 
majesty's  interest,  and  tends  to  subvert  the  liberties  and 
privileges,  and  to  discourage  and  lessen  the  industry  of  his 
majesty's  good  subjects  inhabiting  these  colonies."*  The 
assembly  further  desired  the  governor  to  send  a  copy  of  their 
resolution  to  the  agent  of  the  colony  in  England,  with  in- 
structions to  use  his  influence  against  the  proposed  formation 
of  a  general  government,  and  if  any  attempt  should  be  made 
there  to  enforce  it,  by  act  of  parliament,  to  resist  it  to  the 
last. 

Nor  did  the  assembly  stop  here.  They  begged  the  gov- 
ernor to  have  an  eye  upon  the  other  colonies,  and  see  that 
no  measures  were  taken  by  them  to  circumvent  Connecticut 
and  bring  her  into  an  alliance  that  was  so  revolting  to  her. 

But  all  these  precautions  proved  unnecessary.  The  con- 
templated union  was  as  unpopular  in  England  as  in  Connec- 
ticut. Thus  the  mutual  jealousies  of  the  mother  country, 
and  of  the  most  free-born  of  all  her  colonies,  actuated  by 
different  motives,  united  to  defeat  a  union  that  would  have 
been  premature  and  ineffective  had  it  been  formed. 

The  ministry  had  hit  upon  another  scheme  that  would  be 
likely  to  secure  their  own  purposes  much  better.  They  pro- 
posed that  the  governors  of  the  respective  colonies,  with  one 
or  more  of  their  councils,  should  form  a  convention  to  devise 
measures  for  the  general  defense,  build  forts  and  levy  troops 
at  discretion,  and  draw  upon  the  British  treasury  for  such 
sums  of  money  as  they  should  need  to  pay  the  bills ;  while 
on  the  other  hand,  the  colonies  were  to  be  taxed  by  parlia- 
ment to  supply  the  ultimate  funds  to  meet  this  contingent 

*  Colonial  Records,  MS. 


[1755.]  DEFEAT  OF  COL.   WASHINGTON.  83 

demand.  Had  this  measure  met  with  the  approval  of  the 
other  colonies,  whose  inhabitants  were  habituated  to  the  arro- 
gance of  a  provincial  court  holding  at  the  pleasure  of  the 
crown,  it  is  certain  that  Connecticut  would  have  resisted  it 
much  more  vehemently  than  she  had  opposed  the  one  recom- 
mended at  Albany.  But  the  other  colonies  viewed  as  she 
did  this  shrewd  contrivance  to  inveigle  them  into  the  net 
cunningly  baited  and  spread  by  the  hands  of  politicians  and 
court  favorites,  who  were  eagerly  awaiting  the  opportunity 
held  out  by  it  to  provide  for  themselves  and  their  needy  rela- 
tives at  the  expense  of  honest  men. 

When  the  news  of  Colonel  Washington's  defeat  reached 
England,  the  whole  country  was  filled  with  indignation. 
Again  the  court  remonstrated  against  the  French  in  America, 
and  in  turn  the  French  government  made  evasive  answers, 
filled  with  hollow  professions  of  friendship.  The  British 
ministry  now  ordered  active  measures  to  be  taken  to  put  an 
end  to  these  disturbances  by  force.  They  bade  the  colonies 
arm  themselves  against  the  enemy.  The  plan  of  operations 
for  the  compaign  was,  to  fit  out  four  expeditions  and  march 
into  the  several  districts  invaded  by  the  French,  and  compel 
them  to  retire  within  their  old  limits.  One  detachment,  under 
command  of  General  Braddock,  was  to  repair  to  the  Ohio 
settlement,  another  was  to  hasten  to  the  province  of  Nova 
Scotia,  a  third  was  to  make  an  attack  on  Crown  Point ;  and 
the  last  was  to  restore  Niagara  to  its  old  dominion. 

As  the  position  of  the  French  on  the  Ohio  appeared  to  be 
the  most  threatening  to  the  peace  of  the  English  colonies, 
and  to  the  general  interests  of  the  British  government,  it  was 
thought  expedient  that  this  point  of  attack  should  be  reached 
as  speedily  as  possible.  About  the  middle  of  January  1755, 
therefore,  General  Braddock  embarked  at  Cork  with  about 
fifteen  hundred  veteran  troops  for  Virginia.* 

The  French  were  equally  vigilant  in  their  preparations. 
Early  in  the  spring,  a  powerful  armament  set  sail  for  Canada. 
It  consisted  of  twenty  ships  of  the  line,  with  a  corresponding 

*  Graham's  History  United  States ;  see  also,  Holmes'  Annals,  ii.  59. 

35 


S4  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

number  of  frigates  and  transports,  and  four  thousand  regular 
troops,  with  a  large  amount  of  military  stores.*  The  army 
was  under  the  command  of  Baron  Dieskau. 

Admirals  Boscawen  and  Holborn,  with  seventeen  ships  of 
the  line  and  seven  frigates,  were  sent  out  by  the  English  with 
a  land  force  of  six  thousand  men,  to  watch  the  motions  of 
the  French.  Boscawen  sailed  for  the  coast  of  Newfoundland 
with  all  haste.  Scarcely  had  he  arrived  there,  when  the 
French  fleet  touched  at  nearly  the  same  point ;  but  owing  to 
the  thick  fogs  that  settle  over  that  coast  like  clouds  during 
the  spring  months,  these  dangerous  war-dogs  did  not  discover 
each  other.  A  part  of  the  French  fleet  sailed  up  the  St. 
Lawrence,  and  the  other  found  an  entrance  into  the  river  by 
the  straits  of  Belisle.  While  the  English  squadron  lay  off" 
Cape  Race,  two  French  ships,  the  Alcide  of  sixty-four  guns, 
with  four  hundred  and  eighty  men  on  board,  and  the  Lys 
also  a  sixty-four  gun  ship,  though  mounting  only  twenty-two 
guns,  with  eight  companies  of  land  troops,  fell  in  with  the 
Dunkirk  under  Captain  Howe,  and  the  Defiance  under 
Captain  Andrews  ;  and  after  a  severe  struggle,  that  lasted 
several  hours,  were  compelled  to  strike  their  colors. f  These 
ships  were  prizes,  aside  from  the  soldiers  that  they  contained, 
as  they  had  on  board  many  brave  officers  and  skillful  engi- 
neers, and  about  £8,000  in  money.  The  other  French  ships 
found  a  safe  passage  to  Canada. 

While  these  preparations  were  going  on,  the  English 
colonies  were  far  from  being  inactive. 

In  the  spring  of  1755,  special  assemblies  were  convened  in 
all  the  northern  provinces,  and  messengers  were  sent  from 
one  to  another  to  encourage  them  in  the  work,  to  learn  the 
measures  adopted  by  each  other,  and  to  devise  some  general 
plan  of  operations. 

During  the  winter.  Sir  Thomas  Robinson,  one  of  the  king's 
principal  secretaries,  had  addressed  to  Connecticut  a  letter 

*  Trumbull,  ii.  358. 

t  Holmes,  ii.  68.     Eight  companies  of  French  troops  were  taken  prisoners  by 
the  capture  of  the  Alcide  and  Lys. 


[1755.]   PROPOSED   EXPEDITION   AGAINST   CROWN  POINT.       35 

in  his  majesty's  name,  informing  her  that  troops  were  about 
to  be  sent  to  America,  and  calling  upon  her  to  raise  her  share 
of  the  forces  that  the  colonies  would  be  expected  to  furnish 
for  the  war.*  In  obedience  to  this  requisition,  the  General 
Assembly  was  convened  on  the  8th  of  January  1755.  The 
legislature,  after  making  a  grateful  acknowledgment  to  the 
king  for  the  tender  regard  that  he  manifested  for  the  welfare 
of  his  colonial  subjects,  declared  their  readiness  to  respond 
to  the  call,  and  to  show  their  sincerity  by  unmistakable  signs. f 
They  authorized  the  governor  to  comply  in  every  particular 
with  the  king's  requisitions,  at  the  expense  of  the  colony. 
To  meet  any  contingent  expenses  that  might  arise,  bills  of 
credit  were  again  issued  to  the  amount  of  £7,500.  J 

Soon  after.  Governor  Shirlev  and  the  General  Court  of 
Massachusetts  sent  to  Connecticut  a  proposal  that  a  provin- 
cial army  should  be  raised,  including  Shirley's  regiment, 
upon  the  following  basis  :  Massachusetts  was  to  furnish 
twelve  hundred  men,  New  Hampshire  six  hundred,  Rhode 
Island  four  hundred,  and  Connecticut  one  thousand.  It  was 
proposed  that  this  army,  when  raised,  should  proceed  to 
Crown  Point  and  erect  a  fort  as  near  that  of  the  enemy  as 
should  be  found  practicable,  and  prevent  any  further  encroach- 
ments there,  even  should  they  fail  in  driving  the  French  from 
their  position. § 

This  large  number  of  troops  was  allowed  by  the  assembly 
with  great  unanimity.  The  governor  was  authorized  to  raise 
five  hundred  more  troops,  should  they  be  called  for,  to  rein- 
force the  army.  The  assembly  desired  the  governor  to  write 
letters  to  the  other  colonies,  pressing  upon  them  the  necessity 
of  making  a  like  provision  for  a  reinforcement. ||     Bills  of 

*This  letter  was  dated  at  White  Hall,  Oct.  26,  1754,  and  was  laid  before  the 
assembly  at  a  session  in  January  1755. 

+  Colonial  Records,  MS.  X  Colonial  Records,  MS. 

§This  proposition  was  laid  before  the  assembly  in  March  1755,  through  the 
Massachusetts  commissioners,  Messrs.  Samuel  "Welles  and  John  Choate. 

I  To  meet  the  exigencies  of  the  war,  all  outstanding  bills  were  ordered  to  be 
paid,  with  interest.  Taxes  were  levied  amply  sufficient  to  redeem  all  the  notes 
called  in,  and  for  the  reimbursement  of  the  expenses  of  the  war. 


86  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

credit  with  interest  at  five  per  cent,  were  emitted  to  the 
amount  of  £12,500.  At  the  same  session,  the  officers  of  the 
army  were  appointed,  and  their  wages,  with  those  of  the 
soldiers,  fixed.*  WilHam  Johnson,  Esq.,  of  New  York,  was 
agreed  upon  as  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  army  ;  Phineas 
Lyman,  Esq.,  was  appointed  major-general.  The  first  Con- 
necticut regiment  was  placed  under  the  immediate  command 
of  General  Lyman  The  second  regiment  was  under  the 
command  of  Elizur  Goodrich,  Esq.  John  Pitkin  and  Nathan 
Whiting  were  appointed  lieutenant  colonels,  Robert  Denni- 
son  and  Isaac  Foot,  majors. f 

The  expedition  against  Crown  Point  was  prepared  with 
such  haste,  that  the  troops  arrived  at  Albany,  their  place  of 
rendezvous,  before  the  end  of  June.  Johnson  and  Lyman, 
when  they  reached  Albany,  were  at  the  head  of  an  army  of 
about  six  thousand  men,  together  with  a  large  body  of  Indians 
under  Hendrick,  sachem  of  the  Mohawks,  Major  General 
Lyman  soon  marched  with  the  main  body  of  the  army  along 
the  banks  of  Hudson's  river,  as  far  as  the  "carrying  place," 
fourteen  miles  south  of  the  southernmost  waters  of  Lake 
George  ;  while  General  Johnson  stayed  at  Albany  to  forward 
the  artillery,  batteaux,  and  military  stores. J  At  this  place, 
where  the  overland  transportation  between  the  river  and  the 
lake  was  to  commence,  it  had  been  thought  necessary  to 
build  a  fort,  to  protect  the  military  stores  as  well  as  to  afford 
a  safe  retreat  for  the  army  to  fall  back  upon,  should  it  happen 
to  prove  unsuccessful.  Six  weeks  were  consumed  in  erect- 
ing the  fort  and  in  transporting  the  cannon,  provisions,  bat- 
teaux, and  stores,  before  the  army  was  in  readiness  to 
advance  to  Lake  George.  It  was  not  until  late  in  August, 
therefore,  that  General  Johnson  set  out  from  Fort  Edward 
for  the  southern  point  of  Lake  George.  He  was  not  long  in 
reaching  the  lake ;  but  the  bringing  forward  of  the  batteaux 

*  In  addition  to  their  regular  pay,  eaeh  soldier  was  to  receive  a  premium  of 
thirty  shillings  on  enlisting ;  and  each  soldier  who  shall  equip  himself,  should  re- 
ceive an  additional  premium  of  sixteen  shillings. 

+  Colony  Records,  MS.  $  Trumbull,  ii.  363. 


[1755.]  FORT   EDWARD.  37 

and  the  other  baggage,  preparatory  to  crossing  the  lake,  was 
a  work  that  was  certain  to  consume  a  good  deal  of  time, 
and  as  the  army  would  be  exposed  to  a  stealthy  enemy,  ac- 
quainted with  the  country,  of  which  the  English  were  them- 
selves ignorant — an  enemy  unscrupulous  in  the  mode  of  war- 
fare as  were  the  hordes  of  savages  that  followed  in  their  train — 
he  therefore  pitched  his  camp  upon  a  piece  of  upland,  with 
the  lake  in  the  rear,  and  flanked  by  a  dense  wood  and  a 
swamp  that  appeared  to  be  inaccessible,  while  the  front  was 
protected  by  a  breastwork  of  trees.  Hardly  had  the  army 
become  domiciled  in  the  new  camp,  when  the  Indian  runners, 
who  were  sent  out  daily  to  reconnoitre  and  guard  against 
surprise,  brought  to  General  Johnson  the  unwelcome  tidings, 
that  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  was  advancing  from  Ticon- 
deroga,  by  south  bay,  towards  Fort  Edward.*  The  garrison 
that  had  been  left  to  keep  this  important  post,  consisted  of 
only  five  hundred  provincial  troops  from  New  York  and  New 
Hampshire,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Blanchard. 
Should  this  garrison  be  overpowered,  and  the  fort,  with  the 
military  stores,  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  French,  the  expedi- 
tion would  be  nipped  in  the  bud,  and  the  whole  army  perhaps 
would  fall  victims  to  Indian  torture  and  the  vengeance  of 
their  more  civilized  masters. f 

Startled  at  this  intelligence,  the  general  sent  out  several 
expresses,  one  after  another,  to  inform  Colonel  Blanchard  of 
the  danger  that  was  impending,  and  strictly  commanding  him 
to  call  in  all  his  detached  parties,  and  to  keep  his  whole  force 
within  the  entrenchments  of  the  fort. 

In  the  dead  of  the  night,  one  of  these  couriers  returned  to 
the  camp  with  the  news  that  the  enemy  had  approached 
within  four  miles  of  Fort  Edward.  A  council  of  war  was 
immediately  called,  and  early  the  next  morning,  pursuant  to 
their  advice,  a  party  of  one  thousand  men  under  the  com- 
mand of  Colonel  Williams  of  Massachusetts,  and  Colonel 
Whiting  of  Connecticut,  with  the  Mohawk  sachem,  and  his 
warriors,  were  sent  forward  to  intercept  the  enemy. { 

*  Holmes,  ii.  63.         t  Trumbull,  ii.  366.  i  Trumbull,  Holmes,  Graham. 


38  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Meanwhile,  Baron  Dieskau,  who  had  received  intelligence 
that  Fort  Edward  was  fortified  with  cannon,  and  that  the 
camp  upon  Lake  George  was  but  ill  prepared  to  withstand  a 
sudden  attack,  abandoned  his  first  design,  and  hastened  to- 
wards the  camp  of  the  main  army,  where  he  was  confident 
of  an  easy  victory. 

Scarcelv  had  Colonel  Williams  with  his  detachment  left 
the  borders  of  the  lake,  on  his  way  to  relieve  Fort  Edward, 
when  the  advanced  parties  sent  out  by  Baron  Dieskau,  dis- 
covered them  and  made  known  the  fact  to  their  leader,  who 
immediately  ordered  his  whole  force  to  lie  in  ambush  and 
surround  them.  Wary  as  the  Mohawks  were,  and  practiced 
as  they  had  long  been  in  the  tactics  of  the  French,  and  their 
Indian  allies,  they  allowed  themselves  to  be  caught  off  their 
guard,  and  fell  with  Williams  and  his  men  into  the  snare. 
Rising  as  one  man  from  behind  their  leafy  screen,  the  whole 
party  of  French  and  Indians  poured  into  the  lines  of  the  un- 
suspecting English  a  deadly  volley  of  musketry.  Colonel 
Williams,  Hendrick,  the  Mohawk  sachem,  and  many  other 
brave  officers  and  men,  fell  dead  upon  the  spot.*  Had  a 
thunderbolt  fallen  from  a  cloudless  sky,  it  could  not  have 
been  more  sudden  and  blinding  than  this  storm  of  bullets 
that  swept  over  the  ranks  of  the  provincial  soldiers.  Panic- 
stricken  as  they  were  at  the  yells  of  the  Indians,  the  sound 
of  their  guns,  and  the  sight  of  their  superior  numbers  as 
they  bristled  around  them  in  such  deadly  array.  Colonel 
Whiting,  the  next  officer  in  command,  found  it  no  easy  task 
to  rally  them  and  bring  them  into  some  manageable  condition 
so  that  he  could  extricate  them  from  the  dangerous  defile, 
and  set  their  faces  towards  the  camp.  The  best  he  could 
do,  was  to  sound  a  retreat ;  but  he  in  vain  sought  to  bring 
them  oft'  in  good  order.  At  first  a  few  individual  soldiers 
took  to  their  heels  and  ran  in  defiance  of  all  discipline,  with- 
out waiting  for  their  companions  ;  and  then  whole  companies, 
following  their  example,  broke  their  ranks  and  fled. 

As  the  firing  began  at  the  distance  of  only  about  three 

*  Holmes,  ii.  64. 


[1755.]  THE  AMBUSCADE.  39 

miles  from  the  camp,  it  was  plainly  heard  there,  and  as  the 
pursuers  and  pursued  drew  nearer,  each  successive  discharge 
was  more  fearfully  distinct.  Thus  forewarned  of  the  ap- 
proaching enemy,  General  Johnson  addressed  himself  eagerly 
to  the  work  of  defense.  A  few  pieces  of  ordnance  had  been 
brought  on  from  Fort  Edward,  but  they  had  been  deposited  on 
the  lake  shore  at  the  south  landing  a  good  half  mile  from  the 
camp.  Parties  of  athletic  men  were  sent  out  to  bring  in  such 
of  the  lighter  arms  as  could  be  moved.  The  most  nimble 
footed  of  the  retreating  detachment  soon  came  running  into 
the  camp,  followed  by  the  fragments  of  the  broken  companies, 
in  a  comparatively  defenseless  condition;  and  in  the  rear, 
appeared  the  ranks  of  Dieskau's  veteran  troops  in  good  order 
pressing  hard  behind  the  fugitives,  and  making,  with  as  much 
dispatch  as  was  consistent  with  discipline,  toward  the  centre 
of  the  camp.  At  the  distance  of  thirty  rods,  they  halted  and 
began  the  attack,  opening  a  brisk  fire,  by  platoons. 

The  Canadians  and  Indians  screened  the  flank  of  the  regu- 
lar troops,  and  commenced  a  dropping  and  irregular  fire  that 
burst  along  their  whole  line,  each  marksman  following  his 
own  impulse  and  loading  and  firing  as  he  chose.  This  waver- 
ing fire  from  the  flank,  making  a  jarring  contrast  with  the 
steady  volleys  of  the  regulars,  the  suddenness  of  the  onset, 
the  uncertain  rumors  that  had  floated  through  the  camp  as 
to  the  numbers  who  had  fallen  in  the  ambuscade ;  the  efl^ect 
wrought  upon  the  imagination  by  the  shadows  of  the  woods, 
that  might  perhaps  conceal  as  many  of  the  enemy  as  it  gave 
to  view ;  all  added  to  the  general  consternation  that  perva- 
ded the  camp  to  such  a  degree  that  the  oflicers  could  hardly 
keep  their  soldiers  in  their  places.  But  the  French  had  com- 
menced their  fire  before  they  had  come  within  fair  musket 
range  of  the  English.  After  receiving  a  few  rounds  of  shot 
and  finding  that  they  had  sustained  little  harm,  the  courage 
of  the  besieged  provincials  was  restored.  They  returned 
the  enemy's  fire  with  spirit,  and  in  a  few  mirlutes  the  two 
armies  were  engaged  in  a  determined  and  bloody  conflict.* 

*  Trumbull. 


40  HISTORY  OF  CONN"ECTICUT. 

A  few  cannon  had  been  hastily  mounted,  and  were  now 
brought  to  bear  upon  the  invaders.  It  was  never  a  part  of 
Indian  discipline  to  withstand  the  fire  of  artillery,  and  their 
friends,  the  Canadians,  scarcely  less  savage  and  unschooled, 
were  little  more  disposed  to  encounter  the  heavy  globes  of 
metal  that  tore  up  the  earth  and  rived  the  trunks  of  the 
forest  trees  that  they  relied  upon  as  their  only  breastwork. 
They  all  fled  into  the  woods,  out  of  the  reach  of  the  engines 
that  were  so  terrible  to  them,  and  of  course  too  far  from  the 
camp  to  harm  the  English  or  lend  any  further  aid  to  the 
French.* 

Finding  the  flank  of  his  army  now  exposed  to  a  murder- 
ous and  well-sustained  fire,  and  perceiving  that  he  could 
make  no  impression  upon  the  centre  of  the  camp,  Baron 
Dieskau  moved  first  to  the  left  and  then  to  the  right,  looking 
sharply  for  an  assailable  point  where  he  could  force  an 
entrance.  But  the  friendly  shelter  of  the  redoubt,  where  the 
ground  was  dry  and  the  footing  sure,  enabled  the  English  to 
keep  up  their  fire  that  did  fatal  execution  along  his  whole 
line,  raking  both  front  and  flank  of  his  exposed  and  defense- 
less troops — who  had  no  embankments,  not  even  the  cover  of 
a  few  fallen  trees,  to  thwart  the  unerring  aim  of  the  pro- 
vincial marksmen.  With  a  sad  heart,  he  abandoned  the 
attempt  in  despair. 

No  sooner  did  the  English  army  see  that  the  fire  had 
abated,  than  they  leapt  over  their  breastworks  and  made 
such  a  determined  attack  upon  them  from  every  side,  that 
they  fled  like  wild  deer  when  the  circle  of  huntsmen  is  first 
seen  to  have  surrounded  them. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  action,  the  French  army  number- 
ed two  thousand  men.  Of  these,  seven  hundred  now  lav 
dead  upon  the  field,  and  about  thirty  were  taken  prisoners. 
The  brave  Baron  Dieskau  was  himself  found  entirelv  alone  a 
little  way  off'  from  the  field,  dangerously  wounded,  and  trying 
to  hold  up  his  sinking  frame  by  grasping  the  stump  of  a  tree.  J 

*  Holmes,  ii.  64. 

i  In  this  position,  and  while  feeling  for  his  watch  to  surrender  it,  one  of  the 


[1755.]  THE   PROVINCIALS  VICTORIES.  41 

The  loss  in  the  provincial  army  was  only  about  two  hun- 
dred; and  most  of  these  were  of  Colonel  Williams'  regiment, 
and  were  killed  in  the  woods  before  they  could  reach  the 
camp.  About  forty  of  them  were  Indians,  at  the  head  of 
whom,  as  I  have  already  said,  fell  Hendrick,  the  bold  and 
noble  sachem  of  the  Mohawks.  Of  the  provincial  officers 
who  fell  in  the  woods,  besides  the  gallant  Colonel  Williams, 
were  Major  Ashley,  six  captains,  and  several  subalterns.  At 
the  camp  fell  Colonel  Tidcomb,  who  had  distinguished  him- 
self at  the  siege  of  Louisbourg.  General  Johnson  also,  and 
Major  Nichols,  were  wounded.* 

Thus  was  the  provincial  army  victorious  rather  from  the 
force  of  circumstances  and  the  false  moves  of  the  enemy, 
than  from  any  cause  that  was  subject  to  its  own  control. 
Had  Baron  Dieskau  marched  directly  to  Fort  Edward,  as  he 
would  have  done  but  for  the  messenger  who  told  him  of  the 
defenseless  state  of  the  camp,  the  fate  of  the  fort  would  have 
been  sealed.  Even  the  ambuscade  that  cost  New  England 
some  of  her  best  officers,  contributed  to  the  overthrow  of  the 
French,  as  the  firing  in  the  woods  gave  General  Johnson  the 
opportunity  of  dragging  up  from  the  landing  the  cannon  that 
frightened  from  the  field  the  Canadians  and  Indians,  who 
w^ere  the  best  marksmen  in  the  invading  army,  and  upon 
whom  Dieskau  relied  for  the  protection  of  his  flank. 

This  battle  stimulated  the  colonies  to  fresh  exertions. 
Connecticut,  as  usual,  did  more  than  could  have  been  expected 
of  her.  Just  before  the  battle.  General  Johnson  had  written 
to  Governor  Fitch,  begging  him  to  send  on  more  troops.  In 
answer  to  this  request,  a  special  assembly  was  called  on  the 
27th  of  August,  and  it  was  voted  to  raise  two  regiments  and 
send  them  forthwith  into  the  field.  The  officers  were  appointed 
at  the  same  session,  as  follows:  colonels — Samuel  Talcott, 
and  Elihu  Chauncey;  lieutenant  colonels — Eliphalet  Dyer, 

soldiers,  supposing  he  was  searching  for  his  pistol,  poured  a  charge  through  his 
hips.  The  baron  was  carried  to  England  as  a  prisoner  of  war  where  he  died  of 
his  wounds. 

t  Trumbull,  ii.  368. 


42  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

and  Andrew  Ward,  Jr.;  majors — Joseph  Wooster,  and  Wil- 
liam Whiting;  physicians  and  surgeons — doctors  Timothy 
Collins  of  Litchfield,  Jonathan  Marsh  of  Norwich,  and 
Samuel  Ely  of  Durham ;  chaplains— Rev.  Benjamin  Troop 
of  Norwich,  and  Rev.  John  Norton  of  Middletown.* 

These  regiments,  consisting  of  seven  hundred  and  fifty 
men  each,  were  mustered,  equipped  and  on  the  march,  within 
a  little  more  than  a  week  after  the  alarm  was  given.  The 
colony  now  had  in  active  service  between  two  thousand  and 
three  thousand  men.f 

Although  so  complete  a  victory  had  been  gained  over  the 
French  at  Lake  George,  yet  the  surprise  of  the  party  under 
Colonel  Williams,  and  the  danger  to  which  the  fort  and  the 
camp  had  both  been  exposed,  awakened  the  most  lively 
solicitude  throughout  the  northern  colonies.  It  was  clear  to 
every  mind  possessed  of  any  military  prescience,  that  nothing 
but  the  most  strenuous  efforts  on  the  part  of  the  army,  rein- 
forced as  it  was,  would  avail  against  such  enemies  as  they 
must  meet  in  this  protracted  frontier  war,  without  the  benefit 
of  strong  fortresses  that  would  furnish  secure  retreats  where 
"stated  garrisons  might  be  kept,  where  provisions,  guns  and 
ammunition  might  be  safely  lodged,  and  where  detachments 
might  be  sent  as  the  emergencies  of  the  campaign  called  for 
their  assistance.  It  was  resolved,  therefore,  that  Fort 
Edward  should  be  made  thoroughly  defensible,  and  that  a 
fortification  should  be  erected  at  the  south  landing  near  the 
spot  where  so  many  Frenchmen  had  fallen,  before  the  army 
ventured  to  cross  Lake  George.  In  this  way  a  communication 
could  be  kept  open  with  Albany,  and  the  rigors  of  war  would 
be  mitigated  to  the  sick  and  wounded.  It  was  quite  obvious 
that  these  preliminary  labors  would  consume  the  autumn,  and 
that  it  would  be  impossible  to  advance  to  Crown  Point  until  the 
opening  of  a  new  campaign.  The  utmost  zeal  was  mani- 
fested in  constructing  the  works.  By  the  end  of  November 
a  good  fort  had  been  built  at  the  south  landing  and  the  old 
one  was  fairly  completed.     The  soldiers  who  were  not  need- 

*  Colonial  Records,  MS.  t  Trumbull. 


[1755.]  CLOSE   OF  THE   CAMPAIGN.  43 

ed  to  garrison  the  two  fortifications,  returned  home  to  spend 
the  winter  with  their  famihes. 

Although  the  main  object  of  the  expedition  had  not  been 
accomplished,  yet  much  had  been  done.  The  colonial 
army  had  penetrated  far  into  a  pathless  wilderness,  had  cut 
down  the  trees  and  made  convenient  roads,  had  constructed 
a  large  number  of  boats  and  batteaux,  had  built  two  forts, 
manned  and  furnished  them  with  necessaries  for  the  winter, 
and  had  gained  over  veteran  enemies  a  complete  victory  with 
little  loss  to  themselves.  Hence,  they  were  gratified  with  the 
approval  of  the  colonies,  and  with  the  commendation  of  the 
king,  who  conferred  upon  their  leader  the  title  of  baronet  as 
the  just  reward  of  his  valor.*  The  parliament  also  voted 
him  five  thousand  pounds. 

The  expedition  against  Niagara  did  not  thrive  as  well. 
Governor  Shirley,  who  was  at  the  head  of  it,  did  not  march 
from  Albany  with  his  first  division  until  about  the  middle  of 
July,  and  did  not  arrive  at  Oswego  until  the  18th  of  August. 
On  the  news  of  Braddock's  defeat,  so  many  of  his  boatmen 
deserted  him  that  he  could  not  carry  on  provisions  enough  for 
his  troops.  He  was  on  this  account  unable  to  cross  the  lake 
to  Niagara.  He  therefore  spent  the  rest  of  the  season  in 
erecting  two  new  forts — one  on  the  eastern  bank  of  Onon- 
daga river,  about  four  hundred  and  fifty  yards  from  the  old 
fort  that  had  been  built  there  in  1727,  commanding  the 
entrance  of  the  harbor,  and  called  Fort  Ontario ;  the  other, 
about  the  same  distance  west  of  the  old  fort,  and  was  named 
Fort  Oswego. 

Colonel  Mercer,  with  seven  hundred  men,  was  left  at 
Oswego  to  garrison  these  forts,  and  on  the  24th  of  October, 
the  rest  of  the  army  decamped  and  returned  to  Albany.f 

*  General  "William  Johnson  now  became  Sir  William  Johnson.  He  was  a 
native  of  Ireland,  but  came  to  America  in  1734,  and  took  up  his  residence  upon 
the  Mohawk,  about  thirty  miles  west  of  Albany.  He  learned  the  Indian  language, 
and  acquired  a  wonderful  influence  over  the  surrounding  tribes.  In  1759,  he 
commanded  the  expedition  against  Niagara,  and  took  six  hundred  men  prisoners. 
He  died  in  1774,  aged  60. 

t  Trumbull,  ii.  371 


44  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Thus  the  campaign  of  1755,  proved  to  be  only  a  prepara- 
tion for  future  struggles.  Not  a  single  fortress  along  the 
whole  line  to  which  the  French  had  so  ambitiously  laid  claim, 
had  been  taken  from  them,  nor  had  they  been  compelled  to 
yield  possession  of  a  foot  of  land  along  the  northern  or  south- 
ern frontier.  On  the  other  hand,  owing  to  a  want  of  coopera- 
tion between  the  colonies  of  Virginia,  Maryland,  and  Penn- 
sylvania, and  on  account  of  local  disturbances  and  quarrels 
between  the  rulers  and  the  people,  a  comparatively  small 
number  of  French  and  Indians  were  allowed  to  burn,  murder, 
and  pillage  the  settlements  of  the  south  with  atrocities  that 
even  now,  after  the  expiration  of  one  hundred  years,  take 
such  a  vital  hold  of  the  nerves  of  the  reader  that  he  shud- 
ders, as  he  reads  their  details.*  As  they  are  foreign  to  my 
subject,  I  will  not  attempt  to  depict  them ;  but  hurry  forward 
to  the  delineation  of  scenes  less  remote  but  not  less  revolting. 

*  TrumbuU,  ii.  371, 372. 


CHAPTER    II. 

CAMPAIGNS  OF   1756   AND   1757. 

Although  England  and  France  had  been  in  a  state  of 
actual  war  so  long,  still  there  had  as  yet  been  no  formal 
manifesto  of  the  hostile  intentions  of  the  two  nations.  The 
British  ministry  still  continued  to  indulge  the  hope  so  conso- 
nant with  its  own  weak  views  and  vascillating  policy,  that  a 
firm  basis  of  peace  might  be  obtained  by  friendly  negotia- 
tions. The  French  court,  relying  upon  its  old  resources  of 
intrigue  and  duplicity,  had  fed  this  hope  with  assiduous 
delicacy,  to  keep  it  alive  as  long  as  it  could  serve  their 
purposes.  But  each  successive  inroad  made  by  the  French 
upon  the  English  dominion,  every  attack  made  upon  the 
southern  and  western  settlements,  every  barbarity  added  to 
the  long  list  of  Canadian  murders  and  Indian  scalpings,  did 
its  part  in  goading  the  thick  skin  of  the  British  ministry 
into  a  surface  warmth  that  finally  penetrated  deep  enough  to 
quicken  its  pace. 

On  the  18th  of  May,  1756,  Great  Britain  made  a  formal 
declaration  of  war  against  France,*  who  soon  returned  the 
compliment  with  the  most  hearty  good  will,  as  it  would  give 
her  an  opportunity  of  making  a  diversion  in  favor  of  her 
American  subjects  by  attacking  the  German  possessions  of 
King  George,  where,  as  was  generally  believed,  his  affections 
were  fixed  much  more  strongly  than  upon  any  other  portion 
of  his  almost  boundless  realms. 

Two  months  before  this,  a  reinforcement  had  sailed  for 
America  under  General  Abercrombie,  who,  in  place  of  Shirley, 

*  Wade,  446. — In  the  royal  declaration,  the  grounds  of  hostilities  are  alleged  to 
be,  the  encroachments  of  the  French  on  the  Ohio  and  in  J^ova  Scotia  ;  the  non- 
evacuation  of  the  four  neutral  islands  in  the  West  Indies,  agreeably  with  the  treaty 
of  Aix-la-Chapelle  j  and  the  invasion  of  Minorica. 


46  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

had  succeeded  to  the  command  of  the  British  forces.*  An 
act  of  parliament  was  passed,  giving  the  king  power  to  grant 
the  rank  and  pay  of  mihtary  officers  to  foreign  protestants 
residing  in  the  colonies  or  naturalized  there. f  Another  act, 
authorized  the  king's  officers  to  recruit  their  regiments  from 
the  indented  servants  of  the  colonists,  with  the  consent  of 
their  masters. 

There  had  already  been  held  in  New  York  a  council  of 
colonial  governors,  who  had  mapped  out  the  plan  of  the  cam- 
paign for  the  year  1756.  The  attempt  upon  Crown  Point 
was  to  be  renewed  with  an  army  of  ten  thousand  men  ;  six 
thousand  of  whom  were  to  march  to  Niagara,  and  three 
thousand  were  to  try  what  could  be  done  toward  wiping  out 
the  stains  that  had,  in  defiance  of  the  advice  of  Colonel 
Washington,  been  allowed  to  fall  upon  the  British  banner  at 
Fort  Du  Quesne.J 

It  was  further  determined  that  two  thousand  men  should 
go  up  the  Kennebeck  river,  destroy  the  French  settlements 
upon  the  Chaudiere,  and,  following  that  river  to  a  point  where 
it  loses  itself  in  the  St.  Lawrence,  within  three  miles  of  Que- 
bec, do  what  they  could  to  distract  the  attention  and  divide 
the  forces  of  the  enemy.  To  render  Crown  Point  the  more 
assailable,  it  was  also  decided  that  Ticonderoga  should  be 
seized  in  the  winter,  while  the  lakes  were  frozen  over.§ 

General  Winslow  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the 
expedition  against  Crown  Point. ||  When  he  came  to  review 
his  troops,  he  found  that  instead  of  ten  thousand  that  had 
been  allotted  to  him,  he  had  but  seven  thousand,  and  from 
this  small  number  it  was  necessary  to  take  men  enough  from 
active  service  to  supply  the  garrisons  at  the  forts.  The  im- 
portance of  this  expedition,  and  the  difficulty  of  bringing  it 

*  General  Abercrombie  brought  over  with  him  from  England  the  thirty-fifth 
regiment,  and  the  forty-second,  or  Lord  George  Murray's  regiment  of  Highland- 
ers. These  two  regiments,  together  with  the  forty-fourth  and  forty-eighth,  four 
independent  companies  from  New  York,  four  from  Carolina,  and  a  considerable 
body  of  provincials,  now  composed  the  British  troops  in  North  America. 

+  Twenty-ninth  George  II.,  chap.  5.  J  Holmes,  ii.  69. 

§  Holmes,  ii.  69  ;  Graham,  iii.  409.  |  Colonial  Records,  MS. 


[175G.J  SITUATION   OF   CROWN  POINT.  47 

to  a  successful  issue,  rendered  this  deficiency  of  force  very 
discouraging.* 

Crown  Point  had  been,  as  early  as  the  year  1731,  very 
skillfully  selected  by  the  French  as  the  key  to  Lake  Cham- 
plain — that  gate  through  which  all  communication  between 
Canada  and  the  fort  must  necessarily  pass.  Over  the  waters 
of  this  long,  stream-like  lake,  and  under  the  beetling  summit 
of  Crown  Point,  had  passed  all  those  stealthy  hordes  of  maraud- 
ing and  scalping  parties  of  French  and  Indians,  that  had  then 
for  many  years  stolen  from  Canada,  and  like  vampires  from 
the  grave,  made  their  nocturnal  visits  to  the  frontiers  of  New 
York  and  New  England,  where  they  sated  themselves  with 
blood  and  withdrew,  ere  the  morning  light  dawned  upon  the 
settlements  that  they  had  desolated,  beyond  the  vigilance  of 
their  pursuers.  This  fortress,  from  its  position,  standing 
midway  between  Canada  and  the  English  colonies,  interposed 
a  perpetual  barrier  to  the  reduction  of  Canada  from  that 
quarter,  while  it  afforded  to  the  French  a  stronghold  to 
which  they  might  retire — a  magazine  for  their  ammuni- 
tion and  stores,  a  hospital  where  they  might  receive  and 
recruit  their  sick  and  wounded,  and  an  observatory 
whence  they  might  look  along  the  gray  waters  or  shadowy 
shore  for  the  first  appearance  of  danger  from  the  east. 
Could  this  post  be  reduced,  the  frontier  of  the  northern  Eng- 
lish colonies  would  be  safe  from  surprise,  and  the  enemy 
would  be  compelled  to  retire  into  those  regions  lying  north 
of  the  lakes,  so  that  the  way  would  be  open  to  the  very  heart 
of  Canada. 

On  the  25th  of  June,  General  Abercrombie  proceeded  to 
Albany  with  the  British  regiments,  for  which  he  had  been 
so  long  waiting.  This  new  force  swelled  the  numbers  of 
the  army  to  the  original  estimate  of  ten  thousand.  Of 
the  seven  thousand  provincials,  Connecticut  had  herself 
raised  two  thousand   five  hundred  effective  troopsf — more 

*  Holmes,  ii.  69. 

t  The  quotas  of  the  other  colonies  were  as  follows  :  Massachusetts,  three  thou- 
sand five  hundred;  New  York,  two  thousand;  Rhode  Island,  one  thousand; 
New  Hampshire,  one  thousand. 


48  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

than  double  the  number  that  she  had  been  called  upon  to 
furnish. 

While  the  arrival  of  Abercrombie  with  the  British  regi- 
ments made  up  the  complement  of  men  that  had  been  thought 
requisite  for  this  expedition,  it  proved  to  be  the  fruitful  theme 
of  jealousy  and  dispute  between  the  colonial  and  the  British 
officers,  growing  out  of  the  order  made  by  the  crown  in 
relation  to  military  rank.  The  act  of  parliament  author- 
izing such  a  step,  had  awakened  much  ill-feeling  in  America, 
not  only  among  officers,  but  among  the  common  soldiers, 
who  chose  to  be  governed  by  their  own  countrymen.  Even 
Winslow,  when  inquired  of  by  Abercrombie,  did  not  hesitate 
to  express  his  sentiments  on  this  delicate  matter  with  all 
frankness.  If  the  colonial  soldiers  were  placed  under  British 
officers,  he  said,  it  must  cause  general  dissatisfaction,  and  he 
had  no  doubt  that  a  large  number  of  them  would  desert 
their  coloi's  and  quit  the  service.* 

This  difficulty  was  finally  settled  by  an  agreement  that  the 
provincials  should  march  against  the  enemy,  while  the  British 
regulars  should  man  the  garrisons. 

Scarcely  had  the  discordant  elements  that  had  so  long 
kept  the  army  in  a  state  of  fermentation,  been  composed, 
when  it  was  again  disturbed  by  the  arrival  of  a  new  digni- 
tary, who  delayed  the  expedition  by  another  set  of  negotia- 
tions. The  new  party  to  this  dispute  was  the  Earl  of  Lou- 
doun, who  had  been  appointed  governor  of  Virginia,  and  a 
kind  of  viceroy  to  superintend  the  whole  plan  of  military 
operations  in  America.  He  did  not  set  sail  until  May,  when 
he  ought  to  have  been  in  America  and  ready  to  commence 
the  expedition,  if  he  would  have  aided  in  its  effective  con- 
summation.f  There  never  was  a  more  untoward  appoint- 
ment than  this.  His  lordship  was  to  have  the  supervision  of 
every  movement,  and  was  to  direct  all  the  complex  arrange- 
ments both  north  and  south,  that  were  to  be  made  to  deliver 
the  English  colonies  from  their  embarrassing  condition.     He 


*  Holmes,  ii.  69,  70  ;  Graham,  iii.  409,  410. 
jSee  Graham,  Trumbull,  Holmes. 


[1756.]  THE   EAEL   OF   LOUDOUX.  49 

arrived  at  Albany  on  the  29th  of  July,  ignorant  of  the  coun- 
try and  of  the  army,  and  brought  with  him  all  the  captious- 
ness  and  tenacity  that  made  British  rule  so  odious  to  the 
Americans. 

It  was  a  sore  affliction  that  brought  Abercrombie  to 
Albany  to  delay  the  provincial  troops,  who,  had  they  been 
led  on  by  Winslow,  would  probably  have  taken  Crown  Point 
without  British  aid  ;  but  the  functionary  who  now  presented 
himself  with  his  dogmatical  persistency  and  almost  unlimited 
commission,  was  quite  too  heavy  a  clog  upon  the  activities 
of  the  campaign.  No  sooner  had  he  arrived,  than  he 
demanded  of  the  officers  of  the  New  England  remments 
whether  they  or  the  men  who  were  under  them  were  willing 
to  join  w^ith  the  British  regulars  and  obey  the  commander-in- 
chief  whom  the  king  had  appointed  ?  To  this  interrogatory 
those  gentlemen  responded  with  one  voice,  that  they  would 
obey  his  lordship  and  act  in  conjunction  with  the  king's 
troops ;  but,  inasmuch  as  the  New  England  soldiers  had 
enlisted  for  that  campaign  with  the  express  understanding 
that  they  should  be  under  the  control  of  their  own  officers, 
they  humbly  begged  that  his  lordship  would  permit  them  to 
act  separately  as  far  as  w^as  convenient  with  the  interests  of 
the  public  service.  With  a  pompous  condescension,  the 
viceroy  yielded  to  this  request.  It  is  quite  certain  that  the 
troops  from  Connecticut  would  not  have  consented  to  any 
other  arrangement  without  strenuous  opposition,  for  this  was 
one  of  the  few  points  that  the  colony  would  never  yield  even 
for  the  common  good.* 

While  this  fine  army  was  thus  passing  the  summer  in 
shameful  inactivity,  settling  points  of  etiquette  and  w^aiting 
for  leave  from  its  officers  to  do  what  at  an  earlier  day  Major 
Treat,  or  at  a  later  day,  Putnam,  would  have  done  in  six 
weeks  with  six  thousand  effective  men,  the  enemy  was  gain- 

*  The  Assembly  of  Connecticut,  as  if  to  guard  against  the  annoyance  of  kingly 
officers,  usually  guaranteed  to  those  who  might  enlist,  that  they  should  have  the 
privilege  of  selecting  their  own  company  officers,  and  that  the  officers  of  a  higher 
grade  should  be  filled  by  the  assembly. 

36 


50  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

ing  every  advantage  by  the  delay.  Not  only  had  they  time 
to  provide  against  any  attempt  that  the  English  could  make 
upon  them ;  but  they  had  even  leisure  to  project  and  execute 
a  complicated  plan  of  offensive  operations.  They  had 
already  reduced  a  small  fortress  in  the  territory  of  the  five 
nations,  who  were  known  allies  of  the  English,  and  murdered 
in  cold  blood  its  little  garrison  of  twenty-five  soldiers.  At 
the  same  time  the  woods  were  filled  with  their  spies  and 
scouting  parties,  who  kept  a  sharp  eye  on  all  the  motions  of 
the  English  army. 

Having  learned  that  a  large  convoy  of  provisions  was  on 
the  way  from  Schenectady  to  Oswego,  a  party  of  French 
and  Indians  secreted  themselves  in  a  thicket  on  the  northern 
bank  of  the  Onondaga  river,  to  intercept  them.  Finding 
that  the  convoy  had  already  passed  this  point,  the  French 
resolved  to  await  the  return  of  the  detachment.  This  body 
was  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Bradstreet — an  officer  of 
keen  sagacity,  who  was  in  hourly  expectation  of  an  attack, 
and  was  well  prepared  for  it.  As  he  was  sailing  along  the 
current  of  the  Onondaga  with  his  company,  in  three  divis- 
ions, with  no  sound  to  break  the  silence  of  the  wooded  shores 
save  that  of  the  waves  that  rippled  against  the  banks  and 
sank,  after  a  momentary  disturbance  from  the  oar,  into  their 
old  repose,  the  war-whoop  of  the  Indians  rang  out  from  the 
covert  with  a  distinctness  that  almost  drowned  the  voice  of 
musketry  that  accompanied  it.  The  north  shore  was  on  a 
sudden  alive  with  Indians,  who  immediately  forded  the  river 
and  attacked  the  English.  Bradstreet,  who,  with  a  part 
of  his  men,  had  taken  possession  of  a  small  island,  made 
such  a  desperate  defense  that  they  v/ere  compelled  to  with- 
draw. Learning  that  there  was  another  body  of  French 
and  Indians  farther  up  the  river,  he  landed  on  the 
south  shore  and  advanced  with  about  two  hundred  men  to 
meet  them.  He  attacked  them  so  suddenly  and  with  such 
energy  that  many  fell  dead  upon  the  spot  and  the  rest  in 
their  dismay  leapt  into  the  river,  where  many  of  them  were 


[1756.]  MOXTCALM.  51 

drowned.     He  then  marched  still  further  up  the  river  and 
routed  a  third  party.* 

In  these  several  actions,  extending  over  a  period  of  three 
hours,  about  seventy  of  his  men  were  killed  and  wounded. 
'?wice  that  number  of  the  enemy  were  killed,  and  about 
seventy  of  them  were  taken  prisoners.  From  these  prisoners 
he  learned  that  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  had  stationed 
themselves  on  the  west  side  of  Lake  Ontario,  with  artillery 
and  all  the  other  equipments  for  the  siege  of  Oswego.  Brad- 
street  hastened  to  Albany  with  the  news.  Before  this.  Gen- 
era]  Webb,  with  one  regiment,  had  received  orders  to  hold 
himself  in  readiness  to  march  to  the  relief  of  that  post ;  but 
when  Lord  Loudoun  arrived  in  Albany,  he  had  not  begun 
his  march. f 

General  Winslow,  with  seven  thousand  New  England  and 
New  York  troops,  had  already  advanced  to  the  south  land- 
ing of  Lake  George.  In  perfect  health,  high  spirits,  and  well 
provisioned,  they  were  impatient  to  be  led  against  the  enemy. 
This  army  left  to  itself,  with  such  a  leader  as  Winslow  was, 
would  have  taken  possession  of  Crown  Point  before  that 
time,  if  they  had  been  allowed  to  move  forward.  But  large 
numbers  of  batteaux-men  still  lay  at  Albany,  Schenectady  and 
other  places,  and  three  thousand  soldiers  were  kept  loitering 
behind  to  guard  the  lazy  generals  who  lingered  at  Albany 
until  about  the  middle  of  7Vu2;ust.  Even  General  Webb  did 
not  begin  his  march  until  the  12th  of  August.  If  he  had 
been  sick  of  a  camp  fever  during  the  whole  summer,  he 
would  have  been  quite  as  useful,  and  would  have  had  a  much 
better  reputation  in  his  own  and  in  after  time.  J 

But  the  reader  is  not  to  infer  that  the  operations  of  the 
enemy  were  confined  to  casual  ambuscades  and  irregular 
skirmishing.     On  the  other  hand,  the  Marquis  de  Montcalm, § 

*  Graham.  fTrumbuU.  i  Trumbull. 

§  Montcalm,  Louis  Joseph  de  St.  Veran,  marquis  de,  was  a  native  of  Candiae,  and 
descended  from  a  noble  fam.ily.  Having  been  bred  to  arms,  he  was  particularly 
distinguished  at  the  battle  of  Placenza  in  174G.  He  rose  to  the  rank  of  field 
marshall  and  was  made  governor  of  Canada  in  175G.    After  having  successfully 


52  HISTOKY  OF   CONNECTICUT. 

one  of  the  ablest  military  chieftains  of  that  age,  with  about 
three  thousand  men,  proceeded  to  invest  the  forts  at  Oswego.^' 
He  blockaded  the  harbor  with  two  armed  vessels,  and  stationed 
a  strong  party  on  the  roads  between  Albany  and  the  forts,  as 
if  he  was  in  league  with  Webb  and  the  other  officers,  who 
were  lagging  behind,  and  was  striving  to  save  their  sensitive 
nerves  from  any  shock  that  might  be  occasioned  by  some 
piece  of  ill-timed  intelligence  relating  to  the  remote  and 
dangerous  region  bordering  upon  lake  Ontario. 

On  the  12th  of  August,  Montcalm  opened  his  trenches  before 
Fort  Ontario  at  midnight  with  thirty-two  pieces  of  cannon 
and  a  number  of  brass  mortars  and  howitzers.  This  fortress 
was  situated  upon  a  high  hill  and  commanded  Fort  Oswego  so 
completely  as  to  protect  it  and  render  it  secure  as  long  as 
the  English  garrison  could  man  their  guns  and  bring  them  to 
bear  upon  an  enemy  from  this  more  elevated  site.  But 
strange  as  it  doubtless  seemed  to  the  marquis,  the  garrison, 
after  throwing  away  their  shells  and  ammunition  with  little 
injury  to  the  French,  the  next  day  spiked  their  cannon  and 
retired  to  Fort  Oswego,  where  they  could  be  more  easily 
reached  by  the  shot  of  the  besiegers. t  The  French  lost  no 
time  in  seizing  the  eminence  that  had  been  so  unnecessarily 
given  up  to  them,  and  pointing  the  deserted  guns  toward  the 
lower  fort,  opened  such  a  brisk  fire  upon  it,  and  sustained  it 
with  such  unabated  vigor,  that  the  garrison  suffered  severely 
from  the  attack.  Colonel  Mercer,  who  commanded,  was 
killed  by  a  cannon  ball  on  the  13th,  and  after  his  death  the 
officers  were  so  divided  in  opinion  as  to  the  proper  course  to 
be  pursued,  and  the  soldiers  were  in  such  a  state  of  conster- 
nation, that  the  enemy  were  not  long  in  gaining  possession 
of  the  fortress.  On  the  14th,  the  garrison,  consisting  of 
fourteen  hundred  men,  capitulated,  and  surrendered  into  the 
hands  of  their  conquerors  one  hundred  and  twenty-one 
pieces  of  cannon,  fourteen  mortars,  a  well-stored  magazine, 

opposed  Lord  Loudoun  and  Abercrombie,  he  was  killed  at  the  siege  of  Quebec  in 
1759. 

*  Holmes,  ii.  70.  .  t  Holmes,  ii.  70. 


[1756.J  WOOD   CREEK   FILLED   UP.  53 

two  sloops  of  war  that  had  been  built  to  cover  the 
troops  in  the  Niagara  expedition,  two  hundred  boats 
and  batteaux,  and  provisions  enough  to  have  held  out  until 
relief  could  have  been  looked  for  from  any  quarter  except 
Albany.** 

The  garrison  consisted  of  the  regiments  of  Shirley  and 
Pepperell,  and  surrendered  upon  the  express  terms  that  they 
should  not  be  plundered  by  the  Indians,  should  be  treated 
with  humanity,  and  conducted  safely  to  Montreal.  All  these 
conditions  were  shamefully  violated.  Instead  of  sending  them 
to  Montreal  under  a  force  sufficient  to  protect  them,  Montcalm 
instantly  delivered  up  twenty  of  his  prisoners  to  his  Indian 
allies  as  victims  to  atone  for  the  death  of  an  equal  number  of 
savages  who  had  fallen  by  the  common  fortune  of  war  during 
the  siege.  The  rest  of  the  garrison,  so  far  from  being  pro- 
tected, were  exposed  to  the  bitterest  taunts  of  savage  exulta- 
tion. Most  of  them  were  plundered,  many  were  scalped, 
and  some  were  assassinated.  The  forts  were  at  once  dis- 
mantled and  all  those  precious  munitions  that  had  been 
transported  through  the  wilderness  at  such  cost  and  at  so 
great  an  expenditure  of  labor,  were  carried  off  to  strengthen 
the  French  fortifications  against  that  evil  day  that  had 
been  protracted  so  long  by  the  inefficiency  of  the  English 
generals. 

By  this  untoward  capitulation,  the  French  gained  the 
exclusive  dominion  of  the  two  great  lakes,  Erie  and  Ontario, 
with  the  whole  country  of  the  five  nations.  The  territory 
bordering  on  Wood  Creek  and  the  Mohawk  was  also  laid 
open  to  their  ravages. 

General  Webb  had  advanced  as  far  as  the  carrying  place 
between  the  Mohawk  river  and  Wood  Creek,  when  tidings 
reached  him  of  the  fall  of  Oswego.  Dreading  an  attack 
from  the  enemy,  he  began  to  cut  down  trees  and  cast  them 
into  the  river.  In  this  way  he  soon  rendered  it  impassible 
even  for  canoes.  The  French,  who  were  as  ignorant  of  his 
numbers  and  resources  as  he  was  of  theirs,  adopted  the  same 

*  See  Holmes,  Trumbull,  Bancroft,  etc. 


54  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

measure  to  prevent  his  advancing.  He  was  therefore 
obliged  to  retrace  his  steps,  which  he  did  in  a  very 
stately  and  orderly  manner.  Indeed  his  march  in  either 
direction  was  more  like  the  movement  of  a  funeral  proces- 
sion, than  like  the  hurried  steps  of  an  invading  or  retreating 
army. 

The  Earl  of  Loudoun,  who  appears  to  have  thought  that 
the  fall  of  Oswego  was  quite  a  suitable  close  of  this  painfully 
protracted  drama,  although  he  had  yet  left  him  three  good 
months  for  operation  before  w^inter  would  set  in,  and  although 
the  army,  now  at  the  southern  landing  of  Lake  George, 
could  have  made  an  attack  upon  Ticonderoga  and  Crown 
Point  in  ten  days,  declared  that  the  season  was  already  too 
far  spent  to  render  it  safe  to  make  any  attempt  upon  either 
of  those  places  during  that  year.  He  therefore  passed  the 
autumn  in  preparations  for  an  early  campaign  the  next 
spring.  He  strengthened  the  two  forts,  Edward  and  William 
Henry,  and  overwhelmed  them  with  garrisons.  The  pro- 
vincials returned  home  to  spend  the  winter,  and  the  regulars 
who  were  not  employed  at  the  forts,  went  into  winter  quar- 
ters at  Albany.* 

The  reader  cannot  fail  to  be  impressed  with  the  difference 
between  this  campaign  and  that  of  the  preceding  year.  In 
1755,  a  small  army  of  colonial  troops,  officered  by  men  of 
their  own  choice,  had  cut  through  the  woods,  constructed 
roads  and  bridges,  erected  two  forts  at  well  chosen  points, 
built  ships  in  addition  to  a  vast  number  of  boats  and  batteaux, 
and  to  crown  all  this  work,  in  itself  glorious  enough  without 
such  a  consummation,  this  ill-equipped  and  comparatively 
undisciplined  army  had  gained  a  brilliant  victory  and  taken 
captive  the  leader  of  the  French  army.  They  had  also  taken 
all  the  preliminary  steps  of  a  vigorous  campaign  in  1756,  and 
had  rallied  to  the  rendezvous  as  early  as  the  season  would 
allow  them  to  take  the  field  in  the  spring — burning  with  a 
noble  ardor  to  meet  the  enemy  and  complete  what  they 
had  before  so  well  begun. 

*  Trumbull,  ii.  377. 


[1756.]  IXDIGXATIOX   OF   THE   COLONIES.  55 

On  the  other  hand,  the  campaign  of  1756 — with  the  finest 
army  that  had  ever  set  foot  upon  the  continent,  with  the 
patronage  of  the  British  government,  with  regular  troops, 
with  arms  and  ammunition  in  abundance,  with  roads,  boats, 
forts,  and  the  precious  experience  of  the  preceding  year — 
lost  two  forts,  and  sustained  a  disreputable  defeat,  without 
driving  the  enemy  from  a  single  position,  or  taking  possession 
of  a  single  foot  of  unoccupied  land,  and  went  into  winter  quar- 
ters almost  before  the  frost  had  shaken  down  the  leaves  from 
the  forest  trees. 

The  mortification  and  chagrin  that  pervaded  New  Eng- 
land, when  the  result  of  British  generalship  was  made  known, 
contrasted  strangely  enough  with  the  flattering  demonstra- 
tions of  joy  that  had  welcomed  Abercrombie  and  Loudoun 
to  America.* 

Thus  all  the  plans  of  operation,  that  had  been  concerted 
with  such  wisdom  by  the  provincial  governors,  w^ere  paralyzed. 

Even  General  Winslow%  who,  I  have  no  doubt,  would  have 
taken  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point  with  the  provincial 
troops,  had  the  British  officers  allow^ed  him  to  do  so,  was 
not  permitted  to  advance  against  these  fortresses,  but  was 
obliged  by  Lord  Loudoun  to  remain  in  his  camp  and  fortify 
it  against  the  incursions  of  the  French — that  had  no  existence 
except  in  the  imaginations  of  the  British  officers.  To  repel 
this  anticipated  invasion.  General  Webb,  with  fourteen  hun- 
dred British  regulars,  and  Sir  William  Johnson,  with  one 
thousand  militia,  w^ere  kept  idle  during  the  whole  summer.f 
Never,  surely,  were  so  many  able-bodied  men  so  busily  em- 
ployed in  doing  nothing.  Throughout  Connecticut  the  indig- 
nation of  the  people  flashed  out  from  the  lively  features  of 
the   freemen,  who  discussed  the  bad  policy  of  the  viceroy 

*  The  people  of  New  England  had  formed  high  expectations  of  Loudoun  and 
Abercrombie.  Loudoun,  in  particular,  was  everywhere  greeted  with  enthusiasm, 
"In  New  Haven,"  says  Dr.  Trumbull,  "  the  Rev.  President  Clap,  and  the  prin- 
cipal gentlemen  of  the  town,  waited  on  him  in  the  most  respectful  manner.  The 
president  presented  his  lordship  with  their  joint  congratulations  on  the  safe  arrival 
of  a  peer  of  the  realm  in  North  America." 

t  Holmes,  ii.  71. 


56  HISTOEY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

with  a  freedom  that  would  have  shocked  his  sense  of  pro- 
priety had  he  been  able  to  listen  to  it. 

In  the  face  of  all  these  calamities,  the  British  parliament 
made  great  preparations  to  prosecute  the  war  with  vigor  as 
soon  as  the  spring  of  1757  should  open. 

In  May,  Admiral  Holborn  and  Commodore  Holmes  sailed 
from  Cork  for  America,  with  eleven  ships  of  the  line,  a  fire- 
ship,  a  bomb-ketch,  and  fifty  transports,  with  six  thousand 
regular  troops  on  board.  The  fleet  and  armament  arrived  at 
Halifax  in  good  order  on  the  9th  of  July.  General  Hopson 
had  charge  of  the  land  force.* 

The  colonies,  supposing  that  the  expedition  against 
Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point  was  to  be  renewed,  again 
levied  their  requisite  quotas  of  men.  Connecticut,  Avho 
had  the  year  before  raised  double  the  number  that  had  been 
required  of  her,  once  more  brought  her  full  complement  of 
soldiers  into  the  field.  It  is  not  difticult,  therefore,  to  imagine 
their  disappointment,  when  they  learned  that  their  darling 
enterprise  was  to  be  abandoned,  after  all  this  expense  of  time 
and  money,  and  that  the  colonial  troops  were  to  be  employed 
in  an  idle  attempt  upon  Louisbourg.  To  say  nothing  of  the 
childish  and  whimsical  policy  of  the  British  government,  the 
colonies  felt  ill  at  ease  under  the  prospect  of  having  their 
forces  called  to  act  at  such  a  distance  from  home,  while  all 
the  vast  regions  that  lay  to  the  west  and  north  were  open  to 
the  incursions  of  an  enemy  whom  twelve  thousand  troops 
had  been  found  inadequate  to  keep  at  bay,  and  who,  flushed 
w^ith  recent  victories,  might  be  expected  to  prove  more  dan- 
gerous now  than  ever  before.  Even  if  the  French  should 
confine  themselves  to  the  limits  of  the  country  that  they  then 
held,  they  would  at  least  have  another  year  to  strengthen 
their  posts  and  fortify  themselves  in  their  position. 

In  January,  Lord  Loudoun  had  met  at  Boston  a  council 
of  the  governors  of  New  England  and  Nova  Scotia,  and 
with  the  most  unfeeling  insolence,  and  a  shocking  disregard 
of  truth,  had  charged  upon  the  colonial  army  and  provincial 

*  Trumbull,  ii.  379  ;  Holmes,  ii.  74. 


[1757.]  EXPEDITION  AGAIXST   LOUISBOURG.  57 

governments  all  the  disasters  of  the  campaign  of  1756.  He 
must  have  seen  a  flat  negative  to  this  arrogant  declaration 
in  the  faces  of  the  gentlemen  composing  the  council,  for  he 
hastened  to  soothe  their  insulted  feelings  by  informing  them 
that  he  should  require  only  four  thousand  provincial  troops,*' 
who  were  to  be  sent  to  New  York  and  there  placed  under  his 
command  for  some  important  and  secret  service  that  his  duty 
and  fidelity  to  his  sovereign  forbade  him  to  disclose.  As  the 
numbers  demanded  were  so  much  less  than  the  colonies  had 
reason  to  expect,  the  requisition  was  complied  with,  and  in 
the  spring  more  than  six  thousand  provincial  troops  were 
placed  at  his  disposal  and  embarked  at  New  York  for 
Halifax. 

It  was  not  known  that  the  expedition  against  Crown  Point 
was  given  up,  until  the  troops  had  reached  New  York  f 
Perhaps  the  colonies  were  partly  reconciled  to  this  foolish 
departure  from  the  original  plan,  by  the  reflection  that  Lou- 
doun, by  absenting  himself,  would  fit  least  be  prevented  from 
doing  any  further  mischief.  If  he  could  not  restore  the  forts 
that  he  had  lost,  he  could  lose  no  more  ;  and  if  he  could  not 
drag  out  of  Wood  Creek  the  logs  and  tree-tops  with  which 
he  had  obstructed  its  navigation,  he  would  not  again  encum- 
ber the  waters  of  that  great  highway  to  the  west. 

But  his  lordship's  naval  operations  were  as  disastrous  as 
those  that  he  conducted  by  land.  He  was  as  ignorant  of 
the  strength  of  Louisbourg  as  he  had  been  of  that  of  Crown 
Point.  He  found  to  his  astonishment,  on  arriving  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Cape  Breton,  that  it  was  not  only  a  fortified 
place,  but  that  it  was  a  stronghold  of  a  very  formidable 
character,   containing   a  garrison   of  six   thousand   veteran 

*  Holmes,  ii,  74.  The  apportionment  made  by  Lord  Loudoun  for  New  Eng 
land,  was  as  follows  :  Massachusetts,  eighteen  hundred  men  ;  Connecticut,  four- 
teen hundred  ;  Rhode  Island,  four  hundred  and  fifty  ;  New  Hampshire,  three 
hundred  and  fifty.  The  Connecticut  troops  were  placed  under  the  command  of 
the  following  officers,  viz.  Phineas  Lyman,  colonel ;  Nathan  Whiting,  lieut.  colo- 
nel ;  and  Nathan  Payson,  major.  Israel  Putnam  was  captain  of  one  of  the  four- 
teen companies. 

+  Graham,  iv.  5. 


58  HISTOKY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

troops,  and  a  large  body  of  militia.  To  add  to  the  obstacles 
that  were  in  the  way  of  his  achieving  a  military  reputation 
as  boundless  as  his  desires  and  as  solid  as  his  inactivity, 
while  the  army  was  lingering  at  Halifax,  gleaning  informa- 
tion of  the  fortress,  it  was  made  still  more  inaccessible  by 
the  arrival  of  seventeen  line-of-battle  ships,  that  quietly 
moored  themselves  in  the  harbor  and  showed  what  the  good 
earl  thought  to  be  such  evident  signs  of  participating  in  the 
quarrel,  that  he  prudently  gave  up  the  enterprise  and  returned 
to  New  York.* 

While  this  farce  was  being  enacted,  the  Marquis  de  Mont- 
calm, elated  with  the  successes  of  the  previous  year,  and 
exulting  at  the  news  that  the  British  and  provincial  troops 
were  taking  a  pleasure  trip  to  Halifax,  summoned  all  his 
powers  of  mind,  and  rallied  all  his  forces,  to  strike  a  blow  at 
ihe  vitals  of  the  English  power  in  the  north.  General  Webb 
commanded  in  that  quarter,  and  Montcalm,  astute  and  keen 
in  his  knowledge  of  men,  had  by  this  time  learned  what 
sort  of  opposition  he  was  likely  to  meet  at  such  hands.  He 
resolved  to  avail  himself  of  the  absence  of  so  large  a  share 
of  the  British  and  provincial  troops,  and  sieze  upon  Fort  Wil- 
liam Henry.  I  have  already  described  the  position  of  this 
fortress,  and  have  spoken  of  its  relative  importance.  In  ad- 
dition to  this,  as  it  stood  near  the  spot  where  his  predecessor, 
the  Baron  Dieskau,  had  been  taken  captive,  it  would  add  not 
a  little  to  the  reputation  of  Montcalm  could  he  blot  out  the 
stains  of  the  inglorious  defeat  that  had  fallen  upon  the  French 
arms  within  sight  of  the  fort.  Summoning  his  forces  from 
Ticonderoga,  Crown  Point,  and  the  adjacent  stations,  and 
rallying  to  his  standard  a  larger  number  of  Indians  than  his 
nation  had  ever  employed  before  on  any  one  occasion,  he  set 
out  with  an  army  of  about  eight  thousand  men. 

A  few  days  before  he  crossed  the  lake,  General  Webb, 
whose  head-quarters  were  at  Fort  Edward,  ordered  Major 
Israel   Putnam, f  of  Connecticut,  vrith  two  hundred  men,  to 

*  Holmes,  ii.  74. 

tin  May  1756,  the  assembly  granted  "  to  Captain  Israel  Putnam,  the  number  of 


[1757.]  PUTNAIM  RECOXXOITRES  THE   EXEMY.  59 

escort  him  to  Fort  William  Henry.  His  object  in  visiting 
this  fort  was  to  inspect  it,  and  find  out  by  actual  observation 
the  strength  of  the  place.  What  could  have  stimulated  the 
general  to  such  a  pitch  of  temerity,  is  to  this  day  a  mystery. 
His  conduct  on  the  occasion  was  at  variance  with  his  whole 
previous  and  subsequent  life.  Had  he  suspected  the  possi- 
ble approach  of  the  enemy,  no  character  in  all  history  would 
have  been  less  likely  to  have  visited  Fort  William  Henry. 
Yet  not  only  did  he  allow  Putnam  to  conduct  him  to  that 
fortress,  but  he  permitted  him  to  go  down  the  lake  in  broad 
day  light,  and,  having  landed  at  North-west  bay,  to  stay  on 
shore  there  until  he  could  learn  what  was  the  condition  of 
the  enemy  at  Ticonderoga,  and  the  other  posts  in  that 
quarter. 

Putnam  proceeded  with  eighteen  volunteers,  in  three  whale 
boats,  and  before  he  had  reached  North-west  bay,  he  dis- 
covered a  party  of  men  on  an  island.  As  he  had  not 
approached  near  enough  to  the  island  to  alarm  the  enemy, 
he  left  two  of  his  boats  to  fish  at  a  safe  distance,  and  hastened 
back  to  the  fort  with  the  tidings.  The  general,  when  he  saw 
the  leader  of  the  scouting  party  rowing  back  his  boat  alone, 
and  with  such  velocity  that  it  almost  flew  through  the  water, 
took  it  for  granted  that  the  rest  of  the  company  had  been 
taken  captives,  and  sent  a  skiff  with  strict  orders  that  Put- 
nam alone  should  come  ashore.  Putnam,  who  was  able  to 
see  no  good  reason  why  the  lives  of  seventeen  brave  men 
should  be  wantonly  sacrificed,  explained  to  General  Webb 
their  situation  and  begged  earnestly  that  he  might  be  permit- 
ted to  return,  complete  his  mission,  and  bring  back  his 
companions.  With  much  reluctance  General  Webb  finally 
yielded  to  his  solicitations. 

With  a  glad  heart  Putnam  returned,  and  passing  by  the 
spot  where  the  occupants  of  the  whale  boats  were  still  engaged 
in  fishing,  as  if  sport  only  had  tempted  them  to  explore  the 

fifty  Spanish  milled  dollars,  and  thirty  such  dollars  to  Captain  Xoah  Grant,  as  a 
gratuity,  for  their  extraordinary  services  and  good  conduct  in  ranging  and  scout- 
ing the  winter  past  for  the  annoyance  of  the  enemy  near  Crown  Point." 


60  HISTORY  OF  co:n'necticut. 

windings  of  the  most  beautiful  of  American  lakes,  he  rowed 
his  boat  still  nearer  to  the  North-west  bay  until,  pausing 
upon  the  crystal  waters,  he  could  see  by  the  aid  of  a  good 
glass  a  large  army  in  motion  and  advancing  towards  him. 
Had  they  been  a  flock  of  wild  fowl  gliding  over  the  bosom 
of  the  lake,  Putnam  could  not  have  regarded  them  with 
emotions  less  akin  to  fear.  Long  and  earnesth^  he  gazed 
upon  them,  scanning  their  equipments  and  trying  to  esti- 
mate their  numbers,  in  order  that  he  might  come  to  some 
conclusion  as  to  their  probable  destination.  So  lost  was  he 
in  the  contemplation  of  this  exciting  spectacle,  that  several 
of  the  canoes  filled  with  wild  graceful  forest-men,  like  the 
light  clouds  that  fly  with  vapory  wings  in  the  van  of  the 
black  thunder-storm,  had  come  up  with  him  and  almost 
surrounded  him,  before  he  thought  of  flight.  But  the  bows  ot 
these  swarthy  voyagers,  rent  from  the  sasafrass-tree,  were  not 
more  elastic  than  his  muscles,  nor  were  the  sinews  of  the 
deer  that  bent  them  into  the  shape  of  the  crescent  moon, 
more  tough  and  wiry  than  his  own.  He  dashed  through  the 
midst  of  them,  and  leading  back  his  little  party,  reported  to 
General  Webb  the  approach  of  a  hostile  army.  At  the 
same  time  he  expressed  his  conviction  that  the  expedition 
was  designed  for  the  capture  of  Fort  William  Henry.  Gen. 
Webb  enjoined  upon  him  the  strictest  silence  in  regard  to  so 
delicate  a  subject,  and  bade  him  put  his  men  under  an  oath 
of  secrecy  while  he  made  ready  without  loss  of  time  to 
return  to  Fort  Edward. 

"  I  hope  your  excellency  does  not  intend  to  neglect  so  fair 
an  opportunity  of  giving  battle,  should  the  enemy  presume 
to  land,"  interposed  Major  Putnam,  who  saw  at  a  glance  how 
easy  it  would  be,  with  such  an  army  as  could  be  mustered 
from  the  two  forts,  to  cut  off  the  whole  expedition.  ' 

"  What  do  you  think  i(;e  sJiould  do  here  V  asked  General 
Webb,  whose  blood  must  have  curdled  at  the  suggestion  of 
the  provincial  major. 

The  next  day  he  returned  to  his  head-quarters,  and  the  day 
after  he  dispatched  Colonel  Monroe  with  his  regiment  to  re- 


[1757.]    JOHNSOX   ATTEMPTS   TO   RELIEVE   THE   FORT.  61 

inforce  the  garrison.  Monroe  took  with  him  all  his  rich 
baggage  and  camp-equipage,  in  spite  of  Putnam's  advice  to 
the  contrary.  On  the  day  after  Colonel  Monroe  arrived 
at  Fort  William  Henry,  the  Marquis  de  Montcalm  landed 
his  army  and  opened  the  siege.  I  have  said  that  the  army 
of  the  French  general  amounted  to  about  eight  thousand 
men.  As  the  garrison  did  not  number  more  than  about 
twenty-five  hundred,  it  was  easy  to  prophecy  what  would  be 
its  fate.  Still,  with  the  walls  of  a  strong  fortress  to  protect 
him,  Monroe  was  not  without  hope  that  General  Webb,  who 
was  only  fourteen  miles  off  with  four  thousand  troops,  would 
march  to  his  assistance.  He  therefore,  made  a  resolute 
stand,  and  discharged  his  shot  with  considerable  effect  into 
the  camp  of  the  besieging  army.  For,  many  tedious  days 
and  nights  this  gallant  officer  continued  to  wage  the  un- 
equal conflict,  awaiting  with  sleepless  anxiety  the  return  of 
messenger  after  messenger  whom  he  had  sent  to  implore 
General  Webb  to  save  the  brave  little  garrison  from  impend- 
ing destruction. 

Meanwhile  the  arrival  of  Sir  William  Johnson  with  his 
troops  had  very  much  augmented  the  army  under  General 
Webb,  which  was  now  of  sufficient  force  to  have  annihilated 
the  French  army,  could  Montcalm  have  been  fool-hardy 
enough  to  await  their  coming.  Sir  V/illiam  Johnson  now 
joined  his  solicitations  to  the  supplicating  messengers  from 
the  besieged  fort,  and  Putnam  in  his  bold  manly  way  begged 
that  he  might  be  permitted  to  lead  his  handful  of  rangers  to 
the  scene  of  action.  Trembling  and  irresolute  day  after  day 
the  general  resisted  these  appeals,  though  they  were  seconded 
by  the  eloquent  roar  of  the  guns  that  still  answered  the  over- 
whelming artillery  of  the  beleaguering  army. 

At  last,  on  the  8th  or  9th  dav  after  the  landing  of  the 
French,  Sir  William  Johnson  prevailed  on  General  Webb  to 
allow  him  to  march  w-ith  the  provincials,  militia,  and  Putnam's 
rangers,  to  the  relief  of  the  garrison.  But  scarcely  had  this 
scanty  force  advanced  three  miles  from  Fort  Edward  when 
the  order  was  countermanded,  and  the  reinforcement  returned. 


62  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

One  of  Montcalm's  Indian  videttes,  seeing  the  provincial 
army  marching  toward  Fort  William  Henry,  as  he  scoured 
the  woods  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Edward,  fled  to  the 
French  camp  with  the  startling  intelligence.  The  French 
general  questioned  him  as  to  the  numbers  of  the  approaching 
enemy. 

"If  you  can  count  the  leaves  on  the  trees  you  can  count 
them,"  replied  the  courier,  in  the  vague,  metaphorical  language 
of  his  people. 

Immediately  the  guns  of  the  besiegers  were  silenced,  and 
the  army  was  ordered  to  make  preparations  to  re-embark  and 
abandon  the  attempt  upon  the  fort,  when  the  arrival  of  an- 
other runner  who  had  seen  the  reinforcement  on  its  return- 
inarch  to  Fort  Edward,  induced  the  marquis  to  begin  the 
siege  anew.  With  an  admirable  train  of  artillery,  plenty  of 
ammunition,  and  inspired  with  new  hope,  now  that  he  had  learn- 
ed how  little  he  had  to  fear  interruption  from  abroad,  he  made 
such  a  fierce  attack  upon  the  fort  that  Colonel  Monroe,  whose 
ammunition  had  begun  to  fail,  now  saw  that  he  could  not 
hold  out  much  longer.  Still  he  fought  on  at  desperate  odds, 
and  would  have  continued  to  do  so  for  many  hours  had  it  not 
been  for  the  receipt  of  a  letter  from  General  Webb,  addressed 
to  himself,  advising  him  to  surrender  without  delay.*  This 
letter  had  been  intercepted  by  the  enemy  and  was  adroitly 
sent  into  the  garrison  at  the  most  favorable  time  to  make  an 
impression. f 

Thus  counseled  by  the  dastard  who  could  have  saved  him 
without  so  much  as  lifting  a  finger,  had  he  but  permitted 
others  to  do  what  his  cowardly  soul  rendered  him  incapable 
of  attempting,  the  deserted  and  heart-broken  commander  of 
Fort  William  Henry  was  compelled  to  capitulate. 

The  terms  of  the  surrender  were  very  favorable.  It  was 
stipulated  that  the  English  should  not  serve  against  the 
French  for  eighteen  months,  unless  they  were  exchanged  for 
an  equal  number  of  French  prisoners.  The  garrison  was  to 
march  out  with  arms,  baggage,  and  one  piece  of  cannon,  in 

*  Rider's  Hist.  xlii.  9,  12  ;  Wright's  Hist.  i.  14.         t  Trumbull,  ii.  381,  382. 


[1757.]  MASSACRE   AT   FOllT   WILLIAM   IIEXBY.  G3 

honor  of  Colonel  Monroe  for  the  brave  defense  that  he  had 
made.  They  were  also  to  be  furnished  with  an  escort  to 
Fort  Edward  by  French  troops  to  protect  them  against  the 
ferocity  of  the  Indians.* 

The  terms  of  the  treaty,  however,  were  not  kept  by  Mont- 
calm, who  neglected  to  provide  the  suitable  escort  that  he 
had  promised ;  and  the  Indians  who  fought  under  him,  amazed 
at  the  leniency  shown  by  the  French  commander  to  soldiers 
of  the  garrison,  resolved  not  to  be  deprived  of  the  spoils  that 
they  regarded  as  justly  belonging  to  them  by  the  rules  of 
war.  Falling  upon  the  English,  they  stripped  them  of  the 
few  articles  of  clothing  and  other  personal  property  that  had 
survived  the  destructive  effects  of  the  siege,  and  then  com- 
menced that  memorable  scene  of  assassination  that  has 
given  a  kind  of  fabulous  interest  to  the  capture  of  Fort  Wil- 
liam Henry,  like  that  with  which  fiction  invests  the  more 
common-place  details  of  history. 

The  Indians  who  had  aided  the  garrison,  and  who 
had  been  included  in  the  capitulation,  were  the  first 
victims.  They  were  dragged  from  the  ranks  where  they 
were  marching,  and  tomahawked  and  scalped.  Nor  were 
the  English  themselves  spared.  Men  and  women  had  their 
throats  cut,  their  bodies  ripped  open,  and  hacked  in  pieces. 
Children,  even  little  infants,  were  taken  by  the  heels  and 
dashed  against  stones  and  trees.  For  about  seven  miles  did 
those  infuriated  devils  hang  like  a  horde  of  hungry  wolves 
upon  the  skirts  of  the  English  army,  who  no  longer  could  be 
said  to  march,  but  rather  to  flee  before  them,  until  by  the 
joint  exertions  of  the  insulted  soldiers  and  the  tardy  though 
perhaps  honest  efforts  of  Montcalm,  they  were  beaten  off* 
and  sent  yelling  into  the  wilderness.  Those  who  escaped  by 
flight  or  by  the  protection  of  the  French  arrived  at  Fort 
Edward   in    the    most  deplorable  condition. f 

*  Trumbull,  ii.  382. 

t  Minot,  ii.  11—22  •,  Marshall,  i.  411— 41G  ;  Mante,  b.  2  ;  Trumbull's  Hist.  U. 
S.,  ch.  xi  :  Smith's  New  York,  ii.  ch,  vi. ;  Dr.  Belknap  (Ilist.  New  Hampshire, 
ii.  299,)  intimates  that  a  principal  oauso  of  the  conduct  of  the  Indians  may  be 
found  in  the  fact  that  they  had  joined  the  expedition  of  Montcalm  on  a  promise 


64  HISTORY   OF   COIn"NECTICUT. 

The  next  day  after  the  massacre,  Major  Putnam,  who  had 
been  sent  with  his  rangers  to  keep  an  eye  on  the  movements 
of  the  enemy,  came  to  the  shore  of  the  lake  whose  peaceful 
waters  had  been  desecrated  as  we  may  hope  they  will  never 
be  again,  while  yet  the  rear  of  the  French  army  was  scarcely 
beyond  the  range  of  his  muskets.     Language  can  indeed 
render  to  the  mind's  eye  an  outline  of  the  horrors  that  he 
saw  there  ;  but  nothing  save  the  imagination  can  fill  up  the 
details  of  such  a  picture.     The  fort  was  a  total  ruin.     The 
barracks,  the  out-houses,  the  booths  that  had  been  occupied 
by  the   sutlers,  lay  in  heaps  of  promiscuous  desolation ;  and 
the  smoke  that  rose  in  volumes  from  the  still  consuming  rub- 
bish, could  but  ill  conceal  with  its  black  drapery,  the  count- 
less fragments  of  human  bones  and  bodies  half  consumed, 
that  bore  such  ghastly  witness  to  the  nature  of  the  sacrifice. 
In  other  places,  dead  bodies  deformed  with  frightful  wounds 
and  streaked  with  the  blood-currents  that  had  deposited  their 
dark  pools  here  and  there  upon  the  ground,  were  scattered  at 
random,    evincing   every  shade  of  mutilation  that    savage 
ingenuity  could  contrive,  from  the  battered  skull  and  the 
head  reft  of  its  scalp,  to  the  gashed  trunk  and  the  severed 
limbs.     More  than   one  hundred  women  were  lying  there, 
many  of  them  entirely  naked,  and  some  with  their  throats 
cut  and  their  faces  marked  with  grotesque  wounds — some  of 
them  probing  deep  as  the  fountains  of  life,  others  slight  and 
whimsical  as  if  they  had  resulted  from  the  innocent  sportive- 
ness  of  a  child.     Putnam  turned  away  his  eyes  from  the 
sickening  spectacle,  little  thinking  that  it  was  but  a  vision 
that  foreshadowed  the  tortures  that  he  himself  was  so  soon  to 
endure.*' 

of  plunder^  and  were  hence  particularly  enraged  at  the  terms  granted  to  the  gar- 
rison. "  The  New  Hampshire  regiment,  happening  to  be  in  the  rear,  felt  the 
chief  fury  of  the  enemy.  Out  of  two  hundred,  eighty  were  killed  and  taken." 
Carver,  in  his  Travels  (pp.  132, 136,)  says  that  fifteen  hundred  persons  were  either 
killed  or  made  prisoners  by  the  Indians,  after  the  surrender. 

*  Most  of  the  adventures  of  Putnam  that  are  alluded  to  in  this  chapter,  are 
taken  from  Gen.  Humphreys'  Ufe  of  that  hero,  and  can  be  relied  upon  in  every 
particular.     I  have  also  had  access  to  other  sources  of  information  equally  authentic. 


[1757.]  CONDUCT   OF   MONTCALM.  65 

Such  was  the  massacre  at  Fort  William  Henry.  It  has  in  it 
those  elements  of  vitality  that  would  themselves  preserve  the 
name  of  Montcalm  from  oblivion.  How  much  blame  that 
truly  gallant  chieftain  deserves  to  bear  for  not  carrying  out  the 
terms  of  the  capitulation,  that  he  had  himself  stipulated  to 
perform,  I  am  unable  to  say.  He  has  been  charged  with 
instigating  the  Indians  to  this  atrocious  butchery.  Others 
have  asserted  that  he  furnished  no  escort  at  all  to  protect  the 
English  garrison.*  But  jMontcalm  himself  repelled  these 
accusations  with  scorn,  and  to  the  last  asserted  his  innocence 
in  the  most  positive  terms.  Had  not  a  similar  act  of  bar- 
barity been  just  before  perpetrated,  for  which  he  may  be 
fairly  held  responsible,  I  should  implicitly  credit  his  own 
testimony  upon  a  question  so  vitally  affecting  his  honor  as  a 
soldier.  Even  now,  shrouded  in  mystery  as  this  horrible  affair 
still  remains,  when  I  contrast  it  with  the  noble  emulation 
and  chivalry  that  crowned  his  military  career,  I  would  gladly 
believe  him  to  have  been  too  confident  of  his  own  moral 
power  over  the  passions  of  his  savage  allies,  too  negligent,  too 
trusting,  but  never  treacherous  ;  and  that  his  nature  revolted, 
as  does  the  common  sentiment  of  the  world,  from  the  com- 
mission of  such  a  crime. 

When  it  was  too  late  to  avail  anything  by  adopting  the 
most  active  measures,  General  Webb  suddenly  roused  him- 
self and  made  great  exertions  to  protect  the  northern  fron- 
tier. He  made  large  demands  on  the  colonies  for  troops,  which 
were  responded  to  with  a  promptness  that  would  have  been 
incredible  had  not  fear  lent  wings  to  every  movement.  The 
sudden  capture  of  the  fort,  the  massacre  that  followed  it,  and 
the  possibility  that  Montcalm  would  summon  his  savage 
hordes  and  descend  like  a  whirlwind  upon  Albany,  filled  the 
minds  of  the  colonists  with  a  well-grounded  alarm  that  showed 
its  depth  and  power  in  the  efforts  that  were  made  to  avert 
such  a  calamity. 

*  Tliis  is  the  statement  made  by  Carver  and  others.     Certain  it  is,  that  if  there 

was  a  guard,  it  was  either  insufficient,  or  it  was  furnished  too  late  to  be  of  any 

avail. 

37 


66  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

In  answer  to  this  call  from  General  Webb,  Connecticut  in 
a  few  days  raised  and  sent  into  the  field,  in  addition  to  the 
forces  she  had  already  furnished,  five  thousand  men.  New 
York  and  the  other  colonies  sent  on  large  reinforcements  to 
Albany,  until  the  English  army  numbered  about  twenty 
thousand  regular  troops,  besides  a  larger  body  of  provincials 
than  had  ever  been  brought  together  on  any  one  occasion 
during  the  war.  The  regulars  were  stationed  at  Albany  and 
Fort  Edward.  With  this  noble  army,  large  enough  to  have 
driven  before  it  all  the  French  troops  on  the  continent,  Webb 
accomplished  nothing,  but  passed  the  rest  of  the  campaign  in 
a  "  masterly  inactivity"  that  is  believed  to  be  without  a  parallel 
in  history.  Thus  ended  the  campaign  of  1757.  The  con- 
trast between  the  two  campaigns  described  in  this  chapter, 
and  that  of  1755,  which  was  under  the  direction  of  colonial 
officers,  and  the  burden  of  which  rested  solely  upon  colonial 
troops,  needs  no  commentary  to  make  it  more  conspicuous, 
than  a  plain  recital  of  the  facts  has  already  done. 


CHAPTER  III. 

CAilPAIGN  OF  1758. 

Early  in  1758,  the  Earl  of  Loudoun  called  a  convention 
of  the  governors  of  New  England  and  New  York  to  meet 
him  at  Hartford.  The  meeting  proved  to  be  a  very  unsatis- 
factory one.  The  governors  did  not  respond  with  any 
cordiality  to  the  propositions  made  by  his  lordship  that  they 
should  send  fresh  troops  into  the  field  to  further  the  ends  of  a 
new  campaign.  With  much  frigid  politeness,  their  several 
excellencies  informed  him  that  before  they  could  promise 
any  forces  or  supplies,  it  would  be  necessary  for  them  first  to 
convoke  their  respective  legislatures  and  procure  the  assent 
of  the  people.  Angry  at  this  apparent  subterfuge,  the  earl 
dismissed  them  in  a  fit  of  ill-temper,  and  repaired  to  Boston, 
where  he  repeated  his  demand  for  provincial  troops.  Here, 
too,  he  met  with  a  decided  rebufT.  Neither  Governor  Pow- 
nall  nor  the  Assembly  would  consent  to  furnish  him  with  a 
single  soldier  until  he  would  inform  them  of  the  minutest 
details  of  the  proposed  campaign.  Chagrined  at  a  refusal 
that  bespoke  so  plainly  how  little  confidence  they  had  in  him, 
he  retired  to  his  lodgings  to  deliberate  in  what  way  he  could 
best  answer  and  punish  this  provincial  insolence.  He  was 
aroused  from  these  meditations  by  the  unwelcome  tidings 
that  he  was  no  longer  able  to  use  the  king's  authority  as  his 
own,  either  in  punishing  his  enemies  or  rewarding  his  friends. 
He  had  been  superceded,  and  the  command  of  the  army  had 
been  given  to  General  Abercrombie. 

I  do  not  suppose  that  there  was  ever  a  government  in  the 
world  that  was  capable,  in  the  hands  of  bad  or  weak  minded 
men,  of  so  misrepresenting  the  true  spirit  and  character  of 
the  nation  under  its  control,  as  that  of  Great  Britain.  Hence 
we  find  throughout  British  history,  the  most  startling  contrast 
of  strength  and  weakness  characterizing  the  public  enter- 


68  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

prises  of  the  nation.  In  earlier  times,  England  was  great  or 
insignificant  according  to  the  individual  traits  of  the  monarch 
who  governed  her.  In  later  days  the  ministry  will  be  found 
to  have  taken  the  place  of  the  king,  and  the  public  acts  of 
the  empire  will  be  marked  by  the  most  puerile  imbecility, 
and  by  the  want  of  moral  as  well  as  executive  power;  or  on 
the  other  hand,  by  the  most  exalted  patriotism  and  self-sacri- 
fice exhibiting  themselves  in  results  so  grandly  wrought  out 
by  means  at  once  the  most  practical  and  daring,  as  to  com- 
mand the  admiration  of  the  world. 

The  period  of  history  now  under  consideration  admirably 
illustrates  this  remark.  In  the  course  of  two  years,  we  have 
seen,  by  the  dismantling  of  an  English  fort  on  the  southern 
border  of  Lake  George,  the  dominion  of  that  lake  and  of 
Lake  Champlain  passing  in  an  instant  from  the  hands  of  the 
English  ;  we  have  seen  Oswego  fall  a  needless  prey  to  a  small 
force,  and  thus  those  vast  inland  seas  that  connect  the  waters 
of  the  St.  Lawrence  with  those  of  the  Mississippi,  subjected 
to  the  dominion  of  the  French ;  going  still  further  south,  we 
have  seen  the  whole  continent  lying  west  of  the  Alleghanies, 
claimed  and  held  in  defiance  of  right,  and  with  a  sacrifice  of 
British  and  colonial  lives  truly  revolting  ;*  and  this  series  of 
calamities  is  known  to  be  attributable,  not  to  the  soldiers  who 
were  in  the  field,  but  to  the  officers  who  misdirected  their 
energies  or  imprisoned  them  at  points  where  they  could  in  no 
possible  way  exert  their  strength. 

We  are  now  to  see  the  workings  of  a  new  ministry  under 
the  ordering  of  William  Pitt,  who  united  the  eloquence  of 
Pericles  with  the  executive  force  of  Julius  Caesar:  a  man  borne 
into  power  upon  the  shoulders  of  the  indignant  people,  and  by 
new  men  and  measures  directed  towards  American  affairs, 
changing  at  once  the  relations  of  the  two  powers  that  con- 
tended for  the  mastery  upon  the  ocean. 

The  new  minister  was  unable  to  receive  regular  communi- 
cations from  the  Earl  of  Loudoun.  This  of  itself  was  a 
cause  of  removal  in  the  mind  of  a  man  constituted  as  Pitt 

*  Holmes,  ii.  79,  80. 


[1758.]  TROOPS  TO  BE  RAISED.  69 

was,  with  the  most  rigid  and  exact  business  habits.  He  was 
bold  to  say  that  he  made  the  removal  because  "  he  could 
never  ascertain  what  Lord  Loudoun  was  doin<T."* 

o 

The  same  ship  that  brought  the  news  of  this  happy  chanfre, 
also  brought  over  letters  from  Mr.  Pitt  to  the  colonies,  of  a 
very  flattering  and  persuasive  tone,  and  eloquent  with  the 
great  soul  that  spoke  from  the  correspondence,  as  it  beamed 
from  the  eye,  of  that  unrivalled  man. 

On  the  8th  of  March,  1758,  a  special  assembly  was  con- 
vened at  New  Haven  in  honor  of  the  letter  addressed  to  the 
colony.  This  letter  was  listened  to  by  the  members  of  the 
two  houses  with  intense  interest.  It  spoke  directly  to  the 
heart  of  the  people.  After  alluding  to  the  disappointments 
and  losses  of  the  campaign  that  had  just  closed,  and  assert- 
ing how  much  the  king  desired  to  wipe  out  the  disgrace  of 
such  defeats  as  his  arms  had  sustained  in  America,  it  declared 
in  bold  terms  the  resolve  of  the  king's  government,  by  the 
blessing  of  God,  to  take  the  most  vigorous  measures  to  avert 
the  impending  danger.  It  stated  the  intention  of  his  majesty 
to  send  out  a  fleet  and  armament  to  defend  the  rights  of  his 
subjects  in  North  America,  and  expressed  the  hope  that  his 
faithful  and  brave  subjects  in  the  colonies  would  cheerfully 
lend  their  aid  to  an  enterprise,  where  they  were  to  be  the 
principal  recipients  of  favor.  Without  making  an  arbitrary 
demand  for  troops,  the  minister  adroitly  hinted  that  twenty 
thousand  men  would  be  the  fair  proportion  to  be  raised  by  the 
colonies  of  Connecticut,  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire, 
Rhode  Island,  New  York,  and  New  Jersey,  and  called  upon 
Connecticut  to  raise  as  large  a  part  of  them  as  her  population 
would  permit  her  to  spare,  and  have  them  ready  for  the  field 
as  soon  as  possible.  That  no  motive  might  be  wanting  to 
stimulate  the  people  to  exertion,  the  minister  added,  that  par- 
liament would  be  solicited  to  make  appropriations  to  defray 
the  expenses  of  the  provinces  according  to  the  promptitude 
and  zeal  that  they  should  respectively  manifest  in  answer  to 
the  call  of  the  government. f 

*  Graham,  iv.  18.  f  Colonial  Records,  IMS. 


70  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

A  keen  vision,  that  laid  bare  before  him,  wherever  he 
glanced,  the  governing  motives  of  men,  was  a  marked  trait 
of  Pitt's  character.  He  had  struck,  as  he  seldom  failed  to  do, 
the  right  nerve,  and  the  representatives  of  the  people  were 
touched  with  a  lively  emotion  and  heartfelt,  pervading  enthu- 
siasm. This  out-spoken  minister,  so  unlike  the  mysterious 
Earl  of  Loudoun,  who  kept  all  his  plans  locked  up  in  his 
own  breast,  as  if  they  had  been  solemn  state  secrets,  was  the 
one  man  of  all  the  world  with  whom  they  could  co-operate 
and  whom  they  could  love.  Haughty  to  his  king,  despotic 
to  the  nobility,  this  great  commoner  seemed  to  the  people  of 
Connecticut  to  understand  their  wants,  and  to  entertain  for 
them  the  sympathies  of  a  brother  and  the  confiding  regard 
of  a  friend.  This  was  no  Dudley,  striving  to  get  possession 
of  the  chartered  liberties  of  the  people ;  no  Fletcher,  to  demand 
the  control  of  the  militia  ;  no  Cornbury,  pluming  himself 
upon  an  alliance  with  royalty ;  no  Loudoun,  to  spend  the 
precious  months  of  a  campaign  in  settling  the  question  of 
official  precedence ;  but  a  man,  appealing  to  their  common 
sensibilities  to  strike  home  for  the  honor  of  a  common  coun- 
try. They  felt  that  they  would  have  died  for  such  a  cham- 
pion. 

So  emulous  were  they,  and  so  jealous  lest  the  other  provin- 
ces should  share  too  largely  in  the  laurels  that  were  to  be  won, 
that,  forgetting  how  much  more  than  her  proportion  of  troops 
Connecticut  had  sent  into  the  field  in  the  tv\^o  former  campaigns, 
they  voted  to  raise  five  thousand  good  and  efiective  men  from 
the  thin  population  of  her  few  towns,  already  bowed  down 
with  service  and  oppressed  with  the  weight  of  accumulating 
taxes. 

Having  thus  resolved  to  furnish  one  quarter  of  the  number 
of  troops  that  were  to  be  provided  by  the  northern  colonies, 
the  Assembly  proceeded  to  form  them  into  four  regiments, 
and  to  appoint  the  requisite  officers.  It  w^as  resolved  that 
each  regiment  should  be  divided  into  twelve  companies,  and 
should  be  officered  by  a  colonel,  lieutenant-colonel,  major, 
and  other  subordinate  officers.     Chaplains  and  surgeons  were 


[1758.]  BILLS   OF   CREDIT.  71 

also  appointed  to  accompany  each  regiment.  The  Hon. 
Phineas  Lyman,  (who  had  held  a  general's  commission  in  1755,) 
Nathan  Whiting,  Eliphalet  Dyer,  and  John  Read,  were 
appointed  colonels.*  To  encourage  speedy  enlistments,  a 
bounty  of  four  pounds  was  offered  to  each  volunteer  who 
would  equip  himself  for  the  field,  in  addition  to  his  wages. 
The  most  thorough  measures  were  taken  to  get  the  troops  in 
readiness  as  soon  as  they  should  be  needed.  Provision  was 
made  at  the  same  time  for  the  support  of  this  large  army,  by 
ordering  that  thirty  thousand  pounds  lawful  money  should  be 
issued  in  Bills  of  Credit,  at  five  per  cent  interest ;  and  that 
for  a  fund  for  sinking  of  the  same,  a  tax  of  eight-pence  on 
the  pound  should  be  levied  upon  the  grand  list  of  the  colony 
to  be  brought  in  for  the  year  1760.t 

That  the  soldiers  might  be  kept  in  good  heart  and  spirits, 
a  tax  of  nine-pence  on  the  pound,  on  the  list  of  October 
1757,  was  ordered  to  be  levied  to  pay  the  troops  on  their 
return  home  from  the  service  at  the  close  of  the  season. 
This  tax  was  to  be  collected  by  the  last  of  December  1758. 
A  committee  was  further  appointed  to  borrow  the  sum  of 
twenty-five  thousand  pounds,  to  be  paid  before  the  20th  of 
May  1761 ;  and  for  a  fund  to  repay  this  large  sum,  a  tax 
was  ordered  of  five-pence  on  the  pound  on  the  list  of  1759, 
to  be  paid  into  the  treasury  by  the  last  of  December 
1760.$ 

At  the  October  session,  commissioners  had  been  appointed 
to  meet  those  from  the  other  colonies  to  consult  for  the  gen- 

*  The  lieutenant-colonels — Nathan  Payson,  Benjamin  Hinman,  James  Smedley, 
and  Samuel  Coit ;  the  majors — William  Pitkin,  Joseph  Spencer,  Israel  Putnam, 
and  John  Slapp ;  the  chaplains — Rev.  Messrs,  George  Beckwith,  Joseph  Fisk, 
Benjamin  Pomeroy,  and  Jonathan  Ingersoll ;  the  surgeons — Elisha  Lord,  Joseph 
Clark,  John  Bartlett,  and  Gideon  Wells. 

t  Colony  Records,  MS. 

$  As  considerable  sums  of  money  were  expected  from  England  to  reimburse  the 
colony  for  provisions  furnished  to  Lord  Loudoun,  in  1756,  it  was  ordered  that  said 
money,  when  received,  should  be  applied  to  discharge  the  notes  given  for  the  bor- 
rowed money  ;  and  that  if  sufficient  should  be  received  in  season  to  discharge  all 
the  notes  so  given,  then  the  tax  last  laid  should  not  be  collected. 


72  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

eral  safety.*  These  gentlemen  were  now  authorized  to  meet 
the  other  commissioners  at  Hartford  on  the  19th  of  April,  to 
take  into  consideration  the  impending  crisis,  and  to  devise 
measures  for  the  union  and  harmony  of  the  colonies  in  the 
contest  before  them.  At  the  same  time,  the  governor  was 
desired  to  give  to  General  Abercrombie  the  earliest  advices 
of  the  measures  to  be  adopted  by  the  colonies,  and  of  their 
preparations  for  an  early  and  successful  campaign. 

The  new  ministry  did  something  more  than  incite  the 
provinces  to  action.  In  February,  the  armament  designed 
for  the  reduction  of  Louisbourg  sailed  for  America.  The 
fleet  was  under  the  command  of  Admiral  Boscawen,  and  the 
land  army  was  committed  to  General  Amherst,  under  whom 
was  Brigadier  General  Wolfe.  The  fleet  and  armament 
arrived  safely  in  America,  and  on  the  28th  of  May  left  Hali- 
fax for  Louisbourg.  On  the  2d  of  June,  they  dropped  into 
the  harbor  in  fine  condition.  It  was  a  formidable  armv  for 
that  wild  coast,  and  made  an  era  in  the  history  of  the  fortress 
as  it  spread  its  broad  canvass  on  the  line  of  the  horizon  in 
entering  Chapeaurouge  Bay.  It  consisted  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty-seven  sail,  with  fourteen  thousand  British  troops  on 
board. t  For  six  days  and  nights  the  surf  rolled  so  high  that 
no  landing  could  be  effected,  nor  indeed  could  any  boat  live 
a  moment  near  the  shore.  During  all  this  time,  the  British 
officers  had  the  mortification  to  see  the  enemy  fortifying 
themselves  with  great  industry  and  skill,  erecting,  at  every 
point  along  the  shore  where  a  landing  was  deemed  practica- 
ble, batteries  mounted  with  cannon,  that,  without  any  inter- 
ference from  the  waves,  would  be  likely  to  prove  formidable 
barriers  to  the  British  troops. J 

General  Amherst,  with  a  number  of  his  officers,  as  he 
approached  to  reconnoitre  the  shore,  saw  the  French  lines 
bristling  with  infantry. 

On  the  8th  of  June,  the  surf  began  to  subside,  although 

*  The  Connecticut  commissioners  were,  Ebenczer  Silliman,  Jonathan  Trumbull, 
and  William  Wolcott,  esquires, 

t  Graham,  vi.  27  ;  Trumbull,  ii.  387 ;  Holmes,  ii.  80.  +  Trumbull,  ii.  387. 


[1758.]  GENERAL  WOLFE.  73 

there  was  still  a  heavy  swell  of  the  sea.  General  Amherst 
resolved  to  make  trial,  and  before  day-break  the  troops  were 
embarked  in  boats  in  three  divisions.  The  one  on  the  rif^ht 
and  the  one  in  the  centre  were  designed  to  divert  the  atten- 
tion of  the  enemy  from  the  left  division,  that  was  commanded 
by  General  Wolfe,  and  was  to  make  a  sudden  and  fierce 
attack  at  a  moment  when  they  were  least  prepared  to  receive 
it.  Before  the  boats  had  reached  the  shore,  five  frigates  and 
some  other  ships  of  war  opened  a  fire  not  only  on  the  cen- 
tral, but  on  the  right  and  left  divisions,  raking  them  in  front 
and  flank  with  such  effect  that  it  soon  became  apparent  that 
no  feint  could  avail  anything  in  such  a  crisis  ;  and  that  the 
only  course  to  be  pursued  was  to  press  toward  the  land. 
Still,  the  order  of  the  attack  was  pursued  as  it  had  been  first 
planned,  and  Wolfe,  after  having  received  the  shot  from  the 
ships  for  about  fifteen  minutes,  brought  the  left  division,  with 
little  loss,  near  the  shore.  The  French  reserved  their  shot 
until  the  boats  had  almost  touched  the  land,  and  then  opened 
upon  them  a  general  discharge  of  musketry  and  cannon,  that 
did  fearful  execution.  Many  of  the  boats  were  upset, — and 
others  were  dashed  in  pieces.  While  some  of  the  troops 
were  hurled  overboard  by  the  crushing  stroke  of  the  cannon- 
shot,  or  shattered  to  atoms,  others  in  dismay  leapt  blindly  into 
the  sea  and  perished.  General  Wolfe,  whose  spirit  always 
rose  triumphant  above  the  most  stormy  and  dangerous  crisis, 
imparting  something  of  the  fire  of  his  own  fearless  soul  to  his 
men,  pushed  impetuously  to  the  shore.  As  fast  as  they  dis- 
embarked, they  were  formed  in  columns,  and,  marching  in 
the  face  of  the  enemy's  artillery  and  infantry,  drove  them 
from  their  entrenchments.  The  central  division,  moving  to 
the  left,  dropped  in  behind  that  of  Wolfe,  and  this  was  fol- 
lowed by  the  one  upon  the  right ;  so  that,  had  they  been 
marching  upon  firm  ground  the  English  could  not  have 
moved  in  more  admirable  order.* 

The  garrison  of  Louisbourg  consisted   of  two  thousand 
five  hundred  regulars,  and  six  hundred  militia,  and  was  under 


*  Trumbull,  ii.  388. 


74  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

the  command  of  the  Chevalier  de  Drucourt,  a  brave  and 
veteran  officer.*  Aside  from  the  strength  of  the  fortress,  its 
harbor  was  guarded  by  five  ships  of  the  fine,  a  fifty  gun  ship, 
and  five  frigates — three  of  which  were  sunk  across  the  mouth 
of  the  basin. f  On  account  of  these  gruff"  neighbors,  the 
Enghsh  had  been  compelled  to  land  at  a  distance  from  the 
town,  and  even  as  it  was,  they  proved  very  annoying  and  did 
much  mischief  to  the  boats  that  were  employed  in  getting 
ashore  the  tents,  stores,  and  artillery.  Even  after  the  army, 
with  the  necessary  equipments,  was  landed,  it  was  no  easy 
matter  to  bring  their  guns  to  bear  upon  the  fort.  The  ground, 
in  some  places  rough,  in  others  was  wet  and  miry  ;  and  the 
French  fought  with  great  courage,  resisting  the  advances  of 
the  besiegers  at  every  step.  But,  calm  as  the  fortress  that 
frowned  upon  him,  Amherst  kept  his  steady  purpose,  and 
Wolfe,  with  fiery  haste,  overleaping  such  obstacles  as  he 
could  not  sweep  away,  never  faltered  in  his  aim  or  flagged 
in  his  efforts.  By  the  12th  of  June  he  had  taken  possession 
of  the  light-house  battery  and  was  master  of  all  the  posts  in 
that  quarter.  On  the  25th,  he  had  silenced  the  island-bat- 
tery ;  but  still  the  enemy  kept  up  a  constant  fire  upon  him 
from  the  ships  until  the  21st  of  July.  At  last,  the  explosion 
of  a  shell  set  fire  to  a  large  ship,  that  soon  blew  up  and 
involved  two  others  in  the  same  fate.  Admiral  Boscawen, 
to  avail  himself  to  the  full  extent  of  this  lucky  accident,  sent 
six  hundred  men  in  boats  to  get  possession  of  two  ships  of 
the  line  that  still  secured  the  harbor  to  the  enemy.  In  the 
face  of  a  murderous  fire  both  of  artillery  and  musketry,  this 
daring  feat  was  accomplished.  One  of  the  French  ships  was 
burned  up  and  the  other  was  towed  off"  in  triumph.  J  This 
gallant  exploit  was  conducted  by  two  young  captains, 
Laforey  and  Balfour, §  and  is  worthy  of  a  more  minute 
description  than  seems  to  belong  to  this  narrative.  It  v/as 
decisive  of  the  victory.  The  English  had  now  the  undis- 
puted possession  of  the  harbor,  the  town  was  in  many  places 

*  Holmes,  ii.  80.  t  Graham,  iv.  27  ;  Holmes,  ii.  80. 

i  Graham,  iv.  28  ;  Holmes,  ii.  81  5  Trumbull,  ii.  389.  §  Trumbull. 


[1758.]  TICOXDEROGA  AXD   CROWN   POINT.  75 

consumed,   and  the  walls  were  sadly  shattered  at  several 
points  of  attack. 

The  next  morning,  the  governor  proposed  terms  of  capitula- 
tion. The  garrison,  consisting  of  five  thousand  six  hundred 
and  thirty- seven  men,  was  delivered  into  the  hands  of  the 
English,  with  two  hundred  and  twenty-one  cannon,  eighteen 
mortars,  and  an  ample  supply  of  stores  and  ammunition.  St. 
John's  was  surrendered  with  Louisbourg,  and  thus  were  the 
English  again  masters  of  the  coast  from  the  mouth  of  the  St. 
Lawrence  to  Nova  Scotia.* 

I  have  thought  it  necessary  to  describe  this  second  siege  of 
Louisbourg  that  the  reader  might  better  see  all  the  relations 
of  this  campaign,  in  which  Connecticut  acted  so  conspicuous 
a  part. 

While  yet  the  fate  of  Louisbourg  hung  in  doubtful  scales, 
the  expedition  against  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  under 
General  Abercrombie,  was  begun  with  as  much  zeal  as  it  had 
been  the  preceding  year.  On  the  5th  of  July  the  general 
embarked  his  army  at  the  southern  landing  of  Lake  George. 
It  was  a  formidable  array,  consisting  of  sixteen  thousand 
men — of  whom  the  provinces,  in  addition  to  the  troops  that 
they  had  raised  and  sent  forward  for  the  siege  of  Louisbourg, 
had  furnished  more  than  nine  thousand  able-bodied  soldiers. 
One  hundred  and  twenty-five  whale  boats  and  nine  hundred 
batteaux  were  employed  to  transport  this  army  and  the  large 
train  of  artillery  and  baggage  that  had  been  provided  by  the 
munificence  of  the  British  government   and    the   generous 

*  Holmes,  ii.  81.  In  effecting  this  conquest,  upwards  of  four  hundred  of  the 
assailants  were  either  killed  or  wounded.  "  The  garrison  lost  upwards  of  fifteen 
hundred  men ;  and  the  town  was  left  almost  an  heap  of  ruins."  The  colors 
captured  at  Louisbourg  were  carried  to  England,  and  were  conveyed  with  great 
pomp  from  Kensington  to  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  London,  and  a  form  of  thanks- 
giving was  ordered  to  be  used  in  all  the  churches  in  England.  In  New  England 
also  the  joy  was  great,  and  was  celebrated  by  a  public  thanksgiving. 

The  inhabitants  of  Cape  Breton  were  carried  to  France  in  English  ships  ;  but 
the  garrison,  sea-officers,  sailors,  and  marines,  amounting  as  stated  in  the  text  to 
five  thousand  six  hundred  and  thirty-seven,  were  carried  as  prisoners  to  England. 
Rider's  Hist,  xliii.  127,  135  j  Wright's  Hist.  i.  95, 103  ;  Graham,  iv.  29. 


76  HISTOKY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

sacrifice  of  the  colonies.*     There  were  several  rafts,  also,  on 
which  cannon  were  mounted  to  ensure  a  safe  landing. 

Early  the  next  morning  they  landed  in  good  order  and 
without  any  show  of  resistance  on  the  part  of  the  enemy, 
and,  having  formed  in  four  columns,  began  their  march  for 
Ticonderoga.  They  placed  themselves  under  the  direction 
of  guides  who  were  but  ill-qualified  to  conduct  them  through 
the  dense  woods,  and,  before  they  had  proceeded  far  on  their 
way,  the  troops  were  so  lost  and  so  encumbered  by  bushes 
that  they  fell  into  disorder  and  mingled  their  columns  together 
as  helplessly  as  a  herd  of  wild  deer  when  surrounded  by  a 
circle  of  huntsmen.  The  advanced  guard  of  the  French, 
who  had  been  stationed  near  the  lake  shore  and  had  fled  on 
the  approach  of  the  English  army,  had  also  mistaken  the  way, 
and  fallen  into  a  like  confusion  ;  and  thus  by  mere  accident 
these  hostile  troops  fell  in  with  each  other.  This  guard  con- 
sisted of  about  five  hundred  French  regulars  and  a  few 
Indians,  and  soon  opened  a  random  fire  upon  the  left  of  the 
English  army.f 

Lord  Howe,  who  was  marching  in  front  of  the  centre 
when  he  heard  the  discharge  of  muskets,  turned  suddenly  to 
Major  Putnam,  who  was  near  him,  and  said  abruptly, 
"Putnam,  what  means  that  firing?" 

"I  know  not' — but  with  your  lordship's  leave  I  will  see," 
answered  the  Connecticut  ranger. 

"I  will  accompany  you,"  returned  the  nobleman. 

"My  lord,"  said  Putnam  earnestly,  "if /am  killed,  the  loss 
of  my  life  will  be  of  little  consequence  ;  but  the  preservation 
of  yours  is  of  infinite  importance  to  the  army." 

This  appeal,  so  affectionate  and  so  evincive  of  the  idolatry 
with  which  the  whole  army  worshipped  him,  touched  the 
chords  of  sympathy  in  the  nobleman's  chivalrous  soul, 
without  shaking  his  purpose. 

"Putnam,"  he  added  with  emotion,  "your  life  is  as  dear 
to  you  as  mine  is  to  me.     I  am  determined  to  go."J 

*  Graham,  iv.  29.  t  Holmes,  ii.  82  ;  Graham,  iv.  30. 

X  Humphreys'  Life  of  Putnam,  49,  50. 


[1758.]  DEATH   OF   LOllD   HOWE.  77 

His  voice  and  look  were  not  to  be  misinterpreted.  Put- 
nam ordered  one  hundred  of  his  men  to  file  oti'  with  Lord 
Howe  in  the  direction  of  the  enemy.  They  soon  met  the  left 
flank  of  the  French  advanced  guard,  by  whose  first  fire  his 
lordship  fell  dead. 

The  British  regulars,  confused  by  the  darkness  of  the 
woods  from  whose  labyrinths  they  could  find  no  way  of 
escape,  and  unused  to  contend  with  an  enemy  that  they 
could  not  see,  were  thrown  into  utter  consternation.  Put- 
nam and  the  other  provincial  officers,  who  knew  the  modes 
of  Indian  warfare  too  well  to  be  frightened  at  the  terrible 
yells  that  now  made  the  woods  and  the  welkin  ring,  rallied 
the  colonial  troops  who  covered  the  flank  of  the  regulars, 
and  soon  put  the  enemy  to  flight.  Cutting  his  way  through  the 
ranks  of  the  French,  Putnam,  with  his  little  party,  and  several 
other  small  companies,  attacked  them  in  the  rear  with  such 
impetuosity  that  they  soon  scattered.  They  left  three  hun- 
dred men  dead  upon  the  field,  and  one  hundred  and  forty- 
eight  w'ere  taken  captive.* 

The  fall  of  Lord  Howe  was  a  heavy  blow  to  the  army, 
especially  to  the  colonial  soldiers.  From  his  first  arrival  in 
America  he  had  conformed  to  all  the  usages  of  the  countrv, 
and  had  submitted  to  all  the  deprivations  incident  to  the  lot 
of  the  provincial  troops.  He  cut  his  own  hair  short,  and 
fitted  his  clothing  with  reference  to  usefulness  and  activity, 
rather  than  to  display  ;  and  divested  himself  of  every  super- 
fluous article  of  camp  equipage. f  Of  course,  his  regiment, 
who  almost  adored  him,  imitated  his  example,  and  were  proud 
to  appear  no  better  clad  than  the  provincials,  as  long  as  their 
commander  was  as  plainly  attired  as  Putnam.  Lord  Howe's 
manners  were  suited  to  all  these  outward  appearances.  He 
was  affable  and  courteous  as  well'to  the  American  as  to  the 
British  officers  and  soldiers,  not  from  a  desire  to  win  popu- 
larity, but  rather  from  the  spontaneous  flow  of  a  nature  that 
can  afford,  from  the  prodigality  of  its  endowments  and  from 
a  happy  modulation  of  their  harmonies,  to  depart  from  the 

*  Humphreys'  Life  of  Putnam,  51.  f  Humphreys. 


78  HISTORY  OF   CONNECTICUT. 

common  track  of  rank  and  station  and  regulate  its  course 
by  loftier  influences  peculiar  to  itself,  that  are  at  once 
instinctive  and  infallible  "^ 

Putnam,  whose  humanity  and  almost  womanly  tenderness 
were  as  conspicuous  a  part  of  his  moral  nature  as  his  honesty 
and  courage,  lingered  on  the  field  until  nightfall  to  see  after  the 
wants  of  such  of  the  enemy  as  had  been  left  there  wounded 
and  suffering.  He  gathered  these  wretches  into  one  place, 
covered  them  with  blankets,  gave  them  liquor  and  such  little 
delicacies  as  he  had  provided  for  his  own  men,  and  attended 
them  with  as  much  tearful  anxiety  as  a  mother  watches  over 
the  sick  bed  of  her  children.  As  he  was  ministering  to  the 
w^ants  of  a  French  officer  in  this  way,  placing  him  in  an  easy 
position  against  the  trunk  of  a  tree,  the  wounded  man,  who 
could  no  longer  repress  some  demonstration  of  his  gratitude, 
unable  as  he  was  to  speak,  grasped  his  protector  silently  by 
the  hand. 

"Depend  upon  it,  my  brave  soldier,"  said  Putnam,  "you 
shall  be  brought  to  the  camp  as  soon  as  possible,  and  the  same 
care  shall  be  taken  of  you  as  if  you  were  my  brother." 

If  the  poor  fellow  lived  until  the  next  morning,  he  probably 
shared  the  fate  of  the  other  wounded,  all  of  whom  Major  Rog- 
ers, who  had  been  sent  to  reconnoitre  the  field  and  take  the 
disabled  to  the  camp  as  Putnam  had  desired,  killed  in 
cold  blood,  rather  than  have  the  trouble  of  removing 
them.f  This  truly  murderous  deed  is  not  to  be  mitigated 
from  any  consideration  of  policy,  and  must  be  regarded  by 
us  as  it  was  by  Putnam  and  the  other  provincial  officers,  as 
an  indelible  stain  upon  the  character  of  a  brave  man.  J 

After  the  death  of  Lord  Howe,  the  army  returned  to  the 
landing-place,  where  they  arrived  about  eight  o'clock  in  the 
morning. § 

*  Lord  Howe  was  a  brother  of  Sir  William  Howe  who  commanded  the  British 
army  in  America  during  the  Revolution.  His  lordship  was  but  thirty-four  years 
old  when  killed.  The  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  caused  a  monument  to  be 
erected  to  his  memory  in  Westminster  Abbey,  at  a  cost  of  £250. 

t  Humphreys,  51,  52.  t  Holmes ;  Trumbull. 

§  It  is  difficult  to  ascertain  precisely  how  many  Connecticut  troops  were  engaged 


[1758.]  COL.  bradstreet's  makceuvre.  79 

On  the  7th  of  July,  Colonel  Bradstreet  was  sent  with  a 
detachment  to  take  possession  of  a  saw-mill  that  stood  about 
two  miles  from  Ticonderoga.  As  this  place  had  been 
abandoned  by  the  enemy,  the  feat  was  easily  accomplished. 
General  Abercrombie  had  been  informed  that  the  actual  force 
at  the  fort  was  about  six  thousand  men,  and  that  a  reinforce- 
ment of  three  thousand  was  soon  expected.  He  judged  it 
expedient,  therefore,  to  make  the  attack  as  speedily  as  possi- 
ble.    With  this  view  he  sent  his  engineer  to  inspect  the  forti- 

with  Abercrombie  on  and  near  Lake  George.  From  the  "  orderly  book"  of  Col. 
Whiting,  of  the  2d  regiment,  I  ascertain  that  he,  Colonels  Lyman,  Fitch,  and 
Wooster,  were  in  that  vicinity  with  their  troops,  during  the  unfortunate 
campaign  against  Ticonderoga.  And  as  Major  Putnam  who  figured  conspicuously 
there,  belonged  to  the  3d  regiment,  we  are  led  to  infer  that  there  were  three 
or  four  Connecticut  regiments  under  Abercrombie. 

This  "  orderly  book"  of  Colonel  Whiting,  which  is  still  in  possession  of  his 
descendant,  Major  Jason  Whiting,  of  Litchfield,  contains  many  interesting  en- 
tries— the  first  being  dated  at  Green  Bush,  June  12,  1758,  and  the  last  at  Lake 
George,  October  9,  1758.  On  the  21st  of  June,  is  an  order  from  General  Aber- 
crombie that  the  regiments  of  Colonels  Pribbels,  Ruggles,  and  Bagley,  are  to  re- 
main at  Fort  Edward  :  those  of  Colonels  Nichols,  Wm.  Williams,  and  Doughty, 
are  to  remain  at  Fort  Miller ;  those  of  Colonels  Whiting  and  Fitch,  are  to  garri- 
son at  Saratoga ;  and  those  of  Colonels  Wooster  and  Lyman,  are  to  garrison  at  Still- 
water;  one  company  of  each  of  the  nine  regiments  "  will  march  with  all  expedi- 
tion to  the  lake." 

On  the  25th  of  June,  Abercrombie  declares  the  capitulation  of  Fort  William 
Henry  null  and  void,  because  the  enemy  had  broken  its  terms  "by  murdering, 
pillaging,  and  captivating"  many  of  his  majesty's  subjects;  and  the  officers  and 
soldiers  embraced  in  said  capitulation  are  commanded  to  serve  in  the  same  man- 
ner as  if  it  had  never  been  made.  If  any  of  said  officers  or  soldiers,  falling  into 
the  enemy's  hands,  are  treated  with  violence,  he  threatens  to  retaliate  upon  such 
prisoners  as  are  or  may  be  in  his  hands. 

Early  in  July,  preparations  are  making  for  embarking  on  the  lake  5  the  boats, 
batteaux,  provisions,  medicine  chests,  are  ordered  to  be  in  readiness  ;  the  precise 
manner  and  order  of  proceeding,  after  embarkation,  is  agreed  upon,  and  also,  the 
order  of  forming  and  marching,  and  the  mode  of  forming  the  line  of  battle. 

On  the  10th,  (after  the  disastrous  attempt  upon  Ticonderoga,  Col.  Whiting 
orders  all  commanders  of  companies  to  call  over  the  roll,  and  make  return  of  "  the 
killed^  wounded^  and  missing,''^  distinguishing  between  the  officers  and  privates. 
The  "  present  strength  of  each  regiment"  is  to  be  speedily  ascertained  ;  orders  are 
issued  concerning  the  wounded ;  the  number  of  arms,  blankets,  and  knapsacks 
lost,  is  to  be  ascertained,  &c. 

Col.  Whiting  was  an  efficient  and  popular  officer,  an  excellent  disciplinarian, 
and  a  good  man. 


80  HISTOEY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

fication  and  report  to  him  its  condition  and  probable  strength. 
That  officer,  probably  without  going  within  cannon  shot  of 
the  works,  reported  that  the  walls  were  weak  and  could  easily 
be  carried  without  the  aid  of  artillery.*  The  general  fell  in 
with  this  suggestion  at  once.  A  glance  at  the  locality  will 
suffice  to  show  how  fool-hardy  was  this  advice.  Ticonderoga, 
surrounded  on  three  sides  by  the  waters  of  the  lake,  was  still 
more  thoroughly  protected  on  the  fourth  by  a  deep  morass 
that  stretched  far  back  from  the  shore,  while  the  remainder 
of  the  land  side,  and  indeed  the  only  part  of  it  that  could  be 
easily  assailed,  was  guarded  with  an  embankment  eight  feet 
high,  well  mounted  with  artillery.  For  a  space  of  about 
twenty  rods  in  front  of  this  line,  the  marshy  plain  was 
covered  with  vast  forest  trees,  that  had  been  cut  and  rolled 
together  with  their  tops  interwoven  and  projecting  outward 
and  sharpened  to  a  point,  so  that,  had  the  guns  of  the 
French  been  silenced,  it  would  have  been  impossible  for  the 
best  disciplined  troops  in  the  world  to  have  marched  over 
the  ground  thus  obstructed  without  breaking  their  ranks  and 
climbing  over  the  tree  tops.  The  attempt  to  take  such  a 
place  with  muskets,  therefore,  when  a  fine  train  of  artillery 
could  have  been  brought  to  the  spot  in  a  few  hours,  bespeaks 
the  incapacity  of  Abercrombie  to  control  the  destinies  of  a 
large  army,  even  more  than  it  indicated  his  inactivity  in 
the  preceding  campaign. 

Where  the  attack  was  made,  even  field-pieces  could  have 
availed  little  without  first  removing  the  outworks.  Never 
did  troops  rush  upon  their  destruction  with  more  desperate 
resolution.  For  four  long  hours  were  the  British  regulars 
exposed  to  the  murderous  fire  of  the  French,  that  mowed 
down  their  ranks  in  platoons,  while  they  stood  helpless  and 
without  the  power  of  harming  the  enemy. f  The  French 
marksmen  could  range  at  will  behind  their  regular  works  or 
under  the  screen  of  the  fallen  trees,  and  select  their  men 
with  as  much  security  as  they  could  have  shot  squirrels  from 
the  tops  of  the  same  trees  had  they  been  standing.     Every 

"*Graliam,  iv.  31 ;  Holmes,  ii.  82.  f  Trumbull. 


[1758.]  THE  REPULSE.  81 

part  of  this  ill-contrived  attack  seemed  to  vie  with  every 
other  in  clumsiness  and  folly.  Had  the  provincials  been 
placed  in  front,  where  every  man  might  to  a  degree  have 
exercised  his  discretion  and  fought  under  a  leader  of  his  own 
choice,  in  the  irregular  way  that  suited  the  nature  of  the 
ground  and  their  habits  of  woodland  warfare,  they  might  have 
scaled  the  outworks,  and,  attacking  the  garrison  in  the  rear, 
driven  them  from  their  retreat.  Instead  of  this,  the  British 
troops,  ignorant  of  any  other  discipline  than  the  old  one  of 
standing  still  and  shooting  the  enemy  or  being  shot  by  them, 
w^ere  placed  between  the  French  and  the  provincials,  who, 
having  been  stationed  in  the  rear,  soon  became  maddened 
with  the  shock  of  a  battle  in  which  they  were  not 
allowed  to  mingle,  and  in  the  hurry  and  fury  of  their  excite- 
ment, turned  their  guns  upon  the  British  troops  and  did  some 
execution  before  their  officers  could  make  them  aware  of  the 
fatal  mistake. 

Major  Putnam,  who  acted  as  aid,  evinced  great  skill  and 
judgment  in  this  crisis,  checking  the  impetuosity  of  the 
colonial  troops,  and  bringing  the  regiments  one  after  another 
into  a  condition  where  their  marksmen  might  harm  the 
enemy  without  injuring  their  friends.  The  Connecticut 
soldiers  behaved  with  great  valor,  and  left  the  marks  of  their 
forest  discipline  in  the  skulls  of  many  of  the  French,  whose 
heads  were  alone  visible  above  the  breastworks.    . 

But  it  was  impossible  for  the  invading  army  to  withstand 
this  dreadful  shock  any  longer.  Already  four  hundred  and 
sixty-four  British  regulars  and  eighty-seven  provincials  lay 
dead  upon  the  field ;  while  eleven  hundred  and  seventeen 
regulars  and  two  hundred  and  eighty-nine  provincials  were 
wounded.*  The  loss  sustained  by  Connecticut  was  very 
severe. 

*  General  Abercrombie's  return  estimates  the  number  of  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing,  at  nineteen  hundred  and  forty-one.  Almost  half  of  the  Highland  regi- 
ment, commanded  by  Lord  John  Murray,  with  twenty-five  of  its  officers,  were 
either  killed  or  dangerously  wounded.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  inconsiderable. 
Holmes,  ii.  83. 

38 


82  HISTORY  OF  CONKECTICUT. 

It  was  necessary  to  abandon  the  attack  and  withdraw  the 
army.  Still,  the  condition  of  General  Abercrombie,  had  he 
known  how  to  avail  himself  of  the  advantages  that  it  held 
out  to  him,  was  far  from  discouraging.  He  had  at  the  land- 
ing, only  a  little  way  from  the  fort,  an  admirable  train  of 
artillery  that  could  have  been  brought  to  bear  upon  the  for- 
tress, in  spite  of  the  roughness  of  the  road,  in  a  short  time, 
had  he  manifested  half  the  resolution  shown  bv  the  officers 

a/ 

and  soldiers  of  Connecticut  at  the  first  siege  of  Louisbourg. 
His  large  army,  numbering  nearly  fourteen  thousand  effec- 
tive men,  could  of  course  easily  be  removed  to  a  safe  locality, 
where  the  handful  of  French  and  Indians  who  had  been  so 
powerful  behind  their  entrenchments,  would  not  dare  to  attack 
them.  He  had  plenty  of  provisions,  and  could  therefore 
choose  his  time  for  the  second  attempt  upon  Ticonderoga 
with  all  the  precautions  and  guards  necessary  to  ensure  suc- 
cess. Putnam  and  the  other  provincial  officers  earnestly 
desired  him  to  make  this  attack,  and  had  he  done  so,  there 
can  be  no  doubt  that  within  the  space  of  a  week  the  defenses 
of  the  enemy  would  have  been  swept  away,  and  the  garrison 
with  all  its  munitions  would  have  fallen  an  easy  prey  into  his 
hands, 


# 


Putnam  saw  at  a  glance,  before  the  commencement  of  this 
engagement,  what  would  be  its  probable  termination.  He 
saw  that  there  were  along  the  extended  line  of  the  enemy 
several  weak  points  that  might  be  easily  approached  under 
cover  of  the  woods,  and  that  the  number  of  the  British  army 
was  so  great  that  it  would  be  easy  to  distract  the  French  by 
making  the  attack  from  more  than  one  point  at  the  same 
time.  He  saw,  too,  that  the  place  where  the  assailing  army 
was  ordered  to  advance,  was  the  best  defended  part  of  the 
works,  and  afforded  the  best  protection  to  the  enem}^  Hav- 
ing seen  his  worst  anticipations  realized  in  the  unhappy 
repulse  that  followed,  and  observing  the  high  eminences  com- 
manding the  fort  that  might  easily  be  scaled,  as  well  as  the 
fastnesses  of  the  woods  that  would  enable  the  army  to  sur- 

*Trumbun  5  ITumphreys  ;  Graham. 


[1758.]  ABERCROMBIE   RETREATS.  83 

round  the  garrison  should  they  venture  from  behind  their 
entrenchments,  he  heard  with  ill-suppressed  indignation  the 
orders  to  sound  a  hasty  retreat,  more  inconsiderate  and  ill- 
timed  if  possible,  than  the  attack  itself  had  been.  This  feel- 
ing of  indignation  was  shared  by  all  the  colonial  troops. 
They  considered  themselves  more  than  adequate  to  conquer 
the  enemy,  even  should  the  reinforcements  that  were  so  con- 
fidently expected  by  General  Abercrombie  to  arrive  at  the 
fort,  be  added  to  the  three  thousand  men  already  there. 
This  feeling  was  unanimous  both  among  the  officers  and 
soldiers  of  the  provincial  troops.*  Yet,  without  consulting 
Putnam  or  any  other  colonial  officer,  the  general,  who  had 
not  been  within  sight  of  the  battle-field  since  the  commence- 
ment of  the  action,  and  who  had  remained  snugly  quartered 
at  the  mill  two  miles  from  the  place  where  the  slaughter  of  his 
men  had  made  the  whole  ground  red  wnth  blood,  or  without 
so  much  as  venturing  forth  after  the  battle  to  see  whether 
something  might  not  yet  be  done  to  retrieve  his  sinking 
fortunes,  lost  no  time  in  drawing  off  his  army  ;  and  so  anx- 
ious was  he  to  "add  wings"  to  the  speed  of  this  precipitate 
movement,  that  he  did  not  even  stop  at  the  shore  or  pause  to 
look  behind  him,  until  the  waters  of  the  lake  were  fairly  in- 
terposed between  his  large  army  and  the  garrison  of  three 
thousand  men  at  Ticonderoga  !f 

General  Abercrombie  by  this  shameful  defeat,  and  the  re- 
treat that  followed  it,  sunk  so  low  in  public  estimation  that 
he  was  seldom  spoken  of  by  the  provincial  soldiers  in   any 

*  Trumbull,  ii.  392. 

tThe  repulse  of  the  English  at  Ticonderoga  took  place  July  8,  1758,  and  the 
retreat,  July  9.  On  the  10th,  the  following  entries  occur  in  Col.  AVbiting's  orderly 
book  (in  addition  to  those  already  quoted  :)  "  The  general  thanks  the  officers  and 
soldiers  for  their  gallant  behavior  at  the  French  lines,  of  which  the  commanding 
officers  of  corps  are  to  take  care  that  their  men  are  informed." 

"  A  return  to  be  given  in  at  tattoo  this  night  of  the  number  of  officers  and  men 
sent  to  Fort  Edward,  and  of  those  remaining  to  be  sent  to-morrow.  As  a  part  of 
the  provisions  in  the  batteaux  are  in  bad  condition,  the  whole  is  to  be  unloaded,"  &c. 

The  captains  are  to  see  that  their  men  have  provisions  and  are  refreshed  ;  but 
they  are  cautioned  not  to  "  take  advantage  of  the  general  confusion''^  and  obtain 
more  than  a  supply  for  a  single  day. 


84  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

other  terms  than  those  of  contempt.  They  no  longer  called 
him  General  Abercrombie,  but  substituted  for  his  title  the 
very  provoking  one  of  "Mrs.  Nabbycrombie."  This  allusion 
to  petticoats  was  not  of  course  openly  made,  but  it  was  none 
the  less  efficacious  for  being  secret,  and  had  the  keen  edge 
that  ridicule  always  has  when  directed  toward  men  in  high 
places  whose  character  and  conduct  are  assailable.  Even 
that  noble  enterprise  resulting  in  the  capture  of  Fort  Fron- 
tenac,  a  fortress  situated  on  the  northern  bank  of  the  St. 
Lawrence  and  commanding  the  entrance  of  that  river  from 
Lake  Ontario,  as  it  had  been  projected  by  Colonel  Bradstreet,* 
a  provincial  officer,  and  carried  into  effect  almost  exclusively 
by  provincial  troops — took  away  nothing  from  the  distrust 
with  which  the  British  general  was  regarded,  and  the  scorn 
that  attended  him  wherever  he  went.  The  splendid  victory 
of  General  Forbes,  at  Fort  Du  Quesne,  that  followed  the  de- 
feat at  Ticonderoga,  and  the  brilliant  exploits  of  Amherst 
and  Wolfe,  that  preceded  it,  only  made  his  incompetency  for 
the  trust  that  had  been  reposed  in  him  still  more  glaringly 
apparent  to  the  world. 

In  the  month  of  August,  Major  Rogers,!  and  Major  Put- 

*  This  efficient  officer,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  was  appointed  Lieut-Governor 
of  St.  John's,  Newfoundland,  in  1746  ;  served  with  success  through  all  the  French 
and  Indian  wars  in  this  country;  and  was  made  a  major  general  in  1772.  He 
died  in  New  York,  Oct.  21,  1774. 

By  the  capture  of  Fort  Frontenac,  sixty  cannon,  sixteen  small  mortars,  and  an 
immense  quantity  of  provisions  and  goods,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  English,  to- 
gether with  nine  armed  vessels.  It  gave  to  the  captors  once  more  the  communi- 
cation between  Albany  and  Oswego,  and  the  command  of  Lake  Ontario.  "  This 
fort,"  says  Rogers,  "  was  square  faced,  had  four  bastions  built  with  stone,  and  was 
nearly  three  quarters  of  a  mile  in  circumference."  Besides  commanding  the 
entrance  to  the  lake,  it  was  the  grand  magazine  for  supplying  Niagara,  Du  Quesne, 
and  all  the  enemy's  southern  and  western  garrisons. 

t  Major  Robert  Rogers,  whose  name  is  so  intimately  connected  with  the  history 
of  the  French  and  Indian  wars  in  America,  was  the  son  of  James  Rogers,  an 
Irishman,  who  was  an  early  settler  of  Dunbarton,  N.  H.  Having  served  as  com- 
mander of  "Rangers"  for  many  years,  he  was  appointed  governor  of  Michilli- 
mackinac  in  1766  •,  but  being  accused  of  a  plot  for  plundering  the  fort  and  join- 
ing the  French,  he  was  carried  in  irons  to  Montreal,  and  was  there  tried  by  court 
martial.     He  joined  the  enemy  in  the  Revolution.     He  visited  London  two  or 


[1758.]  FIKING  AT  A   MARK.  85 

nam,  were  sent  with  six  hundred  men  to  watch  the  motions 
of  the  French  near  Ticonderoga.  When  they  arrived  at 
South  Bay  they  separated,  Rogers  taking  his  position  on 
Wood  Creek,  with  one  half  of  the  men,  and  Putnam,  remov- 
ing twelve  miles  distant  from  him  with  the  other  half  Soon 
after  this  they  were  discovered  by  the  enemy  and  re-united 
their  forces  with  an  intention  of  returning  to  Fort  Edward. 
They  marched  through  the  woods  in  three  divisions,  the 
right  commanded  by  Rogers,  the  left  by  Putnam,  and  the 
centre  by  Capt.  D'Ell.  The  first  night  they  pitched  their 
camp  on  the  bank  of  the  Clear  river  near  the  ruins  of  Fort 
Ann.  The  next  morning.  Major  Rogers  and  a  British  officer 
whose  name  was  Irwin  fell  into  some  debate  about  their  rela- 
tive merits  as  marksmen,  and,  to  settle  the  question  of 
superiority,  indulged  in  the  imprudence  of  firing  at  a  mark. 
Putnam  was  much  opposed  to  this  dangerous  amusement,  and 
expressed  his  disapprobation  of  it,  as  likely  to  attract  the 
attention  of  the  enemy  who  were  lurking  in  the  neigh- 
borhood.* 

A  copious  dew  had  fallen  during  the  night,  and  this  delayed 
the  army  from  beginning  their  march  at  as  early  an  hour  as 
they  would  otherwise  have  done.  As  soon  as  they  were  able 
to  move  forward  they  formed  themselves  in  one  body  with 
Putnam  in  the  front,  D'Ell  in  the  centre,  and  Rogers  in  the 
rear.  Putnam  had  anticipated  an  ambuscade,  and  urged 
the  adoption  of  this  order  in  their  march,  as  the  dense  growth 
of  shrubs  and  bushes  that  had  sprung  up  out  of  the  ashes  of 
the  old  trees  that  had  been  cleared  away  some  years  before, 
impeded  their  movements  and  afforded  a  cover  for  the  French 
should  they  be  anxious  to  improve  this  favorable  opportunity 
of  lying  in  wait  for  them. 

While  they  were  forming  in  marching  order,  Molang,  a 
French  partizan  of  great  celebrity,  who  had  been  sent  out 
with  five  hundred  men  to  intercept  the  party  under  Rogers 

three  times,  and  there  pubhshed  "  A  Concise  History  of  North  America,"  and  a 
"  Journal  of  the  French  War,"  1765. 

*  Humphreys. 


86  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

and  Putnam,  and  who  had  been  attracted  by  the  report  of 
the  guns  in  the  woods,  was  lying  in  ambuscade  for  them  in  a 
well  selected  covert  not  more  than  a  mile  and  a  half  from 
their  camp.  Marching  cautiously  in  front  of  his  men,  Put- 
nam was  just  emerging  from  the  bushes  and  passing  under 
the  shadows  of  the  primitive  forest-trees  whose  great  trunks 
stood  up  tall  and  gray  in  the  dim  light  of  the  wilderness 
whence  not  even  the  meridian  sun  could  quite  banish  the 
gloom,  when  the  crack  of  musketry  upon  the  right  of  his 
division,  mingled  with  the  yells  and  whoops  of  Indians,  told 
him  that  he  was  not  mistaken  in  his  anticipations  of  mischief. 
He  instantly  sounded  a  halt  and  returned  the  fire  of  the 
enemy,  and  then  ordered  the  other  divisions  to  advance  and 
support  him.  Captain  D'Ell  came  at  his  call.  The  firing,  at 
first  straggling  and  irregular  between  man  and  man,  soon 
grew  to  be  of  a  more  extended  and  general  character.  It 
was  one  of  those  savage  conflicts  that  mark  that  era  of  wild 
strife,  in  which  Putnam  was  as  well  fitted  to  mingle  as  in  the 
open  and  hard  fought  fields  of  the  revolution. 

He  proved  himself  worthy  of  the  occasion.  Finding  that 
he  could  not  cross  the  Creek,  he  resolved  to  stand  his  ground 
and  die,  or  drive  the  French  from  their  position.  There  was 
a  galvanizing  power  in  the  look,  voice,  and  action  of  Putnam, 
that  always  acted  upon  everybody  who  came  within  the 
sphere  of  his  influence.  His  officers  and  soldiers  felt  it  alike, 
and  fought  around  him  in  squads  or  single  combat  as  the 
nature  of  the  ground  would  permit,  with  a  determination  that 
could  be  equalled  only  by  the  ferocity  of  their  adversaries. 
Sometimes  they  took  deliberate  aim  from  behind  the  trees ; 
at  others,  sallying  out  into  little  open  spaces  they  aimed  at 
each  other's  skulls  with  the  tomahawk,  the  club,  and  the 
scarcely  less  ponderous  stock  or  barrel  of  the  musket.  Within 
a  few  feet  of  each  other,  might  be  seen  a  solitary  Indian  strip- 
ping the  scalp-lock  from  his  enemy  as  a  trophy,  and  a  des- 
perate brace  of  combatants  rolling  among  the  dry  leaves  in 
the  agonies  of  the  death-struggle.* 

*  Humphreys.     The  subjoined  pithy  extract  from  Colonel  Whiting's  orderly 


[1758.]  ROGERS   DESERTS   PUTNAM.  87 

The  Connecticut  soldiers  who  were  present  at  the  battle, 
fought  with  the  most  determined  valor,  as  appears  by  memo- 
rials now  on  file  in  the  department  of  state,  memoranda 
made  by  the  officers  present,  entries  upon  the  fly  leaves 
of  old  books  still  uneflaced,  and  by  the  testimony  of  those 
who  participated  in  the  fight,  many  of  whom  were  living  from 
thirty  to  forty  years  ago.* 

The  officers  as  well  as  the  privates  were  obliged  to  mingle 
in  this  promiscuous  conflict  and  fight  with  their  hands  to 
guard  their  own  throats.  Putnam  soon  found  himself  in  a 
position  that  would  have  appalled  a  man  of  less  courage. 
He  looked  in  vain  for  Rogers,  who  had  been  the  author  of 
the  mischief,  to  come  to  his  relief.  Rogers  had  no  intention 
of  interfering  in  behalf  of  his  friends,  and  contented  himself 
with  falling  between  Putnam's  men  and  Wood  Creek  to  pro- 
tect their  rear,  as  he  afterw^ards  said,  in  answer  to  some  im- 
putations that  were  cast  upon  his  extraordinary  conduct. 

Finding  himself  thus  deserted,  Putnam  made  up  his  mind 
to  sell  his  life  at  as  dear  a  rate  as  he  could.  Several  times, 
with  the  same  deliberate  aim  that  silenced  the  howling  of  the 

book  is  well  worthy  of  preservation :  "  The  general  thanks  the  officers  and  men 
who  went  out  with  majors  Rogers  and  Putnam,  captains  Deal  [D'EU,]  and  Deleel, 
for  their  good  behavior  in  the  action,  and  hopes  that  they  are  fully  satisfied  that 
the  Indians  are  a  despicable  enemy  to  those  that  will  do  their  duty.'''' 

*The  late  Colonel  Bezaleel  Beebe,  of  Litchfield,  (who  died  in  1824,)  was  a 
member  of  INIajor  Rogei's'  corps  of  "  Rangers"  in  this  campaign.  During 
one  of  the  "  forest-fights,"  when  the  rangers  were  dispersed  by  order  of  their 
commander,  and  each  man  was  fighting,  in  true  Indian  fashion,  from  behind  a 
tree,  Beebe  chanced  to  be  stationed  near  Lieutenant  Gaylord,  also  from  Litch- 
field county.  He  had  just  spoken  to  Gaylord,  and  at  the  moment  was  looking 
him  in  the  face  for  a  reply,  when  he  observed  a  sudden  break  of  the  skin  in  his 
forehead,  and  the  lieutenant  instantly  fell  dead — a  ball  from  the  enemy  having 
passed  through  his  head. 

Peter  Wooster,  of  Derby,  in  a  memorial  to  the  legislature,  states  that  he,  "  be- 
ing an  ensign  in  Colonel  Whiting's  regiment  at  Wood  Creek,  on  the  8th  of  Au- 
gust, [1758,]  had  six  musket  halls  shot  through  him  ;  his  left  elbow,  wrist,  and 
hand  broken  to  pieces  by  the  blows  of  a  hatchet,  and  had  nine  blows  oil  the  head 
with  a  hatchet,  till  he  was  killed,  as  the  enemy  supposed — on  which  they  scalped 
and  stripped  him^  and  left  him  on  the  ground  ;  that  being  taken  up  by  his  friends, 
he  has  recovered  a  considerable  degree  of  health,  but  that  his  arms  are  so  dis- 
abled as  to  prevent  his  working."     [The  Assembly  granted  him  £40.j 


88  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

wolf  in  the  cave,  he  discharged  his  carbine  with  fatal  effect. 
While  the  French  and  Indians  were  thus  indiscriminately 
falling  before  him,  a  tall  athletic  warrior  approached  him  in 
a  menacing  attitude.  Putnam  thrust  the  muzzle  of  his  piece 
sternly  against  the  breast  of  the  savage,  and  snapped  it.  It 
missed  fire.  Springing  upon  him  with  the  yell  of  a  demon, 
the  Indian,  with  his  tomahawk  uplifted,  forced  him  to  yield. 
He  secured  his  prisoner  fast  to  a  tree,  and  then  hastened 
back  to  spread  the  tidings  and  mingle  again  in  scenes  so 
congenial  to  his  nature,  and  so  well  suited  to  his  mode  of 
life.* 

Captains  D'Ell  and  Harman  now  commanded.  They  soon 
fell  back  a  little  to  gain  a  better  footing.  The  French  and 
Indians,  elated  with  their  success  and  thinking  that  the  rangers 
were  retreating,  now  charged  upon  them  with  redoubled  cries, 
that  filled  the  woods  with  unearthly  echoes ;  but  D'Ell  and 
Harman  soon  rallied  their  yet  remaining  handful  of  desperate 
men,  and  turning  upon  them,  drove  them  beyond  the  spot 
where  the  battle  had  commenced.  Here  the  enemy  again 
made  a  stand.  This  shifting  of  the  ground  brought  Putnam 
directly  between  the  fire  of  both  parties.  The  balls  flew  like 
hailstones  from  either  hand,  as  if  the  tree  to  which  the  prisoner 
was  bound  had  been  the  common  target  for  his  friends  and 
his  foes.  Some  passed  through  the  sleeves,  and  others 
through  the  skirts  of  his  coat,  whistling  in  his  ears  and  rat- 
tling among  the  limbs  over  his  head  and  on  either  side  of 
him. 

In  this  horrible  condition,  while  the  battle  still  hung  in 
trembling  scales,  for  nearly  an  hour  did  he  remain  in  the 
momentary  expectation  of  death, — yet  without  the  power  to 
move  his  body  or  his  limbs.  Still  the  monotony  of  his  situa- 
tion was  relieved  by  episodes  of  a  very  exciting  character. 
At  a  moment  when  fortune  appeared  to  favor  the  French,  a 
young  Indian  warrior  discovered  Putnam  in  this  helpless 
attitude.  With  a  refinement  of  cruelty  often  practiced  in 
those  wars,  instead  of  killing  the  wretched  man  at  a  blow,  he 

*  Holmes,  ii.  85. 


[1758.]  SUFFEKINGS   OF   PUTNAM.  89 

prepared  to  test  the  strength  of  his  nerves  by  hurling  a  toma- 
kawk  as  near  his  head  as  possible  without  hitting  it.  Again 
and  again  did  the  weapon  pass  almost  within  a  hair's  breadth 
of  the  prisoner's  head  and  lodge  quivering  in  the  bark  of  the 
tree  to  which  he  was  bound. 

Soon  after  this  amusement  was  over,  a  French  officer 
came  up  to  Putnam,  and  pointing  a  fuzee  within  a  foot  of  his 
heart,  snapped  it,  but  it  missed  fire.  Putnam  explained  to 
him  that  he  was  a  captive,  and  claimed  the  rights  due  to  him 
as  such  by  the  rules  of  war.  He  might  as  well  have  asserted 
them  in  the  ear  of  the  savage  who  had  just  left  him.  Several 
times  the  Frenchman  pushed  the  muzzle  of  his  piece  with 
violence  against  the  ribs  of  the  prisoner,  and,  after  giving  him 
a  brutal  blow  upon  the  jaw  with  the  heavy  end  of  it,  left  him. 

At  last  the  victory  that  would,  with  the  aid  of  Rogers, 
have  been  so  easy,  was  won  without  him  by  the  bravery  of 
the  other  rangers,  and  the  enemy  retreated  from  the  field 
with  their  prisoner.  lie  was  stripped  of  his  clothing,  loaded 
with  packs,  and  with  his  wrists  tied  as  closely  together  with 
a  cord  as  they  could  be  strained,  was  forced  to  march  many 
miles  over  rough  and  tedious  paths,  before  he  was  allowed  to 
stop  even  to  get  breath.  His  hands  were  now  so  swollen 
with  the  tightness  of  the  ligature  as  to  be  scarcely  recogniz- 
able as  parts  of  the  human  frame,  and  the  blood  dropped  fast 
from  his  naked  feet  where  the  briers  and  brambles  had 
pierced  them.  Agonized  with  pain,  he  entreated  an  Irish  in- 
terpreter to  beg  of  his  tormentors  that  they  should  knock  him 
on  the  head  at  once  or  cut  the  thongs  from  his  hands. 

After  a  brief  interval  of  rest  he  was  ordered  to  renew  his 
march.  The  Indians  inflicted  upon  him  every  outrage  that 
they  could  devise.  He  carried  to  the  day  of  his  death  the 
marks  of  a  blow  that  one  of  them  wantonly  gave  him  upon 
his  left  cheek  with  a  tomahawk.* 

One  day  while  plodding  on  at  a  tired  and  weary  rate,  he 
was  led  into  a  dark  forest.  Here  the  Indians  made  a  halt. 
It  was  soon  quite  obvious  to  Putnam  what  was  their  design. 

*  Holmes,  ii.  85. 


90'  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

They  stripped  him  even  of  the  few  articles  of  Indian  clothing 
that  had  been  substituted  for  his  own,  lashed  him  fast  to  a 
tree,  and  piled  up  dry  branches  in  a  circle  around  him,  keep- 
ing up  all  the  while  a  discordant  and  horrible  funeral  dirge, 
such  as  might  be  only  fitted  for  the  obsequies  of  a  demon,  did 
evil  spirits  need  the  last  rites  that  are  accorded  to  mortals. 
They  then  set  fire  to  the  fuel.  A  sudden  fall  of  rain  extin- 
guished it.  With  looks  of  murder  glaring  in  their  eyes  they 
stooped  down  to  rekindle  it.  At  last  it  triumphed  over  its 
adverse  element,  and,  coiling  itself  like  a  serpent,  ran  hissing 
around  the  circle.  Finally,  it  streamed  up  in  a  broad  blaze, 
and  sent  into  the  vitals  of  the  victim  its  forked  tongues  of 
flame.  Bound  fast  as  he  was,  he  could  only  writhe  his  body 
from  side  to  side  as  the  heat  grew  more  intense.  This  sign 
of  suffering  was  greeted  by  the  Indians  with  yells  of  delight. 
As  it  now  appeared  certain  that  this  was  his  last  hour,  he 
resolved  to  die  like  a  man  and  a  christian.  He  summoned 
all  his  resolution,  and  such  was  his  power  of  will  that  in  full 
view  of  the  awful  solemnities  of  another  world,  and  in  the 
recollection  of  domestic  endearments  never  to  be  renewed, 
he  w^as  able  to  forget  the  presence  of  the  fire  that  was  con- 
suming his  body,  and  of  those  who  kindled  it.  Even  the 
bitterness  of  death  was  over,  and  nature  had  now  little  else 
to  do  than  yield  to  a  change  that  was  merely  mechanical. 
As  if  by  a  voice  that  was  meant  to  pierce  the  depths  of  the 
grave,  the  hero  was  suddenly  called  back  to  the  realities  of 
this  world.  Its  tones  were  those  of  salvation.  It  was  the 
voice  of  that  gallant  Frenchman  and  partizan,  Molang.  He 
brushed  aside  the  inquisitors,  leapt  over  the  circle  of  flame, 
unbound  the  captive,  and  restored  him  to  his  old  master.* 

This  was  one  of  the  many  hardships  that  beset  Putnam 
during  his  captivity.  He  was  taken  to  Ticonderoga  and  put 
under  the  care  of  a  French  guard.     Here  he  had  an  inter- 

*  I  have  in  another  work,  for  purposes  of  fiction,  described  a  scene  borrowed 
from  this  awful  reality.  This  story  of  Putnam  needs  no  confirmation.  Those 
who  would  know  more  of  the  details  of  his  sufferings  on  this  march,  can  find 
them  in  Gen.  Humphreys'  life  of  him,  p.  63.     Holmes,  ii.  85. 


[1758.]  SCHUYLER   AXD   PUTNAM.  91 

view  with  the  Marquis  de  Montcalm,  who  placed  him  in  the 
custody  of  an  officer  and  ordered  him  to  be  conducted  to 
Canada.  When  he  arrived  at  Montreal,  Colonel  Peter  Schuy- 
ler, then  a  prisoner  there,  called  upon  the  interpreter  to  learn 
if  he  had  a  provincial  major  in  his  keeping.  In  what  condi- 
tion he  found  him,  without  a  coat,  waistcoat,  or  stockings,  his 
face  gashed  and  bruised,  his  body  and  limbs  torn  with  thorns 
and  blistered  with  heat,  I  will  forbear  to  tell.  The  memorial 
alluded  to  in  the  following  note,  copied  from  the  colonial 
records,  has  reference  to  this  captivity.* 

I  have  dwelt  more  fully  than  usual  upon  the  details  of 
this  campaign  that  the  reader  may  see  how  much  our  ances- 
tors suffered  before  the  American  revolution  was  thought  of, 
in  battles  that  have  almost  faded  from  the  recollection  of 
most  men,  who,  in  the  cares  of  the  office  or  of  the  counting- 
house,  have  forgotten  to  be  grateful  for  the  liberties  that  their 
fathers  won  for  them  and  consummated  by  the  shedding  of 
blood. 

Although  the  expedition  against  Ticonderoga  had  failed, 
yet  when  the  campaign  of  1758  was  brought  to  a  close,  it 
was  found  that  much  had  been  done  towards  breaking  down 
the  French  power  in  the  west.  Not  only  had  Louisbourg 
been  taken,  but  Fort  Du  Quesne  had  finally  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  English,  and,  under  the  new  name  of  Fort  Pitt, 
a  flag  with  a  new  devise  waved  from  its  embankments, 
giving  the  waters  of  the  Ohio  a  new  master  and  preparing 
the  way  for  the  capture  of  Quebec. 

* ''  Memorial  of  Israel  Putnam^  of  Pomfiet,  showing  that  some  time  in  the 
month  of  August  last,  he  being  then  in  the  service  of  this  colony,  had  the  mis- 
fortune to  be  taken  prisoner  and  carried  to  Canada,  where  he  continued  for  the 
space  of  three  months  and  suffered  much  hardship,  and  was  obliged  to  expend 
about  sixty  guineas  for  his  necessary  support ;  praying  that  this  assembly  would 
order  said  sum  to  be  refunded  to  him  as  per  petition  on  file. 

"The  assembly  ordered  that  seventy  pounds  lawful  money  be  paid  said 
Putnam." 

The  capture  of  Fort  Frontenac,  affording  occasion  for  an  exchange  of  prisoners, 
Major  Putnam  was  set  at  liberty. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

CAMPAIGNS  02  1759  AND  1760. 

The  sea-coast  and  the  southern  frontier  were  now  won,  and 
the  way  was  open  to  the  vitals  of  Canada.  The  British 
minister  resolved  at  one  shock  to  stop  the  flow  of  her  blood 
/  in  all  its  avenues.  As  soon  as  the  St.  Lawrence  should 
be  free  of  ice  in  the  spring,  General  Wolfe  was  ordered  to 
advance  with  an  army  of  about  eight  thousand  men,  accom- 
panied by  a  squadron  of  ships,  and  lay  siege  to  Quebec,  while 
General  Amherst,  with  twelve  thousand  regulars  and  provin- 
cials, was  to  renew  the  project  that  had  so  often  been  foiled 
through  the  cowardice  or  imbecility  of  the  British  command- 
ers, of  driving  the  enemy  from  Ticonderoga  and  Crown 
Point.  After  accomplishing  this  long  desired  object,  he  was 
expected  to  pass  down  the  Sorel  river  to  the  St.  Lawrence, 
and  form  a  union  with  Wolfe  at  Quebec.  Another  branch 
of  this  great  enterprise  was  committed  to  the  hands  of 
Brigadier  General  Prideaux,  who,  with  the  New  York  pro- 
vincials under  Sir  William  Johnson,  and  the  warriors  of  the 
five  nations,  was  to  reduce  Niagara.  He  was  then  instruc- 
ted to  embark  on  Lake  Ontario,  drop  down  the  St.  Lawrence, 
and  take  possession  of  Montreal.  It  was  hoped  that  these 
several  strongholds  of  the  French  would  all  be  subdued  so 
early  in  the  season  that  there  would  yet  be  time  for  all  the 
troops  to  unite  themselves  under  General  Amherst,  and  bring 
into  subjection  the  little  that  would  then  remain  of  Canada.* 

To  carry  out  this  magnificent  plan  of  operations,  requisi- 
tions were  again  made  upon  the  colonies  to  furnish  respec- 
tively the  same  number  of  troops  that  they  had  done  the 
year  before.  On  the  9th  of  December,  1758,  Mr.  Pitt  had 
written  a  letter  to  Governor  Fitch  calling  for  twenty  thou- 

*  Holmes,  ii.  88, 


[1759.]  FRESH  TROOPS   RAISED.  93 

sand  men  from  the  colonies  and  as  many  more  as  they  would 
furnish.  Governor  Fitch,  in  obedience  to  this  requisition, 
on  the  8th  of  March,  1759,  convened  the  General  Assembly 
of  Connecticut,  at  Hartford.  This  letter,  like  all  other  com- 
munications from  that  great  man,  was  frank  in  its  avowal  of 
the  designs  of  the  approaching  campaign.  It  alluded  to  the 
successes  of  the  last  campaign,  and  expressed  a  fixed  resolve 
to  repair  the  loss  that  had  been  sustained  by  General  Aber- 
crombie  at  Ticonderoga.  It  breathed  a  lofty  spirit  of  confi- 
dence in  the  justice  and  ultimate  triumph  of  the  British 
cause. 

The  Assembly  was  disposed  to  respond  liberally  to  this 
call ;  yet,  oppressed  with  debt  as  the  people  were,  wasted  in 
resources  and  thinned  in  numbers  by  the  campaigns  of  the 
last  four  years,  it  was  thought  impracticable  for  the  colony 
to  raise  and  equip  five  thousand  troops.*  After  a  long 
debate,  the  following  resolution  was  adopted  : 

"  Resolved,  That  last  year,  animated  by  great  zeal  in  his 
majesty's  cause,  this  colony  agreed  to  raise  a  larger  body  of 
men  than  it  was  able  fully  to  complete,  upon  a  diligent  trial 
and  exertion  ;  that  many  of  our  men  have  died  or  became 
unfit  for  the  service ;  that  many  of  our  inhabitants  have 
lately  enlisted  as  recruits  to  the  king's  regiments  here ;  and 
others  are  engaged  in  the  batteaux  and  carrying  service ;  by 
all  of  which  means  our  numbers  are  diminished  and  our 
strength  and  treasures  exhausted ;  yet  that  the  great  and 
salutary  designs  of  his  majesty  may  be  promoted  to  the 
utmost  of  our  ability,  it  is 

"  Resolved,  That  there  be  raised  in  this  colony  three  thou- 
sand six  hundred  effective  men,  as  soon  as  may  be,  for  the 
service. "t 

*  Massachusetts  also  at  first  was  unwilling  to  raise  the  same  quota  that  she  had 
furnished  in  1758.  She  finally  yielded  to  the  exigencies  of  the  campaign,  and  did 
all  that  was  required  of  her. 

fThe  oflicers  appointed  were  the  following,  viz : — Phineas  Lyman,  Esq.,  major 
general  and  colonel  of  the  first  regiment ;  Nathan  Payson,  lieut. -colonel ;  John 
Slapp,  major.  Second  regiment — Nathan  Whiting,  colonel ;  Joseph  Spencer, 
lieut.-colonel  j  David  Baldwin,  major.     Third  regiment — David  Wooster,  colonel  •, 


94  HISTOKY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

It  was  also  resolved  that  Bills  of  Credit  should  be  issued 
to  the  amount  of  forty  thousand  pounds,  at  five  per  cent  in- 
terest, payable  on  or  before  the  1st  of  March,  1764,  to  fill  up 
the  exhausted  treasury  ;  while  as  a  sinking  fund  for  these  bills, 
a  tax  was  levied  on  the  grand  list  of  the  colony  of  ten-pence 
on  the  pound,  to  be  brought  in,  in  October  1762,  and  collec- 
ted by  the  last  day  of  December,  1763.* 

The  number  of  troops  furnished  by  the  Assembly,  although 
it  was  more  than  the  fair  proportion  that  should  have  been 
expected  from  Connecticut,  did  not  satisfy  the  zeal  of  Gov- 
ernor Fitch,  and  of  many  of  the  principal  men  in  the  colony, 
who,  in  consideration  of  putting  an  end  to  the  war  by  a  last 
decisive  blow,  were  of  the  opinion  that  more  soldiers  should 
be  sent  into  the  field.  Out  of  respect  to  these  gentlemen,  the 
Assembly  finally  added  four  hundred  men  to  those  already 
voted — making  the  aggregate  four  thousand. I 

When  the  Assembly  met  at  Hartford  in  the  following  May, 
the  wishes  of  General  Amherst  were  made  known,  that  Con- 
necticut should  furnish  as  large  a  force  as  she  had  done  in 
the  previous  campaign.  Governor  Fitch  seconded  this 
request  of  the  commander-in-chief  with  many  earnest  rea- 
sons, set  forth  with  such  warmth  and  clearness,  that  the 
representatives  of  the  people,  after  reciting  the  details  of  the 
part  that  the  colony  had  taken  in  this  protracted  struggle, 
generously  resolved,  that  although  "  this  Assembly  is  of  opin- 
ion that  the  three  thousand  six  hundred  men  voted  and  order- 
ed last  March  to  be  levied  and  raised  for  said  service,  with 
the  encouragement  then  given  for  four  hundred  men  more 
to  enlist,  is  as  many  as   the   number  of  the  inhabitants  will 

James  Smedley,  lieut. -colon el ;  David  Waterbury,  major.  Fourth  regiment — 
Eleazer  Fiteli,  colonel ;  Israel  Putnam,  lieut. -colonel ;  John  Durkee,  major. 

Commissaries — Thomas  Chandler,  Anthony  Carpenter,  David  Seymour,  and 
John  Williams. 

*  Trumbull. 

t  Colony  Records,  MS.  Allusion  is  made  in  the  records  to  "  seven  chests  of 
money"  which  "  came  per  IVIr.  Taggert,  from  Mr,  Agent  Partridge,  for  the  account 
of  the  colony."  Jared  Ingersoll,  esq.,  had,  previous  to  this  date,  gone  to  England 
as  the  agent  of  the  colony — Mr.  Partridge  being  deceased. 


[1759.]  AMHERST   PASSES   LAKE   GEORGE.  95 

allow ;  yet  considering  the  very  great  importance  of  exert- 
ing ourselves  in  the  present  critical  and  decisive  moment, 
for  the  security  of  our  country,  and  from  a  deep  sense  of  our 
duty  to  our  king,  and  from  the  gratitude  we  owe  to  the  king- 
dom of  Great  Britain  for  the  great  expense  and  succors  sup- 
plied for  the  immediate  defense  and  future  safety  of  our 
rights  and  possessions  in  America,  and  humbly  relying  on 
the  gracious  assurances  which  the  king  was  pleased  to  allow 
his  secretary  of  state  to  give,  that  recommendations  should 
be  made  to  parliament  to  grant  a  reasonable  compensation,  as 
his  colonies  should  appear  to  merit ;  and  that  the  zeal  and 
ardor  of  the  people  may  be  enlivened  and  quickened  to  go 
forth  in  the  defense  and  for  the  future  safety  of  our  country  : 
and  that  all  proper  encouragements  may  be  given  and  motives 
used  to  promote  the  raising  of  as  many  more  men  as  can  any 
way  be  induced  to  enlist  themselves  and  engage  in  said  ser- 
vice :  It  is  resolved  and  enacted,  that  one  thousand  able 
bodied  men,  in  addition  to  the  four  thousand  afore-mentioned, 
be  allowed  to  enlist  into  the  service."* 

The  energy  of  the  colony  was  also  evinced  in  the  speedy 
preparations  that  were  made  for  carrying  these  resolves  into 
execution.  The  colonies  all  vied  with  each  other  in  this 
respect  and  joined  General  Amherst  with  great  despatch. 
By  the  end  of  May,  they  had  reached  the  head  quarters  at 
Albany. t  The  army  of  Amherst  was  first  to  open  the  cam- 
paign. In  July,  he  passed  Lake  George  without  opposition. 
The  Marquis  de  Montcalm,  who  was  aware  of  the  difference 
between  the  tactics  and  character  of  Amherst  and  those  of 
Abercrombie,  and  who  by  this  time  was  acquainted  with  the 
colossal  plan  of  the  British  government  for  the  campaign, 
had  instructed  the  leader  of  the  garrison  not  to  run  too  great 
a  risk  of  losing  men  whom  he  could  ill  afford  to  spare,  but  to 
retire,  if  necessary,  and  retreat  towards  Quebec,  the  centre 

*  Trumbull,  ii.  399,  400.  A  bounty  of  seven  pounds  was  offered  to  each  man 
who  would  enlist ;  and  those  who  had  been  in  the  service  the  preceding  year,  and 
would  enlist  for  this  campaign,  were  to  be  allowed  pay  from  December  last. 

t  Holmes,  ii.  88. 


96  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

and  heart  of  the  French  power,  where,  should  it  be  neces- 
sary, a  union  might  be  effected  and  a  last  stand  taken  against 
the  invaders.  The  commander,  therefore,  when  he  saw  the 
English  army  advancing  in  good  order,  readily  abandoned 
those  lines  that  had  proved  so  fatal  to  the  troops  of  General 
Abercrombie,  and  withdrew  into  the  interior  of  the  fortifica- 
tion. It  was  on  the  22d  of  July,  when  the  English  army 
arrived  at  the  place,  and  although  some  resistance  was  made 
and  the  guns  of  the  garrison  were  brought  to  bear  upon  the 
besiegers,  yet  little  injury  was  done  them  beyond  the  loss  of 
the  gallant  Colonel  Townsend,  who  was  killed  by  a  cannon 
ball.  On  the  27th  of  July,  they  blew  up  their  magazine  and 
fled  during  the  night  to  Crown  Point.  But  their  new  retreat 
offered  very  few  attractions  to  them,  and  on  the  1st  of 
August  they  again  retired  from  the  steady  approach  of  the 
English  general,  and  took  refuge  in  a  fort  at  Isle  Aux  Noix, 
on  the  northern  extremity  of  Lake  Champlain. 

General  Amherst  sent  forward  his  light  rangers  to  take 
possession  of  Crown  Point,  and  on  the  4th  of  August  he 
arrived  there  himself  with  the  main  body  of  the  army. 

Thus  these  two  fortresses,  that  had  cost  the  British  and 
provincial  governments  an  expenditure  of  so  much  blood  and 
so  much  treasure,  fell  into  the  hands  of  this  cautious  yet 
brave  military  chieftain,  almost  without  striking  a  blow.* 

Still,  the  French,  though  driven  from  their  old  haunts,  were 
formidable  on  Lake  Champlain,  and  w^ere  capable  of  working 
much  harm  to  the  British  arms  in  that  quarter.  The  garri- 
son, at  Isle  Aux  Noix,  under  the  command  of  Monsieur  de 
Bourlemaque,  numbered  three  thousand  five  hundred  veteran 
men,  was  in  a  good  position,  well  entrenched  for  defense,  and 
was  provided  with  an  excellent  train  of  artillery.  Floating 
upon  this  long  slender  lake,  where  they  could  not  be  easily 
eluded,  there  were  also  four  large  French  ships  of  war,  well 

*  Mante,  vi.  5,  says,  "  In  the  acquisition  of  Ticonderoga,  fifteen  soldiers  were 
killed,  and  about  fifty  wounded ;  and  Colonel  Roger  Townsend  was  killed  by  a 
cannon  ball.  His  spirit  and  military  knowledge  entitled  him  to  the  esteem  of 
every  soldier ;  and  the  loss  of  him,  was  universally  lamented." 


[1759.]  AMHERST   IS   BLAMED.  97 

mounted  with  cannon  and  manned  with  the  piquets  of  several 
regiments.  These  ships  were  also  admirably  officered,  and 
were  commanded  bv  Monsieur  La  Bras,  an  old  French  naval 
officer  of  courage  and  experience.* 

General  Amherst  did  not  deem  it  safe  to  advance  toward 
Quebec  until  he  had  entirely  driven  the  enemy  from  Lake 
Champlain.  He  therefore  ordered  Captain  Loring,  who  had 
already  built  several  vessels  upon  Lake  George,  to  construct 
as  speedily  as  he  could,  a  sloop  of  sixteen  guns,  and  a  radeau 
eighty-four  feet  in  length,  that  could  carry  six  twenty-four 
pounders. t  As  it  would  be  necessary  to  leave  garrisons  at 
Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  and  as  the  works  at  the 
former  w^ere  partially  demolished,  and  at  the  latter  were 
almost  in  ruins,  he  employed  the  army  meanwhile  in  placing 
both  these  fortresses  in  a  condition  to  defy  all  invasions 
from  their  old  masters.  Thus,  instead  of  being  dens  for  the 
shelter  of  those  terrible  scalping  and  marauding  parties  that 
had  so  long  kept  the  English  frontier  in  a  state  of  alarm,  they 
would  prove  sleepless  guardians  to  watch  over  the  settle- 
ments that  were  stretched  along  the  whole  northern  border. 

The  amount  of  fatigue  endured  by  the  Connecticut  troops 
during  this  summer,  is  almost  incredible.  They  labored  with 
the  better  heart,  as  they  saw  that  a  change  had  come  over 
the  fortunes  of  the  two  nations.  Nor  was  the  valor  of  her 
officers  less  commendable.  After  the  sloop  and  the  radeau 
had  been  completed,  two  of  the  enemy's  vessels  were 
destroyed.  One  of  the  principal  and  most  daring  actors  in 
this  enterprise  was  Colonel  Putnam.  J 

It  was  a  topic  of  some  impatient  remark  at  the  time,  that 
General  Amherst  was  over-cautious  in  his  operations  upon 
Lake  Champlain,  and  that  he  might  have  advanced  upon 
Quebec  in  season  to  have  shared  in  the  glory  of  Wolfe's  vic- 
tory, if  not  to  have  saved  the  life  of  that  hero,  had  he  not 
attributed  too  much  importance  to  the  movements  of  the 
enemy  upon  Lake  Champlain.     But  when  we  consider  the 

*  Trumbull,  ii.  401.  t  Trumbull ;  Graham. 

J  Humphreys. 
39 


98  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

long  struggle  that  had  preceded  the  flight  of  the  French  from 
Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  the  importance  of  those  forti- 
fications, the  necessity  of  obtaining  the  entire  dominion  of 
the  waters  of  the  lake  that  they  in  a  good  degree  commanded, 
and  the  strength  of  the  garrison  still  ready,  as  there  was  good 
reason  to  believe,  to  make  a  desperate  stand  at  Isle  Aux 
Noix,  especially  when  we  consider  how  fierce  and  sudden 
were  the  storms  that  convulsed  the  lake  very  early  in  the 
autumn  months — we  shall  hardly  blame  the  policy  of  the 
English  general  in  doing  thoroughly  w^hat  he  had  undertaken, 
although  he  was  delayed  so  long  that  winter  overtook  him  at 
Grown  Point.  He  had  succeeded  in  accomplishing  a  great 
and  almost  bloodless  victory  by  means  steady  and  certain  as 
the  wit  of  man  could  devise. 

The  army  sent  to  besiege  Niagara  had  been  equally  suc- 
cessful. General  Prideaux  had  reached  the  fortress  about 
the  middle  of  July,  and  surrounded  it  with  great  skill.  A 
few  days  after  his  arrival  there,  he  was  killed  by  the  bursting 
of  a  cohorn  ;  and  was  succeeded  in  the  command  by  that 
brave  provincial  chieftain,  Sir  William  Johnson.*  As  soon 
as  General  Amherst  learned  of  this  accident,  he  sent  General 
Gage  from  Ticonderoga,  to  take  command  of  the  beleaguering 
army.  The  French  in  the  meantime,  hoping  to  save  this 
important  post,  sent  detachments  of  men  from  forts  Detroit, 
Yenango,  and  Presque  Isle,  amounting  in  all  to  about  tw^elve 
hundred  men,  together  v/ith  a  large  body  of  Indians,  to  rein- 
force the  garrison  at  Niagara.  Aware  of  their  approach. 
Sir  William  Johnson  sent  out  his  light  infantry,  with  a  body 
of  grenadiers  and  other  regulars,  to  occupy  the  road  leading 
from  Niagara  Falls  to  the  fort,  and  intercept  the  enemy  as 
they  should  arrive.  He  also  stationed  parties  of  Indians 
along  his  flanks ;  and  to  prevent  an  attack  from  the  garrison 
at  this  critical  time,  ^he  posted  a  large  body  of  troops  to 
guard  his  trenches. |  Before  the  battle  the  Indians  of  the 
five  nations  who  fought  under  Sir  William  Johnson,  went 
out  and  proposed  a  conference  with  the  Indians  who  marched 

*  Holmes,  ii.  89.  f  Trumbull,  ii.  402  ;  Holmes,  ii.  89,  90. 


[1759.]  '        FORT  NIAGARA  TAKEN.  99 

in  the  train  of  the  French  army  that  was  now  close  at  hand. 
This  proposition  was  rejected. 

About  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  Indians  attached 
to  the  French  reinforcement  raised  the  war-cry,  that  most 
fearful  of  all  notes  that  ever  stirred  contending  armies  to 
mingle  in  mortal  conflict.  Fearfully  it  rang  above  the  roar 
of  the  mightiest  of  earth's  cataracts,  and  echoed  among  the 
precipices  and  rifts  of  rock  that  keep  in  its  shattered  chan- 
nel the  river  that  drains  a  succession  of  inland  seas.  But 
this  terrible  w^ar-crv,  that  had  so  often  been  the  herald  of 
defeat  to  British  troops,  was  now  a  familiar  sound  to  them, 
and  fell  upon  the  ear  of  the  provincials  and  the  brave  war- 
riors of  the  five  nations,  as  unheeded  as  the  voice  of  deep 
calling  unto  deep  from  the  chasm  of  the  flood,  that  has  been 
represented  by  a  poet  of  Connecticut,  as  a  "  chronicler  of  the 
ages."*  So  well  were  the  enemy  met  in  front,  and  so  galled 
on  either  flank  by  the  warriors  of  the  five  nations,  that  in  less 
than  an  hour  their  little  army  was  totally  ruined. f  D'Aubry, 
its  commander,  and  sixteen  other  officers,  were  taken  prisoners, 
and  the  remnants  of  his  broken  companies  were  pursued 
through  the  woods  for  a  distance  of  five  miles,J  with  such 
slaughter  that  their  way  could  literally  have  been  tracked  by 
the  blood  that  stained  it. 

After  the  battle.  General  Johnson  informed  the  leader  of 
the  garrison  of  his  victory,  and  begged  him  to  surrender 
while  yet  the  fierce  Indians  who  served  under  him  and  who 
had  already  tasted  blood,  were  under  his  control.  The  pro- 
position was  accepted,  and  thus  the  fort  of  Niagara,  the  con- 
necting link  between  Canada  and  Louisbourg,  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  English. 

While  Amherst,  with  Putnam  and  other  brave  provincial 
officers,  were  driving  the  enemy  from  Ticonderoga  and 
Crown  Point,  and  destroying  their  vessels  upon  Lake  Cham- 

*  See  Brainard's  "Falls  of  Niagara,"  one  of  the  most  sublime  poems  of  its 
length  in  the  English  language.  It  has  in  it  a  sweep,  majesty,  and  condensed 
power,  worthy  of  the  subject  that  inspired  it. 

+  Graham;  Holmes.  jGen,  Johnson's  Letter  to  Amherst.     , 


100  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

plain  ;  and  while  Prideaux  and  Johnson,  were  engaged  in 
reducing  Niagara,  thus  cutting  off  the  extremities  of  French 
colonial  power  upon  the  continent ;  General  Wolfe,  with  an 
army  of  eight  thousand  men,  under  convoy  of  an  English 
fleet  commanded  by  Admirals  Saunders,  Holmes,  and  Durel, 
proceeded  up  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  on  the  2d  of  June, 
landed  his  army  on  the  Isle  of  Orleans,  a  fine  large  island  in 
the  river  a  little  below  Quebec,  teeming  with  inhabitants, 
abounding  in  grain  and  all  the  conveniences  required  for  the 
support  of  his  troops. 

The  attempt  upon  Quebec  was  considered  the  capital  enter- 
prise of  the  campaign,  and  was  committed  to  Wolfe,  as  the 
man  most  likely  to  accomplish  whatever  is  within  the  range 
of  human  achievements.  He  had  also  under  him  some  of 
the  most  daring  officers  whose  names  are  recorded  on  the 
rolls  of  British  fame.  Among  them  were  Brigadiers  Monck- 
ton,  Townsend,  and  Murray,  all  men  of  true  genius,  and 
fitted  like  their  leader  for  the  most  delicate  and  dangerous 
crisis.  Wolfe  was  himself  a  man  of  transcendant  genius  and 
lofty  chivalry,  of  a  temperament  highly  practical,  possessing 
all  the  enthusiasm  of  the  best  Irish  blood  that  flowed  so  largely 
in  his  veins,  and  all  the  enduring  fidelity  to  a  cause  once 
espoused,  that  distinguishes  the  nation  to  whose  historic 
pages  he  looked  to  perpetuate  his  fame. 

The  island  where  he  was  encamped,  lying  within  full  view 
of  the  fortress  and  of  the  precipitous  river  bank  for  miles, 
gave  the  English  general  a  fair  opportunity  to  calculate  the 
chances  of  success.*  A  man  differently  moulded  would 
have  quailed  before  the  prospect.  Situated  upon  a  peninsula 
formed  by  the  meeting  of  the  St.  Lawrence  and  the  St. 
Charles  rivers,  upon  the  brow  of  a  rock  that  beetled  over 
these  streams  and  the  country  that  lay  spread  like  a  map 
beneath ;  well  garrisoned  and  provisioned,  Quebec  seemed 
well  fitted  to  keep  watch  and  ward  over  the  noblest  of  all 
navigable  rivers,  that  was  here  so  compressed  that  a 
cannon    ball    from  the   top    of    Cape    Diamond   could    be 

*  Holmes,  ii.  90. 


[1759.]  SITUATION   OF   QUEBEC.  101 

made  to  do  fatal  execution  bevond  the  brink  of  the  southern 
shore. 

Across  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Charles  had  been  stretched  a 
boom  that  was  supposed  to  be  a  complete  barrier,  and  the 
rocky  channel  of  that  stream  was  filled  with  armed  vessels 
and  floating  batteries,  while  on  its  eastern  bank,  a  large  body 
of  French  troops  with  safe  entrenchments  were  stationed 
aloncr  the  shore  of  the  river  to  the  Falls  of  Montmorenci.* 
The  black  skirts  of  a  forest  filled  with  all  the  savage  tribes 
and  more  savage  provincials  that  had  enlisted  under 
the  banners  of  the  French  king,  were  in  their  rear, 
affording  a  covert  as  impervious  as  their  lines  seemed  insur- 
mountable. 

Above  the  town,  the  high  rock,  on  which  the  city  and  for- 
tress were  built,  rose  sheer  and  high  along  the  St.  Lawrence  for 
a  great  distance,  and  formed  what  were  called  the  Heights  of 
Abraham.  These  heights  also  were  guarded  with  troops. 
There  was  therefore  no  way  of  approach  to  the  town  except 
by  crossing  the  St.  Charles,  or  by  passing  up  the  river  and 
scaling  the  rocky  wall  above  described. f  The  English  com- 
mander in  addition  to  all  these  natural  obstacles,  had  taken 
the  field  against  Montcalm,  the  French  nobleman,  already  re- 
ferred to,  who  had  been  trained  to  chivalry  and  the  practice 
of  arms,  and  had  repeatedly  met  the  British  armies  only  to 
see  them  fly  before  him.  He  had  also  under  his  command  a 
well  trained  army  of  ten  thousand  men,  so  that  he  might  well 
have  felt  himself  to  be,  in  an  open  field  without  the  aid  of 
rock,  river,  or  wood,  more  than  a  match  for  the  invader  whose 
forces  he  far  outnumbered.  Lookins^  out  from  his  bold  cliff 
like  an  eagle  from  his  eyrie,  the  haughty  marquis  regarded 
with  scorn  the  few  tents  that  dotted,  like  so  many  white- 
fleeced  lambs  destined  for  his  destruction,  a  little  patch  of  the 
island  that  lay  at  his  feet. 

General  Wolfe  saw  at  a  glance  all  the  disadvantages  that 
surrounded  him.  But  obstacles  to  such  a  mind  as  his,  often 
act  as  quickening  influences  to  stimulate  to  daring  deeds. 

*  Holmes  j  Trumbull ;  Charlevoix.  t  Trumbull,  ii.  405. 


102  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

Nor  were  a  natural  desire  to  overcome  difficulties  and  to 
discharge  his  duty  as  a  soldier  and  a  patriot,  the  only  motives 
for  exertion.  Pride  had  her  part  to  perform.  The  delays  of 
the  Earl  of  Loudoun,  the  cowardice  of  Webb,  and  the 
inefficiency  of  Abercrombie,  incited  him  to  exhibit  to  the 
world  a  brilliant  and  glorious  contrast.  The  life-giving 
energy  of  Pitt,  the  great  controlling  spirit  of  the  age,  also 
acted  upon  his  sensitive  frame  hke  a  powerful  magnet,  keep- 
ing his  eye  turned  toward  the  pole-star  of  victory.  No  time 
was  lost.  He  caused  batteries  to  be  erected  on  the  west  point 
of  the  Isle  of  Orleans  and  on  Point  Levi,  upon  the  south- 
ern side  of  the  river,  whence  he  poured  a  continual  and 
deadly  fire  upon  the  lower  town. 

Admiral  Saunders  seconded  the  operations  of  the  army, 
having  taken  his  station  below  the  north  channel  of  the  Isle 
of  Orleans  opposite  Montmorenci ;  while  Admiral  Holmes 
passed  up  the  river  and  took  a  position  above  the  town, 
where  he  could  distract  the  movements  of  the  enemy  and 
divert  their  attention  from  the  batteries. 

Wolfe  nov/  resolved  to  cross  the  Montmorenci  and  bring 
Montcalm  to  an  engagement.  He  landed  thirteen  companies 
of  English  grenadiers,  and  a  part  of  the  second  battalion  of 
royal  Americans,  at  the  mouth  of  that  river.  At  the  same 
time  two  divisions  under  Townsend  and  Murray,  were 
ordered  to  cross  it  farther  up  the  stream,  where  it  was  thought 
that  its  current  could  be  forded.  His  object  was  to  get  pos- 
session of  a  redoubt  near  the  shore,  and  thus  bring  on  a  for- 
mal engagement.  The  French  resisted  this  bold  mancevre 
with  such  success,  that  Wolfe  was  obliged  to  withdraw  his 
troops  to  his  encampment,  after  having  lost  five  hundred  of 
his  bravest  men.* 

He  now  adopted  other  measures.  He  detached  Murray 
with  twelve  hundred  men  in  transports  to  join  Admiral 
Holmes  above  the  town  in  doing  such  damage  as  could  be 
done  to  the  French  shipping,  and  to  divide  the  attention  of  the 
enemy,  by  making  attacks  upon  certain  exposed  points  on 

*  Holmes,  ii.  91. 


[1759.]  TLAN   OF   THE    ATTACK.  103 

the  banks  of  the  river.  Murray  finally  succeeded  in  destroy- 
ing a  valuable  magazine  at  Chambaud,  but  neither  he  or  the 
admiral  could  do  any  harm  to  the  ships  in  their  secure  posi- 
tion. He  returned,  therefore,  to  the  camp,  bringing  the  in- 
telligence received  from  his  prisoners,  that  Fort  Niagara  was 
reduced,  and  that  General  Amherst  had  driven  the  French 
from  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  and  was  advancing  to 
attack  the  army  at  Isle  Aux  Noix.  Wolfe  now  saw  that  he 
could  not  be  joined  by  General  Amherst  during  that  cam- 
paign, and  that  he  must  either  abandon  the  siege  before  the 
winter,  that  was  now  fast  pressing  on,  should  make  both  fleet 
and  army  an  easy  prey  to  the  enemy,  or  he  must  strike  at 
once  a  decisive  blow.* 

A  council  of  officers  was  held,  in  which  it  was  proposed 
to  remove  the  whole  army  up  the  river,  and  renew  the  attack 
above  the  town.  The  camp  was  deserted,  and  the  army 
embarked  on  board  the  fleet  and  was  landed  in  part  at  Point 
Levi,  and  the  residue  at  a  place  further  up  the  stream.  For 
several  days.  Admiral  Holmes  played  his  ships  along  the 
northern  shore  in  such  a  manner  as  to  draw  the  enemy  as  far 
as  possible  from  the  fortress.  To  watch  the  fleet  and  pre- 
vent the  landing  of  the  troops,  Montcalm  sent  fifteen  hun- 
dred men  from  the  camp  under  Bourgainville,  to  guard  the 
northern  shore. f  Still  he  had  little  fear  that  so  impractica- 
ble a  thing  would  be  attempted.  Meanwhile,  Wolfe  was 
suffering  from  the  most  excruciating  bodily  infirmities.  In 
his  agony  he  ordered  his  three  brigadiers  to  hit  upon  some 
plan  of  attack.  These  daring  young  noblemen,  after  con- 
sulting together,  proposed  to  him  that  the  river  bank  should 
be  scaled  in  the  night,  and  that  the  enemy  should  be  drawn 
into  a  general  engagement  upon  the  plains  of  Abraham. J 
Even  to  those  who  now  pass  down  the  river  and  look  up 
towards  the  frowning  rocks,  the  project  seems  rather  a  crazed 
and  giddy  dream  than  a  sober  reality.  The  swiftness  and 
power  of  the  current,  the  ledgy  shore,  the  narrowness  of  the 
landing,  the  appalling  height  of  the  cliff'  bristling  with  senti- 

*  Holmes,  ii.  91,  92.  f  Holmes.  t  Holmes,  ii.  91. 


104:  HISTOEY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

nels  ready  at  the  sound  of  a  rolling  pebble,  or  the  flitting  of 
a  bird's  wing,  to  give  the  alarm,  the  army  of  veteran  troops 
v^^ith  a  train  of  artillery  that  might  be  expected  to  meet  them 
and  sweep  them  back,  should  they  ever  reach  the  plain — all 
conspired  with  the  darkness  of  the  night  to  throw  shades  of 
doubt  and  discouragement  upon  this  wild  proposition.  Am- 
herst, brave  as  he  was,  would  have  shrunk  from  it  with  hor- 
ror; and  doubtless  Scipio  would  have  felt  it  to  be  a  tempting 
of  the  gods.  Wolfe,  on  the  other  hand,  sleepless  from  watch- 
ing and  racked  with  pain,  accepted  it  with  joy.  His  power- 
ful mind  was  now  bent  with  undivided  force  to  carry  it  into 
execution.  He  no  longer  felt  the  pangs  of  physical  pain. 
His  clear  mind  saw  all  the  details  of  this  fearful  undertaking, 
and  with  a  calmness  and  stern  business  capacity,  equal  to  the 
magnificence  of  the  conception,  he  attended  to  the  minutest 
preparations. 

On  the  12th  of  September,  the  whole  fleet  sailed  up  the 
river  several  leagues  above  the  place  where  the  landing  was 
to  be  attempted,  and  at  suitable  intervals,  as  if  testing  the 
strength  of  the  river  bank,  without  any  definite  plan,  made 
a  feint  of  attempting  to  land  his  troops.  Thus  the  day  was 
spent.  The  early  watches  of  the  night  were  consumed  in  a 
diflferent  way.  About  one  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  troops 
who  had  all  been  embarked  in  flat-bottomed  boats,  with  the 
ebb  of  the  tide  and  the  strength  of  the  stream  began  to  drift 
down  the  river  toward  the  landing  place.  Lest  they  should 
miss  this  point,  they  were  obliged  to  keep  close  under  the 
northern  shore  on  account  of  the  darkness.  Once  or  twice 
they  were  overheard  by  the  keen  sentinels  stationed  upon  the 
heights,  and  challenged.  A  Scotch  oflicer  answered  in  French, 
that  they  were  a  part  of  Bourgainville's  forces  exploring  the 
river  to  watch  the  doings  of  the  English.  This  answer 
deluded  the  sentinels  and  they  were  permitted  to  pass.* 

As  they  dropped  down  the  river,  silence  was  commanded, 
on  pain  of  death,  in  all  the  boats  except  the  one  that  bore 
the  general  and  his  officers.     Wolfe  had  a  few  days  before 

*  Graham. 


[1759.]  ON  THE  PLAINS  OF  ABRAHAM.  105 

received  from  England  a  copy  of  Gray's  Elegy,  that  had  then 
just  been  given  to  the  world ;  and  in  that  one  boat,  his  im- 
passioned voice  blending  with  the  rippling  of  the  waves,  he 
recited  to  his  officers  in  a  low  subdued  tone,  that  most  per- 
fect and  plaintive  strain  of  the  British  muse.  When  he  had 
completed  it,  he  exclaimed  with  animation, 

"Gentlemen,  I  would  rather  be  the  author  of  that  poem 
than  to  take  Quebec."* 

An  hour  before  day-break  they  touched  the  landing. 
Wolfe  was  the  first  to  set  foot  upon  the  dangerous  shore,  and, 
looking  up  the  ragged  sides  of  the  ledge,  observed  quietly  to 
an  officer  w^ho  stood  near  him,  "  1  doubt  if  you  will  get  up ; 
but  you  must  do  what  you  can." 

Following  a  detachment  of  Scotch  Highlanders  and  light- 
infantry  under  Colonel  Howe,  grasping  and  pulling  them- 
selves up  by  vines  and  shrubs,  the  gallant  army  scaled  the 
cliff;  and  when  day  broke  over  the  brow  of  Cape  Diamond, 
it  revealed  to  the  garrison  the  whole  British  army  arranged 
in  battle  order  upon  the  plains  of  Abraham. f 

Montcalm  would  not  credit  the  intelligence  when  it  was 
made  known  to  him.  He  could  believe  that  a  handful  of 
desperate  men  had  been  forced  up  this  almost  perpendicular 
wall  for  the  purpose  of  throwing  him  off  his  guard  and  draw- 
ing him  from  his  position,  as  a  preliminary  step  to  a  general 
engagement,  which  he  knew  had  been  desired  from  the  first 
by  the  English  general.  But  that  an  army  of  eight  thousand 
men  could  have  scaled  a  wall  so  rough,  and  at  the  same  time  so 
sheer  and  high,  in  a  single  night,  and  in  the  face  of  his  own 
argus-eyed  sentinels,  he  conceived  to  be  incredible.  But 
there  was  no  resisting  the  evidence  of  his  senses.  Fired 
with  the  recollection  of  his  former  success,  and  roused  by 
the  promptings  of  a  noble  emulation,  he  resolved  no  longer 
to  spare  the  trial  of  strength  that  he  had  up  to  that  time  so 
cautiously  avoided ;  but  to  fling  the  old  French  banner 
against  the  fresh  September  breeze,  and  put  upon  a  single 
die  the  dominion  of  his  king  to  the  western  world. 

*  Graham.  t  Wright's  History,  i.  210  ;  Ilohiies,  ii.  92,  93. 


106  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

He  planned  his  order  of  battle  in  the  most  masterly  man- 
ner. His  right  and  left  wings  were  composed  each  of  Euro- 
pean and  colonial  troops  in  about  equal  proportions.  The 
centre  was  formed  of  two  battalions  of  the  best  French  regu- 
lars that  he  had  under  his  command ;  and  there  hovered  in 
front  of  his  main  army,  lurking  among  the  thickets  that 
skirted  the  table-land  over  which  they  moved  like  a  pesti- 
lence, fifteen  hundred  French  and  Indian  sharp-shooters, 
whose  business  it  was  to  advance  and  begin  the  battle  with 
a  selection  of  the  most  shining  marks  that  glittered  along  the 
lines  of  the  English  army.* 

As  soon  as  Wolfe  saw  that  his  cherished  wish  was  about 
to  be  realized,  and  that  the  enemy  was  advancing  to  meet 
him,  he  began  to  form  his  line  consisting  of  six  battalions 
and  the  Louisbourg  grenadiers.  His  right  wing  was  com- 
mitted to  Monckton ;  his  left,  to  Murray.  Howe's  light  in- 
fantry protected  the  rear  and  the  left;  and  the  right  was 
covered  by  the  Louisbourg  grenadiers.  It  was  obvious  from 
the  form  in  which  they  advanced  that  their  design  was  to  out- 
flank his  army  on  the  left.  To  counteract  this  movement, 
Wolfe  detached  General  Townsend,  with  the  regiment  of 
Amherst,  and  two  battalions  of  royal  Americans  formed  with 
a  double  front.  A  single  regiment  drawn  up  in  eight  divis- 
ions, with  large  intervals,  constituted  his  body  of  reserves. 
When  the  French  commander  had  advanced  near  enough  to 
make  it  practicable,  the  concealed  marksmen,  that  skulked 
in  the  thicket  in  advance  of  his  army,  opened  from  their 
hiding-places  a  well  directed  fire,  that  proved  fatal  to  some 
of  the  best  British  officers. f 

This  was  the  signal  for  the  opening  of  the  battle.  Wolfe 
had  selected  his  station  on  the  right  of  his  army,  and  Mont- 
calm a  corresponding  one  upon  the  French  left.  About  nine 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  French  army  advanced  rapidly 
to  the  attack,  and  the  battle  became  fierce  and  general.  Per- 
haps never  in  so  small  an  army  as  that  of  the  English,  was 
there  to  be  found   so  many  officers   of   high   courage  and 

*  Holmes,  ii.  93  ;  Trumbull,  ii.  410.  f  Holmes  ;  Trumbull  5  Graham. 


[1759.]  Wolfe's  victory.  107 

determined  purpose,  who  looked  upon  death  with  such  com- 
posure ;  nor  a  soldiery  who  were  wilHng  to  sell  their  lives  at 
a  rate  more  ruinous  to  their  enemies.  With  a  discipline  that 
seemed  like  the  movements  of  a  piece  of  mechanism,  they 
advanced  in  the  face  of  the  fire  that  was  directed  against 
them  with  such  deadly  effect,  until  they  had  come  within 
forty  yards  of  the  French  line.  Then  they  began  that  fear- 
ful and  long-sustained  discharge  of  musketry,  that  was  kept 
up  with  unremitting  regularity,  until  the  advancing  tide  of 
the  battle  was  checked  and  began  to  roll  backwards  along 
the  whole  line  of  the  French  armv.  Montcalm  made  the 
most  desperate  exertions  to  sustain  his  position.  Early  in 
the  action  fortune  seemed  to  favor  him.  Wolfe,  while  he 
stood  in  the  front  line,  a  fair  mark  for  the  Canadians,  was  sin- 
gled out  and  wounded  in  the  wrist.  Without  showing  a  sign 
of  pain,  he  wrapped  a  handkerchief  around  the  wound,  and 
continued  to  issue  his  orders  with  the  same  coolness  as 
before.  A  second  bullet,  better  aimed,  soon  pierced  his 
groin  ;  but  still  unruffled  and  persevering,  he  concealed  this 
probably  fatal  injury,  and  was  leading  on  his  grenadiers,  with 
the  same  chivalrous  bearing,  when  a  third  musket  ball  entered 
his  breast,  and  he  fell. 

The  fall  of  their  leader,  often  so  fatal  on  the  battle-field,  so 
far  from  being  the  signal  for  defeat  to  the  English  army,  fired 
them  with  the  spirit  of  revenge ;  and  they  fought  first  under 
Monckton,  and,  after  he  was  disabled,  under  Townsend,  with 
new  zeal.  About  the  time  that  Wolfe  received  the  last  shot, 
his  gallant  rival,  Montcalm,  fell  of  a  mortal  wound.  The 
command  of  the  French  now  devolved  upon  General 
Senezergues,  who  shortly  fell,  and  with  him  fell  the  courage 
and  hopes  of  the  army.  The  British  right  wing,  where 
Wolfe  had  fought,  with  fixed  bayonets  charged  home  upon 
them.  At  this  critical  time  the  impetuous  Murray,  coming 
up,  broke  their  centre ;  and  the  Scotch  Highlanders — an 
enemy  of  whom  they  had  a  superstitious  horror — drawing 
their  claymores  and  rushing  wildly  upon  them,  swept  them 
from  the  field.     The  victory  was  complete.     One  thousand 


108  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

of  the  enemy  fell  in  the  battle,  and  in  the  flight  that  followed 
it ;  and  about  the  same  number  were  made  prisoners.  In 
killed  and  wounded,  the  loss  of  the  English  was  less  than  six 
hundred  men.* 

After  Wolfe  had  received  the  wound  in  his  breast,  he  was 
placed  under  the  charge  of  a  lieutenant,  who,  with  such  ten- 
derness as  mothers  feel  for  their  expiring  offspring,  placed  the 
head  of  the  general  upon  his  shoulder  and  supported  him  in 
the  position  that  seemed  most  easy  for  him.  As  the  officer 
saw  the  French  lines  break  and  give  back,  he  exclaimed 
aloud,  "  They  run !  they  run  !"  "  Who  runs  ?"  cried  the 
dying  hero,  a  momentary  beam  of  intelligence  again  lighting 
up  his  pale  cheek  and  flashing  in  his  glazed  eye.  "  The 
French/'  replied  the  lieutenant.  "  Then  I  die  happy," 
exclaimed  Wolfe,  in  a  cheerful  tone,  and  instantly  expired. f 

Thus  the  truism  so  beautifully  expressed  by  the  poet  had 
proved  to  him  a  prophecy : 

"  The  paths  of  glory  lead  but  to  the  grave  1"^ 

The  provincial  troops  who  were  engaged  in  this  action, 
fought  with  as  much  steadiness  and  bravery  as  the  British 
regulars,  and  America  as  well  as  England  exulted  alike  in 
the  capture  of  Quebec,  and  mourned  as  well  over  the  fall  of 
one  of  the  most  brilliant  military  chieftains  that  have  shed 
light  upon  the  history  that  belongs  in  common  to  all  the 
nations  that  inherit  the  blood  and  speak  the  language  of 
the  Saxon. 

The  campaign  of  1759,  brilliant  and  glorious  as  it  had  been, 
had  still  left  much  to  be  done.     The  remnants  of  Montcalm's 

*  Holmes,  ii.  94  •,  Mante,  iv.  4,  6  ;  Rogers'  Journal. 

t  Gen.  James  Wolfe  was  only  thirty-three  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  An  incident  similar  to  the  above,  occurred  in  the  last  hours  of  Montcalm. 
On  being  told  that  he  could  live  but  a  few  hours,  he  replied,  "  So  much  the  bet- 
ter ;  I  shall  not  then  live  to  see  the  surrender  of  Quebec." 

*For  the  anecdote  of  the  "Elegy,"  the  reader  is  referred  to  Graham,  iv.  51. 
This  careful  and  learned  author  has  given  a  better  account  of  this  battle  than  any 
other  that  I  have  seen.  He  has  placed  all  writers  who  will  succeed  him  under 
obligations  that  for  one,  I  am  proud  to  owe  to  a  Briton  who  has  the  manliness  to 
do  justice  to  America. 


[1759.]  EFFORTS   OP   MURRAY.  109 

army,  still  formidable,  had  retired  to  Trois  Rivieres  and  Mon- 
treal, and  besides,  there  was  still  a  large  force  at  Isle  Aux 
Noix.  Cut  off  as  these  troops  were  from  all  chance  of 
recruits  or  supplies  either  from  the  ocean  or  the  continent, 
they  had  no  other  alternative  now  left  to  themselves,  than  to 
surrender  at  the  discretion  of  their  conquerors,  or  to  make  a 
last  and  desperate  effort  to  redeem  their  lost  fortunes.  The 
defeated  army  of  Montcalm,  now  under  the  command  of  the 
brave  Monsieur  Levi,  still  outnumbered  the  land  army  of 
Wolfe,  that  had  taken  Quebec  from  the  French.  The  Eng- 
lish fleet  had  already  left  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  could  not  be 
expected  to  return  until  after  the  breaking  up  of  the  ice  in 
the  spring.* 

Immediately  after  the  sailing  of  the  English  fleet.  Monsieur 
Levi  had  begun  to  make  preparations  to  recover  Quebec. 
He  took  possession  of  Point  Levi,  and  prepared  snow  shoes 
and  scaling  ladders  for  the  enterprise.  But  Murray,  who 
commanded  at  the  fort,  as  soon  as  the  river  was  frozen  over, 
sent  a  party  across  upon  the  ice  and  drove  the  enemy  from 
this  position.  Levi  finally  determined  to  postpone  the  attempt 
until  the  next  spring.  The  amount  of  labor  performed  by 
the  garrison  at  Quebec  during  the  winter  was  astonishing. 
They  repaired  more  than  five  hundred  houses,  built  eight 
redoubts,  raised  foot  banks  along  the  ramparts,  opened  em- 
brasures and  mounted  cannon. f  They  also  protected  the 
suburbs  with  a  stockade,  and  removed  into  the  highest  parts 
of  the  city  provisions  enough  to  last  eleven  months.  Under 
the  keen  vigilance  of  such  a  leader  as  Murray,  they  seemed 
able  to  achieve  everything  but  impossibilities.  But  even 
Murray  could  not  overcome  the  rigors  of  the  climate.  The 
winter  proved  to  be  unusually  severe.  The  vegetables  on 
which  the  troops  depended  in  a  good  degree  for  subsistence 
were  destroyed,  and  before  the  end  of  April  one  thousand  of 
the  soldiers  had  died  from  the  excessive  use  of  salt  food.  J 

As  soon  as  the  rigors  of  the  season  had  sufficiently  abated, 

*  Trumbull ;  Rogers  ;  Graham.  f  Trumbull,  ii.  417. 

$  Rider's  History  ;  Gov.  Murray  to  Secretary  Pitt. 


110  HISTOEY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

Monsieur  Levi  under  convoy  of  six  armed  frigates,  that  gave 
him  the  entire  command  of  the  St.  Lav^rence,  dropped  down 
the  river  with  his  army.  The  British  detachments  stationed 
along  the  shores,  abandoned  their  posts  and  fled  towards 
Quebec  at  his  approach.  On  the  night  of  the  26th  of  April, 
he  landed  his  main  army  at  Point  au  Tremble.  It  consisted 
of  five  thousand  regular  troops,  six  thousand  Canadians,  and 
about  five  hundred  Indians.*  After  this  landing  was  effected, 
his  army  was  augmented  to  fifteen  thousand  effective  men. 
This  was  a  formidable  army  for  a  little  garrison  of  three 
thousand  men  to  oppose,  even  with  the  advantages  afforded 
by  the  walls  of  such  a  fortress  as  Quebec.  But  Murray  was 
not  a  man  to  be  daunted  by  dangers,  nor  was  he  satisfied  with 
merely  acting  on  the  defensive.  He  had  been  one  of  that 
immortal  council  of  officers  who  had  conceived  the  plan  of 
scaling  the  Heights  of  Abraham ;  he  had  himself  acted  a 
chief  part  in  carrying  out  that  daring  scheme,  and  he  now 
resolved,  in  the  face  of  the  lesson  taught  him  by  the  defeat 
of  Montcalm,  to  go  forth  upon  the  heights  already  consecra- 
ted by  British  valor,  and  give  battle  to  this  large  army,  by 
making  an  assault  upon  the  position  of  Levi  at  Sillery.  It 
was  a  bold,  rash  stroke  that  has  never  been  justified  by  mili- 
tary men.  Still,  the  attack  was  fierce,  and  sustained  with  a 
steadiness  that  seemed  for  some  time  likely  to  result  in  victory. 
When  he  saw  that  the  enemy  was  in  the  act  of  taking  pos- 
session of  an  eminence  in  his  front,  and  that  the  main  army 
was  marching  in  single  column,  he  began  the  battle  before  the 
French  lines  could  be  formed.  He  charged  their  van  so  furi- 
ously that  it  was  compelled  to  give  way  and  fall  back  upon 
the  main  army.  The  light  infantry  were  now  ordered  to 
regain  the  enemy's  flank,  but,  after  a  severe  charge,  they  were 
obliged  to  retire,  so  sadly  cut  in  pieces  as  to  be  entirely 
disabled. 

Otway's  regiment  was  now  ordered  up  to  sustain  the  right 
wing,  which  was  done  so  effectually  that  the  enemy  tried  in 
vain  to  pierce  it.     The  left  brigade  of  the  English  drove  the 

*  Wright's  History,  ii.  256  ;  Rider,  xlvi.  168,  169. 


[1760.]  DEFEAT   OF   MURRAY.  Ill 

enemy  from  two  redoubts,  and  with  a  resolution  almost  mirac- 
ulous, withstood  the  whole  shock  of  the  French  right  until 
relieved  by  the  third  battalion  of  royal  Americans  from  the 
reserve,  and  Kennedy's  from  the  centre.  But  it  was  vain  for  this 
handful  of  Englishmen  and  Americans  to  conquer  such  an 
army  as  now  poured  a  steady  and  fatal  fire  into  their  centre, 
and  were  extending  around  their  flanks  in  the  form  of  a  semi- 
circle. Retreat  alone  saved  them.  After  an  action  of  an 
hour  and  three-quarters,  they  had  sustained  a  loss  of  one 
thousand  men  and  gained  nothing.*  Murray  regained  the 
fortress  with  his  remnant  of  two  thousand  men,  and  without 
being  disheartened  at  the  defeat,  set  himself  about  the  defense 
of  the  place  with  all  his  energies. f 

The  next  night  the  enemy  opened  the  siege.  Murray  was 
just  able  by  the  superiority  of  his  guns,  to  check  the  violence 
of  their  first  assault,  but  still  the  success  of  the  siege  was,  he 
plainly  saw,  a  problem  depending  in  part  upon  his  own  exer- 
tions, but  no  less  upon  the  early  or  late  arrival  of  ships  to 
relieve  the  garrison.  Long  and  anxiously  did  he  look  off 
upon  the  river  in  hope  to  spy  the  first  approach  of  the  fleet 
that  could  alone  save  him  from  the  overwhelmina;  numbers 
of  the  besiegers.  The  suspense  was  made  still  more  fearful 
by  the  possibility  that  the  French  might  first  get  possession 
of  the  river.  At  last,  on  the  9th  of  May,  a  single  English 
sail  was  seen  making  up  the  stream.  She  anchored  in  the 
basin,  and  proved  to  be  the  Lowestoffe,  and  gave  the  joyful 
intelligence  that  Commodore  Swanton,  with  a  small  reinforce- 
ment, and  the  English  fleet  under  Lord  Colville,  were 
approaching. J 

On  the  15th,  Commodore  Swanton  anchored  above  Point 
Levi.  Murray  immediately  begged  him  to  take  early  measures 
to  remove  the  French  squadron  that  was  anchored  above  the 
town.  Commodore  Swanton  therefore  ordered  two  frigates 
early  the  next  morning  to  slip  their  cables  and  attack  the  squad- 
ron.    The  French  ships  fled,  at  their  approach,  in  confusion. 

*  See  Holmes,  ii.  99.  t  Trumbull,  ii.  419,  420,  421. 

i  Holmes  ;  Trumbull. 


112  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

One  of  their  frigates  was  driven  upon  the  rocks  above  Cape 
Diamond ;  another  ran  aground  at  Point  au  Tremble,  and 
was  burned.  Without  making  any  show  of  defense,  the 
whole  French  fleet  was  either  destroyed  or  taken.* 

This  was  a  terrible  blow  to  the  besieging  army.  Panic- 
stricken  at  the  sight  of  their  burning  ships  and  at  the  tidings 
that  a  large  English  fleet  was  approaching,  they  broke  up  the 
siege  in  the  night  and  fled  in  precipitation,  leaving  their  tents 
standing  in  their  camp,  and  their  artillery  and  magazines  to 
fall  into  the  hands  of  the  English.  On  the  19th  of  May, 
Lord  Colville  arrived  with  his  fleet  and  again  placed  Quebec 
in  a  condition  to  defy  the  armies  of  France.  Thus  early 
did  the  campaign  of  1760  open  with  the  auguries  of  success. 

As  in  former  years,  Connecticut  responded  to  the  call  of 
the  ministry.  On  the  13th  of  March,  the  General  Assembly 
convened  at  New  Haven.  Mr.  Pitt's  letter,  asking  for  fresh 
troops  and  holding  out  promises  of  completing  the  conquest 
of  Canada,  in  such  glowing  colors,  as  clothed  all  the  images 
of  his' sublime  imagination,  was  received  with  a  warm  wel- 
come. With  one  consent  the  legislature  voted  to  raise  four 
regiments,  each  consisting  of  twelve  companies,  making  an 
aggregate  of  five  thousand  effective  men.  They  were  to  be 
levied  at  the  expense  of  the  colony  with  all  haste,  and  were 
to  be  clothed  and  paid  from  the  treasury  of  the  colony. f 

The  plan  of  this  campaign  was  a  fit  sequel  to  that  of  the 
preceding  year.  General  Amherst  took  the  field  with  a  fine 
army  very  early  in  the  season.  He  designed  to  advance 
upon  Montreal  from  three  different  points,  and,  after  a  union 
had  been  formed,  to  give  the  enemy  battle  and  decide  the 
fate  of  Canada  at  a  blow.  With  one  branch  of  the  armv, 
General  Haviland  was  ordered  to  proceed  by  the  way  of 

*  Trumbull. 

t  Colony  Records,  MS.  Pliineas  Lyman,  Esq.,  was  appointed  major  general, 
and  colonel  of  the  first  regiment;  the  other  officers  were — colonels — N'athan 
Whiting,  David  Wooster,  and  Eleazer  Fitch  ;  lieut.  colonels — Nathan  Payson, 
Joseph  Spencer,  James  Smedley,  and  Israel  Putnam  ;  majors — John  Slapp,  David 
Baldwin,  David  Waterbury,  and  John  Durkee.  Thomas  Knowlton,  was  an 
ensign  in  the  first  regiment. 


[1760.]  Putnam's  enterprise.  113 

Lake  George,  and  Lake  Champlain.  Murray  was  directed 
to  go  up  the  St.  Lawrence  with  as  many  men  as  could  be 
spared  from  Quebec,  while  the  commander-in-chief  passed 
into  Canada,  by  the  way  of  Lake  Ontario,  and  the  St. 
Lawrence.* 

In  June,  General  Amherst  began  his  march  from  Schenec- 
tady to  Oswego  with  the  main  army,  consisting  of  ten  thou- 
sand regular  and  provincial  troops,  and  one  thousand  Indians. f 
In  about  three  weeks  he  reached  the  lake  shore  in  safety. 
This  was  a  march  of  great  fatigue,  and  when  we  consider 
the  roughness  of  the  roads,  the  distance  traveled,  the  amount 
of  stores,  munitions,  and  camp  equipage  thus  transported,  we 
cannot  but  form  a  favorable  opinion  of  the  skill  of  the  com- 
mander and  the  discipline  of  his  troops.  But  the  labors  and 
dangers  of  his  march  had  but  just  commenced.  Lake  Ontario 
was  a  wide  expanse  yet  to  be  traversed,  and  its  short,  sharp 
waves  were  more  perilous  than  the  long  deep  swell  of  the 
Atlantic  ocean.  To  make  this  voyage  he  had  only  open 
boats  and  rude  galleys,  such  as  a  hasty  emergency  had  been 
adequate  to  supply.  Should  he  reach  the  outlet  of  the  lake 
he  must  afterwards  expose  his  army  to  the  tossings  of  the 
rapids  that  convulse  the  navigation  of  the  St.  Lawrence. 
He  succeeded  in  passing  the  lake  without  any  misfortune. 

General  Amherst  determined  to  pass  dow^n  the  river  imme- 
diately, and  attack  Oswegatchie  and  Isle  Royal.  Two  armed 
vessels  obstructed  the  passage,  and  prevented  the  atternpt 
upon  Oswegatchie.  As  the  channel  was  narrow,  and  the 
English  army  in  the  open  boats  was  sadly  exposed  to  these 
ships,  Putnam  with  one  thousand  men  in  fifty  batteaux,  under- 
took the  dangerous  task  of  boarding  them.  General  Amherst 
fell  in  with  the  proposition.  Putnam  proceeded  with  charac- 
teristic determination  to  carry  out  the  plan.  He  commanded 
all  the  men  on  board  his  little  fleet  to  strip  themselves  to 
their  waistcoats,  and  advance,  when  he  should  give  the  signal. 
"I  will  join  you,"  said  he,  "if  I  Hve,  and  show  you  the  way 

*  Holmes,  ii.  99, 100. 

t  Holmes.     These  Indians  were  under  the  command  of  Sir  William  Johnson. 

40 


114  HISTOKY   OF   CON-NECTICUT. 

up  the  sides  of  the  ships."  He  now  placed  himself  with  a 
chosen  crew  of  his  old  comrades  into  the  van,  and  began  to 
advance.  A  beetle  and  some  wedges  lying  in  the  bottom  of 
the  boat,  were  the  unheard  of  weapons  that  he  designed  first 
to  employ  in  wedging  the  rudders  of  the  French  ships  so 
that  they  would  be  but  lifeless  hulks  upon  the  water  and  un- 
able to  turn  their  broadsides  upon  his  batteaux  as  they  drew 
near.  Silently  and  swiftly  the  other  batteaux  followed. 
Putnam's  shot  over  the  water,  impelled  by  the  sinewy 
strength  of  such  men  as  dared  venture  themselves  in  the 
same  bottom  with  him,  upon  an  errand  that  no  British  officer 
in  the  whole  army  would  have  dared  to  attempt.  Dazzled 
and  amazed  at  this  sudden  and  novel  mode  of  attack,  and 
seeing  the  calm  celerity  with  which  these  brave  provincials 
advanced  in  their  half  naked  state,  the  French  in  dismay  ran 
one  of  their  vessels  aground.  The  other  struck  her  colors 
without  firing  a  gun ;  and  the  victory  was  now  complete.* 

But  the  fortress,  firmly  planted  upon  an  island  in  the  river, 
was  still  safe,  and  presented  a  formidable  obstacle  to  the 
progress  of  the  English  army.  Aside  from  the  natural 
strength  of  the  place  and  the  ordinary  embankments  and 
trenches  of  a  fort,  the  enemy  had  surrounded  the  entire 
island  with  an  abattis  of  black  ash  tree-tops  with  sharp 
points  stretching  outwards,  that  projected  over  the  water's 
edge  on  every  side  and  seemed  to  defy  all  approach.  Gen. 
Amherst  was  again  at  a  loss  how  to  proceed,  and  all  the 
operations  of  the  army  were  brought  to  a  stand.  Again 
Putnam  suggested  a  way  of  overcoming  this  difficult  obstruc- 
tion, and  offered  his  own  personal  services  to  conduct  the 
enterprise.  He  proposed  to  surround  a  sufficient  number  of 
boats  with  fascines  so  closely  fitted  as  to  be  musket-proof, 
and  of  course,  a  perfect  scree q  for  the  men,  to  be  employed 
in  scaling  the  abattis.  A  wide  plank,  twenty  feet  in  length 
was  then  to  be  provided  for  each  boat  and  fastened  by  ropes 
on  both  sides  of  the  bow,  so  that  it  might  be  raised  and 
lowered  with  ease.     This  plank  was  to  be  held  erect  while 

*  Humphreys^. 


[1761.]  PUTNAM  S   DRAW-BBIDGE.  115 

the  oar's-men  should  bring  the  bow  of  the  boats  violently 
against  the  abattis,  and  then  suddenly  dropped  upon  the 
sharpened  points  of  the  tree-tops,  was  to  serve  as  a  kind  of 
draw-bridge  over  which  the  escalading  party  was  to  pass. 
This  singular  contrivance  met  with  the  warm  approbation 
of  the  general.  Putnam  lost  no  time  in  getting  the  boats 
ready  to  commence  the  attack,  and  advanced  upon  the 
enemy  with  such  admirable  address  that  they  did  not  dare  to 
withstand  the  shock,  and  capitulated  without  firing  a  gun.* 

Thus  through  the  wisdom  and  daring  of  a  provincial  offi- 
cer, was  a  bloodless  entrance  forced  into  Canada. 

Early  in  September,  General  Amherst  arrived  at  Montreal. 
A  union  was  soon  effected  between  the  three  divisions  of  his 
army,  and  two  days  afterwards,  that  town  with  all  the  other 
posts  in  the  hands  of  the  French,  and  the  whole  country 
claimed  by  them,  were  surrendered  to  the  British  crown. f 

At  the  close  of  this  campaign,  days  of  public  thanksgiving 
were  appointed  and  celebrated  throughout  the  New  England 
colonies.  At  their  October  session,  the  General  Assembly  of 
Connecticut,  resolved  to  present  to  his  majesty  their  written 
congratulations  on  the  triumph  of  the  British  forces  in  vari- 
ous parts  of  the  world,  and  especially  in  North  America,  in 
the  entire  conquest  of  Canada,  and  in  the  submission  of  that 
vast  country  to  his  majesty's  government. J 

Notwithstanding  the  conquest  of  Canada,  the  war  still 
raged  between  the  two  nations  with  unabated  vigor.  In  the 
spring  of  1761,  another  requisition  was  made  upon  the  colo- 
nies for  troops.  Mr.  Pitt  asked  for  two-thirds  the  number  of 
men  from  Connecticut  that  she  had  furnished  during  the  pre- 
vious campaign.  On  the  26th  of  March,  the  Assembly  was 
convened,  and  it  was  resolved  that  two  thousand  three  hun- 
dred   men    should  be   immediately  raised    for    the    service. 

*  Humphreys. 

t  Holmes,  ii.  100  ;  Marshall,  i.  c.  13  ;  Universal  History,  xl.  244,  246.  After 
the  capitulation,  Gen.  Gage  was  appointed  governor  of  Montreal,  with  a  garrison 
of  two  thousand  men  ;  and  Gen.  Murray  returned  to  Quebec,' where  his  garrison 
was  augmented  to  four  thousand. 

^  Colony  Records,  MS. 


116  HISTOKY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 


Provision  was  also  made  to  clothe  and  supply  them  with  all 
the  necessary  food  and  equipments.* 

The  object  of  the  campaign  was  to  repair  and  place  in  a 
state  of  perfect  defense,  all  the  forts  and  military  posts  that 
had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  English,  or  had  been  con- 
structed by  them  at  so  much  cost  and  labor ;  to  build  new 
ones  wherever  it  should  be  thought  necessary  to  guard  the 
avenues  to  the  English  settlements  should  Canada,  by  some 
unhappy  turn  of  fortune,  again  fall  into  the  hands  of  its  old 
masters  ;  to  repair  old  roads  and  construct  new  ones  from 
fort  to  fort,  and  from  settlement  to  settlement,  leading  through 
desolate  swamps  and  vast  forests ;  to  erect  houses  and  bar- 
racks for  the  garrisons  at  the  several  stations  along  the 
northern  frontier  lines  ;  and  to  bring  out  of  the  chaos  of  war 
a  state  of  order  and  completeness  that  would  promise  security 
for  the  future  against  the  troubles  that  had  so  long  dis- 
turbed the  continent.  The  labor  performed  by  the  Connec- 
ticut troops  during  that  year,  affords  as  a  good  commentary 
upon  the  courage  and  endurance  of  our  people  as  any 
thing  that  they  had  done  in  the  wars  of  the  preceding 
campaign. 

At  the  close  of  the  campaign  of  1761,  upon  this  continent, 
a  large  part  of  the  regulars  with  a  body  of  provincial  troops 
embarked  for  the  West  Indies,  where  they  were  joined  by  an 
armament  from  Great  Britain.  The  reduction  of  Martinique, 
was  the  object  of  the  expedition.  On  the  14th  of  February, 
1762,  that  island  capitulated,  and  one  after  the  other, 
Grenada,  St.  Lucia,  and  St.  Vincents,  followed  in  its  train, 
until  the  French  force  was  broken  in  the  Carribean  sea,  and 
the  beautiful  chain  of  islands  that  stretches  from  the  eastern 
point  of  Hispaniola,  almost  to  the  continent  of  South 
America,  was  in  possession  of  the  English. f 

*  These  troops  were  divided  into  two  regiments,  and  were  placed  under  the 
command  of  Phineas  Lyman  and  Nathan  Whiting,  Esqrs. 

t  Universal  History,  xli.  195,  200,  231  ;  Smollet,  iv.  364,  370.  The  entire  re- 
duction of  Martinique  was  effected  with  the  loss  of  but  seven  British  officers,  and 
about  one  hundred  privates  killed ;  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  only  were  wounded. 
The  French  lost  above  one  thousand  of  their  best  men,  killed,  wounded,  and  taken 


[1762.]  A  NEW  PARTY  TO  THE   WAR.  117 

Meanwhile,  a  new  party  was  added  to  the  scene  of  the 
conflict  that  was  occupying  the  whole  world  for  an  arena. 
This  party  was  Spain,  and  as  the  English  army  was 
already  victorious  over  the  French  in  the  West  Indies,  it 
was  resolved  to  strike  a  capital  blow  at  the  Spanish  posses- 
sions in  that  quarter.  The  land  army  under  Lord  Albemarle, 
was  one  of  the  finest  that  had  ever  been  sent  from  England ; 
and  the  fleet  was  commanded  by  Admiral  Pocock,  who  had 
just  returned  from  a  brilliant  career  of  success  in  the  East 
Indies.  On  arriving  at  Cape  Nichols  he  was  joined  by  Sir 
James  Douglass,  with  a  fine  squadron.  The  whole  fleet  now 
numbered  thirty-seven  ships  of  war,  with  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  transports  ;  and  the  land  army  under  Albemarle, 
were  to  be  joined  by  a  body  of  provincials  made  up  of  five 
hundred  men  from  New  Jersey,  eight  hundred  from  New 
York,  and  one  thousand  from  Connecticut — all  under  com- 
mand of  Major-General  Lyman.  The  immediate  command 
of  Genera]  Lyman's  regiment  devolved  on  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Putnam. 

Havana  was  the  first  and  principal  object  of  attack. 
The  fleet  that  carried  the  provincials  sailed  from  New 
York  and  arrived  safely  off*  the  coast  of  Cuba.  A  terrible 
storm  now  arose,  and  the  transport  that  bore  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Putnam,  with  five  hundred  men,  making  one  half  of 
the  Connecticut  regiment,  was  driven  on  a  rift  of  craggy 
rocks  and  wrecked.  Thus  separated  from  the  rest  of  the 
fleet,  so  that  he  could  hope  for  no  aid  from  any  external 
source,  the  serf  rolling  mountain  high  and  dashing  against 
the  sides  of  the  ship  with  such  force  that  she  threatened  to 
part  her  timbers  at  every  stroke  of  the  sea,  this  brave  offi- 
cer, looking  calmly  in  the  face  of  death,  maintained  above 
the  noise  of  the  waves,  a  discipline  that  enabled  him  to  issue 
all  his  orders  without  interruption,  and  secured  an  obedience 
to  them  as  perfect  as  if  the  bold-hearted  men  whom  he  com- 
manded had  stood  upon  the  ridges  of  their  own  corn-fields. 

prisoners.     There  were  on  the  island,  at  the  time  of  its  reduction,  ten  thousand 
white  men  capable  of  bearing  arms  ;  and  above  forty  thousand  negroes. 


118  HISTOKY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

In  this  appalling  situation,  every  man  who  could  wield  a  saw 
or  a  hammer  was  employed  in  making  rafts  from  spars, 
planks,  and  the  scanty  and  scattered  materials  that  came  to 
hand.  In  this  way  a  part  of  the  men  were  landed  at  the 
great  risk  of  being  drifted  far  out  into  the  sea.  After  a  few  of 
the  men  had  been  safely  disembarked,  ropes  were  lashed  to 
the  rafts  and  those  who  had  thus  gained  the  shore  aided  in 
pulling  their  companions  to  the  beach.  Such  was  the 
address  and  caution  exercised  by  Putnam  in  this  most  criti- 
cal of  all  conditions  that  not  a  man  was  lost.  Colonel  Put- 
nam now  pitched  his  camp  and  remained  several  days  within 
twenty-four  miles  of  the  enemy  at  Carthagena.  At  last  the 
storm  abated,  and  the  convoy  soon  after  took  them  aboard 
and  carried  them  to  Havana.* 

The  climate  proved  fatal  to  a  large  proportion  of  our 
soldiers  who  went  upon  this  expedition.  Of  the  thousand 
brave  men  who  sailed  for  Havana,  and  who  aided  in  reduc- 
ing it,  with  all  its  shipping  and  militar}'"  stores,  to  the  domin- 
ion of  the  British  crown,  but  a  mere  handful  ever  returned 
to  lay  their  bones  in  their  native  soil.f  A  few  officers,  and 
here  and  there  a  straggling  soldier,  wasted  to  a  skeleton,  were 
the  sole  survivors  of  that  fatal  campaign,  in  which  victory 
and  death  went  hand  in  hand.  The  peace  of  1763  followed 
soon  after,  and  gave  the  people  of  Connecticut  time  to 
breathe  and  prepare  for  another  struggle. 

Thus  ended  the  memorable  French  war,  ranging  over  a 
period  of  eight  years  of  suffering  and  privation  for  our  peo- 
ple that  no  pen  can  ever  record.  During  these  toilsome 
years  the  sons  of  the  colony  had  found  their  graves  in  every 
part  of  the  continent,  and  had  been  laid  to  rest  beneath  the 
waters  of  the  West  Indian  seas.  No  colony  in  proportion 
to  her  population  had  furnished  an  equal  number  of  men. 
Again  and  again  she  had  sent  into  the  field  a  duplicate  sup- 
ply of  troops  beyond  those  demanded  of  her,  to  make  up  for 
the  deficiency  that  she  had  but  too  good  reason  to  think 
would  exist  in  some  of  those  provinces  less  imbued  with  the 

*  Humphreys.  f  Trumbull,  ii.  449. 


[1764.]  CONNECTICUT   OFFICERS.  119 

spirit  of  liberty  and  less  devoted  to  the  cause  of  humanity. 
She  had  also  paid  out  of  her  own  treasury,  after  deducting 
the  pittance  that  she  had  received  from  parliament,  more 
than  four  hundred  thousand  pounds — far  surpassing,  accord- 
ing to  her  wealth,  the  amount  paid  by  any  other  of  the  colo- 
nies; and  the  exploits  of  her  gallant  officers — her  Lymans, 
her  Whitings,  her  Parsons,  her  Dyers,  her  Spencers,  her 
Hinmans,  her  Coits,  her  Fitches,  her  Durkees,  her  Woosters, 
her  Putnams,  and  her  Wolcotts, — were  as  glorious  as  their 
fame  will  be  immortal. 


CHAPTER    V. 


THE  STAMP  ACT. 


For  nearly  three-quarters  of  a  century  England  had  been 
almost  constantly  engaged  in  war.  I  have  minutely  delineated 
some  of  the  conflicts  that  had  so  long  occupied  her  attention, 
as  they  were  as  much  a  part  of  the  History  of  Connecticut  as 
of  England.  These  wars,  waged  with  some  of  the  most  pow- 
erful nations  of  the  globe,  in  the  Orient,  in  Europe,  among 
the  islands  of  the  western  seas,  and  upon  the  continent  of 
North  America,  had  proved  a  constant  drain  upon  the  re- 
sources of  the  empire.  An  old  national  debt,  by  gradual  accre- 
tions, had  grown  at  last  to  the  appalling  sum.  of  seven  hun- 
dred millions  of  dollars.  Even  at  the  beginning  of  the  last 
French  war,  the  alarm  of  the  government  had  been  excited 
and  the  Board  of  Trade  had  proposed  a  plan  of  taxing  the 
American  colonies.  But  in  the  whirl  of  those  exciting  cam- 
paigns that  followed  one  another  like  a  succession  of  autumn 
gales  upon  an  exposed  ocean-shore,  the  scheme  had  been 
allowed  to  slumber  for  about  eight  years. 

No  sooner  had  the  peace  of  1763  given  the  nation  an 
opportunity  to  look  at  its  internal  condition,  than  the  British 
ministry  again  turned  its  eye  toward  the  American  colonies, 
as  the  proper  field  for  financial  experiment.  The  precedents 
existing  in  relation  to  the  inter-colonial  trade,  the  regulation 
of  postage,  laws  of  naturalization,  the  administration  of  oaths, 
the  restrictions  upon  trade  and  manufactures,  and  some  other 
encroachments,  gradually  made,  at  first  bitterly  complained 
of,  and  then  submitted  to  without  violence — had  encouraged 
the  British  government  to  further  acts  of  injustice.  Already 
custom-houses  had  been  erected  in  the  colonies  along  the 
coast,  and  already  the  enlarged  jurisdiction  of  courts  of 
admiralty  had  in  part  supplanted  the  right  of  trial  by  jury. 


[17G3.]  I^'EW   MINISTRY.  121 

But  the  avowed  object  of  these  acts  of  parliament  was  to 
regulate  trade  and  navigation,  and  as  the  revenue  arising  out 
of  these  several  acts  was  incidental  and  comparatively  trifling, 
the  colonies  had  not  ventured  openly  to  resist  them. 

A  new  administration  had  now  succeeded  that  of  Pitt.  It 
was  headed  by  Lord  Bute,  the  most  obstinate  of  Scotchmen, 
who  had  called  to  his  aid  Lord  Grenville,  a  cold,  self- 
reliant  man,  ignorant  of  the  character  of  the  Ameri- 
can people  and  solicitous  to  acquire,  as  chancellor  of  the 
exchequer,  a  high  reputation  for  financial  ability.  Grenville 
now  proposed  a  stamp  tax  for  revenue.  On  the  22d  of 
September,  1763,  he  held  an  interview  with  two  other  lords 
of  the  treasury,  in  a  dingy  chamber  in  Downing-street,  to 
consult  in  relation  to  this  most  delicate  and  critical  scheme. 
What  doubts  may  have  interposed  themselves  to  darken  the 
visions  of  ambition  and  political  intrigue  ;  what  stings  of  con- 
science premonitory  of  those  of  remorse  and  disappointment 
of  a  later  day,  haunted  these  grim  men  as  they  sketched  the 
outline  of  the  plot  that  was  to  rob  the  British  empire  of  half 
its  glory,  and  deluge  a  continent  in  blood  ;  or  whether,  indeed, 
they  allowed  their  thoughts  to  range  beyond  the  circle  of 
their  own  party  aggrandizement,  cannot  now  be  known  to 
the  world.  We  only  learn  the  result  of  the  meeting  from 
this  brief  record  of  his  instructions  to  Jenkinson. 

"  Write  to  the  commissioners  of  the  stamp  duties  to  pre- 
pare the  draft  of  a  bill  to  be  presented  to  the  parliament,  for 
extending  the  stamp  duties  in  the  colonies."  The  mandate 
was  executed ;  not  with  the  hot  haste  that  follows  the  con- 
ceptions of  giddy  youth,  inflamed  with  passion  and  bubbling 
with  wine,  but  deliberately,  with  a  steady  force  and  a  leisurely 
cool  resolution,  that  seemed  to  say  to  the  English  people  and 
to  the  colonies,  bring  forth  your  strong  reasons,  kindle  the 
fires  of  faction  at  home,  petition  the  king,  remonstrate  with 
the  hereditary  aristocracy,  appeal  to  the  sympathies  and  sense 
of  justice  of  the  Commons,  we  are  not  to  be  shaken  from  our 
purposes  by  supplication,  by  argument  or  by  threat.  We 
give  you  timely  notice  to  do  your  w^orst. 


122  HISTOEY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

The  measure  was  slowly  reduced  to  form  and  laid  before 
parliament,  not  to  be  acted  upon  hastily,  but  to  be  debated, 
revised,  and  perfected.  The  proposed  impost  was  to  be  laid 
upon  "every  skin,  or  piece  of  vellum,  or  parchment,  or  sheet 
or  piece  of  paper,"  on  which  should  be  engraved  or  written 
any  pleadings  in  courts,  any  deed,  lease,  bond,  or  policy  of 
insurance,  and  was  to  be  so  framed,  with  specifications  em- 
bodied in  the  bill,  as  to  embrace  nearly  all  the  transactions 
of  a  business  nature  between  man  and  man.  The  material 
used  to  perpetuate  contracts,  records,  nay,  the  very  elements 
of  learning  and  the  vital  thoughts  of  genius,  was  to  be 
taxed  and  paid  for  according  to  a  fixed  rate  throughout  all 
the  American  colonies. 

Strange  to  say,  this  proposition  did  not  at  first  attract  much 
attention  in  America.  A  terrible  war  had  again  broken  out 
on  the  western  frontier,  and  diverted  the  thoughts  of  the 
people  from  this  threatened  calamity.  A  part  of  the  colonial 
agents  resident  at  London,  wrote  to  their  constituents, 
informing  them  of  the  proposition,  and  asking  for  instruc- 
tions; but  their  correspondence  excited  little  alarm. 

Thus  passed  away  the  winter  of  1763.  In  March  1764, 
Grenville,  who  had  now  become  prime  minister,  presented  to 
the  House  of  Commons  his  matured  plan  of  taxing  the  colo- 
nies. The  house  advised  the  minister  that  he  had  a  right  to 
do  what  he  had  so  much  at  heart,  and  advised  the  passage  of 
a  Stamp  Act,  after  giving  the  colonies  notice  to  hit  upon 
some  other  method,  if  they  should  choose,  of  raising  the  sum 
of  money  demanded  by  the  British  government.  The  "  Sugar 
Act,"  however,  was  passed  without  delay,  taking  off  a  part 
of  the  duty  formerly  imposed  on  foreign  sugar  and  molasses, 
and  laying  a  duty  on  coffee,  French  and  India  goods,  wines 
from  Madeira  and  the  Azores,  and  prohibiting  the  exporta- 
tion of  iron  from  the  colonies  to  any  other  country  except 
England.*  This  act  added  something  to  the  already  over- 
grown stature  of  the  colonial  courts  of  admiralty,  while  its 

*  Hildreth,  i.  2d  series,  520  and  ante. 


[1764.]  CONNECTICUT   OPPOSES   IT.  123 

preamble  stated  in  plain  terms  that  its  primary  object  was 
revenue. 

The  American  colonies  were  inhabited  by  an  earnest  yet 
philanthropic  people.  They  had  sprung  from  the  blood  of 
the  better  order  of  England,  and  their  culture,  as  we  have 
before  seen,  had  eminently  fitted  them  to  think  before  they 
ventured  to  act.  When  the  news  of  the  passage  of  the 
sugar  bill,  and  of  the  still  more  odious  proposition  for  a  stamp 
act,  reached  Boston,  there  were  visible  everywhere  tokens  of 
astonishment  and  apprehension.  Men  were  seen  standing  in 
groups  at  the  corners  of  the  streets,  and  enforcing,  with 
animated  gestures,  words  that  could  hardly  have  been  called 
respectful  or  conciliatory ;  yet  there  was  at  first  no  violent 
demonstration.  The  waters  trembled,  but  it  was  long  before 
they  began  to  roll  their  angry  waves  and  toss  their  white 
foam  against  the  foundations  of  a  throne  sanctified  in  its 
supremacy  by  so  many  hallowed  associations.  At  length, 
Samuel  Adams,  under  instructions  from  Boston,  entered  a 
written  protest  against  the  doings  of  the  ministry. 

The  news  soon  reached  Hartford.  The  General  Assem- 
bly of  Connecticut,  at  its  May  session,  before  the  protest 
of  Adams  was  framed,  and  before  any  decided  action  was 
taken  by  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts,  selected  Ebenezer 
Silliman,  George  Wyllys,  and  Jared  Ingersoll,  a  committee 
to  assist  Governor  Fitch  in  preparing  a  state  paper  that 
should  set  forth  at  length  the  reasons  against  the  bill.  This 
committee  met  from  time  to  time  during  the  summer  of  that 
year  to  confer  with  each  other,  and  to  suggest  all  the  argu- 
ments that  occurred  to  their  minds  against  the  odious  mea- 
sure that  was  pending.  The  document,  setting  forth  their 
views,  was  drawn  up  by  Governor  Fitch,  and  was  presented 
to  the  General  Assembly  at  their  October  session.*  It  is  a 
paper  of  great  clearness,  and  shows  a  perfect  knowledge  of  the 
history  of  the  colony,  the  immunities  conferred  by  its  charter 
freely  granted  by  the  king,  and  acquiesced  in  by  all  the 
departments  of  the   national  government  for  more   than  a 

*  Colonial  Records,  MS. 


124  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

hundred  years ;  it  shows  too  an  intimate  acquaintance  with 
the  principles  of  the  British  constitution,  and  the  rights  of 
the  subject  under  it,  that  is  unsurpassed,  it  is  beheved,  by  any 
paper  originating  in  any  other  colony  during  that  exciting 
period.  The  deformities  of  the  proposed  measure,  its  injus- 
tice, its  defiance  of  the  liberties  immemorially  vested  in  the 
people ;  the  blind  force  with  which  it  tramples  upon  the 
rights  of  trial  by  jury  and  of  the  people  to  represent  and 
to  tax  themselves,  are  animadverted  upon  with  great 
force. 

The  Assembly  adopted  these  reasons  as  their  own,  and 
resolved  that  a  copy  of  them  with  an  address  to  parliament, 
that  was  also  to  be  drawn  up  by  the  governor,  should  be  sent 
to  Richard  Jackson,  Esquire,  the  agent  of  the  colony  in 
London.  Mr.  Jackson  was  directed  "firmlv  to  insist  on  the 
exclusive  right  of  the  colonies  to  tax  themselves  and  on  the 
privilege  of  trial  by  jury."*  These  cardinal  doctrines  of 
their  poHtical  faith  they  declared  that  they  "never  could 
recede  from." 

Mr.  Ingersoll,  who  soon  after  sailed  for  England,  took  out 
with  him  about  one  hundred  printed  copies  of  a  pamphlet 
containing  the  reasons  set  forth  by  the  colony  against  the 
stamp  act.  He  presented  one  to  Lord  Grenville,  who  praised 
the  mild  temper  with  which  it  was  written,  and  said  that  he 
had  seen  no  better  arguments  than  those  exhibited  by  Con- 
necticut. He  regarded  the  reasoning  as  fallacious,  however, 
as  it  premised  what  he  said  was  not  true,  that  the  colonies 
were  not  represented  in  parliament.  Soon  after  Mr.  Inger- 
soll arrived  in  London,  he  was  made  acquainted  with  the  re- 
solve of  the  Assembly,  associating  him  with  Mr.  Jackson  to 
represent  the  colony  as  its  agent  in  England. 

Meanwhile  the  preparations  for  perpetrating  this  fraud 
upon  the  colonial  treasuries  went  forv/ard  with  cold  pre- 
cision. In  vain  did  Franklin,  Jackson,  Ingersoll,  and 
other  gentlemen,  remonstrate  in  behalf  of  their  constituents  ; 
and  to  no  purpose  did  the   London  merchants,  interested  in 

*  Colonial  Records,  MS. 


[1764.]  LOKD   HALIFAX  AND   CONNECTICUT.  125 

the  American  trade,  forward  statements  of  their  grievances 
that  were  doomed  to  be  cast  aside  without  being  read.  The 
passage  of  the  bill  in  some  form  was  obviously  decreed  in  the 
councils  of  the  government.  Still  the  lords  of  the  treasury- 
were  willing  if  they  could  to  smooth  the  path  to  obedience  by 
any  modifications  that  were  not  hkely  to  interfere  with  the 
prospect  of  raising  the  desired  revenue.  Information  was 
therefore  sought  from  the  colonies  that  mis^ht  show  the  min- 
istry  where  to  strike  the  surest  blow,  and  at  the  same  time 
mitigate  the  pain. 

Lord  Halifax  addressed  inquiries  to  the  governor  and  com- 
pany of  Connecticut,  asking  for  statistics  and  data  that 
might  serve  as  the  basis  of  the  proposed  law.  He  desired  to 
know  the  modes  of  doing  business  in  the  colony,  the  kinds  of 
business  carried  on  there,  and  the  amount  of  revenue  that 
they  would  yield ;  and  called  for  an  inventory  of  all  the  in- 
struments in  use  for  public  records,  pleadings  in  courts  of 
justice,  and  the  various  relations  of  private  life,  as  well  as  an 
appraisal  of  their  respective  values.  This  seeming  leniency 
was  only  a  refined  mode  of  cruelty,  like  that  of  an  executioner 
who  should  compel  the  victim  upon  the  platform  to  tie  the 
fatal  knot  about  his  own  neck.  Still  the  requisition  was 
loyally  obeyed,  and  the  schedule  made  out  and  dispatched  to 
England  as  soon  as  practicable.  Yet,  lest  the  colony  should 
appear  by  this  act  of  compliance  to  have  acquiesced  in  the 
doings  of  the  ministry.  Governor  Fitch  accompanied  the  list 
with  a  letter,  pleading  in  the  most  manly  and  earnest  tones 
for  the  forbearance  of  the  government.  "It  will  appear  by 
this  list,"  writes  his  excellencv  to  Lord  Halifax,  "  that  the 
public  can  be  charged  with  no  burden  but  what  must  lie  im- 
mediately upon  the  colony  treasury,  which  is  already  exhaus- 
ted by  the  war  to  that  degree  as  not  to  be  capable  of  such  a 
recruit  as  is  requisite  to  answer  the  necessities  of  the  gov- 
ernment for  some  time  to  come.  The  people  in  general  are 
also  so  involved,  that  new  burdens  will  not  only  be  distress- 
ing but  greatly  discouraging  in  their  struggles  to  extricate 
themselves  from  their  debts  incurred  during  the  late  war. 


126  HISTOEY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

Suffer  me,  my  lord,  to  entreat  on  their  behalf  that  they  may 
be  excused  from  this  new  duty,  which  appears  to  them  so 
grievous." 

Mr.  Ingersoll  was  also  interrogated  in  a  similar  way  by 
Thomas  Whately,  one  of  the  joint  Secretaries  of  the  Trea- 
sury, and  was  answered  in  language  that  seems  now  almost 
prophetic,  as  we  read  it  by  the  light  of  those  events  that 
have  made  the  year  1765,  nearly  as  renowned  as  the  one 
that  gave  birth  to  our  national  Independence.  In  this  noble 
letter  words  of  warning  are  added  to  those  of  remonstrance. 
"The  people  think  if  the  precedent  of  a  stamp  act  is  once 
established,  you  will  have  it  in  your  power  to  keep  us  as  poor 
as  you  please.  The  people's  minds,  not  only  here,  but  in  the 
neighboring  provinces,  are  filled  with  the  most  dreadful 
apprehensions  from  such  a  step's  taking  place ;  from  whence 
I  leave  you  to  guess  how  easily  a  tax  of  that  kind  would  be 
collected."  In  the  same  letter  he  says,  "don't  think  me  im- 
pertinent, since  you  desire  information,  when  I  tell  you  that 
I  have  heard  gentlemen  of  the  greatest  property  in  neigh- 
boring governments  say,  seemingly  very  cooly,  that  should 
such  a  step  take  place,  they  would  immediately  remove 
themselves  with  their  families  and  fortunes,  into  some  foreign 
kingdom.  You  see  I  am  quite  prevented  from  suggesting  to 
you  which  of  the  several  methods  of  taxation  that  you  men- 
tion would  be  the  best  or  least  exceptionable,  because  I  plainly 
perceive  that  every  one  of  them,  or  any  supposable  one, 
other  than  such  as  shall  be  laid  by  the  legislative  bodies  here, 
to  say  no  more  of  them,  loould  go  down  luith  the  people  like 
chopt  hay."  It  did  indeed  prove  to  be  dry  food  in  the  throats 
of  the  parties  who  from  choice  or  compulsion  attempted  to 
swallow  it.  But  listen  still  further  to  this  keen-sighted  poli- 
tician. "As  for  your  allied  plan  of  enforcing  the  acts  of 
trade  and  navigation,  and  preventing  smuggling,  let  me  tell 
you  that  enough  would  not  be  collected  here  in  the  course  of 
ten  years  to  defray  the  expense  of  fitting  out  one,  the  least, 
frigate  for  an  American  voyage ;  and  that  the  whole  labor 
would  be  like  hwning  a  ham  to  roast  an  egg  /"     So  wrote 


[1764.]  COL.    BARRE's   SPEECH.  127 

Jared  Ingersoll  of  New  Haven,  throwing  against  the  darhng 
project  of  Grenville,  and  his  financial  compeers,  great  masses 
of  soHd  sense  and  homely  scorn,  hard  to  be  withstood,  and 
dangerous  to  the  ribs  as  if  they  had  been  square  blocks  of 
the  native  trap  rock  of  his  own  town. 

Nor  were  there  wanting  those  in  parliament  who,  born 
and  bred  in  England  and  having  her  cause  most  fondly  at 
heart,  had  the  sagacity  to  foresee  the  danger,  and  the  courage 
to  forewarn  its  authors  in  good  time.  Among  these  was  the 
gallant  Colonel  Barre,  who  had  served  in  America  during  the 
late  war,  and  knew  well  the  courage  and  spirit  of  the  people. 
Townshend,  one  of  the  ministers,  had  indulged  in  rash 
declarations  against  the  colonies,  and  among  other  things  had 
spoken  of  the  Americans  as  "children  planted  by  our  care, 
nourished  by  our  indulgence,  and  protected  by  our  arms." 
The  reply  of  Colonel  Barre,  is  one  of  the  most  spontaneous 
and  soul-stirring  in  all  the  repositories  of  eloquence,  ancient 
or  modern.  It  is  to  Jared  Ingersoll,  who  was  in  the  House 
of  Commons  and  heard  it,  that  we  owe  its  preservation.  It 
was  reported  by  him  at  the  time,  and  soon  after  sent  to  Con- 
necticut, and  was  first  given  to  the  world  in  the  columns  of 
a  New  London  newspaper.  "  The  sentiments  of  Colonel 
Barre,"  says  Mr.  Ingersoll  in  a  letter  to  Governor  Fitch, 
"were  thrown  out  so  entirely  without  premeditation,  so 
forcibly  and  so  firmly,  and  the  breaking  off  was  so  beauti- 
fully abrupt,  that  the  whole  house  sat  awhile  as  if  amazed, 
intently  looking,  and  without  answering  a  word.  I,  even  I, 
felt  emotions  that  I  never  felt  before,  and  went  the  next 
morning  and  thanked  Colonel  Barre,  in  helialf  of  my  country." 

As  a  part  of  the  language  of  this  speech  was  soon  after- 
wards the  watchword  of  organized  opposition  throughout 
the  American  colonies,  and  as  it  was  preserved  for  the 
admiration  of  the  future  ages  by  a  son  of  Connecticut,  it 
seems  naturally  to  belong  to  her  history.     It  is  as  follows  : 

"  They  planted  by  your  care  !  No,  your  oppressions  plan- 
ted them  in  America.  They  fled  from  your  tyranny  to  a 
then    uncultivated    and    inhospitable    country;    where   they 


128  HISTOEY  OF   CONNECTICUT. 

exposed  themselves  to  almost  all  the  hardships  to  which 
human  nature  is  liable ;  and  among  others,  to  the  cruelties  of 
a  savage  foe,  the  most  subtle,  and  I  take  it  upon  me  to  say, 
the  most  formidable  of  any  people  upon  the  face  of  God's 
earth;  and  yet,  actuated  by  principles  of  true  English  liberty, 
they  met  all  these  hardships  with  pleasure,  compared  with 
those  they  suffered  in  their  own  country,  from  the  hands  of 
those  who  should  have  been  their  friends. 

"  They  nourished  by  your  indulgence !  They  grew  by 
your  neglect  of  them.  As  soon  as  you  began  to  care  about 
them,  that  care  was  exercised  in  sending  persons  to  rule  over 
them,  in  one  department  and  another,  who  were,  perhaps, 
the  deputies  of  deputies  to  some  member  of  this  house, 
sent  to  spy  out  their  liberties,  to  misrepresent  their  actions, 
and  to  prey  upon  them ;  men,  whose  behavior  on  many 
occasions,  has  caused  the  blood  of  those  sons  of  hberty  to 
recoil  within  them ;  men  promoted  to  the  highest  seats  of 
justice,  some,  who  to  my  knowledge,  were  glad  by  going  to 
a  foreign  country,  to  escape  being  brought  to  the  bar  of  a 
court  of  justice  in  their  own. 

"  They  protected  by  your  arms !  They  have  nobly  taken 
up  arms  in  your  defense ;  have  exerted  a  valor  amidst  their 
constant  and  laborious  industry,  for  the  defense  of  a  country 
whose  frontier,  while  drenched  in  blood,  its  interior  parts 
have  yielded  all  its  little  savings  to  your  emolument.  And, 
believe  me,  remember  I  this  day  told  you  so,  that  same  spirit 
of  freedom  which  actuated  that  people  at  first,  will  accom- 
pany them  still  ;  but  prudence  forbids  that  I  should 
explain  myself  further.  God  knows  I  do  not  at  this 
time  speak  from  motives  of  party  heat ;  what  I  deliver 
are  the  genuine  sentiments  of  my  heart.  However 
superior  to  me  in  general  knowledge  and  experience,  the  re- 
spectable body  of  this  House  may  be,  yet  I  claim  to  know 
more  of  America  than  most  of  you,  having  seen  and  been 
conversant  in  that  country.  The  people,  I  believe,  are  as 
truly  loyal  as  any  subjects  the  king  has  ;  but  a  people  jealous 
of  their  liberties,  and  who  will  vindicate  them,  if  they  should 


[1765.]  INGERSOLL  AND  THE  STAMP  ACT.  129 

be  violated;  but  the  subject  is  too  delicate,  and  I  will  say  no 
more.  * 

In  spite  of  those  manly  and  eloquent  voices  raised  against 
the  consummation  of  this  great  wrong,  the  blind  and  stiff- 
necked  ministry  persisted  in  their  course.  Yet,  although  Con- 
necticut was  not  able  to  avert  the  impending  blow,  she  was 
still  able,  through  the  agency  of  Mr.  Ingersoll,  to  lighten  its 
grevious  weight  by  interposing  such  arguments  as  induced 
the  ministry  to  modify  the  bill  in  some  of  its  more  oppressive 
provisions.!  When  Mr.  Ingersoll  arrived  in  England  in  the 
winter  of  1764,  he  found  the  stamp  act  already  drawn, 
but  still  remaining  in  the  hands  of  his  friend,  Mr. 
Whateley,  as  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  for  revision 
and  amendment  before  it  should  be  put  upon  its  passage. 
Mr.  Ingersoll  availed  himself  of  his  personal  influence  with 
that  gentleman  to  soften  as  much  as  he  could  the  rigors  of 
the  bill.  Thus  the  duty  on  marriage  licenses  that  might, 
among  the  poor,  prevent  many  honest  and  worthy  people 
from  sharing  the  blessings  of  connubial  life ;  on  registers  of 
vessels ;  and  on  the  salaries  of  judges  and  magistrates  who 
could  ill-aflbrd  to  pay  for  the  honors  that  scarcely  served  to 
feed  and  clothe  them,  were  crossed  from  the  bill.  Connecti- 
cut had  also  the  honor,  through  the  solicitations  of  Ingersoll, 
to  render  the  whole  country  a  still  more  important  service,  by 
getting  the  day  of  its  going  into  operation  postponed  until 
the  1st  of  November,  1765.  This  postponement,  as  will 
appear  in  the  sequel,  was  of  the  utmost  consequence. 

*  Colonel  Isaac  Barre,  the  noble  defender  of  the  colonies,  had  been  in  early  life 
an  officer  in  the  army,  and  as  such,  had  spent  much  time  in  America.  In  parlia- 
ment he  obtained  a  high  reputation  as  a  debater.  For  several  years  previous  to 
his  death,  (which  took  place  in  1802,  at  the  age  of  seventy -five,)  he  vi^as  afflicted 
with  blindness. 

1 1  am  indebted  to  Hon.  I.  William  Stuart,  for  the  extracts  quoted  from  Fitch's 
and  IngersoU's  letters,  and  for  much  of  the  information  relating  to  Ingersoll,  Jack- 
son, and  others.  As  Mr.  Stuart  was  kind  enough  to  offer  me  his  noble  lectures 
upon  the  Stamp  Act,  in  MS.,  with  the  liberty  to  use  whatever  I  could  find  in  them, 
Ihave  availed  myself  of  his  generosity.  When  those  lectures  are  published,  the  public 
will  have  a  more  lively  picture  of  the  scenes  of  that  day  than  I  can  hope  to  sketch 

41 


130  HISTORY  OF  CONKECTICUT. 

Thus  modified,  the  stamp  act  passed  the  House  of  Com- 
mons on  the  22d  of  March,  1765.  As  a  part  of  this  financial 
scheme,  a  clause  was  inserted  in  the  mutiny  act  giving  to  the 
ministers  the  power  of  sending  as  many  troops  to  America 
as  they  should  see  fit.  Another  odious  enactment,  called 
the  quartering  act,  obliged  the  colonies  to  find  quarters,  fire- 
wood, bedding,  drink,  soap,  and  candles  for  all  the  soldiers 
that  might  from  time  to  time  be  sent  into  their  borders  and 
stationed  there. 

It  has  been  already  stated  that  the  administration  had  no  fears 
that  they  should  be  unable  to  enforce  the  stamp  act.  Even 
Dr.  Franklin  was  of  the  same  opinion.  He  therefore  advised 
Mr.  Ingersoll,  as  he  had  done  all  that  he  could  to  oppose  the 
passage  of  the  bill,  to  avail  himself  now  of  the  appointment 
of  stamp  agent  for  the  colony  of  Connecticut.*  If  the  law 
was  to  be  enforced,  it  was  difficult  to  see  why  Mr.  Ingersoll 
should  not  have  the  collateral  benefit  flowing  from  it  that 
could  hardly  fall  into  hands  more  deserving.  He  therefore 
did  not  hesitate  to  accept  the  trust — an  act  for  which  he  was 
blamed  in  moments  of  party  heat,  but  with  motives  as  honor- 
able as  those  of  Franklin  who  sanctioned  it. 

But  Grenville  and  Franklin  were  both  mistaken.  Although 
Connecticut  had  shown  such  an  early  opposition  to  the  pas- 
sage of  the  stamp  act,  there  was  afterwards  manifested  in  the 
colony  a  disposition  to  submit  to  it  in  silence.  Some  of  the 
principal  civil  functionaries  were  of  the  number.  Of  the 
cultivated  classes,  the  clergymen  were  for  awhile  almost  alone 
in  their  opposition  to  the  measure.  The  successors  of  Hooker, 
Davenport,  Wareham,  Smith,  Prudden,  Fitch,  Pierpont, 
Stoddard,  and  Stone,  still  retained  the  patrician  rank  that  had 
fallen  upon  their  shoulders  with  the  mantles  of  those  bold 
pioneers,  and,  though  less  learned  in  the  dead  languages,  had 
inherited  all  the  jealousy  of  oppression  that  had  character- 
ized their  fathers,  and  all  their  sharpness  of  intellect,  firm- 
ness, courage,  and  strong  nervous  eloquence.     One  of  these. 


*  These  facts  are  asserted  in  one  of  Ingersoll 's  letters  to  Governor  Fitch,  and  in 
a  note  to  one  of  his  letters  to  Whately.     Stuart's  MS. 


[1765.]  REV.   STEPHEN  JOHXSOjS-.  131 

the  Rev.  Stephen  Johnson,  of  Lyme,  seeing  with  pain  the 
dangerous  lethargy  that  had  lulled  the  judges  to  sleep  and 
had  taken  strong  hold  of  the  council,  began  to  write  essays 
for  the  Connecticut  Gazette,  which  he  sent  secretly  to  the 
printer  by  the  hands  of  an  Irish  gentleman  who  was  friendly 
to  the  cause  of  liberty.*  With  a  bony  grasp,  this  fearless 
soldier  of  the  cross  seized  the  noisome  dragon  of  ministerial 
tyranny  by  the  throat,  and  clung  around  its  neck  with  such 
strangling  force,  that  it  was  compelled  to  disclose  its  deformi- 
ties to  the  people  by  the  writhings  of  its  pain.  Other  clergy- 
men took  up  the  warfare.  They  impugned  the  stamp  act  in 
their  sermons,  they  classed  its  loathed  name  in  their  prayers 
with  those  of  sin,  satan,  and  the  mammon  of  unrighteousness. f 
The  people  were  soon  roused  to  a  sense  of  danger.  The 
flames  of  opposition,  so  long  suppressed,  now  began  to  break 
forth.  The  name  of  "sons  of  liberty,"  given  by  Colonel 
Barre  to  the  Americans,  was  adopted  by  the  press,  and  sent 
to  every  part  of  the  country.  Societies,  originating,  as  is 
believed  in  Connecticut,  and  made  up  of  men  the  most  bold, 
if  not  the  most  responsible  in  the  land,  were  suddenly  formed 
for  the  express  though  secret  purpose  of  resisting  the  stamp 
act  by  violent  means  should  it  become  necessary.  The 
members  of  these  associations  were  called  "  Sons  of  Liberty.'' 
The  principal  business  reserved  for  them  was  that  of  com- 
pelling stamp-masters  and  other  officials  to  resign  their 
places.  They  were  also  to  see  that  no  stamps  were  sold  in 
the  colony,  and  that  all  stamped  paper  should  be  taken 
wherever  it  could  be  found.  This  powerful  institution  soon 
extended  itself  into  New  York,  Massachusetts,  Pennsylvania, 
and  New  Jersey. 

Public  meetings  were  also  held  in  every  part  of  the  colony, 
for  the  avowed  purpose  of  protesting  against  the  execution 
of  the  odious  law.     Town  meetings,  too,  were  convened,  and 

*  Gordon,  i.  117. 

t  "  The  congregational  ministers,"  says  Gordon,  "  saw  farther  into  the  designs 
of  the  British  administration  than  the  bulk  of  the  colony ;  and  by  their  publications 
and  conversation,  increased  and  strengthened  the  opposition."  Hist.  Revolution,  i. 
119. 


132  HISTOKY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

town  clerks  authorized  to  receive  and  record  deeds  and 
other  instruments  passing  the  title  to  property,  without  regard 
to  the  stamp  act.* 

Short,  pithy  sentences,  ridiculing  the  ministry  and  setting 
forth  the  stamp  act  in  vivid,  though  not  always  refined  lan- 
guage, circulated  from  sheet  to  sheet  of  the  colonial  news- 
papers, or  passed  from  neighbor  to  neighbor  in  familiar  dis- 
course ;  quaint  proverbs,  scornful  satires,  jests  with  biting 
edge,  pamphlets,  their  pages  all  glowing  with  indignant 
remonstrance  or  wailing  with  the  cry  of  expiring  freedom ; 
handbills,  with  single  sentences  of  dark  warning,  posted  upon 
the  doors  of  public  offices  or  hawked  about  the  streets  by 
daylight,  moon-light,  and  torch-light ;  anonymous  letters  ad- 
dressed to  gentlemen  in  high  judicial  or  executive  places — 
all  flew  hither  and  thither  upon  their  several  errands.  The 
passions  and  the  understanding  were  also  addressed  through 
the  eye.  Copies  of  the  stamp  act  were  carried  in  proces- 
sions and  buried  with  funeral  honors  as  equivocal  as  could 
well  be  conceived.  Sometimes  it  was  burned  with  the  effi- 
gies of  the  officers  who  had  been  appointed  to  execute  it. 
Grotesque  caricatures  of  the  ministry  and  their  functiona- 
ries were  circulated  on  the  most  public  occasions  and  placed 
in  situations  the  most  provokingly  conspicuous=  Still,  Gov. 
Fitch,  and  a  part  of  his  council,  fearful  lest  they  should  expose 
the  charter  of  the  colony  to  a  new  attack,  remained  firm  in 
their  determination  to  sustain  the  law,  much  as  thev  loathed 

*In  Norwich,  April  7,  1765,  a  public  meeting  was  convened  by  tlie  town 
clerk,  and  the  question  was  submitted  by  liim  to  the  freemen  whether  he  should 
proceed  in  the  duties  of  his  office  as  heretofore,  without  using  the  stamps.  It  was 
unanimously  voted  "  in  full  town  meeting,  that  the  clerk  shall  proceed  in  his  office 
as  usual,  and  the  town  will  save  him  harmless  from  all  damage  that  he  may  sustain 
thereby."  In  many  other  towns,  the  stamp  act  was  the  occasion  of  pu.blic  meet- 
ings, some  of  which  were  informal  gatherings  of  the  people,  and  had  not  the 
dignity  of  "town  meetings."  Some  of  them  were  riotous  in  their  character.  In 
New  Haven,  at  the  regular  town  meeting  in  September  for  the  choice  of  repre- 
sentatives, the  gentlemen  elected  were  unanimously  desired  "  to  use  their  utmost 
endeavors  to  secure  the  repeal  of  the  stamp  act,"  It  was  also  resolved — Mr. 
stamp-master  Ingersoll,  being  present — that  Mr.  IngersoU  is  desired  to  resign  his 
stamp-office  immediately." 


[1765.]  INQERSOLL   REFUSES   TO   RESIGN".  133 

it.  Colonel  Trumbull  had  been  one  of  the  first  to  decide 
upon  a  different  course  of  action.  Governor  Fitch  at  last 
made  the  proposition  in  open  council,  that  they  should  all  take 
the  oath  in  conformity  with  the  stamp  act.  Trumbull's  eye 
flashed,  and  his  cheek  darkened  with  anger  at  the  proposal. 
He  refused  to  witness  the  hollow-hearted  ceremony,  and 
rising  indignantly,  turned  his  back  upon  the  governor,  and 
walked  out  of  the  chamber,  followed  by  a  majority  of  the 
assistants.     Only  four  members  of  the  council  remained.* 

The  time  had  now  arrived  for  action.  Mr.  Ingersoll, 
having  accepted  the  place  of  stamp-master,  was  determined 
to  discharge  its  duties.  Still  he  sought  to  conciliate  his  fel- 
low-townsmen at  New  Haven,  who  for  the  most  part  were 
opposed  to  the  law.  "  The  act  is  so  contrived,"  he  argued, 
"  as  to  make  it  for  your  interest  to  buy  the  stamps.  When  I 
undertook  the  office  I  meant  a  service  to  you."  "  Stop  ad- 
vertising your  wares  till  they  arrive  safe  at  market,"  said 
one.  "  The  two  first  letters  of  his  name  are  those  of  a  traitor 
of  old,"  shouted  a  second ;  and  added  bitterly,  "  It  was 
decreed  that  our  Saviour  should  suffer ;  but  was  it  better  for 
Judas  Iscariot  to  betray  him  so  that  the  price  of  his  blood 
might  be  saved  by  his  friends  ?"t  At  last  the  citizens  gathered 
around  his  house  in  great  numbers.  ''  Will  you  resign  ?" 
was  the  pointed  inquiry  that  they  put  to  him.  "  I  know  not 
if  I  have  the  power  to  resign,"  answered  the  resolute 
man.  On  the  17th  of  September,  a  town  meeting  was  held 
there,  and  Ingersoll  was  called  upon  by  a  public  vote,  to 
resign  his  office  without  delay.  "  I  shall  await  to  see  how 
the  General  Assembly  is  inclined,"  said  the  stamp-master, 
evasively. 

Affairs  began  now  to  assume  a  very  threatening  attitude. 
The  Sons  of  Liberty  from  Norwich,  New  London,  Windham, 
Lebanon,  and  other  towns,  had  already  taken  the  field,  and 
with  eight  days'  provisions,  were  riding  up  and  down  the 
country  on  horseback  to  search  him  out  and  force  him  to 
resign.     He  could  no  longer  stay  in  New  Haven  with  safety. 

*  Gordon,  i.  118.         t  See  Connecticut  Gazette,  vol.  i. 


134  HISTOKY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

He  therefore  set  off  for  Hartford,  where  the  Assembly  was 
about  to  meet.  He  intended  to  take  the  advice  of  the 
representatives  of  the  people,  hoping  it  might  be  more  to  his 
mind  than  the  will  of  the  constituency.  Governor  Fitch 
accompanied  him  to  protect  him  from  insult.  On  their  way 
they  were  met  by  two  men  on  horseback,  with  peeled  clubs 
in  their  hands,  who  did  not  conceal  the  fact  that  they  were 
couriers  of  a  much  larger  company.  His  excellency  bade 
them  go  back  and  tell  their  associates  to  disperse.  To  his 
astonishment  they  refused  to  obey  him.  "We  look  upon 
this,"  said  they,  "  as  the  cause  of  the  people ;  we  will  not 
take  directions  about  it  from  any  one  !"  Mr.  Ingersoll  sent  a 
message  by  them  to  the  effect,  that  he  would  meet  the  multi- 
tude at  Hartford.     They  then  withdrew. 

On  Thursday  evening,  the  very  day  on  which  the  session 
was   to  begin,  Ingersoll  resumed  his  journey  for  Hartford 
alone.     He  rode  through  the  woods  many  miles,  and  passed 
up  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut  for  a  good  long  way,  with- 
out molestation.     What  thoughts  served  to  while  away  the 
time  of  this  solitary  traveler,  history  does  not  tell  us,  and  we 
are  left  at  liberty  to  conjecture  each  for  himself.     He  had 
arrived  within  two  or  three  miles  of  Wethersfield,  when  he 
saw  four  or  five  men  advancing  to  meet  him.     He  probably 
needed  little  explanation   as  to  the  object  of  their  errand. 
About  half  a  mile  further  up  the  river,  he  met  a  second 
escort  of  thirty  men.     Still  no  violence  was  offered  to  him. 
The  stamp-master  and  his  guard  rode  on  with  the  solemnity 
and  decorum  of  a  funeral  procession.     But  still  more  con- 
spicuous honors  awaited  him.     He  soon  saw  a  cavalcade  of 
about  five  hundred  freeholders  and  farmers,  all  well  mounted 
and  armed,  not  with  carbines  and  steel  blades,  but  with  long 
and  ponderous  clubs.     They  were  ghastly  white  too,  for  the 
bark  had  been  stripped  from  every  one,  in  rude  imitation  of 
the  ominous    baton  carried   at  that  day  by  officers  of  the 
peace.     This   formidable  company,  under  the   command  of 
Durkee,    rode   slowly  forward    behind    two   militia  officers 
dressed  in  full  uniform,  and  inspired  by  the  presence  of  three 


[1765.]  IXGERSOLL   REMONSTRATES.  135 

trumpeters  who  made  the  woods  echo  with  martial  music. 
They  rode  two  abreast,  and  opened  their  hne  to  receive  Mr. 
IngersoU  with  the  profoundest  courtesy.  They  then  rode 
forward  along  the  western  bank  of  the  Connecticut,  over 
those  fair  acres  that  were  then  cultivated  farms,  and  have 
since  been  converted  into  gardens,  until  they  came  to  Weth- 
ersfield.  In  the  wide  main  street  of  this  oldest  of  all  the  towns 
in  the  colony,  the  grandsons  and  great-grandsons  of  the 
pioneer  planters,  who  had  left  the  straightened  settlements  of 
Massachusetts  to  enjoy  pure  liberty  and  "brave  meadow- 
lands" — halted  between  the  two  rows  of  houses  whose  fronts 
kept  their  gentlemanly  distance  of  twenty  full  rods  from  each 
other  ;  and  looking  up  at  the  blue  vault,  as  if  the  open 
heavens  were  best  fitted  to  witness  the  triumph  of  principles 
that  had  descended  as  legacies  to  them,  they  exclaimed  signi- 
ficantly, "we  cannot  all  see  and  hear  so  well  in  a  house;  we 
had  as  good  have  the  business  done  here." 

Then  they  commanded  him  to  resign.  "  Is  it  fair,"  inter- 
posed IngersoU,  "that  the  counties  of  New  London  and 
Windham  should  dictate  to  all  the  rest  of  the  colony  ?"  "  It 
don't  signify  to  parley,"  was  the  answer,  "here  are  a  great 
many  people  waiting,  and  you  must  resign."  Then  ensued 
in  substance  the  following  dialogue  between  the  people  and 
the  stamp-master. 

IngersoU.  "  I  wait  to  know  the  sense  of  the  government. 
Besides,  were  I  to  resign,  the  governor  has  power  to  put  in 
another." 

People.  "  Here  is  the  sense  of  the  government ;  and  no 
man  shall  exercise  your  office." 

IngersoU.     "  What  will  follow  if  I  won't  resign  ?" 

People.     "Your  fate." 

IngersoU  (calmly.)  "I  can  die,  and  perhaps  as  well  now 
as  at  any  time.     I  can  die  but  once." 

Durkee  (impatiently.)     "  Don't  irritate  the  people  !" 

IngersoU.     "  I  ask  for  leave  to  proceed  to  Hartford." 

Durkee.  "  You  shall  not  go  two  rods  till  you  have 
resigned." 


136  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Ingersoll  now  bethought  him  of  a  new  expedient  to  gain 
time.  Under  the  pretense  of  reflecting  upon  the  propriety 
of  complying  with  the  demand  of  the  people,  he  retired  into 
an  upper-room  of  a  house  that  was  standing  near  by  the  spot 
where  this  parley  had  taken  place.  A  committee  of  the 
people  attended  him.  Here  he  contrived  to  put  off  the  multi- 
tude with  promises  and  excuses  for  three  tedious  hours,  dur- 
ing which  he  sent  a  messenger  to  Hartford  to  inform  the 
governor  and  the  legislature  of  his  situation.  At  last  the 
crowd  began  to  lose  all  patience.  "Get  the  matter  over 
before  the  Assembly  has  time  to  do  anything  about  it,"  said 
some ;  while  others,  probing  his  motives  to  their  depths, 
exclaimed  in  their  blunt  strong  English,  "  this  delay  is  his 
artifice,  to  wheedle  the  matter  along  till  the  Assembly  shall 
get  ensnared  in  it."  The  passions  of  the  multitude  were 
now  at  fever  heat.  Striding  to  the  door  of  the  house  where 
Ingersoll  had  retreated,  and  stalking  up  the  stairs,  Durkee 
again  confronted  the  stamp-master.  "I  can  keep  the  people 
off"  no  longer,"  said  he,  in  a  tone  of  warning.  These  words 
were  like  a  death-knell  to  Ingersoll.  He  saw  the  stalwart 
farmers  filling  the  hall  with  their  dark  forms,  their  white 
staves  gleaming  as  they  pressed  upon  each  other,  and  their 
great  bright  eyes  flashing  with  indignation.  The  heavy 
tramp  of  others  was  heard  ascending  the  stairs.  He  saw  that 
he  must  surrender  at  discretion  or  be  torn  in  pieces. 

"  The  cause  is  not  worth  dying  for,"  said  he,  with  the  cool 
irony  that  marked  his  character,  as  he  set  his  hand  to  the 
formal  resignation  that  had  been  prepared  for  him,  and  of 
which  the  following  is  a  copy. 

"  Wethersfield,  September  19th,  1765. 
"  I  do  hereby  promise,  that  I  never  will  receive  any  stamped 
papers  which  may  arrive  from  Europe,  in  consequence  of  an 
act  lately  passed  in  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain ;  nor 
officiate  as  Stamp-Master  or  Distributor  of  Stamps,  within 
the  colony  of  Connecticut,  either  directly  or  indirectly.  And 
I  do  hereby  notify  to  all  the  inhabitants  of  his  Majesty's 
colony  of  Connecticut   (notwithstanding  the  said  office  or 


[1765.]  INGERSOLL'S  RESIGNATION.  137 

trust  has  been  committed  to  me,)  not  to  apply  to  me,  ever 
after,  for  any  stamped  paper  ;  hereby  declaring  that  I  do  resign 
the  said  office,  and  execute  these  Presents  of  my  own  free 
WILL  AND  ACCORD,  without  any  equivocation  or  mental  reser- 
vation. 

"  In  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand, 

"J.  Ingersoll." 

"Swear  to  it,"  cried  the  people  when  he  had  written  his 
name.  He  begged  that  they  would  excuse  him  from  taking 
an  oath.  "  Then  shout  Liberty  and  Property  three  times," 
said  the  sovereign  crowd.  Against  this  spontaneous  form  of 
abjuration  he  could  raise  no  valid  objection.  He  swung  his 
hat  about  his  head  and  uttered  the  charmed  words  three 
several  times,  with  such  well-feigned  earnestness  that  the 
people  set  the  seal  to  his  repentance  by  giving  three  huzzas, 
that  must  have  echoed  to  the  eastern  bank  of  the  Con- 
necticut. 

The  party  now  dined  in  perfect  good  humor.  By  this 
time  the  company  had  doubled  its  numbers,  and  after  dinner 
one  thousand  horsemen  were  ready  to  attend  his  triumphant 
entry  into  Hartford.*  The  highway  was  thronged  with 
freeholders,  standing  in  front  of  their  houses,  to  get  a  fair 
view  of  the  stamp-master  and  his  retinue.  The  windows 
were  crowded  all  the  way,  with  the  faces  of  grave  matrons, 
and  sparkled  with  the  glances  of  ruddy-cheeked  girls  who 
could  as  ill  conceal  their  curiosity  as  their  mischievous  merri- 
ment at  such  a  spectacle. 

At  last  they  reached  the  capitol.  Here  Durkee  drew  up 
his  dragoons  four  abreast,  and,  while  the  trumpeters  redoubled 
their  exertions  to  enliven  the  scene,  led  the  main  body  over 

*  As  an  indication  of  the  good  humor  that  prevailed  on  the  part  of  Ingersoll 
and  the  populace,  General  Humphreys  mentions  a  jest  that  passed  between  them 
while  the  cavalcade  was  escorting  the  ex-stamp-master  to  Hartford — which  was 
given  and  received  with  entire  good  nature.  ]VIr.  Ingersoll,  who  chanced  to  ride 
a  white  horse,  being  asked  what  he  thought  to  find  himself  attended  by  such  a 
retinue,  replied,  "  that  he  had  now  a  clearer  idea  than  ever  he  had  before  conceived 
of  that  passage  in  the  Revelations  which  describes  death  on  a  pale  horse^  and  hell 
following  him.^^     Life  of  Putnam,  p.  32. 


138  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

the  familiar  haunts  where  the  train-bands  had  defied  the 
tyranny  of  Fletcher,  and  where  the  charter  had  eluded  the 
grasp  of  Andross.  He  then  ordered  them  to  form  around 
the  court-house  in  a  semi-circle.  The  stamp-master  was  set 
in  a  conspicuous  place,  and  commanded  to  read  his  recanta- 
tion aloud  in  the  hearing  of  the  Assembly  and  in  the  presence 
of  the  people.  He  went  through  the  ceremony  to  the  univer- 
sal satisfaction  of  his  audience,  and  after  the  shout  of  Liberty 
and  Property  had  been  again  followed  by  a  round  of  hearty 
cheers,  these  lords  of  the  soil  whose  ancestors  had  helped  to 
frame  the  constitution  of  1639,  returned  to  their  farms  to 
pray  for  the  king  and  supplicate  Heaven  that  the  eyes  of  the 
ministry  might  be  opened  to  repeal  the  unhallowed  and 
execrable  stamp  act."^ 

*  Hutchinson's  Letter  to  Governor  Pownall ;  Ingersoll's  account ;  Connecticut 
Courant,  No.  44,  under  date  Sept.  23, 1765  5  Bancroft's  account  of  the  transaction 
in  his  fifth  vol.  p.  318,  319,  320. 

Notwithstanding  the  publicity  of  Ingersoll's  resignation  and  recantation,  it 
would  seem  that  the  Sons  of  Liberty  were  fearful  that  he  might  still  exercise  the 
duties  of  the  hated  office.  This  suspicion  induced  him  to  make  a  still  further  public 
announcement,  as  follows  : — 

"  Whereas,  I  have  lately  received  two  anonymous  letters,  calling  on  me  (among 
other  things,)  to  give  the  public  some  further  assurance  with  regard  to  my  inten- 
tions about  exercising  the  office  of  distributor  of  stamps  for  this  colony,  as  some 
others  have  done  since  receiving  our  commissions  or  deputations  of  office  for  that 
purpose  ;  and  that  I  confirm  the  same  by  oath.  And  although  I  don't  think  it  best 
ordinarily  to  take  notice  of  such  letters,  nor  yet  to  take  oaths  upon  such  kind  of 
occasions ;  yet,  (as  I  have  good  reason  to  think  those  letters  came  fi'om  a  large 
number  of  people  belonging  to  this  colony,  and  do  respect  a  subject  of  a  very  inte- 
resting nature,  and  the  present  times  being  peculiarly  difficult  and  critical,  and  I 
myself  at  no  loss  or  difficulty  about  making  known  my  resolutions  and  intentions 
respecting  the  matters  aforesaid,)  I  have  concluded  to  make  the  following  declara- 
tion and  to  confirm  the  same  by  an  oath — that  is  to  say — 

"  1 .  I  never  was  nor  am  now  desirous,  or  even  willing,  to  hold  or  exercise  the 
aforesaid  office,  contrary  to  the  mind  and  inchnation  of  the  general  body  of  people 
in  this  colony. 

"  2.  I  have  for  some  time  been  and  still  am  persuaded,  that  it  is  the  general 
opinion  and  sentiment  of  the  people  of  this  colony  (after  mature  deliberation,)  that 
the  stamp  act  is  an  infringement  of  their  rights  and  dangerous  to  their  liberties, 
and  therefore  I  am  not  willing,  nor  will  I,  for  that  and  other  good  and  sufficient 
reasons,  as  I  suppose,  (and  which  I  hope  and  trust  will  excuse  me  to  those  who 
appointed  me,)  exercise  the  said  office  against  such  general  opinion  and  sentiment 


[1765.J  PUTXAM   AlsD   FITCH.  139 

Colonel  Putnam,  who  had  been  one  of  the  principal  instiga- 
tors of  this  movement,  was  prevented  by  unavoidable 
circumstances  from  being  present.  Soon  after  this  event  he 
was  deputed  to  wait  on  Governor  Fitch,  and  express  to  him 
the  sentiments  of  the  people  on  this  delicate  matter.  The 
interview  exhibits,  in  the  following  dialogue,  the  spirit  of  the 
times  and  the  moral  courage  of  this  deputy  of  the  Sons  of 
Libertv : 

Governor.  "  What  shall  I  do  if  the  stamped  paper  should 
be  sent  to  me  by  the  king's  authority  ?" 

Putnam.     "  Lock  it  up  until  ive*  shall  visit  you  again." 
Govei'nor.     "And  what  w^ill  you  do  then?" 
Putnam.     "  We  shall  expect  you  to  give  us  the  key  of  the 
room  in  which  it  is  deposited :  and  if  you  think  fit,  in  order 
to  screen  yourself  from  blame,  you  may  forewarn  us  upon 
our  peril  not  to  enter  the  room." 

Governor.     "And  what  will  you  do  afterwards?" 
Putnam.     "  Send  it  safelv  back  ao;ain." 
Governor.     "But  if  I  should  refuse  admission?" 
Putnam.     "  Your  house  will  be  leveled  with  the  dust  in  five 
minutes  !"t 

Thus  ended  the  colloquy.  It  was  soon  repeated  in  New 
York,  and  alarmed  those  agents  who  had  charge  of  this  con- 
traband property  to  such  a  degree  that  they  did  not  dare  to 
send  their  freight  into  Connecticut.  J 

of  the  people  ;  and,  generally  and  in  a  word,  will  never  at  all,  by  myself  or  other- 
wise, officiate  under  my  said  deputation.  And  as  I  have,  so  I  will,  in  the  most 
effectual  manner  I  am  able,  apply  to  the  proper  board  in  England,  for  a  dismis- 
sion from  my  said  office. 

"J.  Ingersoll. 
"New  Haven,  ss.,  Jan.  8,  1766." 

"  Then  personally  appeared  Jared  Ingersoll,  Esq.,  and  made  oath  to  the  truth 
of  the  foregoing  declaration,  by  him  subscribed,  before  me, 

"  David  Lyman,  Just.  Peace." 

*  "  VTe,"  probably  means  Sons  of  Liberty. 

t  Humphreys'  Life  of  Putnam,  pp.  33,  34. 

tit  appears  from  an  article  in  the  "  Connecticut  Courant,"  of  INIarch  24,  1766, 
that  during  that  month  several  vessels  arrived  at  New  London  from  Barbadoes 
and  Antigua,  which  had  lodged  "  certain  stamped  papers  with  the  emblems  of 
slavery,"  at  the  custom-house  in  that  place.     The  collector  was  immediately  waited 


140  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Thus  ended  the  exhibition  of  popular  feeling  in  the  colony 
against  the  stamp  act.  The  law  was  repealed  in  March,  1766, 
but  with  such  a  bad  grace  on  the  part  of  the  British  ministry 
that  it  failed  to  conciliate  the  exasperated  colonies.  In  vain 
did  they  insist  on  the  inseparable  existence  of  taxation  and 
representation,  in  vain  did  Pitt  sound  the  alarm,  and  in  vain 
did  Lord  Camden  reiterate  the  words  "  it  is  itself  an  eternal 
law  of  nature  ;"  the  sullen  ministry  insisted  still  upon  the 
right  to  continue  the  law,  while  from  prudential  motives  they 
repealed  it.  Such  blind  instruments  did  they  prove  them- 
selves to  be,  in  preparing  the  way  for  a  separation. 

upon  by  a  committee  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  who  demanded  an  instant  surrender 
of  any  stamped  paper  lodged  in  his  office.  They  were  forthwith  given  up  with 
the  utmost  politeness.  A  mock  court  was  instituted,  which,  after  due  delibera- 
tion, brought  in  a  verdict  of  guilty^  against  the  offending  papers,  and  passed  sen- 
tence that  they  should  "  receive  thirty  stripes  at  the  public  whipping-post,  and  be 
committed  to  the  flames."  "Whereupon,  (says  the  account,)  the  sentence  was  duly 
executed  in  the  presence  of  the  court,  amidst  the  acclamations  of  a  numerous 
assembly,  whose  hearts  were  filled  with  the  most  ardent  wishes  for  the  honor, 
health,  and  welfare  of  George  the  Third,  the  best  of  kings,  and  illustrious  family — 
success  of  the  mother  country — ^freedom  and  unanimity  in  the  British  Parliament.'* 


CHAPTER  VI. 


THE  BOSTON  PORT  BILL. 


The  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act  was  followed  by  other 
oppressive  statutes  of  a  kindred  sort.  The  Rockingham 
administration  was  at  an  end,  and  the  idol  of  the  colonies, 
William  Pitt,  now  created  Earl  of  Chatham,  was  authorized 
to  form  a  new  ministry.  The  Duke  of  Grafton  was  placed 
at  the  head  of  the  treasury ;  Lord  Shelburne  was  joined 
with  General  Conway,  as  one  of  the  Secretaries  of  State ; 
the  Earl  of  Camden,  was  made  Lord  Chancellor,  Lord  North 
and  George  Cooke,  joint-paymasters ;  and  to  crown  all  these 
incongruities,  the  passionate,  eccentric,  unprincipled  Charles 
Townshend,  the  old  friend  of  Grenville,  and  the  plotter  against 
the  peace  of  America,  was  nominated  Chancellor  of  the  Ex- 
chequer. But  the  strange  elements  that  the  Earl  of  Chatham 
had  gathered  around  him,  could  only  have  been  kept  together  by 
the  controling  will  of  that  great  man.  His  health  soon  failed, 
and  the  government  nominally  under  his  direction,  fell  into 
hands  that  were  hostile  to  the  interests  of  the  American 
colonies.  Townshend  was  Chancellor  of  the  Exchequer,  and 
of  course  had  mainly  in  his  charge  the  financial  relations  of 
the  government.  Although  he  had  originally  aided  in  the 
passage  of  the  Stamp  Act,  he  had  afterwards  used  all  his 
influence  to  effect  its  repeal,  and  now  possessed  the  confi- 
dence of  the  colonies  to  such  a  degree  that  they  regarded 
him  rather  with  favor  than  suspicion.  Massachusetts  had 
even  gone  so  far  as  to  give  him  a  vote  of  thanks  for  his  zeal 
in  the  service  of  the  colonies.* 

Never  was  confidence  more  sadly  misplaced.  It  soon 
became   obvious   that  if  the  friendship  formerly  subsisting 

*  Gordon's  Hist.  i.  143. 


142  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

between  Lord  Grenviile  and  Townshend  had  grown  cold,  the 
ex-minister  was  not  without  his  influence.  Chagrined  at  his 
ill-fated  attempts  to  oppress  the  Americans,  Grenviile  took 
every  occasion  in  the  House  of  Commons  to  taunt  the  new 
ministry  with  weakness  in  allowing  the  colonies  to  remain 
unburdened  with  the  weight  of  taxation. 

"You  are  cowards,"  he  exclaimed  one  evening,  turning  his 
eye  towards  the  seats  occupied  by  the  ministers ;  "  you  are 
afraid  of  the  Americans  ;  you  dare  not  tax  America." 

Townshend  was  in  a  rage  at  this  sudden  attack.  Should 
he,  the  gallant,  the  chivalrous  man  of  genius,  be  branded 
with  cowardice  in  the  discharge  of  an  official  duty?  His 
proud  spirit  spurned  the  imputation.  Rising  in  his  place  he 
threw  back  the  barbed  arrow  that  had  fastened  itself  in  his 
flesh.  "Fear — fear,"  repeated  he  scornfully:  ^'cowards; — 
dare  not  tax  America !     /  dare  tax  America." 

Grenviile  saw  his  advantage  ;  he  paused  a  moment,  and 
then  added  with  a  sneering  look,  "Dare  you  tax  America? 
1  wish  to  God  I  could  see  it  ?" 

"  I  will — I  will,"  responded  the  Chancellor  of  the 
Exchequer.* 

Accordingly,  at  the  very  first  session  of  parliament,  he 
presented  a  plan  for  drawing  money  from  the  American 
provinces  that  was  thought  to  be  unexceptionable.  He  pro- 
posed to  keep  up  a  standing  army  in  the  colonies,  and  to  give 
executive  and  judicial  officers  such  salaries  as  would  make 
them  independent  of  the  provincial  legislatures. 

The  new  revenue  bill  was  to  be  so  framed  as  to  pass  for  an 
act  regulating  trade,  and  not  for  a  direct  tax  levied  upon  the 
colonies.  The  act  provided  that  tea,  paints,  paper,  glass,  and 
lead,  (all  of  them  articles  of  British  production,)  should  pay 
a  duty  at  the  colonial  custom-houses.  As  a  condition  of  this 
bill,  another  was  brought  forward  to  encourage  the  exporta- 
tion of  tea  to  the  colonies  allowing  a  drawback  for  five 
years  of  the  whole  duty,  payable  on  the  importation  of  that 

*  MS.  of  Wm.  Samuel  Johnson,  LL  D.,  then  in  England  as  Agent  for  Connecti- 
cut.    Pitkin's  United  States,  i.  217. 


[1768.]  RIOT  AT  BOSTON.  143 

article.  These  insidious  measures  were  so  cunningly  devised, 
and  called  by  such  innocent  names,  that  they  passed,  in  the 
absence  of  Lord  Chatham,  with  little  opposition.  The 
new  acts  of  parliament  excited  much  alarm  throughout  the 
colonies,  as  soon  as  their  provisions  were  made  known  in 
America.  A  deep-seated  opposition  was  soon  manifested  in 
Massachusetts,  who,  from  her  commercial  importance,  felt 
the  first  blow,  and  thence  spread  throughout  the  colonies.* 
An  act,  passed  about  the  same  time,  suspending  the  legisla- 
tive functions  of  the  Assembly  of  New  York,  served  to  rouse 
the  spirit  of  the  continent. t  The  petition,  letters,  and  other 
state  documents,  prepared  by  Massachusetts  and  forwarded 
to  England,  were  of  a  high,  manly  tone,  and  breathed  such 
bold  sentiments  as  seemed  easily  convertible  into  the  most 
terrible  opposition. 

Meanwhile  the  new  board  of  commissioners  of  the  customs 
entered  upon  the  discharge  of  their  duties  at  Boston.  Their 
first  act  was  to  sieze  the  sloop  Liberty,  belonging  to  John 
Hancock,  for  a  violation  of  the  revenue  laws. J  This  vessel 
was  removed  from  the  wharves  by  armed  boats  and  placed 
under  the  charge  of  the  Romney,  a  British  ship-of-war,  then 
lying  at  anchor  in  the  harbor.  This  unusual  spectacle 
inflamed  the  popular  indignation  to  a  very  high  degree. 
The  citizens  of  the  town  who  had  assembled  to  witness  it, 
having  tried  in  vain  to  prevent  this  outrage  upon  the  pro- 
perty of  one  of  their  favorites,  now  began  to  retaliate  by  acts 
of  violence  offered  to  some  of  the  custom-house  officers. 
The  people  attacked  the  houses  of  the  collector  and  comp- 
troller, broke  their  windows,  and  those  of  Mr.  Williams,  the 
inspector-general ;  they  then  siezed  the  collector's  boat,  drag- 
ged it  through  the  town  and  burned  it  on  the  Common. 
This  was  on  Friday  the  10th  of  June.  On  Monday  morning, 
at  an  early  hour,  the  commissioners  took  refuge  on  board 
the  Romney,  and  soon  after  fled  to  the  castle  for  protection. § 

*  Gordon  ;  Bancroft.         f  Hildrcth  ;  Graham  ;  &e. 
+  Hildreth,  ii.  544 ;  Pitkin's  United  States,  ii.  228. 
§  Pitkin,  ii.  228 ;  Hildreth,  i.  544. 


144  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

It  had  before  been  determined  to  quarter  standing  troops  in 
Boston. 

Two  days,  therefore,  before  this  disturbance,  Lord  Hills- 
borough directed  General  Gage  forthwith  to  order  one  regi- 
ment or  more,  if  he  should  deem  it  necessary,  to  Boston,  to 
be'  quartered  there. 

The  arrival  of  an  armed  force  and  the  presence  of  British 
ships  in  the  harbor  only  increased  the  excitement  at  Boston. 
The  people  resolved  to  prevent  the  landing  of  the  troops,  and 
made  preparations  on  so  large  a  scale  that  all  the  British  ves- 
sels were  put  in  requisition.  Fourteen  ships  of  war,  with 
their  broadsides  toward  the  town,  springs  on  their  cables,  and 
their  guns  ready  to  open  upon  it,  could  scarcely  serve  to 
keep  the  people  at  bay  while  a  single  regiment  was  landing. 
About  noon  of  the  first  of  October,  under  the  cover  of  the 
fleet,  seven  hundred  men  vrere  sent  ashore,  and  with  loaded 
muskets  and  fixed  bayonets  marched  into  the  Common  to 
the  music  of  drum  and  fife.  In  the  evening,  the  selectmen 
w^ere  required  to  quarter  two  regiments  in  town,  but  per- 
emptorily refused  to  do  it.  But  as  one  of  these  regiments 
was  destitute  of  camp  equipage,  and  as  the  weather  was  cold, 
the  soldiers  were  allowed  as  a  matter  of  favor  to  pass  the 
night  in  Faneuil  Hall,  and  its  chambers.  The  next  day  was 
Sunday,  and  Governor  Bernard,  ordered  the  State  House  to 
be  opened  for  the  reception  of  the  troops.  They  took  posses- 
sion of  all  the  rooms  except  the  one  belonging  to  the  council. 
Even  the  hall  of  the  representatives  of  the  people  bristled 
wdth  British  bayonets.  This  rash  step  w^as  felt  to  be  a  bitter 
insult  both  to  the  town  and  to  the  whole  province.  Acts  of 
retaliation  soon  followed,  and  deeds  of  violence  on  either  side, 
that  hastened  the  crisis.  But  it  is  quite  beyond  the  scope  of 
this  work  to  dwell  upon  these  interesting  details,  that  w^ould 
of  themselves  fill  a  volume.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  blood- 
shed and  all  the  horrors  of  civil  war  followed  in  the  train  of 
such  evils.* 

About  the  beginning  of  April,  some  gentlemen  of  Boston 

*  Gordon,  i.  166,  167. 


[176S.]  NON-IMPORTATION  AGREEMENTS.  145 

and  New  York,  wrote  letters  to  some  of  their  friends  in 
Philadelphia,  asking  if  they  would  unite  with  them  in  stop- 
ping the  importation  of  goods  from  Great  Britain  until  the 
oppressive  acts,  so  subversive  of  their  rights  as  British  sub- 
jects, should  be  repealed.  A  well-attended  and  dignified 
meeting  of  merchants  followed  this  correspondence.  An 
address  was  read  on  the  occasion,  that  recited  in  fearless 
terms  the  unjust  doings  of  the  ministry,  and  closed  with  the 
significant  words,  ^^ united  lue  conquer,  divided  we  die." 

The  Pennsylvania  merchants,  however,  refused  to  sign  at 
that  time  any  agreement  for  the  non-importation  of  British 
goods.  The  Boston  merchants,  many  of  them,  on  the  1st  of 
August,  signed  articles  of  this  sort.* 

The  merchants  of  Connecticut  and  New  York,  during  the 
same  month,  entered  into  a  like  agreement,  pledging  them- 
selves in  the  most  solemn  manner  not  to  import  either  on  their 
own  account,  or  on  commission,  or  to  purchase  of  anybody 
who  should  import,  any  tea,  paper,  glass,  or  painters'  colors, 
until  the  act  imposing  duties  on  those  articles  should  be 
repealed. 

In  September,  a  festival  was  held  by  the  people  of  Nor- 
wich, in  mockery  of  the  list  of  holidays  appointed  by  the 
commissioners  of  customs  for  persons  under  their  employ. 
One  of  these  gala  days  was  the  "  8th  of  September,"  the  day 
on  which  their  commissions  bore  date.  This  very  day  was 
singled  out  by  the  people  for  festivities  of  a  quite  difTerent  sort. 
Toasts  of  a  very  patriotic  character  were  drank  on  the  occa- 
sion, every  one  closing  with  the  words  "and  the  8th  of  Sep- 
tember." On  the  4th  of  October  a  town  meeting  was  called 
to  consider  the  "critical  and  alarming  conjuncture  of  affairs." 

*  Among  the  pledges  numerously  signed,  were  the  following  : — "  We  will  not 
send  for  or  import  from  Great  Britain,  this  fall,  any  other  goods  than  what  are 
already  ordered  for  the  fall  supply."  "We  will  not  purchase  of  any  factor  or 
others,  any  kinds  of  goods  imported  from  Great  Britain,  from  January  1769,  ta 
January,  1770."  "We  will  not  import,  on  our  owti  account,  or  on  commission, 
or  purchase  of  any,  who  shall  import  from  any  other  colony  in  America,  from 
January,  1769  to  January,  1770,  any  tea,  glass,  paper,  or  other  goods,  commonly 
imported  from  Great  Britain,  &c."     See  Gordon's  Hist.  Am.  Rev.,  i.  163-4. 

42 


146  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

The  citizens  were  almost  all  present,  and  the  greatest 
unanimity  of  feeling  prevailed.  The  page  of  the  record 
book  on  which  the  doings  of  the  meeting  are  preserved,  is 
inscribed  with  the  word  "Liberty,  liberty,  liberty,"  thrice 
written  as  if  the  repetition  added  to  the  charm.  At  this 
meeting  a  vote  was  passed  approving  of  the  course  that  had 
been  pursued  by  people  of  Boston,  and  pledging  themselves 
to  "  unite  both  heart  and  hand  in  support  thereof  against  all 
enemies  whatsover."  The  people  at  the  same  time  instruc- 
ted their  representatives  to  use  their  influence  at  the  next 
session  of  the  General  Assembly  to  bring  about  an  adjust- 
ment of  the  treasury  accounts  of  the  colony,  to  see  "  that 
the  colonels  have  a  special  muster  and  review  of  their 
respective  regiments,"  that  manufacturers  be  encouraged, 
that  union  with  the  neighboring  colonies  be  promoted,  and 
lastly,  that  the  debates  he  open.*  Many  other  towns  manifested 
the  same  spirit. 

Thus  in  hurry  and  alarm  passed  the  year  1768.  Early  in 
1769,  the  British  revenue  sloop  Liberty,  was  stationed  by  the 
commissioner  of  customs  near  New  London,  to  keep  a  close 
watch  upon  all  the  vessels  that  left  that  port,  or  entered  it, 
and  see  that  the  revenue  laws  were  not  violated.  She  was 
for  a  long  time  kept  cruising  between  that  point  and  New- 
port, overhauling  every  craft  that  she  could  find  of  a  suffi- 
cient size  to  carry  merchandize  between  one  sea-port  and 
another.  She  was  known  by  the  disrespectful  name  of  the 
"Pirate,"  and  came  to  such  an  untimely  end  before  the  close 
of  the  summer,  as  befits  piracy.f  It  need  hardly  be  said, 
that  this  abominable  system  of  espionage  led  to  smuggling  in 
Connecticut  as  well  as  in  the  other  colonies.  Sugars  and 
indigo  were  often  shipped  at  New  London  as  flax-seed,  or 
landed  in  the  dead  of  the  night  to  avoid  the  odious  duty. J 

*Caulkins'  Hist,  of  Norwich,  211,  212. 

t  Caulkins'  New  London,  483.  She  was  destroyed  near  Newport,  "  by  a  burst 
of  popular  frenzy." 

X  As  many  of  the  articles  imported  would  not  bear  to  pay  the  heavy  duties 
demanded,  the  importers  seemed  to  regard  it  as  no  breach  of  honor  to  defraud  the 
government  of  its  unjust  exactions. 


[1770.]  TOWN  MEETI]S"GS.  147 

The  year  1770,  was  one  of  peculiar  interest  in  Connecticut. 
The  merchants  of  the  colony  had  kept  the  articles  of  agree- 
ment entered  into  with  those  of  New  York,  in  relation  to  the 
non-importation  of  British  goods,  with  singular  fidelity.  In 
New  York  on  the  other  hand,  those  articles  had  been  in 
many  instances  violated  with  a  shamelessness  that  elicited 
such  universal  indignation  in  Connecticut,  that  it  was  resolved 
that  a  general  convention  of  delegates  from  all  the  towns  in 
the  colony  should  meet  at  New  Haven  on  the  13th  of  Sep- 
tember, to  take  into  consideration  the  perilous  condition  of 
the  country,  to  provide  for  the  growth  and  spread  of  home- 
manufactures,  and  to  devise  more  thorough  means  for  carry- 
ing out  to  the  letter,  the  non-importation  agreement.  "  We 
will  frown,"  say  the  freemen  of  Norwich,  at  a  town  meeting 
held  on  the  29th  of  January,  "  upon  all  who  endeavor  to  frus- 
trate these  good  designs,  and  avoid  all  correspondence 
and  dealings  with  those  merchants  who  shall  dare  to  violate 
these  obligations."* 

The  preparations  for  this  general  convention  of  the  mer- 
cantile and  landholdino*  interests  were  verv  marked  and 
decisive  in  almost  all  the  old  towns,  and  were  in  their  general 
character  so  nearly  alike  that  the  action  of  one  may  serve  to 
illustrate  that  of  the  others. f  Frequent  town  meetings  were 
held,  speeches  were  made,  and  resolutions  were  passed,  many 
of  which  found  their  way  to  England  and  caused  the  ears  of 
the  British  ministry  to  tingle  and  their  cheeks  to  redden  with 
anger.  Indeed,  the  towns  of  the  colony  on  this  occasion 
evinced,  as  they  have  always  done  in  difficult  emergencies, 
their  individuality  and  distinct  municipal  organization,  acting 


*  Caulkins'  Hist,  of  Norwich,  p.  212. 

t  At  a  spirited  meeting  holden  at  Litchfield,  on  the  30th  of  August,  1770,  Mr. 
Abraham  Kilbourn  was  chosen  moderator,  and  Messrs.  John  Osborne  and  Jede- 
diah  Strong  were  appointed  delegates  to  the  convention  in  question.  The  dele- 
gates from  Norwich,  were  Captain  Jedediah  Huntington,  and  Elijah  Backus,  Esq. 
The  citizens  of  Norwalk  held  a  preliminary  meeting  on  the  20th  of  August — Col. 
Thomas  Fitch,  moderator— at  which  Capt.  John  Cannon,  Col.  Tliomas  Fitch,  and 
Capt,  Benjamin  Isaacs,  were  appointed  delegates.  The  convention  was  composed 
of  some  of  the  ablest  and  most  patriotic  men  in  the  colony. 


148  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

with  as  much  apparent  independence  as  if  they  were 
sovereignties.  The  town-meeting  was  a  forum  where  the 
humblest  man  in  the  colony  might  rise  up  and  speak  his  sen- 
timents freely,  though  in  simple  and  unpolished  phrase,  in 
behalf  of  the  oppressed  people.  In  these  primitive  senate- 
chambers  the  minds  of  those  profound  statesmen  whose  wis- 
dom afterwards  enlightened  the  deliberations  of  Congress,  and 
whose  eloquence  electrified  the  nation,  were  ripened  for  the 
high  stations  of  the  senate,  the  cabinet  and  the  bench. 

On  the  27th  of  August,  a  meeting  of  this  sort  was  held  at 
Glastenbury  for  the  purpose  of  choosing  delegates  to  attend 
the  convention  at  New  Haven.*  They  speak  of  this  conven- 
tion as  about  to  meet  to  "resolve  upon  such  measures  as  are 
proper  to  be  taken  for  the  support  of  the  non-importation 
agreement,  so  important  at  this  critical  conjuncture  to 
the  plantations  in  America,  belonging  to  the  British  crown : 
also  to  consider  the  alarming  conduct  of  a  neighboring 
colony — New  York,  [in]  shamefully  violating  said  agreement." 
They  then  proceeded  to  appoint  two  of  their  principal  citi- 
zens to  represent  the  town  in  that  convention  and  instructed 
them  what  to  do,  and  how  to  vote  as  members  of  it.  They 
are  directed  to  support  to  the  utmost  of  their  ability  the  non- 
importation agreement;  for,  say  they,  "you  cannot  but  be 
sensible  that  the  reasons  for  coming  into  said  agreement  at 
first  will  continue  to  operate  in  their  full  force  so  long  as  the 
duty  on  a  single  article  remains  as  a  test  of  parliamentary 
power  to  tax  America  without  her  consent  or  representation.'^ 
They  proceed  to  animadvert  in  severe  terms  upon  the  viola- 
tion of  that  agreement  in  New  York.  "  A  large  number," 
say  they,  "  of  merchants  and  traders  in  the  colony  of  New 
York,  have  of  late,  in  direct  opposition  to  the  general  sense 
of  the  Americans,  been  guilty  of  a  very  criminal  and  perfidi- 
ous breach  of  said  agreement,  and  thereby  have  shamefully 

*  The  delegates  from  Glastenbury,  were  JNIessrs.  Jonathan  Welles,  and  Ebenezer 
Plummer.  The  citizens  of  New  London,  appointed  four  delegates,  viz: — Gurdou 
Saltonstall,  William  Hillhouse,  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jr.,  William  Manwaring. 


[1770.]  DOMESTIC   MANUFACTURES.  149 

betrayed  their  country's  cause.  We  further  offer  it  as  our 
opinion,  that,  for  the  future,  no  commercial  intercourse,  by 
any  in  this  colony  be  held  with  the  inhabitants  of  that  gov- 
ernment, either  directly  or  indirectly,  until  the  revenue  acts 
are  repealed,  our  grievances  redressed,  or  until  they  make 
public  satisfaction."  The  importers  were  next  placed 
under  the  ban  of  excommunication  ;  and  that  nothing  might 
be  left  undone  to  make  their  condition  completely  wretched, 
it  is  reconmiended  that  "  all  connections  be  withdrawn  from 
those  in  this  colony  who  shall  presume  hereafter  to  carry  on 
anv  traffic  or  trade  with  those  betravers  of  their  countrv,  until 
they  shall  give  proper  satisfaction  for  their  offensive 
conduct."* 

The  popular  feeling  in  favor  of  domestic  manufactures 
soon  grew  to  be  a  passion.  The  women  of  the  colony,  with- 
out reference  to  rank,  encouraged  their  husbands,  sons,  and 
lovers,  and  vied  with  them  in  bringing  back  the  "  age  of 
home-spun."  The  sliding  of  the  shuttle,  the  buzz  of  the  spin- 
ning-wheel, the  bleaching  of  cloth  upon  the  lawn  that  sloped 
downward  from  the  kitchen  door  of  the  family  mansion  to  the 
rivulet  that  threaded  the  bottom  of  the  glade,  found  employ- 
ment for  the  proudest  as  well  as  the  humblest  female  in  the 
land.f  Committees  of  Inspection  were  appointed  by  the 
towns  to  see  that  no  man  or  woman  should  infringe  upon 
the  sanctity  of  the  non-importation  agreement.  These  com- 
mittees were  by  no  means  idle.  The  gentleman  who  wished 
to  drink  a  glass  of  brandy,  or  other  imported  liquor,  and  the 
dame  who  felt  that  her  patriotism  needed  the  gentler  stimu- 
lus of  tea,  were  obliged  to  keep  the  tempting  beverage  out  of 
sight  and  watch  a  secret  moment  to  nourish  the  cherished 
appetite.  Woe  betide  the  wretch  who  should  be  caught  in 
the  act  of  transgression.  If  a  male,  publication  in  the 
Gazette,  the  cry  of  the  populace  at  his  heels,  and  the  insults 
of  every  boy  v/ho  was  large  enough  to  shout  the  word 
Liberty — was  the  least  that  he  could  expect,  even  should  he 

*  Dr.  Chapin's  Hist,  of  Glastenbury,  52,  53.  fCothren,  i.  173. 


150  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

be  fortunate  enough  to  escape  the  tenacious  affinities  of  tar 
and  feathers.  If  a  woman,  it  were  better  for  her  that  she 
had  never  been  born.  No  sighs  were  in  reserve  to  be 
breathed  in  her  ears  by  the  young  or  the  brave,  though  her 
face  were  fair  as  an  angel's ;  and  those  of  her  own  sex  were 
sure  to  turn  from  her  as  if  her  eye  had  in  it  an  evil  charm.* 
In  this  trying  crisis  too,  much  capital  was  diverted  from  the 
old  channels  of  agriculture  and  merchandise  into  the  new 
enterprise  of  establishing  factories  and  mills. 

The  years  1771  and  1772,  passed  with  few^  changes  in  the 
affairs  of  the  colony  worthy  of  note.  The  popular  sentiment 
in  favor  of  resistance  to  British  oppression,  gained  ground 
every  day,  and  with  this  love  of  freedom  there  slowly  grew 
up  a  manliness  and  boldness  of  character  that  prepared  the 
people  for  a  protracted  struggle.  This  long  preparation 
stood  in  the  stead  of  discipline.  Or  in  the  words  of  the 
Duke  of  Richmond,  they  thus  acquired  "  the  substance  of 
what  discipline  h  only  the  shadow."  "  Discipline,"  said  that 
nobleman,  in  a  tone  of  warning  to  the  House  of  Lords,  "is 
only  the  substitute  for  a  common  cause  to  attach  through 
fear  and  keep  to  their  ranks  and  standard,  those  who  would 
otherwise  desert  them.'^f  The  "  quarrel,"  as  Chatham  scorn- 
fully called  it,  between  the  ministry  and  the  colonies  in  rela- 
tion to  taxation,  was  now  approaching  its  crisis.  The  tea-tax 
had  been  kept  upon  the  statute-book  for  the  sake  of  main- 
taining the  theoretical  authority  of  parliament,  rather  than 
for  any  practical  uses  that  it  might  serve.  But  though  un- 
repealed, it  was  virtually  disregarded,  and  partly  by  the  force 

*  The  following  is  a  list  of  articles  whieli  the  citizens  of  Norwich  bound  them- 
selves "  not  to  import,  purchase,  or  use,  if  produced  or  manufactured  out  of 
America,"  viz. :  loaf  sugar,  snuff,  mustard,  starch,  malt  liquors,  linseed  oil,  cheese, 
tea,  wine,  wrought  plates,  gloves,  shoes,  bonnets,  men's  hats,  (except  felts,)  muffs, 
tippets,  etc.,  wires,  lawns,  gauze,  sewing  silk,  stays,  spirituous  liquors,  cordage,  an- 
chors, sole  leather,  clocks,  jewellers'  ware,  gold  and  silver,  lace  and  buttons,  thread 
lace,  velvets,  silk  handkerchiefs,  caps,  ribbons,  flowers,  feathers,  &c.  Also  the 
finer  kinds  of  broadcloths,  cambrics,  and  silks. 

+  Memoirs  of  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.,  334. 


[1774.]  THE   BOSTON  PORT   BILL.  151 

of  the  non-importation  agreements  and  partly  by  a  systematic 
course  of  smuggling,  it  was  now  almost  a  dead  letter. 

Mortified  at  their  defeat,  and  taunted  with  it  both  in  and 
out  of  parliament,  the  impatient  ministers  resolved  to  send 
over  at  once  a  great  quantity  of  the  prohibited  article  and  thrust 
it  upon  the  people  of  the  colonies  by  force  of  arms.  In  July, 
the  restraints  that  had  been  laid  upon  the  East  India  com- 
pany to  export  teas  on  their  own  account,  were  repealed, 
and  steps  were  taken  for  the  consignment  of  several  cargoes 
to  the  principal  ports  in  America.  The  opposition  that  this 
movement  encountered  in  the  colonies,  and  the  defeat  that  it 
sustained  at  Boston,  are  too  well  known  to  need  a  repetition 
here. 

When  the  news  reached  England  that  the  people  of  Bos- 
ton had  thrown  into  the  harbor  the  teas  that  had  been  sent 
over  for  their  use,  the  wrath  of  the  ministers  knew  no 
bounds.  'Nov  were  the  ministers  alone  in  resenting  this 
marked  insult  to  the  majesty  of  British  dominion.  All 
departments  of  the  government  felt  it,  and  the  very  men  who 
had  before  advocated  the  cause  of  the  Americans  with  such 
eloquence,  now  yielded  up  the  Bostonians  to  the  mercy  of 
their  enemies.  In  the  midst  of  this  excitement  was  brought 
forward  the  bill  called  the  "Boston  Port  Bill,"*  that  had  for 
its  object  the  punishment  of  the  town  of  Boston,  by  shutting 
up  its  harbor  and  removing  the  seat  of  government  to  Salem. 
Even  Barre  and  Conway  approved  of  the  measure,  and  the 
members  of  the  house  who  rose  to  speak  against  it,  were 
coughed  down  ;  and  although  on  its  last  reading,  Burke  and 
Johnstone  spoke  against  it,  as  impolitic  and  unjust,  it  passed 

*  One  of  the  boldest  as  well  as  one  of  the  ablest  "  reviews"  of  this  celebrated 
bill  was  published,  in  1774,  in  a  pamphlet  form,  by  Josiah  Quiney,  Jr.,  and  is  re- 
published entire  in  his  "  Memoirs"  by  his  son,  1825.  It  is  entitled,  "  Observa- 
tions on  the  Act  of  Parliament  commonly  called  the  Boston  Port  Bill ;  with 
Thoughts  on  Civil  Society  and  Standing  Armies."  The  impolicy  as  well  as  the 
glaring  injustice  of  the  enactment  is  fully  set  forth.  It  condemns  a  whole  town 
not  only  unheard,  but  uncited  5  it  "  involves  thousands  in  ruin  and  misery  without 
suggestion  of  any  crime  by  them  committed ;"  and  is  so  constructed,  that  enor- 
mous pains  and  penalties  must  inevitably  ensue,  notwithstanding  the  most  perfect 
obedience  to  its  injunctions."     See  also,  Gordon,  i.  231. 


152  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

by  a  very  large  vote.*  Four  other  acts,  aiming  giant  blows 
not  only  at  the  offending  town,  but  at  the  whole  common- 
wealth, and  one  of  them  at  all  the  other  colonies,  followed  in 
quick  succession. t 

Now  that  the  vengeance  of  Great  Britain  was  arming  her 
swift  winged  ships  and  fitting  out  her  well-trained  troops  in 
thousands  to  crush  the  principal  sea-port  town  of  the 
eastern  colonies,  the  inhabitants  of  that  town  began  to  make 
inquiry  whether  the  people  of  the  colonies  would  stand  by 
them  in  the  unequal  conflict  ?  It  was  a  question  of  fearful 
import. 

When  the  tidings  of  these  oppressive  acts  of  legislation 
reached  Connecticut  in  May,  the  General  Assembly  was  in 
session.  A  day  of  humiliation  and  prayer  was  ordered  on 
account  of  the  threatening  aspects  of  Divine  Providence,  on 
the  liberties  of  the  people,  that  they  might  call  upon  "  the 
God  of  all  mercies  to  avert  his  judgments."  J  At  the  same  ses- 
sion, other  steps  were  taken  that  indicate  something  besides 
humiliation,  as  will  appear  by  the  following  extracts  from  our 
Colonial  Records. 

At  the  May  session,  1774,  "Capt.  Titus  Hurlburt,  is  author- 
ized and  directed  to  take  an  inventory  of  all  the  cannon, 
small  arms,  ammunition,  and  other  military  stores  belonging  to 
this  colony,  at  the  battery  at  New  London,  or  in  the  town  of 
New  London,  and  to  certify  the  same  to  this  Assembly.'' 

"  Charles  Burrall,  Oliver  Wolcott,  and  Jonathan  Pettibone, 
are  appointed  colonels  ;  Joshua  Porter,  Ebenezer  Norton,  and 

*  Hildreth,  iii.  32.  t  Colonial  Records,  MS. 

fThe  substance  of  these  bills  may  be  thus  briefly  stated,  viz,  :  1.  "A  bill  for 
better  regulating  the  government  of  Massachusetts  Bay" — which  virtually  annulled 
the  charter  :  providing  for  the  appointment  of  counselors  and  judges  of  the  Supe- 
rior Court  by  the  crown  ;  all  other  officers,  military,  executive,  and  judicial,  to  be 
appointed  by  the  governor  independently  of  the  approval  by  the  council ;  jurors  to 
be  selected  by  the  sheriffs ;  all  town  meetings,  except  for  elections,  prohibited.  2. 
A  bill  to  protect  the  servants  of  the  crown  ag(iinst  the  verdicts  of  colonial  jurors — 
providing  that  all  persons  charged  with  murders  committed  in  support  of  govern- 
ment should  be  tried  in  England.  3.  A  revival  of  a  former  act  providing  for 
quartering  troops  in  America.  4.  An  act,  known  as  the  Quebec  Act,  had  particu- 
lar reference  to  the  government  and  boundaries  of  Canada. 


[1774.]  COMMITTEES   OF   CORRESPONDEXCE.  153 

Jonathan   Humphrey,    lieutenant-colonels ;    Ebenezer   Gay, 
Epaphras  Sheldon,  and  Abel  Merrell,  majors." 

An  artillery  company  is  formed  in  Middletown  ;  and  a 
company  oi  grenadiers  is  formed  from  the  towns  of  Killingly, 
Pomfret,  and  Woodstock. 

A  series  of  pungent  resolutions  was  also  passed,  condem- 
ning the  course  of  the  British  government.  All  the  towns 
in  the  colony  called  town  meetings  in  consequence  of  the 
news,  and  most  of  them  passed  resolutions  in  imitation  of 
the  example  of  the  General  Assembly.  Committees  of  cor- 
respondence were  appointed  by  tliem  to  communicate  as  well 
with  each  other  as  with  the  colonies  at  large.  Almost  every 
town  in  the  colony  also  sent  donations  to  Boston  for  the 
relief  of  the  poor  of  that  place,  and  letters  were  addressed  to 
the  committee  there  breathing  the  loftiest  spirit  of  liberty 
and  the  deepest  sympathy  with  their  sufferings.  Not  only 
cash,  but  produce  from  the  farm,  and  whatever  could  be 
made  available  for  food  ol*  clothins;,  were  forwarded  with  a 
liberal  hand  from  the  thinly  settled  parts  of  the  colony,  as 
well  as  from  the  larger  and  wealthier  towns.* 

But  better  than  all  these  gifts  made  by  the  people  of 
Connecticut  to  those  of  Boston,  the  most  priceless  and  lovely 
were  those  spontaneous  and  inspiring  sympathies  that  welled 
up  from  the  great  hearts  of  the  freeholders  of  the  colony,  and 
found  utterance,  as  far  as  their  subtle  spirit  could  speak 
through  the  medium  of  words,  in  those  glorious  letters  written 
by  the  committee  of  correspondence  of  such  little  towns  as 
Woodbury,  Stratford,  Stonington,  Glastenbury,  Norwich,  and 
many  others  that  were  shut  out  from  the  world  by  the  trees 
that  still  shaded  the  log-huts  of  the  first  settlers. 

*  The  town  of  Windham  sent  two  hundred  and  fifty  fat  sheep ;  the  contribu- 
tion from  jSTorwich  consisted  of  money,  wheat,  corn,  and  a  flock  of  three  hundred 
and  ninety  sheep ;  Wethersfield  sent  a  large  quantity  of  wheat ;  many  other 
towns  were  equally  liberal  and  patriotic.  A  like  spirit  was  manifested  by  the 
friends  of  freedom  abroad.  The  committee  at  Schoharie,  N.  T.,  sent  to  Boston, 
five  hundred  and  fifty-five  bushels  of  wheat ;  certain  citizens  of  Georgia  sent  on 
sixty-thi-ee  barrels  of  rice,  and  £122  in  specie  ;  and  in  the  city  of  London,  £30,- 
000  sterling  were  subscribed  for  the  same  object. 


154  HISTOEY  OF   CONNECTICUT. 

On  the  23d  of  June,  1774,  the  citizens  of  Glastenbury  met 
in  town  meeting  to  express  their  sense  of  the  insult  and  out- 
rage that  had  been  offered  to  their  friends  at  Boston.  They 
proceeded  to  appoint  a  committee  of  correspondence  "to 
receive  and  answer  all  letters,''  say  they,  "  and  to  promote 
and  forward  such  contributions  as  shall  be  made  in  this  town 
for  the  relief  of  our  distressed  friends  in  Boston/'  The  com- 
mittee prepared  and  forwarded  with  a  copy  of  the  resolu- 
tions of  the  meeting,  the  eloquent  address  that  is  here  sub- 
joined in  a  note,  and  will  be  read  with  interest  by  every 
scholar  for  its  classical  diction,  and  by  every  lover  of  liberty 
for  its  burning  sentiments  and  lofty  thoughts.* 

*  The  names  of  tlie  committee  who  were  appointed  to  draw  up  this  town-paper 

were  CoL  Ehzur  Talcott,  JNIr.  William  Welles,  Capt.  Elislia  Hollister,  INli'.  Ebenezer 

Plummer,  Mr,  Isaac  Moseley,  Mr.  Thomas  Ivimberley,  and  Mr.  Josiah  Hale.    The 

letter  is  as  follows  : — 

"  Glastenbury,  in  Connecticut, 

"  Gentlemen :—  "  23d  June,  1774 

"  We  cannot  but  deeply  sympathize  with  you  under  the  gloomy  prospects  which 
at  present  are  before  yoa  on  account  of  those  oppressive  acts  of  parliament  vvhich 
have  lately  been  passed  respecting  Boston  in  particular,  and  the  province  of 
Massachusetts  Bay  in  general.  Especially  when  we  consider  that  our  liberties 
and  privileges  are  so  nearly  and  indissolubly  connected  with  yours,  that  an 
encroachment  upon  one  at  least,  destroys  all  the  security  of  the  other.  It  seems 
the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain  are  determined  to  reduce  America  to  a  state  of 
vassalage,  and  unless  we  all  unite  in  the  common  cause,  they  will  undoubtedly 
accomplish  their  design.  We  are  surprised  to  find  so  many  of  the  merchants  in  Bos- 
ton courting  favor  of  the  tools  of  the  ministry,  and  heaping  encomiums  on  that  enemy 
to  liberty,  that  traitor  to  his  countrj'',  and  abettor,  if  not  author  of  all  these  evils  to 
America.  However,  we  hope  the  spirit  of  liberty  is  not  yet  entirely  fled  from 
Boston,  but  that  you  will  yet  hold  out,  and  to  the  last  resist  and  oppose  those  who 
are  striving  to  enslave  America.  Tou  may  depend  on  us,  and  we  believe  all 
Connecticut  almost  to  a  man,  to  stand  by  you  and  assist  you  in  the  defense  of  our 
invaluable  rights  and  privileges,  even  to  the  sacrificing  of  our  lives  and  fortunes, 
in  so  good  a  cause.  You  will  see  the  determinations  and  resolves  of  this  town, 
which  we  have  inclosed.  A  subscription  is  set  on  foot  for  the  relief  of  the  poor 
in  Boston,  and  what  money  or  provisions  shall  be  collected,  we  shall  forv/ard  as 
soon  as  possible.  We  are  informed  that  your  house  of  representatives  have  appointed 
a  time,  for  the  meeting  of  the  general  congress,  in  which  we  hope  all  the  colonies 
will  concur,  and  that  a  non-importation  and  non-exportation  agreement,  will  be 
immediately  come  into,  which  we  doubt  not  will  procure  the  desired  effect ;  and 
notwithstanding  the  gloomy  aspect  of  things  at  present,  we  cannot  but  look  forward, 
with  fond  hopes  and  pleasing  expectations,  to  that  glorious  era,  when  America  in 


[1774.]  ■  MEETING  AT   STONINGTON".  155 

On  the  11th  of  July,  a  similar  meeting  was  held  by  the 
inhabitants  of  Stonington.  The  doings  of  this  municipal 
assembly  breathe  the  same  spirit.  These  people  had  lived 
too  long  by  the  sands  washed  by  the  tides  of  the  open  Atlantic, 
to  be  afraid  to  strike  out  at  once  into  deep  water.  Mark  the 
first  sentence  of  their  record.  ''Deeply  impressed  with  the 
alarming  and  critical  situation  of  our  public  affairs,  by  the 
many  repeated  attacks  upon  the  liberties  of  the  English 
American  colonies  by  sundry  acts  of  parliament,  both  for  the 
purpose  of  raising  a  revenue  in  America  as  well  as  the  late 
extraordinary  act  for  blocking  up  the  port  of  Boston — [we] 
think  it  our  indispensible  duty  to  manifest  our  sentiments." 
They  then  go  on  to  denounce  the  Port  Bill  "  as  repugnant  to 
the  spirit  of  Freedom  and  fundamentals  of  the  British  con- 
stitution, and  in  direct  violation  of  magna  charta."  The 
remainder  is  at  once  so  bold,  so  loyal,  so  reasonable,  and  so 
calmly  philosophical,  that  it  seems  worthy  to  have  come  from 
the  pen  of  Richmond  or  Camden.  I  have  made  some  extracts 
from  it  that  may  also  be  found  in  a  note.'"     The  committee 

spite  of  all  the  efforts  of  her  enemies  t(^  the  contrary,  shall  rise  superior  to  all 
opposition,  overcome  oppression,  be  a  refuge  for  the  oppressed,  a  nurse  of  liberty, 
a  scourge  to  tyranny,  and  the  envy  of  the  world — then  (if  you  stand  firm  and 
unshaken  amidst  the  storm  of  ministerial  vengeance)  shall  it  be  told  to  your  ever- 
lasting honor,  that  Boston  stood  foremost  in  the  cause  of  liberty,  when  the  greatest 
power  on  earth  was  striving  to  divest  them  of  it,  and  by  their  noble  efforts,  joined 
with  the  united  virtue  of  her  sister  colonies,  they  overcame,  and  thereby  trans- 
mitted to  posterity,  those  invaluable  rights  and  privileges,  which  their  forefathers 
purchased  with  their  blood.  And  now  gentlemen  relying  on  your  steadiness  and 
firmness  in  the  common  cause,  &c." 

R.  R.  riiuman,  Esq.,  in  his  "  War  of  the  Revolution,"  gives  the  doings  of  the 
town  meetings  and  conventions  in  many  of  the  towns  and  counties,  in  relation  to 
the  Boston  Port  Bill,  the  appointment  of  committees  of  inspection  and  correspond- 
ence, as  follows,  viz.,  in  New  Haven,  Lebanon,  Norwich,  Preston,  Groton,  Lyme, 
New  London,  Windham,  Farmington,  Wethersfield,  Hartford,  Woodstock 
county  5  the  counties  of  New  London,  Windham,  Hartford,  Litchfield,  &c.  See 
pp.  35 — 78.  Meetings  of  a  similar  nature  were  also  held  in  Plainfield,  Enfield, 
East  Haddam,  Bolton,  Stonington,  Colchester,  Haddam,  Ashford,  Tolland  county, 
Litchfield,  Sharon,  Windsor,  Middletown,  Stratford,  Woodbury,  and  indeed  in 
nearly  all  the  old  towns  in  the  colony. 

*  "  These  surprising  exertions  of  power  which  so  remarkably  distinguish  the  pre- 
sent inauspicious  times,  must  necessarily  alienate  the  affections  of  the  Americans 


156  HISTOEY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

of  correspondence,  soon  sent  a  communication  to  the  Boston 

committee  and  in  due  time  received  the  following  answer, 

copied  from  the  manuscript  files  of  the  Stonington  Committee 

of  Safety. 

"Boston,  August  24,  1774. 
"  Gentlemen : — 

"Your  elegant  and  benevolent  favor  of  the  1st  instant, 
yielded  us  that  support  and  consolation  amid  our  distresses, 
which  the  generous  sympathy  of  assured  friends  can  never 
fail  to  inspire.  'Tis  the  part  of  this  people  to  frown  on  dan- 
ger face  to  face,  to  stand  the  focus  of  rage  and  malevolence 
of  the  inexorable  enemies  of  American  freedom.  Permit  us 
to  glory  in  the  dangerous  distinction,  and  be  assured  that, 
while  actuated  by  the  spirit  and  confident  of  the  aid  of  such 
noble  auxiliaries,  we  are  compelled  to  support  the  conflict. 
When  liberty  is  the  prize,  who  would  shun  the  warfare  ?  Who 
would  stoop  to  waste  a  coward  thought  on  life  ?  We 
esteem  no  sacrifice  too  great,  no  conflict  too  severe,  to  redeem 
our  inestimable  rights  and  privileges.  ^Tis  for  you,  brethren, 
for  ourselves,  for  our  united  posterity,  we  hazard  all ;  and, 
permit  us  humbly  to  hope,  that  such  a  measure  of  vigilence, 
fortitude,  and  perseverance,  will  still  be  afforded  us,  that  by 

irom  their  mother  country,  and  the  British  merchants  ;"  and  after  advising  a  gen- 
eral congress  of  all  the  colonies  to  meet  with  all  possible  dispatch,  they  add, 

"  We  therefore  recommend  a  suspension  of  all  commerce  with  Great  Britain, 
immediately  to  take  place. 

"  We  are  bound  in  justice  to  ourselves  to  declare,  that  we  have  ever  manifested, 
(and  are  still  ready  on  all  occasions)  the  most  affectionate  loyalty  to  the  illustrious 
House  of  Hanover,  which  we  are  truly  sensible,  consists  in  a  well  regulated  zeal 
for  Liberty  and  the  Constitution  ;  a  sense  of  real  honor  grounded  upon  principles 
of  religion  ;  and  experience  will  warrant  us  to  affirm  that  these  endowments  of 
loyalty,  public  spirit,  of  honor,  and  religion,  are  nowhere  found  in  higher  perfec- 
tion than  in  the  British  colonies.  jSTotwithstanding  what  is  passed,  we  are  still 
desirous  to  remain  upon  our  former  good  understanding  with  the  mother  country, 
and  to  continue  to  them  their  gainful  commerce,  provided  a  repeal  of  those 
grievous  acts  take  place. 

"  We  heartily  sympathise  with  our  distressed  brethren,  the  Bostonians,  whom 
we  view  as  victims  sacrificed  to  the  shrines  of  arbitrary  power,  and  more  imme- 
diately suffering  in  the  general  cause.  We  rejoice  to  see  so  many  of  the  neigh- 
boring colonies  and  even  towns  vieing  with  each  other  in  the  liberal  benefactions 
to  the  distressed  and  injured  town  of  Boston." 


[1774.]  waeren's  letter.  157 

patiently  suffering  and  nobly  daring,  we  may  eventually 
secure  that  more  precious  than  Hesperian  fruit,  the  golden 
apples  of  freedom.  We  eye  the  hand  of  Heaven  in  the 
rapid  and  wonderful  union  of  the  colonies  ;  and  that  gener- 
ous and  universal  emulation  to  prevent  the  sufferings  of  the 
people  of  this  place,  gives  a  prelibation  of  the  cup  of  deliver- 
ance. Mav  unerring^  wisdom  dictate  the  measures  to  be 
recommended  by  the  Congress — may  a  smiling  God  conduct 
this  people  through  the  thorny  paths  of  difficulty,  and  finally 
gladden  our  hearts  with  success. 

"  We  are,  gentlemen, 
"  Your  friends  in  the  cause  of  Liberty, 

"Joseph  Warren,  Chairman. 

"  To  the  Committee  of         ^ 
"correspondence  at  Stonington."    J 

This  letter,  that  rises  like  a  heavenly  vision  into  the  regions 
where  such  poets  as  Milton  hymn  their  prophetic  songs,  is 
still  in  the  keeping  of  the  town  clerk  of  Stonington.  It  does 
indeed  "stir  the  heart  like  the  sound  of  a  trumpet,"  and  is 
worthy  to  be  carved  for  an  epitaph  upon  a  monument  of 
granite,  that  should  rest  forever  upon  the  ashes  of  Warren.* 

All  this  while  the  most  careful  provisions  were  made  for 
military  defense.  On  Saturday,  the  3d  of  Sept.,  at  4  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  an  express  from  Col.  Putnam  rode  into 
Norwich,  with  the  news  that  Boston  had  been  attacked  on 
the  night  of  the  2d,  and  several  citizens  killed.  The  citizens 
rallied  around  the  Liberty  Tree  in  great  excitement.  An  ex- 
press was  dispatched  to  Providence,  to  learn  the  truth  of  the 
rumor ;  and  such  was  the  zeal  of  the  people  that  on  Tuesday 
morning  four  hundred  and  sixty-four  men,  all  well  armed,  and 
most  of  them  well  mounted,  started  for  Boston  under  the 
command  of  Major  John  Durkee.  Before  noon,  they  were 
met  by  the  courier  who  had  returned  from  Providence,  with 
the  information  that  no  such  attack  had  taken  place.  This 
rumor  was  not  so  soon  contradicted  in  the  interior  towns.    It 

*  As  the  letters  to  and  from  the  Revolutionary  committees  of  correspondence 
were  not  usually  entered  upon  the  town  records,  it  is  to  be  lamented  that  they  are 
generally  lost. 


158  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

spread  like  a  fire  upon  a  prairie.  In  a  few  hours  the  country 
for  nearly  two  hundred  miles  was  thoroughly  rallied  ;  many 
soldiers  marched  from  Woodbury,  and  joined  companies 
from  the  other  towns.*  The  whole  colony  was  in  commo- 
tion,  and  it  is  believed  that  more  than  twenty  thousand  men 
were  on  their  march  for  Boston,  before  they  were  made  aware 
that  the  story  was  without  foundation.! 

They  had  snatched  up  their  muskets  and  knapsacks,  and 
with  the  blessing  of  the  good  clergyman  who  was  still  an 
oracle  to  his  flock,  they  started  in  their  white  rifle  frocks  and 
trousers  decorated  with  dark-colored  fringes,  their  only 
uniform,  to  relieve  "  their  brethren  at  the  Bay,''  as  their  fathers 
had  done  before  them  during  Philip's  war.  From  the  towns 
on  the  coast  and  the  river,  where  danger  might  soon  be 
expected  to  visit  their  own  dwellings,  and  from  the  settle- 
ments perched  upon  the  hill-tops  of  Litchfield  county,  secure 
from  every  tyranny  save  that  of  piping  winds,  ice-storms,  and 
drifted  snows,  they  hastened  to  the  scene  of  the  conflict. 
In  October,  the  General  Assembly  again  met.  The  follow- 
ing entry  upon  our  records,  indicates  the  bent  of  the  public 
mind. 

"Each  military  company  in  the  colony  shall  be  called  out 
twelve  half  days  and  exercised  in  the  use  of  their  arms, 
between  this  time  and  the  first  of  May.  If  any  non-commis- 
sioned officer  or  private  shall  neglect  to  attend  such  exercises, 
he  shall  forfeit  and  pay  for  each  half  day,  two  shillings  law- 
ful money,  to  be  divided  equally  among  those  on  duty  ;  and  a 
premium  of  six  shillings  shall  be  allowed  such  soldier  who 
shall  attend  on  said  tw^elve  half  days. "J 

Little  else  of  importance  was  done  during  that  year.  The 
delegates  from  Connecticut  in  attendance  upon  the  Continen- 
tal Congress  during  this  eventful  period,  were  Messrs.  Elipha- 
let  Dyer,  Roger  Sherman,  and  Silas  Deane.  They  united 
heartily  with  their  colleagues  from  other  colonies  in  recom- 
mending the  "non-importation,  non-consumption,  and  non- 

*  Cothren,  i.  175. 

tHinman's  Am.  Rev.,  p.  19,  20.         ^Caulkins,  Norwich,  223. 


[1774.]  CONDITION   OF  THE   COLONY.  159 

exportation  agreement,"  as  means  of  redress  for  the  "  griev- 
ances which  threatened  the  destruction  of  the  Hves,  Hberty, 
and  property  of  his  majesty's  subjects  in  North  America." 
This  agreement  was  passed  by  the  Congress  on  the  5th  day 
of  September ;  and  immediately  upon  the  reception  of  the 
report  of  the  delegates  from  this  colony,  their  action  was 
accepted  and  approved  by  the  General  Assembly,  and  the 
articles  were  recommended  to  be  faithfully  observed.  The 
Assembly  also  called  upon  the  several  towns  to  appoint  com- 
mittees ao;reeable  to  the  eleventh  article  of  that  ao-reement.* 
Thus  Connecticut,  "with  no  royal  governor  to  eject,"  no 
provincial  court  to  overawe  the  representatives  of  her  people, 
bidding  them  to  cringe  and  bow  the  supple  knee,  was  at  liberty 
to  carry  out  the  philosophical  teachings  of  that  jurisprudence 
promulgated  by  Roger  Ludlow,  ratified  by  Winthrop,  and 
founded  upon  the  principles  of  equality  that  were  now  about 
to  be  blazoned  to  the  world  by  the  pen  of  Jefferson,  and  the 
sword  of  Washington. 

*  Nearly  all  the  towns  in  the  colony,  in  their  official  capacity,  ratified  the  doings 
of  Congress  and  of  the  Assembly.  The  unanimity  of  feeling  and  action  on  this 
subject,  is  truly  remarkable,  when  it  is  remembered  that  the  subject  of  colonial 
independence  had  hardly  as  yet  begun  to  be  breathed  even  in  whispers. 


CHAPTER  YII. 

BATTLE  OF  LEXINGTON  AND  FALL  OF  TICONDEEOGA. 

Boston  was  now  filled  with  British  troops,  and  armed  ships 
in  hostile  array  swarmed  in  the  waters  that  washed  the  slen- 
der peninsula  on  which  she  stood.  Every  day  added  to  the 
breach  that  already  yawned  fearfully  wide  between  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  province  and  the  unfeeling  soldiers,  who  had 
ceased  to  remember  that  those  whom  they  now  called  rebels, 
were  sprung  of  the  same  lineage  with  themselves. 

On  the  30th  of  March,  1775,  General  Gage  marched  about 
eleven  hundred  men  into  the  country,  who  amused  themselves 
by  throwing  down  the  farmers'  fences  and  doing  other 
wanton  acts  of  mischief  Only  a  spark  was  now  needed  to 
light  these  combustible  materials  into  a  flame.  Upon  the 
plea  of  learning  a  new  exercise,  the  grenadier  and  light 
infantry  companies  were  soon  after  taken  off  duty.  Some 
supposed  that  the  object  was  to  seize  the  persons  of  Mr. 
Samuel  Adams  and  Mr.  Hancock,  who  were  then  at  Lexing- 
ington  ;  but  those  sagacious  gentlemen  could  not  be  induced 
to  believe  that  such  an  attempt  would  be  made  in  so  public 
a  manner. 

Some  provisional  stores  had  been  deposited  at  Worcester, 
and  others  at  Concord.  These  stores  were  the  object  of 
General  Gage's  attention.  It  is  not  likely  that  he  would 
have  taken  this  step  at  that  time,  had  he  not  been  urged  to 
do  it  by  the  solicitations  of  the  tories,  who  lived  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Concord,  and  who  had  filled  his  ears  with 
false  reports  of  the  cowardice  of  the  "rebels."  On  the  18th 
of  April,  a  number  of  officers  were  stationed  along  the  road 
leading  to  Concord  to  prevent  the  arrival  of  expresses  from 
Boston  to  give  the  alarm.  But  Dr.  Warren  accidentally 
discovered   the  movement  and  sent  messengers  across  the 


[1775.]  THE   FIRST   BLOW.  161 

neck,  some  of  whom  were  so  well  mounted  that  they  out- 
stripped the  vigilance  of  the  British  patrol,  and  gave  the 
warning  that  was  soon  sounded  far  and  wide  through  that 
religious  neighborhood,  by  the  silvery  bells  that  sent  it  from 
steeple  to  steeple  toward  Concord.  Signal-guns  and  volleys 
too  confirmed  the  intelligence.  By  eleven  o'clock  at  night, 
eight  hundred  grenadiers  and  light  infantry,  the  finest  troops 
in  the  army,  embarked  at  the  common,  and  landing  at  Phipp's 
farm,  took  up  their  line  of  march  for  Concord.  They  were 
commanded  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Smith.  Major  Pitcairn 
led  the  advanced  corps.  About  two  o'clock  on  the  morning 
of  the  19th,  the  Lexington  company  of  militia,  to  the  number 
of  one  hundred  and  thirty,  were  stationed  on  the  green  near 
the  meeting  house.  The  air  was  so  chilly  and  the  prospect 
of  the  enemy's  approach  was  so  very  uncertain,  that  the 
men  were  dismissed  after  the  roll-call,  with  orders  to  appear 
again  at  beat  of  drum.  Some  of  them  went  home  and 
others  to  the  inns  that  were  not  far  off.  Word  was  not 
brought  them  in  season  to  prepare  for  the  coming  up  of  the 
British  troops,  so  that  only  about  seventy  men  were  on  the 
ground  when  the  enemy  arrived,  and  but  a  few  of  these 
were  drawn  up  in  battle  order.  There  were  about  forty  spec- 
tators who  had  no  arms  in  their  hands.  Of  course  this  hand- 
ful of  militia  would  not  have  thought  of  beginning  the  attack. 
Seeing  this  confused  crowd  of  citizens  standing  in  the  line 
of  his  march.  Major  Pitcairn  rode  around  the  meeting  house, 
and  as  he  drew  near,  called  out  to  them  in  no  very  gentle 
tone,  "Disperse,  you  rebels;  throw  down  your  arms  and  dis- 
perse." Enraged  at  seeing  that  not  a  single  man  dropped 
his  musket,  or  made  a  movement  to  retire  from  the  spot,  he 
rode  a  few  yards  farther,  discharged  his  pistol,  brandished 
his  sword,  and  bade  the  advanced  corps  to  fire  upon  the 
crowd.  They  obeyed  and  the  people  all  fled,  but  the  firing 
still  continued.  A  handful  of  the  militia  now  stopped  and 
returned  the  fire.  Three  or  four  Americans  were  killed  upon 
the  green,  and  the  rest,  eight  in  all,  were  shot  on  the  other 

side  of  the  walls  and  fences  where  they  had  secreted  them- 

43 


162  HISTOEY  OF   COKXECTICUT. 

selves.  The  detachment  continued  its  march  toward  Con- 
cord. Startled  at  this  wanton  murder,  the  people  of  the  town 
sallied  for  defense.  But  the  British  troops  were  too  numer- 
ous and  too  well  disciplined  to  be  successfully  met  by  them. 
The  Americans  now  retired  over  the  north  bridge  and  waited 
for  reinforcements  from  the  neighboring  towns.  The  British 
light  infantry  followed  and  took  possession  of  the  bridge, 
while  the  main  body  entered  the  town  and  hastened  to  seize 
upon  the  stores.  They  rendered  unfit  for  service  the  cannon 
that  they  found  there,  threw  five  hundred  pounds  of  ball  into 
the  river,  wells,  and  other  places  of  concealment,  and  broke 
in  pieces  about  sixty  barrels  filled  with  flour. 

These  were  the  vaunted  military  stores  that  had  disturbed 
the  slumbers  of  the  tories  of  that  district,  and  tempted  the 
British  general  to  plunge  the  nation  into  a  civil  war ! 

While  this  wanton  destruction  of  property  was  going  on, 
the  provincials  were  pouring  into  Concord  in  great  numbers. 
Major  John  Butterick  took  command,  and  ignorant  of  the 
murder  at  Lexington,  ordered  the  militia  not  to  fire  on  the 
aggressors,  but  to  defend  themselves.  As  he  advanced  with 
his  men,  the  infantry  retired  to  the  Concord  side  of  the  river, 
and  began  to  destroy  the  bridge.  As  he  drew  nearer,  they 
fired  upon  him  and  killed  Captain  Davis,  of  Acton,  who  was 
marching  in  front.  The  fire  was  returned  and  a  skirmish 
followed,  in  which  the  British  troops  were  soon  forced  to 
retreat.  They  were  pursued  with  much  loss,  and  had  good 
cause  for  expedition,  for  the  militia  poured  in  like  a  whirl- 
wind, and  hung  upon  their  rear,  shooting  them  from  behind 
the  stone  walls  and  bushes.  The  retreating  detachment  was 
restored  to  its  equanimity  by  the  timely  arrival  of  Lord 
Percy.*      The  details  of  the  battle  of  Lexington   are   set 

*Tlie  brigade  marched  out,  playing,  by  way  of  contempt,  Yankee  Doodle — 
a  tune  composed  in  derision  of  the  New  Englanders.  As  the  troops  passed 
through  Roxbury,  a  boy  made  himself  extremely  merry  with  the  circumstance, 
jumping  and  laughing,  so  as  to  attract  the  notice  of  his  lordship, — who,  it  is 
said,  asked  him  at  what  he  was  laughing  so  heartily  ;  and  was  answered,  "  To 
think  how  you  will  dance  by  and  by  to  Chevy  ChaseP  It  is  added  that  the 
repartee  stuck  by  his  lordship  the  whole  day.     Gordon,  i.  312. 


[1775.]  CONNECTICUT   MAKES   REPRISAL.  163 

down  here  with  some  degree  of  minuteness,  not  only  because 
it  was  the  beginning  of  actual  hostilities  between  Encrland 
and  the  colonies,  but  because,  growing  out  of  an  attempt  to 
seize  military  stores,  it  led  to  a  movement,  originating  in 
Connecticut,  and  paid  for  out  of  the  treasury  of  that  colony, 
that  resulted  in  the  capture  of  Ticonderoga,  and  in  the 
seizure  of  all  its  guns  and  munitions  for  the  use  of  the  colo- 
nies. The  General  Assembly  was  in  session  when  the 
news  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  reached  Hartford,  and  the 
plan  was  entered  into  of  surprising  Ticonderoga,  without 
any  ostensible  action  of  the  Assembly,  but  with  their 
tacit  assent.  Several  gentlemen  borrowed  money  to 
defray  the  expenses  of  the  expedition,  from  the  colonial 
treasury,  and  gave  their  individual  obligations,  with  secu- 
rity.* A  committee  was  appointed  by  the  leaders  of  this 
daring  project  to  complete  all  the  arrangements.  This  com- 
mittee selected  sixteen  Connecticut  men  and  then  proceeded 
to  Berkshire,  where  they  elicited  the  sympathy  and  coopera- 
tion of  some  of  the  principal  gentlemen  of  the  place,  and  a 
reinforcement  of  about  forty  men.  They  then  advanced  to 
Bennington,  where  they  were  joined  by  Colonel  Ethan  Allen, 
Seth  Warner,  and  about  one  hundred  volunteers.  After 
stopping  there  long  enough  to  bake  bread  and  provide  them- 
selves with  such  other  necessaries  as  they  needed,  this  little 
company  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  picked  men,  followed 
Colonel  Allen  to  Castleton,  whither  he  had  preceded  them 
with  a  view  of  raising  more  troops.     While  on  their  way  to 

*  The  persons  who  signed  the  notes  were,  Samuel  Holden  Parsons,  Silas  Deane, 
Samuel  Wyllys,  Samuel  Bishop,  Jr.,  William  Williams,  Thomas  Mumford,  Adam 
Babcock,  Joshua  Porter,  Jesse  Root,  Ezekiel  Williams,  and  Charles  Wells.  Two 
years  after  the  capture,  (in  May  1777,)  Mr.  Parsons  addressed  a  memorial  to  the 
General  Assembly  of  Connecticut,  stating  the  fact  that  he  and  his  associates,  above 
named,  had  taken  money  from  the  treasury  as  a  means  of  surprising  and  captur- 
ing Ticonderoga,  and  had  given  their  notes  and  receipts  therefor,  all  of  which 
had  been  expended  in  said  service  ;  and  praying  the  Assembly  to  cancel  their 
notes  and  receipts  so  given  to  the  treasurer,  which  amounted  to  £810.  Their 
memorial  was  granted.  Hinman's  "  War  of  the  Revolution,"  29 — 31.  Colonel 
David  Wooster  was  one  of  the  principal  projectors  of  this  daring  enterprise," 
although  his  name  is  not  signed  to  the  notes. 


164  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Castleton,  they  fell  in  with  a  countryman,  who  seemed  to  be 
an  honest  traveler.  "  Whence  came  you  ?"  asked  the  eager 
soldiers.  "  From  Ty,"  answered  the  man,  clownishly,  making 
use  of  the  familiar  abbreviation,  by  which  the  fortress  was 
known  in  that  neighborhood,  "I  left  it  yesterday,"  Ques- 
tion.— "  Has  the  garrison  received  any  reinforcement  ?" 
Answer. — "  Yes  ;  I  saw  them.  There  were  a  number  of 
artillery-men  and  other  soldiers."  Question. — "  What  are 
they  doing  ?  Are  they  making  fascines  ?"  Answer. — "  I 
don't  know  what  fascines  are.  They  are  tying  up  sticks 
and  brush  in  bundles,  and  putting  them  where  the  walls  are 
down."  Not  satisfied  with  the  responses  of  this  traveling 
oracle,  Mr.  Blagden  interrogated  him  still  further  in  rela- 
tion to  the  dress  and  equipments  of  the  men.  The  keen- 
witted tory  foiled  him  at  every  turn  with  such  rational 
answers,  that  the  whole  company  was  staggered  with  doubt. 
A  council  was  held,  in  which  the  proposition  was  made  to 
return,  and  after  a  strenuous  debate,  it  was  defeated  by  a 
majority  of  a  single  vote.  At  Castleton  they  met  Colonel 
Allen  with  fresh  reinforcements.  Their  numbers  now 
amounted  to  two  hundred  and  seventy  men,  most  of  them 
Green  Mountain  Boys,  who,  born  in  Connecticut,  Massachu- 
setts, and  New  Hampshire,  and  inured  to  the  rough  warfare 
of  border  life,  in  contending  with  the  executive  officers  and 
defying  the  authority  of  the  provincial  legislature  of  New 
York,  had  become  wild  and  free  in  ^11  their  actions  and  opin- 
ions as  the  green  ridges  whence  they  took  their  name.*  Sen- 
tries were  now  posted  on  all  the  roads  leading  to  Ticonderoga, 
to  prevent  the  news  of  the  enterprise  being  carried  to  the 

*The  celebrated  controversy  between  the  "  Green  Mountain  Boys  "  and  the 
New  York  Government,  forms  an  important  feature  in  the  history  of  the  era 
immediately  preceding  the  Revolution.  The  settlers  on  the  "  New  Hampshire 
Grants"  claimed  to  be  beyond  the  jurisdiction  of  the  provincial  governments, 
and  consequently  had  a  right  to  govern  themselves.  The  governor  and  council 
of  New  York,  however,  regarding  the  territory  as  within  their  jurisdiction,  fre- 
quently sent  their  constables,  sheriffs,  and  sometimes  their  militia,  to  dispossess 
the  settlers,  collect  taxes,  &c.  The  pioneers  organized  and  armed  themselves  for 
mutual  self- protection.  Through  a  long  series  of  years,  collisions  between  the 
two  parties  were  frequent. 


[1775.]  ARNOLD   CLAIMS  THE   COMMAND.  165 

garrison  by  the  tories.  After  the  troops  had  all  formed  a  junc- 
tion at  Castleton,  Colonel  Benedict  Arnold  arrived  from  Cam- 
bridge, whither  he  had  betaken  himself  with  a  company  of 
volunteers,  on  receiving  intelligence  of  the  battle  of  Lexing- 
ton.* The  next  day  after  his  arrival  at  Cambridge,  he  had 
waited  upon  the  Massachusetts  Committee  of  Safety,  inform- 
ed them  of  the  defenseless  condition  of  Ticonderoga,  and 
given  them  such  a  glowing  account  of  the  value  of  the  guns 
and  military  stores  there,  that  they,  upon  a  full  hearing, 
appointed  him  a  colonel,  with  power  to  enlist  four  hundred 
volunteers,  and  march  against  the  fort  without  delay.  He 
arrived  at  Castleton  with  a  single  servant,  expecting  to  take 
command  of  the  forces  who  were  now  readv  to  move  forward. 
Arnold  was  personally  known  to  Mr.  Blagden,  but  not  another 
individual  composing  the  company,  had  ever  seen  him  before. 
He  instantly  informed  them  who  he  was,  and  what  was  the 
nature  of  his  errand,  and  insisted  that  the  command  of  the 
whole  force  should  be  committed  to  his  charge.  With  a 
measure  of  haughtiness  that  would  have  overawed  most  men, 
he  found  that  he  could  not  bully  Ethan  Allen,  nor  take  the 
control  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  contrary  to  their  free 
choice.  However,  his  commission  was  examined  and  he  was 
allowed  to  join  with  the  other  volunteers,  and  share  in  the 
honor  of  the  contemplated  exploit.  More  than  this,  he  was  com- 
missioned anew  by  the  party,  and  authorized  to  serve  as  the 
assistant  of  Colonel  Allen.  Chafed  as  he  was  at  this  unexpect- 
ed rebuff,  Arnold  submitted  to  the  terms  so  generously  proffer- 
ed him.  It  had  been  decided  that  Colonel  Allen  and  the  prin- 
cipal officers  should  march  with  the  main  body  of  the  troops, 

*  On  hearing  the  news  of  the  battle  of  Lexington,  Arnold,  who  was  Captain  of 
the  Governor's  Guards,  in  New  Haven,  called  his  company  together  and  paraded 
before  the  tavern  where  a  committee  were  in  session.  He  applied  for  powder  and 
ball ;  which  the  committee  declined  furnishing.  Arnold  threatened  to  take  the 
needful  supply  by  force,  if  necessary.  Colonel  Wooster  went  out  and  endeav- 
ored to  persuade  him  to  wait  for  proper  orders,  before  starting  for  the  scene  of 
conflict.  Arnold  answered,  "  None  but  Almighty  God  shall  prevent  my  march- 
ing?^  The  committee,  perceiving  his  fixed  resolution,  supplied  him  ;  and  he 
marched  off  instantly,  and,  with  his  company,  reached  the  American  quarters 
by  the  29th  of  April.     Gordon,  i.  328. 


166  HISTOKY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

numbering  about  one  hundred  and  forty  effective  men, 
directly  to  Shoreham,  on  the  lake  shore,  opposite  Ticonde- 
roga,^  while  Captain  Herrick,  with  thirty  men,  should  pass  on 
to  Skenesborough,  at  the  head  of  lake  Champlain,  seize  the 
effects  of  Major  Skene,  and  return  with  the  boats  and  stores 
that  they  might  capture  there,  to  join  Colonel  Allen  at  Shore- 
ham.  Captain  Drylas  meanwhile,  was  to  advance  to  Panton 
and  get  possession  of  every  boat  and  batteau  that  might  fall 
in  his  way.  The  day  before  this  arrangement  was  determin- 
ed upon.  Captain  Noah  Phelps  had  disguised  himself,  and 
entered  the  fort  in  the  character  of  a  countryman  wanting 
to  be  shaved.  In  searching  for  a  barber  he  observed  every- 
thing critically,  asked  a  number  of  rustic  questions,  affected 
great  ignorance,  and  passed  unsuspected.  Before  night  he 
withdrew  and  joined  his  party. 

On  the  night  of  the  9th  of  May,  Colonel  Allen  reached 
Shoreham.   His  first  care  was  to  look  about  him  for  a  trusty 
and  skillful  guide  to  lead  him  into  the  fort.      There  lived  on 
the  lake-shore   a  Mr.    Beman,    a  true-hearted   and   highly 
respectable  farmer,  of  whom  he  solicited  information.     Mr. 
Beman  replied  that  he  had  not  been  in  the  habit  of  crossing 
the  lake,  and  could  not  himself  direct  him  ;  but  that  his  son 
Nathan,  who  was  a  mere  lad  and  had  passed  a  good  deal  of 
time  at  the  fortress  in  playing  with  the  boys  of  the  garrison, 
could  conduct  him  through  all  its  passages.     Nathan  Beman 
was  accordingly  sent  for  and  subjected  to  a  strict  examina- 
tion.    He  proved  to  be  a  very  intelligent  child  and   gave 
such  ready  answers  to  the  inquiries  that  were  put  to  him, 
and  had  such  a  frank  and  honest  face,  that  Colonel  Allen  was 
willing  to  put  himself  under  his  guidance.      A  new  obstacle 
now  presented  itself   No  boats  had  yet  arrived  from  Panton, 
and  there  were  so  few  at  Shoreham  that  the  whole  night  was 
consumed  in  getting  the  officers  and  eighty-three  of  the  men 
across  the  lake.     Colonel  Allen  had  sent  the  boats  back  to 
bring  over  the  rear  guard,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Warner,  when  he  perceived  signs  of  the  approaching  dawn. 
Contrary  to  the  advice  of  some  of  the  officers,  he  resolved 


[1775.]  COLONEL  ALLEN's   SPEECH.  167 

not  to  wait  for  the  rear  guard,  but  to  begin  the  attack  at 
once.  Drawing  up  his  forces  in  three  ranks  beneath  the 
very  walls  of  the  fort,  he  addressed  them  in  the  following 
characteristic  language  : 

"  Friends  and  Fellow  Soldiers  : — You  have  for  a  number 
of  years  past  been  a  scourge  and  terror  to  arbitrary  power. 
Your  valor  has  been  famed  abroad,  and  acknowledged,  as 
appears  by  the  advice  and  orders  to  me  from  the  General 
Assembly  of  Connecticut,  to  surprise  and  take  the  garrison 
now  before  us.  I  now  propose  to  advance  before  you,  and 
in  person  conduct  you  through  the  wicket-gate ;  for  we  must 
this  morning  either  quit  our  pretensions  to  valor,  or  possess 
ourselves  of  this  fortress  in  a  few  minutes  ;  and,  inasmuch 
as  it  is  a  desperate  attempt,  which  none  but  the  bravest  of 
men  dare  undertake,  I  do  not  urge  it  on  any  contrary  to 
his  will.  You  that  will  undertake  voluntarily,  poise  your 
fire-locks." 

As  he  concluded,  every  soldier  poised  his  fire-lock,  without 
uttering  a  word.  Colonel  Allen  then  ordered  them  to  face 
to  the  right,  and  himself  marching  at  the  head  of  the  centre- 
file,  advanced  to  the  wicket-gate.  Here  he  found  a  sentry 
posted,  who  instantly  snapped  his  fusee  at  the  invader.  Colo- 
nel Allen  rushed  towards  him,  and,  flying  along  a  covered 
passage  and  into  the  parade  ground,  within  the  fort,  the 
frightened  man  uttered  a  single  cry  of  alarm,  and  hid  himself 
under  a  bomb-proof. 

The  two  barracks  fronted  each  other,  and  as  the  volun- 
teers entered  the  parade,  following  the  long  strides  of  their 
leader,  he  commanded  them  to  form  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
face  both  these  dormitories,  whence  the  soldiers  of  the 
garrison  were  momentarily  expected  to  swarm.  The  whole 
garrison  was  locked  in  such  a  dead  sleep,  that  the  shouts  of 
the  inside  sentries,  who  gave  three  loud  huzzas,  could  scarcely 
awaken  them.  One  of  these  sentries  made  a  pass  at  one  of 
Colonel  Allen's  officers,  and  slightly  wounded  him.  Allen 
raised  his  sword  to  kill  the  assailant  at  a  blow  ;  but  chang- 
ing his  purpose  and  reflecting  that  the  man's  life  might  be 


168  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

turned  to  some  good  account,  he  commuted  the  punishment 
to  a  slight  cut  upon  the  side  of  the  head.  The  sentinel 
instantly  threw  down  his  gun  and  begged  for  life.  Colonel 
Allen  granted  his  petition,  and  demanded  of  him  where  his 
commanding  officer  slept. 

The  prisoner  pointed  to  a  pair  of  stairs  in  front  of  one  of 
the  barracks,  leading  up  into  the  second  story.  Allen  strode 
up  the  stairs,  and  shouted  from  the  entrance,  "Come  forth 
instantly,  or  I  will  sacrifice  the  whole  garrison."  Roused 
from  sleep  by  a  summons  that  must  have  been  heard  by 
every  man  within  the  walls  of  the  fortress,  Captain  De  La 
Place  came  immediately  to  the  door,  w^ith  his  breeches  in  his 
hand.  His  astonishment  on  beholding  such  a  giant  appari- 
tion standing  so  near  him  with  a  drawn  sword  in  its  hand, 
seems  at  first  to  have  deprived  the  poor  soldier  of  the  power 
of  utterance.  Allen  was  the  first  to  break  the  silence  of  this 
awkward  interview.  "  Deliver  me  the  fort  instantly,"  said 
he.  "  By  whose  authority,"  inquired  the  British  officer.  "  In 
the  name  of  the  Great  Jehovah  and  the  Continental  Congress," 
shouted  the  volunteer  colonel  in  explanation.  Captain  De 
La  Place  appears  to  have  been  at  a  loss  to  understand  how 
the  former  of  the  authorities  named,  could  be  disposed  to 
frown  on  a  gallant  officer  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty,  and 
equally  at  a  loss  to  define  the  jurisdiction  of  the  latter, 
over  the  servants  of  the  house  of  Hanover. 

He  began  to  speak  interrogatively,  by  way  of  satisfying 
these  scruples,  when  Allen  interrupted  him,  and  flourishing 
his  sword  over  his  head,  again,  in  a  voice  of  thunder, 
demanded  the  surrender  of  the  fort.  By  the  sincerity  of  his 
adversary's  manner,  and  by  the  flashing  of  his  eye,  that 
gleamed  like  a  tiger's  in  the  gray  light  of  the  early  morning. 
Captain  De  La  Place  saw  that  compliance  alone  could  save 
his  life,  and  yielded  in  time  to  stay  the  descending  blade. 

He  issued  orders  immediately  that  his  men  should  be  par- 
aded without  arms,  as  he  had  given  up  the  garrison. 

Meanwhile  the  other  invading  officers  were  busy  in  exe- 
cuting that  part 'of  the  enterprise  assigned  to  them,  and  had 


^1775.]  WARNER   TAKES   CROWN  POINT.  169 

soon  beaten  down  several  of  the  barrack  doors,  and  impris- 
oned about  one-third  of  the  garrison,  which  consisted  of 
Captain  De  La  Place,  Lieut.  Feltham,  a  conductor  of  artil- 
lery, a  gunner,  two  sergeants  and  forty-four  privates.  This 
daring  scheme  was  carried  into  effect  in  the  morning  twilight 
of  the  10th  of  May,  1775.  "  The  sun,"  says  Colonel  Allen, 
who  like  Mason,  has  left  no  vulgar  record  of  his  own  exploit, 
"  the  sun  seemed  to  rise  that  morning  with  a  superior  lustre, 
and  Ticonderoga  and  its  dependencies  smiled  to  its  conquer- 
ors, who  tossed  about  the  glowing  bowl  and  wished  success 
to  Congress,  and  the  liberty  and  freedom  of  America." 

Well  might  its  long  level  beams  smile  upon  the  waters  of 
the  lake,  that  had  after  so  many  years  of  conflict  only  passed 
from  the  hands  of  one  tyrant  into  those  of  another,  and  had 
now  for  the  first  time  begun  to  tremble  in  the  light  that  was 
to  emancipate  the  world.  That  same  sun,  before  its  setting, 
shone  upon  the  Continental  Congress,  whose  authority  Allen 
had  invoked  six  good  hours  before  it  began  to  exist ! 

The  reader  is  not  to  suppose  that  Colonel  Warner  was  idle 
while  his  old  friend,  who  had  shared  in  common  with  him 
the  wrestling-matches  and  boyhood  pastimes  that  in  those 
days  made  the  sons  of  Litchfield  County  tough-sinewed  and 
double-jointed  as  well  as  brave,  was  consummating  one  of 
the  most  daring  exploits  in  the  history  of  the  revolution. 
Early  in  the  morning  this  gallant  officer  crossed  the  lake 
with  the  rear  guard,  eager  to  share  in  the  excitement  of  a 
scene  in  which  accident  alone  had  prevented  his  participa- 
ting. He  was  indeed  too  late;  but  his  nature  was  incapa- 
ble of  envying  the  laurels  that  had  been  won  by  his  superior 
officer,  and  he  set  off  cheerfully  and  without  delay  with 
about  one  hundred  men,  to  take  possession  of  Crown  Point. 
The  small  garrison  of  this  fortress  consisting  only  of  a  ser- 
geant and  twelve  men,  was  on  the  same  day  delivered  up  to 
him  without  a  struggle. 

Previous  to  this  affair,  Allen  had  dispatched  a  messenger 
to  Captain  Remember  Baker,  who  was  at  Winooski  river, 
requesting  him  to  join   the  army  at  Ticonderoga,  with  as 


170  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

large  a  number  of  men  as  he  could  muster.  He  obeyed  the 
summons  ;  and  when  he  was  coming  up  the  lake  with  his 
party,  he  met  two  small  boats,  which  had  been  sent  from 
Crown  Point,  to  carry  intelligence  of  the  reduction  of  Ticon- 
deroga  to  St.  John's  and  Montreal,  and  solicit  reinforce- 
ments. The  boats  were  captured  by  Baker,  and  he  arrived 
at  Crown  Point  just  in  time  to  participate  in  the  reduction 
of  that  post.* 

Still  the  lake  was  not  entirely  free,  for  a  single  English  sloop 
was  lying  at  St.  John's.  As  Colonel  Arnold  had  already 
proved  himself  willing  to  do  his  duty,  an  amicable  arrange- 
ment was  entered  into  between  him  and  Allen  in  regard  to 
the  capture  of  this  sloop.  It  was  agreed  to  arm  and  fit  out 
a  schooner  that  was  lying  at  South  Bay,  which  was  to  sail 
for  St.  John's  under  Arnold,  while  Colonel  Allen  followed 
with  another  party  in  batteaux.  Arnold  made  all  sail  for  the 
prize,  without  waiting  for  Allen  who,  of  course,  soon 
fell  behind  him.  The  sloop  was  much  larger  and  carried 
more  metal  than  the  schooner,  but  Arnold  found  no  difficulty 
in  surprising  and  taking  her  captive,  together  with  the  garri- 
sion  at  St.  John's,!  before  the  batteaux  could  arrive.  The 
wind  that  had  favored  his  advance,  now  suddenly  shifted, 
and  blew  fresh  from  the  north,  as  if  to  facilitate  his  return. 
In  about  an  hour,  Arnold  again  reached  Ticonderoga.  On 
his  way  he  met  Colonel  Allen,  within  a  few  miles  of  St. 
John's,  and  saluted  him  with  a  discharge  of  cannon.  Allen 
returned  it  with  a  volley  of  small  arms.  This  was  repeated 
three  times,  after  which  the  colonel  went  on  board  the  sloop 
with  his  party,  where  they  all  drank  several  jolly  rounds  for 
the  edification  of  their  prisoners,  and  in  token  of  their 
loyalty  to  the  American  Congress. 

Lake  Champlain  was  now  in  the  hands  of  the  Americans, 
without  the  loss  of  a  single  life.  The  fall  of  Ticonderoga 
alone  gave  to  the  Congress,  aside  from  the  importance 
of  the  place,  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  iron  cannon, 

*  Captain  Baker  was  a  native  of  Woodbury,  Connecticut. 

t  This  garrison  consisted,  like  that  at  Crown  Point,  of  a  sergeant  and  twelve  men. 


[1775.]  CONNECTICUT  PAYS  THE   BILLS.  171 

fifty  swivels,  two  mortars,  one  howitzer,  one  cohorn,  ten  tons 
of  musket  ball,  three  cart  loads  of  flints,  thirty  new  car- 
riages, a  large  quantity  of  shells,  one  hundred  stands  of 
arms,  ten  barrels  of  powder,  two  brass  cannon,  to  say 
nothing  of  materials  for  ship  building,  pork,  flour,  beans, 
peas,  and  other  valuables.*  Warner  took  upwards  of  one 
hundred  pieces  of  cannon  at  Crown  Point.  Such  was  the 
result  of  this  retaliatory  act  that  followed  the  murders  at 
Lexington,  and  the  ill-timed  seizure  under  the  name  of  mili- 
tary stores,  of  a  few  barrels  of  flour  at  Concord.  It  was 
as  we  have  seen,  from  the  beginning,  a  Connecticut  measure, 
conceived  by  gentlemen  from  that  colony,  approved  by  her 
General  Assembly,  carried  out  by  officers  who  were  born  in 
her  towns  of  Litchfield,  Woodbury,  and  Norwich  ;  and  pai(i 
for,  as  our  state  papers  still  show,  from  her  treasury. f 

Thus  Connecticut  had  the  honor,  of  which  neither  envy 
nor  falsehood  have  ever  been  quite  able  to  rob  her,  of  strik- 
ing the  first  aggressive  blow  at  the  British  power  in 
America.J     The  news  of  these  achievements  soon  spread 

*  Allen's  "  Narrative."     See  De  Puy's  Life  of  Colonel  Allen,  p.  218. 

T  The  surprise  and  capture  of  Skenesborough  was  effected  without  bloodshed. 
Major  Skene  was  taken  while  out  on  a  shooting  excursion,  and  his  strong  home 
possessed  and  the  pass  completely  gained,  almost  without  opposition.  Had  the 
Major  received  the  least  intimation  of  the  intended  assault,  the  attempt  must 
have  failed  ;  for  he  had  about  sixteen  tenants  near  at  hand,  besides  eight  negroes 
and  twelve  workmen.     See  Gordon,  i.  335. 

X  As  some  historians  have  claimed  for  Massachusetts  the  honor  of  originating 
and  carrying  out  the  design  upon  Ticonderoga,  the  subject  may  deserve  a  passing 
remark.  The  facts  in  the  case,  as  I  have  given  them  in  the  text,  have  been  so 
fully  and  repeatedly  proved,  that  many  of  the  Massachusetts  writers  have  cheer- 
fully conceded  the  claims  of  Connecticut  on  this  point.  That  the  importance  of 
Ticonderoga  to  the  cause  of  the  colonies,  had  been  a  topic  of  conversation  among 
the  patriots  of  Massachusetts,  as  well  as  of  Connecticut,  is  not  improbable  ;  but 
it  does  not  appear  that  any  person  in  that  colony  had  conceived  the  practicability 
of  attempting  its  capture,  until  Arnold  suggested  it  to  the  committee  of  safety  ; 
or  until  the  committee  from  Connecticut  revealed  the  plan  to  Colonel  Easton,  and 
others,  at  Pittsfield,  when  on  their  way  to  Bennington.  Colonel  Easton,  of  Pitts- 
field,  was  appointed  second  in  command  5  and  a  few  volunteers  for  the  expedition 
were  picked  up  in  Massachusetts.  This,  I  believe,  constitutes  the  extent  of  her 
participation  in  the  affair,  and  these  were  only  hired  men. 


172  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

tnroughout  the  continent.  The  Congress  hailed  her  sons, 
who  led  the  expedition,  with  the  liveliest  enthusiasm,  and 
even  threw  open  their  doors,  and  received  them  upon  their 
floor.  Reluctantly,  and  after  a  long  debate,  in  which  the 
tories  were  voted  down.  New  York  did  the  same,^  and 
everywhere  from  north  to  south,  was  mingled  with  the  honor 
awarded  to  the  officers,  a  tribute  of  gratitude  to  the  Green 
Mountain  Boys. 

*  In  the  New  Tork  Assembly,  the  motion  was  made  by  Captain  Sears,  a  distin- 
guished "  Son  of  Liberty,"  was  seconded  by  Melancthon  Smith,  and  was  carried 
bv  a  vote  of  more  than  two  to  one. 


CHAPTER  YIII. 


BATTLE  OF  BUNKEU  HILL. 

As  soon  as  intelligence  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  reached 
the  ears  of  the  ever  watchful  governor  of  Connecticut,  he 
dispatched  a  messenger  to  Colonel  Putnam,  directing  him  to 
repair  forthwith  to  Lebanon. 

It  was  early  in  the  morning,  and  Putnam  was  plowing 
in  the  field,  when  this  special  post  arrived.  He  left  the  plow 
in  the  unfinished  furrow,  and  after  giving  some  hasty  direc- 
tions to  his  servants,  hurried  home,  mounted  his  horse,  and 
rode  off  at  full  gallop.  He  found  the  "rebel  governor"  ready 
to  receive  him.  The  interview  was  brief.  "Hasten  forward 
to  Concord,  said  his  excellency,  don't  stay  for  troops.  I 
will  take  care  of  that — hurry  forward,  and  I  will  send  the 
troops  after  you  !"*  Upon  the  back  of  the  same  horse  that 
had  brought  him  from  home,  Putnam  instantly  set  out  upon 
his  journey.  He  pushed  forward  like  a  courier  who  bears 
dispatches  on  which  is  to  hinge  the  fate  of  empires. 
He  traveled  all  night  without  so  much  as  halting  to 
give  breath  to  the  tired  beast  who  found  it  was  no 
sinecure  to  serve  such  a  master.  As  the  sun  rose  the 
next  morning,  the  veteran  hero,  then  almost  sixty  years 
old,  rode  into  Concord,  having  kept  his  saddle  for 
eighteen  hours,  and  made,   over  roads  that  would  now  be 

*  A  very  respectable  authority  states,  that  Putnam  was  digging  stones  for  the 
purpose  of  making  a  wall  upon  his  farm,  when  the  messenger  arrived,  and  that 
he  started  off  into  the  neighboring  towns  to  rally  the  militia  without  orders  from 
any  one.  This  is  believed  to  be  a  mistake.  Governor  Trumbull  was  not  only  the 
nominal,  but  the  real  head  of  the  military  forces  of  tlie  colony — was  tlie  authority 
from  which  such  a  movement  would  be  expected  to  emanate.  Besides,  there  are 
still  in  the  Trumbull  family  the  evidences  that  the  governor  was  the  first  to  take 
this  step.  Putnam  was  too  good  a  citizen — too  much  a  soldier  to  act  without 
being  properly  authorized. 


174  TTISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

thought  impassable,  the  distance  of  more  than  one  hundred 
miles.  The  Connecticut  militia  who  followed  him,  marched 
with  a  quick  step  until  they  reached  their  place  of  destina- 
tion. No  sooner  was  it  known  that  Putnam  was  in  the  field, 
than  other  patriots  from  all  parts  of  the  colony  imitated  his 
example.  Sometimes  in  parties  of  ten  or  twelve,  with  a 
captain,  a  lieutenant,  a  sergeant,  or  a  corporal ;  sometimes 
in  little  squads  of  two  or  three  officers,  or  privates,  as  the 
case  might  be  ;  they  would  come  dropping  into  Cambridge, 
where  his  regiment  was  stationed,  soon  after  his  arrival  ; 
gentlemen  and  yeomen,  most  of  them  clad  in  the  same 
undistinguishable  home-spun  that  had  been  made  a  common 
badge  of  all  the  true-hearted  by  the  late  oppressive  acts  of 
parliament  ;  all  animated  with  the  same  spirit  of  resistance. 
As  April  waned  and  May  slowly  crept  toward  its  zenith, 
these  little  hunting-parties  began  to  be  succeeded  by  larger 
companies,  better  armed,  and  presenting  a  more  warlike 
array.  At  last  a  band  of  one  hundred  men  marched  from 
Norwich,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Huntington. 
This  company  had  been  brought  together  and  partly  disci- 
plined by  Major  John  Durkee.*  It  was  made  up  of  excel- 
lent marksmen,  who  proved  themselves  worthy  to  be  com- 
manded by  John  Durkee,  when  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill 
the  ranks  of  General  Howe's  regulars  fell  column  after 
column  before  their  fatal  aim. 

But  let  us  not  lose  sight  of  the  doings  of  the  General 
Assembly.  In  March  a  short  term  had  been  held  and  a  list 
of  military  officers  appointed,  embracing  some  of  the  bright- 
est names  of  the  revolution. f  In  April  was  held  the  great 
session  of  that  eventful  year.     News-carriers  were  selected, 

*  This  company  was  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  in  camp  during  the  succeed- 
ing winter  on  Prospect  and  Cobb's  Hill,  accompanied  the  army  to  New  York  in 
March,  endured  all  the  hardships  of  the  retreat  through  the  Jerseys,  and  fought 
at  Germantown.     Caulkins'  Hist.  Norwich,  226,  227. 

t  The  following  are  the  names  of  the  regimental  officers  appointed  at  that  ses- 
sion, viz  :  Colonels — Jedediah  Elderkin,  Andrew  Ward,  Jr.,  Isaac  Lee,  Jr. 
Lieutenant-Colonels — Experience  Storrs,  Increase  Moseley,  Jr.,  Matthew  Taleott, 
Fisher  Gay,  William  Worthington,  and  David  Waterbury,  Jr.  Majors— Thomas 
Brown,  Samuel  Canfield,  Thomas  Belden,  Simeon  Strong,  and  Sylvanus  Graves. 


[1775.]  MILITIA  ORGANIZED.  175 

to  carry  tidings  from  town  to  town,  and  a  committee  appoint- 
ed to  superintend  them.*  They  next  proceed,  without  nam- 
ing the  word  "  Lexington''  (for  their  own  act  against  trea- 
son still  kept  its  place  upon  the  statute  book,)  to  appoint  a 
committee  "  to  procure  provisions  for  the  families  of  those 
who  had  gone  to  the  relief  of  the  people  at  the  Bay."  Soon 
after,  in  language  of  a  bolder  import,  it  was  ordered  that 
one-fourth  part  of  the  militia  of  the  colony,  should  "be  forth- 
with enlisted,  equipped,  accoutred,  and  assembled  for  the 
safety  and  defense  of  the  colony."  These  citizen-soldiers 
were  to  be  distributed  into  companies  of  one  hundred  men 
each ;  and  formed  into  six  regiments  under  the  command  of  a 
major-general,  assisted  by  two  brigadier-generals,  with  sub- 
ordinate officers,  whose  rank  and  duties  were  particularly 
defined.  Rates  of  pay  were  at  the  same  time  established, 
and  provision  made  to  procure  fire-arms,  and  the  other 
munitions  of  war.f  To  incite  those  to  enlist  who  were 
fit  to  bear  arms  in  defense  of  their  country,  a  premium  of 
fifty-two  shillings  and  a  month's  pay  in  advance,  was  offered 
to  the  soldiers  at  the  time  of  enlistment,  f     To  give  more 

*  Thaddeus  Burr,  of  Fairfield,  and  Charles  Church  Chandler,  of  Woodstock, 
were  appointed  to  employ,  at  the  expense  of  the  colony,  two  news-carriers,  to 
perform  regular  stages  from  Fairfield  to  Woodstock,  and  back,  so  as  to  arrive 
in  Hartford  on  Saturday  of  each  week,  and  carry  all  proper  intelligence  through 
the  colony,  along  the  route,  "  with  all  convenient  speed."  Gurdon  Saltonstall,  of 
New  London,  was  directed  to  engage  two  news-carriers,  at  the  expense  of  the 
colony,  to  perform  regular  trips  between  Woodstock  and  New  Haven,  on  the 
Fairfield  stage,  in  such  manner  that  they  should  severally  arrive  at  New  London 
on  each  Saturday,  and  forward  all  their  intelligence  on  every  Monday  morning  to 
W^oodstock  and  New  Haven. 

tThe  salary  of  the  major-general  was  fixed  at  £20  per  month  ;  each  brigadier- 
general  was  to  receive  £17  per  month  ;  colonel,  £15  ;  lieutenant-colonel,  £12  ; 
major,  £10;  captain,  £6  ;  lieutenant,  £4  ;  ensign,  £3;  adjutant,  £5.10  ;  quar- 
ter-master, £3  ;  chaplain,  £6  ;  surgeon,  £7.10  ;  surgeon's  mate,  £4  ;  sergeant, 
£2.8  5  corporal,  £2.4  ;  fifer  and  drummer,  £2.4  ;  and  each  private,  £2. 

The  soldiers  were  to  be  furnished  with  good  arms,  belonging  to  the  colony,  if 
unable  to  furnish  themselves  ;  or  if  they  found  their  own  arms,  they  were  to  be 
allowed  ten  shillings  for  the  use  of  such  arms.  In  case  more  arms  should  be 
required  than  could  otherwise  be  obtained,  they  were  to  be  impressed  from  house- 
holders not  enrolled. 


176  HISTOKY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

solemnity  and  more  of  the  appearance  of  authority  to  this 
important  act,  forms  of  enhstment  were  adopted  for  the 
officers,  and  the  governor  was  empowered  and  requested  to 
gire  written  orders  to  the  officers  whose  duty  it  was  to  bring 
men  into  the  service.  Having  provided  all  these  prehmina- 
ries,  they  appointed  the  officers  for  the  six  regiments  thus  to 
be  raised.  The  three  general  officers  were,  David  Wooster, 
Joseph  Spencer,  and  Israel  Putnam,  Esqrs.*  The  list  of 
officers,  whose  names  will  be  found  below  in  a  note,  will 
doubtless  interest  the  antiquarian  and  the  reader  of  general 
history,  who  loves  to  read  over  the  catalogue  of  illustrious 
men  whose  memories  can  never  fade  from  the  annals  of  the 
state  or  nation. 

To  provide  these  six  regiments  with  whatever  was  neces- 
sary for  the  contemplated  resistance,  commissaries  were 
appointed,  at  the  head  of  whom  stands  the  venerable  name 
of  Oliver  Wolcott.  Nor  was  the  old  expedient  of  issuing 
bills  of  credit,  foreshadowing  as  it  did  a  long  and  heavy  train 
of  all  the  evils  attending  taxation,  forgotten  on  this  occasion. 
As  the  people  had  burdened  themselves  in  times  past  to  aid 
in  the  extension  of  British  power,  much  more  now  did  they 
voluntarily  tax  themselves  to  raise  money  that  they  might 
resist  unconstitutional  laws  that  would  have  forced  such  a 
burden  upon  their  shoulders.  The  first  issue  of  these  bills 
amounted  to  fifty  thousand  pounds. 

Although  the  enemy's  ships  were  hovering  on  our  coast, 
which  was  sadly  exposed  to  their  depredations  on  account  of 
our  numerous  harbors,  still  the  Assembly  nobly  gave  up  for 
the  defense  of  Massachusetts,  four  of  the  six  regiments  thus 
to  be  raised  from  her  citizens,  and  to  be  maintained  at  her 
own  cost. 

On  the  11th  of  May,  with  a  vacation  of  less  than  twenty 

*  Colonels — Benjamin  Hinman,  David  Waterbury,  Jr.,  Samuel  Holden  Par- 
sons. Lieutenant-Colonels — Andrew  Ward,  Jr.,  Samuel  Wyllys,  Experience 
Storrs,  George  Pitkin,  Samuel  Whiting,  and  John  Tyler.  Majors — Jabez 
Thompson,  1st,  David  Welch,  2d,  Roger  Enos,  John  Durkee,  Samuel  Elmore, 
Thomas  Hobby,  Samuel  Prentice. 


[1775.]  MILITARY  CODE.  177 

days,  the  Assembly  again  met.  Their  very  first  act  was  to 
issue  bills  of  credit  of  the  same  amount  as  the  issue  in  April, 
thus  making  in  a  few  days  the  enormous  sum  of  one  hundred 
thousand  pounds.  Guns,  tents  for  officers  and  soldiers,  camp 
equipage  and  furniture,  medicine  chests,  and  standards,  were 
ordered  to  be  procured.^  For  each  regiment  the  new  stand- 
ard was  to  be  of  a  particular  color.  That  of  Wooster's  was 
to  be  yellow,  Spencer's  blue,  Putnam's  scarlet,  Hinman's 
crimson,  Waterbury's  white,  and  Parsons'  azure.  Then 
they  proceeded  to  digest  and  enact  a  military  code  for  the 
government  of  the  army  thus  to  be  made  up  of  their  sons 
and  brothers,  that  is  still  extant  to  bear  witness  to  their  wis- 
dom and  self-sacrificing  patriotism. f  In  the  preamble  to 
these  military  rules  are  to  be  found  passages  of  a  high  order 
of  eloquence.  The  causes  that  led  to  the  settlement  of  the 
colony  are  touched  upon  with  great  delicacy,  and  the  virtues 
of  those  emigrants  are  commemorated,  who,  in  the  language 
of  the  Assembly,  "bravely  encountered  the  dangers  of  untried 
seas,  and  coasts  of  a  howling  wilderness  ;  barbarous  men 
and  savage  beasts,  at  the  expense  of  their  ease  and  safety, 
of  their  blood,  their  treasure,  and  their  lives  ;  transplanted 
and  raised  the  English  constitution  in  these  wilds,  upon  the 
strong  pillars  of  civil  and  religious  liberty.'''  In  this  paper 
too  an  enumeration  of  the  causes  of  complaint  that  the  colo- 
nies had  so  much  reason  to  urge,  was  set  forth  in  the  fol- 
lowing stately  and  graphic  language  :  "All  our  loyal  peti- 
tions to  the  throne  for  redress  of  grievances  have  been 
treated  with  contempt,  or  passed  by  in  silence,  by  his  majes- 
ty's ministers  of  state,  and  the  refusal  to  surrender  our  just 
rights,  liberties,  and  immunities,  hath  been  styled  rebellion  ; 
and  fleets  and  armies  have  been  sent  into  a  neighboring 
colony  to  force  them  to  submit  to  slavery  and  awe  the  other 
colonies  into  submission,  by  the  example  of  vengeance 
inflicted  on  her." 

*Hinman,  172,  173.  ~ 

+  For  an  exact  copy  of  this  code,  see  Hon.  R.  R.  Hinman's  "  American  Revo- 
lution," from  pp.  174  to  181. 

44 


178  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

.  At  this  session  also  the  first  committee  of  safety  was 
appointed  to  advise  with  the  governor  during  vacation.* 
On  the  records  of  the  same  session  we  find  a  resolution  to 
the  effect  that  the  committee  of  the  pay-table  should  give 
orders  on  the  treasurer  for  the  payment  of  all  the  money 
actually  expended,  or  for  obligations  given  therefor,  in  obtain- 
ing the  possession  of  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point.  The 
committee  is  directed  to  liquidate  the  accounts  of  the  costs 
and  expenses  for  men  and  provisions,  in  taking  and  securing 
said  fortress,  hy  any  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  or  any  other 
colony  acting  in  the  einjiloy  of  Connecticut. '\  They  also  took 
measures  to  keep  the  forts,  the  capture  of  which  she  had 
conceived  and  executed,  as  appears  by  the  following  para- 
graph from  the  records  of  that  session  : 

"Resolved,  That  five  hundred  pounds  of  powder  shall  be 
forthwith  borrowed  by  the  committee  of  pay-table,  from  the 
town  stocks  of  the  adjacent  towns,  and  be  transported  by 
Colonel  James  Easton,  with  the  utmost  expedition,  to  Crown 
Point  and  Ticonderoga,  and  to  be  there  used  for  the  immedi- 
ate defense  of  those  posts,  until  the  resolves  of  the  Continen- 
tal Congress  should  be  carried  into  execution  ;  directing  the 
committee  of  pay-table  to  draw  on  the  colony  treasurer  in 
favor  of  Colonel  Easton  for  the  sum  of  £200,  to  be  expended 
in  defraying  the  expenses  of  transporting  said  powder,  and 
other  necessary  purposes,  for  the  immediate  support  of  said 
fortresses."  J 

How  any  honest  man  in  his  senses,  can  presume,  in  the 
face  of  this  record,  and  the  other  evidences  adduced,  to  deny 
that  Connecticut  was  the  originator  of  the  capture  of  those 
forts,  is  inexplicable. 

On  the  1st  of  July,  Governor  Trumbull  called  the  Assem- 
bly together  again,  by  a  special  order.  The  first  act  of 
importance  provided  for  the  raising  and  equiping  an  addi- 

*This  committee  consisted  of  the  Hon.  Matthew  Griswold,  Hon.  Eliplialet 
Dyer,  J.  Huntington,  Samuel  Huntington,  William  "Williams,  R.  Wales,  Jr.,  J. 
Elderkin,  Joshua  West,  and  Benjamin  Huntington,  Esqrs. 

+  Hinman,182.  :^  Hinman,  183. 


[1775.]  CONNECTICUT  PROTECTS  NEW  YORK.  179 

tional  body  of  fourteen  hundred  men,  exclusive  of  commis- 
sioned officers,  "  to  serve  during  the  pleasure  of  the  Assem- 
bly, not  exceeding  five  months,  to  be  led  and  conducted  as 
the  Assembly  should  order."  The  new  recruits  were  direct- 
ed to  be  formed  into  two  regiments  of  ten  companies  each  ; 
and  each  company  was  to  consist  of  seventy  non-commis- 
sioned officers  and  privates,  with  the  usual  number  of  com- 
missioned and  staff  officers.  Charles  Webb  and  Jedediah 
Huntington  were  appointed  colonels  of  these  regiments  ; 
Street  Hall  and  John  Douglas,  lieutenant-colonels  ;  Jona- 
than Latimer,  Jr.,  and  Joel  Clark,  majors. 

Nor  did  the  General  Assembly,  in  protecting  the  forts  and 
in  extending  a  fostering  care  over  Massachusetts,  forget  to 
provide,  as  she  had  long  been  in  the  habit  of  doing,  for  New 
York.  The  governor  was  requested  to  draw  from  the  treas- 
ury and  forthwith  deliver  to  Walter  Livingston,  Esq.,  at  the 
request  of  General  Philip  Schuyler,  fifteen  thousand  pounds, 
in  bills  of  credit,  together  with  as  much  ammunition  as  they 
should  judge  necessary.*  How  this  generous  act  was 
requited  by  General  Schuyler,  not  long  after,  in  his  treat- 
ment of  General  Wooster,  will  be  dwelt  upon  as  it  deserves. 

Let  us  now  pass  from  the  legislative  chamber  to  the  camp. 
At  the  time  of  the  battle  of  Lexington,  the  British  army 
amounted  only  to  about  four  thousand.  But  through  the 
month  of  May,  one  ship  after  another  brought  additional 
troops  to  reinforce  General  Gage.  Before  the  first  of  June, 
the  enemy  numbered  ten  thousand  veteran  troops,  under  the 
direction  of  Generals  Gage,  Howe,  Clinton,  Burgoyne,  Pigot, 
Grant,  and  Robinson,  and  Lords  Percy  and  Rawden,  the 
most  experienced  and  choice  officers  that  England's  chivalry 
could  furnish  from  her  fields  of  discipline,  whether  in  the 
east  or  west.f  Ships  with  gay  streamers  filled  the  harbor, 
freighted  with  men  in  uniform,  and  with  the  implements  of 
death.  Boston  had  been  appropriated  for  the  quartering 
ground  of  the  king's  forces,  and  was  swarming  with  them. 

*  Colonial  Records  of  July,  1775.     Ilinman,  187. 

tCol.    Swett's  "History  of  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill,"  p.  13.     Graham  iv. 

378. 


180  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  American  camp  at  Cambridge  pre- 
sented a  spectacle  of  a  quite  different  character.  General 
Artemas  Ward,  who  had  served  in  the  French  war,  was  its 
commander-in-chief.  He  was  a  gentleman  of  high  character 
and  of  much  experience.  Day  after  day  fresh  troops  came 
pouring  in.  Rhode  Island  sent  in  a  regiment  under  General 
Greene  ;  New  Hampshire  sent  a  regiment  of  her  sturdy 
hunters  and  woodsmen,  whose  whole  life  had  been  a  long 
warfare  with  nature  and  with  the  wild  sons  of  the  woods, 
and  who,  true  to  their  sentiments  of  equality,  had  placed  them- 
selves by  their  own  vote,  under  such  leaders  as  Colonel  Stark, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Wyman,  and  Major  M'Clary. 

I  have  already  named  some  of  the  measures  taken  by  Con- 
necticut to  reinforce  this  army.  Besides  General  Putnam 
and  Major  Durkee,  she  was  represented  by  Brigadier-Gene- 
ral Spencer,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Wyllys,  Major  Maj^o,  Colo- 
nel Waterbury,  Colonel  Parsons,  Captain  Coit  of  New  Lon- 
don a  Cyclopean  man  with  but  one  eye  and  a  giant  frame  ; 
and  gallant  Captain  Chester  from  Wethersfield,  graceful  and 
chivalric,  with  his  independent  company  of  one  hundred  high 
spirited  men,*  who  had  not  forgotten  who  their  grandfathers 
were,  nor  what  battles  they  had  fought,  and  who  w^ere 
worthy,  almost  every  one,  to  bear  a  colonel's  commission, 
and  lead  a  regiment  in  the  face  of  any  army  that  did  not 
more  than  three  times  out-number  them. 

Chester's  company  was  by  far  the  most  accomplished  body 
of  men  in  the  whole  American  army.  On  this  account  it 
was  selected  to  escort  General  Putnam  and  Dr.  (afterwards 
general)  Warren,  the  President  of  the  Massachusetts  Con- 
gress, to  Charlestown,  on  the  exchange  of  prisoners  with  the 
British.  Putnam  and  Warren  rode  in  the  same  carriage ; 
Major  Dunbar  and  Lieutenant  Hamilton  of  the  sixty-fourth, 
on  horseback  ;  Lieutenant  Porter,  of  the  marines,  in  a 
chaise  ;  John  Hilton,  of  the  forty-seventh,  Alexander  Camp- 
bell, of  the  fourth,-]-  and  some  wounded  men  belonging  to  the 


*  Swett's  History,  p.  7. 

tSome  of  these  prisoners  of  war  were  doubtless  taken  on  the  19th  of  April. 


[1775.]  THE   PROVINCIAL   ARMY.  181 

marines,  in  carts,  all  escorted  by  the  Wethersfield  company, 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Chester,  entered  Charles- 
town,  and  moving  slowly  through  it,  made  a  halt  at  the  ferry. 
At  a  given  signal,  Major  Moncrief  landed  from  the  Lively  to 
receive  the  prisoners  and  greet  General  Putnam,  his  old 
comrade  in  the  tedious  campaign  of  1756.  A  flag  of  truce 
waved  over  them,  consecrating  the  hour  to  happy  recollec- 
tions and  genial  intercourse.  Putnam  and  JMoncrief,  as  soon 
as  the  boat  touched  the  landing,  rushed  into  each  other's 
arms.  The  scene  was  truly  affecting  and  was  never  forgot- 
ten by  any  w^ho  witnessed  it.* 

The  Connecticut  officers,  all  men  of  culture  and  daring 
courage,  had  under  their  command  three  thousand  soldiers, 
their  neighbors,  their  friends,  men  of  intelligence,  all  of  w^hom 
could  read  and  write  their  native  language  well ;  most  of  whom 
could  preside  at  a  town  meeting  at  home,  frame  resolutions 
condemning  the  stamp  act,  the  Boston  port  bill,  and  the 
quartering  laws,  and  advocate  them,  too,  by  a  speech  at  once 
forcible  and  pungent  ;  men  of  substance,  whose  notes  of 
hand  were  worth  their  face  in  silver  or  in  good  corn,  its 
authorized  equivalent  ;  men  who  were  not  without  disci- 
pline, for  some  of  them  had  been  present  at  the  capture  of 
Louisbourg,  some  at  the  death  of  the  Baron  Dieskau,  some  at 
the  surrender  of  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  some  when 
Putnam  was  taken  captive  by  the  Indians  and  a  few  were  of 
the  little  remnant  who  had  escaped  the  arrows  of  the  death- 
angel  at  Havana.  With  these  reinforcements  the  American 
army  numbered  about  fifteen  thousand  men,  but  many  of 
them  were  so  poorly  armed  and  equipped,  wore  such  humble 
clothing,  and  a  large  share  of  them  were  so  raw,  that  they 
were  made  the  theme  of  many  keen  jests  by  the  British 
officers,  who  had  no  doubt  that  a  regiment  of  regulars  would 
drive  them  from  one  end  of  Boston  Neck  to  the  other. 

*See  Frothingham's  Siege  of  Boston,  111  and  112.  Gen.  Humphreys  speaks 
of  Chester's  company  as  "  the  elite  corps  of  the  army,"  and  "  as  such,  was 
selected  to  escort  General  Putnam  and  Joseph  Warren,  the  President  of  the 
Congress,  to  Charlestown,  on  the  exchange  of  prisoners  with  the  British." 


182  HISTOKY   OF  CONNECTICUT. 

They  soon  had  an  opportunity  to  test  the  accuracy  of 
their  conclusions.  The  small  islands  that  help  to  make  up 
the  details  of  the  beautiful  bay  that  adorns  that  bold  coast, 
were  covered  with  cattle  ;  a  very  tempting  prize,  when  so 
many  thousands  of  human  beings  were  assembled  within  a 
few  miles  of  each  other,  and  provisions  were  so  scarce  that 
among  the  poor  especially,  the  horrors  of  famine  were 
already  added  to  those  of  war.  Several  exciting  skirmishes 
grew  out  of  attempts,  on  both  sides,  to  get  possession  of 
this  live  stock.  In  most  instances  the  Americans  were  the 
successful  party.  These  little  victories  were  of  great  impor- 
tance to  them  in  habituating  them  to  the  use  of  arms,  and  in 
supplanting  the  fear  that  was  at  first  inspired  by  the  sight  of 
soldiers  in  full  uniform. 

On  the  21st  of  May,  two  sloops  and  an  armed  schooner 
with  soldiers,  sailed  to  Grape  Island  to  bring  off  some  hay. 
As  soon  as  the  tide  would  admit  of  it,  the  provincials  followed, 
drove  them  off,  burned  up  all  the  hay  amounting  to  about 
eighty  tons,  and  carried  away  in  triumph  all  the  cattle  upon 
the  island."^  Three  davs  after,  the  Cerberus  arrived  at  Boston, 
having  on  board  Generals  Howe,  Clinton,  and  Burgoyne. 
They  had  brought  with  them  a  good  supply  of  fishing-tackle, 
hoping  to  have  some  choice  sport,  and  not  doubting  but  their 
very  presence  would  intimidate  the  "  rebels. "f  They  found 
other  pastimes  prepared  to  their  hand. 

On  the  27th  of  May,  about  five  hundred  of  the  Massachu- 
setts and  New  Hampshire  forces  were  detached  to  Hog 
Island  and  Noddle's  Island  for  live  stock.  These  islands  are 
separated  by  a  little  thread  of  water  so  shallow  at  low  tide, 
as  to  be  fordable.  A  party  of  Americans  landed  on  Noddle's 
Island,  and  proceeded  to  set  fire  to  the  hay  and  corn  that  had 
been  deposited  there.  To  prevent  this,  a  large  body  of 
British  marines  crossed  over  from  Boston.  The  provincials 
retreated  to  Hog  Island.  This  rnovement  tempted  the 
marines  down  to  the  water's  edge,  where  they  were  met  by 
the  provincials,  under  the  command  of  General  Putnam.    A 

*  Gordon,  i.  340.         f  Gordon,  i.  340,  341.     See  also  Botta,  201. 


[1775.]  gage's  PEOCLAMATION".  183 

sharp  action  followed,  that  did  not  stop  with  the  day.  The 
marines  were  supported  by  a  schooner  of  four  six-pounders 
and  twelve  swivels,  a  sloop  of  war,  and  some  barges  mounted 
with  swivels.  Putnam  was,  soon  after  the  beginning  of  the 
engagement,  joined  by  General  Warren,  who  came  as  a  vol- 
unteer. Putnam  had  two  small  pieces  of  ordnance,  and  as 
he  was  himself  a  capital  gunner,  and  had  with  him  men 
who  were  well  skilled  in  the  management  of  artillery,  he  was 
able  to  do  the  enemy  a  good  deal  of  mischief.  Although  the 
night  was  unusually  dark,  the  firing  was  kept  up  until  nearly 
morning.  Toward  day -break,  the  schooner  ran  aground, 
and  her  crew  was  obliged  to  abandon  her.  She  was  imme- 
diately boarded,  rifled,  and  burned,  by  order  of  Putnam.  So 
skilfully  did  he  manage  this  affair,  that  he  did  not  lose  a 
single  man,  while  the  enemy  lost,  in  killed  and  wounded, 
more  than  one  hundred.  Their  loss  was  reported,  and 
currently  believed  to  be,  more  than  twice  that  number.* 

It  was  too  late  for  reconciliation  or  retraction  on  either 
side  now  that  so  much  blood  had  been  shed. 

On  the  12th  of  June,  General  Gage  issued  a  proclamation, 
proffering  the  king's  pardon  to  all  except  Samuel  Adams  and 
John  Hancock,  who  would  lay  down  their  arms  and  go 
peaceably  about  their  ordinary  business. f  All  were  to 
be  treated  as  traitors,  who  failed  to  accept  these  terms,  or 
who  dared  to  conceal  or  abet  any  such  delinquent.  The 
laws  of  the  land  were  at  the  same  time  declared  to  be  sus- 
pended, and  the  town  placed  under  martial  rule.  A  fearful 
looking  for  of  fiery  indignation,  was  the  sole  effect  of  this 
announcement.     Two  days  later,  the  Congress  of  Massachu- 

*  Gordon,  i.  341.  On  the  30th  the  provincials  again  visited  Noddle's  Island, 
burnt  the  Mansion-house,  and  carried  off  all  the  stock,  consisting  of  five  hundred 
sheep  and  lambs,  twenty  head  of  cattle,  and  several  horses.  On  the  following 
day,  a  party  under  Colonel  Robinson,  removed  five  hundred  sheep  and  thirty  head 
of  cattle  from  Pettick's  Island.  On  the  night  of  June  2d,  eight  hundred  sheep, 
together  with  a  number  of  cattle,  were  removed  from  Deer  Island,  by  a  party  of 
provincials  under  ^lajor  Greaton. 

t  Graham,  iv.  378.  The  offences  of  these  gentlemen  were  regarded  by  Gov- 
ernor Gage  as  of  ''  too  flagitious  a  nature  to  admit  of  any  other  consideration 
than  that  of  condign  punishment." 


184  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

setts  chose  Dr.  Warren  to  be  their  President,  and  appointed 
him  the  second  major-general  of  their  own  troops.  He  had 
been  already  chosen  chairman  of  the  Massachusetts  Com- 
mittee of  Safety.  He  does  not  appear  to  have  had  any 
experience  as  a  military  chief,  and,  as  will  be  seen  in  the 
sequel,  probably  accepted  the  post,  not  with  a  view  of  direct- 
ing the  movements  of  the  army,  but  rather,  to  keep  up  the 
courage  of  the  people,  who  had  boundless  confidence  in  his 
abilities,  and  who  would  be  more  inspired  by  his  presence  on 
the  battle-field,  were  it  to  carry  along  with  it  the  prestige  of 
official  rank.  The  many  civic  duties  that  he  had  to  discharge, 
and  that  kept  him  from  indulging  even  in  the  ordinary 
comforts  of  food  and  sleep,  would,  from  their  multifarious 
and  distracting  details,  of  themselves,  have  prevented  his 
giving  that  undivided  attention  to  the  operations  of  the  army, 
that  could  alone  insure  success.  It  was  enough,  even  for  his 
vast  powers  and  wonderful  mental  activity,  to  see  after  the 
plans  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  and  preside  over  the 
deliberations  of  the  provincial  Congress.  On  the  other  hand, 
his  noble  nature  drank  in,  at  every  pore,  the  excitement  of 
the  scenes  around  him.  With  a  soul  as  sublime  as  lit  up  the 
eye  of  any  one  of  all  the  leaders  of  Christian  armies,  who, 
in  the  days  of  the  crusades,  exchanged  their  baronial  estates 
for  proud  steeds  and  shining  blades,  that  they  might  haste  to 
reclaim  the  holy  sepulchre  from  the  hands  of  the  infidel,  or 
lay  down  their  bones  to  bleach  upon  the  hot  sands  of  the 
desert  ;  with  a  heart  beating  time  to  the  same  notes  of  free- 
dom, that  nerved  the  arm  and  sped  the  steel  of  the  poet 
^schylus  on  the  eve  of  the  battle  of  Marathon, 
how  could  he  refrain  from  mingling  in  the  strife,  if 
strife  there  were  to  be  ?  But  it  was  not  that  he  might 
take  the  place  of  others,  better  fitted,  from  long  expe- 
rience in  the  camp,  to  control  the  stormy  elements  of 
war,  but  rather  that  he  might  mingle  in  them,  and  constitute 
a  part  of  their  essence.  Liberty  was  a  word  that  signified, 
when  it  fell  from  his  lips,  all  the  domestic  and  social 
relations,  all  the  revolving  circles  of  life,  all  the  silent  memo- 


[1775.]  DISPOSITION   OF  THE   AEMY.  185 

ries  that  lie  scattered  along  the  road  of  the  past,  all 
hopes  that  invite  man  to  the  future.  In  him,  liberty  was  a 
holy  altar-flame,  never  to  be  extinguished  until  it  exhaled  to 
heaven.  Animated  by  such  sentiments,  and  knowing,  as  all 
men  of  genius  do  from  intuition,  what  they  can,  and  what 
they  cannot  do,  he  consented  to  be  a  general  ;  but,  declining 
to  take  the  command,  acted  in  the  drama  that  was  so  soon 
to  follow,  the  part  of  a  volunteer.* 

I  have  already  said  that  General  Ward  was  at  Cambridge, 
with  the  main  army,  made  up  of  about  eight  thousand 
Massachusetts  troops.  With  these  were  joined  one  thousand 
from  Connecticut,  who,  with  Sargeant's  and  Patterson's 
regiments,  were  stationed  near  Inman's  farm,  under  the 
immediate  command  of  General  Putnam.  Already  some 
slender  breast  works  had  been  thrown  up  by  his  order  ;  and 
not  far  from  the  Charlestown  road,  a  good  mile  and  a  half 
from  General  Ward's  camp,  a  redoubt  was  erected  and 
occupied  by  Patterson's  regiment.  There  were  also  five 
artillery  companies  at  the  main  camp,  four  of  which  were 
well  provided  with  guns. 

The  right  wing  was  composed  of  two  thousand  troops 
from  Massachusetts,  two  thousand  from  Connecticut,  and 
one  thousand  from  Rhode  Island  ;  and  was  posted  at  Rox- 
bury,  under  command  of  Lieutenant-General  Thomas,  who 
had  three  or  four  companies  of  artillery  tolerably  supplied 
with  field-pieces.  Colonels  Reed  and  Stark  had  charge  of 
the  left  wing  that  was  stationed  at  Medford,  and  consisted 
of  one  thousand  New  Hampshire  troops  and  a  detachment 
of  the  same  forces,  together  with  three  companies  of 
Gerrish's  regiment,  at  Chelsea.  On  the  evening  of  the  16th 
of  June,  a  large  guard,  culled  from  Little's  and  several  other 
regiments,  was  also  posted  at  Lechmere  Point. f 

Notwithstanding  the  numbers  and  bravery  of  the  Ameri- 
can forces,  officered  as    they  were  by  such   men  as  I  have 

*  See  Frothingham's  History  of  Charlestown  ;  Allen's  and  Blake's  Biog.  Dic- 
tionaries, &c. 

tSwett,  p.  9  and  10. 


186  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

described,  a  very  large  proportion  of  them  were  men  who 
had  never  seen  service,  who  had  flocked  in  from  the  neigh- 
boring towns,  with  Httle  to  recommend  them  beyond  the 
unbounded  enthusiasm  that  impelled  them  to  the  field,  and 
the  sympathy  that  they  felt  for  their  persecuted  neighbors. 
Many  of  the  Massachusetts  soldiers  were  minute-men,  who 
did  not  compare  at  all  with  the  more  select  forces  sent  from 
the  other  colonies.  The  officers  in  several  of  the  regiments 
were  without  commissions,  and  held  the  position  only  by 
virtue  of  the  superiority  that  nature  gives  in  the  endowment 
of  a  few  of  her  favorite  children.  Hence,  the  relationship 
existing  between  such  officers  and  their  men,  was  of  a  char- 
acter not  very  clearly  defined,  and  liable  to  be  disturbed  and 
weakened  by  a  thousand  incidental  causes.  Worse  than  all, 
more  than  three-fifths  of  the  army  were  without  suitable 
weapons.  Many  of  their  guns  were  only  common  muskets, 
destitute  of  bayonets,  of  such  a  variety  of  calibre,  that  it 
was  difficult  to  make  cartridges  and  mould  bullets  to  fit 
them,  and  in  such  a  general  state  of  disrepair,  that  they 
could  not  be  relied  upon  with  sufficient  certainty  to  inspire 
the  steady  confidence  that  a  soldier  ought  to  feel  in  his 
weapons.*  A  want  of  method  and  concentrated  action  was 
apparent  in  the  doings  of  the  Congress,  growing  out  of  the 
giddy  whirl  of  events  that  had  convulsed  the  town  and  the 
neighborhood.  No  quarter-master's  department  had  yet 
been  organized,t  as  there  should  have  been  long  before  that 
time,  and  as  Connecticut  had  taken  care  to  provide  at  a  very, 
early  day.  As  a  necessary  consequence  of  this  oversight,  the 
army  was  without  tents,  and  destitute  of  supplies,  except  as 

*  Colonel  Swett  remarks  that  while  each  of  these  soldiers  "  would  rival  a  Tell 
as  a  marksman,  and  aim  his  weapon  at  an  oppressor  with  as  keen  a  relish,"  they 
were  deficient  in  "  almost  every  other  important  requisite  of  an  army."  Besides  the 
wretched  condition  of  their  arms,  he  remarks,  "  they  were  strangers  to  discipline, 
and  almost  to  subordination."  They  were  summarily  drawn  together,  from  the 
plow,  the  workshop  and  the  counting-room, — men  of  every  shade  of  opinion  and 
employment, — yet  all  animated  by  a  hatred  of  oppression,  and  a  love  of  liberty. 
Many  of  their  names  were  not  even  recorded  on  the  mihtia-roll  ;  but  they  volun- 
teered their  services  with  the  "  rank  and  file." 

t  History  of  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  p.  11. 


[1775.]  POSITION"  OF  THE   BRITISH  ARMY.  187 

they  were  irregularly  sent  in  by  the  voluntary  contributions 
of  the  adjacent  towns.*  In  vain  did  Warren,  Hancock, 
Adams,  Prescott,  and  other  patriots,  remonstrate  against 
these  delays.  The  Congress,  over-awed  and  confused,  as 
many  of  the  members  could  not  fail  to  be,  by  the  regiments 
and  the  threatening  ships,  the  uniform  and  the  discipline  of 
the  invading  enemy  ;  and  still  haunted,  many  of  them,  by 
shadows  of  loyalty,  that  had  so  long  flitted  around  a  pro- 
vincial court  not  chosen  by  the  people — was,  as  it  well 
might  be,  divided  in  its  counsels,  and  wanting  in  executive 
force. 

Colonel  Gridley,  a  venerable  officer,  who  had  served  at 
Louisbourg  and  Quebec,  was  appointed  chief-engineer,  and 
William  Burbeck  nominally  held  the  place  of  second  engin- 
eer ;  but  as  his  services  were  demanded  to  superintend  the 
ordnance  department,  Gridley  was  left  to  perform  labors 
that  should  have  been  divided  between  several  men  that 
were  much  younger  than  he.  As  it  was,  he  did  all  that 
any  man  could  have  done  with  such  limited  means.  The 
British  army  had  possession  of  Boston.  The  light  infantry 
were  encamped  on  the  heights  of  West  Boston  ;  a  strong 
battery  for  cannon  and  mortars  had  been  erected  on  Copp's 
Hill,  facing  Charlestown,  and  so  near  the  village,  that  shot 
or  shells  could  easily  be  thrown  into  it  from  that  point ; 
there  were  strong  lines  and  batteries  on  the  Roxbury  side  of 
the  neck,  one  at  the  northern  limit  of  the  town,  one  on  Fort 
Hill,  one  upon  Fox  Hill,  on  the  common,  occupied  by  the 
marines,  artillery,  and  sixth  regiment,  three  on  the  western 
border  of  the  common,  facing  Cambridge,  occupied  by  the 
royal  Irish  regiment,  then  of  world-wide  fame  ;  besides  a 
body  of  troops  stationed  at  Barton's  Point. f 

Although  'General  Gage  was  so  strongly  fortified  in  the 
provincial  metropolis,  where  he  had  administered  the  gov- 
ernment not  without  many  friends  and  ardent  admirers  while 
yet  he  favored  the  cause  of  the  people,  and  although  he  had 
now  such  absolute  command  of  the  town  that  he  could  with 
*  Swett,  p.  11.  t  Hist.  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  p.  13. 


188  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

impunity,  give  the  citizens  a  practical  illustration  of  the 
,  mildness  of  the  quartering  laws,  by  converting  the  old 
south  church,  the  most  venerable  of  all  the  religious  edifices 
of  the  town,  into  barracks  for  a  squadron  of  cavalry  ;*  yet 
the  narrow  boundaries  of  his  possession,  hemmed  in  as  he 
was  by  fifteen  thousand  Americans,  made  his  situation 
irksome.  "We  want  elbow  room,  and  we  will  have  it,"  said 
Burgoyne.  The  other  British  officers  shared,  too,  in  a  common 
sentiment  of  wounded  pride,  that  the  Americans  "affected," 
in  the  words  of  General  Gage,  "  to  hold  the  British  army 
besieged."  Besides  some  uneasy  apprehensions  acted  as 
goads  to  the  sensitiveness  of  those  officers,  as  they  saw,  day 
after  day,  the  stream  of  provincials  pouring  into  the  camp 
at  Cambridge.  With  a  view  of  adding  to  their  "  elbow 
room,"  it  was  decided  in  council  to  leave  the  town,  and 
take  possession  of  Charlestown  and  Dorchester  heights. 
They  began  on  the  18th  of  June  to  make  preparations  for 
the  latter  enterprise.! 

For  some  time  before  this,  the  American  troops  had 
besought  their  officers  to  lead  them  against  the  enemy.  This 
desire  had  grown  more  earnest  after  the  victory  at  Noddle's 
Island.  They  w^ere  not  able  to  understand  the  necessity  of 
discipline,  but  abundantly  able  to  appreciate  the  hardships 
and  exposure  of  such  a  long  delay.  Many  of  the  officers 
who  resided  in  Massachusetts,  and  General  Ward  most 
strenuously  of  all,  were  opposed  to  bringing  on  a  general 
engagement  until  the  men  should  be  better  prepared  for  ser- 
vice. But  General  Putnam,  Colonel  Prescott,  and  some  of 
the  other  officers,  aware  that  much  depended  upon  the 
spontaneous  feelings  of  the  soldiers,  were  of  the  opinion  that 
it  would  be  best  to  yield  to  their  solicitations,  far  enough  to 
keep  their  enthusiasm  alive,  without  risking  the  chances  of 
ultimate  success.  Putnam  was  the  first  to  hit  upon  a  plan, 
that  proved  to  be  the  only  one  practicable  at  that  crisis. 
He  did  not  dare  to  hazard  a  general  action,  as  he  knew  that 
our  raw  troops  could  not  meet  the  enemy  in  the  open  field. 

*  Hist.  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  p.  13.         f  Burgoyne's  account  of  the  battle. 


[1775.]      PUTNAM  AND  THE   COMMITTEE   OF  SAFETY.  189 

On  the  other  hand,  he  was  equally  well  aware  that  the 
Americans  were  good  marksmen,  and  were  more  than  a 
match  for  the  enemy  in  the  use  of  the  musket.  His  object 
was,  therefore,  to  engage  only  a  part  of  the  British  army  at 
once,  and  to  do  it,  if  possible,  with  the  advantage  of  the 
ground,  and  under  cover  of  intrenchments.  "  The  Ameri- 
cans," said  he,  to  the  council  of  war,  in  his  admirably  plain 
English,  "  The  Americans  are  not  at  all  afraid  of  their 
heads,  though  very  much  afraid  of  their  legs ;  if  you  cover 
these,  they  W\\\  fight  forever."* 

The  same  considerations  were  urged  upon  the  Committee 
of  Safety,  and  debated  there  with  much  ability.  Still  the 
minds  of  those  composing  that  body,  were  so  divided  that 
they  were  for  a  long  time  able  to  come  to  no  conclusion. 
At  last  the  intentions  of  the  enemy  to  leave  the  town  and 
take  possession  of  the  heights  of  Dorchester,  were  discov- 
ered by  the  emissaries  sent  out  by  the  Committee  of 
Safety.  The  tidings  caused  much  alarm  in  the  committee 
room,  and  in  the  council  of  war.  Putnam  insisted  upon 
the  necessity  of  anticipating  the  British  general  in  a 
movement,  that  would,  if  it  were  to  succeed,  in  all  probabil- 
ity, result  in  the  most  fatal  consequences  to  the  American 
army.  He  begged  the  council  and  urged  upon  the  mem- 
bers of  the  committee  that  they  would  send  forward  a  party 
in  the  night  to  intrench  themselves  upon  the  high  grounds 
that  commanded  the  British  camp,  destroy  their  shipping,  and 
if  possible  drive  them  from  the  town.  This  advice  seemed 
to  many  whose  opinions  were  consulted,  to  be  rash  and 
impracticable.  It  was  urged  that  the  only  thing  that  they 
could  hope  to  do  was,  to  maintain  a  defensive  position  until 
the  troops  were  in  a  condition  to  make  a  more  thorough 
trial  of  their  strength  ;  that  even  if  their  discipline  and 
weapons  were  equal  to  those  of  the  enemy,  they  were  still 
deficient  in  ammunition,  having  only  eleven  barrels  of  gun- 
powder at  the  public  depots,  and  only  sixty-seven  barrels 
in  the  whole  colony  ;  that  the  British  ships  in  the  harbor 

$  Swett's  History,  p.  14  ;  Frothinghara's  Siege  of  Boston,  p.  116. 


190  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

and  the  batteries  could  be  brought  to  bear  upon  them,  should 
they  succeed  in  getting  a  temporary  possession  of.  the 
heights,  and  so  well  provided  were  these  ships  and  batteries 
with  ammunition,  that  they  would  be  able  to  keep  up  a  long 
and  fatal  fire  that  could  not  be  returned,  and  thus  the  enter- 
prise must  terminate  at  best  in  a  discouraging  retreat.* 

There  was  in  the  council,  a  veteran  Massachusetts  officer, 
General  Pomeroy,j-  whose  sentiments  fully  corresponded  with 
those  of  Putnam.  He  had  served  in  the  French  wars,  and 
knew  the  superiority  of  the  American  marksmen  over  the 
British  troops,  from  long  experience  of  their  respective 
modes  of  warfare.  He  said  he  "  would  fight  the  enemy  with 
but  five  cartridges  apiece.  He  was  practiced  in  hunting,'' 
he  said,  "  and  always  brought  home  two  and  some- 
times three  deer,  with  but  three  charges  of  powder.  The 
men  had  generally  supplied  themselves  with  powder  as  mili- 
tia, and  the  public  could  easily  make  good  their  deficiency/'J 
Such  was  the  language  of  the  old  sharp-shooter  from  the 
border  of  the  Connecticut  river,  who  looked  upon  the  hand- 
some coats  and  waving  plumes  of  the  British  officers  with 
as  eager  an  eye  as  if  they  had  been  the  branching  antlers  of 
buck  or  moose  glancing  through  the  thickets  and  glades  that 
skirted  the  home  of  his  adventurous  boyhood.  General 
Ward,  an  officer  of  sound  judgment,  but  whose  blood  appears 
to  have  grown  cold  with  the  touch  of  advancing  age,  and 
the  gallant  Warren,  who,  with  all  a  soldier's  instincts,  was,  of 
course,  from  his  very  mode  of  life,  better  qualified  to  give 
council  in  civil  than  in  military  affairs,  both  opposed  the 
measure  with  all  their  influence.  It  would  lead,  they  said, 
to  "a  general  engagement."  But  General  Putnam  who 
united  in  himself,  as  genius  often  does,  all  the  fire  of  youth 

*  History  of  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  p.  14. 

t  Pomeroy,  on  account  of  his  age,  declined  the  appointment  of  Brigadier-General 
in  the  United  States  army  ;  yet,  when  the  great  struggle  for  independence  had 
actually  commenced,  he  spurned  the  inactivity  of  peace,  and  joined  the  army  as  a 
colonel.  In  this  capacity,  he  marched  to  join  our  troops  in  the  Jerseys.  His 
exposures  produced  a  pleurisy,  which  proved  fatal  at  Peekskill,  N.  Y. 

X  Swett's  Hist.  14. 


[1775.]  PUTNAM  PREVAILS.  191 

with  the  soundest  practical  sense,  and  the  keenest  fore- 
thought, rephed,  "  We  will  risk  only  two  thousand  men  ;  we 
will  go  on  with  these  and  defend  ourselves  as  long  as  possi- 
ble ;  and  if  driven  to  retreat,  we  are  more  active  than  the 
enemy,  and  every  stone-wall  shall  be  lined  with  their  dead. 
At  the  worst,"  he  continued,  while  his  soul  spoke  in 
his  fiery  eyes,  "  at  the  worst,  suppose  us  surrounded,  and  no 
retreat,  we  will  set  our  country  an  example  of  which  it  shall 
not  be  ashamed,  and  teach  merxenaries  what  men  can  do, 
determined  to  live  or  die  free  "  !* 

This  unexpected  burst  of  patriotic  fervor,  coming  from  the 
lips  of  a  man  of  three  score,  brought  Warren  to  his  feet. 
With  a  flushed  cheek  and  excited  air,  he  walked  the  room  for 
a  few  moments,  and  then  paused,  leaned  upon  his  chair,  and 
looking  the  old  hero  thoughtfully  in  the  face,  with  those  deep, 
full  eyes,  that  ladies  thought  so  handsome,!  expressive  at 
once  of  doubt  and  fond  admiration  of  one  whose  spirit  could 
out-dare  all  others,  exclaimed,  in  the  language  of  Agrippa  to 
Paul,  "  Almost  thou  persuadest  7ne,  General  Putnam  ;  but  I 
must  still  think  the  project  rash.  If  you  execute  it,  how- 
ever, you  will  not  be  surprised  to  find  me  by  your  side."  As 
the  reader  is  already  aware,  Putnam's  sensibilities  were 
quick  and  overflowing  as  a  child's.  "  I  hope  not,"  replied 
he,  with  affectionate  earnestness.  "  I  hope  not.  You  are 
young,  and  your  country  has  much  to  hope  from  you  in 
the  council  and  in  the  field.  Let  us  who  are  old,  and  can  be 
spared,  begin  the  f ray.  There  will  be  time  enough  for  you 
hereafter.     It  will  not  be  soon  over."J 

It  need  hardly  be  said  that  the  counsels  of  General  Putnam 
finally  prevailed.  The  Committee  of  Safety  and  the  Council 
of  War  were  both  overwhelmed  by  the  genius  and  will, 
rather  than  by  the  reasoning  of  this  irresistible  man. 

Having  thus  finally  carried  his  point.  General  Putnam 
addressed  himself  to  the  faithful  execution  of  his  daring 
scheme.  Still  further  to  familiarize  his  men  with  the  sight 
of  the  enemy,  and  with  the   sound  of  their  cannon,  and  to 

*  Swett,  15.         t  Gordon.         i  Svvett,  15. 


192  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

awaken  a  spirit  of  emulation  among  both  officers  and 
soldiers,  Putnam,  about  the  10th  of  June,  marched  all  the 
troops  from  Cambridge  to  Charlestown,  in  the  face  of  the 
British  batteries  and  ships  of  war.  About  the  same  time, 
he  reconnoitered  the  country  in  the  neighborhood  of  Charles- 
town,  with  other  officers,  to  select  a  place  suited  for  an 
intrenchment  and  redoubt.  Long  before  this  time,  in  the 
month  of  May,  General  Ward  had  sent  out  Colonel  Gridley, 
Colonel  Henshaw,  and  another  gentleman,  to  examine  and 
select  a  place  for  a  redoubt.  Their  report  had  been,  first,  in 
favor  of  Prospect  Hill,  next  to  that  Bunker  Hill,  and  lastly 
Breed's  Hill. 

All  those  hills,  together  with  Charlestown,  now  sacred  to 
the  memory  of  the  dead,  and  immortal  with  the  story  of 
those  martyrs  to  freedom,  helped  to  make  up  the  surface  of 
a  beautiful  peninsula  formed  by  the  Mystic  river  on  the 
north,  and  the  river  Charles  on  the  south,  that  flow  around  its 
base  and  mingle  their  waters  on  the  east.  This  little  strip  of 
land  diversified  with  clustering  hills  and  sloping  fields,  is 
eleven  hundred  yards  in  width  from  north  to  south,  and  is 
one  mile  and  forty-three  rods  long  from  east  to  west.  At 
its  western  extremity,  the  two  rivers  gracefully  incline 
toward  each  other,  and  form  a  neck  that  is  only  one  hund- 
red and  thirty  yards  wide.  This  tongue  of  land  ter- 
minating in  a  hill  or  bluflf,  about  one  hundred  and  ten 
feet  high,  and  known  as  Bunker  Hill,  was  very  steep  on  its 
southern  and  eastern  slopes,  and  commanded  both  rivers, 
and  the  whole  surrounding  country.*  South-easterl}^  from 
this  eminence,  and  nearer  to  Boston  and  to  the  place  where 
the  British  ships  were  riding  at  anchor,  stretched  a  long, 
arm-like  strip  of  land  sixty-two  feet  high  at  its  summit,  with 
an  abrupt  eastern  slope,  but  declining  gently  toward  the 
west.  It  bore  the  name  of  Breed's  Hill.  Its  south  side  was 
very  steep,  and  there  at  its  foot  nestled  the  populous  and 
thriving  village  of  Charlestown.  The  north  side  of  this 
hill  was   also  quite   precipitate,   and   at  the  bottom  on  that 

*  Fro tL Ingham's  Siege  of  Boston,  p.  119. 


[1775.]  THE   IXTRENCHIKG  PARTY.  193 

side,  there  was  a  small  slough,  several  rods  wide,  that 
was  impassable.  Bounding  this  slough  on  the  north,  was  a 
narrow  tongue  of  upland,  twenty  feet  above  Mystic  river, 
and  forming  the  southern  bank  of  that  river.  East  of  this 
tongue  and  north-east  of  Breed's  Hill,  stands  Morton's  Hill, 
thirty-five  feet  in  height.  Still  farther  east,  and  jutting  out 
into  the  water,  is  Morton's  Point.  Leading  from  Cam- 
bridge, the  head-quarters  of  the  American  army,  a  slender 
road  ran  from  the  neck  over  the  southern  declivity  of 
Bunker  Hill,  and  passing  entirely  round  Breed's  Hill,  touch- 
ed nearly  at  its  summit  on  the  south.* 

It  was  now  the  16th  of  June,  a  sultry  day,  that  sent  its 
fierce  heat  upon  the  heads  of  the  soldiers  who  occu- 
pied the  American  camp.  During  the  day,  orders  were 
given  to  Colonel  William  Prescott  and  the  acting  officer  in 
command  of  Colonel  Frye's  regiment,  to  be  ready  for 
marching,  with  all  their  men  who  were  fit  for  service,  and 
to  provide  a  single  day's  provisions.  This  order  was  also 
issued  for  one  hundred  and  twenty  men  of  General  Put- 
nam's regiment,  and  Captain  Gridley's  company  of  artillery, 
with  two  field  pieces. 

Colonel  Prescott  was  ordered  to  advance  with  this  detach- 
ment to  Charlestown  in  the  evening,  take  possession  of 
Bunker  Hill,  and  fortify  it.  He  was  commanded  not  to  dis- 
close the  object  of  his  errand  to  any  one,  and  was  assured 
that  supplies  should  be  sent  him  the  next  morning,  with  such 
reinforcements  as  he  should  need,  to  enable  him  to  defend 
the  place.  As  three  of  Colonel  Bridge's  companies  failed  to 
join  the  party,  it  only  amounted  to  about  one  thousand 
men.f  At  an  early  hour  in  the  evening,  the  detachment 
assembled  for  prayer  upon  Cambridge  common,  where  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Langdon,  President  of  Harvard  College,  in  words 

*  Swett,  Frothingham,  and  other  local  authorities. 

t  This  is  the  number  given  by  Col.  Prescott,  and  in  Swett's  History.  Major 
Brooks,  Frothingham,  and  others,  say  "fourteen  hundred."  The  two  hundred 
Connecticut  troops  constituted  a  "  fatigue  party,"  and  were  placed  under  the 
command  of  the  brave  Thomas  Knowlton,  then  a  captain  in  Putnam's  regiment. 

45 


194:  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

and  with  a  spirit  that  were  worthy  of  the  crisis,  commended 
them  to  the  God  of  battles.* 

The  choice  of  Colonel  Prescott  for  this  delicate  mission 
has  been  justly  commended.  He  was  a  gentleman  of  high 
character,  an  experienced  officer,  and  from  his  generosity 
and  old-fashioned  hospitality,  had  acquired  an  influence  over 
his  neighbors,  whom  he  commanded,  that  insured  their 
fidelity  under  the  most  trying  circumstances.  His  personal 
appearance,  too,  was  eminently  fitted  to  inspire  confidence. 
His  tall  figure,  his  bold,  fine  countenance,  and  his  manly 
bearing,  could  not  be  concealed,  even  by  the  plain  calico 
frock  that  he  wore  as  he  marched  from  the  common,  and 
led  the  way,  about  six  paces  in  front  of  his  troops.  Two 
sergeants,  with  dark  lanterns,  open  only  to  the  rear,  threw  a 
faint  gleam  upon  the  narrow  road,  and  showed  the  men 
which  way  to  advance.  As  Putnam  had  conceived  this  dar- 
ing enterprise,  so  was  the  execution  of  it  intrusted  to  his 
hands,  as  best  suited  to  bring  it  to  a  safe  issue.  Attended  by 
Colonel  Gridley,  the  chief  engineer,  he  accompanied  the 
party  and  directed  its  movements. 

Putnam  had  brought  from  home  two  of  his  sons,  the  eldest, 
Israel  Putnam,  Jr.,  who  served  as  a  captain  under  him,  and 
the  youngest,  named  Daniel,  a  youth  only  sixteen  years  old, 
who  had  entered  the  army  as  a  volunteer.  This  young  man, 
who  was  an  especial  favorite  with  his  father,  and  the  child  of 
his  old  age,  lodged  at  the  house  of  a  lady  in  Cambridge.  At 
about  sunset,  Putnam  said  to  Daniel,  with  an  air  of  great 
unconcern,  "  You  will  go  to  Mrs.  Inman's  to-night,  as  usual ; 

*  Frothingham,  122,  The  patriotism  of  the  clergy  of  the  revolutionary  era  I 
Lave  before  had  occasion  to  notice.  The  pastors  of  the  "  established  churches," 
throughout  New  England,  and  indeed  in  all  parts  of  our  country,  were,  almost 
without  an  exception,  Whigs  ;  and  they  had  a  wonderful  influence  in  rousing  the 
people  to  resistance.  The  chaplains  were  not  only  praying  men,  but,  when  occa- 
sion called  for  their  services,  they  could  prove  themselves  fighting  men,  also. 
The  chaplains  of  the  four  Connecticut  regiments  which  were  sent  to  Boston  and 
Ticinity,  and  all  of  whom,  it  is  presumed,  were  present  at  the  Battle  of  Bunker 
Hill,  were  Rev.  Messrs.  Benjamin  Boardman,  Abiel  Leonard,  Cotton  jNIather 
Smith,  and  Stephen  Johnson.  Two  other  chaplains,  appointed  at  the  same  time, 
were,  Benjamin  Trumbull  and  Samuel  Wood. 


[1775.]  THEY  REACH  THE   NECK.  195 

stay  there  to-morrow,  and  if  they  find  it  necessary  to  leave 
town,  you  must  go  with  them."  The  young  man  saw  from 
his  father's  manner,  and  from  the  preparations  that  were 
going  forward,  that  some  mihtary  demonstration  was  about 
to  be  made,  in  which  he  was  to  be  an  actor.  Alarmed  at 
this  mysterious  separation,  that  might  perhaps  prove  a  final 
one,  Daniel  said  earnestly,  "  You,  dear  father,  may  need  my 
assistance  much  more  than  Mrs.  Inman  ;  pray  let  me  go 
where  you  are  going." 

"  No,  no,  Daniel,  do  as  I  bid  you,"  said  the  general  with 
an  ill-dissembled  sternness.  His  voice  faltered,  and  his  eyes 
filled  and  ran  over  with  drops  of  parental  sympathy,  as  he 
continued  in  a  softened  tone,  "  You  can  do  little,  my  son, 
where  I  am  going,  and  there  will  be  enough  to  take  care  of 
me."  The  refusal  was  peremptory,  and  the  son,  who  had 
courage  to  do  everything  but  disobey,  yielded  without  utter- 
ing another  word.* 

Following  the  glimmer  of  the  dark  lanterns,  the  party  now 
moved  forward  in  the  profoundest  silence.  Not  one  of  them, 
save  the  officers,  who  had  been  made  acquainted  with  the 
secret,  had  the  slightest  intimation  as  to  the  nature  of  the 
business  that  they  had  been  deputed  to  perform.  Like  a 
company  of  ghosts  they  passed  along  until  the  murmurs  of 
the  Charles  and  the  Mystic  on  either  hand,  stole  audibly 
through  the  hushed  night  air,  and  informed  them  that  they 
were  approaching  the  neck  of  the  peninsula.  When  they 
had  crossed  the  neck,  they  found  wagons  loaded  with  empty 
hogsheads,  fascines,  gabions,  and  intrenching  tools.  A  glance 
at  these  familiar  objects  explained  everything.  A  question 
of  very  serious  debate  now  began  to  be  agitated  among  the 
officers.  Which  hill  should  they  fortify  ?  Bunker  Hill  was 
the  one  explicitly  named  in  the  order,  and  no  other  hill  upon 
the  whole  peninsula  was  at  that  time  known  by  any  name. 
Putnam,  Prescott,  and  Gridley,  must  have  all  been  familiar 
with  the  ground,  as  they  had,  only  a  few  days  before,  criti- 
cally explored  it  for  the  very  purpose  of  choosing  a  point  for 

*  Swett's  History,  19,20. 


196  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

an  intrenchment.  But  it  was  now  urged  that  this  hill,  though 
much  the  highest  of  all  the  eminences,  was  quite  too  remote 
from  the  British  batteries  and  ships  to  do  them  as  much 
harm  as  would  be  desirable,  and  that  the  hill  next  in  height 
ought  to  be  selected.  In  reply  to  this,  the  superior  eleva- 
tion of  Bunker  Hill,  rendering  it  more  difficult  of  access, 
and  the  order  of  Major-General  Ward  and  the  Committee  of 
Safety,  were  claimed  to  be  decisive  in  favor  of  the  original 
design.  So  much  time  was  consumed  in  this  debate,  that 
Colonel  Gridley,  who  was  anxious  to  enter  upon  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duties  as  engineer,  began  at  last  to  be  impa- 
tient, and  warned  them  that  they  had  not  a  moment  to  lose. 
They  finally  decided  upon  fortifying  Breed's  Hill.* 

Colonel  Gridley  now  laid  out  the  ground  for  the  works 
upon  the  very  summit  with  masterly  skill  and  dispatch. 
The  redoubt  was  about  eight  rods  square.  Its  strongest  side 
or  point,  was  the  one  toward  Charlestown,  and  was  built  in 
the  front  of  a  redan. f  The  eastern  side  swept  a  wide  field 
and  commanded  a  portion  of  the  harbor.  A  breastwork  ran 
in  a  line  with  it  northerly,  for  some  distance,  but 
terminated  about  seven  rods  southerly  of  the  slough 
before  described.  Between  the  breastwork  and  the  redoubt 
was  a  narrow  sally-port,  guarded  in  front  by  a  blind.  There 
was  also  a  passage-way  without  a  blind  in  the  north  wall  of 

*  Siege  of  Boston,  123,  124.  Some  historians  have  had  the  hardihood  to  deny- 
that  Putnam  was  present,  either  at  Breed's  Hill  or  at  Bunker  Hill,  during  this 
memorable  night.  The  evidence  on  this  point,  however,  is  too  clear  and  positive 
to  admit  of  a  doubt.  Even  Mr,  Frothingham,  who  appears  to  have  been  particu- 
larly ambitious  to  rob  Connecticut  of  all  participation  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill, 
is  constrained  to  admit  Putnam's  presence,  while  he  argues  that  Colonel  Prescott, 
(Putnam's  inferior^  in  rank,)  had  the  chief  command.  Indeed,  it  would  seem 
that  it  was  through  Putnam's  "  importunity,"  if  not  by  his  order,  that  the  detach- 
ment proceeded  to  fortify  Breed's  Hill,  instead  of  Bunker  Hill,  in  the  face  of 
General  "Ward's  direction.  The  Committee  of  Safety  intimate  that  this  was 
done,  through  "  some  mistake  "  ;  but  Colonel  Swett  remarks  that  there  was  no 
mistake  about  it — and  tlaat  the  committee  only  '"  meant  to  say  delicately  that  the 
order  to  fortify  Bunker  Hill  was  not  complied  with."  See  Gordon  i.  351  ;  Swett. 

t "  A  kind  of  rampart  in  the  form  of  an  inverted  V.,  having  its  angle  toward 
the  enemy."      Webster. 


[1775.]        putna:^!  superintends  the  works.  197 

the  redoubt,  whence  the  party  might   escape,  should  they 
find  themselves  too  hotly  beset. 

As  a  place  of  ultimate  retreat,  should  their  necessities 
compel  them  to  it,  it  was  thought  advisable  to  mark  out  a 
work  upon  Bunker  Hill.  Meanwhile,  Captain  Maxwell  with 
his  company,  together  with  some  Connecticut  and  other  troops, 
were  sent  down  to  the  shore  at  Charlestown,  to  keep  a  close 
watch  of  the  movements  of  the  enemy.  So  much  time  had 
been  spent  in  deliberating  in  regard  to  the  place  that  would 
be  most  desirable  for  their  purpose,  and  so  long  did  it  take 
to  mark  out  the  lines  of  the  fortifications,  that  it  was  past 
midnight  when  the  first  spade-full  of  earth  was  thrown  up."^ 
But  Putnam  had  a  way  of  getting  more  hard  service  out  of 
a  company  of  men,  and  could  remove  more  cubic  feet  of 
stones  and  earth  in  a  given  number  of  hours,  than  any  other 
officer  who  participated  in  the  exciting  scenes  of  the  Ameri- 
can revolution.  The  reader  will  bear  in  mind  the  fact  that 
he  was  occupied  in  a  similar  business  when  he  first  received 
tidings  of  the  battle  of  Lexington.  On  this  occasion,  so 
much  did  he  feel  the  weight  of  responsibility  pressing  upon 
him,  as  the  chief  adviser  in  the  step  that  had  been  taken 
against  the  calm  judgment  of  men  in  whose  wisdom  he  had 
great  confidence,  that  he  exerted  himself  to  the  utmost 
stretch  of  his  capacity.  Stimulated  by  his  presence,  the 
hardy  men  who  had  just  entered  upon  the  duties  of  a  sol- 
dier's life,  labored  with  unremitting  exertions,  and  with  a 
success  that  astonished  the  officers.  While  Putnam  remain- 
ed at  the  redoubt  to  superintend  the  works,  Colonel  Prescott 
and  the  gallant  Major  Brooks,  stole  quietly  down  to  the 
shore,  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy  who  were  in  the  ships,  and 
learn  if  they  were  aware  of  the  movements  of  the  American 
detachment. f  The  night  was  clear,  and  the  stars  let  fall 
their  purest  beams  upon  the  glancing  waves  and  the  glim- 
mering shrouds  of  the  British  ships.  They  lingered  until 
they  heard  the  voice  of  the  deluded  sentry  shouting  in  the 

*  Bancroft,  Graham,  Frothingham,  &e.         t  Swett's  History. 


198  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

ears  of  the  dreaming  crew,  "  All's  well !''  and  as  the  hollow 
echo  repeated  the  words  upon  the  shore,  they  returned  to  the 
redoubt. 

When  General  Putnam  saw  that  the  men  were  well  and 
systematically  at  work,  and  that  everything  was  going  for- 
ward as  he  desired,  he  hastened  back  to  the  camp  to  bring 
on  the  reinforcements  that  had  been  promised,  and  to  procure 
a  fresh  horse,  for  few  military  leaders  have  ever  needed  so 
many  horses  in  a  single  campaign  as  did  Putnam. 

While  he  was  absent.  Colonel  Prescott,  who  had  charge  of 
the  redoubt  as  the  next  in  command,  and  who  could  hardly 
persuade  himself  that  the  enemy  had  failed  to  be  alarmed  by 
the  noise  that  was  necessarily  made  in  throwing  up  the 
works,  again  sought  the  shore.  Everything  was  quiet. 
The  enemy  were  as  ignorant  of  his  approach  as  they  were 
regardless  of  the  sound  of  the  waves  that  broke  at  his  feet. 
He  now  ordered  the  guard  that  had  been  posted  at  Charles- 
town,  to  return  to  Breed's  Hill.* 

At  last  the  dawn  began  to  streak  the  east,  and  then 
flecks  of  rosy  light  playing  upon  the  waters  of  the  bay, 
quenching  the  gray  mist  and  restoring  the  familiar  features 
of  hill  and  town  and  curved  beach.  When  at  last  the  Brit- 
ish officers  looked  toward  Breed's  Hill  and  saw  the  sharp 
outlines  of  the  newly  broken  sod  standing  out  in  well 
defined  walls  against  the  sky,  they  could  hardly  believe  that 
it  was  not  an  illusory  dream,  that  would  vanish  with  the 
coming  of  the  open  sunshine.  But  they  soon  found  that  the 
forms  before  them,  clad  in  such  rude  attire,  were  brawny- 
armed,  sun-burned  men,  and  that  the  redoubt  and  the  breast- 

*  Frothingham,  p.  124,  125.  Martin  says,  "  about  a  thousand  were  at  work  ; 
the  men  dug  in  the  trenches  an  hour,  and  then  mounted  guard  and  were  rehev- 
ed."  Colonel  Prescott  remarks — "  Never  were  men  in  a  worse  condition  for  ac- 
tion— exhausted  by  watching,  fatigue  and  hunger — and  never  did  old  soldiers 
behave  better."  Prescott  was  fearful  that  the  enemy  would  commence  the 
attack  before  the  works  were  in  a  condition  to  protect  his  men  ;  but  the  cry, 
"tIZZ's  well^^^  heard  at  intervals,  drowsily  repeated  by  the  sentinels,  gave  assur- 
ance to  the  patriots  that  their  labors  were  undiscovered  and  unsuspected  on  board 
the  ships. 


[1775.]         CHAPLAIN   MARTIN'S   FUNERAL  SERVICE.  199 

work  were  anything  but  the  "  baseless  fabric  of  a  vision." 
Though  they  had  sprung  up  in  a  night  they  did  not  vanish 
with  approach  of  morning. 

The  cannon  of  the  Lively,  the  nearest  of  the  enemy's 
ships,  now  opened  upon  them  a  stern  morning  salute,  that 
startled  the  inhabitants  of  the  country  for  miles  around.^ 

General  Gage,  awakened  from  his  secure  slumbers  at  Bos- 
ton, whence  for  some  days  he  had  been  meditating  a  remov- 
al into  the  country,  bewildered  at  what  he  saw  and  heard, 
instantly  summoned  a  council  of  war  at  the  old  state 
house. 

Some  other  frigates  and  floating  batteries,  the  Somerset 
line-of-battle  ship,  together  with  the  battery  from  Copp's 
Hill,  soon  opened  a  terrific  fire  upon  the  American  lines. f 
But  though  their  shot  tore  up  the  ground  in  ridges,  yet  the 
works  were  so  nearly  completed  as  to  afford  a  safe  protec- 
tion. At  length  some  of  the  men  having  ventured  in  front 
of  the  works,  one  of  them  was  killed  by  a  cannon  shot.  J  A 
subaltern  hastened  to  inform  Colonel  Prescott  of  what  had 
happened,  and  asked  him  what  should  be  done. 

"Bury  him,"  was  the  laconic  reply.  "What,  without 
prayers  ?"  asked  the  astonished  informant.  There  was  a 
chaplain  present,  the  Rev.  John  Martin,  who  insisted  upon 
performing  a  funeral  ceremonial  over  this  first  sacrifice.  He 
gathered  a  crowd  around  him  and  began  the  service.  Colo- 
nel Prescott  ordered  them  to  disperse.  They  did  so,  but 
soon  the  ill-suppressed  religious  sentiment  swelling  beyond 
the  barriers  of  military  authority,  the  chaplain  again  collect- 
ed the  mourners  and  resumed  the  rite.  Prescott  now  order- 
ed the  dead  body  to  be  taken  out  of  their  custody  and  buried 
in  the  ditch.  Angry  and  grieved  at  this  interference,  a  num- 
ber of  the  soldiers  left  the  works  and  never  returned.  This 
death,  happening  as  it  did  and  made  thus  conspicuous,  inspir- 
ed much  terror  in  the  minds  of  the   soldiers  who  had  never 

*Swett.  t  Gordon,  i.  351. 

$The  person  killed  was  Asa  Pollard,  ofBillerica,  of  Stickney's  company, 
Bridge's  regiment.     Frothingham,  12G. 


200  HISTORY  OF  CONKECTICUT. 

before  seen  a  battle.  The  valiant  Martin  was  not 
one  of  the  deserters.  Finding  that  his  services  would  be 
more  acceptable  at  that  critical  time  in  a  less  spiritual  sense 
than  he  had  at  first  supposed,  he  seized  a  musket,  and  falling 
into  the  ranks  as  a  private  soldier,  fought  with  desperation.* 
Colonel  Prescott,  in  order  to  quiet  the  fears  of  the  raw 
troops,  now  mounted  the  works  and  stood  exposed  to  the 
enemy's  shot  while  he  issued  his  orders.  While  he  stood  in 
full  view  of  the  enemy,  his  bald  head  entirely  unprotected 
from  the  sun  and  his  sword  waving  in  the  air,  General  Gage 
scanned  him  minutely  with  his  telescope,  and  then  handing 
it  to  Willard,  a  mandamus  counselor  who  stood  near  him, 
inquired  who  he  was.  Willard  replied  "  that  it  w^as  his 
brother-in-law,  Colonel  Prescott."  "Will  he  fight?"  asked 
the  General.  "  Yes,  sir,  depend  upon  it,  to  the  last  drop  of 
his  blood/'  said  Willard,  "  but  I  cannot  answer  for  his 
men."f 

The  sun  had  now  risen  so  high  and  shone  with  such 
scorching  heat,  that  the  Americans  at  the  redoubt  whose 
heads  were  not  protected  from  it,  and  who  had  worked  the 
whole  night  without  so  much  as  a  draught  of  cold  water 
to  slake  their  thirst,  began  to  beg  for  something  to  drink  and 
that  they  might  also  be  relieved  by  fresh  forces.  Some  of 
the  officers,  whose  sympathies  were  excited  in  behalf  of  their 
men,  were  free  to  make  this  proposal  to  Prescott.  He  called 
a  council  of  war  at  once.  He  was  well  aware  of  the  evil 
consequences  that  would  follow  should  he  allow  any  antici- 
pations to  be  awakened  in  their  minds  that  might  fail  to  be 
realized.  He  therefore  spoke  in  scornful  terms  of  the  neces- 
sity of  having  recruits  or  relief  "  The  enemy,"  he  said, 
"  would  not  dare  to  attack  them,  and  if  they  did,  would  be 
defeated.     The  men  who  had  raised  the  works  were  the  best 

*  Soon  after  the  battle,  ]\Ir,  Martin  preached  a  discourse  from  this  text,  (Neh. 
iv.  14,)  "  And  I  said  unto  the  nobles,  and  to  the  rulers,  and  to  the  rest  of  the 
people,  Be  ye  not  afraid  of  them  ;  remember  the  Lord  which  is  great  and 
terrible,  and  fight  for  your  brethren,  your  sons  and  your  daughters,  your  wives 
and  your  houses."     He  was  subsequently  chaplain  of  a  Rhode  Island  regiment. 

t  Swett,  p.  22,  23  ;  Frothingham  126. 


[1775.]  GAGE   CALLS  A  COUNCIL.  201 

qualified  to  defend  them.  They  had  akeady  learned  to  des- 
pise the  fire  of  the  enemy.  They  had  the  merit  of  the  labor 
and  should  enjoy  the  honor  of  the  victory."  Thus  doubtless 
with  xnany  an  anxious  glance  toward  the  Cambridge  road, 
did  the  old  warrior  inspire  his  men  with  new  confidence. 
The  task  that  General  Putnam  had  taken  upon  himself  to 
perform  was  the  most  difficult  of  all.  The  American  camp 
at  Cambridge  was  without  any  fixed  locality.  Some  of  the 
troops  were  lodged  at  the  colleges,  others  in  the  church, 
and  others  still  in  public  and  private  houses.  The  officers 
were  distributed  wherever  they  could  be  best  accommoda- 
ted. It  was  a  work  requiring  much  time  to  get  the  rein- 
forcements for  which  he  had  repaired  to  Cambridge.  At 
break  of  day  he  ordered  Lieutenant  Clark  to  send  to  Gene- 
ral Ward  for  a  fresh  horse.  Clark  hastened  himself  to  do 
the  errand.  On  his  return  he  found  the  old  hero  already 
mounted  and  just  starting  off  for  Breed's  Hill.*  The  guns 
of  the  Lively  were  echoing  over  sea  and  land,  and  without 
waiting  for  those  reinforcements  that  ought  to  have  been 
drawn  up  in  order  ready  to  march  as  soon  as  he  arrived  in 
Cambridge,  he  paused  only  to  remind  General  Ward  that  the 
fortune  of  the  day  would  depend  upon  the  immediate  fulfill- 
ment of  the  pledge  that  had  been  so  solemnly  given  on  the 
preceding  evening,  of  sending  new  troops,  refreshments, 
and  a  larger  stock  of  ammunition,  and  then  rode  as  if  for 
life,  toward  the  peninsula,  where  his  panting  soldiers  looked 
in  vain  for  food,  f 

It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  General  Gage  spent  the 
morning  in  idleness.  It  has  been  stated  that  he  held  a  coun- 
cil of  war  at  a  very  early  hour  at  the  state  house.      All  the 

*  Humphreys,  p.  217. 

fSuch  was  the  delay  in  the  arrival  of  reinforcements  and  provisions,  that  many 
of  the  soldiers  began  to  suspect  treachery  on  the  part  of  certain  officers.  Thus, 
Peter  Brown,  a  private,  under  date  of  June  25,  1775,  in  a  letter  to  his  mother, 
wrote — "  I  must  and  will  venture  to  say,  that  there  was  treachery,  oversight  or 
presumption,  in  the  conduct  of  our  officers." 

Gordon  says,  (i.  351,)  "  By  some  unaccountable  error,  the  detachment  which 
had  been  working  for  hours,  was  neither  relieved  nor  supplied  with  refreshments, 
but  was  left  to  engage  under  these  disadvantages." 


202  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

officers  agreed  that  the  Americans  ought  to  be  driven  from 
the  redoubt,  but  they  could  not  hit  upon  any  plan  of  attack 
that  met  the  approval  of  all.  General  Clinton  and  General 
Grant  thought  it  would  be  best  to  embark  at  the  foot  of  the 
common  in  boats,  land  at  Charlestown  neck  under  a  heavy 
fire  from  the  ships  and  floating  batteries,  and  attack  the 
American  detachment  in  the  rear.  This  advice  proved  to 
be  ver)^  popular  with  some  of  the  officers,  who  saw  in  it  the 
promise  of  exciting  adventures  that  accorded  well  with 
the  impetuosity  of  Percy  and  Pigot.  But  General  Gage 
strenuously  opposed  the  proposition.  He  said  it  would  be 
placing  themselves  between  two  armies,  the  one  their 
superior  in  position,  and  the  other  in  numbers  ;  thus  they 
might  be  met  at  the  same  time  in  front  and  rear  and  com- 
pletely surrounded,  so  as  to  be  cut  off  at  once  from  all  hope 
of  retreat.  He  advised  to  land  and  attack  the  Americans  in 
front,  so  that  the  way  would  be  open  for  them  to  retire  to 
their  boats  if  necessary.  The  other  members  of  the  council 
fell  in  with  these  views,  and  they  were  adopted.'^  British 
troops  soon  appeared  marching  through  the  streets  of  Bos- 
ton. The  parade  ground  was  in  full  view  of  the  American 
redoubt,  and  a  corps  of  British  dragoons  who  had  been 
maneuvering  there,  were  suddenly  seen  to  gallop  away, 
while  the  rattling  of  artillery  carriages,  and  the  rumbling  of 
wagons  were  heard  distinctly  in  the  still  morning  air.  The 
meaning  of  this  unusual  stir  could  not  be  misinterpreted.' 
Putnam's  last  visit  at  the  redoubt  had  been  brief. 
Seeing  that  Colonel  Prescott  had  done  in  his  absence 
everything  that  skill  and  valor  could  do,  and  aware  of 
the  almost  immediate  prospect  of  an  engagement,  he  had 
taken  time  only  to  utter  a  word  of  encouragement, 
and  had  again  set  off  for  Cambridge  to  stimulate  the 
leisurely  movements  of  General  Ward,  and  bring  into  the 
field  the  expected  reinforcements.  But  delays  and  excuses 
met  him  at  every  step.  General  Ward  was  not  able  to 
believe   that  the  British  troops  could  be  landed  anywhere 

*  Swett. 


[1775.]       ME.   DEVEKS   PLEADS   FOR   CHARLESTOWN.  203 

save  at  Cambridge.  Begging,  remonstrating,  explaining, 
doing  everything  but  threaten  his  superior  officer,  Putnam 
labored  with  him  in  vain. 

Colonel  Prescott,  seeing  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  and 
witnessing  with  pain  the  fatigue  of  his  men,  about  9  o'clock 
called  another  council  of  war,  that  finally  resulted  in  his  send- 
ing Major  Brooks  to  head  quarters  to  add  his  solicitations  to 
those  of  Putnam.  Failing  to  procure  a  horse,  Brooks  pro- 
ceeded on  foot  to  Cambridge.  He  reached  the  camp  about 
10  o'clock,  and  informed  General  Ward  that  he  had  come 
for  provisions  and  reinforcements.  The  commander-in- 
chief  interposed  a  variety  of  objections.  He  doubted  if  the 
enemy  meant  to  land  at  Charlestown  ;  the  movement  was 
probably  a  mere  feint,  and  Cambridge  would  after  all  be 
their  real  point  of  destination.  He  had  but  too  scanty  a 
force  at  best,  and  as  for  ammunition,  it  was  necessary  to 
use  it  very  sparingly,  as  nobody  could  see  from  what  quarter 
they  could  get  any  more  when  they  had  expended  their  little 
store. ''^  Such  in  substance  were  the  grounds  of  objection 
urged  by  the  good  old  man.  But  lest  he  might  seem  to 
repose  too  much  confidence  upon  his  own  judgment,  he  laid 
the  proposition  before  the  Committee  of  Safety,  then  in  ses- 
sion in  the  same  house  where  he  was  quartered.  Mr. 
Richard  Devens,  of  Charlestown,  was  a  member  of  the  com- 
mittee, and  pleaded  with  such  eloquence  in  behalf  of  his  native 
town  as  to  make  a  deep  impression  upon  the  minds  of  the 
others.  The  committee  advised  a  reinforcement,  and 
Ward,  much  against  his  w^ill,  thereupon  issued  orders  to 
Colonels  Reed  and  Stark,  then  stationed  at  Medford,  to  join 
Prescott  with  the  New  Hampshire  forces  without  delay. f 
General  Warren  was  present  with  the  other  members  of  the 
committee.  He  had  acted  as  president  of  the  Congress  the 
day  before,  and  had  spent  the  night  also  (doubtless  a  sleep- 
less one,)  at  Watertown.  Mr.  Elbridge  Gerry,  who  had 
from  the  first  regarded  the  attempt  to  fortify  Bunker  Hill  as 
an  impracticable  one,  had  earnestly  besought  him  not  to  go 

*  Humphreys,  218,  219.  +  Swett,  Humphreys,  and  others. 


204  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

upon  the  ground,  as  he  said  his  death,  that  would  be  useless 
as  his  life  was  invaluable,  would  be  the  probable  conse- 
quence." "I  know  it,"  was  the  reply,  "but  I  live  within 
the  sound  of  the  cannon,  and  should  die  were  I  to  remain  at 
home  while  my  fellow-citizens  are  shedding  their  blood  for 
me."  "  As  sure  as  you  go  you  will  be  slain,"  reiterated 
Gerry,  prophetically.  "  Dulce  et  decorum  est  pro  patria 
mori,""^  was  the  classical  and  glorious  answer  of  the  patriot- 
scholar.  Warren  reached  Cambridge  at  day-light,  worn 
out  with  excitement  and  almost  crazed  with  a  nervous 
headache,  and  threw  himself  upon  a  bed.  When  the  news 
came  that  the  British  were  in  motion,  General  Ward  sent 
him  word.  He  left  the  bed  instantly,  and  remarking  that 
"his  headache  was  gone,"  repaired  to  the  room  occupied  by 
the  Committee  of  Safety,  of  which  he  was  chairman.  After 
the  meeting  was  over  he  armed  himself  with  a  fusil  and 
sword,  mounted  his  horse  and  rode  toward  the  spot  where 
the  squadrons  of  war  were  mustering.f 

It  was  11  o'clock  before  the  orders  issued  by  General 
Ward  to  the  New  Hampshire  troops  reached  Medford. 
Even  then,  as  no  provision  had  been  made  for  any  such 
emergency,  they  were  totally  unprepared  for  service,  as  they 
were  without  ammunition.  Many  of  them  had  not  even 
flints  to  their  guns.  Every  soldier  was  now  furnished  with 
two  flints  and  a  gill  of  powder,  with  fifteen  bullets  to  make 
up  into  cartridges.  Almost  every  one  of  them  was  obliged 
to  make  use  of  a  powder-horn  as  a  cartridge-box  was  a  lux- 
ury, the  enjoyment  of  which  was  yet  in  reserve  for  them. 
Their  guns  also  differed  as  much  in  calibre  as  the  features 
of  their  respective  owners  did  in  appearance,  and  they  were 
compelled  to  hammer  their  balls  into  slugs  before  they  could 
load  their  pieces. J  The  troops  stationed  at  Chelsea  were 
now  recalled. 

At  noon,  twenty-eight  barges  filled  with  the  greater  part 
of  the  first  detachment  of  British  troops  embarked  at  the 

*  "  It  is  sweet  and  lovely  to  die  for  one's  country," 
I  Swett.         X  Humphreys. 


[1775.] 


THE   BRITISH  TROOPS   LAND.  205 


long  wharf  in  Boston.  They  were  among  the  best  forces  of 
the  army,  being  the  fifth,  thirty-eighth,  forty-third,  and  fifty- 
second  battalions  of  infantry,  ten  companies  of  grenadiers, 
and  ten  of  light  infantry.^  A  part  of  these  troops  were 
taken  from  the  transports  and  had  not  yet  set  foot  upon  the 
American  shore.  They  fell  into  two  parallel  lines  and  dis- 
played themselves  with  admirable  effect  as  they  flew  grace- 
fully through  the  water.  In  a  conspicuous  position  in  the 
bows  of  the  foremost  boats  were  six  shining  pieces  of  can- 
non and  howitzers,  while  the  elegant  uniform  and  polished 
arms  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  flashed  brightly  in  the  beams 
of  the  noon-day  sun.  At  one  o'clock  they  touched  at  Mor- 
ton's Point  and  landed  in  perfect  order.  So  imposing  was 
the  spectacle,  and  so  perfect  were  their  movements,  that  the 
American  officers  found  it  difficult  to  keep  their  panic- 
stricken  men  in  their  places  at  the  redoubt.  As  soon  as 
General  Howe  had  effected  a  landing  of  his  troops,  he  dis- 
covered that  the  spare  cannon  balls  which  he  had  brought 
along  with  him  were  too  large  for  his  guns.t  He  therefore 
sent  them  back  and  ordered  a  new  supply,  and  at  the  same 
time  he  dispatched  a  messenger  to  General  Gage  requesting 
that  he  would  forward  more  troops,  as  the  strength  of  the 
American  lines  was  much  greater  than  he  had  at  first  sup- 
posed, and  as  fresh  recruits  now  began  to  pour  in  from  the 
neck.  While  waiting  for  the  other  troops,  the  companies 
that  had  already  landed  dined  from  their  full  knapsacks, 
with  as  much  unconcern  as  if  they  had  been  occupied  about 
the  most  ordinary  employment.  J  It  was  two  o'clock  before 
the  remainder  of  the  detachment  were  ready.  They 
embarked  at  Winnisimit  ferry  and  soon  joined  the  first 
party  at  Morton's  Point.  Not  long  afterward  the  reinforce- 
ments, consisting  of  a  few  companies  of  grenadiers  and  light 
infantry,  the  forty-seventh  battalion,  and  almost  an  entire 
battalion  of  marines,  were  landed  under  the  eastern  end  of 

*Swett.         t  Gordon,  i.  351,  352  ;  see  also  Graham,  iv.  380. 
jSwett,  Frothingham.     The  latter  author  truly  remarks,  "  It  proved  to  many  a 
brave  man  his  last  meal."     Hist.  Siege  of  Boston,  p.  132. 


206  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Breed's  Hill,  on  the  very  ground  now  occupied  by  the  navy 
yard.* 

Meanwhile  General  Putnam  was  busy  here  and  there 
superintending  and  directing  all  the  movements  of  the 
American  army.  He  ordered  Captain  Knowlton,  with  the 
little  handful  of  Connecticut  men,  whom  he  had  been  per- 
mitted to  bring  from  the  field  where  General  Ward  was 
waiting  for  the  approach  of  an  enemy  who  never  paid 
him  the  anticipated  visit,  to  take  his  position  behind 
a  rail  fence  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards  in  length, 
that  stretched  across  the  tongue  of  land  before  described, 
from  Mystic  river  to  the  road.f  A  little  part  of  this  fence 
had  a  stone  foundation  about  two  feet  high.  Some  apple 
trees  were  standing  in  front  of  it  and  a  few  in  the  rear. 
There  were  other  fences  near  by,  which  the  troops  removed 
and  made  with  the  rails  thus  obtained  a  new  one  parallel 
with  the  first  mentioned  one.  Between  these  two  frail  barriers 
they  threw  new  mown  grass.  Such  a  breastwork  could 
hardly  be  expected  to  protect  them  from  the  enemy's  artil- 
lery, but  proved  to  be  of  much  avail  against  musket  balls. 
It  was  eighty  yards  in  the  rear  of  the  slough,  and  one  hund- 
red and  ninety  yards  in  the  rear  of  the  American  breast- 
work that  formed  a  continuation  of  the  redoubt.  Hence 
there  was  a  wide  opening  between  this  breastwork  and  the 
fence,  where  the  left  flank  of  the  Americans  would  be  expos- 
ed to  a  raking  fire,  and  another  space  of  one  hundred  yards 
between  the  slough  and  the  fence  that  would  have  given  the 
British  infantry  ample  room  to  advance. 

Colonel  Prescott  also  called  in  the  companies  that  had 

*Swett. 

t  Swett's  History,  page  27 ;  see  also  Captain  Chester's  letter  in  the 
"  Siege  of  Boston,"  p.  390,  "  Our  officers  in  command,  soon  perceiving  their  in- 
tention, ordered  a  large  party  of  men,  (chiefly  Connecticut,)  to  leave  the  fort, 
and  march  down  and  oppose  the  enemy's  right  wing."  If  positive  testimony  on 
the  point  of  the  chief  command  is  desired,  the  reader  is  referred  to  Colonel 
Swett's  History.  Botta,  (i.  204,)  says,  "  General  Putnam  directed  in  chief, 
and  held  himself  ready  to  repair  to  any  point,  where  his  presence  should  be 
most  wanted." 


[1775.] 


THE   POST   OF   HONOR.  207 


been  posted  at  Charlestown  and  ordered  them  to  take  their 
stand  at  a  cart-way  that  ran  from  the  road  to  the  south- 
eastern angle  of  the  redoubt.  In  imitation  of  what  had 
been  done  by  Knowlton,  they  made  for  themselves  a  tempo- 
rary screen  by  means  of  parallel  fences  and  freshly  cut 
grass. "^ 

The  Americans,  roused  by  the  cannonade  from  the  British 
ships  and  floating  batteries  that  sounded  such  a  fearful  note 
of  preparation,  now  came  thronging  to  the  field. 

The  Connecticut  troops,  impatient  to  mingle  in  the  battle, 
were  all  in  marching  order,  and  sent  an  urgent  request  to 
General  Ward  that  he  would  allow  them  to  hasten  to  the 
standard  of  Putnam,  their  idol.  But  as  they  were  the  best 
trained  and  best  equipped  forces  in  the  whole  army,  they 
were  the  very  last  that  General  Ward  would  suffer  to  leave 
him.  They  might  as  well  have  supplicated  the  winds. 
General  Ward  sent  them  the  consoling  information  that  they 
had  already  the  post  of  honor,  as  the  enemy  loere  expected 
to  land  near  Inman's  farm  where  they  were  stationed. f 
Whoever  might  have  expected  them,  it  is  quite  certain  that 
neither  Putnam,  Prescott,  Knowlton,  Brooks,  nor  any  other 
officers  whose  services  were  worth  anything  on  that  day, 
were  of  the  number.  The  gallant  Colonel  Sargeant  of 
New  Hampshire  made  a  like  request,  and  was  answered  in 
the  same  way. 

Captain  Callender,  who  commanded  a  company  of  artil- 
lery, and  whose  services,  as  the  event  proved,  were  just 
such  as  would  have  been  best  fitted  to  help  General  Ward 

*  This  impromptu  mode  of  fortification  proved  even  more  formidable  to  the 
enemy  than  either  Prescott  or  Knowlton  had  anticipated.  A  British  letter,  dated 
July  5,  1775,  says  :  "  Our  light-infantry  were  served  up  in  companies  against  the 
grass  fence,  without  being  able  to  penetrate — indeed,  how  could  we  penetrate  it  ? 
Most  of  our  grenadiers  and  light-infantry,  the  moment  of  presenting  themselves, 
lost  three-fourths,  and  many  nine-tenths  of  their  men.  Some  companies  had 
only  eight  or  nine  men  left ;  some  only  three,  four,  and  five."  Another  British 
letter  says  :  "  It  was  found  to  be  the  strongest  post  that  was  ever  occupied  by 
any  set  of  men."     Frothingham,  142. 

t  Swett's  History. 


208  HISTORY  OF   CONNECTICUT. 

and  the  main  body  of  the  army  to  do  nothing,  was  ordered 
to  repair  to  the  hill.  To  make  sure  that  nothing  might  in 
any  event  happen  to  him,  the  General  also  ordered  Colonel 
Gardner's  regiment  to  march  to  Patterson's  station,  and 
there  await  further  orders.  A  little  in  advance  of  this  regi- 
ment was  Colonel  Doolittle's  on  the  Charlestown  road. 

One  quarter  of  the  forces  who  thus  begged  to  be  led  into 
the  field,  with  a  tenth  part  of  the  ammunition  that  was 
hoarded  up  to  be  burned  in  honor  of  the  arrival  of  the  enemy 
at  Inman's  farm,  would  have  cut  in  pieces  the  five  thousand 
British  troops  landed  at  Morton's  Point  and  Modlin's  ship- 
yard, and  changed  the  whole  fortune  of  the  day. 

As  yet  Putnam  had  been  unable,  notwithstanding  all  his 
exertions,  to  find  men  enough  to  throw  up  the  works  that 
he  had  been  so  anxious  to  erect  upon  Bunker  Hill. 
Upon  this  highest  point  of  the  peninsula,  the  last  place  of 
retreat,  should  retreat  be  necessary,  unless  he  was  to  retire 
again  across  the  neck,  not  a  spade  had  yet  been  struck  into 
the  ground.  Half  the  number  of  men  that  had  so  faithfully 
thrown  up  the  redoubt  upon  Breed's  Hill,  could  easily  have 
made  this  other  hill  defensible  on  account  of  its  superior  ele- 
vation and  the  steepness  of  its  sides.  It  seemed  hard,  after 
all  the  fatigue  and  hunger  that  the  detachment  at  the  redoubt 
had  undergone,  that  they  should  be  compelled  to  perform 
this  new  task,  and  that  too  in  the  face  of  the  hot  June  sun 
whose  beams  now  pierced  the  poor  fellows  like  arrows.  Yet 
there  appeared  now  to  be  no  help  for  it.  He  therefore  ordered 
a  large  detachment  to  leave  the  redoubt  and  repair  to 
Bunker  Hill  with  the  intrenching  tools.  Colonel  Prescott 
remonstrated.  His  men,  he  said,  were  weary,  and  had 
already  done  more  than  human  nature  ought  to  be  called 
upon  to  endure.  But  on  this  vital  point  Putnam  was  inex- 
orable, and  Prescott  was  compelled  to  yield.* 

Having  seen  the  works  upon  Bunker  Hill  fairly  begun, 
Putnam  again  rode  off*  toward  Cambridge  to  see  after  the 
tardy  reinforcements.      Those  who  are  aware  what  his  tem- 

*  Swett's  History. 


[1775.]  BATTLE    OF   BUNKER   HILL.  209 

perament  was,  will  readily  imagine  that  by  this  time  he  was 
in  no  very  gentle  frame  of  mind,  and  that  he  rode  at  some- 
thing more  than  even  his  ordinary  rate  of  speed.  To  his 
inexpressible  joy,  he  learned  from  General  Ward  that  the 
New  Hampshire  troops  had  been  ordered  to  march  from 
Medford,  and  instantly  turned  his  horse's  head  toward 
Bunker  Hill.  As  Colonel  Stark  marched  his  men  very 
slowly,  acting  upon  his  favorite  maxim,  that  one  fresh  man 
in  battle  is  better  than  ten  fatigued  ones,  Putnam  was 
already  on  the  ground  when  he  arrived  there.  Detaching 
a  part  of  this  new  force  to  aid  the  intrenching  party  on 
Bunker  Hill,  he  ordered  Colonel  Stark  to  hurry  forward 
with  the  rest  as  fast  as  he  could,  and  join  Captain  Knowlton 
at  the  fence.  Stark  now  made  one  of  his  pithy,  characteristic 
speeches  to  his  men,  bade  them  give  three  hearty  cheers  to 
inspire  themselves  with  the  true  spirit  of  liberty,  and  then 
move^  forward  to  the  line. 

It  now  became  apparent  to  General  Ward,  from  the  fact 
that  the  British  were  landing  at  Charlestown,  that  his 
extreme  prudence  had  deceived  him  as  to  their  real  designs. 
To  repair  the  mischief  that  had  been  done  by  this  mistake, 
he  now  began  to  bestir  himself.  Reserving  the  choicest 
troops  of  his  army,  consisting  of  his  own  regiment,  Putnam's, 
Sargeant's,  Patterson's,  Gardner's,  and  a  part  of  Bridge's,  he 
sent  off  the  rest  as  a  reinforcement  to  Charlestown.  But 
it  was  too  late  now  to  do  anything  methodically,  as 
will  appear  by  the  following  extract  from  Captain  Chester's 
letter  : 

"  Just  after  dinner,  on  Saturday,  17th  ult.,  I  was  walking 

out  from  my  lodgings,   quite  calm  and  composed,  and  all  at 

once  the  drums  beat  to  arms,  the  bells  rang,  and  a  great 

noise  in  Cambridge.      Captain   Putnam   came   by   on   full 

gallop.      '  What  is   the  matter  ?'  says  I.      *  Have  you  not 

heard?'       -'No.'       'Why,    the    regulars    are    landing    at 

Charlestown,'  says  he  ;    '  and  father  says  you  must  all  meet 

and    march    immediately   to    Bunker   Hill   to   oppose    the 

enemy.'     I  waited  not,  but  ran  and  got  my  arms  and  ammu- 

46 


210  HISTORY  OF   CONNECTICUT. 

nition,  and  hasted  to  my  company,  (who  were  in  the  church 
for  barracks,)  and  found  them  nearly  ready  to  march.  We 
soon  marched,  with  our  frocks  and  trowsers  on  over  our 
other  clothes,  (for  our  company  is  in  uniform  wholly  blue, 
turned  up  with  red,)  for  we  were  loth  to  expose  ourselves  by 
our  dress,  and  down  we  marched."* 

General  Howe,  a  brother  of  that  gallant  Lord  Howe 
whose  last  words  were  addressed  to  Putnam,  had  the 
immediate  command  of  the  British  forces,  and  under  him 
were  General  Pigot,  Colonels  Nesbit,  Abercrombie,  and 
Clarke ;  Majors  Butler,  Williams,  Bruce,  Spendlove,  Smelt, 
Mitchell,  Pitcairn,  Short,  Small,  and  Lords  Rawdon  and 
Percy,t  whose  names  were  even  then  known  with  honor 
wherever  the  British  flag  waved  on  land  or  sea. 

The  action  was  commenced  by  the  British  artillery,  who 
now  opened  a  tremendous  fire  upon  the  American  works 
on  Breed's  Hill.  Prescott  ordered  the  men  to  keep  close 
behind  the  works  and  not  expose  themselves.  Lieutenant 
Spalding,  who  disobeyed  this  order,  had  his  head  shattered 
to  atoms  by  a  cannon  ball.  Captain  Gridley's  pieces  were 
now  ordered  out  of  the  redoubt,  and  with  Callender's  were 
stationed  where  they  were  most  needed,  in  the  space  between 
the  breastwork  and  the  rail  fence.  Here  they  attempted  to 
return  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  but  without  effect.  These 
companies  had  just  enlisted  from  the  infantry  and  were 
unqualified  for  this  service.  The  officers  complained  that 
their  cartridges  were  unskilfully  made  up,  and  soon  with- 
drew. As  Callender  was  retreating  to  the  farther  side  of 
Bunker  Hill,  where  he  might  safely  prepare  his  cartridges, 
he  was  suddenly,  arrested  by  General  Putnam,  who  rode  up 
and  with  a  face  flaming  with  indignation,  commanded  him 
to  resume  his  post.  Callender  begged  that  he  might  be 
allowed  to  retire.     This  so  enraged  Putnam  that  he  threat- 

*  Letter  from  Captain  John  Chester,  of  Wethersfield,  to  Rev.  Joseph  Fish,  of 
Stonington,  the  original  of  which  is  preserved  by  the  Hon.  Gurdon  Trumbull,  of 
Hartford.     See  Frothingham,  389. 

t  Hist,  of  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill. 


[1775.]  BATTLE   OF   BUNKER   HILL.  211 

ened  to  kill  him  instantly  if  he  did  not  go  back.  Rather 
than  die,  Callender  yielded,  but  his  men  soon  ran  away  and 
left  him.  * 

The  genius  of  Putnam  now  exhibited  itself  in  all  its 
splendor.  On  the  right  and  left  breastworks,  at  the  redoubt, 
at  the  rail  fence,  on  the  summit  of  Bunker  Hill,  where  the 
new  works  were  going  rapidly  forward,  at  the  neck,  at  the 
unguarded  space  between  the  breast  work  and  the  fence, 
mounted  on  his  white  horse,  he  seemed  to  be  in  all  parts  of 
the  field  at  once,  commanding,  encouraging  or  threatening, 
as  the  exigencies  of  the  moment  seemed  to  demand.  As  the 
reinforcements  arrived  in  parties  of  two  or  three  hundred, 
he  was  ready  to  receive  them  and  assign  them  places. 

Colonel  Little  soon  came  across  the  neck  with  his  troops. 
Putnam  ordered  Captain  Norris's  company  to  the  rail  fence 
on  the  right  of  the  redoubt.  Captain  Perkins's  company  to 
the  open  space  deserted  by  Gridley  and  Callender,  and  the 
rest  of  them  to  fall  into  the  main  line  behind  the  rail  fence 
where  Stark   and  Knowlton  were  posted. f 

Colonel  Brewer,  Colonel  Nixon,  who  had  been  rangers  in 
the  French  war.  Colonel  Woodbridge  and  Major  Moore, 
soon  after  brought  each  about  three  hundred  men  into  the 
field,  who  were  ordered  to  their  appropriate  places  as  soon 
as  they  came. J 

The  British  columns  were  now  formed  with  their  field 
train  in  the  centre,  ready  to  march  up  the  hill.  Just  then 
Captain  Ford,  a  veteran  officer  who  had  distinguished  him- 
self in  the  battle  of  Lexington,  made  his  appearance  with 
his  company.  He  was  marching  down  from  the  summit  of 
Bunker  Hill,  when  Putnam  met  him  joyfully,  for  he  knew 
what  sturdy  material  he  was  made  of,  and  pointing  to  Cal- 
lender's  deserted  cannon,  ordered  him  with  his  men  to  draw 
them  to  the  line.  Ford  asked  to  be  excused  on  the  ground 
that  his  soldiers  did  not  know  how  to  manage  field-pieces. 
Regardless   of    the    remonstrance,    Putnam     repeated    the 

*  Siege  of  Boston,  p.  138  ;  Callander's  account  in  the  Boston  Sentinel,  1818. 
tSwett's  History.         ^  Frothingham. 


212  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

order,  and  the  gallant  Captain  submitted.  Putnam  accom- 
panied them,  and  saw  the  guns  placed  in  the  line,  at  the  rail 
fence,  before  he  lost  sight  of  them. 

He  was  now  joined  by  General  Warren.  The  following 
dialogue  not  only  shows  the  noble  disinterestedness  of  both, 
but  the  estimate  that  each  had  of  the  other.* 

Putnam.  "  I'm  sorry  to  see  you  here,  General  Wai'ren  ;  1 
wish  you  had  left  the  day  to  us,  as  I  advised  you.  From 
appearances  we  shall  have  a  sharp  time  of  it ;  but  since  you 
are  here,  I'll  receive  your  orders  with  pleasure." 

Warren.  "  I  came  only  as  a  volunteer.  I  know  nothing 
of  your  dispositions  and  will  not  interfere  with  them.  Tell 
me  where  I  can  be  most  useful." 

Putnam.  (Pointing  toward  the  redoubt,)  "You  will  be 
covered  there.'" 

Warren.  "Don't  think  I  come  here  to  seek  a  place  of 
safety ;  but  tell  me  where  the  onset  will  be  most  furious  !" 

Putnam.  (Again  pointing  to  the  redoubt,)  "  That  is  the 
enemy  s  object ;  Prescott  is  there,  and  will  do  his  duty,  and 
if  it  can  be  defended  the  day  is  ours ;  but  from  long  experi- 
ence of  the  character  of  the  enemy,  I  think  they  will 
ultimately  succeed  and  drive  us  from  the  works  ;  though  from 
the  mode  of  attack  they  have  chosen,  we  shall  be  able  to  do 
them  infinite  injury,  and  we  must  be  prepared  for  a  brave  and 
orderly  retreat  when  we  can  maintain  our  ground  no  longer." 

Here  the  conference  ended.  Warren  fell  in  with  Putnam's 
suggestion  and  repaired  to  the  redoubt.  When  we  remem- 
ber how  similar  was  this  piece  of  advice  to  that  which  Put- 
nam had  seventeen  years  before  given  to  the  graceful  and 
accomplished  Lord  Howe,  the  brother  of  the  British  chief 
who  was  now  in  the  field  against  him,  and  when  we  look  in 
either  case  at  the  melancholy  sequel,  we  see  in  him,  in  middle 
life,  as  well  as  in  old  age,  the  same  manly  courage  and  the 

*  Tliis  interview  also  appears  to  throw  mucli  light  on  the  question,  "  Who 
commanded  at  Bunker  Hill?"  As  Warren  was  a  major-general,  and  Putnam 
only  a  brigadier-general,  the  latter  would  naturally  offer  to  give  up  the  command 
to  an  officer  of  higher  rank. 


[1775.]  BATTLE   OF   BUNKER  HILL.  213 

same  magnanimous  desire  to  save  others  at  the  expense  of  his 
own  Ufe. 

The  British  field-pieces  now  opened  furiously  on  the  redoubt, 
and  their  columns  advanced  slowly  and  steadily,  making  a 
halt  at  regular  intervals  to  await  the  heavy  movements  of 
the  artillery.  Tall,  elegant,  and  dressed  as  became  his  rank, 
General  Howe  advanced  two  hundred  yards  in  front  of  the 
columns,  to  reconnoitre  the  American  lines. 

At  that  time,  Putnam  was  on  Bunker  Hill,  superintending 
the  works.  He  instantly  left  this  position,  ordered  the  drums 
to  beat  to  arms,  and  hastened  to  the  line.  It  was  the  first 
time  that  the  tune  of  Yankee  Doodle  ever  led  Americans  to 
battle. 

Lord  Howe  led  the  British  right  wing,  consisting  of  the 
fifth  regiment,  one  of  grenadiers,  and  one  of  light  infantry, 
toward  the  rail  fence,  while  at  the  same  time,  a  few  compa- 
nies of  light  infantry  moved  along  the  shore  of  the  Mystic, 
designing  to  turn  the  American  left.* 

General  Pigot  led  the  left  wing  directly  against  the  redoubt 
and  breastwork.  It  was  composed  of  the  fifty-second  regi- 
ment, the  thirty-eighth,  the  thirty-fifth,  the  forty-seventh,  three 
companies  of  grenadiers,  three  of  light  infantry,  and  the 
marines.  As  they  moved  forward,  the  sound  of  the  cannon 
suddenly  ceased.  General  Howe  sent  to  inquire  the  cause,  and 
was  told  that  the  cannon  balls  sent  over  were  too  large  for 
the  pieces  ;  but  that  they  had  plenty  of  grape-shot.  He 
commanded  them  to  keep  up  the  firing  with  grape. 

The  British  lines  soon  appeared  in  full  view,  and  some  of 
the  American  marksmen  now  began  to  get  ready  to  fire  upon 
them.  Putnam  rode  through  the  American  line  and  gave 
strict  injunctions  that  not  a  gun  should  be  fired  until  the 
enemy  had  arrived  within  eight  rods  of  the  fence,  nor  even 
then,  until  the  order  was  distinctly  given.  He  then  addressed 
the  troops  nearly  in  the  following  words  : 

"  Powder  is  scarce  and  must  not  be  wasted.  Don't  fire  at 
the  enemy  until  you  can  see  the  luhites  of  their  eyes : — and 

*  Swett's  Hist.,  p.  33. 


214  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

then  fire  low.     Take  aim  at  their  vjaistbands.     You  are  all  ! 

marksmen,  and  can  kill  a  squirrel  at  a  hundred  yards. 
Reserve  your  fire  and  the  enemy  are  all  destroyed.  Aim  at 
the  handsome  coats — pick  off  the  commanders."*  I 

The  orders  of  the  general  were  repeated  along  the  whole  ] 

line  by  Pomeroy,  Stark,  and  the  other  veteran  officers,  and  by  | 

Prescott  and  the  officers  who  were  with  him  in  the  redoubt.*  I 

As  there  was  no  experienced  gunner  in  the  line,  Putnam  now  j 

dismounted  and  assisted  in  managing  the  field-pieces.     The  | 

two  companies  of  artillery  had  only  twelve  cartridges  each,  ! 

and  it  was  necessary  to  see  that  every  one  took  effect.     Put-  : 

nam  aimed  the  cannon  himself,  and  had   the  satisfaction  to  ; 

see  that  they  did  fatal  execution.     A  single  case  of  canister  | 

shot  cut  a  line  entirely  through  the  British  ranks.     With  i 

admirable  discipline  they  closed  up  their  columns  and  coolly 
marched  on. 

When  the  British  right  wing  had  arrived  within  about  one 
hundred  yards  of  the  line,  and  were  engaged  in  throwing 
down  a  fence  that  impeded  their  advance,  a  few  sharp-shooters, 
unable  to  resist  the  temptation,  fired  upon  them.  Putnam 
instantly  rode  to  the  spot  where  the  firing  took  place,  and 
and  with  his  sword  drawn,  threatened  to  cut  down  the  first 
man  who  should  dare  to  fire  again  without  orders.  This  pre- 
mature discharge  of  muskets  had  the  good  effect  to  draw  out 
the  enemy's  fire,  who  kept  moving  on  and  firing  until  they 
had  arrived  within  about  eight  rods  of  the  American  line. 
The  order,  so  impatiently  waited  for,  was  now  given,  and  was 
obeyed  with  a  faithfulness  and  precision  that  bore  testimony 
never  to  be  forgotten,  of  the  skill  and  coolness  of  the  provin- 
cial marksmen.  Nearly  the  entire  front  rank  was  swept 
away  at  the  first  volley,  and  there  has  seldom  been  in  the 
annals  of  war  such  destruction  among  officers.  The  same 
orders  were  executed  with  the  same  fatal  effect  at  the 
redoubt.  As  the  clouds  of  smoke  rolled  away  from  the  hill- 
side, the  ground  occupied  by  either  wing  of  the  British 
army  presented  a  frightful  spectacle.     The  dead  lay  in  heaps, 

*  "  Siege  of  Boston  5"  Botta  •,  Graham. 


[1775.]  BATTLE   OF   BUNKER  HILL.  215 

and  the  wounded  were  seen  instinctively  crawling  upon  their 
hands  and  knees  to  get  out  of  the  broken  lines  and  save 
themselves  from  the  heavy  tread   of  the  columns  that  they 
could  hear  forming  behind  them,  and  whose  weight  as  they 
advanced  might  easily  crush  out  the   spark  of  life  that  still 
remained.     The  British  ranks  closed  up  sternly  as  if  they  had 
been  walls  of  iron.     They  returned  the  American  fire,  but  as 
they  took  no  aim,  and  as  the  Americans  were  under  cover  along 
their  whole  line,  they  fought  at  fearful  odds.     General  Pigot, 
on  the  left,  soon  ordered  a  retreat.*     But  General  Howe,  who 
came  of  a  family  that  had  an  old  military  renown,  and  who 
knew  as  little  what  fear   was   as  did   Putnam  himself,  was 
determined  not  to   give  back.     Exposing  his  person  to  the 
deadly  fire  of  an  enemy,  who,  as  he  could  now  see  by  the  fallen 
plumes  around  him,  were  singling  out  the  most  shining  marks 
upon  the  field  with  as  much  deliberation  as  if  they  had  been 
firing  at  a  target,  and  advancing  nearer  to  the  rail  fence  than 
any  of  his  columns  could  be  made  to  approach,  waving  his 
sword  and  animating  his  men,  he  stood  his  ground,  while 
volley  after  volley  was  discharged   with  a  regularity   that 
showed   the   perfection    of  British  discipline,  and   the  cool 
courage  of  the  Saxon  blood.     But  as  fast  as  his  ranks  were 
closed,  they  were  opened  by  the  murderous  and  now  irregular 
fire  of  the  provincials.   He  was  at  last  forced  to  retreat,  leav- 
ing hundreds  of  his  men  dead  and  dying  upon  the  hill-side. 
In  some  instances  whole  columns  almost  to  a  man  were  shot 
dead.f     The  cry  of  victory,  wild  as  the  havoc  of  the  battle, 
now  echoed  along  the  whole  American  line.  J     So  total  was 

*  The  British  account  in  the  Conduct  of  the  War,  says : — "  On  the  left  Pigot 
was  staggered,  and  actually  retreated  by  orders  :  great  pains  have  been  taken  to 
huddle  up  this  matter." 

t  Frothingham. 

X  Many  were  marksmen,  intent  on  cutting  down  British  officers,  and  when  one 
was  in  sight,  they  exclaimed — "  There  !  see  that  officer  !"  "  Let  us  have  a  shot 
at  him  I"  when  two  or  three  would  fire  at  the  same  moment.  They  used  the 
fence  as  a  resting-place  for  their  guns,  and  the  bullets  were  true  to  their  message. 
"When  the  enemy  retreated,  many  of  the  Americans  were  in  favor  of  pursuing 
them  ;  and  some,  with  exulting  huzzas,  leapt  over  the  fence  for  this  purpose,  but 
were  re-called  by  their  officers.     Frothingham,  142. 


216  mSTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

the  defeat  of  the  enemy,  that  many  of  them  sought  the 
friendly  shelter  of  the  boats.*  The  reinforcements  sent  by 
General  Ward  now  came  thronging  from  Cambridge.  But 
when  they  arrived  at  the  neck,  the  cannon  balls  and  chain- 
shot  from  the  enemy's  ships  and  batteries  swept  across  it  and 
plowed  up  the  ground  so  frightfully  that  they  did  not  dare  to 
go  over.  While  the  enemy  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  were  mus- 
tering their  columns  for  a  second  attack,  Putnam  took 
advantage  of  this  breathing-spell  in  the  conflict,  and  rode  to 
the  neck  to  induce  the  reinforcements  to  cross  it.f  He 
appealed  to  their  love  of  liberty,  he  taunted  them  with 
cowardice,  he  threatened  them  with  punishment ;  still  they 
cowered  behind  trees  or  fled  shuddering  from  the  fatal  mis- 
sives that  flew  like  hail-stones  around  them.  Striking  his 
jaded  horse  with  the  blade  of  his  sword,  again  and  again  he 
rode  across  the  fatal  spot  in  the  vain  attempt  to  convince  the 
soldiers  that  there  was  no  danger. J  But  they  could  not 
believe  that  the  clouds  of  dust  which  rolled  up  from  the  earth 
and  half  hid  his  form  from  view,  could  be  a  safe  screen  for  them, 
although  they  were  ready  to  admit  that  he  was  invulnerable. 
A  portion  of  them,  however,  were  shamed  out  of  their  fears 
and  followed  Putnam  across  the  neck.§ 

General  Putnam  now  hastened  to  Bunker  Hill  to  procure 
reinforcements  for  a  second  reception  of  the  enemy.  He 
found  Colonel  Gerrish  snugly  quartered  there,  with  a  part  of  his 
regiment  and  some  other  troops  who  had  there  taken  refuge. 
Gerrish,  who  was  very  corpulent,  lay  flat  on  the  ground,  and 
declared  that  he  was  entirely  overcome  with  the  heat,  while 
his  men  were  scattered  about  on  the  west  side  of  the  hill  and 

*  Gordon,  i.  353.         t  Chester's  letter.         $  Swett,  35. 

§  The  cowardice  or  inefficiency  of  Major  Gridley  on  this  occasion  was  con- 
epicuous.  He  was  a  son  of  the  brave  Colonel  Gridley  ;  but  being  young  and 
inexperienced,  he  proved  himself  quite  unequal  to  so  important  a  command.  Col. 
Swett  remarks  :  "  His  aversion  to  entering  into  the  engagement  was  invincible, 
and  he  ordered  them  [his  troops]  on  to  Cobble  Hill,  to  fire  at  the  Glasgow  and 
floating  batteries.  This  order  was  so  palpably  absurd,  with  their  three  pounders, 
that  Captain  Trevett  absolutely  refused  obedience,  ordered  liis  men  to  follow  him, 
and  marched  for  the  lines."     Frothingham,  p.  146. 


ri  -r 


1775.]  BATTLE   OF   BU:N'KER  HILL.  217 

entirely  screened  by  its  summit  from  the  reach  of  cannon  or 
musket  shot.  Putnam  ordered  them  to  resume  their  places. 
They  refused  to  obey.  He  threatened  them,  and  some  of 
them  he  knocked  down  with  the  hilt  of  his  sword.  But  all 
his  attempts  were  idle,  and  he  again  repaired  to  the  fence  to 
await  the  second  advance  of  the  enemy.* 

General  Howe  had  now  re-organized  his  troops,  and  was 
ready  to  march.  The  British  advanced  through  the  tall  grass 
with  the  same  calm  bravery  that  had  marked  their  previous 
movements,  carrying  their  heavy  knapsacks,  arms,  and 
accoutrements,  weighing  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  pounds, 
and  in  the  face  of  the  burning  sun.  They  were  obliged  this 
time,  in  addition  to  other  obstacles,  to  step  over  the  corpses 
of  their  fallen  comrades.  When  they  had  arrived  within  a 
suitable  distance  to  commence  the  attack,  some  of  the  soldiers 
piled  up  these  bodies  into  a  grim  and  bleeding  breastwork, 
and  under  cover  of  such  a  defense,  fired  at  the  provincial 

1-4.  • 

Imes.j 

The  Americans  had  already  begun  to  look  upon  the  con- 
flict as  an  exciting  sport.  They  were  ordered  to  reserve  their 
fire  until  the  British  columns  had  approached  within  six  rods. 

By  this  time,  Boston  and  its  environs  presented  to  the  eye 
of  the  thousands  who  were  assembled  to  witness  it,  a  spectacle 
of  the  most  sublimely  interesting  character. 

Those  bold  hills  rising  from  the  bay,  and  impartially  enclos- 
ing the  two  armies  in  their  walls  of  summer  verdure,  were 
crowned  with  the  fathers,  wives,  daughters,  and  mothers, 
of  the  combatants  who  had  so  nobly  begun  to  resist  the  blind 
fury  of  arbitrary  power. 

The  eminences,  roofs,  and  steeples  of  Boston,  were  occu- 
pied by  the  distressed  inhabitants  of  the  town,  by  the  soldiers 
who  had  not  been  called  into  active  service,  and  in  some 
instances,  by  the  wives  of  the  British  officers  who  had  seen 
with  heart-rending  agony,  the  gay  plumes  that  they  had 
watched  floating  in  the  breeze  of  the  bay  as  the  barges  bore 

*Swett's  Hist.,  p.  37  ;  Froth ingh am,  143. 

t  This  singular  fact  is  attested  by  an  eye  witness.     See  Hist,  of  the  battle,  p.  37, 


218  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

their  husbands  to  the  fatal  scene,  droop  and  sink  beneath  the 
waves  of  battle.  The  cannonade  and  bombardment  too,  that 
had  been  opened  on  the  American  camp  at  Roxbury,  to  pre- 
vent the  troops  who  were  posted  there  from  mingling  in  the 
action,  the  roar  of  artillery  from  the  floating  batteries,  from 
the  ships,  and  from  the  cannon  that  had  now  approached 
within  three  hundred  yards  of  the  rail  fence,  and  were  begin- 
ning to  sound  again  the  note  of  onset,  sent  the  tidings  in  long 
echoes  from  hill  to  hill.* 

A  new  feature  was  now  added  to  the  horrors  of  war.  General 
Howe  on  his  first  advance  had  sent  word  to  General  Burgoyne 
and  General  Clinton,  that  his  left  flank  was  exposed  to  attack 
from  some  troops  stationed  at  Charlestown,  and  begged  them 
to  set  the  place  on  fire.  A  carcass  was  thrown  into  the  town 
but  failed.  A  second  fell  into  the  street  and  commenced  the 
work  that  was  more  thoroughly  completed  by  some  troops 
who  landed  from  the  Somerset,  and  applied  the  torch  with  an 
unsparing  hand.  The  town  consisted  of  about  three  hun- 
dred dwelling  houses  and  two  hundred  other  buildings,  and 
was  constructed  chiefly  of  wood,  which,  from  the  summer 
drought,  was  inflammable  as  tinder.  The  whole  village  was 
soon  in  a  blaze.  The  flames  darted  to  the  tall  church-spire 
that  towered  above  the  town,  and  flashed  up  into  the  heavens, 
a  signal  of  distress  and  menace  that  could  be  seen  for  miles 
along  the  coast. f  Doubtless  it  was  hoped  that  the  flames 
would  have  intimidated  the  provincials,  or  that  the  smoke 
would  have  cast  a  dark  cloud  over  the  hill-side  and  blinded 
their  eyes  so  that  the  British  columns  could  advance  without 
being  again  exposed  to  their  deadly  aim.  But  the  elements 
seldom  favor  the  designs  of  incendiaries. 

The  battle-field  was  unobstructed  by  the  smoke,  and  the 
British  troops  marched  in  sight  of  the  flames  that  they  had 
kindled,  and  that  threw  into  their  own  faces  a  sickly  gleam, 
like  that  of  a  funeral  pyre.  They  opened  their  fire  with  the 
same  show  of  discipline  as  before,  but  with  the  same  want  of 
judgment  in  overshooting  the  heads  of  the  provincials. { 

*  See  Gordon,  i.  353.       f  Gordon,  i.  353.       ij  Swett  j  Frothingham  ;  Graham. 


[1775.]  BATTLE   OF   BUNKER   HILL.  219 

The  orders  of  Putnam  were  this  time  strictly  obeyed.  Not 
a  gun  was  discharged  until  the  enemy  had  come  within  one 
hundred  feet  of  the  American  lines.  Then  the  word  was 
given,  and  instantly  whole  ranks  of  the  British  troops  fell 
dead  as  if  blasted  by  lightning.  They  rallied  and  shot  volley 
after  volley,  as  before ;  but  neither  discipline  nor  valor  could 
resist  death  coming  in  such  a  shape.  In  a  few  minutes  one 
thousand  men  had  fallen,  with  a  proportion  of  veteran  officers 
truly  alarming.  The  ranks  now  began  to  reel  and  fall  back. 
Almost  every  member  of  General  Howe's  staff  was  either  slain 
or  disabled.  Balfour,  his  aid-de-camp,  had  been  shot  through 
the  body  and  was  carried  bleeding  from  the  field  ;  Gordon,  his 
volunteer  aid,  and  the  gallant  Captain  Addison,  a  descendant  of 
the  author  of  the  Spectator,  were  both  dead.  He  seemed 
left  alone  between  the  American  lines  and  his  retreating 
columns.*  Stung  to  madness  at  the  sickening  sight  of  death 
and  blood,  and  anxious  to  share  rather  than  to  shun  the  fate 
of  so  many  brave  men,  he  made  almost  superhuman  exertions 
to  save  himself  from  a  second  defeat.  But  the  attempt  to 
stop  a  mountain  torrent  would  not  have  been  more  fruitless 
than  his  efforts  to  bring  his  shattered  columns  again  into  line. 
Retreating  slowly  over  fallen  forms  and  pools  of  blood,  him- 
self unwounded,  he  followed  them  toward  the  barges  with  a 
sorrowful  heart. f 

Still  there  lingered  upon  the  hill-side,  where  the  musket 
balls  ranged  thickest,  one  solitary  veteran  who  seemed  bent 
on  finding  the  home  that  he  had  sought  in  so  many  battles,  a 
soldier's  grave.  Putnam,  whose  eye  swept  the  whole  field  at 
once,  saw  him  and  recognized  him  at  a  glance  as  his  old 
friend.  Major  Small,  who  had  fought  side  by  side  with  him 
in  the  French  wars.     His  heart  swelled  within  him.      He 


*  Stedman,  i.  127.  A  British  officer  writes,  (June  25th,)  "  General  Howe  was 
three  times  in  the  field  left  by  himself,  so  numerous  were  the  killed  and  woimded 
about  him."  Howe  was  a  brave  and  successful  officer.  He  defeated  the  Ameri- 
cans at  Germantown,  Oct.  4,  1777  ,  and  with  his  brother,  Admiral  Howe,  he  was 
a  commissioner  for  peace.  He  published  a  narrative  of  his  command  in  North 
America,  second  edition,  1780 :  and  died  in  1814, 

t  Swett's  Hist.,  p.  39. 


220  .    HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

rushed  to  the  spot  where  the  keen  marksmen  were  leveling 
their  muskets  to  cut  him  down,  and  threw  up  their  tubes  into 
the  air  in  time  to  save  him.  "Spare  him,"  shouted  the  old 
hero,  as  fervently  as  if  he  had  indeed  been  begging  for  the 
life  of  his  father's  son,  "  Spare  that  officer,  for  he  is  dear  to 
me  as  a  brother."  An  exclamation  of  affectionate  sympathy 
and  chivalric  enthusiasm  rang  along  the  American  lines, 
mingling  not  discordantly  with  the  shouts  of  victory.  The 
sacredness  of  friendship  was  respected  and  the  British  officer, 
gracefully  acknowledging  the  interference,  slowly  retired 
from  the  field.* 

The  joy  of  the  Americans  was  followed  by  the  sad  con- 
sciousness that  their  ammunition  was  spent. 

General  Clinton,  who  had  been  able  to  see,  from  his  elevated 
position  upon  Copp's  Hill,  where  was  the  weak  point  in  the 
American  defenses,  and  who  had  felt  his  blood  boiling  in  his 
veins  when  he  saw  his  favorite  battalions,  the  marines,  and 
the  forty-seventh,  breaking  and  giving  way,  without  staying 
for  orders,  leapt  into  a  boat  and  crossed  over  to  the  foot  of 
the  hill  where  the  British  troops  were  now  trying  to  make  a 
last  rally.  His  arrival  inspired  the  British  army  with  new 
confidence.  A  new  plan  of  attack  was  now  adopted.  General 
Howe  ordered  the  right  wing  toward  the  lines  with  fixed 
bayonets. t  Courting  as  before  the  post  of  danger,  he  now 
assumed  the  command  of  the  left  wing,  to  march  against  the 
redoubt.  Clinton  joined  General  Pigot  with  the  marines  on  the 
left,  with  the  intention  of  turning  the  right  flank  of  the 
Americans.  General  Howe  ordered  the  artillery  to  advance 
beyond  their  former  position,  and  turn  the  left  of  the  breast- 
work. This  point  has  justly  been  called  the  key  of  the 
American  defenses. 

General  Putnam,  who  saw  that  it  was  idle  to  think  of  defend- 
ing the  lines  without  a  large  reinforcement,  took  this  last 
opportunity  to  bring  on  fresh  troops  and  to  supply  the  soldiers 
with  ammunition.     He  again  rode  to  the  rear.     He  ordered 

*  Swett's  Hist,  39  ;  Graham,  iv.  381 ;  Botta,  i.  205,  206. 
t  Frothinghara,  148. 


[1775.]       MAJOR   DURKEE   AND   CAPTAIN   CHESTER.  221 

the  brave  Col.  Gardner  to  leave  the  intrenchments  on  Bun- 
ker Hill,  and  descend  to  the  rail  fence.  As  the  colonel  was 
in  the  act  of  descending  the  hill,  a  musket  ball  entered  his 
groin,  and  he  fell  mortally  wounded.* 

The  confusion  that  now  prevailed  along  the  entire  road 
from  Cambridge  to  the  neck,  surpasses  description. 

Just  at  this  critical  time,  three  companies  from  Connec- 
ticut under  Captains  Chester,  Clark,  and  Coit,  came  up,  and 
crossing  the  neck  in  unbroken  order,  advanced  toward  Bun- 
ker Hill.  The  brave  Major  Durkee,  of  stamp  act  celebrity, 
also  came  up  to  share  in  the  engagement, f  When  Capt. 
Chester  started  from  Cambridge,  three  regiments  of  raw 
troops  set  out  in  advance  of  his  company ;  but  when  he 
overtook  them  at  the  hill,  they  were  in  a  state  of  disorder 
that  is  best  described  by  the  following  strokes  of  his  own,  so 
sharp  and  well-defined  that  one  would  almost  think  he  had 
cut  them  upon  the  brown  sheet  of  paper  that  still  preserves 
them,  with  the  point  of  his  own  sword : 

"The  musketry  began  before  we  passed  the  neck  ;  and 
when  we  were  on  the  top  of  the  hill  and  during  our  descent 
to  the  foot  of  it  on  the  south,  the  small  as  well  as  cannon 
shot  were  incessantly  whistling  by  us.  We  joined  our  army 
on  the  right  of  the  centre  just  by  a  poor  stone  fence  two  or 
three  feet  high  and  very  thin,  so  that  the  bullets  came 
through.  *  *  ^  ^  When  we  first  set  out  [from  Cam- 
bridge,] perhaps  three  regiments  were  by  our  side  and  near 
us ;  but  here  they  were  scattered,  some  behind  rocks  and 
haycocks,  and  thirty  men  perhaps  behind  an  apple  tree,  and 
frequently  twenty  men  round  a  wounded  man,  retreating, 
when  not  more  than  three  or  four  could  touch  him  to  advan- 
tage. Others  were  retreating  seemingly  without  any  excuse, 
and  some  said  they  had  left  the  fort,  because  they  had  been 
all  night  and  day  on  fatigue,  without  sleep,  victuals,  or  drink; 
and  some  said  they  had  no  officers  to  head  them,  which 
indeed  seemed  to  be  the  case.  At  last  I  met  with  a  consider- 
able company  who  were  going  off  rank  and  file.     I  called  to 


^  u 


Siege  of  Boston,"  151.         f  Frothingham,  147. 


222  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

the  officer  that  led  them  and  asked  why  he  retreated?  He 
made  me  no  answer.  I  halted  my  men  and  told  him  if  he 
went  on  it  should  be  at  his  peril.  He  still  seemed  regardless 
of  me.  I  then  ordered  my  men  to  make  ready.  They 
•immediately  cocked,  and  declared  if  I  ordered  they  would 
fire.  Upon  that  they  stopped  short  and  tried  to  excuse 
themselves.  But  I  could  not  tarrij  to  hear  him,  hut  ordered 
him  forward  and  he  complied."^ 

The  British  generals  had  already  found  out  that  even 
Americans  could  teach  them  something.  They  ordered  their 
men  as  they  advanced,  to  throw  off  their  cumbrous  knapsacks 
and  other  useless  incumbrances.  Some  of  the  soldiers  even 
threw  aside  their  coats.  But  the  advance  of  their  columns 
was  not  one  of  uninterrupted  progress.  The  soldiers  had 
such  a  dread  of  the  reception  that  they  expected  to  meet, 
that  some  of  them  fired  off  their  muskets  into  the  air  and 
doggedly  refused  to  move  forward.  Such  was  their  obstinacy 
that  the  officers  were  obliged  to  prick  them  on  with  their 
swords. t  However,  the  mass  of  them  advanced  with  their 
wonted  coolness,  and  order  was  soon  restored. 

The  Americans  at  the  redoubt  had  now  left  only  a  few 
charges  of  powder.  These  they  soon  expended,  and  then 
picked  up  the  stones  that  had  been  thrown  upon  the  parapet, 
and  madly  hurled  them  against  the  enemy  as  they  pressed 
against  the  walls  of  the  redoubt. 

Richardson,  of  the  royal  Irish,  was  the  first  who  mounted 
the  works.  J  He  was  shot  dead  where  he  stood.  The  veteran 
Major  Pitcairn  was  among  the  first  who  followed,  shouting  to 
his  men,  "  The  day  is  ours.''     In  an  instant  he  was  pierced 

*  Frothingham's  "  Siege  of  Boston,"  390,  391. 

t  Judge  Prescott's  account. 

X  Swett's  History.  In  Clarke's  narrative,  however,  it  is  stated  that  the 
remains  of  a  company  of  the  sixty-third  regiment  of  grenadiers  were  the  first  that 
succeeded  in  entering  the  redoubt.  After  Captain  Hosford  had  been  wounded  and 
Lieutenant  Dah'ymple  had  been  killed,  a  sergeant  took  the  command,  made  a 
speech  to  the  few  men  left,  saying,  "  We  must  either  conquer  or  die,"  and  entered 
the  works.  General  Gage  recommended  the  brave  sergeant  for  promotion.  See 
Frothingham,  p.  150. 


[1775.]  DEATH   OF   GENERAL   WARREN.  223 

with  bullets  and  fell  into  the  arms  of  his  son,  a  gallant  young 
officer,  who  bore  him  to  the  boats.* 

General  Howe,  as  he  advanced,  was  wounded  in  one  of  his 
feet.  Colonel  Abercrombie,  who  commanded  the  grenadiers, 
fell  soon  after,  of  a  fatal  wound.  In  his  last  agonies  he 
bethought  himself  of  his  old  friend  Putnam,  who  had  served 
with  him  in  the  long  campaigns  of  the  French  war,  and  with 
his  dying  breath  shouted  to  his  friends  who  were  pressing  on, 
"If  you  take  General  Putnam  alive,  dont  hang  him,  for  he's  a 
brave  fellow  /" 

General  Pigot,  small  in  stature  but  great  in  soul,  pulled 
himself  up  the  south-eastern  corner  of  the  redoubt  by  the  aid 
of  a  tree  that  stood  there,  and  led  his  men  over  the  parapet. 
The  British  troops  now  followed  in  great  numbers.  Prescott 
ordered  his  men  to  beat  them  off  with  the  butts  of  their 
muskets.  But  what  could  such  weapons  avail  against  British 
bayonets  ?  Almost  heart-broken  at  the  necessity  that 
impelled  it,  Prescott  finally  sounded  a  retreat.f 

Warren,  the  high-souled  and  impassioned  devotee  of  liberty, 
who  seems  to  have  gone  into  the  battle  with  the  design 
of  offering  upon  her  altar  a  sacrifice  without  blemish  or 
stain,  still  lingered  on  the  fatal  spot,  discharging  his  musket 
and  encouraging  the  men  to  stand  their  ground.  He  was  the 
last  man  who  left  the  redoubt.  As  he  was  turning  to  follow 
his  comrades.  Major  Small,  who  stood  near  by,  saw  him 
and  knew  him.  As  Putnam  had  saved  his  life  a  little  while 
before,  he  resolved  now  to  requite  the  debt.  He  called  aloud 
to  him,  "  For  God's  sake,  .Warren,  stop  and  save  your  life !" 
The  patriot-soldier  turned  and  appeared  to  recognize  him, 
but  kept  retreating.  Small  bade  his  men  not  to  fire  at  him, 
and  threw  up  their  muskets  with  his  sword.  The  effort  was 
too   late.     Eighty  yards  from    the  redoubt  a   bullet  passed 

*  Swett. 

+  See  Frothingham,  150  ;  Graham,  iv.  382.  Col.  William  Prescott,  was  born 
at  Groton,  Mass.,  in  1725.  He  was  a  man  of  wealth,  and  belonged  to  a  very 
hifluential  family.  He  served  with  success  through  the  Revolution,  and  died  Oct. 
13,  1795. 


224  HISTOKY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

through  his  head  and  he  fell  lifeless.*  Thus,  at  the  very 
dawning  of  his  country's  existence,  passed  this  noble  spirit 
to  a  land  where  no  tyrant  rivets  the  chain,  and  where  the 
inhabitants,  to  use  his  own  beautiful  metaphor,  are  feasted  in 
the  highest  and  most  spiritual  sense  upon  "  the  golden  apples 
of  Freedom."! 

Almost  breathless  from  their  efforts  in  ascending  the 
redoubt,  and  panting  from  heat,  the  weary  British  troops  could 
not  use  their  bayonets,  and  were  unable  to  overtake  the 
retreating  Americans.  Nor  could  they  fire  their  muskets  at 
them  w^ith  much  safety,  as  their  own  right  and  left  wings 
stood  facing  each  other,  with  a  body  of  provincials  between. 

With  masterly  skill  Putnam  now  conducted  the  retreat. 
Putting  spurs  to  his  horse,  he  threw  himself  in  the  rear  of 
his  troops,  and  only  twelve  rods  from  the  British  lines.  He 
called  loudly  on  the  Americans  to  rally,  repair  to  Bun- 
ker Hill,  and  there  make  a  last  stand  against  the  enemy.  If 
they  would  do  so,  he  pledged  his  honor  that  he  would  place 
them  in  a  way  of  winning  an  easy  victory.  Covering  the 
retreat  with  a  few  companies  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ward's 
troops,  Captain  Lunt's  company  of  Little's  regiment,  and  the 
companies  of  Captains  Chester,  Coit,  and  Clark,  from 
Connecticut,  who  had  just  come  upon  the  ground  and  had 
plenty  of  ammunition,  Putnam  was  able  to  save  the  army 
from  confusion,  and  to  keep  the  enemy  at  bay.  This  noble 
rear  guard  fought  with  as  much  coolness  and  discipline  as 
British  regulars,  and  fired  their  volleys  with  a  fatal  aim.  But 
exposed  as  they  w^ere,  they  were  ?adly  cut  in  pieces. 

They  had  thus  retreated  full  twenty  rods,  before  the  enemy 
had  been  able  to  rally  and  pursue  them.  Such  a  destructive  fire 
was  now  poured  in  upon  the  American  right  wing  that  they 
were  finally  routed. 

The  left  wing  still  remained  firm.  Their  flank  was  finally 
opened  by  the  retreat  of  the  right  wing,  and  the  enemy  pres- 
sing hard  upon  them,  they  were  forced  to  retire. 

*  See  Graham,  iv.  382,  383  ;  also,  Svvett  ;  Frothingham  ;  Bradford  ;  Gordon, 
t  See  Warren's  letter  to  Stoniugton  Committee,  ante. 


[1775.]  THE   EETREAT   FKOM  BUNKER   HILL.  225 

Thus  covering  their  retreat  with  the  brave  troops  from  Con- 
necticut, and  himself  riding  in  the  rear  of  this  gallant  band, 
regardless  of  the  balls  that  flew  in  hundreds  around  him,  Putnam 
seemed  to  defy  the  British  battalions  to  do  their  worst.  As  we 
have  seen,  he  used  all  his  tact  and  address  to  induce  the  army  to 
make  a  stand  and  intrench  themselves  upon  Bunker  Hill,  where 
the  works  had  already  been  commenced.  He  took  his  posi- 
tion near  a  cannon  and  appeared  about  to  make  a  stand  alone 
against  the  enemy.*  His  men,  however,  fled  and  left  him. 
One  brave  sergeant  stood  by  him  till  he  was  shot  dead.  The 
British  bayonets  were  almost  within  reach  of  him  when  he 
retired.  All  his  efforts,  though  seconded  by  Prescott,  Pomeroy, 
Stark,  Durkee,  and  other  brave  officers,  only  served  to  check 
and  fortify  a  retreat  that  was  inevitable  at  last.  Just  as  the 
American  army  retired,  Ward's,  Putnam's,  and  Patterson's, 
regiments,  the  flower  and  pride  of  the  army,  arrived  upon  the 
ground,  whither  they  had  so  long  vainly  besought  General  Ward 
to  dispatch  them.  They  came  in  season  to  witness  the  defeat 
of  the  American  arms,  and  to  hear  the  huzzas  of  the  British 
battalions  as  they  took  possession  of  the  summit  of  Bunker 
Hill.  One  quarter  of  these  fresh  troops,  had  they  been  on 
the  field  when  the  British  were  making  their  third  advance 
against  the  American  works,  would,  in  the  language  of  Captain 
Chester,  "  have  sent  the  enemy  [to  the  fence]  from  whence 
they  come,  or  to  their  long  ]iomes."'\ 

Thus  ended  this  unparalleled  conflict,  in  which  thirty-five 
hundred  American  citizens  with  a  few  companies  of  well- 
trained  soldiers,  but  without  suitable  arms,  without  even  the 

*  "  Make  a  stand  here,"  exclaimed  PutDam,  "  we  can  stop  tliem  yet !"  "  In 
God's  name,  form,  and  give  them  one  shot  more  !" 

t  Captain  Chester's  Letter.  It  will  be  observed  that,  in  my  description  of  this 
important  battle,  I  have  generally  followed  the  narrative  of  Colonel  Samuel  Swett's 
history  of  the  engagement.  As  he  appears  to  have  bestowed  much  research  upon 
the  subject,  and  to  be  thorough  and  candid  in  his  investigations,  I  can  but  look 
upon  him  as  a  reliable  authority.  I  also  take  much  pleasure  in  acknowledging  my 
indebtedness  to  the  "  Siege  of  Boston,"  by  the  Hon.  Richard  Frothingham,  Jr. 

The  number  of  the  killed  and  wounded,  belonging  to  Putnam's  regiment, 
(including  Colt's  and  Chester's  companies,)  was  fifteen  killed,  and  thirty  wounded. 

47 


226  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

most  ordinary  comforts  of  food  and  water,  proved  themselves 
able  to  drive  back  thrice  their  number  of  the  best  troops  of 
the  British  army,  and  with  a  loss  on  their  part  comparatively 
insignificant,  to  leave  one  quarter  of  the  enemy  dead  or 
wounded  upon  the  field.  Is  it  strange  if  Connecticut,  whose 
sons  played  so  conspicuous  a  part  in  this  struggle,  should 
wake  up  at  last,  and,  without  seeking  to  pluck  any  laurels  from 
the  brows  of  the  other  great  men  who  fought  there,  should 
attempt  to  restore  the  immortal  leaves  of  oak  that  have  been 
so  rudely  torn  from  the  forehead  of  Putnam,  the  author  and 
the  commander  of  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  ?  Had  he  also 
been  commander  at  Cambridge  on  that  day,  the  British  flag 
would  not  have  floated  in  triumph  from  the  top  of  Bunker 
Hill  in  the  beams  of  the  setting  sun. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


EXPEDITION  AGAINST  CANADA. 


On  the  very  day  that  the  people  of  the  eastern  colonies 
were  engaged  in  fighting  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  the 
General  Congress,  then  in  session  at  Philadelphia,  gave  to 
Colonel  Washington  a  commission  to  be  commander-in-chief 
of  the  American  forces,  and  pledged  themselves  in  the  most 
solemn  manner  that  they  would  assist  him  and  adhere  to  him 
with  their  lives  and  fortunes,  in  the  maintenance  and  prosecu- 
tion of  American  liberties.  On  the  same  day,  they  chose,  by 
ballot,  Artemas  Ward,  first  major-general ;  Horatio  Gates, 
adjutant-general ;  and  Charles  Lee,  second  major-general. 
Two  days  afterwards,  when  the  cheering  news  of  the  battle 
had  reached  them,  they  elected  Philip  Schuyler,  third  major- 
general,  and  Israel  Putnam,  fourth  major-general,  without  a 
dissenting  vote.* 

That  very  day  was  also  distinguished  by  another  event 
that  at  once  evinces  some  of  the  peculiar  traits  of  the  North 
American  Indians,  and  the  speed  with  which  the  news  of  the 
battle  had  spread  over  the  continent.  I  refer  to  the  speech 
sent  by  the  chiefs  and  warriors  of  the  Oneidas,  addressed  to 
Governor  Trumbull  of  Connecticut,  and  through  him  to  the 
four  New  England  provinces.  It  is  a  fair  specimen  of 
aboriginal  eloquence,  and  is  as  follows  if 

"As  my  younger  brothers  of  the  New  England  Indians, 
who  have  settled  in  the  vicinity,  are  now  going  down  to  visit 
their  friends,  and  to  move  up  parts  of  their  families  that  were 
left  behind — with  this  belt  by  them,  I  open  the  road  wide, 

•  Botta,  i.  217  ;  Gordon,  i.  350. 

t  This  speech  I  have  transcribed  from  Gordon's  Hist.,  i.  360,  361. 


228  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

clearing  it  of  all  obstacles,  that  they  may  visit  their  friends, 
and  return  to  their  settlements  here  in  peace. 

"  We  Oneidas  are  induced  to  this  measure  on  account  of 
the  disagreeable  situation  of  affairs  that  way  ;  and  we  hope 
by  the  help  of  God,  they  may  return  in  peace.  We  earnestly 
recommend  them  to  your  charity  through  their  long  journey. 

"  Now  we  more  immediately  address  you  our  brother,  the 
governor,  and  the  chiefs  of  New  England. 

"  Brothers ! — We  have  heard  of  the  unhappy  differences 
and  great  contention  between  you  and  Old  England.  We 
wonder  greatly,  and  are  troubled  in  our  minds. 

"  Brothers ! — Possess  your  minds  in  peace  respecting  us 
Indians.  We  cannot  intermeddle  in  this  dispute  between  two 
brothers.  The  quarrel  seems  to  be  unnatural.  You  are  two 
brothers  of  one  blood.  We  are  unwilling  to  join  on  either 
side  in  such  a  contest,  for  we  bear  an  equal  affection  to  both 
you  old  and  New  England.  Should  the  great  king  of  Eng- 
land apply  to  us  for  aid,  we  shall  deny  him.  If  the  colonies 
apply,  we  will  refuse.  The  present  situation  of  you  two 
brothers  is  new  and  strange  to  us.  We  Indians  cannot  find, 
nor  recollect  in  the  traditions  of  our  ancestors,  the  like  case, 
or  a  similar  instance. 

"  Brothers — For  these  reasons  possess  your  minds  in  peace, 
and  take  no  umbrage,  that  we  Indians  refuse  joining  in  the 
contest.     We  are  for  peace. 

"  Brothers  ! — Was  it  an  alien,  or  a  foreign  nation,  who  had 
struck  you,  we  should  look  into  the  matter.  We  hope,  through 
the  wise  government  and  good  pleasure  of  God,  your  distresses 
may  be  soon  removed,  and  the  dark  clouds  be  dispersed. 

"  Brothers  ! — We  have  declared  for  peace ;  we  desire  you 
will  not  apply  to  our  Indian  brethren  in  New  England  for 
assistance.  Let  us  Indians  be  all  of  one  mind,  and  live  with 
one  another  ;  and  you  white  people  settle  your  own  disputes 
betwixt  yourselves. 

"  Brothers ! — We  have  now  declared  our  minds.  Please 
to  write  us,  that  we  may  know  yours.  We,  the  sachems 
and  warriors,  and  female  governesses,  of  Oneida,  send  our 


[1775.]  WASHINGTON  AKRIVES   IN   CAMBRIDGE.  229 

love  to  you,  brother,  governor,  and  all  the  other  chiefs  in  New 
England."* 

General  Washington,  accompanied  by  General  Lee  and 
other  gentlemen,  immediately  set  out  upon  his  journey  toward 
the  North,  to  place  himself  at  the  head  of  the  American 
army.  Everywhere  on  his  way  he  was  greeted  with  the 
most  hearty  congratulations,  and  at  different  points  where  he 
stopped,  he  was  waited  on  by  deputations  of  gentlemen,  and 
escorted  by  them  from  place  to  place,  with  manifestations  of 
the  profoundest  regard.  A  committee  was  appointed  by  the 
Provincial  Congress  of  Massachusetts  to  meet  him  at  Spring- 
field, more  than  one  hundred  miles  from  Boston,  and  to  pro- 
vide suitable  escorts  to  conduct  him  and  his  party  to  Cam- 
bridge in  a  style  befitting  his  rank.  On  his  arrival  at  the 
head-quarters  of  the  army,  he  was  received  with  hearty 
tokens  of  enthusiasm.  His  first  care  was  to  bring  the  army 
into  a  state  of  discipline.  With  this  view,  he  soon  formed 
the  troops  into  three  grand  divisions,  consisting  of  about 
twelve  regiments  each.  He  placed  the  right  wing  under  the 
command  of  Major-General  Ward,  the  left  under  that  of 
Major-General  Lee,  and  to  Major-General  Putnam  he  com- 
mitted the  command  of  the  reserve. f 

This  was  the  first  time  that  Washington  and  Putnam,  the 
two  most  remarkable  military  chieftains  of  that  day,  had 
ever  met,  though  each  had  been  preceded  by  such  a  military 
reputation  as  must  have  long  before  elicited  the  admiration 
of  the  other.  The  manly  bearing  of  Putnam,  his  frankness, 
his  fearlessness,  his  simplicity  of  character,  his  energy  and 
tact,  his  industry  and  activity,  all  associated  with  one  who 

*  At  the  special  session  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut,  which  con- 
vened on  the  first  day  of  July,  1775,  It  was  resolved  that  the  governor  should  make 
a  kind  and  friendly  answer  to  the  speech  sent  to  this  colony  by  the  Oneida  Indians, 
and  procure  a  belt  of  wampum  to  be  sent  them  ;  and  that  the  sum  of  £12  for  the 
expense  of  transmitting  the  same  should  be  paid  out  of  the  treasury,  and  that  the 
governor  should  direct  Colonel  Hinman  to  assure  the  Indians  of  the  peaceable  dis- 
position of  the  people  of  the  colony  towards  them." 

t  See  Humphreys,  Gordon,  Pitkin,  Botta,  &c. 


230  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

had  already  reached  that  period  of  Hfe  when  men  usually 
seek  retirement  and  exemption  from  care,  made  an  impres- 
sion upon  the  mind  of  Washington  that  subsequent  events 
and  a  more  intimate  acquaintance  only  served  to  confirm. 
Washington  was  forcibly  struck  with  his  skill  and  alertness 
in  hurrying  forward  the  plan  of  military  defenses  that  he  had 
marked  out  for  the  army.  Hence  it  was  with  unfeigned 
admiration,  that  he  could  not  repress,  that  he  remarked, 
"  You  seem  to  have  the  faculty.  General  Putnam,  of  infusing 
your  own  industrious  spirit  into  all  the  workmen  you  employ."* 
In  an  incredibly  short  period  of  time,  the  continental  lines 
were  so  strengthened,  and  so  many  redoubts  mounted  with 
cannon  were  thrown  up,  that  the  American  army  could  defy 
any  attempt  that  the  enemy  might  venture  to  make  upon 
them  at  Cambridge.  Soon  after  Washington's  arrival,  every- 
thing was  reduced  to  order  and  system.  Method  soon  became 
a  habit  with  the  soldiers,  who  vied  with  each  other  in  their 
efforts  to  gain  the  approval  of  their  officers. 

About  the  20th  of  July,  the  declaration  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  setting  forth  their  reasons  for  taking  up  arms,  was 
proclaimed  at  the  head  of  the  several  divisions.  The  tem- 
perance and  coolness  of  that  body  of  statesmen  is  well  exem- 
plified in  the  concluding  sentences  of  that  document : 

"  In  our  own  native  land,  in  defense  of  the  freedom  that  is 
our  birthright,  and  which  we  ever  enjoyed  until  the  late 
violation  of  it ;  for  the  protection  of  our  property,  acquired 
solely  by  the  honest  industry  of  our  forefathers  and  ourselves  ; 
against  violence  actually  offered,  we  have  taken  up  arms. 
We  shall  lay  them  down  when  hostilities  shall  cease  on  the 
part  of  the  aggressors,  and  all  danger  of  their  being  renewed 
shall  be  removed,  and  not  before. 

"  With  an  humble  confidence  in  the  mercies  of  the  Supreme 
and  impartial  Judge  and  Ruler  of  the  Universe,  we  most 
devoutly  implore  his  divine  goodness  to  conduct  us  happily 
through  this  great  conflict,   to  dispose  our   adversaries  to 

*  Humphreys,  p.  99 — note. 


[1775.]  OUK   COAST  IISrVADED.  231 


reconciliation  on  reasonable  terms,  and  thereby  to  relieve  the 
empire  from  the  calamities  of  civil  w^ar."* 

Putnam  had  ordered  his  division  to  be  paraded  on  Prospect 
Hill,  to  listen  to  the  reading  of  the  declaration.  As  soon  as 
the  last  words  were  pronounced,  the  troops  all  shouted  three 
times,  as  with  one  voice,  the  word,  "  Amen  !"  Scarcely  had 
the  echoes  of  this  unwonted  huzza  died  upon  the  ear,  when  a 
signal-gun  was  fired  from  the  fort,  and  suddenly  the  new 
standard  that  had  just  arrived  from  Connecticut,  rose  and 
unfurled  itself  in  the  fresh  summer  breeze,  exhibiting  on  one 
side,  in  large  golden  letters,  the  words,  "  An  appeal  to  Heaven !" 
and  on  the  other,  the  armorial  bearings  of  Connecticut,  with 
its  simple  shield  unsupported  and  without  a  crest,  marked 
with  the  three  vines  that  have  from  the  first  symbolized  the 
knowledge,  liberty  and  religion  of  the  emigrants  who  founded 
the  state,  and  with  the  scroll  that  assures  us  that  they  will 
flourish  forever  in  the  new  soil  where  the  divine  Husband- 
man has  planted  them.f 

The  news  of  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  was  received  in 
Connecticut  with  the  most  lively  enthusiasm.  In  some 
places,  the  event  was  celebrated  with  bonfires,  processions, 
and  the  illumination  of  public  and  private  buildings.  It 
became  a  general  theme  of  conversation  at  the  fire-side,  in 
the  work-shop,  on  the  farm,  and  in  the  streets  ;  the  pulpit  and 
the  forum  echoed  its  history  in  words  of  burning  eloquence. 

Not  long  after,  the  coast  of  the  colony  was  invaded.  On 
the  30th  of  September,  Captain  Wallace  of  the  Rose  man-of- 
war,  with  two  tenders,  gave  chase  to  a  small  American 
vessel,  and  would  doubtless  have  taken  possession  of  her  had 
she  not  fled  for  refuge  into  Stonington  harbor.  This  so 
enraged  Captain  Wallace,  that  he  immediately  opened  his 
guns  upon  the  town  and  kept  up  a  constant  discharge  of 
artillery  nearly  the  whole  day,  with  considerable  effect.  He 
wounded  one  of  the  inhabitants,  shattered  their  houses  and 

*  Humphreys,  p,  100. 

t  "  Qui  Transtulit  Sustinet."     He  who  transplanted  doth  sustain  them.     See 
Humphreys'  Life  of  Putnam,  p.  100,  101. 


232  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

stores  with  cannon  balls,  and  carried  off  with  him  at  night  a 
schooner  loaded  with  molasses,  and  two  small  sloops.  The 
marks  of  this  cowardly  act  are  visible  in  the  old  structures 
that  are  still  preserved  there  as  relics  of  the  protecting  care 
of  the  British  government.* 

The  perfidious  behavior  of  Governor  Tryon,  of  New  York, 
and  the  very  cordial  support  that  he  received  at  the  hands  of 
the  principal  men  of  that  province,  awakened  many  well 
founded  suspicions  in  the  minds  of  all  those  in  the  other 
colonies  who  were  friendly  to  the  cause  of  American  liberty. 
New  York  at  this  time,  was  swarming  with  tories,  who, 
from  interested  motives  or  from  a  real  love  of  British  rule, 
were  disposed,  as  far  as  they  could  with  safety  to  themselves, 
to  thwart  the  measures  of  the  Continental  Congress. f  Such 
was  the  importance  of  securing  the  North  river,  that  Con- 
gress ordered  that  a  fortification  should  be  erected  in  the 
highlands,  and  a  garrison  established  there.  They  also,  on 
the  27th,  ordered  Lord  Sterling  to  marshal  the  New  Jersey 
forces  for  the  defense  of  that  colony.  He  was  directed  to 
erect  barracks  for  them  at  some  point  in  the  eastern  division 
of  New  Jersey,  as  near  New  York  as  practicable,  and  keep 
them  there  upon  drill,  and  to  await  further  orders. 

For  a  long  time  the  opposition  to  the  popular  movements 
of  the  country  had  been  checked  by  the  powerful  influence 
of  a  newspaper  press  in  New  York  city,  belonging  to  Mr. 
Kivington,  a  man  of  much  ability  and  of  unbounded  activity, 
who  was  a  staunch  supporter  of  Governor  Tryon.  The  seeds 
of  a  loyal  submission  to  the  will  of  the  new  ministry,  and  the 

*  Miss  Caulkins  (Hist.  New  London,  p.  516,)  mentions  "  Captain  Benjamin 
Pendleton,  and  other  brave  and  true  men,"  wlio,  when  the  tender  of  the  Rose 
pursued  one  of  its  victims  to  the  village  wharf,  rallied  and  drove  the  invader  from 
its  prey.  The  person  wounded  was  Jonathan  Weaver,  Jr.,  a  musician  in  Capt. 
Oliver  Smith's  company.  (Hinman,  p.  192.)  The  village  of  Stonington  Long 
Point — the  place  attacked — was  again  cannonaded  by  the  British,  August  9, 
1814,  with  a  very  similar  result,  buildings  being  damaged,  one  man  severely 
wounded,  and  no  one  killed.  Long  Point  formed  a  part  of  the  farm  of  that  intre- 
pid pioneer  of  Stonington,  Mr.  William  Chesebrough. 

+  Gordon,  i.  402.  This  writer  states  that  owing  to  the  inti^igues  of  Gov.  Tiyon, 
"  the  troops  of  New  Tork  are  not  to  be  depended  upon"  in  emergencies. 


[1775.]  DESTRUCTION   OF  RIVIXGTOX'S   PRESS.  233 

unjust  doings  of  the  British  government,  were  disseminated 
through  the  columns  of  his  lively  sheet  so  broadcast  and  in 
such  a  quick  soil,  that  they  were  sure  to  take  root  and  spring 
up  in  all  parts  of  the  town  and  neighborhood.  It  was  finally 
determined  to  abate  this  press  as  a  nuisance.  Captain  Isaac 
Sears,  a  bold  officer,  of  a  temperament  not  likely  to  leave  a 
good  work  half  done,  undertook  to  execute  the  enterprise. 
Four  days  before  the  orders  above  alluded  to  were  issued  to 
Lord  Sterling,  Sears  gathered  together  a  troop  of  one  hun- 
dred horsemen  from  Connecticut,  armed  to  the  teeth  with 
swords,  carbines,  and  muskets,  and  riding  furiously  to  Riving- 
ton's  place  of  business,  seized  and  carried  off  his  printing- 
press,  types,  paper,  and  all  his  other  materials  for  the  manu- 
facture of  public  opinion.  Some  of  this  property  was  totally 
destroyed.  While  this  summary  proceeding  was  going  on, 
the  tories  gathered  in  crowds  and  pressed  hard  upon  the  little 
company,  with  menacing  looks  and  gestures.  Sears  called 
out  to  them,  in  a  voice  of  thunder,  and  told  them  if  thev 
dared  to  offer  the  least  resistance  he  would  order  his  men  to 
fire  upon  them.  That  they  might  be  sure  of  the  sincerity  of 
his  declarations,  he  at  the  same  time  ordered  his  men  to 
make  ready  to  execute  his  threat.  This  hostile  demon- 
stration instantly  cleared  the  street,  and  the  work  proceeded 
as  calmly  as  if  it  had  been  the  execution  of  a  solemn 
judicial  sentence.  This  was  the  first  time  that  Connecticut 
had  ever  had  occasion  to  interfere  with  the  liberty  of  the 
press. 

General  Washington  having  obtained  favorable  accounts 
from  Canada,  and  being  persuaded  that  neither  the  Indians 
or  Canadians  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  take  up  arms  against 
the  Americans,  conceived  the  design  of  detaching  a  body  of 
troops  from  head-quarters,  to  cross  the  wilderness  through 
the  province  of  Maine  to  Quebec.  On  consulting  with  Gen. 
Schuyler,  that  gentleman  fully  approved  of  the  proposed 
plan ;  and  in  a  short  time  all  the  preliminaries  of  the  expedi- 
tion were  in  readiness.  This  detachment  was  designed  to 
cooperate  with  the  troops,  under  command  of  General  Mont- 


234  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

gomery,  that  were  to  proceed  to  Canada  by  way  of  Lake 
Champlain.* 

On  the  evening  of  the  13th  of  September,  1775,  the  corps 
marched  from  Cambridge  for  Newburyport,  where  six  days 
after,  they  embarked  on  board  ten  transports  bound  to  Ken- 
nebec, fifty  leagues  distant.  The  expedition  consisted  of 
eleven  hundred  men,  commanded  by  Colonel  Arnold,  aided 
by  Colonels  Christopher  Green  and  Roger  Enos,  and  Majors 
Meigs  and  Bigelow.  On  the  20th  of  September,  they  entered 
Kennebec  river,  and  proceeded  up  to  Gardner's  town.  The 
enterprise  had  thus  far  been  conducted  with  such  dispatch, 
that  only  fourteen  days  had  elapsed  since  the  orders  were 
first  given  for  building  two  hundred  batteaux,  for  collecting 
provisions,  and  for  drafting  eleven  hundred  men.*}* 

The  troops  embarked  on  board  the  batteaux  on  the  22d, 
and  proceeded  to  Fort  Western  on  the  east  side  of  the  river. 
From  this  point,  they  proceeded  up  the  Kennebec  in  three 
divisions.  The  navigation  was  so  obstructed  by  water-falls, 
rapids,  rock,  fallen  trees,  and  other  incumbrances,  that  they 
were  frequently  compelled  to  carry  their  batteaux,  baggage, 
and  other  articles,  until  they  came  to  apart  of  the  river  that 
was  navigable.  One  of  these  carrying-places  was  twelve 
miles  and  a  half  across.  By  the  15th  of  October,  their  pro- 
visions were  so  reduced  that  the  men  were  put  upon  short 
allowance.  About  this  time,  Colonel  Enos  was  ordered  to 
send  back  the  sick,  and  those  that  could  not  be  furnished  with 
provisions ;  but,  contrary  to  Colonel  Arnold's  expectation,  he 
returned  to  Cambridge  with  his  whole  division.J  The  heavy 
rains  produced  a  flood,  and  such  was  the  rapidity  of  the  stream 
that  on  the  23d,  five  or  six  of  the  batteaux  were  upset,  and 
several  barrels  of  provisions,  a  number  of  guns,  a  consider- 
able amount  of  clothing  and  other  articles,  were  lost.  Some- 
times the  company  could  proceed  only   from  three  to  seven 

*  Gordon,  i.  406  ;  Graham,  iv.  400,  401.         f  Gordon,  i.  406. 

i  Colonel  Enos  was  from  Connecticut.  He  was  tried  by  a  court-martial  for  his 
retreat,  but  was  honorably  acquitted.  It  was  shown  that  he  had  but  three  days 
provisions  on  hand,  and  was  one  hundred  miles  from  the  English  settlements.  A 
council  of  war  had  advised  his  retreat.     Gordon,  i.  409.  * 


[1775.] 


AENOLD  ARRIVES  AT   POINT   LEVI.  235 


miles  in  a  day.  On  leaving  the  river,  they  encountered 
almost  interminable  forests,  mountains,  and  swamps,  besides 
cold,  storms,  and  famine.  The  half  famished  soldiers  devoured 
their  dogs,  cartouch-boxes,  and  shoes.* 

On  the  4th  day  of  November,  after  a  march  of  thirty-one 
days  through  an  uninhabited  wilderness,  Major  Meigs  and 
his  men  reached  a  French  house,  where  they  were  hospitably 
treated.  Arnold  and  his  entire  remaining  force  reached 
Point  Levi  on  the  9th  of  November.  Before  gaining  that 
point,  however,  it  was  manifest  to  his  mind  that  the  people 
had  been  advised  of  his  approach ;  and  he  soon  ascertained 
that  an  Indian,  to  whom  he  had  imprudently  intrusted 
important  dispatches  for  General  Montgomery,  had  treacher- 
ously given  them  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. f 

Generals  Montgomery  and  Wooster  in  the  meantime  had 
been  joined  by  General  Schuyler,  at  Isle  la  Motte,  whence 
they  moved  on  together  to  Isle  aux  Noix.  Here  Montgomery 
drew  up  a  declaration,  which  he  sent  among  the  Canadians 
by  Colonel  Allen  and  Major  Brown,  assuring  them  that  the 
army  was  designed  only  against  the  English  garrisons,  and 
was  not  intended  to  interfere  with  the  rights,  liberties,  or 
religion  of  the  people. 

The  army,  numbering  about  one  thousand  men,  proceeded, 
without  any  obstruction  to  St.  John's.  Upon  landing,  and 
reconnoitering  the  fortresses,  it  was  ascertained  that  they 
were  complete,  and  well  furnished  with  cannon.  After 
receiving  and  firing  a  few  shots,  it  was  thought  advisable  to 
return  to  Isle  aux  Noix,  which  was  accordingly  done. 
Schuyler  now  left  Montgomery  and  Wooster  in  command, 

*  Gordon. 

t  Botta,  i.  283.  "  It  is  easy  to  imagine  the  stupor  of  surprise  which  seized  the 
inhabitants  of  Quebec,  at  the  apparition  of  these  troops.  They  could  not  com- 
prehend by  what  way  or  in  what  mode,  they  had  transported  themselves  into  this 
region.  This  enterprise  appeared  to  them  not  merely  marvellous,  but  miraculous, 
and  if  Arnold,  in  this  first  moment,  had  been  able  to  cross  the  river  and  fall  upon 
Quebec,  he  would  have  taken  it  without  difficulty."  In  consequence  of  receiving 
the  letter  alluded  to,  Colonel  Maclean  had  withdrawn  all  the  batteaux  from  the 
right  bank  to  the  other  side  of  the  river. 


236  HISTOEY  OF  COIs^NECTICUT. 

who,  being  reinforced,  commenced  the  siege  of  St.  John's, 
September  17th.  After  several  days  of  almost  incessant 
firing,  and  after  various  attempts  to  negotiate  a  surrender, 
St.  John's  was  given  up  to  the  Americans,  November  3d. 
The  garrison  consisted  of  about  five  hundred  regulars  and 
one  hundred  Canadians,  together  with  twenty-two  iron 
cannon,  two  howitzers,  seven  mortars,  seventeen  brass  can- 
non, and  eight  hundred  stand  of  arms,  besides  a  considerable 
quantity  of  shot,  shells,  ammunition,  &c.* 

On  returning  from  their  mission  into  the  interior  of 
Canada,  Colonel  Allen  and  Major  Brown,  with  an  aggregate 
of  only  two  hundred  and  eighty  men,  rashly  conceived  the 
design  of  capturing  Montreal.  In  attempting  to  carry  out 
this  plan,  Allen  had  fifteen  of  his  men  killed,  and  he  and  the 
remainder  of  his  corps  were  taken  prisoners. f  From  some 
cause.  Major  Brown  did  not  arrive  at  the  place  designated  in 
season  to  participate  in  the  attack  and  repulse  ;  but  fortunately 
he  was  still  at  liberty  to  fight  in  the  cause  of  his  country. 
On  the  18th  of  October,  Chamblee  surrendered  to  Majors 
Brown  and  Livingston — with  six  tons  of  powder,  eighty  bar- 
rels of  flour,  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  barrels  of  pork, 
eleven  barrels  of  rice,  over  six  thousand  five  hundred  musket- 
cartridges,  and  other  valuable  military  stores.  J 

On  the  11th  of  November,  Generals  Montgomery  and 
Wooster  arrived  at  Montreal ;  and  on  the  following  day,  they 
entered  the  city  without  opposition.  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  the 
governor,  retreated  hastily  from  the  place,  and  reached  Que- 

*  Gordon,  i.  428  5  Botta,  i.  278. 

t  Botta,  i.  277.  Colonel  Allen,  was  put  .in  irons  and  carried  to  England  as  a 
traitor.  He  published  a  narrative  of  his  imprisonment  and  treatment  while  a 
prisoner,  which  contains  much  of  thrilling  incident  and  romantic  adventure. 

i  Gordon,  i.  426.  Sedgwick,  in  his  Hist,  of  Sharon,  (p.  45,  46,)  states  that  a 
cumpany  from  that  town  marched  under  Montgomery  to  Canada  ;  and  that  four 
members  of  that  company  were  with  Allen  in  his  attempt  on  Montreal,  viz. : 
Adonijah  Maxam,  David  GofF,  William  Gray,  and  Samuel  Lewis.  They,  together 
with  Roger  Moore,  of  Salisbury,  were  among  those  who  were  carried  to  England 
with  Col.  Allen.  Alexander  Spencer,  of  Sharon,  joined  Arnold's  expedition 
through  the  wilderness,  but  died  on  the  march. 


[1775.]  STORMING   OF   QUEBEC.  237 

bee  in  safety.*  After  taking  effectual  measures  to  retain  the 
advantage  he  had  thus  gained  over  the  enemy,  Montgomery 
marched  on  toward  the  capital,  expecting  to  be  joined  by 
Colonel  Arnold  and  his  detachment  in  its  neighborhood,  and 
hoping  to  complete  the  conquest  of  Canada  before  the  arrival 
of  British  reinforcements.  A  union  with  Arnold  was  soon 
effected  ;  and  Montgomery  learned  to  his  chagrin  that  his 
entire  force  amounted  to  but  little  more  than  eight  hundred 
men.  This  diminution  in  the  numbers  that  he  had  anticipated, 
was  occasioned  by  various  unforeseen  events.  He  had 
been  compelled  to  leave  a  considerable  part  of  his  troops 
under  General  Wooster,  for  the  protection  and  defense  of 
Montreal ;  many  of  his  own  as  well  as  of  Arnold's  soldiers, 
in  consequence  of  fatigue,  exposure,  and  want  of  suitable 
food,  had  become  disabled  ;  and  the  return  of  Enos'  division, 
— each  and  all  had  contributed  to  this  result. 

The  garrison  of  Quebec  consisted,  at  this  time,  of  one 
hundred  and  seventy  regulars  under  Colonel  Maclean,  a  com- 
pany of  fifty  soldiers  from  the  7th  regiment,  forty  marines, 
and  about  eight  hundred  militia. f 

On  the  6th  of  December,  1775,  the  little  army  of  Mont- 
gomery appeared  before  Quebec,  and  sent  forward  a  flag  of 
truce,  which  was  fired  upon  by  order  of  Sir  Guy  Carleton. 
The  Americans  now  commenced  in  earnest  the  work  of 
fortifying  their  position.  Their  batteries  were  built  of  snow 
and  water,  which  soon  became  solid  ice.  On  them  Mont- 
gomery planted  his  ordnance  and  howitzers;  but  the  artillery 
proved  inadequate,  and  it  was  soon  resolved  by  a  council 
of  war  to  storm  the  city. J 

The  assault  commenced  during  a  furious  snow  storm,  on 
the  evening  of  December  31st,  at  two  different  points — one 
party  being  conducted  by  General  Montgomery  in  person ; 
while  the  other  was  led  on  by  Colonel  Arnold.  A  third 
division  under  Colonel  Livingston  and  Major  Brown,  had 
been  directed  to  make  a  feint  upon  the  walls  to  the  south- 
ward of  St.  John's  Gate,  and  to  set  fire  to  the  gate.  The 
*  Graham,  iv.  400.         f  Gordon,  ii.  19.         i  Gordon,  ii.  20. 


238  .  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

commanding  general  entered  the  city  at  the  head  of  his 
division,  and  attacked  the  guard-house  ;  but  he  was  soon 
killed,  the  officer  who  took  command  ordered  a  retreat,  and 
the  wounded  were  carried  off  to  the  camp.  Meanwhile, 
Arnold  advanced  rapidly  under  the  fire  of  the  besieged  who 
manned  the  walls ;  but,  being  wounded  in  the  leg,  he  was 
carried  to  the  hospital.  Captain  Morgan,  a  bold  and  resolute 
officer,  now  took  command ;  but  after  a  desperate  struggle, 
continued  until  day-light,  the  invasion  was  abandoned  and 
the  retreat  sounded.  The  Americans  had  lost,  during  the 
night,  in  killed  and  wounded,  about  one  hundred  men,  includ- 
ing several  officers  of  merit.  The  fall  of  Montgomery,  was 
especially  deplored,  not  only  by  the  army,  but  by  the  w^hole 
country.* 

The  immediate  command  of  the  northern  army  now 
devolved  upon  General  Wooster.  The  reader  has  seen  what 
sufferings  this  gallant  little  band  had  undergone,  and  what 
almost  miraculous  difficulties  they  had  surmounted.  But 
worse  than  all  the  obstacles  that  nature  had  thrown  in  his 
way — worse  than  the  ravages  of  loathsome  disease  and  the 
barbarities  practised  by  a  savage  foe — were  the  wounds  inflic- 
ted upon  his  delicate  sensibilities  by  the  insulting  behavior  of 
his  superior  in  rank  and  his  most  uncompromising  enemy. 
Snugly  quartered  at  Albany,  where  Abercrombie  had  made 
himself  so  comfortable  during  a  most  interesting  period  of 
the  last  French  war,  with  plenty  of  good  cheer  and  little  to 
do,  Schuyler  had  leisure  to  fan  into  new  activity  the  embers 
of  his  hatred  to  Wooster,  that  had  never  gone  out  in  his 
bosom.  Had  he  been  half  as  efficient  in  forwarding  clothing 
to  cover  the  nakedness  of  the  gallant  troops  under  Wooster's 
charge,  to  protect  them  against  the  sharp  frosts  and  piercing 
winds  of  Canada,  or  half  as  sedulous  in  sending  provisions  to 
keep  them  from  starving  while  they  were  vainly  attempting 
to  starve  the  garrison  at  Quebec,  as  he  was  in  torturing  the 
feelings  and  attempting  to  humble  the  pride  of  their  leader, 

*  See  Botta,  Gordon,  Graham. 


[1775.]  WOOSTER   AND   SCHUYLER.  239 

the   result  of  that   untoward  expedition   might   have  been 
different. 

With  two  thousand  men  under  his  command  at  that 
unfortunate  season  of  the  year,  without  the  ordinary  neces- 
saries of  Hfe,  discouraged  at  the  defeat  that  they  had  just 
sustained,  and  heart-broken  at  the  loss  of  Montgomery, 
Wooster  was  called  upon  not  only  to  keep  possession  of 
Montreal  and  the  other  parts  of  Canada,  that  had  been 
traversed  by  the  Americans,  but  also  to  spare  men  enough  to 
lay  siege  to  Quebec,  "  the  strongest  fortified  city  on  the 
globe,"  and  hold  it  against  an  enemy  several  times  outnum- 
bering his  whole  army.  All  this  was  to  be  done,  too,  without 
a  single  artillery  company,  a  battering  train,  a  mortar,  or  an 
engineer.*  Eight  hundred  men  was  more  than  he  ought  to 
have  spared  in  an  attempt  upon  Quebec.  It  was  of  course 
impossible  to  storm  this  fortress  with  such  a  force,  even  had 
they  been  provided  with  food,  clothing,  tents,  artillery,  and  all 
the  other  munitions  that  should  have  been  at  their  command. 
It  was  equally  idle  to  think  of  besieging  the  place  with 
scarcely  men  enough  to  act  as  sentries.  The  best  and  only 
thing  he  could  do,  was  to  blockade  the  garrison,  and  this  he 
did  with  a  fortitude  and  faithfulness  worthy  of  a  cause  which 
had  to  contend  against  difficulties  that  nature  and  art  had 
contributed  to  render  insurmountable. t  The  worst  of  these 
obstacles,  as  I  have  already  said,  was  the  conduct  of  General 
Schuyler.  It  was  not  only  insulting,  but  it  was  vascillating 
and  whimsical  even  to  childishness.  His  orders  contained 
intimations  and  indirect  charges  of  disobedience  of  former 
orders,  and  abounded  in  the  most  insolently  despotic  com- 
mands that  could  well  be  put  upon  paper.  There  was  in 
them  a  meddling  and  interfering  spirit  that  was  excessively 
galling  to  the  feelings  of  a  high-toned  man  like  Wooster.  He 
was  not  allowed  to  regulate  even  the  most  ordinary  move- 
ments of  his  army,  nor  to  prescribe  municipal  regulations  for 
the  temporary  government  of  the  towns  that  were  in  his 
keeping,  and  for  which  he  was  to  be  held  responsible.  J 

*  Deming,  p.  40.         t  Deming's  Oration,  p.  41.        X  Deming  ;  Gordon,  &c. 


240  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

With  all  these  embarrassments,  Wooster  maintained  his 
position  as  faithfully  as  his  superior  officer  persisted  in  his 
abuses,  until  he  was  recalled.  The  opening  of  the  spring 
filled  the  St.  Lawrence  with  ships  and  veteran  troops,  more 
in  number  than  those  who  had  occupied  Boston  under  Gen. 
Gage,  previous  to  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  In  precipita- 
tion and  defeat,  the  army  withdrew  from  a  country  that 
could  not  have  been  reduced  by  Washington  and  his  whole 
army.  Nor  did  the  persecuting  spirit  of  his  accuser  content 
itself  with  private  wrongs  inflicted  through  the  medium  of 
secret  letters.  He  took  every  occasion  of  traducing  Woos- 
ter in  the  presence  of  the  officers  of  the  army,  and  associa- 
ted himself  with  Benedict  Arnold,  in  representing  him  as  a 
coward.  He  even  brought  the  matter  home  to  the  notice  of 
Congress,  and  charged  Wooster  with  writing  insolent  letters 
to  him.  Never  did  a  more  wanton  and  outrageous  falsehood 
pass  for  truth  merely  because  it  came  from  a  respectable 
source.  Wooster's  letters  have  since  been  given  to  the  world, 
and  exhibit  a  spirit  of  kindness  and  forgiveness  worthy  of 
more  praise  than  they  would  otherwise  deserve,  were  they 
not  contrasted  with  those  that  elicited  them.* 

Wooster  now  hastened  to  Philadelphia  and  insisted  that  his 
conduct  as  leader  of  the  army  in  Canada  should  be  made  the 
subject  of  a  critical  examination  by  Congress.  Then  for  the 
first  time  throwing  aside  the  reserve  that  had  before  marked 
his  demeanor,  he  addressed  the  President  of  Congress  in  the 
following  terms : 

"  The  unjust  severity  and  unmerited  abuse  with  which  I 
have  been  assailed  in  the  colonies  by  those  who  would  remove 
every  obstacle  to  their  own  advancement,  and  the  harsh 
treatment  I  have  received  from  some  members  of  the  body 
over  which  you  preside,  renders  it  necessary  that  I  should 
vindicate  my  administration  of  the  army  in  Canada.  The 
honor  of  a  soldier  being  the  first  thing  he  should  defend,  and 
his  lionesty  the  last  he  should  give  up,  his  character  is  always 
entitled  to  the  protection  of  the  virtuous  and  the  good." 

*  See  Wooster's  and  Schuyler's  letters  in  Am.  Arehieves,  vol.  iv.  fourth  series. 


CHARACTER   OF   WOOSTER   VINDICATED.  24:1 

At  his  solicitation,  a  committee  was  appointed  by  Congress 
to  investigate  the  charges  that  had  been  made  against  him 
by  his  enemies,  who  found  them  to  be,  as  the  voice  of  history 
has  long  since  declared  them,  groundless  and  unjust.*' 

*  See  Deming's  Oration  in  which  there  is  a  very  able  examination  of  the  conduct  of  this  officer. 

Note. — Mr.  Deming,  has  also  kindly  furnished  me  with  a  piece  of  testimony  in  relation  to  the 

destruction  of  Rivington's  press,  of  the  most  interesting  character.    This  evidence  comes  from  the 

pen  of  Captain  Sears  himself,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  Roger  Sherman,  Eliphalet  Dyer,  and  Silas 

Deane,  Esquires,  and  is  as  follows  : 

"  Nevvhaven,  28  November,  1775. 

"Gentlemen, — I  have  to  inform  you  of  an  Expedition  which  I,  with  about  100  Volunteers  from 
this  and  tiie  other  Towns  Westward  in  this  Government,  set  out  upon  for  New  York  &c.,  which 
was  to  disarm  Tories,  and  to  deprive  that  Traitor  to  his  Country  James  Rivington  of  the  means  of 
circulating  pison  in  print,  the  latter  of  which  we  happily  effected  by  taking  away  his  Tvpes,  and 
which  may  be  a  great  means  of  puting  an  end  to  the  Tory  Faction  there,  for  his  press  hath  been  as 
it  were  the  very  life  and  Soul  of  it — and  I  believe  it  wou'd  not  otherwise  have  been  done,  as  there 
are  not  Spirited  and  Leading  men  enough  in  N.  York  to  undertake  such  a  Business,  or  it  wou'd 
have  been  done  long  ago :  and  as  there  are  many  Enemies  to  the  cause  of  Freedom,  in  that  place, 
it  is  most  likely  I  shall  meet  with  many  Censures  for  undertaking  such  an  Enterprise.  1  shall  es- 
teem it  a  particukir  favor  to  have  your  opinion  upon  the  matter,  and  likewise  to  be  inform'd  how  it 
is  relished  by  the  Members  of  the  Congress  in  general,  and  if  it  meets  with  their  approbation  I  shall 
not  regard  what  others  may  say  :  I  can  assure  you  it  is  highly  approved  of  by  the  People  of  this 
Colony  a  few  Tories  excepted,  and  they  are  almost  all  Disiirm'd  by  this  time,  and  what  of  them 
remains  we  expect  in  a  few  days  to  make  a  finish  of;  for  which  purpose  I  intend  to  set  out  with  a 
party  one  Day  in  this  Week,  for  some  of  the  Neighbouring  Towns,  when  I  expect  we  shall  make  a 
finish  of  that  in  this  Colony.  And  I  could  wish  that  a  Sistem  might  be  fallen  upon  tocompleat  the 
same  in  N.  York  and  its  Province.  The  people  of  Connectt.  have  gone  a  great  way  in  Disarming 
the  Tories  of  N.  York  Government,  but,  what  has  been  done  was  Voluntary  and  at  their  own  pri- 
vate expence,  which  has  been  considerable,  and  it  will  in  a  measure  Stop  if  a  body  of  Men  is  not 
raised  for  that  purpose — the  Number  of  500  wou'd  be  sutficent  for  the  undertaking,  and  should  the 
C.  Congress  give  an  Order  to  this  Government  to  raise  that  Number,  under  the  Command  of  a  Gen- 
eral Officer,  puting  them  under  pay  while  in  Actual  Service,  it  is  my  opinion  the  Regiment  might 
be  made  up  in  two  days  after  the  commencement  of  Inlisting,  and  that  of  the  principal  Burgers  of 
the  different  Towns.  I  think  a  due  attention  to  this  by  the  Congress  will  be  of  no  small  Import- 
ance, for  if  the  matter  should  not  be  carried  into  execution  this  Winter,  it  is  my  opinion  that  one 
Half  of  the  People  of  the  City  and  Province  of  N.  York  will  be  ready  to  take  up  Arms  against  the 
Country  next  Spring,  and  we  have  little  else  to  do  this  Winter  but  to  purge  the  Land  of  such  Vil- 
lains, which  I  think  almost  as  necessary  as  the  keeping  up  Standing  Armies. 

"  In  Case  the  Congress  should  order  a  Regimt.  raised  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  I  wou'd  recom- 
mend it  to  be  General  throughout  the  Continent,  but  the  Regiment  of  .500  Men  for  N.  York,  &c., 
and  when  we  go  up  on  Long  Island,  it  will  be  necessary  to  go  with  1000  Men  as  the  Tories  there  are 
a  considerable  Majority,  and  well  equipt — not  less  than  500  Sons  of  Liberty  in  N.  York  wou'd  joia 
us  were  we  to  go  on  Long  Island — and  wou'd  it  not  be  expedient  to  take  up  and  confine  a  few  of 
the  principal  Leading  Men  in  the  different  Towns,  who  are  notoriously  Inimical  to  the  Rights  of 
this  Country?  for  were  that  to  be  done  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  many  of  the  midling  and  lower 
Class  of  People,  now  under  the  influence  of  such  persons,  wou'd  become  espousers  of  their  Coun- 
try's cause.  For  the  particulars  of  our  Expedition  to  N.  York  &.c.,  I  refer  you  to  the  N.  Haven 
Gazettee. 

"  I  am  sorry  to  tell  you  that  the  Teaholders  in  N.  York  have  in  general  began  to  make  Sale  of 
their  Tea.  I  have  not  as  yet  sold  one  pound  of  mine,  nor  shall  I  do  it  till  the  Congress  grants  Liberty 
for  the  Sale  of  it — but  shall  think  hard  of  it,  especially  as  I  have  spent  so  much  money  in  the  com- 
mon Cause,  if  the  Interest  of  j£3000  in  that  Article  should  be  sunk  to  me  and  my  Son  in  Law» 
which  will  be  the  Case,  if  I  can't  obtain  leave  from  the  Congress  to  dispose  of  it,  therefore  beg  vou'll 
favor  me  with  laying  my  Case  before  the  Congress,  and  with  your  Influence  in  backing  the  same. 

"  I  have  heard  that  the  Command  of  the  Ships  filing  out  at  Phila.  is  to  be  given  to  Captain  Hop- 
kins, which  I  am  nmch  surprised  at,  for  I  judged  that,  that  department  was  for  me,  which  I  had  rea- 
son to  expect  from  the  hints  given  me  by  many  of  the  Members  of  the  Congress,  but  it  is  too  often 
the  case,  when  a  Man  has  done  the  most  he  gets  the  least  reward.  It  is  not  for  the  Lucre  of  gain  that  1 
want  the  Command  of  a  Squadron  in  the  American  Navy,  but  it  is  because  I  know  myself  capable 
of  the  Station,  and  because  I  think  I  can  do  my  Country  more  Service  in  that  department  than  in 
any  other — the  Congress's  not  thinking  proper  to  fix  that  Honor  upon  me,  will  by  no  means  make 
me  inactive  in  the  Cause  we  are  all  engaged  in,  but  cou'd  wish  nothing  had  been  said  about  my 
being  appointed  to  the  Command,  for  it  has  spread  thro'  the  Country,  that  whenever  a  Navy  were 
fited  out  by  the  Congress,  [should  have  the  Chief  Command,  but  that  not  being  the  Case  may  tend 
to  reflect  dishonor  on  me. 

"  I  am  with  Esteem,  Gentlemen,  Your  most  Hble  Servt., 

" Isaac  Sears 
"  Roger  Sherman,  Esqr.,  Eliphl.  Dyer,  Esqr.,  Silas  Deane,  Esqr." 

48 


CHAPTER  IV. 


THE  ERITISH  EYACUATE  EOSTON. 


The  difficulties  that  surrounded  General  Washington  dur- 
ing the  fall  of  1775  and  in  the  winter  of  1775-6,  can  hardly 
be  imagined.  More  was  demanded  of  him  by  the  Congress 
than  he  could  possibly  perform  with  the  humble  resources 
that  he  had  at  his  command.  Ignorant  of  the  art  of  war, 
the  members  composing  that  body  were  totally  unfitted  to 
designate  what  course  ought  to  be  pursued,  and  unable  to 
set  a  proper  estimate  upon  the  obstacles  that  were  to  be  sur- 
mounted. Without  being  aware  of  the  difference  between 
raw  militia  and  British  regulars,  they  urged  home  upon  him 
in  the  most  pressing  terms,  the  necessity  of  making  an  early 
attempt  to  drive  the  British  army  from  Boston.  Out  of 
respect  to  this  suggestion,  rather  than  because  he  supposed 
it  would  be  practicable  to  carry  it  out,  he  called  a  council 
of  war  on  the  18th  of  October,  and  laid  the  matter  before 
the  officers  of  the  army.  With  one  voice  they  pronounced 
the  proposition,  in  the  state  of  affairs  then  existing,  totally 
impracticable.  The  Congress  was  no  less  ignorant  in  regard 
to  the  amount  of  money  that  would  be  needed  to  maintain 
an  army  in  the  field,  to  say  nothing  of  the  necessary  outfit 
and  equipments  that  might  in  some  instances  be  expected  to 
be  supplied  by  the  colonies  to  the  quota  of  troops  that  they 
respectively  furnished.  Gradually,  however,  they  learned 
to  reason  more  correctly,  and  near  the  close  of  September 
they  appointed  a  committee,  consisting  of  three  of  their  own 
body,  to  confer  with  Washington,  Governor  Trumbull  of 
Connecticut,  and  with  the  authorities  of  Massachusetts, 
Rhode  Island,  New  Hampshire,  and  other  colonies,  to  hit 
upon  some  well-digested  plan  of  continuing,  supporting,  and 
regulating  a  continental  army. 


[1776.]  DIFFICULTIES    ENCOUNTERED.  243 

Under  the  critical  supervision  of  such  men  as  Washington, 
Trumbull,  and  Franklin,  who  was  a  member  of  the  congres- 
sional committee,  the  aspect  of  affairs  soon  changed.  Still 
there  was  such  a  want  of  ammunition,  that  on  the  first  of 
January,  1776,  Washington  wrote,  "It  is  not  perhaps  in  the 
power  of  history  to  furnish  a  case  like  ours.  To  maintain  a 
post  within  musket-shot  of  the  enemy  for  six  months  together 
without  [powder,]*  and  at  the  same  time  to  disband  one 
army  and  recruit  another  within  that  distance  of  twenty 
odd  British  regiments,  is  more  than  probably  was  ever 
attempted."! 

The  winter  set  in  with  severity,  but  it  proved,  after  a  few 
days  of  extremely  cold  weather,  to  be  quite  mild,  so  much  so 
that  during  this  month,  Colonel  Moylan  wrote  from  the 
camp  at  Cambridge,  "  The  bay  is  open.  Everything  thaws 
here  except  '  Old  Put.'  He  is  still  as  hard  as  ever,  crying 
out  for  powder — powder — ye  gods,  give  us  powder  !"J 

The  troubles  in  New  York  did  not  end  with  the  destruc- 
tion of  Rivingston's  press.  The  city  and  neighborhood 
were  not  at  all  congenial  to  the  taste  of  Captain  Sears,  who 
thought  it  prudent  to  seek  a  residence  among  his  friends  in 
Connecticut. §  He  had  not  remained  long  in  his  new  abode 
when  he  began  to  entertain  fears  lest  General  Clinton,  who 
was  evidently  making  preparations  to  go  upon  some  expedi- 
tion, might  attempt  to  take  possession  of  New  York.  He 
hastened  to  Cambridge  and  sought  an  interview  with  Wash- 
ington. He  described  the  exposed  situation  of  the  place, 
the  disposition  of  many  of  its  principal  citizens,  and  entreat- 
ed that  measures  might  be  taken  to  secure  it  without  delay. 
Washington  felt  as  keenly  as  any  one  could  do  the  impor- 

*  This  word  was  prudently  left  out  lest  the  letter  might  happen  to  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy. 

+  Sparks'  Life  of  "Washington.         $  Frothingham,  295. 

§  Captain  Sears  had  now  become  a  resident  of  New  Haven.  At  the  Decem- 
ber session  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut,  1775,  Colonel  David  Wa- 
terbury  and  Captain  Isaac  Sears  were  appointed  a  committee  to  inquire  after  a 
suitable  vessel,  to  be  armed  and  improved  in  defense  of  the  colony,  and  to  report 
as  to  the  cost  of  purchasing  or  chartering  the  same. 


244  HISTOKY  OF  COKNECTICUT. 

tance  of  such  a  step,  but  was  obliged  to  answer  that  he  had 
no  troops  to  spare. 

S^rs  then  proposed  that  General  Washington  should 
write  a  letter  to  Governor  Trumbull  of  Connecticut,  desir- 
ing him  to  raise  two  regiments  for  this  service.* 

About  the  same  time  there  arrived  a  letter  from  General 
Lee,  urging  upon  General  Washington  the  necessity  of  this 
enterprise.  "New  York,"  wrote  Lee,  in  his  positive  manner, 
"  New  York  must  be  secured  ;  but  it  will  never,  I  am  afraid, 
be  secured  by  direct  order  of  Congress,  for  obvious  reasons. 
I  propose  that  you  should  detach  me  into  Connecticut,  and 
lend  your  name  for  collecting  a  body  of  volunteers.  I  am 
assured  that  I  shall  find  no  difficulty  in  assembling  a  sufficient 
number  for  the  purpose  wanted.  This  measure  I  think  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  our  salvation ;  and  if  it  meets  with 
your  approbation,  the  sooner  it  is  entered  upon  the  better. 
Indeed  the  delay  of  a  single  day  may  be  fatal."  The  advice 
of  John  Adams  also  was  to  the  same  effect.  It  appeared 
that  a  large  body  of  tories  upon  Long  Island  were  intrench- 
ing themselves  for  the  avowed  object  of  opposing  the  move- 
ments of  the  American  army,  and  that  there  was  a  large 
number  of  them  in  the  city  w^ho  only  waited  to  be  rein- 
forced. The  Jersey  troops  had  been  already  ordered  to 
muster  there. f 

General  Washington  readily  fell  in  with  this  measure. 
As  soon  as  the  dispatches  were  made  ready,  Captain  Sears 
started  with  them  for  Connecticut.  Governor  Trumbull 
received  him  very  courteously,  and  without  delay  called 
together  the  Committee  of  Safety,  and  laid  the  proposition 
before  them.  They  were  all  in  favor  of  it,  and  such  was 
the  speed  with  which  the  governor  hurried  forward  the 
expedition,  that  by  the  time  General  Lee  had  arrived  at 
Stamford,  the  two  regiments,  Colonel  Waterbury's  and  Colo- 
nel Ward's,  were  ready  to  march.  Lee  hastened  on  to 
New  Haven,  and  while  there  wrote   another  letter  to  the 

*  Gordon  ii.  14,  15.         f  Gordon. 


[1776.]         GENERAL   LEE   PROCEEDS  TO  NEW  YORK.  245 

commander-in-chief,  bearing  date  the  16th  of  January.  An 
extract  from  this  letter  will  serve  to  show  what  was  the 
political  complexion  of  New  York  at  that  time  : 

"I  shall  send  immediately  an  express  to  Congress  inform- 
ing them  of  my  situation,  and  at  the  same  time  conjuring 
them  not  to  suffer  the  accursed  Provincial  Congress  of  New 
York  to  defeat  measures  so  absolutely  necessary  to  our  salva- 
tion 


* 


By  the  22d  of  the  same  month,  Lee  had  collected  at 
Stamford  twelve  hundred  Connecticut  troops.  Even  then 
the  New  York  Committee  of  Safety  was  totally  opposed  to 
their  being  led  into  the  city,  and  wrote  him  an  urgent  letter 
to  that  effect. 

As  Lee  was  kept  at  Stamford  for  awhile  by  an  attack  of 
the  gout,  and  as  Colonel  Waterbury  was  already  in  New 
York,  Lee  ordered  Captain  Sears  to  conduct  Waterbury's 
regiment  to  the  city  without  delay.  At  Kingsbridge  Sears 
was  met  by  a  deputation  of  citizens,  v/ho  begged  him  not  to 
advance  any  further,  as  the  enemy  had  threatened  to  burn 
the  city  should  he  enter  it  with  his  troops.  Sears  replied 
by  informing  them  what  orders  he  had  received,  and  con- 
tinued his  march.  As  he  drew  nearer  New  York,  a  second 
company  of  commissioners  met  him,  and  used  all  the  argu- 
ments that  they  could  command  to  induce  him  to  keep  aloof 
from  the  city ;  but  he  kept  on  as  rapidly  as  he  could.  When 
he  arrived  there  he  found  the  citizens  in  great  confusion  and 
alarm. 

On  the  4th  of  February,  General  Lee  followed,  and 
reached  New  York  within  two  hours  after  General  Clinton, 
in  the  Mercury,  with  a  single  transport  brig,  arrived  at  the 
Hook. 

The  coming  of  these  two  vessels  threw  the  town  into 
such  consternation,  that,  although  it  was  Sunday,  the  inhabi- 
tants spent  the  whole  day  and  the  following  night  in  remov- 
ing their  effects  to  a  place  of  safety.  Clinton  had  touched 
at  the  Hook  without  the  least  intention  of  landing  at  New 

*  Gordon,  ii.  15. 


246  HISTOKY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

York.  His  only  object  in  stopping  there  at  all,  was  doubt- 
less to  have  an  interview  with  Governor  Try  on,  and  see 
whether  anything  could  be  suggested  by  that  worthy  that 
would  be  likely  to  strengthen  the  British  interest  in  New 
York.  Indeed,  he  had  only  a  handful  of  grenadiers  and 
light  infantry  with  him  ;  not  enough  to  make  even  a  respect- 
able show  against  the  two  regiments  from  Connecticut,  who 
would  have  given  the  coats  off  their  backs,  inclement  as 
the  season  was,  to  have  come  within  musket  range  of  them, 
or  within  boarding  distance  of  their  ships.  To  lull  the  fears 
of  the  people,  rather  than  because  he  apprehended  any 
danger  of  such  an  event  taking  place,  General  Lee  gave  the 
following  public  notice  to  whomsoever  it  might  concern  : 
"  If  the  men  of  war  set  one  house  on  fire  in  consequence  of 
my  coming,  I  will  chain  one  hundred  of  their  friends  together 
by  the  neck  and  make  the  house  thQir  funeral  pile."*  Not 
knowing  which  of  their  number  would  be  selected  by  Gene- 
ral Lee  to  swell  the  roll  of  martyrdom,  and  most  of  them 
not  being  stimulated  by  the  desire  of  becoming  historical, 
the  tories  were  for  a  long  time  kept  quiet  by  this  manifesto. 
While  Clinton  remained  at  the  Hook,  several  important 
works  were  erected  for  the  defense  of  the  city. 

Meanwhile  the  great  chief  of  the  American  army,  labor- 
ing under  every  disadvantage,  with  the  fortitude  of  Fabias 
and  the  elevated  courage  of  Hampden,  strengthened  his 
position  and  kept  the  enemy  in  Boston,  in  a  state  of  actual 
blockade.  Without  allowing  himself  to  be  led  into  any  rash 
measures,  he  yet  omitted  no  opportunity  to  annoy  the  enemy 
and  cut  off  their  supplies. 

It  had  been  observed  that  there  were  in  Charlestown  a 
number  of  dwellings  used  by  the  British  as  store-houses.  On 
the  8th  of  February,  Washington  ordered  Major  Knowlton, 
of  Ashford,  who  had  so  signally  distinguished  himself  at  the 
Battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  to  take  with  him  one  hundred  men 
from  Connecticut,  cross  over  to  Charlestown,  and  destroy 
those  buildings.      Knowlton,  with  one  hundred  picked  men, 

*  Gordon,  ii.  15,  16. 


[1776.]  A  FARCE  AND  TRAGEDY.  247 

crossed  over  upon  the  ice  between  Cobble  Hill  and  Bunker 
Hill,  stole  silently  down  the  street  on  the  westerly  side  of 
the  hill  that  must  forever  be  associated  with  his  fame, 
destroyed  the  houses  and  brought  off  the  guns  that  had  been 
deposited  there.  The  whole  enterprise  was  accomplished  in 
in  less  than  one  hour,  and  the  buildings  were  destroyed  in 
the  face  of  a  heavy  fire  of  musketry  from  the  garrison  at 
Bunker  Hill,  without  the  loss  of  a  man.  Major  Knowlton 
little  dreamed  what  alarm  this  nocturnal  bonfire  was  to  occa- 
sion in  Boston. 

Notwithstanding  the  sickness  that  prevailed  among  the 
British  troops,  General  Howe  and  his  officers  resorted  to 
every  expedient  to  while  away  the  sluggish  months  of  winter, 
and  especially  to  persuade  themselves  that  Washington  was 
mistaken  in  supposing  that  he  kept  them  in  a  state  of  block- 
ade. To  kill  time,  and  continue  this  agreeable  delusion, 
they  resorted  to  balls  and  the  attractions  of  the  theatre.  On 
the  night  of  the  8th  of  February  they  had  witnessed  the 
exhibition  of  a  popular  drama  called  "  the  Busy  Body,"  and 
had  already  shifted  the  scenes  for  the  introduction  of  a  farce 
entitled,  "  The  blockade  of  Boston,"  said  to  have  been  com- 
posed by  General  Burgoyne,  who  added  to  his  accomplish- 
ments as  a  soldier  and  a  gentleman,  the  graceful  finish  of 
polite  literature.  To  the  infinite  delight  of  the  audience, 
the  figure  designed  to  represent  General  Washington  had 
just  appeared  upon  the  boards,  adorned  with  a  great  wig, 
armed  with  a  long  rusty  sword,  and  attended  by  way  of 
body  guard  by  a  single  orderly  sergeant  with  a  corroded  gun 
on  his  shoulder  about  seven  feet  in  length.  Suddenly  a  new 
party  appeared  upon  the  stage.  It  was  one  of  the  regular 
British  sergeants  in  uniform.  Throwing  down  his  bayonet 
by  way  of  arresting  attention,  he  called  out  in  a  voice  that 
had  quite  too  much  of  tragedy  in  its  tone  to  be  introduced 
into  a  farce,  "  The  Yankees  are  attacking  Bunker  Hill  /"* 

With  those  who  were  unacquainted  with  the  piece,  this 
readily  passed  for  a  part  of  the  performance.     Not  so  with 

*  Gordon,  ii.  19. 


248  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

General  Howe.  He  instantly  sprang  to  his  feet  and  exclaim- 
ed, "Officers,  to  your  alarm  posts."  This  order,  followed  by 
the  shrieks  and  fainting-fits  of  those  fair  ladies  present,  w^ho 
had  still  a  vivid  recollection  of  the  horrors  of  the  17th  of 
June,  dispelled  the  fascinations  even  of  such  a  muse  as 
Burgoyne's.  Rushing  into  the  streets,  they  saw  the  flames 
of  the  burning  houses,  and  heard  the  report  of  muskets.  It 
was  not  until  morning  that  harmony  was  restored  to  the 
town.  Nor  were  the  British  officers  unanimous  in  the  opin- 
ion that  Boston  was  not  after  all  in  a  state  of  "  blockade/' 

The  incident  just  related  is  only  one  among  many  that 
might  be  named  in  which  the  American  commander  gave 
General  Howe  good  cause  to  wish  that  he  had  left  Boston 
before  winter  had  set  in,  as  the  British  admiral  had  advised 
him  to  do.  He  now  found  himself  in  a  condition  far  from 
comfortable.  He  could  hardly  get  vegetables  and  fresh  pro- 
visions enough  for  the  table  of  the  officers,  in  spite  of  all  the 
efforts  made  by  the  British  ministry  to  forward  them  from 
England.  Many  of  the  ships  laden  with  those  articles,  as 
well  as  with  live  stock,  porter,  and  other  necessaries  and 
luxuries,  never  reached  their  destination.  Some  were  taken 
by  the  Americans  and  others  were  blown  off  from  the  New 
England  coast  by  the  violence  of  the  north-west  winds.  Of 
forty  transports  only  eight  had  arrived.  As  a  natural 
consequence  the  common  soldiers  suffered  for  want  of  food, 
and  fell  sick  and  died  in  great  numbers.* 

The  radical  defects  in  General  Howe's  management  of  the 
army,  grew  out  of  the  false  estimate  that  he  put  upon  the 
character  of  his  adversaries.  Like  many  other  men  of  true 
merit,  he  was  unable  to  distinguish  between  the  appearances 
and  the  realities  that  surrounded  him.  He  could  not  be 
persuaded  that  men  could  fight  well  and  keep  the  field 
through  the  tedious  months  of  a  New  England  winter,  unless 
they  were  dressed  in  handsome  uniform  and  provided  with 
all  the  munitions  of  war.  He  could  call  men  who  fought  in 
home-spun  coats  and  checked   shirts  nothing  but  peasants, 

*  Gordon. 


[1776.]  PKOPOSED  ATTACK  ON  BOSTON".  249 

and  he  had  been  bred  up  to  believe  that  a  company  of 
British  marines  could  drive  a  regiment  of  peasants  from  one 
end  of  the  continent  to  the  other. 

Actuated  by  this  belief,  at  4  o'clock  on  the  morning  of 
the  14th  of  February,  he  sent  about  five  hundred  men  under 
command  of  Colonel  Leslie,  with  orders  to  cross  on  the  ice 
to  Dorchester  neck  and  burn  some  houses  that  were  stand- 
ing there,  in  the  expectation  that  the  American  officers 
would  be  thrown  into  a  state  of  confusion  at  sight  of  the 
flames,  and  that  large  reinforcements  would  be  sent  over 
from  Roxbury  to  give  a  check  to  this  nocturnal  movement. 
So  confident  was  he  that  such  would  be  the  result,  that  he 
spent  the  whole  night  in  getting  a  large  body  of  troops  in 
readiness  to  make  a  sudden  attack  upon  the  American  lines, 
as  soon  as  they  should  be  thus  partially  deserted.  But  at 
day-break  he  saw  the  men  as  usual  at  their  alarm  posts,  and 
did  not  think  it  prudent  to  make  the  attempt. 

General  Washington  had  long  been  desirous  of  bringing 
on  an  engagement  with  the  enemy,  as  soon  as  the  ice  should 
be  firm  enough  to  admit  of  his  crossing  over  from  Cambridge 
to  Boston  with  his  army.  On  the  16th  of  February,  he  laid 
before  the  council  of  war  a  written  proposition  and  question 
couched  in  these  terms  :  "  A  stroke  well  aimed  at  this 
critical  juncture  may  put  a  final  period  to  the  war,  and 
restore  peace  and  tranquility  so  much  to  be  wished  for  ;  and 
therefore  whether,  part  of  Cambridge  and  Roxbury  bays 
being  frozen  over,  a  general  assault  should  not  be  made  on 
Boston?"* 

This  important  question  was  debated  by  the  officers  in 
council  wnth  entire  freedom  and  great  ability.  It  appeared, 
from  the  form  in  which  the  question  was  put,  as  well  as 
from  his  remarks  in  council,  that  Washington  was  in  favor 
of  making  the  attempt.  He  was  strongly  seconded  by 
Putnam,  who  was  of  the  opinion  that  some  bold  step  ought 
to  be  taken,  that  the  enemy  would  be  found  off*  their  guard, 
and  might  be  easily  driven  from  the  town.     Indeed,  this  had 

*  Gordon,  ii.  24. 


250  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

long  been  the  sentiment  that  pervaded  the  ranks  of  the  Con- 
necticut troops,  who  knew  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  colony 
which  they  represented,  were  anxious  that  something  should 
be  done  that  would  bring  the  war  to  a  speedy  close. 

But  General  Ward,  who  always  preferred  to  err  on  the 
side  of  prudence,  and  General  Gates,  who  usually  made  a 
virtue  of  dissenting  from  any  opinion  that  was  advanced  by 
Washington,  were  decidedly  opposed  to  the  measure,  and  it 
was  voted  down.  When  we  remember  how  little  General 
Howe  expected  of  the  American  army,  and  how  the  British 
officers  were  in  the  habit  of  spending  their  nights,  we  are 
disposed  to  think  that  the  plan  proposed  by  Washington  and 
advocated  by  Putnam  would  have  resulted  in  driving  the 
enemy  from  Boston,  and  would  have  put  a  speedy  termina- 
tion to  the  war. 

The  next  best  plan  that  seemed  at  all  practicable,  was  the 
one  advanced  by  General  Ward,  of  getting  possession  of 
Dorchester  Heights,  and  driving  the  enemy  into  an  engage- 
ment. This  proposition  was  agreed  upon,  and  the  manage- 
ment of  the  affair  was  committed  to  General  Ward,  General 
Thomas  of  Massachusetts,  and  General  Spencer  of  Connec- 
ticut, who  had  the  command  in  that  quarter.  The  militia 
now  began  to  pour  in  from  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  and 
the  other  New  England  colonies,  and  the  preparations  for 
this  important  military  movement  went  forward  so  rapidly 
and  so  openly,  that  fears  began  to  be  entertained  that  the 
British  generals  would  suspect  the  object  of  their  coming  and 
anticipate  it.* 

General  Spencer,  and  the  officers  and  soldiers  from  Con- 
necticut who  were  under  him,  made  very  vigorous  exertions 
in  laboring  night  and  day  when  the  weather  would  permit. 
By  the  26th  of  February,  they  had  got  in  readiness  forty- 
five  batteaux  large  enough  to  carry  eighty  men  each,  and 
two  floating  batteries,  stationed  at  the  mouth  of  Cambridge 
river,  so  that  they  might  throw  a  large  body  of  troops  into 
the  west  of  Boston  should  the  enemy  dispatch  a  correspond- 

*  See  Gordon. 


[1776.]  WASHINGTON   CANNONADES  BOSTON.  251 

ing  number  of  men  for  Dorchester  Heights.     A  council  of 
war  was  now  called  to  hit  upon  the  time  for  the  attempt. 

It  was  finally  suggested  that  the  sally  should  be  made  on 
the  night  of  the  4th  of  March,  as  it  was  believed  that  the 
action  would  in  that  event  take  place  on  the  5th,  a  day  most 
inspiring  to  the  New  England  soldiers,  as  it  was  the  anniver- 
sary of  the  Boston  Massacre.*  Colonel  Mifflin,  the  Quarter- 
Master-General,  not  only  proposed  that  time,  but  advocated 
it  against  the  powerful  influence  of  General  Gates.  After  a 
long  debate,  that  night  was  selected  by  a  majority  of  only 
one  vote.t 

Among  other  provisions  for  this  nocturnal  exploit,  the  sur- 
geons prepared  two  thousand  bandages  for  broken  limbs  and 
other  dangerous  wounds.  The  sight  of  these  suggestive 
preparations  did  not  in  the  least  dampen  the  ardor  of  the 
troops,  who  looked  forward  to  the  coming  engagement  with- 
out a  shadow  of  apprehension  as  to  its  success.  J 

To  divert  the  attention  of  General  Howe  from  his  real 
design,  Washington  opened  a  heavy  cannonade  upon  the 
town  on  the  night  of  the  2d  of  March,  from  batteries 
that  had  been  erected  upon  Cobble  Hill,  Lechmere  Point, 
and  Roxbury.  This  firing  was  kept  up  all  that  night  and 
the  two  succeeding  ones.  The  cannon,  mortars  and  howit- 
zers had  many  of  them  been  taken  by  the  enterprise  of 
Connecticut  at  Ticonderoga  and  Crowai  Point,  and  brought 
over  while  the  lakes  were  frozen,  to  speak  their  first  notes 
in  behalf  of  American  liberty.  Shells,  too,  and  shot,  had 
been  furnished  from  his  majesty's  store  and  ordnance  brig 
at  New  York,  in  such  quantities  that  the  British  were  aston- 
ished at  the  din  that  seemed  to  indicate  that  the  rebels  were 
provided  with  inexhaustible  supplies  of  ammunition.  On 
the  night  of  the  4th  of  March,  the  cannon  and  mortars 
opened  furiously  upon  the  town,  and  were  answered  by  the 
shot  and  shells  from  the  British  batteries. § 

*  Gordon,  ii.  25.  fBotta,  i.  315.  $  Gordon.  §See  Botta,  i.  315  ; 

Gordon,  ii.  26. 


252  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

A  covering  party  of  eight  hundred  men  now  moved  for- 
ward ;  next  followed  ox-carts  loaded  with  intrenching  tools, 
and  then  the  main  body  of  working  men  to  the  number  of 
twelve  hundred,  under  the  immediate  command  of  General 
Thomas  ;  next  in  order  came  a  second  train  of  carts  to  the 
number  of  three  hundred,  piled  high  with  fascines  and 
bundles  of  pressed  hay,  each  weighing  about  eight  hundred 
pounds.  These  last  were  placed  on  the  low  ground  of  Dor- 
chester neck,  on  the  side  next  to  the  enemy,  as  a  protection 
for  the  troops  in  passing  over  it.  As  the  plan  had  been 
matured  under  the  calm  eye  of  Washington,  and  had 
received  all  the  impetus  that  could  be  imparted  to  it  by 
such  men  as  Putnam,  Thomas,  and  Spencer,  its  execution 
exhibited  the  combined  elements  of  regularity  and  force  in 
equal  perfection.* 

The  silent  celerity  of  the  party  affords  a  striking  contrast 
to  the  booming  guns  that  are  now  discharged  with  redoubled 
violence,  and  the  shells  that  seem,  at  irregular  intervals,  to 
set  the  very  heavens  on  fire  as  they  burst  and  drop  their 
harsh  fragments  upon  the  gray  ice  or  hollow  ground.  As 
soon  as  the  covering  party  came  upon  the  ground,  it  divi- 
ded— half  of  the  men  advancing  to  that  point  nearest  to 
Boston,  and  the  other  half  to  that  next  to  the  castle.  The 
roads  were  well  crusted  over  by  the  continued  action  of  the 
frost,  and  the  teamsters  with  their  long  whips  and  urgent 
whispers  plied  their  oxen  with  such  success,  that  many  of 
them  made  three  trips,  and  some  four,  during  the 
night.  The  wind  favored  the  intrenching  party  so  much, 
that  whatever  noise  was  made  in  driving  the  stakes,  and 
breaking  through  the  crusts  of  the  ground,  was  blown  into 
the  harbor,  between  the  castle  and  the  town.  The  old 
engineer,  Gridley,  who  had  laid  out  the  redoubt  on  Breed's 
Hill,  superintended  the  works,  and  it  is  needless  to  say,  that 
they  were  placed  in  the  right  spot  to  annoy  both  town  and 
castle.     By  10  o'clock  at  night  the  two  parties  had  erected 

*  Gordon,  ii.  26  ;  Botta,  i.  316. 


[1776.]  ASTONISHMENT   OF   GENERAL  HOWE.  253 

each  a  fort,  that  afforded  a  perfect  screen  against  musket 
balls  and  grape  shot.* 

The  night  was  warm  and  mild,  and  they  kept  on  working 
merrily  till  three  in  the  morning,  when  they  were  relieved. 
Throughout  the  whole  of  that  night  a  soft  moonlight  shone 
mildly  in  the  faces  of  the  intrenching  party,  while  a  thick 
haze  clinging  around  the  shoulders  of  the  heights  and  inter- 
posing its  dun  masses  between  them  and  the  town,  hid  their 
summits  from  the  sight  of  the  British  sentinels  and  officers 
looking  out  from  their  posts  of  observation,  in  confused 
bewilderment,  at  the  sound  of  so  many  guns  and  the  burst- 
ing of  the  shells. 

It  was  not  until  after  day-break  that  General  Howe  was 
made  aware  of  the  change  that  had  been  effected  during  the 
night.  As  he  looked  up  at  the  forts  through  the  skirts  of  the 
fog  that  w^as  now  fast  melting  into  thin  air,  they  seemed  to  be 
much  larger  than  they  really  were.  It  is  not  surprising  that 
those  castles  in  the  air  filled  him  with  astonishment,  and  that 
he  exclaimed  in  his  perplexity,  "  I  know  not  what  I  shall  do  ; 
the  rebels  have  done  more  in  one  night  than  my  whole 
army  w^ould  have  done  in  months  ;"f  nor  that  in  his  cooler 
moments  he  wrote  to  Lord  Dartmouth, — "  It  must  have 
been  the  employment  of  at  least  twelve  thousand  men." 
His  officers  saw  the  work  through  the  same  misty  medium, 
as  one  of  them  expressed  himself  in  a  letter  to  a  friend, — 
"  They  were  raised  with  an  expedition  equal  to  that  of  the 
Genii  belonging  to  Aladdin's  wonderful  Lamp. "J  But  after 
all,  whether  seen  in  the  haze  of  morning,  or  in  the  light  of 
noon,  it  was  obvious  that  they  were  likely  to  prove  trouble- 
some to  the  town  ;  and  what  was  worse.  Admiral  Shuldham 
was  not  backward  in  expressing  a  decided  opinion  that  the 
fleet  must  quit  the  harbor,  or  the  Americans  must  be  driven 
from  the  heights. 

Such  a  military  leader  as  General  Howe  could  not  hesitate 
a  moment  what  course  to  pursue.     He  knew  what  was  expect- 

*  Gordon,  ii.  26,  27.         t  Gordon,  ii.  27.         t  Frotbingham,  295. 


254  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

ed  of  him  by  the  British  Government,  and  resolved  not  to  dis- 
appoint the  hopes  of  the  ministry.  Besides,  he  had  much 
of  personal  honor  and  character  at  stake,  and  he  vv^as  one 
of  those  heroic  natures  that  prefer  death  to  disgrace.  With 
such  an  army  as  he  had  under  his  command,  v^^ith  such  a 
train  of  artillery,  and  after  all  his  written  assurances  of  the 
v^^eakness  of  the  enemy,  to  be  driven  by  them  from  his 
winter-quarters,  would  be  mortifying  beyond  endurance. 
He  determined,  therefore,  to  attack  the  new  forts  with  a 
force  adequate  to  drive  the  Americans  from  them.  He 
ordered  two  thousand  four  hundred  men  to  embark  in 
transports,  repair  to  castle  William,  and  at  night  make  an 
attack  upon  the  works.  These  were  the  best  men  in  the 
army,  and  were  committed  to  the  charge  of  Earl  Percy,  the 
very  pattern  and  mirror  of  chivalry."^ 

Washington  had  made  his  arrangements  with  the  precis- 
ion that  marked  all  his  movements.  Boston  is  so  placed  at 
the  foot  of  high  hills  and  commanding  ridges,  that  he  could 
see  every  step  taken  by  the  British  in  the  camp,  in  the 
batteries,  and  upon  the  wharves.  He  had  also  established 
between  Cambridge  and  Roxbury,  signals  upon  the  eminen- 
ces, by  means  of  which  he  could  instantly  convey  intelli- 
gence from  Dorchester  Heights  to  Roxbury,  and  from  Rox- 
bury to  Cambridge.  It  had  been  arranged  that  in  case  a 
detachment  of  the  enemy  should  leave  Boston  for  the 
intrenchments  and  be  defeated,  as  they  inevitably  must  have 
been,  the  tidings  should  be  instantly  sent  to  Cambridge, 
where  General  Putnam,  with  four  thousand  choice  troops, 
arranged  in  two  divisions  under  Sullivan  and  Greene,  was  to 
be  in  readiness  to  embark  in  boats  near  the  mouth  of  Charles 
river,  and  under  cover  of  three  floating  batteries,  make  an 
attack  upon  Boston.  The  first  of  these  divisions  was  to 
land  at  the  powder-house  and  get  possession  of  Beacon  Hill, 
while  Greene  was  to  land  near  Barton's  Point,  secure  that 
post,  and  then  joining  Sullivan,  break  down  the  gates  and  let 

*Frothingham,  299  ;  Botta,  i.  317. 


1776.]  PREPARATIONS  FOR  AN  ATTACK.  255 

in  the  troops  from  Roxbury.*  The  inhabitants  of  the 
neighborhood  now  began  to  assemble  on  the  tops  of  the 
hills,  as  they  had  done  on  the  morning  of  the  17th  of 
June.f 

Washington  was  in  high  spirits  at  the  admirable  work- 
ing of  his  plan,  and,  elated  with  the  prospect  of  an  imme- 
diate engagement,  went  himself  to  Dorchester  Heights, 
and  inspected  the  works.  He  found  them  already  in  a  state 
of  formidable  completeness.  The  sides  of  the  hills  were 
very  steep,  making  the  ascent  difficult,  and  rows  of 
barrels  filled  with  earth  were  placed  in  front  of  the  works, 
secured  by  small  stones  and  ready  to  be  rolled  down  upon 
the  advancing  columns  of  the  enemy.J 

Meanwhile,  Earl  Percy' s  detachment  advanced  to  the 
landing  place,  where  the  transports  awaited  them.  They 
are  observed  to  look  pale  and  dejected,  and  a  man  in  front 
of  whose  door  they  are  drawn  up,  hears  them  muttering  to 
each  other,  as  they  look  up  towards  the  heights,  "  It  will  be 
another  Bunker  Hill  affair,  or  worse."  As  they  get  into  the 
boats,  the  Americans,  not  doubting  but  they  intend  to  make 
an  immediate  attack,  clap  their  hands  with  eager  joy,  while 
Washington,  with  a  face  suddenly  transformed  from  the 
expression  of  grave  earnestness  that  had  before  marked  his 
demeanor,  to  that  of  a  fierce  and  terrible  avenger,  cried  out 
in  a  voice  that  rang  like  a  silver  bugle  along  the  American 
lines,  "  Remember — it  is  the  fifth  of  March — and  avenge  the 
death  of  your  brethren!"  The  effect  of  this  speech  was 
tremendous,  as  those  transitions  always  were  by  which  this 
wonderful  man  passed  on  such  occasions  in  an  instant  from 
one  mood  to  another  so  totally  different. § 

Putnam  had  already  drawn  up  his  men  in  battle  order, 
and  with  the  small  stock  of  patience  that  he  could  command, 
awaited  the  signal  from  Cambridge  that  was  to  bring  him 

*  General  Heath  was  offered  the  command  of  one  of  these  divisions,  but  de- 
clined it  ;  "and  remained,"  says  Gordon,  "  in  perfect  safety  with  the  troops  left 
in  Cambridge," 

t  Gordon.         $Botta,  i.  317.         §  See  Gordon,  Botta,  Frothingham. 


256  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

with  his  four  thousand  men  to  a  point  where  he  could  exhibit 
to  British  regulars  the  efficiency  of  American  marksmen, 
when  provided  with  that  gift  of  the  gods  that  he  had  so  ear- 
nestly prayed  for  during  the  early  part  of  the  winter — -an 
abundance  of  "powder/'  But  he,  as  well  as  his  superior 
officers,  was  doomed  to  disappointment.  In  the  afternoon, 
the  wind  blew  so  violently  that  the  transports  could  not  be 
brought  near  the  shore,  and  the  boats  could  not  have  lived  a 
moment  in  the  surf  that  rolled  against  the  rocks  where  they 
proposed  to  land.  Three  of  the  transports  were  driven 
ashore.  A  storm  succeeded  that  night,  such  as  had  not  been 
known  to  rage  on  the  coast  for  years  ;  and  towards  the 
morning  it  began  to  rain  with  great  violence.* 

On  the  6th,  General  Howe  called  a  council  of  war,  and  it 
was  soon  agreed  that  there  was  now  left  to  the  army  no 
other  course  than  to  evacuate  the  town  as  speedily  as  possi- 
ble. General  Howe  advised  to  the  measure,  and  made  a 
speech  to  the  council  in  favor  of  it,  as  the  only  means  now 
left  to  them  of  saving  the  fleet  and  army. 

The  morning  of  the  7th  opened  with  hurry  and  prepara- 
tion. This  bustle  was  not  confined  to  the  troops.  The 
tories  shared  in  it,  and  were  as  little  anxious  to  quit  the  warm 
nest  where  they  had  spent  the  winter,  as  the  troops  them- 
selves. They  had  a  great  deal  of  baggage  to  carry  with 
them,  and  there  were  so  many  in  the  town  that  General 
Howe  found  he  had  not  vessels  enough  to  accommodate  all 
his  passengers. f 

On  the  8th  a  flag  was  sent  out  from  the  selectmen  to 
General  Washington,  informing  him  that  General  Howe  was 
about  to  depart,  and  that  he  was  disposed  to  leave  the  town 
standing,  if  he  could  be  assured  that  the  American  army 
would  not  interrupt  him  while  he  was  making  ready  to 
embark.  Washington  received  the  deputation  with  kindness, 
but  refused  to  make  any  pledges,  though  he  expressed  friend- 
ly feelings  towards   the  inhabitants  of  Boston.     The  news 

*  "  Siege  of  Boston,"  p.  300.         t  Gordon,  ii.  29. 


[1776.]        HOWE   PREPAEES  TO   EVACUATE   BOSTON.  257 

that  Howe  had  determined  to  evacuate  Boston,  fell  heavily 
upon  the  hearts  of  the  tories.  "  Not  the  last  trump,"  wrote 
Washington,  in  his  nervous,  strong  style,  "  could  have  struck 
them  with  greater  consternation."* 

The  British  ships  now  gathered  around  the  town  in  hostile 
array,  threatening  to  destroy  it  should  any  demonstration  be 
made  from  the  American  forts.  Washington,  on  the  9th, 
went  forward  to  Bird's  Hill,  and  erected  a  new  battery  that 
was  in  fearful  proximity  to  the  British  ships.  On  the  night 
of  the  9th,  a  detachment  was  sent  to  throw  up  works  on 
Nook's  Hill.  This  so  alarmed  General  Howe  that  he  opened 
a  heavy  cannonade  upon  it,  which  was  kept  up  all  night.f 
In  the  morning,  he  began  to  hasten  his  preparations  for  de- 
parture. Then  followed  for  several  days,  in  defiance  of  his 
orders,  a  series  of  robberies  and  plunderings  under  the  super- 
intendence of  a  New  York  tory,J  that  did  more  than  any 
thing  before  had  done  toward  informing  the  citizens  which 
party  were  their  real  friends.  All  this  time,  Washington 
was  in  doubt  whether  the  British  General  really  intended  to 
quit  the  town.  On  the  night  of  the  13th,  he  called  a  coun- 
cil of  war  at  Roxbury,  where  he  met  Ward,  Putnam,  Thomas, 
Sullivan,  Heath,  Greene,  and  Gates.  It  was  resolved  that  if 
Boston  was  not  evacuated  the  next  day,  to  fortify  Nook's 
Hill  on  the  following  night.  It  w^as  also  determined  that  the 
rifle  battalion  and  five  regiments  should  march  the  next  day 
for  New  York.  These  regiments  were  under  command  of 
Stark,  Webb,  Patterson,  Greaton,  and  Bond.§ 

On  the  night  of  the  16th,  Washington  sent  an  intrenching 
party  to  Nook's  Hill,  that  began  in  good  earnest  to  fortify  it. 
The  British  ships  opened  upon  them  and  kept  up  a  continued 
fire  all  night.     The  Americans  did  not  return  it,  but  kept  on 

*  Frothingham,  301,  302.  The  British  general  seemed  to  have  a  special 
regard  for  the  royalists,  whose  hospitality  he  had  so  often  shared,  and  now  he 
sought  to  reciprocate  their  favors  in  various  ways. 

t  Frothingham,  305.  "  More  than  eight  hundred  shot  were  fired  during  the 
night.  Five  Americans  were  killed,  and  the  works  at  Nook's  Hill  were  sus- 
pended." 

+  Crean  Brush,  Esq.         §  "  Siege  of  Boston,"  p.  309. 

49 


258  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

with  their  work.  This  resolute  step  brought  matters  to  a 
crisis.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  17th  General  Howe 
began  to  embark  his  army.  At  9  o'clock  the  garrison  left 
Bunker  Hill,  and  the  British  and  tories  began  to  swarm  upon 
the  wharves.  The  troops  stationed  at  Cambridge  and  Rox- 
bury  now  paraded.  General  Putnam  at  the  head  of  several 
regiments  soon  after  embarked  in  boats  on  Charles  river,  and 
joyfully  took  possession  of  Bunker  Hill.  He  ordered  another 
detachment  into  Boston,  while  the  rest  of  the  troops  marched 
back  to  Cambridge.* 

Meanwhile,  General  Ward,  with  five  hundred  men  under 
the  immediate  command  of  Colonel  Learned,  entered  the 
tov/n  from  the  Roxbury  side.  The  command  of  the  whole 
was  assigned  to  General  Putnam,  who  proceeded  to  take 
possession  of  all  the  posts  and  strongholds  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, in  the  name  of  "  The  Thirteen  United  Colonies  of 
North  America."t  More  than  one  thousand  tories,  includ- 
ing members  of  the  council,  custom-house  officers,  commis- 
sioners, and  all  the  other  parasites  that  climb  around  the 
columns  of  provincial  dominion,  together  with  the  British 
commander-in-chief  and  his  baffled  army  of  eleven  thousand 
veteran  troops,  witnessed  from  the  decks  of  their  ships  this 
spectacle,  so  mortifying  to  them,  but  so  glorious  to  the  thou- 
sands who  looked  down  from  the  neighboring  hills,  and  rent 
the  sky  with  the  charmed  word,  "  Liberty." 

*  FrotMngham.        t  Frothingham,  310. 


CHAPTER   XI. 


BATTLE   ON   LONG   ISLAND. 


As  a  part  of  the  hostile  fleet  Ungered  for  some  ten  days 
in  Nantasket  Roads,  about  nine  miles  below  Boston,  Wash- 
ington still  remained  there  with  the  main  body  of  his  army. 
It  was  not  until  the  last  vestige  of  the  enemy  had  disappear- 
ed, that  he  deemed  it  safe  to  spare  Putnam  from  the  camp, 
where  he  still  proposed  to  remain  for  awhile,  until  he  could 
perfect  a  plan  of  operations  for  the  opening  campaign.  It 
was  now  obvious  that  the  enemy  were  bound  for  New  York, 
where  General  Heath,  who  had  been  dispatched  by  the  way 
of  Norwich,  with  the  whole  body  of  riflemen  and  five  bat- 
talions of  the  continental  army,  had  already  arrived.  It  was 
of  course  necessary,  after  leaving  a  suitable  garrison  at 
Boston  to  complete  the  works  that  had  been  begun 
there  and  to  protect  the  place,  that  the  main  body  of  the 
army  should  be  sent  forward  to  New  York  as  speedily  as  it 
could  be  done  without  confusion,  in  order  that  the  works 
which  had  been  abandoned  by  General  Lee  might  be  finish- 
ed, and  preparations  made  upon  a  scale  adequate  to  repel 
the  invasion  of  the  enemy.  On  the  29th  of  March,  there- 
fore, Washington  ordered  General  Sullivan  with  six  battal- 
ions to  begin  their  march  for  this  new  field  of  operations. 
Provisions  were  also  made  that  the  rest  of  the  army  should 
follow  in  divisions,  at  such  intervals  as  would  be  found 
most  convenient  to  provide  accommodations  for  them  on 
their  march.  On  the  same  day,  he  gave  General  Putnam 
written  instructions  to  hasten  to  New  York,  take  the  com- 
mand of  the  army  there,  and  superintend  the  completion  of 
the  works.  He  was  ordered  to  fortify  the  city,  and  secure 
•"the  passes  of  the   East  and  North  rivers."*     The  confi- 

*  Humphreys,  p.  102,  103. 


260  HISTORY   OF  CONNECTICUT. 

dence  reposed  in  the  bravery  and  skill  of  Putnam  by  the 
commander-in-chief,  and  the  deep  affectionate  interest  that 
he  felt  in  him,  is  beautifully  exhibited  in  the  following  con- 
cise yet  delicate  paragraphs  : 

"  Your  long  service  and  experience  will,  better  than  my 
particular  directions  at  this  distance,  point  out  to  you  the 
works  most  proper  to  be  first  raised ;  and  your  perseverance, 
activity  and  zeal  will  lead  you,  without  my  recom- 
mending it,  to  exert  every  nerve  to  disappoint  the  enemy's 
designs. 

"Devoutly  praying  that  the  Power  which  has  hitherto 
sustained  the  American  arms,  may  continue  to  bless  them 
with  the  divine  protection,  I  bid  you  Farewell."^ 

Thus  invested  with  the  most  important  charge  in  the  con- 
tinental army,  Putnam,  by  those  long  forced  stages  of  his,  in 
which  he  surpassed  all  other  military  leaders  of  that  day, 
hastened  to  his  destination.  He  found  everything  in  New 
York  in  a  state  of  disorder.  Although  the  war  had  already 
raged  for  nearly  a  year,  yet  the  British  ships  found  no 
difficulty  in  supplying  themselves  from  the  town  with  an 
abundance  of  fresh  water  and  provisions. 

Scarcely  had  Putnam  arrived  there,  when  he  resolved  to 
put  an  end  to  this  intercourse.  With  this  view  he  published 
the  following  prohibition  : 

"  Head  Quarters,  New  York,  April  8,  1776 
"  The  General  informs  the  inhabitants,  that  it  is  become 
absolutely  necessary  that  all  communication  between  the 
ministerial  fleet  and  the  shore  should  be  immediately  stop- 
ped ;  for  that  purpose  he  has  given  positive  orders,  that  the 
ships  should  no  longer  be  furnished  with  provisions.  Any 
inhabitants,  or  others,  who  shall  be  taken,  that  have  been  on 
board,  after  the  publishing  this  order,  or  near  any  of  the 
ships,  or  going  on  board,  will  be  considered  as  enemies,  and 
treated  accordingly. 

"All  boats  are  to  sail  from  Beekman  slip.    Captain  James 

*  Humphreys' Life  of  Putnam,  p.  104. 


[1776.]  PUTNA:^!   and   SPENCER   IN  NEW  YORK.  261 

Alner  is  appointed  inspector,  and  will  give  permits  to  oyster- 
men.     It  is  ordered  and  expected  that  none  attempt  going 

without  a  pass. 

"Israel  Putnam, 

"  Major-General  in  the  Continental  Army, 

and  Commander-in-chief  of  the  forces  in  New  York."* 

It  was  soon  evident  that  a  living  soul  had  at  last  been 
breathed  into  the  army  at  New  York.  Almost  at  the  same 
instant,  Putnam  forwarded  a  detachment  of  one  thousand 
continental  troops  to  occupy  Governor's  Island,  a  regiment 
to  fortify  Red  Hook,  and  several  companies  of  riflemen  to 
protect  the  Jersey  shore.  The  enemy  soon  found  that  it 
was  impossible  for  them  to  go  ashore  for  food  and  water. 
Of  two  boats  that  made  the  attempt  to  get  fresh  water,  one 
was  driven  off  the  shore  by  the  riflemen,  with  two  or 
three  men  killed,  and  the  other  was  captured  with  its  whole 
crew. 

Within  a  very  few  days  Captain  Vanderput,  the  senior 
officer  of  the  ships  stationed  there,  and  who  had  immediate 
command  of  the  Asia,  (whose  cabin  was  for  a  long  time,  the 
state  saloon  of  His  Excellency,  Governor  Tryon,)  finding  it 
impossible  to  submit  to  the  scanty  accommodations  allowed 
him  by  Putnam,  weighed  anchor  and  sailed  off*  with  the 
whole  fleet  in  disgust,  so  that  when  Washington  arrived, 
about  the  middle  of  April,  not  a  British  sail  was  to  be  seen 
in  the  waters  that  surrounded  New  York.  In  the  most 
hearty  terms  Washington  thanked  him  for  his  promptness 
and  fidelity.  He  was  ordered  to  take  the  chief  agency  as 
before  of  the  fortifications,  and  with  the  assistance  of  Briga- 
dier-General Spencer,  of  Connecticut,  and  Lord  Sterling,  of 
New  Jersey,  to  assign  to  the  different  corps  of  the  main 
army  all  the  alarm  posts.'[ 

While  Connecticut  is  thus  represented  in  a  neighboring 
province  by  Putnam,  Spencer,  and  others  of  her  brave  sons, 
who  are  seen  to  play  a  chief  part  that  still  hallows  the  envi- 

*  Humphreys,  105.         tFrothingham. 


262  HISTORY   OF  CO]S"KECTICUT. 

rons  of  New  York  with  so  many  associations,  let  us  cast  a 
glance  at  the  deliberations  of  her  statesmen  and  councilors 
in  the  executive  chamber  and  legislative  halls. 

On  the  14th  of  June,  Governor  Trumbull  convoked  by  his 
special  order,  "a  General  Assembly  of  the  Governor  and 
company  of  the  English  Colony  of  Connecticut,  in  New  Eng- 
land, in  America."  The  records  of  the  session  open  with  a 
preamble  that  is  so  characteristic  of  our  people,  and  such  a 
fine  specimen  of  the  composition  of  the  greatest  of  all  the 
colonial  governors  of  that  era,  that  I  cannot  forbear  making 
an  extract  from  it  in  this  place.  After  reciting  the  fact  that 
we  have  an  existence  and  rights  that  are  beyond  the  reach 
of  any  earthly  power,  and  alluding  to  the  attempt  of  the 
British  government  to  deprive  us  of  them,  the  record  pro- 
ceeds in  the  following  terms  : 

"  After  a  series  of  accumulated  wrong  and  injury,  [they] 
have  proceeded  to  invade  said  colonies  with  fleets  and 
armies,  to  destroy  our  towns,  shed  the  blood  of  our  country- 
men, and  involve  us  in  the  calamities  incident  to  war  ;  and 
are  endeavoring  to  reduce  us  to  an  abject  surrender  of  our 
natural  and  stipulated  rights,  and  subject  our  property  to  the 
most  precarious  dependence  on  their  arbitrary  will  and 
pleasure,  and  our  persons  to  slavery  ;  and  at  length  have 
declared  us  out  of  the  king's  protection,  have  engaged  for- 
eign mercenaries  against  us,  and  are  evidently  and  strenu- 
ously seeking  our  ruin  and  destruction.  These  and  many 
other  transactions,  too  well  known  to  need  enumeration, 
the  painful  experience  and  effects  of  which  we  have  suffered 
and  feel,  make  it  evident,  beyond  the  possibility  of  a  doubt, 
that  we  have  nothing  to  hope  from  the  justice,  humanity,  or 
temperate  council  of  the  British  King  or  his  Parliament, 
and  that  all  hopes  of  a  reconciliation  upon  just  and  equal 
terms  are  delusory  and  vain."^ 

The  reader  will  observe  that  in  all  former  records,  the 
popular  indignation  has  been  expended  upon  the  other 
branches  of  the  government,  while  the  king  has  been  spoken 

*  Hinman's  Revolution,  94. 


[1776.]  DECLARATION   OF   INDEPENDENCE.  263 

of  in  the  most  loyal  and  kindly  terms.  But  now  no 
exception  is  made  in  favor  of  royalty. 

The  following  invocation  found  in  the  same  connection, 
will  show  what  power  they  intended  should  be  forever  after 
the  only  object  of  their  homage  and  adoration  : 

"Appealing  to  that  God  who  knows  the  secrets  of  all 
hearts,  for  the  sincerity  of  former  declarations  of  our  desire 
to  preserve  our  ancient  and  constitutional  relation  to  that 
nation,  and  protesting  solemnly  against  their  oppression  and 
injustice,  which  have  driven  us  from  them  and  compelled  us 
to  use  such  means  as  God  in  his  providence  hath  put  in  our 
power  for  our  necessary  defense  and  preservation  : 

"Resolved,  unanimously,  by  this  Assembly,  that  the  dele- 
gates of  this  colony  in  General  Congress,  be  and  they  are 
hereby  instructed  to  propose  to  that  respectable  body  to 
declare  the  United  American  Colonies  Free  and  Independ- 
ent States,  absolved  from  all  allegiance  to  the  King  of  Great 
Britain,  and  to  give  the  assent  of  this  colony  to  such 
declarations."* 

Thus  did  the  colony  for  the  first  time  discard  the  maxim 
of  the  British  constitution,  that  the  king  can  do  no  wrong ; 
and  while  the  members  of  the  Assembly  were,  without  a 
dissenting  vote,  promulgating  these  sentiments  to  the  world, 
the  Committee  of  Congress,  composed  of  Thomas  Jefferson, 
John  Adams,  Benjamin  Franklin,  Roger  Sherman,  and  Robert 
R.  Livingston,  were  engaged  in  preparing  the  form  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  to  which,  on  the  4th  of  July, 
were  set  the  signatures  of  Roger  Sherman,  Samuel  Hunt- 
ington, William  WiUiams,  and  Oliver  Wolcott — names  that 
will  be  household  words  in  every  family  in  the  state,  as  long 
as  the  principles  of  1776  shall  survive  in  the  hearts  of  the 
people. 

There  is  an  incident  connected  with  Litchfield,  that  is 
worthy  of  notice  here,  as  it  illustrates  the  character  of  our 
people,  and  the  part  that  the  mothers  and  daughters  of  that 
generation,  played  in  the  drama  of  the  Revolution. 

*Hinman,  94,95. 


264  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

General  Wolcott,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  and  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
was  a  resident  of  Litchfield,  and  spent  his  congressional 
vacations  at  home  in  answering  the  demands  made  for  troops 
upon  the  north-western  part  of  the  state,  by  Washington, 
Putnam,  and  Gates. 

On  the  21st  of  August,  1770,  the  birth-day  of  Prince 
Frederick,  the  father  of  George  the  third,  an  equestrian 
statue  of  his  majesty  was  erected  in  New  York,  on  the 
Bowling-Green,  near  Fort  George.  The  statue  was  made 
principally  of  lead,  but  was  the  work  of  Wilton,  a  celebrated 
statuary  of  London,  and  was  very  elegant  and  richly  gilded, 
so  that  it  had  the  appearance  of  being  solid  gold.  The  cere- 
mony of  its  erection  was  the  occasion  of  much  festivity  in 
New  York.  The  king's  council,  the  city  corporation,  the 
chamber  of  commerce,  and  the  marine  society,  as  well  as 
the  gentlemen  of  the  city  and  army,  paid  their  respects  to 
Lieutenant-Governor  Colden  at  the  fort,  by  special  invita- 
tion, and  drank  the  ''hinges  health"  under  the  inspiring  influ- 
ences of  music,  and  the  discharge  of  thirty-two  pieces  of 
cannon  from  the  Battery.  No  doubt,  after  the  fifth  bumper, 
these  gentlemen  were  loyal  enough  to  have  drank  immortality 
to  the  statue,  as  well  as  to  the  king.  But  sad  as  the  reflection 
may  be,  it  is  none  the  less  true,  that,  although  by  the  theory 
of  the  British  constitution  the  king  never  dies,  yet  the  works 
of  men's  hands  are  perishable,  and  the  features  of  royalty 
fade  even  from  brass  and  iron,  to  say  nothing  of  the  more 
impressible  metals  that  may  sometimes,  with  more  propriety, 
represent  sceptred  sovereignty.  The  eighteenth  century 
w^as  remarkable  for  its  desire  to  look  beneath  the  surfaces  of 
things,  and  appears,  not  long  after  the  statue  was  placed,  to 
have  begun,  even  in  New  York,  to  make  a  very  irreverent 
application  of  the  maxim,  "  all  is  not  gold  that  glitters."  It 
is  quite  likely  that  one  of  the  very  first  experiments  was 
made  upon  this  statue,  and  that  the  qualities  of  the  metal 
were  tested,  in  the  year  1773,  with  that  corosive  acid  first 
discovered  in  Connecticut,  and  afterwards  constantly  carried 


[1776.]  HIS   majesty's   STATUE   OVERTHROWN.  265 

in  the  pockets  of  those  peripatetic  philosophers,  called  "  Sons 
OF  Liberty."  Had  it  not  been  so,  it  is  not  likely  that  we 
should  find,  under  date  of  the  6th  of  February,  of  that  year, 
an  act  entitled  an  act  "  to  prevent  the  defacing  of  statues, 
which  are  erected  in  the  city  of  New  York." 

Under  the  protection  of  this  statute,  the  equestrian  king, 
with  the  exception  of  the  ordinary  wear  of  time,  seems  to 
have  continued  to  bestride  his  charger,  and  to  have  met  the 
morning  sun  with  a  countenance  equally  golden,  until  the 
year  1776. 

On  the  night  of  the  eleventh  of  July,  seven  days  after  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  had  been  given  to  the  world, 
the  "  Sons  of  Liberty"  paid  his  majesty  a  visit  in  good 
earnest.  They  treated  him  with  a  shocking  familiarity.  A 
gentleman  who  stood  near  enough  to  witness  the  interview, 
after  the  party  in  attendance  had  assisted  the  king  to  alight, 
could  not  forbear  exclaiming  in  the  words  of  the  Angel  to 
Lucifer : 

"  If  tlaou  be'st  he — but  ah  !  how  fallen,  how  changed  !" 

What  they  did  with  the  king,  where  they  carried  him,  and 
what  was  the  fate  of  one,  who,  by  the  laws  of  the  country 
that  he  governed,  could  not  be  allowed  to  die,  was  for  a  long 
time  a  mystery.  The  next  morning  the  pedestal  was  in  its 
old  place,  but  the  horse  and  his  rider  were  gone.  In  vain 
might  the  loyal  British  governor  search  for  them,  and  in  vain 
might  the  tories  of  the  city  shed  tears,  as  they  looked  the 
town  and  country  over  to  restore  to  its  place  the  presiding 
genius  of  the  Battery.  That  benignant  face  never  beamed 
upon  them  again. 

Meanwhile,  not  like  Cardinal  Wolsey,  by  easy  stages,  but 
rather  like  General  Putnam,  by  forced  marches,  and  doubtless 
under  cover  of  darkness,  the  monarch  was  led  away  into 
Connecticut.  He  was  taken  far  inland  over  a  rough  country, 
and  made  to  climb  high  hills.  They  finally  committed  him 
to  the  care  of  General  Wolcott,  who  was  probably  at  home, 
and  ready  to  receive  his  kingly  guest  with  his  usual  courtly 
hospitality,  not  long  after  the  eleventh  of  July. 


266  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

The  fate  of  the  statue  is  briefly  told.  General  Wolcott 
treated  its  ponderous  masses  as  military  stores.  He  caused 
a  shed  to  be  built  for  the  broken  statue  in  the  apple  orchard 
near  his  house,  and  chopped  it  up  with  an  axe  into  pieces 
of  a  convenient  size  to  be  melted  into  bullets,  that  the  king's 
troops,  in  the  words  of  Mr.  Hazard,  might  "have  melted 
majesty  fired  at  them."  The  account  current,  that  will  be 
found  in  the  subjoined  note,*  is  full  of  meaning,  and  will 

*  This  account  is  in  the  handwriting  of  Governoi*  Wolcott,  and  is  as  follows  : 

"  Mrs.  Marvin, 3456  cartridges. 

"         "       on  former  account, 2G02 

6058 

Ruth  Marvin  on  former  account, , 6204 

Not  sent  to  court  house,  449  packs, 5388 

11,592 

Laura,  on  former  account, 4250 

Not  sent  to  court  house,  344  packs, 4128 

8378 

Mary  Ann,  on  former  account, 5762 

Not  sent  to  the  court  house  119  packs,  out  of  which 

I  let  Colonel  Parley  Howe  have  3  packs, 5028 

10,790 

Frederick,  on  former  account, 708 

Not  sent  to  court  house,  19  packs, 228 

936 

37,754 

Mrs.  Beach's  two  accounts, 2002 

Made  by  sundry  persons, 2182 

Gave  Litchfield  militia,  on  alarm, 50 

Let  the  regiment  of  Col.  Wigglesworth  have 300 

Cartridges,  No 42,288 

Overcharged  in  Mrs.  Beach's  account, 200 

42,088 

On  the  back  of  this  account  is  written  in  the  same  handwriting,  this  brief 
explanation.     "  An  account  of  the  number  of  cartridges  made." 

The  following  additional  memorandum,  is  in  the  handwriting  of  his  son,  the 
last  Governor  Wolcott. 

"  N.  B.  An  equestrian  statue  of  George  the  Third  of  Great  Britain,  was 
erected  in  the  city  of  New  York  on  the  Bowling  Green,  at  the  lower  end  of 
Broadway;  most  of  the  materials  were  lead,  but  richly  gilded  to  resemble  gold. 


[1776.]  MELTING  THE   STATUE.  267 

possess,  for  those  who  know  the  characteristics  of  the  families 
represented  in  it,  the  Kvely  features  of  a  picture.  It  illustrates 
what  has  been  said  in  the  first  volume  of  this  work,  that  our 
Wolcotts,  both  male  and  female,  were  always  ready  to  labor 
with  their  hands  whenever  the  situation  of  the  country  and 
the  public  good  seemed  to  call  for  their  services.  With  the 
aid  of  this  little  account,  we  are  able  to  take  a  peep  into  the 
family  mansion  of  the  first  Oliver  Wolcott,  during  one  of 
those  social  gatherings,  in  the  winter  of  1776-'7.  By  the 
inspiring  warmth  of  a  hickory  fire,  we  can  see  the  sly  looks 
of  the  fair  young  ladies,  and  the  approving  smile  of  the  elder 
ones,  as  that  handsome  iconoclast,  Frederick,  places  the  ladle 
upon  the  live  coals,  piled  high  with  fragments  of  ihe  statue. 
Mrs.  Marvin,  Mrs.  Beach,  Miss  Laura  Wolcott,  Miss  Mary 
Ann  Wolcott,  and  Miss  Ruth  Marvin,  must  have  made  some 
unloyal  witticisms  at  the  expense  of  the  late  king,  as  they 
saw  a  dissolving  view^  of  an  eye,  an  ear,  or  a  nose,  that  was 
about  to  assume  a  globular  form  and  be  put  at  last  in  the  way 
of  being  useful.  Forty-two  thousand  and  eighty-eight  bullets, 
in  times  when  lead  was  dear,  and  not  easily  to  be  had  at  any 
price,  made  no  insignificant  accession  to  the  resources  of  the 
continental  army.  They  were  carefully  distributed  and 
faithfully  expended.  Some  of  them  were  committed  to  the 
keeping  of  Colonel  Wigglesworth ;  others  must  have  aided 
Putnam  in  defending  the  Highlands ;  a  part  of  them  may 
have  gone  with  Major  Seymour,  to  Saratoga  ;  and  it  is  cer- 
tain, that  fifty  of  them  were  used  to  welcome  the  king's  pro- 
vincial governor,  when  he  paid  his  first  and  last  visit  to 
Danbury. 

This  incident  was  one  of  many  that  might  be  related,  as 
illustrating  the  general  fact,  that  the  ladies  throughout  the 
state  were  willing  to  perform  any  manual  labor  that  w^ould 

At  the  beginning  of  the  revolution  this  statue  was  overthrown.  Lead  being  then 
scarce  and  dear,  the  statue  was  broken  in  pieces,  and  the  metal  transported  to 
Litchfield  as  a  place  of  safety.  The  ladies  of  this  village  converted  the  lead  into 
cartridges,  of  which  the  preceding  is  an  account.  O.  W." 

For  a  careful  examination  of  all  the  evidence,  and  a  minute  list  of  the  authorities 
relating  to  this  incident,  see  WoodrufPs  Hist,  of  Litchfield. 


268  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

serve  the  cause,  for  which  they  were  ready  to  give  up  their 
own  lives,  as  well  as  those  of  their  sons,  their  husbands,  and 
fathers.  It  was  indeed  madness  to  attempt  to  subdue  a  people 
that  had  been  nurtured  and  trained  by  women,  who  would 
not  only  deprive  themselves  of  the  most  ordinary  household 
comforts,  and  raise  with  their  own  hands  the  grain  that  they 
afterwards  made  into  bread,  but  who  would,  also,  mould  the 
bullets  and  shape  the  cartridges  that  were  needed  to  emanci- 
pate their  country.* 

*  In  another  part  of  this  work,  I  have  brought  down  the  genealogy  of  the  Wol- 
eott  family,  from  a  period  of  remote  antiquity,  to  Henry  Wolcott,  Esq.,  the 
Pioneer.     From  him  it  is  continued  as  follows : 

1.  Simon  Wolcott,  (son  of  Henrj'^,)  was  born  in  1625 ;  married  Martha  Pitkin, 
sister  of  William  Pitkin,  the  ancestor  of  the  Pitkin  family  of  Connecticut.  He 
was  admitted  a  freeman  of  Connecticut  colony  in  INIay,  1654;  and  died  in  1687. 
Martha,  his  widow,  died  in  1719. 

2.  Roger  Wolcott,  (son  of  Simon,)  was  born  in  Windsor,  Jan.  4,  1679.  In  the 
expedition  against  Canada,  in  1711,  he  was  a  commissary  of  the  Connecticut 
forces;  and  at  the  capture  of  Louisbourg,  in  1745,  he  bore  the  commission  of 
major-general.  He  was  successively  a  member  of  the  assembly  and  of  the 
council,  judge  of  the  county  court,  deputy  governor,  chief  judge  of  the 
superior  court,  and  from  1751  to  1754,  governor.  His  wife  was  Sarah  Drake, 
who  died  in  1747.     He  departed  this  life,  May  17,  1767,  aged  eighty-eight  years. 

3.  Oliver  Wolcott,  LL.D.,  (son  of  Roger,)  was  born  in  1726  ;  graduated  at 
Tale  College,  in  1747  ;  married  Laura  Collins,  who  died  in  1794.'  He  studied 
medicine,  and  settled  in  Goshen,  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  On  the 
organization  of  the  county  of  Litchfield,  in  1751,  he  was  appointed  high  sheriff, 
and  soon  after  removed  to  Litchfield.  He  was  a  brigadier-general  in  the  revolu- 
tion, member  of  the  Continental  Congress,  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, heutenant-governor,  and  governor.  He  died  December  1,  1797,  aged 
seventy-one.  His  brother,  Erastus  Wolcott,  was  a  brigadier-general  in  the  revo- 
lution, a  member  of  Congress,  and  judge  of  the  superior  court.  He  died  Sept. 
14,  1793. 

4.  Oliver  Wolcott,  LL.  D.,  (son  of  the  preceding  Oliver,)  was  a  native  of 
Litchfield.  He  was  comptroller  of  the  state  of  Connecticut,  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  of  the  United  States  under  President  Washington,  and  governor  of 
Connecticut  for  ten  years.  He  died  in  New  York  in  1833,  leaving  two  sons,  viz. 
Col.  Oliver  S.,  and  Dr.  John  S.  Dr.  Oliver  Wolcott,  now  of  San  Francisco, 
California,  is  a  son  of  the  former. 

5.  Frederick  Wolcott,  (also  a  son  of  the  first  Oliver,  and  brother  of  the 
second,)  was  in  public  life  for  more  than  forty  years.  He  was  a  gentleman  of 
stately  manners,  courteous,  benevolent,  and  hospitable.    He  died  in  1837.    His 


[1776.]  DOmGS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.  269 

During  this  year,  there  were  five  sessions  of  the  General 
Assembly,  three  of  which  were  specially  called.  At  the 
regular  session  in  May,  the  governor  was,  by  a  special  act, 
made  the  chief  naval  officer  of  the  colony,  and  was  authorized 
to  appoint  subordinate  officers  at  each  of  the  ports  of 
New  Haven,  New  London,  Middletown,  and  Norwich.  A 
maritime  jurisdiction  was  also  given  to  the  county  courts.  By 
another  act,  all  the  troops  of  horse  in  the  colony  were  formed 
into  five  regiments  of  light-horse.  Large  detachments  of 
militia  were  ordered  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  march 
at  the  shortest  notice,  for  the  defense  of  the  colony.  One 
regiment  was  directed  to  be  raised  for  the  continental  service,- 
and  another  to  be  stationed  about  New  London.  Sixty 
thousand  pounds  in  Bills  of  Credit  were  issued,  and  a  tax  of 
eight-pence  on  a  pound  was  laid. 

Andrew  Ward  was  appointed  colonel,  Obadiah  Johnson, 
lieutenant-colonel,  and  William  Douglas,  major,  of  the  regi- 
ment to  be  raised  to  serve  in  the  continental  army.*  Of  the 
regiment  to  be  stationed  at  or  near  New  London,  David 
Waterbury,  Jr.,  was  appointed  colonel ;  Comfort  Sage,  lieut.- 
colonel ;  and  Oliver  Smith,  major.  Benjamin  Hinman,  Philip 
Burr  Bradley,  and  David  Dimon,  were  appointed  to  the  cor- 
responding offices  in  the  regiment  to  be  raised  for  the  defense 
of  the  colony. f 

At  the  special  session  in  June,  an  act  was  passed  to  raise 
two  regiments  by  enlistment  to  reinforce  the  continental 
army  in  the  northern  department.  David  Waterbury,  Jr., 
was  appointed  brigadier-general,  and  Samuel  Mott  and 
Heman  Swift  were  appointed  colonels  of  this  detachment. 
Seven  regiments,  including  the  one  raised  in  May,  w^ere 
ordered    to    march  immediately    and    join    the    continental 

first  wife  was  Betsey  Huntington ;  his  second,  Sally  W.  Goodrich,  of  the  old 
Goodrich  family  of  Wethersfield. 

"  Some  of  the  family  have  been  members  of  the  assembly,  judges  of  the 
Superior  Court,  or  magistrates,  from  the  first  settlement  of  the  colony  to  this  time, 
during  the  term  of  more  than  a  century  and  a  half."     Trumbull,  i.  227. 

*  Dr.  Benjamin  Trumbull,  was  appointed  chaplain  of  this  regiment. 

t  Hinman,  97,  100. 


270  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

army  in  New  York.  James  Wadsworth,  Jr.,  was  appointed 
brigadier- general ;  Gold  S.  Silliman,  Charles  Webb,  Philip  B. 
Bradley,  Jedediah  Huntington,  Fisher  Gay,  Comfort  Sage, 
John  Douglas,  Samuel  Selden,  William  Douglas,  John  Chester, 
and  Erastus  Wolcott,  were  appointed  colonels. 

The  sessions  in  October,  November,  and  December,  were 
mainly  occupied  in  providing  for  the  raising  and  equipping  of 
new  troops,  appointing  officers,  levying  taxes,  issuing  Bills  of 
Credit,  and  in  other  ways  contributing  their  full  proportion 
to  the  advancement  and  success  of  the  great  struggle  in 
which  the  state  was  engaged.  It  will  suffice  here  to  add,  that 
Connecticut  sustained  five  heavy  drafts  for  actual  service 
during  the  year.  The  first,  a  large  one  from  the  western 
section,  marched  for  the  defense  of  New  York  ;  the  second, 
for  the  defense  of  New  London  and  Long  Island ;  the  third, 
from  the  eastern  section  of  the  state,  for  Westchester  county, 
N.  Y. ;  the  fourth,  for  the  defense  of  Rhode  Island  ;  the  fifth, 
was  a  draft  for  the  defense  and  protection  of  the  western 
frontier.* 

At  the  December  session,  all  the  militia  in  the  state  was 
formed  into  six  brigades :  David  Wooster  and  Jabez  Hun- 
tington, were  appointed  major-generals ;  and  Eliphalet  Dyer, 
Gurdon  Saltonstall,  Oliver  Wolcott,  Erastus  Wolcott,  James 
Wadsworth,  and  Gold  S.  Silliman,  brigadier-generals. 

Let  us  now  return  to  the  American  camp.  It  had  for 
some  time  been  the  desire  of  Congress  that  General  Wash- 
ington should  repair  to  Philadelphia,  and  have  an  interview 
with  them.  As  the  British  army  was  now  absent,  and  the 
American  works  were  in  a  state  of  great  completeness, 
Washington,  on  the  21st  of  May,  set  out  for  Philadelphia, 
leaving  the  whole  army  in  charge  of  General  Putnam,  who 
from  that  time  until  the  6th  of  June,  was  to  all  intents  the 
acting  commander-in-chief  of  the  American  army,  and  was 
authorized  to  open  all  letters  addressed  to  General  Washing- 
ton on  matters  pertaining  to  the  public  service.  During  this 
period  of  about  fifteen  days,  Putnam  found  abundant  scope 

*Hiiiman,  110,  111. 


[1TT6.]  BUSHXELL's    "AMERICAN  TURTLE."  271 

for  the  employment  of  his  powers.  To  finish  the  works 
already  begun,  to  lay  the  foundations  of  new  ones,  to  estab- 
lish suitable  signals,  to  add  to  the  quantity  of  powder  of 
which  the  supply  was  as  yet  too  scanty,  and  to  secure  it  in  a 
safe  place  of  deposit  to  provide  for  the  defense  of  the  High- 
lands— and  many  other  matters  of  a  public  and  general 
nature — kept  him  so  constantly  occupied,  that  he  had 
scarcely  time  to  eat  or  sleep. f  But  he  had  a  certain  task 
assigned  him  of  a  more  private  and  delicate  nature,  that 
could  not  have  been  committed  to  better  or  more  experi- 
enced hands.  This  commission  was  no  other  than  that  of 
affording  aid  to  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New  York,  in 
apprehending  their  own  citizens  who  were  tories,  and  keep- 
ing them  out  of  the  way  of  doing  mischief 

It  was  towards  the  close  of  June  before  General  Howe, 
who  had  at  last  been  sufficiently  reinforced  to  make  it  safe 
for  him  again  to  set  himself  in  hostile  array  against  Wash- 
ington, appeared  off  New  York  with  the  British  fleet  and 
army.  To  obstruct  the  passage  of  the  ships,  Putnam,  who 
had  command  of  the  whale-boats,  fire-rafts,  flat-bottomed 
boats  and  armed  vessels,  lent  his  personal  attention  to  a 
project,  that  had  well  nigh  proved  successful,  of  blowing  the 
whole  fleet  out  of  the  harbor  by  means  of  a  machine  that 
had  been  invented  by  Mr.  David  Bushnell,  of  Saybrook,  by 
which  the  art  of  submarine  navigation  was  brought  to  a 
greater  state  of  perfection  than  it  had  ever  been  before. 
This  sea-monster  was  called  the  American  Turtle,  and  was 
so  constructed  that  it  could  be  propelled  under  the  water  in 
a  horizontal  line,  at  any  given  depth,  and  could  be  raised  or 
lowered  at  the  will  of  the  operator.  There  was  attached  to 
the  turtle  a  magazine  of  powder,  that  was  to  be  fastened 
under  the  bottom  of  the  doomed  ship  by  a  screw.  The 
same  stroke  that  severed  the  turtle  from  the  magazine,  was 
made  to  set  in  motion  a  piece  of  internal  clock-work  that 
was  so  contrived  as  to  set  the  powder  on  fire  at  the  end  of 
a  given  period  of  time. 

+  Humphreys. 


272  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Unfortunately  for  the  success  of  the  first  trial,  that  was  to 
be  made  upon  the  Eagle,  a  sixty-four  gun  ship,  having  on 
board  Lord  Howe,  the  British  admiral,  and  some  of  the 
choicest  officers  of  the  army,  Bushnell's  brother,  who  was 
the  principal  engineer,  was  sick,  and  the  turtle  was  com- 
mitted to  an  unskillful  hand.  The  screw  that  had  been 
made  to  pierce  the  copper-plates,  struck  by  accident  an  iron 
one,  and  of  course  did  not  penetrate  it.  The  magazine 
consequently  drifted  away  from  the  ship,  and  when  it 
exploded,  did  no  other  harm  to  the  British  admiral  than  to 
give  him  a  sad  fright,  as,  with  the  noise  of  an  earthquake, 
it  threw  its  column  of  water  high  into  the  air.* 

This  same  David  Bushnell  afterwards  invented  other 
machines,  which  destroyed  a  ship  off  the  Long  Island  shore, 
and  subsequently  gave  the  British  fleet  at  Philadelphia  that 
fright  in  the  winter  of  1777  which  was  celebrated  by  the 
witty  Mr.  Hopkinson  in  his  poem,  called  "  The  Battle  of  the 
Kegs."f  The  repetition  of  the  experiment  was  prevented 
by  the  great  events  that  soon  followed.  The  British  ships, 
day  after  day,  brought  additional  troops  to  swell  the  ranks 
of  the  invading  army.  In  spite  of  all  the  efforts  that  had 
been  made  to  prevent  the  fleet  from  getting  possession  of 
the  North  river,  the  Phoenix,  the  Rose,  and  two  tenders,  in 
the  face  of  a  heavy  cannonade,  accomplished  this  dangerous 
feat  on  the  night  of  the  15th  of  July,  and,  sailing  up  as  far 
as  Tarrytown,  took  their  station  in  front  of  that  place. f 

By  the  21st  of  July,  only  five  thousand  of  the  new  troops 
that  had  been  ordered,  had  arrived  in  the  American  camp, 
and  they  were  many  of  them  so  ill-equipped  as  to  be  almost 
unfit  for  service.     Many  of  the  colonies  failed  to  send  their 

*  Humphreys. 

t  About  Christmas,  1777,  Mr.  Bushnell  committed  to  the  Delaware  river  a 
number  of  his  "infernal  machines,"  in  the  form  of  kegs,  which  he  designed 
should  float  down  and  destroy  the  British  fleet  at  Philadelphia  ;  but  the  strange 
squadron,  having  been  separated  and  retarded  by  the  ice,  demolished  but  a  single 
boat.  This  catastrophe,  however,  produced  an  alarm  unprecedented  in  its  nature 
and  degree,  which  is  most  happily  described  in  the  poem  referred  to. 

i  Gordon. 


[1776.]  THE   NUMBER   OF   OUR   TROOPS.  273 

quota,  while  others  made  exertions  quite  beyond  their  means. 
Early  in  August,  the  aspect  of  affairs  in  and  about  New 
York  was  so  threatening,  that,  at  the  earnest  solicitation  of 
General  Washington,  the  governor  and  council  of  Connec- 
ticut directed  the  whole  of  the  standing  militia  west  of 
Connecticut  river,  together  with  two  regiments  on  the  east 
side,  to  march  forthwith  to  New  York  city.  Though  a 
busy  and  important  season  for  farmers,  this  order  was 
promptly  carried  into  effect.  This  body  of  troops  comprised 
fourteen  regiments,  and,  at  a  moderate  computation,  must 
have  amounted  to  at  least  ten  thousand  men.  About  the 
same  time,  a  large  proportion  of  the  remainder  of  the  militia 
on  the  east  side  of  the  river  was  called  to  the  defense  of 
New  London,  and  to  aid  the  inhabitants  of  Suffolk  county, 
L.  I.  There  w^ere,  therefore,  at  this  time  not  less  than 
twenty  thousand  of  the  inhabitants  of  Connecticut  in  actual 
service,  most  of  whom  had  been  marched  out  of  the  state 
for  the  defense  of  New  York.* 

Washington's  whole  force,  including  the  sick  w^ho  were 
present  and  absent,  amounted  to  only  seventeen  thousand 
two  hundred  and  twenty-five.  Most  of  these  were  raw 
troops,  and  could  hardly  be  estimated  at  eight  thousand 
effective  men.  Besides,  they  were  scattered  over  a  wide 
surface  of  country.  Some  of  the  corps  were  fifteen  miles 
apart.  This  army  was  so  destitute  of  lead  that  the  citizens 
of  New  York  were  compelled  to  strip  their  windows  and  the 
roofs  of  their  houses  to  supply  the  demand.  One  house  fur- 
nished twelve  hundred  pounds. f  In  other  necessary  articles 
whole  companies  were  equally  deficient. 

Thus  it  appears  that  Connecticut  had  furnished  and  kept 
in  the  field  full  one  half  of  the  American  army  commanded 
by  Washington. 

*Hinman,  106,  107. 

+  At  a  session  of  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Connecticut,  July  2,  1776,  it 
was  "  Voted,  That  a  quantity  of  lead  owned  by  Jonathan  Kilbourn,  Esq.,  of  Col- 
chester, and  used  by  him  on  the  water-wheel  of  his  saw-mill,  shall  not  be  taken 
from  him  for  public  use  until  actually  wanted  ;  and  then  only  by  the  selectmen 
of  Colchester,  without  further  orders." 

50 


274  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  British  army  was  much  superior 
in  numbers,  and  all  the  furnishings  of  a  campaign.  On  the 
12th  of  August,  General  Howe  was  reinforced  by  two  fleets 
of  transports  under  convoy  of  Commodore  Hotham.*' 

On  the  14th,  the  troops  that  had  been  stationed  in  South 
Carolina  arrived  in  good  order ;  and  about  the  same  time  a 
few  regiments  reached  his  camp  from  Florida  and  the  West 
Indies.  His  army  now  numbered  at  least  twenty-two  thou- 
sand effective  men.  On  the  22d,  he  effected  a  landing  at  a 
point  between  Utrecht  and  Gravesend,  near  Staten  Island, 
under  cover  of  the  fleet. 

The  American  works  erected  by  General  Greene  extended 
across  a  small  peninsula,  with  the  East  river  on  the  left,  a 
marsh  running  down  to  the  water  side  on  the  right,  and  the 
bay  and  Governor's  Island  in  the  rear.  Within  these  works 
General  Sullivan  lay  encamped  with  a  strong  force,  a  few 
miles  from  Utrecht.  From  the  point  of  land  that  forms  the 
east  side  of  the  Narrows,  a  thickly- wooded  hill  stretches  to 
the  north-east  for  a  distance  of  some  five  or  six  miles, 
terminating  near  Jamaica.  This  hill  was  crossed  by  two 
roads  which  had  been  made  through  deep  and  narrow 
ravines  ;  a  third  road  followed  the  shore  round  the  western 
base  of  these  hills  ;  and  a  fourth  penetrated  inland.f  In 
each  of  these  passes  the  Americans  had  taken  the  precau- 
tion to  place  a  guard  of  eight  hundred  men.  J  General  Put- 
nam now  took  command  in  consequence  of  the  sudden 
illness  of  General  Greene.  He  was  entirely  unacquainted 
with  the  situation  of  the  works,  as  well  as  of  the  different 
passes  and  roads  in  the  vicinity  ;  and  the  confusion  and 
want  of  discipline  among  the  troops  was  at  this  time  noto- 
rious. Under  these  circumstances,  his  experience  availed 
him  little,  as  he  was  unable  to  exercise  it. 

Lord  Cornwallis,  with  the  reserve  and  some  other  troops, 
attempted  to  cross  the  hill  through  one  of  these  passes,  but 
finding  it  in  possession  of  the  Americans  he  quietly  with- 
drew. 

*  Gordon,  ii.  96.       t  Hildreth,  iii.  148.         t  Sparks'  Life  of  Washington,  177 


[1776.]  BATTLE   ON  LONG  ISLAND.  275 

On  the  25th,  General  Heister,  with  two  brigades  of  Hes- 
sians from  Staten  Island,  joined  the  British  forces.  He  was 
at  once  stationed  at  Flatbush. 

The  British  army  now  occupied  the  plain  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  hill,  extending  in  a  line  from  the  Narrows  to  Flat- 
bush.  General  Grant  commanded  the  left  wing  near  the 
coast ;  Heister,  the  centre,  composed  of  Hessians  ;  and  Clin- 
ton, with  Earl  Percy  and  Cornwallis,  the  right. 

About  three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  27th  of  August, 
a  report  was  brought  into  the  American  camp  that  the  British 
were  in  motion  on  the  road  leading  along  the  coast  from  the 
Narrows.  A  detachment  under  Lord  Sterling  was  immedi- 
ately ordered  out  to  meet  them  ;  while  SulHvan  was  sent  to 
the  heights  above  Flatbush,  on  the  middle  road.  In  the 
meantime.  General  Clinton  led  his  division  by  a  circuit  into 
the  Jamaica  road,  which  was  not  guarded,  and  gained  the 
rear  of  Sullivan.  Before  this  was  accomplished,  reinforce- 
ments had  been  sent  from  the  camp  to  support  both  Sullivan 
and  Sterling.*  General  Grant,  in  order  to  divert  the  atten- 
tion of  the  Americans  from  the  main  point  of  attack,  had 
advanced  along  the  west  road.  The  guard,  consisting 
exclusively  of  Pennsylvanians  and  New  Yorkers,  without 
waiting  to  fire  a  gun,  fled  to  General  Parsons  with  the  intelli- 
gence that  the  enemy  were  advancing  in  great  numbers. 
As  it  was  now  day-light.  Parsons  saw  the  position  of  the 
British,  and  immediately  rallied  as  many  of  the  fugitives  as 
he  could,  and  posted  them  on  the  height  about  half  a  mile 
from  the  enemy.  Though  the  number  of  the  guard  thus 
summarily  gathered  did  not  exceed  twenty,  they  caused  the 
advancing  columns  to  halt  until  Lord  Sterling  came  up  with 
fifteen  hundred  troops  and  took  possession  of  the  hill  about 
two  miles  from  the  camp.f  A  fierce  action  now  com- 
menced between  Grant  and  Sterling.  The  force  of  the 
latter  consisted  of  the  two  battalions  of  Colonel  Miles,  and 
the  regiments  of  Colonels  Atlee,  Smallwood,  and  Hatch. 
They  behaved  with  great  bravery,  charging  the  enem}^  and 

*  Sparks' Life  of  Washington.         t  Gordon,  ii.  90. 


276  HISTORY  OF   CONNECTICUT. 

maintaining  their  position  from  about  eight  o'clock  in  the 
morning  until  two  in  the  afternoon.  They  were  finally 
compelled  to  give  way.  In  their  retreat  they  were  met  by 
some  British  troops,  and  many  of  them  were  taken  prison- 
ers, including  their  commander.  Some,  however,  succeeded 
in  breaking  through  the  lines  and  escaping,  among  whom 
was  General  Parsons."^ 

General  Sullivan,  with  the  regiments  on  the  heights  above 
Flatbush,  being  attacked  by  Heister  on  one  side  and  Clinton 
on  the  other,  after  making  an  obstinate  resistance  for  three 
hours,  was  obhged  to  surrender.  As  the  grounds  were 
broken  and  covered  with  wood,  many  of  the  troops  escaped 
and  returned  to  Brooklyn  ;  but  by  far  the  greater  part  of  the 
survivors  were  taken  prisoners.  After  the  battle  was  over. 
General  Howe  encamped  his  army  in  front  of  the  American 
lines,  intending  to  carry  them  with  the  cooperation  of  the 
fleet.t 

About  five  thousand  Americans  were  engaged  in  this  bat- 
tie,  who  were  opposed  by  about  fifteen  thousand  of  the  ene- 
my, well  provided  with  artillery.  New  Jersey,  Pennsylva- 
nia, Delaware,  and  Maryland,  doubtless  furnished  a  majority 
of  the  troops  under  Sullivan  and  Sterling,  who  were  in 
actual  service  during  the  battle,  though  Connecticut  was 
honorably  represented  on  that  disastrous  field.  General 
Parsons  w^as  there,  as  we  have  seen,  and  fought  with  his 
usual  courage  ;  Huntington's  regiment  sustained  a  high 
character  in  the  action,  and  suffered  a  heavy  loss  there. J 
Colonel  Douglass  also,  with  his  regiment,  was  in  the  thickest 
of  the  fight. 

*  Gordon,  ii.  100.         t  Sparks,  178. 

^Hinman,  89,  110.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  names  of  tlie  officers  in 
Colonel  Huntington's  regiment,  who  were  prisoners  with  the  enemy,  who  sent  a 
flag  of  truce  for  their  baggage  and  money,  viz  :  Captains  Brewster  and  Bissell ; 
Lieutenants  Gillett,  Gay,  Olcott,  and  Makepeace  ;  Ensigns  Bradford,  Chapman, 
Lyman,  Hinman,  and  Higgins;  Doctor  Holmes  5  Adjutant  Hopkins,  and  Colonel 
Clark.  These,  however,  were  not  all.  There  were  missing  from  this  regiment 
after  the  action,  six  captains,  six  lieutenants,  twenty-one  sergeants,  two  drummers, 
and  one  hundred  and  twenty-six  rank  and  file. 


[1776.]  DEFEAT   OF   THE   AMERICANS.  277 

Besides  several  hundred  killed  and  missing,  one  thousand 
Americans  were  taken  prisoners — among  whom  were  Gene- 
ral Sullivan,  Lord  Sterling,  three  colonels,  four  lieutenant- 
colonels,  three  majors,  eighteen  captains,  forty-three  lieuten- 
ants, eleven  ensigns,  three  surgeons,  and  an  adjutant.  The 
British  had  only  sixty-one  killed,  and  about  two  hundred  and 
fifty  wounded  ;  the  Hessians  had  two  killed  and  twenty-six 
wounded. 

This  victory  was  hailed  with  enthusiasm  by  the  British 
king  and  ministry,  who  appear  to  have  imagined  that  the 
Americans  were  effectually  conquered.  General  Howe  was 
at  once  created  a  knight  of  the  bath,  and  several  other 
officers  were  promoted  for  their  gallantry  on  the  occa- 
sion. 

Apprehending  that  it  was  the  design  of  General  Howe  to 
transport  a  part  of  his  army  across  the  sound,  form  an 
encampment  at  Kingsbridge,  and  thus  put  New  York  in 
jeopardy,  a  council  of  war  was  called.  Matters  of  grave 
import  were  long  and  earnestly  debated  ;  and  it  was  at  last 
unanimously  resolved  to  withdraw  the  troops  from  Long 
Island.  Boats  were  collected  and  other  preparations  were 
made  without  delay.  On  the  morning  of  the  30th,  the  whole 
army,  amounting  to  nine  thousand  men,  the  military  stores, 
cattle,  horses,  carts,  nearly  all  the  provisions,  and  the  artil- 
lery, except  a  few  heavy  cannon,  were  safely  landed  in  New 
York.  This  retreat  had  been  conducted  in  such  a  masterly 
manner  under  the  personal  supervision  of  Washington,  that 
the  last  boat  was  crossing  the  river  before  they  were  discov- 
ered by  the  enemy.* 

In   about  an  hour   after  the   American  works  had  been 

*  Sparks'  Life  of  Washington,  p.  178,  179  ;  Gordon,  ii.  101, 102,  103.  Colo- 
nel Glover,  of  Marblehead,  Massachusetts,  many  of  whose  men  had  been  bred  to 
the  fishing  business,  took  command  of  the  vessels  and  flat-bottomed  boats,  while 
the  embarkation  of  the  troops  was  committed  to  the  superintendence  of  General 
McDougal.  So  intense  was  the  anxiety  of  Washington,  that  for  forty-eight 
hours  he  did  not  close  his  eyes,  and  rarely  dismounted  from  his  horse,  A  provi- 
dential fog  favored  the  retreat.  "  The  enemy  were  so  near  that  they  were  heard 
at  work  with  their  pick-axes  and  shovels." 


278  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

abandoned,  the  fog  cleared  off,  and  the  enemy  were  seen  to 
take  possession  of  them. 

The  situation  of  General  Washington  after  the  evacuation 
of  Long  Island,  was  truly  distressing.  In  consequence  of 
their  recent  repulse,  the  troops  were  disheartened,  and 
their  minds  filled  with  apprehensions  and  despair.  Many 
of  them  were  intractable,  and  impatient  to  return.  Great 
numbers  went  off — by  companies  at  a  time,  by  half  regiments, 
and  in  some  instances  almost  whole  ones.  Within  nine 
days  after  the  evacuation,  the  number  of  the  sick,  by  the 
returns,  formed  one  quarter  of  the  whole  army.*  Whole 
battalions  ran  away  from  Fowls'  Hook  and  Bergen  Heights 
at  the  firing  of  a  broadside  from  a  ship  that  was  not 
near  enough  to  do  them  any  harm.  To  add  to  the  threaten- 
ing ills  that  wait  upon  fear  and  disorder,  the  greatest  distrust 
prevailed  between  the  troops  representing  the  different  colo- 
nies. Mutual  accusations,  taunts,  and  boastings,  found 
abundant  employment  in  the  camp.  It  was  evident  that 
some  new  steps  must  be  taken  to  divert  the  attention  of  the 
men  from  these  bickerings,  or  else  all  hope  of  an  organized 
resistance  must  be  abandoned. 

Washington  accordingly  divided  the  army,  and  assorted  the 
troops  from  different  sections  of  the  country  in  such  a  way 
that  he  could  look  for  a  more  harmonious  state  of  feeling 
between  those  who  were  thus  associated,  than  had  before 
prevailed  in  the  whole  army.  Forty-five  hundred  were  left  in 
New  York,  sixty-five  hundred  were  posted  at  Harlem,  and 
twelve  thousand  at  Kingsbridge.f 

On  the  hills  contiguous  to  these  places,  forts  had  been 
erected  which  were  now  garrisoned.  The  strongest  of  these 
was  Fort  Washington,  at  Harlem,  occupying  a  high  hill  that 
overlooked  the  North  river.  Opposite  to  it  on  the  Jersey 
shore,  was  Fort  Lee.  It  soon  became  evident  to  Washing- 
ton, that  General  Howe  intended  to  interpose  his  army 
between  the  American  detachment  at  New  York,  and  the 

*  Gordon.         f  Gordon,  ii.  109,  110. 


[1776.]  CAPTAIN  NATHAN"   HALE.  279 

main  body  posted  at  Kingsbridge.      He  therefore  moved  his 
head-quarters  to  Morrisania,  near  Fort  Washington. 

The  numbers  and  position  of  the  British  forces  at  Brook- 
1}^  was  now  an  object  of  intense  interest  to  Washington. 
A  council  of  war  was  held,  and  it  was  determined  to  send 
an  American  officer  of  ability  and  approved  courage,  to 
Long  Island,  who  should  make  his  way  into  the  British 
camp,  and  obtain  the  information  that  was  so  much  needed. 
As  soon  as  this  course  was  resolved  on,  Washington  made  it 
known  to  the  young  officers  of  the  army.  Captain  Nathan 
Hale,  of  South  Coventry,  Connecticut,  was  the  only  appli- 
cant for  this  dangerous  commission.  At  the  earnest  request 
of  Colonel  Knowlton,  in  whose  judgment  Washington  repos- 
ed the  highest  confidence,  the  generous  offer  was  accepted, 
and  the  young  hero  hastened  to  prepare  himself  for  the  exe- 
cution of  the  trust.  Washington  had  an  interview  with  him 
before  his  departure,  instructed  him  how  to  proceed,  and 
with  a  fatherly  solicitude  gave  him  his  parting  blessing,  and 
commended  him  to  the  protection  of  Heaven.  Hale  secret- 
ly hastened  to  the  British  camp,  noted  minutely  the 
number  of  the  enemy,  their  condition,  and  w^hat  locality 
they  occupied.  He  was  about  to  set  out  on  his  return,  when 
he  was  unfortunately  met  by  his  cousin,  Samuel  Hale,  from 
New  Hampshire,  who  had  deserted  the  American  army  and 
was  then  in  the  British  service.  Samuel,  w^ho  had  before 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war  paid  a  visit  to  Captain  Hale's 
father  in  Connecticut,  recognized  his  cousin  at  a  glance. 
Forgetful  alike  of  the  ties  of  blood,  and  the  no  less  sacred 
rites  of  hospitality,  the  tory-deserter,  doubtless  through  the 
hope  of  reward,  betrayed  his  cousin  to  the  British  com- 
mander, who  at  once  caused  Captain  Hale  to  be  advertised 
with  a  minute  description  of  his  personal  appearance.  Finding 
that  he  could  not  pass  by  the  way  of  Long  Island  with- 
out falling  into  the  hands  of  those  who  were  now  on  the 
alert  for  him,  the  patriot  scholar  sought  to  escape  by  the 
way  of  Kingsbridge,  and  with  such  masterly  tact  did  he 
advance  that  he  was   allowed   to   pass   sentry  after  sentry 


280  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 


< 


without  detection.  He  had  arrived  at  the  station  of  the 
outer  guard,  when  he  was  suspected,  arrested,  and  brought 
before  General  Howe,  where  it  would  seem,  from  the  best 
evidence  that  can  now  be  gathered,  that  an  informal  exam- 
ination was  held  that  would  have  resulted  in  his  immediate 
discharge,  had  not  his  false-hearted  cousin  presented  himself, 
and  made  oath  that  he  was  a  captain  in  the  continental 
army  and  a  spy.  This  piece  of  voluntary  testimony 
changed  the  doom  of  the  young  hero,  and  he  was  immedi- 
ately condemned  to  the  gibbet  without  the  sanction  of  a 
court-martial.  The  execution,  or  rather  assassination,  was 
appointed  to  take  place  on  the  following  morning.  Throughout 
the  night,  he  was  treated  with  every  indignity  that  the 
malevolence  of  his  enemies  could  invent.  The  ordinary 
signs  by  which  we  recognize  in  a  fellow-mortal  the  existence 
of  a  common  humanity,  were  denied  him  by  the  wretches 
who  had  him  in  charge,  and  by  the  tory  to  whom  the  privi- 
lege was  accorded  of  murdering  him.  He  earnestly  begged 
that  in  his  last  hour  the  attendance  of  a  clergyman  might  be 
allowed  to  administer  to  him  the  consolations  of  religion. 
Even  this  common  privilege  allotted  to  felons  and  accorded 
to  men  about  to  suffer  for  the  crime  of  high  treason,  was 
refused  him.  He  had  during  the  night  written  some  letters 
to  his  mother  and  a  few  of  his  more  intimate  friends.  Even 
these  were  taken  from  him  and  brutally  torn  in  pieces  before 
his  eyes.  "The  rebels,"  said  the  perpetrators  of  this  barbar- 
ous act,  "shall  not  know  that  they  have  a  man  in  their  army 
who  can  die  with  such  firmness."  But  though  in  the  midst 
of  scornful  foes,  betrayed  by  the  mercenary  coward  who 
should  have  protected  him,  and  without  the  poor  privilege  of 
wafting  home  to  his  heart-broken  mother  the  fragrance  of  a 
farewell  sigh,  his  noble  spirit  did  not  faint  at  the  sight  of  the 
poison  that  flashed  so  angrily  in  his  cup.  As  he  ascended 
the  scaffold,  his  eye  beamed  with  a  lofty  patriotism,  and  his 
face,  serenely  beautiful,  shone  with  a  light  that  caused  his 
murderers  to  quail  before  him,  as  he  exclaimed  in  tones  of 
warning,  "  You  are  shedding  the  blood  of  the  innocent  ;  if 


[1776.]  HALE   AND   ANDRE.  281 

I  had  ten  thousand  lives,  I  would  lay  them  down  in  defense 
of  my  injured,  bleeding  country."* 

The  fate  of  Hale  has  been  likened  to  that  of  Andre,  and 
in  some  particulars  they  are  certainly  analagous.  Both  were 
young  and  accomplished,  both  were  scholars  of  a  high  order, 
both  were  humane  and  gentle,  both  were  imbued  with  that 
lofty  chivalry  and  scorn  of  danger  that  is  as  much  an  innate 
gift  of  the  soul  as  those  of  eloquence  and  song.  But  here 
the  comparison  ends.  There  was  a  moral  elevation,  a  reli- 
gious enthusiasm,  in  the  character  of  the  American  patriot, 
that  the  British  man  of  honor  never  recognized  as  the  gov- 
erning motive  of  his  life.  The  one  followed  the  retreating 
rainbow  that  flits  in  the  horizon  of  a  soldier's  heaven  ;  the 
other,  added  to  the  graces  of  intellectual  and  social  culture, 
the  self-sacrificing  spirit  of  a  martyr.  The  one  saw  his  ideal 
of  glory  in  the  glitter  that  flashes  from  the  jewels  of  a 
diadem  representing  the  pride  of  feudal  ages  ;  the  other  saw 
his,  only  in  the  calm  light  of  that  liberty  that  lives  in  the 
presence  of  the  King  of  kings,  and  is  kindled  for  immortality. 
The  manner  of  their  death,  too,  affords  the  same  striking 
points  of  resemblance,  and  the  same  startling  contrasts. 
Both  suffered  upon  the  gallows-tree,  and  both  died  among 
strangers.  But  the  one  received  the  benefit  of  a  soldier's 
trial,  in  accordance  with  the  rules  of  a  code  under  which  he 
had  been  educated — a  trial  over  which  the  best  men  of  the 
age  presided,  and  at  the  result  of  which  the  humane  Wash- 
ington shed  tears  of  pity — while  the  last  messages  that  he 
sent  to  his  absent  friends  and  the  little  keepsakes  that  he  left 
for  them,  were  faithfully  kept  and  religiously  transmitted  to 
them  ;  the  other,  without  the  form  of  a  militarv  trial  and 
without  a  sign  of  sympathy,  was  derided  as  a  rebel,  the 
tokens  of  regard  that  would  have  mitigated  the  blow  that  was 
to  fall  upon  his  friends,  torn  in  pieces,  and  his  last  moments 
embittered  by  the  insulting  offices  of  a  hangman  who  was  a 
refugee. 

How  much  blame  is  to  be  attributed  to  General  Howe  for 

*  Hinman,  82. 


282  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

this  act  of  inhumanity,  it  is  impossible  to  say.  Officially,  he 
must  certainly  be  held  responsible  for  it  in  all  its  revolting 
details  ;  but  from  what  we  know  of  his  generous  character 
as  exhibited  on  many  other  occasions,  we  would  choose  to 
beheve  that  his  w^orst  offense  was  a  too  romantic  loyalty  to 
his  sovereign,  and  a  culpable  carelessness  in  giving  over  into 
bloody  hands  one  of  the  most  spotless  and  precious  lives  that 
have  ever  been  sacrificed  upon  the  altar  of  freedom.* 

In  person,  Captain  Hale  was  handsome,  and  in  manners 
frank  and  engaging.  He  was  bold  and  soldierly  in  his  bear- 
ing, and  fond  of  the  society  of  refined  ladies,  and  a  general 
favorite  with  them.f  His  death  caused  universal  sorrow  in 
Connecticut,  and  among  his  large  circle  of  friends  through- 
out the  nation,  his  name  still  ranks  with  the  few  that  are 
described  by  the  most  artistic  as  well  as  natural  of  all  Ameri- 
can poets,  as  "  not  born  to  die."  J 

To  give  the  details  of  what  followed  in  the  American  camp 
between  the  1st  and  the  15th  of  September,  is  not  w^ithin  the 
range  of  such  a  w^ork  as  this.  Washington  was  every  day 
made  more  painfully  conscious  of  the  inferiority  of  his  own 

*  In  July,  1775,  at  the  time  when  young  Hale  was  commissioned  as  a  lieuten- 
ant, he  was  Preceptor  of  the  Union  Grammar  School,  in  New  London.  He 
immediately  wrote  to  the  proprietors  of  the  school,  asking  to  be  released  from  his 
engagement.  He  was  released.  The  parting  scene  with  his  pupils  made  a  strong 
impression  upon  their  minds.  He  addressed  them  in  a  style  almost  parental,  gave 
them  earnest  council,  prayed  with  them,  and  shaking  each  by  the  hand,  he  bade 
them  individually  farewell.     Caulkins'  New  London,  515. 

t  Miss  Caulkins  adds — "  Many  a  fair  cheek  was  wet  with  bitter  tears,  and  gentle 
voices  uttered  deep  execrations  on  his  barbarous  foes,  when  tidings  of  his  untimely 
fate  were  received." 

\  President  D^xnght  thus  alludes  to  his  untimely  fate  : 

"  Thus  while  fond  virtue  wish'd  in  vain  to  save, 
Hale,  bright  and  generous,  found  a  hopeless  grave. 
With  Genius'  living  flame  his  bosom  glow'd, 
And  Science  charm'd  him  to  her  sweet  abode. 
In  Worth's  fair  path  his  feet  had  ventur'd  far, 
The  pride  of  peace,  the  rising  grace  of  war ; 
In  duty  firm,  in  danger  calm  as  even, 
To  friends  unchanging,  and  sincere  to  heaven. 
How  short  his  course '. — the  prize,  how  early  won  ! 
While  weeping  Friendship  mourns  her  favorite  gone." 


[1776.]  MRS.    MURRAY   EXTERTAIXIXG  TRYON.  283 

raw  troops  to  the  well  trained  regiments  that  were  now  mak- 
ing ready  to  advance  upon  him. 

On  the  15th,  General  Howe  landed  three  miles  above  the 
city,  near  Kipp's  Bay.  The  brigades  that  had  been  posted  to 
guard  this  important  position  were  raw  troops,  who  fled  with- 
out making  any  opposition,  leaving  Washington  unprotected 
and  almost  alone,  within  a  few  yards  of  the  enemy.  Orders 
were  immediately  sent  to  Putnam,  who  had  been  left  in 
charge  of  that  part  of  the  army  that  remiained  to  keep  posses- 
sion of  New  York,  to  evacuate  the  city  at  once.  With  as 
much  order  as  it  was  possible  to  observe  under  such  circum- 
stances, Putnam  left  behind  him  the  heavy  artillery  and  the 
more  cumbrous  of  the  military  stores,  and,  avoiding  the  direct 
thoroughfares  to  the  city,  he  retreated  along  the  Greenwich 
road,  and  thus  escaped  the  enemy.* 

Meanwhile,  the  British  generals  had  repaired  to  the  house 
of  Mr.  Robert  Murray,  a  quaker  whig,  where  they  spent 
two  good  hours  over  the  cake  and  wine  that  Mrs.  Murray 
took  care  to  set  before  them.  Governor  Tryon,  who  was 
blessed  with  an  excellent  appetite  and  loved  a  pleasant  joke, 
as  his  gamesome  demonstration  upon  Danbury  a  few  months 
after  sufficiently  evinced,  had  already  taken  the  field,  and  had 
a  very  agreeable  conversation  with  the  lady  of  the  house, 
rallying  her  about  her  democratic  friends  and  whigish  ten- 
dencies. She  kept  these  honorable  guests  so  long  at  her 
house,  that  Putnam  had  time,  by  using  the  utmost  dispatch, 
to  escape. t  Had  they  taken  possession  of  the  heights  near 
which  he  passed,  with  a  few  field-pieces,  and  marched  a 
fourth  part  of  their  regiments  to  intercept  him,  they  could 
have  easily  cut  oflf  his  retreat. 

When  near  Bloomingdale,  a  skirmish  took  place,  in  which 
fifteen  Americans  were  killed,  and  more  than  three  hundred 
were  taken  prisoners.  Among  the  slain  was  Major  James 
Chapman,  of  New  London,  "  a  man  of  strength  and  stature 
beyond   the    common  standard,   and   a   soldier  steady  and 

*  Sparks.         +  Gordon. 


284  HISTOET  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

brave."*  In  this  skirmish,  also,  as  well  as  in  the  fight  on  the 
following  day,  Colonel  William  Douglas,  of  Northford,  was 
particularly  distinguished.  In  the  action  on  the  16th,  scores 
of  his  men  fell,  both  from  the  shots  of  the  enemy  and  from 
the  intense  heat  of  the  day.  Worn  with  fatigue  and  parched 
with  thirst,  many  of  them  lay  down  at  the  first  stream  to 
drink,  and  never  rose  again — some  being  overtaken  by  the 
enemy  and  killed,  while  others  died  from  the  excess  of  water 
which  they  drank. f 

« 

*  Caulkins'  New  London,  532.  Lieut.  Richard  Chapman,  who  was  slain  at 
Groton  fort ;  Lieut.  Edward  Chapman,  who  was  killed  in  the  French  war  ;  Capt. 
John  Chapman,  first  heutenant  of  the  ship  Oliver  Cromwell,  and  after  that  was 
taken,  of  the  Putnam  5  and  Joseph  Chapman,  also  a  meritorious  officer  in  the 
army,  were  all  brothers  of  the  gallant  and  lamented  Major  Chapman. 

t  Col.  Douglas  was  born  in  Plainfield,  Conn.,  January  17,  1742.  At  the  early 
age  of  sixteen  years,  he  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  the  old  French  war ;  and  previous 
to  the  peace  of  1759,  he  was  chosen  to  the  post  of  sergeant.  Soon  after,  he 
engaged  in  the  sea-faring  business,  as  commander  of  a  merchant  ship  sailing 
between  New  Haven  and  the  West  Indies,  and  was  thus  engaged  when  hostilities 
commenced  between  the  united  colonies  and  Great  Britain.  He  was  commissioned 
as  a  captain  on  the  17th  of  May,  1775,  and  immediately  proceeded  to  the  north 
with  his  company,  in  charge  of  the  provisions  and  stores  for  the  troops  under 
Montgomery.  As  he  was  a  good  seaman,  he  was  placed  in  command  of  the  little 
fleet  on  Lake  Champlain,  and.  did  good  service  in  the  capture  of  St.  John's  and 
Chamblee.  He  received  a  colonel's  commission,  bearing  date  June  20,  1776  ; 
and  as  soon  as  his  regiment  was  raised  and  equipped,  he  marched  to  New  York 
and  there  joined  the  continental  army.  He  participated  in  the  disastrous  cam- 
paign on  Long  Island,  and  fought  with  distinguished  bravery  in  the  several  actions 
near  New  York,  particularly  at  Harlem  Heights,  White  Plains,  and  Phillip's 
Manor.  In  the  battle  of  the  1 5th  of  September,  his  clothes  were  perforated  with 
bvdlets,  and  his  horse  was  shot  from  under  him.  In  this  engagement  he  became 
so  exhausted,  that,  in  connection  with  subsequent  exposures,  he  lost  his  voice,  and 
was  never  afterward  able  to  speak  a  loud  word.  From  the  date  of  this  battle 
until  toward  the  middle  of  December,  he  was  so  constantly  on  duty  that  he  rarely 
slept  beneath  a  roof.  He  died  at  his  residence  in  Northford,  New  Haven  County, 
May  28, 1777,  aged  35  years. 

Colonel  Douglas  was  not  only  a  brave  and  useful  officer,  but  a  true  patriot  and 
christian.  The  letters  written  by  him  to  his  family  and  other  friends  during  his 
several  campaigns,  evince  at  once  the  warmth  of  his  affections  and  friendships,  his 
self-denying  patriotism,  and  his  firm  reliance  on  God.  I  am  indebted  to  his 
grandson,  the  Hon.  Benjamin  Douglas,  of  Middletown,  for  permission  to  copy  the 
following  letter  resigning  his  commission,  written  about  four  weeks  previous 
to  his  decease : 


[1776.]  COLOIs^EL   KNOWLTOK.  285 

On  the  morning  of  the  16th,  Colonel  Knowlton,  of  Ash- 
ford,  Connecticut,  went  out  with  a  party  of  volunteer  rangers, 
a  large  part  of  whom  were  from  Connecticut,  and  advanced 
through  the  woods  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy's  lines.  As 
soon  as  he  was  discovered,  General  Howe  sent  forward  two 
battalions  of  light-infantry,  and  a  regiment  of  highlanders,  to 
meet  him.  A  battalion  of  Hessian  grenadiers,  and  a  com- 
pany of  Chasseurs,  with  two  field-pieces,  soon  followed. 
When  these  troops  were  seen  advancing  into  the  open 
ground,  Washington  rode  forward  to  the  lines  that  he  might 
learn  the  object  of  the  movement,  and  be  in  a  situation  to 
lend  his  advice  should  the  action  of  the  enemy  turn  out  to  be 
serious.  He  soon  heard  a  discharge  of  musketry,  and  in  a 
few  minutes  some  rangers  came  up  and  informed  him  that  a 
party  was  engaged  in  a  skirmish  with  Colonel  Knowlton,  and 
that  there  appeared  to  be  about  three  hundred  of  the  enemy. 
Washington  forthwith  detached  three  companies  of  Weedon's 
Virginia  regiment,  under  Major  Leitch,  to  reinforce  Knowl- 
ton, and  attack  the  enemy  in  the  rear,  while  their  attention 
was  diverted  by  a  movement  in  front.  The  feint  succeeded 
admirably.     There  was  a  fence  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  occu- 

"  State  of  Connecticut,  ) 

"  Branford,  May  1st,  1777.  5 
"  To  his  excellency  George  "Wasliington,  commander-in-cliief  of  the  American 
army : 

"  May  it  please  your  Excellency — A  lingering  distemper,  of  which  I  have  long 
felt  the  severe  effects,  has  now  so  far  prevailed  over  my  constitution  that  I  have 
no  hopes  of  recovery,  which  lays  me  under  the  disagreeable  necessity  of  begging 
your  excellency's  leave  to  resign  the  commission  to  which  I  had  the  honor  of  being 
appointed  in  this  state.  I  would  beg  leave  to  observe  to  your  excellency,  that 
nothing  but  a  consideration  of  my  being  so  far  reduced,  that  my  longest  space  of 
living  can  be  but  short,  and  the  improbability  of  my  being  of  any  farther  service  to  my 
country,  could  induce  me  to  quit  a  service  which  has  ever  been  my  delight,  and  in 
which,  though  laboring  under  a  heavy  load  of  infirmities,  I  have  always  been  able 
to  perform  my  duty  whenever  called  upon.  But  as  nothing  is  impossible  with 
God,  whom  if  it  should  please  of  his  infinite  mercy  to  restore  me  to  health  again, 
I  shall  think  myself  bound  in  duty  to  my  country,  again  to  enter  its  service. 
"  I  am  with  great  respect, 

"  Tour  excellency's  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

"  Wm.  Douglas." 


286  HISTOEY  OF   CONNECTICUT. 

pied  by  the  enemy,  and  when  they  saw  a  party  advancing  to 
meet  them  in  front,  they  ran  down  the  declivity,  and,  secreting 
themselves  behind  this  breastwork,  opened  a  brisk  fire  upon 
the  Americans,  but  at  such  a  distance  as  to  do  no  harm. 
Colonel  Knowlton,  finding  the  British  flank  more  exposed 
than  the  rear,  soon  advanced  within  musket  range  of  them, 
and  brought  the  guns  of  his  rangers  and  Virginians,  who 
were  every  one  of  them  marksmen,  to  bear  upon  them  with 
their  deadly  aim.  The  British  returned  their  fire,  and  at 
such  close  distance  that  the  officers  who  were  in  advance  of 
their  men  were  sadly  exposed.  In  a  few  minutes  Major 
Leitch  was  carried  off  mortally  wounded.  He  was  shot 
through  the  body  with  three  balls.  Knowlton  pressed  on 
with  the  same  intrepidity  that  had  impelled  him  to  seek  the 
post  of  danger  at  Bunker  Hill,  rushing  into  the  thickest  of 
the  shower  of  random  bullets  that  swept  the  field,  until  his 
body  was  pierced  through  and  through,  and  he  fell  dead  in 
front  of  his  men.  His  death  seemed  to  inspire  the  surviving 
members  of  his  party  with  a  courage  quickened  by  revenge, 
that  animated  them  almost  to  madness.  They  all  knew  the 
gallant  soul  who  had  thus  fallen  a  victim,  and  fought  around 
the  pale  and  bleeding  form  like  votaries  defending  a  shrine 
that  is  threatened  with  desecration.  The  remaining  officers 
and  men  all  fought  indiscriminately,  and  desperately  main- 
tained their  position  till  other  detachments  were  sent  forward 
to  support  them,  when  they  advanced  upon  the  enemy,  and 
drove  them  from  the  wood  into  the  plain.  The  action  lasted 
four  hours,  and  the  loss  on  the  American  side  was  small  in 
point  of  numbers,  but  heavy  and  never  to  be  forgotten  was 
the  sorrow  that  bewailed  the  fate  of  the  brave  and  gallant 
Knowlton  of  Ashford.  Though  Washington,  and  all  the 
other  officers  of  the  army,  lamented  his  untimely  fate,  yet 
the  loss  fell  most  heavily  upon  his  native  state,  and  every 
member  of  his  regiment  was  a  mourner.  Yet  his  death, 
like  that  of  every  good  man,  was  not  without  its  sanctifying 
influence  upon  the  cause  for  which  he  fell.  It  taught  the 
Americans  to  forget  their  recent  defeats  and  to  look  forward 


[1776.]  WHITE   PLAINS.  287 

to  the  day  of  ultimate  victory.  It  taught  them,  too,  another 
important  lesson,  that  American  soldiers  would  not  desert 
their  lines  and  run  from  an  enemy  without  cause,  when 
under  the  command  of  officers  who  preferred  rather  to  fall 
dead  at  their  posts  than  to  desert  them. 

About  a  month  after  this,  Washington  retreated  from  New 
York  island,  and  marched  to  White  Plains,  where  he 
encamped  on  a  high  elevation  protected  in  front  by  two  lines 
of  intrenchments  nearly  parallel,  and  about  five  hundred 
yards  from  each  other.  Curving  around  the  foot  of  this 
eminence,  the  river  Brunx  effectually  guarded  the  right  wing, 
the  flank,  and  a  part  of  the  rear,  while  the  left  wing  rested 
on  the  border  of  a  pond  that  rendered  it  inaccessible  to  the 
approach  of  an  enemy.  Sir  William  Howe  obviously  meant 
to  force  Washington  into  a  general  engagement,  for  he  fol- 
lowed him  up  as  rapidly  as  he  could,  marching  his  troops  in 
solid  columns.  On  the  28th  of  October,  his  army  appeared 
in  its  proudest  array,  spreading  itself  over  the  hill-sides  that 
faced  the  American  camp,  and  distant  from  it  about  two 
miles.  The  same  day  a  detachment  was  sent  forward  to  dis- 
lodge a  party  of  Americans,  mostly  Delaware  and  Mary- 
land troops,  from  Chatterton  Hill,  and  after  a  short  action  suc- 
ceeded in  taking  possession  of  the  post.  Sir  William 
advanced  toward  the  American  left,  and  formed  his  encamp- 
ments in  a  semi-circle,  keeping  his  troops  lying  on  their  arms 
all  night.  He  evidently  intended  to  make  the  attack  in  the 
rear  ;  but  in  the  morning,  after  a  careful  examination  of  the 
American  position  and  intrenchments,  he  came  to  the  con- 
clusion that  it  would  be  unsafe  to  attempt  to  carry  the  works 
without  more  force.  He  therefore  waited  for  two  days,  until 
Earl  Percy  should  come  up  with  his  detachment  that  was  at 
Harlem.  The  31st  of  October  was  fixed  upon  for  the 
attack,  but  there  came  on  a  heavy  rain,  that  induced  him  to 
change  his  plan.  It  was  then  too  late.  General  Washing- 
ton, who  knew  that  his  position  was  inferior  to  others  that 
might  be  selected,  did  not  deem  it  best  to  hazard  everything 
by  an  engagement  in  such  a  place,  and  in  the  night  removed 


288  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

the  main  body  of  his  army  in  safety  to  a  more  elevated  site, 
and  early  on  the  morning  of  the  1st  of  November,  entirely 
deserted  his  camp.* 

Sir  William  saw  that  he  could  never  force  Washington 
from  his  new  position,  and  retired  toward  Kingsbridge.  The 
retreat  of  Washington  to  the  Jersey  shore,  and  the  fall  of 
the  fort  that  had  been  named  after  him,  seemed  to  the  com- 
mon soldiers  to  quench  in  darkness  the  few  surviving  sparks 
of  hope.  The  fall  of  Fort  Washington  proved  to  be  the 
source  of  many  bitter  sorrows  to  the  people  of  Connecticut. 

Washington  had  written  a  letter  to  General  Greene, 
expressing  an  opinion  that  this  fortress  ought  to  be  abandoned, 
but  still  left  it  discretionary  with  him  to  decide  whether  to 
quit  it  or  defend  it.  That  brave  officer  was  of  the  opinion 
that  the  fort  was  in  no  danger.  On  the  15th  of  November, 
Sir  William  Howe  summoned  Colonel  Magaw,  who  com- 
manded the  garrison,  to  surrender.  He  replied,  that  he  would 
defend  himself  to  the  last  extremity.  W^ashington  hastened 
to  Fort  Lee,  as  soon  as  he  heard  of  the  summons,  procured 
a  boat,  and  was  crossing  over  to  Fort  Washington,  when  he 
met  Putnam  and  Greene,  who  were  returning  from  the  gar- 
rison. They  told  him  that  the  troops  were  in  high  spirits, 
and  would  make  a  good  defense.  It  was  late  at  night,  and 
he  was  persuaded  to  return.  There  can  be  no  doubt  but 
General  Greene  attributed  too  much  importance  to  this  post, 
and  that  Washington  was  right  in  his  first  view,  that  the 
place  ought  to  be  abandoned.  The  argument  of  Greene  was, 
that  the  evacuation  of  the  fort  would  give  the  enemy  free 
access  to  the  navigation  of  the  Hudson — an  event  that  Con- 
gress and  the  New  York  Convention  seem  to  have  particu- 
larly depricated.f 

At  this  critical   time.  Fort  Washington  and  the  works  on 

*  In  the  action  at  White  Plains,  on  the  28th,  the  Americans  lost  three  or  four 
hundred,  killed  and  prisoners.  Hildreth,  iii.  154.  In  this,  and  tlie  preceding 
skirmishes  at  or  near  White  Plains,  the  Connecticut  regiments  under  Colonels 
Chester,  Douglas,  and  Silliman,  were  actively  engaged.     See  Hinman,  p.  91. 

t  Gordon,  ii.  124. 


[1776.]  FORT  WASHINGTON.  289 

Harlem  Heights  were  held  by  Magaw's  and  Shea's  Penn- 
sylvania regiments,  Ravvlin's  Maryland  riflemen,  some  of  the 
militia  of  the  flying  camp,  and  a  few  companies  of  picked 
men,  who  had  been  detailed  from  the  Connecticut  regiments 
for  purposes  of  defense.  Among  the  latter  was  a  company 
of  thirty-six  soldiers  from  Litchfield  county,  who  were 
placed  under  the  command  of  Captain  Bezaleel  Beebe,  of 
Litchfield.* 

On  the  16th,  the  assault  on  the  fort  commenced  at  four 
diflTerent  points  at  nearly  the  same  time.  The  first  division, 
under  General  Knyphausen,  consisting  of  Hessians  and  the 
troops  of  Waldeck,  attacked  the  north  side  ;  the  second,  on  the 
east  side,  composed  of  English  light-infantry,  and  two  bat- 
talions of  guards,  was  conducted  by  General  Matthews,  sup- 
ported by  Lord  Cornwallis,  with  a  body  of  grenadiers,  and 
the  thirty-third  regiment ;  the  third  attack  on  the  south, 
intended  chiefly  as  a  feint,  was  directed  by  Colonel  Sterling, 
with  the  forty-second  regiment ;  the  fourth,  under  Lord 
Percy,  a  very  strong  corps,  was  ordered  to  aim  its  assault 
against  the  western  flank  of  the  fortress.  These  several 
assailing  parties  were  provided  with  excellent  trains  of  artil- 
lery. The  fighting  commenced  along  the  lines  outside  the 
walls  of  the  fort.  The  Hessians  under  General  Knyphausen, 
who  were  first  to  commence  the  assault,  suffered  most  severely, 

*  Of  these  thirty-six  men,  four — Corporal  Samuel  Coe,  Jeremiah  Weed, 
Joseph  Spencer,  and  John  Whiting,  were  killed  during  the  assault.  The  remain- 
der were  taken  prisoners  and  confined  on  board  the  prison-ships,  in  Livingston's 
sugar-house,  and  in  the  North  Church,  where  twenty  of  their  number  died,  viz., 
Sergeant  David  Hall,  Elijah  Loomis,  Gershom  Gibbs,  Timothy  Stanley,  Samuel 
Vaill,  Nathaniel  Allen,  Enos  Austin,  Gideon  Wilcoxson,  Alexander  McNiel, 
Daniel  Smith,  Isaac  Gibbs,  Solomon  Parmelee,  (supposed  to  have  been  drowned,) 
David  Olmsted,  Jared  Stuart,  John  Lyman,  Aaron  Stoddard,  John  Parmelee, 
Joel  Taylor,  Amos  Johnson,  and  Phineas  Goodwin.  On  the  27th  of  December, 
an  exchange  of  prisoners  took  place ;  but  only  twelve  of  the  survivors  were  able 
to  sail  for  Connecticut,  viz..  Sergeant  Cotton  Mather,  Timothy  ]Marsh,  Berius 
Beach,  Thom.as  Mason,  Noah  Beach,  Daniel  Benedict,  Oliver  Marshall,  Elisha 
Bronson,  Zebulon  Bissell,  Remembrance  Loomis,  James  Little,  and  Oliver  Wood- 
rufF;  six  of  these,  (viz.  Marsh,  Marshall,  Loomis,  Bissell,  Bronson,  and  B.  Beach,) 
died  on  their  way  home.    Six  only  out  of  the  thirty-six  lived  to  reach  home. 

51 


290  HISTOKY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

and  lost  in  killed  and  wounded  about  eight  hundred  men. 
One  after  another,  the  American  corps  were  driven  within 
the  fort,  where  they  defended  themselves  with  great  bravery, 
until  resistance  became  fruitless.  The  besiegers  then  sum- 
moned Magaw  to  surrender.  After  consulting  with  other 
officers,  he  at  length  agreed  to  capitulate.  The  garrison, 
amounting  to  two  thousand  six  hundred  men,  surrendered  as 
prisoners  of  war.*  The  Americans  had  about  four  hundred 
killed  and  wounded ;  the  loss  of  the  enemy  was  not  less  than 
twelve  hundred.f 

The  reduction  of  Fort  Washington  thus  gave  the  royal 
army  entire  possession  of  the  island  of  New  York.  Wash- 
ington's army  had  become  so  enfeebled  that  it  now  scarcely 
amounted  to  three  thousand  effective  men,  who,  in  conse- 
quence of  their  recent  defeats,  had  lost  their  usual  courage 
and  energy. 

The  American  prisoners  were  treated  with  the  greatest 
inhumanity.  Some  were  sent  on  board  the  prison-ships, 
while  others  were  confined  in  churches,  and  in  the  sugar- 
house.  They  were  crowded  together  in  dense  masses, 
deprived  of  food,  drink,  and  fresh  air,  and  made  to  suffer  the 
horrors  of  disease,  famine,  and  suffocation,  besides  the  brutal 
insults  of  the  petty  officers  who  had  them  in  charge.  Their 
treatment  is  without  a  parallel  in  the  history  of  the  wars  of 
any  civilized  nation. J 

*  Botta,  i.  289. 

t  Gordon,  ii.  224 — 226.  While  the  enemy  were  advancing  to  the  attack, 
Generals  Washington,  Putnam,  and  Greene,  and  Colonel  Knox,  with  their  aids, 
crossed  the  river  and  approached  towards  the  fort.  They  were  warned  of  their 
danger,  and  after  much  persuasion  were  induced  to  return.  The  garrison  was, 
however,  watched  with  intense  interest  by  Washington,  who,  from  Fort  Lee, 
could  view  several  parts  of  the  attack ;  and  when  he  saw  his  men  bayonetted,  and 
in  that  way  killed  while  begging  for  quarter,  he  cried  with  the  tenderness  of  a 
child,  denouncing  the  barbarity  that  was  practiced. 

X  A  letter  from  a  Connecticut  gentleman,  dated  26tli  Dec,  1776,  says — "  The 
distress  of  the  prisoners  cannot  be  communicated  in  words.  Twenty  or  thirty 
die  every  day — they  lie  in  heaps  unburied  !  What  numbers  of  my  countrymen 
have  died  by  cold  and  hunger,  perished  for  the  want  of  the  necessaries  of  life  !  I 
have  seen  it," 


[1776.]  NEW  YORK  CONVENTION-.  291 

During  these  operations,  the  New  York  Convention  was 
thrown  into  serious  alarm,  lest  the  tories  of  that  state  should 
rise  in  arms  and  openly  join  the  British  forces.  That  bodv 
was  obliged  to  remove  from  place  to  place,  in  order  to  avoid 
the  enemy ;  and  sat  successively  at  Harlem,  Kingsbridge, 
Phillip's  Manor,  Croton,  and  Fishkill.  A  committee  was 
appointed,  with  John  Jay  for  its  chairman,  "for  inquiring 
into,  detecting,  and  defeating  conspiracies/'  This  committee 
was  well  provided  with  funds,  had  an  armed  force  at  its  dis- 
posal, and  was  invested  with  unlimited  powers.  Many  tories 
were  seized  by  its  order,  and  sent  into  Connecticut  for  safe 
keeping.* 

On  the  3d  of  May,  1777,  Lieut.  Thomas  Cathn,  of  Litchfield,  made  a  deposition 
before  Andrew  Adams,  Esq.,  J.  P.,  as  follows  : 

"  That  he  was  taken  a  prisoner  by  the  British  troops  on  New  York  island, 
Sept.  15,  1776,  and  confined  with  a  great  number  in  a  close  jail,  eleven  days  5 
that  he  had  no  sustenance  for  forty-eight  hours  after  he  was  taken,  and  that  for 
eleven  whole  days  they  had  only  about  two  days'  allowance,  and  their  pork  was 
offensive  to  the  smell.  That  forty-two  were  confined  in  one  house,  till  Fort  Wash- 
ington was  taken,  when  the  house  was  crowded  with  other  prisoners.  After 
vrhich  they  were  informed  they  should  have  two-thirds  allowance,  which  consisted 
of  very  poor  Irish  pork,  bread  hard,  mouldy  and  wormy,  made  of  canail  and  dregs 
of  flax-seed.  The  British  troops  had  good  bread.  Brackish  water  was  given 
to  the  prisoners,  and  he  had  seen  $1,50  given  for  a  common  pail  of  water.  Only 
between  three  and  four  pounds  of  pork  was  given  three  men  for  three  days.  That 
for  three  months,  the  private  soldiers  were  confined  in  the  churches,  and  in  one 
were  eight  hundred  and  fifty.  That  about  the  25th  of  December,  1776,  he  and 
about  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  others,  were  put  on  board  the  Glasgow  at 
New  York,  to  be  carried  to  Connecticut  for  exchange.  They  were  on  board 
eleven  days,  and  kept  on  black,  coarse  broken  bread,  and  less  pork  than  before. 
Twenty-eight  died  during  the  eleven  days.  They  were  treated  with  great  cruelty, 
and  had  no  fire  for  sick  or  well.  They  were  crowded  between  decks,  and  many 
died  through  hardship,  ill-usage,  hunger  and  cold."  See  "Woodruff's  Hist,  of 
Litchfield,  38,  39. 

*  Hildreth,  iii.  156.  It  was  the  wise  policy  both  of  committees  and  of  the  gov- 
ernment to  send  their  prisoners  as  far  inland  as  possible,  in  order  to  prevent  their 
forced  liberation.  Hence,  the  jails  and  many  of  the  private  dwellings  in  Litch- 
field, Hartford,  Norwich,  &c.,  were  frequently  used  for  the  safe  keeping  of  tories 
and  of  prisoners  taken  in  battle.  Dr.  Church,  who  was  detected  in  a  treasonable 
correspondence  with  the  enemy,  was  long  confined  in  the  Norwich  jail ;  and 
prisoners  of  war,  occasionally  in  large  bands,  were  carried  thither  for  confinement. 
Mr.  Matthews,  the  mayor  of  New  York,  Governor  Franklin,  and  others,  were 


292  HISTORY  OF   CONNECTICUT. 

Washington  was  at  this  time  encamped  on  a  level  plain 
between  Hackensack  and  the  Passaic  river.  The  army  had 
no  intrenching  tools,  and  Cornwallis  was  rapidly  approach- 
ing. Exclusive  of  Heath's  division  in  the  Highlands,  and  the 
corps  under  Lee  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson,  the  Ameri- 
can army  did  not  exceed  four  thousand  men.  On  the  22d  of 
November,  Washington  retreated  to  Newark,  with  the 
entire  force  under  his  immediate  command ;  from  thence  he 
again  retired,  first  across  the  Raritan  to  Brunswick,  and  then 
to  Princeton,  where  a  corps  was  left  under  Sterling,  to  check 
the  enemy's  advance,  while  Washington  continued  his  retreat 
to  Trenton — at  which  point  he  transported  the  remainder  of 
his  stores  and  baggage  across  the  Delaware.* 

The  news  of  Washington's  retreat  produced  the  greatest 
excitement  in  Philadelphia,  where  Putnam  had  been  placed 
in  command.  Some  fifteen  hundred  of  the  city  militia  were 
sent  forward  and  joined  Washington  at  Trenton,  and  he 
advanced  again  upon  Princeton.  As  the  rear  guard  of  his 
army  left  the  Jersey  shore,  Cornwallis  with  a  superior  force 
was  in  sight.  Indeed,  during  the  whole  course  of  the  retreat, 
the  American  rear  guard,  who  were  employed  in  pulling  up 
bridges,  were  almost  constantly  within  sight  of  the  advance 
corps  of  the  British  army.  Boats  having  been  removed 
from  the  Delaware,  the  enemy  found  no  way  of  crossing, 
and  accordingly  encamped  near  Trenton. f 

Inasmuch  as  the  movements  of  the  enemy  had  made  Phila- 
delphia the  seat  of  war,  Generals  Putnam  and  Mifflin 
strenuously  advised  that  Congress  should  retire  from  the  city; 
and  that  body  finally  resolved  to  adjourn  to  Baltimore,  in 
Maryland,  to  meet  on  the  20th  of  December.  Until  further 
orders,  Washington  was  invested  with  full  power  to  direct 
all  things  relative  to  the  operations  of  the  war.  J 

On  the  evening  of  Christmas,  with  two  thousand  five  hun- 
dred of  his  best  men  and  six  pieces  of  artillery,  including 

confined   in  Litchfield.      See   Woodrufli''s  Hist,  of  Litchfield ;  Caulkins'   New 
London. 

*  Gordon  ;  Hildreth.         f  Hildreth.         i  Gordon,  ii.  142. 


[1776.]  MORRISTOWN.  293 

the  New  York  company  under  Alexander  Hamilton,  Wash- 
ington commenced  crossing  the  Delaware  about  nine  miles 
above  Trenton — at  which  place  he  had  resolved  to  strike  a 
decisive  blow  by  attacking  the  fifteen  hundred  Hessians 
stationed  there.  It  was  eight  o'clock  before  he  reached  the 
town ;  but  the  Hessians  were  overcome  by  the  night's 
debauch  and  were  completely  surprised.  About  a  thousand 
of  their  number  were  taken  prisoners,  who  were  immediately 
sent  to  Philadelphia,  and  paraded  through  the  streets  in 
triumph.  The  victory  at  Princeton  soon  followed,  by  which 
three  hundred  prisoners  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans, 
besides  a  severe  loss  to  the  enemy  in  killed  and  wounded. 
The  American  loss  was  about  one  hundred,  including 
several  valuable  officers.! 

Huts  were  erected  at  Morristown,  and  there  the  main 
body  of  the  American  army  remained  during  the  winter. 
The  right  wing  was  at  Princeton,  under  Putnam ;  the  left  in 
the  Highlands,  under  Heath ;  and  cantonments  were  established 
at  various  places  along  this,  extended  line.  Occasional 
skirmishes  took  place  between  advance  parties,  but  for  six 
months  no  important  movement  took  place  on  either  side. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  enemy  under  Sir  Guy  Carleton  were 
making  desperate  efforts  to  recover  their  supremacy  on  Lake 
Champlain.  A  fleet  of  above  thirty  armed  vessels  of  differ- 
ent sizes  and  varieties  had  been  set  afloat  by  them,  some  of 
which  had  been  framed  in  England  and  brought  over  in 
detached  parts.  Besides  these,  a  gondola  weighing  thirty 
tons,  with  above  four  hundred  batteaux,  had  been  dragged  up 
from  the  rapids  near  Chamblee.  The  whole  were  manned  by 
seven  hundred  seamen.  The  Americans  had  also  exerted 
themselves  to  their  utmost  in  building  and  fitting  out  a  little 
fleet  on  the  lake,  which,  when  completed,  mounted  fifty-five 
cannon  and  seventy  swivels,  and  carried  three  hundred  and 
seventy-five  men.  These  had  been  placed  under  the  com- 
mand of  General  Arnold,  who  was  soon  reinforced  with  three 
galleys,  three  gondolas,  and  a  cutter.    On  the  11th  of  October, 

*  Gordon  ;  Hildreth  ;  Botta. 


294:  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

a  warm  action  ensued,  which  was  continued  for  some  hours. 
The  Americans  behaved  with  great  gallantry,  as  their 
enemies  were  free  to  admit.  General  TVaterbury  fought 
with  great  intrepidity,  walking  the  quarter-deck  during  the 
entire  engagement.  All  his  officers  were  either  killed  or 
wounded,  excepting  a  lieutenant  and  the  captain  of  marines. 
The  action  resulted  in  sinking  a  gondola  belonging  to  the 
British,  and  in  the  blowing  up  of  another  with  sixty  men. 
The  Americans  had  a  schooner  burnt,  and  a  gondola  sunk. 
The  latter  now  retreated  in  the  night,  hoping  to  find  a  shelter 
under  the  guns  of  the  fort  at  Ticonderoga ;  but  they  were 
overtaken,  and  again  brought  into  action  near  Crown  Point. 
The  vessel  in  the  rear  was  taken  by  the  enemy  ;  and  to  save 
the  rest,  from  a  similar  fate,  Arnold  ran  them  ashore  and  set 
them  on  fire.  The  Americans  lost  eleven  vessels  and  ninety 
men.     The  British  lost  three  vessels  and  fifty  men.* 

Carleton  having  thus  obtained  command  of  the  lake,  took 
possession  of  Crown  Point,  and  soon  retired  to  winter  quar- 
ters. Ticonderoga  was  still  held  by  General  Gates,  though 
his  army  had  been  greatly  reduced  by  the  departure  of  the 
militia,  and  the  expiration  of  the  terms  of  service  of  the 
regulars.  The  humane  conduct  of  Carleton  was  highly 
commended  by  the  American  officers.  As  his  predeces- 
sors had  done,  and  as  the  Americans  were  then  doing, 
he  for  a  time  employed  the  savages  as  his  allies ;  and 
while  he  allowed  them  to  take  prisoners,  he  strictly  forbade 
them  either  to  kill  or  scalp  them.  When  he  found  he  could 
not  deter  them  from  scalping,  he  dismissed  every  one  of  them, 
saying  he  would  sooner  forego  all  the  advantages  of  their 
assistance  than  to  make  war  in  so  cruel  a  manner. 

Before  he  commenced  his  operations  on  the  lake,  General 
Carleton  had  prudently  shipped  off  the  American  officers 

*  Hildreth,  iii.  145  ;  Gordon,  ii.  146.  "  The  Washington  galley,  commanded 
by  General  Waterbury,  had  been  so  shattered,  and  had  so  many  killed  and 
wounded,  that  she  struck  after  receiving  a  few  broadsides."  Arnold  kept  his  flag 
flying,  and  did  not  quit  his  galley  till  she  was  in  flames,  lest  the  enemy  should 
board  her  and  strike  it. 


[1776.]  BRITISH  HUMANITY.  295 

who  had  been  made  prisoners  in  Canada  for  New  England,* 
supplying  them  at  the  same  time  with  everything  requisite 
to  make  their  voyage  comfortable.  The  other  prisoners, 
amounting  to  about  eight  hundred,  were  returned  by  a  flag, 
after  being  obliged  to  take  an  oath  not  to  serve  against  the 
king  unless  regularly  exchanged.  Many  of  these  being 
almost  naked,  he  supplied  them  with  clothing.  Thus,  by  his 
tenderness  and  humanity,  he  gained  the  affection  of  those 
Americans  who  fell  into  his  hands.  His  conduct  in  this 
respect  affords  a  striking  and  happy  contrast  to  that  of  nearly 
all  the  British  officers  who  served  in  this  country  during  the 
revolution. 

*  Four  transports  arrived  at  Elizabetlitown,  from  Quebec,  October  5th,  1776, 
with  four  hundred  and  twenty  Americans  who  had  been  prisoners  in  Canada. 
The  officers  from  Connecticut  were,  Major  Return  J.  Meigs,  Captains  Samuel 
Lock-wood,  E.  Oswald,  O.  Hanchett,  A.  Savage,  and  B.  Chatten. 

"  On  the  16th  of  September,  1776,  the  following  persons  from  Connecticut, 
were  confined  with  others,  in  one  room  at  Halifax,  among  felons,  thieves,  and 
negroes,  viz.,  Sergeants  Levi  Munson,  of  Wallingford,  Zachariah  Brinsmade,  of 
Woodbury  ;  Corporal  Charles  Steward,  of  Stamford,  Roger  Moore,  of  Salisbury, 
Samuel  Lewis,  William  Gray,  David  Goss,  and  Adonijah  JNIaxum,  of  Sharon, 
Ebenezer  Mack,  and  Levi  Barnum,  of  Norfolk,  and  Flowers,  of  New  Hartford. 
In  the  hospital — Amos  Green,  of  Norwich,  J.  Matthews,  of  Goshen,  and  Wm. 
Drinkwater,  of  New  Milford,"  Hinman,  89,  90.  These  men  were  taken  prisoners 
with  Colonel  Ethan  Allen,  in  his  attempt  upon  Montreal. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

BrUNING  OE  DANBimi.   DEATH  OF  WOOSTEE. 

Sir  William  Howe  had  been  informed  that  the  Ameri- 
cans had  large  depositories  of  military  stores  in  Danbury 
and  its  neighborhood.  He  determined  to  destroy  them 
without  delay ;  and  in  casting  about  him  for  a  faithful 
operator,  in  this  most  invidious  of  all  employments — who 
would  be  remorseless  in  the  use  of  the  torch — he  hit  very 
readily  upon  his  excellency,  Governor  Tryon,  of  New  York, 
who,  since  about  the  time  of  his  gallant  exploits  at  Mrs. 
Murray's  side-board,  had  added  to  his  administrative  title  of 
governor  of  New  York,  the  fanciful  addition  of  major-general. 
Sir  William  Howe  could  hardly  have  made  a  more  admirable 
selection.  He  was  a  shrewd  judge  of  character,  and  knew 
well  that  nothing  so  effectually  calls  out  the  latent  energies 
of  a  man  of  genius,  as  a  sudden  appeal  to  old  and  cherished 
recollections.  Now  there  was  no  part  of  the  world, 
that  could  awaken  in  the  mind  of  William  Tryon,  so 
many  lively  and  searching  associations  as  Connecticut. 
The  name  of  the  little  republic  made  his  excellency's  hair 
bristle  with  certain  sensations,  that  a  soldier  ought  not  to 
entertain.  From  the  time  Avhen  that  irreverent  company  of 
Connecticut  dragoons  had  scattered  the  type  belonging  to 
the  administration  organ,  through  the  streets  of  New  York, 
and  driven  off  his  pet,  Rivington,  with  hundreds  of  tories — 
that  were  worthy  of  being  elevated  to  the  dignity  of  gov- 
ernor's horse-guards — he  had  felt  the  liveliest  emotions  at 
the  very  sound  of  the  word  Connecticut.  In  some  way,  it 
was  inseparably  connected  in  his  mind  with  that  charming 
society  called  the  "  Sons  of  Liberty." 

General  Howe  showed  his  shrewdness,  not  only  in  select- 
ing his  agent  for  this  work,  but  also  in  sending  along  with 


[1777.]  TKYOX  GOES  ASHOEE.  297 

him,  to  see  that  he  did  not  lose  himself  in  his  explorations 
into  a  land  that  was  so  dear  to  him,  those  excellent  advisers, 
General  Agnew  and  Sir  William  Erskine.*  Those  gentle- 
men furnished  intellectual  resources  for  the  tory  major-gen- 
eral, and  he  added  the  warmth  of  his  nature,  to  give  soul  to 
the  enterprise.  Accordingly,  a  detachment  of  two  thousand 
men  were  selected  from  the  choice  spirits  of  the  British 
army,  and  nominally  placed  under  Tryon's  command.  They 
embarked  at  New  York,  and  under  the  convoy  of  a  fine  naval 
armament  of  twenty-five  vessels,  passed  over  the  waters  of 
Long  Island  Sound,  in  such  high  spirits,  as  the  warmth  of 
an  April  sun  and  the  pleasing  anticipations  of  the  business 
that  was  to  employ  them,  were  calculated  to  inspire.  They 
had  chosen  a  time  when  Connecticut  was  almost  entirely 
deserted  by  her  male  population,  who  had  gone  out  to  defend 
the  soil  of  other  states,  and  stay  up  the  trailing  banner  of  the 
noble  Washington.  They  had  left  their  homes  to  be  guarded, 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  gallant  troops,  by  the  crutches 
of  the  grandfathers,  and  the  distaffs  of  the  grandmothers,  who 
had  two  generations  of  descendants  in  the  field  hundreds  of 
miles  away.  On  this  account  his  excellency,  who  was  the 
very  antipode  of  gunpowder  Percy,  had  nothing  to  dampen 
his  mood  or  cloud  his  brow.  As  the  ships  skimmed  past  the 
coast  towns  of  western  Connecticut,  the  people  gazed  at 
them  with  mingled  curiosity  and  anxiety.  Perhaps  some  of 
them  called  to  mind  the  doings  of  Wallace,  master  of  the 
Rose,  at  Stonington  ;  but  no  particular  alarm  appears  to  have 
been  excited  until  the  heads  of  the  ships  began  to  point 
toward  the  islands  that  stand  out  from  the  Norwalk  shore. 
At  about  four  o'clock,  they  cast  anchor  in  Saugatuck  harbor, 
and  with  such  haste  as  is  consistent  with  a  pic-nic  excursion 
into  the  country,  two  thousand  men,  consisting  of  infantry, 
cavalry  and  artillery,  went  ashore  in  boats,  and  under  the 
superintendence  of  Tryon,  with  two  tory  guides  to  show 
them    the   way,  moved   forward   toward   Danbury.      They 

*  Gordon,  ii.  195. 


298  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

marched  about  eight  miles  that  night,  and  encamped  in  the 
township  of  Weston.* 

On  the  morning  of  the  26th,  at  a  verj  seasonable  hour, 
Tryon  arrived  at  Reading  Ridge,  where  was  a  small  hamlet 
of  peaceful  inhabitants,  almost  every  one  of  them  patriots  and 
most  of  them  farmers,  who  had  crowned  the  high  hill  where 
they  had  chosen  to  build  their  Zion  with  a  tall,  gaunt  church, 
which  drew  to  its  aisles  one  day  in  seven,  the  people  that 
dwelt  upon  the  sides  of  the  hills,  and  in  the  bosom  of  the  valleys, 
within  the  range  of  the  summons  that  sounded  from  its  belfry. 

By  way  of  satisfying  his  hunger  with  a  morning  lunch 
until  he  could  provide  a  more  substantial  meal,  he  drew  up 
his  artillery  in  front  of  this  weather-beaten  edifice,  that  had 
before  defied  everything  save  the  grace  of  God  and  the  sup- 
plications of  his  worshipers,  and  gave  it  a  good  round  of  can- 
nister  and  grape,  that  pierced  its  sides  through  and  through, 
and  shattered  its  small-paned  windows  into  fragments.  The 
only  spectators  to  this  heioic  demonstration  were  a  few 
women  and  little  children,  some  of  whom  ran  away  at  the 
sight  of  the  red  coats,  and  others  faced  the  invaders  with  a 
menacing  stare. 

The  British  commander  now  resumed  his  march  for  some 
distance  without  meeting  with  the  least  opposition,  until  he 
began  to  ascend  Hoyt's  Hill,  when  the  figure  of  a  single 
mounted  horseman  appeared  upon  the  summit  of  the  eminence 
with  his  face  turned  backward,  and  his  gestures  and  whole 
action  indicating  that  he  was  issuing  orders  to  a  large  army 
that  was  climbing  the  side  of  the  hill.  "  Halt !"  shouted  the 
leader  of  the  opposition  in  a  voice  of  thunder,  while  he  flour- 
ished his  sword  in  the  air,  "  Halt,  the  whole  universe — wheel 
into  kingdoms." 

Now  there  was  nothing  that  General  Tryon  had  such  a 
dread  of,  as  dying.  He  prudently  commanded  his  men  to 
halt,  in  imitation  of  the  order  given  by  the  leader  of  the  sup- 
posed army  that  was  advancing,  and  sent  out  detachments 
on  the  right  and  left,  to  reconnoitre,  and  got  his  two  field- 

*  Deming. 


[1777.]  GENERAL   TRYOX's   FRIGHT.  299 

pieces,  that  were  consecrated  by  the  mutilation  of  the  old 
church,  in  readiness  to  give  such  feeble  battle  as  he  could  to 
this  more  than  Persian  array.  The  reader  can  judge  how 
much  his  excellency  was  relieved,  when  the  videttes  returned, 
and  informed  him  that  the  wretch  who  had  thus  disturbed  his 
valor  was  the  only  mortal  in  sight ;  and  that  no  part  of  him 
was  visible  except  his  back,  as  he  rode  toward  Danbury,  with 
the  speed  of  a  shooting-star.*  Little  else  occurred  of  an 
alarming  character  during  the  march.  They  arrived  in  Dan- 
bury  about  two  o'clock. f  There  were  a  few  continental 
soldiers  in  the  place,  but  they  could  not  make  a  stand  against 
this  large  invading  party,  and  were  obliged  to  withdraw. 
General  Tryon  selected  the  house  of  one  Dibble,  a  faithful 
tory,  for  his  head- quarters,  who  lived  at  the  south  end  of 
the  main  street,  close  by  the  spot  where  the  military  stores 
had   been  deposited. 

As  Generals  Erskine  and  Agnew  were  advancing  under 
the  protection  of  a  corps  of  light-infantry,  to  take  up  their 
quarters  at  the  other  end  of  the  same  street,  the  party  was 
fired  upon  by  four  young  men  from  the  house  of  Major  Starr. 
This  brave  but  rash  act  cost  the  young  patriots  their  lives. 
They  were  instantly  pursued  and  shot.  A  poor  negro  who 
was  caught  near  them  without  weapons  in  his  hands,  was 
also  murdered,  and  the  five  bodies  were  thrown  into  the  house, 
which  was  instantly  set  on  fire.  J 

*  Barber's  Hist.  Coll. ;  Deming's  Oration. 

t  "  A  man  named  Hamilton  had  on  deposit  at  a  clothier's  in  the  lower  part  of 
the  village,  a  piece  of  cloth,  which  he  was  determined  at  all  hazards  to  rescue 
from  sequestration.  He  accordingly  rode  to  the  shop,  and  having  secured  one 
end  of  the  cloth  to  the  pummel  of  his  saddle,  galloped  rapidly  away.  He  was 
seen  by  the  enemy's  light-horsemen,  who  followed  hard  upon  him,  exclaiming, 
"  We'll  have  you,  old  daddy  ;  we'll  have  you."  "  Not  yet,"  said  Hamilton,  as  he 
redoubled  his  speed.  The  troops  gain  upon  their  intended  victim  ;  the  nearest 
one  raises  his  sabre  to  strike,  when  fortunately  the  cloth  unrolls,  and  fluttering  like 
a  streamer,  far  behind,  so  frightens  the  pursuing  horses  that  they  cannot  be  brought 
within  striking  distance  of  the  pursued.  The  chase  continues  through  the  whole 
extent  of  the  village,  to  the  bridge,  where  finally  the  old  gentleman  and  his  cloth 
make  good  their  escape."     Deming,  Hinman. 

t  Gordon,  ii.  195. 


800  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

A  large  quantity  of  the  public  stores  had  been  deposited  in 
the  episcopal  church,  and  the  first  work  of  the  soldiers,  was 
to  remove  them  into  the  street  and  burn  them.  Some  of  the 
provisions  were  also  stored  in  a  barn  belonging  to  Dibble. 
This  building  was  treated  with  the  same  respect,  as  its  pro- 
prietor had  the  honor  to  entertain  General  Tryon  as  a  guest. 
Another  barn  belonging  to  a  friend  of  American  liberty, 
which  had  been  appropriated  to  the  same  use,  was  set  on  fire 
and  consumed  with  its  contents.  In  a  few  hours  eighteen 
hundred  barrels  of  pork  and  beef,  seven  hundred  barrels  of 
flour,  two  thousand  bushels  of  wheat,  rye,  oats  and  Indian 
corn,  clothing  for  a  regiment  of  troops,  and  seventeen 
hundred  and  ninety  tents,  were  burned.  The  smoke  arising 
from  the  destruction  of  this  property  was  strangulating  and 
filled  the  whole  air,  while  the  streets  ran  with  the  melted  pork 
and  beef  There  was  also  a  large  quantity  of  liquors  in  some 
of  the  buildings.  These  the  soldiers  were  most  reluctant 
to  destroy,  and  did  not  do  so,  until  after  they  had  drank 
so  fi'eely  of  them,  that  when  the  labors  of  the  day  were 
ended  only  a  few  hundred  were  fit  for  duty.  While  the 
imbruted  soldiers  piled  the  fuel  around  the  flour  and  beef,  and 
stirred  up  the  laggard  flames  to  a  fiercer  glare,  the  women  and 
little  children  could  see  by  the  fitful  light  the  mark  of  the 
white  cross  that  had  been  distinctly  drawn  upon  the  tory 
dwellings,  to  signify  that  the  destroying  angel  about  to  go 
through  the  town,  would  stay  his  hand  at  their  door-posts 
and  pass  them  by  unharmed.  The  same  dingy  light  now 
disclosed  a  scene  of  loathsome  drunkenness  that  surpasses 
description.  Hundreds  lay  scattered  at  random,  wherever 
the  palsying  demon  had  overtaken  them ;  some  in  the  streets, 
with  their  faces  blackened  with  smoke  and  soiled  with  earth ; 
others  sprawling  in  the  door-yards,  and  others  still,  wild  with 
excitement,  holding  themselves  up  by  fences  and  trees,  or 
grasping  fast  hold  of  each  other,  called  loudly  with  oaths  and 
curses  to  be  led  against  the  rebels.* 

*  This  description  was  given  to  me  by  a  revolutionary  soldier,  who  was  present 
throughout  the  whole  aflfair. 


[1777.]  APPREHENSIONS   OF  TRYON.  801 

In  this  horrible  condition  the  revolutionary  patriots  of 
Danbury  saw  the  shades  of  night  gather  around  their  dwell- 
ings, and  in  sleepless  apprehension  did  they  count  the  hours 
as  tlxey  dragged  slowly  on. 

Nor  did  the  brigand  who  led  this  band  of  incendiaries 
pass  the  night  in  sleep.  The  faithful  few  who  had  resisted 
the  temptations  of  the  cup,  were  on  the  alert,  and  brought 
him  from  time  to  time  the  unwelcome  intelligence  that 
groups  of  patriot  farmers  were  fast  dropping  in  from  the 
neighboring  villages  and  towns,  and  were  beginning  to  form 
into  organized  companies.  What  if  Wooster,  or  Parsons,  or 
Huntington,  or  Arnold,  should  prove  to  be  at  the  head  of 
them,  and  should  steal  upon  him  while  his  troops  were  in 
that  defenseless  condition  ?     The  thought  was  horrible  ! 

Thus  heavily  passed  the  watches  of  that  gloomy  Saturday 
night.  At  last  the  day  began  to  approach,  and  reason, 
unsettled  for  awhile  in  the  dull  brains  of  the  British  soldiers, 
returned  to  them  again.  The  marks  of  the  late  dissipation  still 
appeared  in  their  swollen  faces  and  blood-shot  eyes  ;  but  they 
were  now  able  to  stand  upright,  to  grasp  a  musket,  and 
defend  themselves  against  the  farmers  who  were  gathering, 
ill-weaponed  and  undisciplined  as  they  were,  to  oppose  them. 
Then  the  British  general  began  to  breathe  more  easily,  and 
to  exhibit  in  a  more  striking  manner  the  remarkable  traits  of 
his  genius.  He  drew  up  his  forces  in  order  of  defense ;  he 
attended  to  all  the  arrangements,  and  presided  over  every 
detail  of  the  preparations  that  he  was  making  to  usher  in, 
with  ceremonials  worthy  of  the  occasion,  another  Sabbath 
day.  On  a  sudden,  as  if  by  the  pulling  of  a  wire  upon  the 
stage,  the  curtains  of  darkness  were  withdrawn  from  the 
village,  and,  like  a  will-o'-the-wisp,  wandering  and  zig-zag 
from  street  to  street,  from  house  to  house,  passed  the  flaming 
torch  of  the  incendiary.  The  congregational  meeting-house, 
the  largest  and  most  expensive  building  in  the  place,  is  soon 
discovered  to  be  on  fire,  and,  one  after  another,  the  dwell- 
ings, stores,  and  barns  of  that  peaceful  community  add  their 
tributary  lamps  to  that  great   centre-beacon  of  the  town, 


802  HISTOEY  OF   CONNECTICUT. 

until  every  house,  save  those  that  have  the  mystic  sign  upon 
them,  are  in  a  broad  blaze.  Meanwhile,  by  the  light  of  their 
own  homes,  mothers,  screening  their  babes  from  the  bleak 
air  with  the  scanty  clothing  that  they  had  snatched  up  in 
haste  and  denied  to  themselves,  crippled  old  men  and 
palsied  women,  and  little  boys  and  girls  clinging  to  their 
feeble  protectors,  made  such  haste  as  they  could  to  save  their 
lives  from  the  fire  ;  taking  care  to  avoid  the  jeers  of  their  com- 
fortable tory  neighbors,  who  looked  out  from  the  doors  and 
windows  where  the  white  cross  glared  in  mockery  alike  of 
God  and  of  humanity,  and  to  shun  at  the  same  time  the 
unhallowed  contact  of  the  soldiers,  they  ran,  crawled,  or  were 
carried  upon  their  beds,  into  lonely  lanes,  damp  pastures,  and 
leafless  woods. 

Having  witnessed  the  destruction  of  the  meeting-house, 
nineteen  dwelling-houses,  twenty-two  stores,  and  barns, 
and  great  quantities  of  hay  and  grain  that  belonged 
to  the  inhabitants  of  the  place,  and  having  feasted  his 
eyes  with  the  fear  and  anguish  of  the  women  against 
whom  he  waged  this  glorious  war,  Major-General  Tryon, 
taking  a  last  fond  look  of  the  scene  of  his  exploits,  and 
noting  doubtless  the  artistic  effect  of  the  faint  blue  smoke- 
wreaths  as  they  curled  upward  to  stain  the  blushing  fore- 
head of  the  morning,  withdrew  his  troops  and  resumed  his 
march  toward  the  sea-shore.* 

When  the  invader  was  fairly  out  of  sight,  the  poor  fugi- 
tives from  their  several  hiding-places,  returned,  and  cowering 
over  the  charred  timbers  of  the  homes  that  they  had  fled 
from,  warmed  their  shivering  frames  and  trembling  hands 
over  the  ruins  of  Danbury. 

In  the  mean  time  the  news  of  Tryon's  arrival  flew  along 
the  whole  coast.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  26th,  Gene- 
ral Silliman,  with  about  five  hundred  militia,  such  as  he  had 
been  able  to  gather  upon  a  sudden  call,  pursued  the  enemy ; 
and  not  long  after,  the  venerable  Wooster,  who  had  started 
off  at  a  moment's  warning  to  defend  the  soil  of  his  native 

*  See  Gordon,  Hinman. 


[1777.]  FALL   OF   GENERAL  WOOSTER.  803 

State    from    insult,  joined    him,    with   Arnold,    and   another 
handful  of  militia.      A  heavy  rain  retarded  their  movements 
so  much,  that  they  did  not  reach  Bethel  till  late  at  night. 
It  was  therefore  decided  to  attack  the  enemy  on  their  return. 
On  the  morning  of  the  27th,  the  American  troops  were 
astir   at   a   very   early   hour.     General   Wooster   detached 
Generals  Silliman  and  Arnold,  with  about  five  hundred  men, 
to  advance  and  intercept  the  enemy  in  front,  while  he  under- 
took with  the  remainder — amounting  only   to  two  hundred 
half-armed   militia — to   attack   them   in   the   rear.      About 
nine  o'clock,  he  came  up  with  them  as  they  were  marching 
upon  the  Norwalk  road,  and,  taking  advantage  of  the  uneven 
ground,  fell  upon  a  whole  regiment  with  such  impetuosity 
as  to  throw  them  into    confusion,   and  break  their  ranks. 
Before  they  could  be  restored  to  order,  he  had  succeeded  in 
taking  forty  prisoners  ;  a  number  equal  to  one  fifth  part  of 
his  whole  force.      He  continued  to  hang  upon  their  skirts 
and  harass  them  for  some  time,  waiting  for  another  favorable 
opportunity  to  make  an  attack.     A  few  miles  from  Ridge- 
field,  where  the  hills  appeared  to  offer  a  chance  of  breaking 
their  ranks  a  second  time,   he   again  charged  furiously  upon 
them.     The  rear  guard,  chagrined  at  the  result  of  the  for- 
mer encounter,  now  faced  about  and  met  him  with  a  dis- 
charge of  artillery  and  small  arms.     His  men  returned  their 
shot  resolutely  at  first,  but   as  they  were  unused  to  battle, 
they  soon  began  to  fall  back.      Wooster,  uniting  all  the  fire 
of  youth  with  the   experience   of  an  old  soldier,  who  had 
seen  hard  service  in  more  than   one  field,  sought  .to  inspire 
them  with  his  own  courage.     Turning  his  horse's  head  and 
waving  his  sword,  he  called  out  to  them  in  a  brisk  tone, 
"Come    on,    my   boys  ;  never   mind    such   random   shots." 
Before  he  had  time  to  turn  his  face  again  toward  the  enemy, 
a  musket   ball,    aimed  by  a  tory  marksman,  penetrated  his 
back,  breaking  the  spinal  column,  and  lodging  in  the  fleshy 
parts  of  his  body.     He  instantly  fell  from  his  horse.      His 
faithful  friends  stripped  his  sash  from  his  person  and  bore 
him  upon  it  from  the  field. 


804  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Arnold  and  Silliman  made  a  forced  march  to  Ridgefield, 
and  arrived  there  about  eleven  o'clock.  They  threw  up  a 
temporary  barricade  across  the  road  on  the  rising  ground, 
and  stationed  their  little  party  in  such  a  manner  as  to  cover 
their  right  flank  by  a  house  and  barn,  and  their  left  by  a 
ledge  of  rocks.      Here  they  quietly  awaited  the  enemy. 

As  soon  as  Agnew  and  Erskine  saw  what  position  the 
Americans  had  taken,  they  advanced  and  received  their 
fire,  and  though  they  sustained  considerable  loss,  they 
returned  it  with  spirit.  The  action  lasted  about  ten  minutes, 
when  the  British  gained  the  ledge  of  rocks,  and  the  Ameri- 
cans were  obliged  to  retreat.  The  American  officers  behav- 
ed with  great  spirit.  Arnold  was  shot  at  by  a  whole  platoon 
of  soldiers  standing  not  more  than  thirty  yards  from  him. 
His  horse  was  killed  under  him,  but  no  other  ball  took  effect. 
Snatching  his  pistols,  he  shot  dead  a  soldier  who  was  making 
up  to  him  to  run  him  through  with  his  bayonet,  and  thus 
made  his  escape.  The  Americans  kept  up  a  scattering 
fire  till  nearly  night,  when  General  Tryon  encamped  at 
Ridgefield.  In  the  morning  he  set  fire  to  the  church,  but  he 
probably  did  not  superintend  this  piece  of  work  himself,  as 
it  was  so  inartistically  done  that  it  proved  to  be  a  failure. 
He  was  more  fortunate  with  four  dwelling-houses  which  he 
soon  had  the  satisfaction  to  see  wrapped  in  flames.  He  now 
resumed  his  march,  but  Arnold  followed  him  up  so  closely 
that  he  soon  crossed  the  Saugatuck  river,  and  marched  on 
the  east  side  of  it,  while  the  Americans  kept  pace  with  him 
on  the  left.  Thus  they  advanced,  cannonading  each  other 
whenever  they  could  find  a  convenient  opportunity. 

About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  gallant  Colonel 
Deming,  with  a  little  party  of  continental  troops,  forded  the 
river  where  it  was  about  four  feet  deep,  and,  unperceived  by 
the  enemy,  attacked  them  with  desperate  violence  upon  the 
rear  and  upon  the  left  flank,  pursuing  them  and  keeping  up  a 
galling  fire  that  did  them  very  serious  harm.  Arnold  pushed 
forward  toward  the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  drawing  his 
men    up   in   good   order  upon   a  hill,  opened  a  heavy  fire 


[1777.]  A   DEATH-BED   SCENE.  805 

upon  the  right  flank  of  the  enemy's  rear.  The  Americans 
could  follow  them  no  further  on  account  of  the  dangerous 
proximity  of  the  ships.  The  British  troops  who  were 
marching  in  the  van,  immediately  embarked,  while  the  cen- 
tre and  rear  formed  on  a  hill.  While  Arnold  was  discharg- 
ing his  cannon  at  the  boats,  and  while  Deming  was  plying 
the  major-general  in  the  rear,  Colonel  Lamb,  who  was  from 
New  York,  and  of  course  one  of  his  excellency's  own 
subjects,  crept  with  about  two  hundred  men  behind  a  stone- 
wall, and  gave  him  a  parting  salute  at  the  distance  of  about 
one  hundred  yards. 

Glad  enough  was  Tryon  to  get  aboard  his  good  ship  once 
more,  and  it  is  believed  that  he  cherished  to  his  dying  day 
the  recollection  of  his  first  visit  to  Connecticut. 

But  let  us  turn  our  thoughts,  for  a  moment,  to  other 
scenes. 

Dr.  Turner,  the  surgeon  in  attendance,  probed  the  wound 
of  the  venerable  Wooster,  and  informed  him  that  it  was 
mortal.  He  heard  the  intelligence  with  unruffled  calmness. 
A  messenger  was  immediately  dispatched  to  New  Haven  for 
Mrs.  Wooster,  and  the  wounded  man  was  speedil}^  removed 
to  Danbury.  Inflammation  soon  extended  to  the  brain,  and 
when  Mrs.  Wooster  arrived,  he  was  too  delirious  to  recog- 
nize her.  For  three  days  and  nights  he  suffered  the  most 
excruciating  agony.  On  the  morning  of  the  1st  of  May,  the 
pain  suddenly  ceased.  During  that  whole  day,  and  the  next, 
his  wife,  who  remained  constantly  at  his  bed-side,  noticed 
with  the  quick  eye  of  a  woman's  affection,  that  his  mind 
was  laboring  with  the  broken  images  of  scenes  that  had  long 
ago  faded  from  his  recollection,  and  were  now  passing  in 
wild  review  before  him.  Still,  she  called  vainly  upon  him  for 
a  token  of  recognition.  The  paleness  of  death,  the  short 
breathing,  the  fluttering  pulse,  at  length  indicated  that  the 
last  moment  was  at  hand.  She  was  stooping  over  him  to 
wipe  the  death-dew  from  his  forehead,  when  suddenly  he 
opened  his  eyes,  and  fixed  them  full  upon  her  with  a  look  of 
consciousness  and  deep  love.    His  lips  trembled.    He  sought 

52 


806  HISTORY  OF  CONKECTICUT. 

to  speak,  but  his  voice  was  stifled  in  the  embrace  of  death.* 
The  character  of  Wooster  needs  no  eulogy  to  recommend 
it  to  the  people  of  the  state,  to  defend  whose  soil  against 
the  polluting  foot-prints  of  her  first  invader,  he  so  nobly 
sacrificed  his  life.  In  personal  appearance,  as  may  be  infer- 
red from  the  poor  portrait  that  we  have  of  him,  few  men 
have  surpassed  him  ;  in  generous  hospitality,  in  the  most 
unwavering  integrity,  in  the  forbearance  with  which  he  sub- 
mitted to  private  insults  and  public  slights,  in  the  length  of 
his  military  career,  and  in  its  glorious  consummation,  he 
will  forever  keep  his  rank  among  the  first  of  American 
patriots, — while  the  tongue  that  traduced  and  the  pen  that 
libelled  him,  will  be  remembered  chiefly  because  they  are 
seen  in  contrast  with  his  virtues. f 

*  Madam  Wooster  was  a  daughter  of  the  Reverend  Thomas  Clapp,  Presi- 
dent of  Yale  College.  She  was  highly  esteemed  in  her  day  for  her  dignity,  hos- 
pitality, and  benevolence. 

t  General  David  Wooster  was  born  in  Stratford,  Connecticut,  in  1711,  and 
graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1738,  He  served  with  distinction  in  the  French 
and  Indian  wars ;  and  in  April  1775,  he  was  appomted  a  major-general  in  the 
Connecticut  militia.  During  the  following  June,  Congress  commissioned  him  as 
one  of  the  two  brigadier-generals  allotted  to  Connecticut — his  colleague  being 
General  Spencer. 

General  Wooster  was  a  patriot  and  christian,  and  deserves  to  be  particularly 
remembered  for  the  purity  of  his  hfe,  his  distinguished  public  services — his  zeal 
and  bravery,  united  with  energy  and  prudence. 

The  late  Deacon  Nathan  Beers,  of  New  Haven,  himself  an  officer  of  the  revo- 
lution, not  long  before  his  decease,  communicated  to  the  American  Historical 
Magazine,  the  following  statement : 

"  The  last  time  I  saw  General  Wooster  was  in  June  1775,  He  was  at  the 
head  of  his  regiment,  which  was  then  embodied  on  the  Green,  in  front  of  where 
the  centre  church  now  stands.  They  were  ready  for  a  march,  with  their  arms 
glittering,  and  their  knapsacks  on  their  backs.  Colonel  Wooster  had  already  dis- 
patched a  messenger  for  his  minister,  the  Rev,  Jonathan  Edwards,  v/ith  a  request 
that  he  would  meet  the  regiment  and  pray  with  them  before  their  departure.  He 
then  conducted  his  men  in  military  order  into  the  meeting-house,  and  seated 
himself  in  his  own  pew,  awaiting  the  return  of  the  messenger.  He  was  speedily 
informed  that  the  clergyman  was  absent  from  home.  Colonel  Wooster  immedi- 
ately stepped  into  the  deacon's  seat  in  front  of  the  pulpit,  and  calling  his  men  to 
attend  to  prayers,  offered  up  a  humble  petition  for  his  beloved  country,  for  him- 
self, the  men  under  his  immediate  command,  and  for  the  success  of  the  cause  in 
which  they  were  engaged.      His  prayers  were  offered  with  the  fervent  zeal  of  an 


[1777.]  THE   RETALIATION.  807 

As  the  battle  of  Lexington  was  followed  by  a  retaliatory 
act  on  the  part  of  Connecticut,  so  the  predatory  incursions 
of  Tryon  produced  a  like  result. 

General  Parsons,  one  of  the  most  heroic  soldiers  as  well 
as  one  of  the  best  lawyers  and  most  scholarly  writers  of  the 
revolutionary  period,  had  already  discovered  that  there  was 
a  large  deposit  of  military  stores  laid  up  for  the  use  of  the 
British  army  at  Sag  Harbor,  and  now  determined  to  avenge 
the  insult  offered  to  Connecticut,  by  siezing  and  destroying 
them.  He  employed  Colonel  Meigs  to  execute  this  mission. 
Accordingly,  Meigs,  on  the  21st  of  May,  left  New  Haven  for 
Guilford,  with  what  men  he  could  muster,  in  thirteen  whale- 
boats.  At  Guilford  he  obtained  some  reinforcements,  and 
on  the  23d,  crossed  the  sound  with  one  hundred  and  seventy 
men,  under  convoy  of  two  armed  sloops.  He  took  along 
with  his  company  another  sloop,  that  was  unarmed,  to 
bring  off  the  prisoners  that  he  had  counted  upon  as  a 
part  of  his  booty.  He  reached  the  north  branch  of  the 
island,  near  Southold,  at  six  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and 
there  took  his  whale-boats,  with  most  of  his  men,  overland 
to  the  bay,  where  they  again  embarked.  About  mid- 
night they  found  themselves  on  the  other  side  of  the  bay, 
only  four  miles  from  Sag  Harbor.  They  landed  under  the 
cover  of  a  thick  wood,  where  Colonel  Meigs  left  the  boats 
in  care  of  a  guard,  and  advanced  with  the  main  body, 
amounting  to  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  men,  in  excel- 
lent order.  He  arrived  at  Sag  Harbor  about  two  o'clock, 
and  dividing  the  company  into  several  parties,  made  an 
attack  upon  all  the  guards  at  once,  with  fixed  bayonets.  The 
alarm  was  soon  given,  and  a  schooner  that  had  been  station- 
ed there  with  seventy  men,  and  twelve  guns,  opened  a  heavy 
fire  upon  them. 

Colonel    Meigs   attacked   them    with  great   spirit,   killed 

apostle,  and  in  such  pathetic  language,  that  it  drew  tears  from  many  an  eye,  and 
affected  many  a  heart.  When  he  had  closed,  he  left  the  house  with  his  men  in 
the  same  order  they  had  entered  it,  and  the  regiment  took  up  its  line  of  march 
for  New  York.     With  such  a  prayer  on  his  lips  he  entered  the  Revolution." 


808       .  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

some  of  them,  and  took  nearly  all  the  rest  prisoners.  Only- 
six  escaped  by  flight.  He  also  set  fire  to  the  vessels  and  for- 
age. He  destroyed  twelve  brigs  and  sloops,  one  hundred 
tons  of  pressed  hay,  a  large  quantity  of  grain,  ten  hogsheads 
of  rum,  and  a  great  amount  of  merchandise.  By  two  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon  he  returned  to  Guilford  with  ninety  pris- 
oners. In  a  little  more  than  twenty -four  hours,  he  had  trav- 
eled by  land  and  water  a  distance  of  ninety  miles,  without 
the  loss  of  a  man.  Congress  voted  him  an  elegant  sword  as 
a  reward  of  his  address  and  valor.  He  accomplished  as 
much  by  this  expedition  as  Tryon  had  done  at  Danbury, 
except  that  he  burned  no  dwelling-houses,  mutilated  no 
churches,  and  drove  from  their  homes  no  women  and  chil- 
dren.* It  had  always  been  the  policy  of  our  state  to  wage 
war  only  with  men. 

*  Colonel  R,  J.  Meigs,  of  Middletown,  Connecticut,  was  one  of  the  most  suc- 
cessful partizan  officers  of  the  Revolution.  Soon  after  the  close  of  the  war,  he 
became  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  wilderness  of  Ohio.  He  was  the  agent  for 
Indian  affairs  as  early  as  1816  ;  and  died  at  the  Cherokee  agency,  June  28,  1823, 
at  an  advanced  age.  He  pubhshed  a  journal  of  the  Expedition  to  Quebec  from 
Sept.  9,  1775,  to  Jan.  1, 1776.  His  son  of  the  same  name  was  governor  of  Ohio, 
and  Postmaster  General  of  the  United  States. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


PRINCETON  AND  THE  HIGHLANDS. 


The  efforts  of  Putnam  in  fortifying  Philadelphia  were  so 
great,  that  his  health  was  for  a  long  time  very  much  impair- 
ed. On  the  very  day  that  Washington  re-crossed  the  Dela- 
ware to  surprise  the  Hessians,  he  found  time  to  write  a  letter 
to  Putnam,  congratulating  him  on  his  restoration  to  health, 
and  informing  him  of  the  contents  of  an  intercepted  letter, 
revealing  the  designs  which  the  enemy  had  upon  Philadel- 
phia. On  the  5th  of  January,  1777,  the  commander-in-chief 
communicated  to  Putnam  his  second  masterly  victory  at 
Princeton,  and  ordered  him  forward  with  all  his  troops  to 
Croswicks',  to  assist  in  recovering  the  ground  that  had 
been  so  hastily  overrun  by  the  enemy,  who  were  now  panic- 
stricken  and  appalled  at  the  brilliant  successes  that  had 
attended  the  American  chief 

Soon  after  this,  he  was  directed  to  take  post  at  Princeton. 
Here  he  remained  until  spring,  within  fifteen  miles  of  the 
large  British  garrison  stationed  at  Brunswick,  with  only  a 
few  hundred  men,  and  a  long  and  difficult  frontier  that 
numbered,  at  one  time,  more  miles  than  he  had  soldiers.  He 
was  obliged  to  keep  up  appearances  comporting  with  the 
presence  of  a  large  army. 

When  Putnam  arrived  at  Princeton,  he  found  there  Cap- 
tain McPherson,  of  the  seventeenth  British  regiment,  who 
had  been  shot  through  the  lungs,  and  was  in  a  very  danger- 
ous condition.  He  was  suffering  extreme  pain,  and  had  not 
even  been  examined  by  a  surgeon.  No  one  supposed  that 
he  could  live  more  than  a  few  hours  when  Putnam  first  discov- 
ered him.  Putnam  procured  surgical  attendance,  and  bestow- 
ed the  most  delicate  attentions  upon  the  wounded  officer, 
who,  to  the  astonishment  of  every  body,  soon  began  to  show 


310  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

signs  of  recovery.  McPherson,  with  all  the  prejudices  of  a 
Scotchman,  was  as  generous  as  he  was  brave.  He  knew 
that  he  owed  his  life  to  Putnam,  and  acknowledged  the  debt 
with  deep  gratitude.  The  warmest  friendship  soon  grew  up 
between  them,  that  was  ripened  by  familiar  intercourse. 
One  day,  the  conversation  turning  upon  the  favorite 
theme,  the  following  good-natured  dialogue  passed  between 
them  : 

McPherson.     "  Pray,  sir,  what  countryman  are  you  ?" 

Putnam.     "  An  American." 

McPherson.     "  Not  a  Yankee  ?" 

Putnam.     "  A  full-blooded  one." 

McPherson.  "By  God!  I  am  sorry  for  it.  I  did  not  think 
there  could  be  so  much  goodness  and  generosity  in  an  Amer- 
ican— or  indeed  in  anybody,  but  a  Scotchman." 

After  McPherson  was  able  to  give  his  attention  to  busi- 
ness, and  while  his  situation  was  yet  critical,  he  begged 
General  Putnam  to  allow  him  to  send  for  a  friend,  who  was 
in  the  British  army  at  Brunswick,  to  come  and  assist  him  in 
making  his  will.  At  this  time,  Putnam's  whole  army 
amounted  to  only  fifty  men,  and  the  arrival  of  a  keen  British 
officer,  who  would  be  able  to  spy  out  his  resources  at  a 
glance,  was  a  thing  of  all  others  to  be  deprecated.  On  the 
other  hand,  he  felt  anxious  to  gratify  the  prisoner  in  the 
indulgence  of  a  request  so  reasonable,  and  making  such  a 
ready  appeal  to  his  sympathies.  He  resorted  to  an  expedient 
that  proved  him  to  be  what  he  had  proclaimed  himself,  "  a 
full-blooded  Yankee."  He  sent  a  flag  of  truce  to  Brunswick 
with  Captain  McPherson's  request,  but  with  directions  not 
to  return  until  after  dark.  In  the  evening,  he  placed  a  light 
in  every  room  in  the  college  and  in  all  the  apartments  of  the 
vacant  houses  in  the  town.  He  kept  his  fifty  men  marching 
the  whole  night,  sometimes  all  together,  and  sometimes  in 
detachments,  passing  and  meeting  near  the  house  where  the 
wounded  captain  and  his  testamentary  adviser  were  lodged. 
When  the  British  officer  returned,  he  reported  that  General 
Putnam's  army  could  not  amount  to  less  than  four  thousand 


[1777.]  PUTNAM'S  LETTER.  311 

men.*  During  the  winter,  with  his  very  limited  means,  Put- 
nam took  about  one  thousand  prisoners,  most  of  them  tories 
and  members  of  foraging  parties.  The  following  letter  from 
Putnam  to  the  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety,  under  date  of 
February  18th,  1777,  will  show  the  success  of  one  of  Lord 
Cornwallis'  foraging  expeditions : 

"  Yesterday  evening  Colonel  Nelson,  with  a  hundred  and 
fifty  men,  at  Lawrence's  Neck,  attacked  sixty  men  of  Cort- 
landt  Skinner's  Brigade,  commanded  by  the  enemy's 
RENOWNED  LAND  PILOT,  Mttjov  Riclicird  Stocktoii,  routcd  them, 
and  took  the  whole  prisoners — among  them  the  Major,  a 
Captain  and  three  subalterns,  with  seventy  stands  of  arms. 
Fifty  of  the  Bedford  Pennsylvania  Riflemen  behaved  like 
veterans.''^ 

The  old  continental  army  expired  with  the  year  1776. 
After  Putnam's  return  from  New  Jersey,  the  new  army  was 
divided  into  three  main  branches.  One  division,  consisting 
of  troops  belonging  south  of  the  Hudson  river,  under  Wash- 
ington ;  the  northern  department,  under  General  Schuyler, 
composed  of  two  brigades  from  Massachusetts,  the  New 
York  brigade,  and  some  irregular  corps  ;  and  the  third, 
under  General  Putnam,  was  stationed  in  the  Highlands. 
This  last  detachment  was  made  up  of  the  two  remaining 
brigades  from  Massachusetts,  two  brigades  from  Connecticut, 
one  from  Rhode  Island,  and  a  single  regiment  from  New 
York.  On  hearing  of  the  loss  of  Ticonderoga,  General 
Washington  ordered  the  two  Massachusetts  brigades  to  join 
the  northern  department,  and  when  he  had  learned  the 
strength  of  Sir  William  Howe's  army,  he  ordered  from  the 
Highlands  into  Pennsylvania  one  of  the  Connecticut  brig- 
ades, and  one  from  Rhode  Island  ;  so  that  Putnam's  whole 
force  now  amounted  only  to  a  single  Connecticut  brigade 
and  the  New  York  regiment.  He  established  his  head  quar- 
ters at  Peekskill.  There  was  in  New  York  a  large  force 
made  up  of  British  troops,  and  several  corps  of  New  York 
tories  who  had  flocked  to  the  British  standard.  J 

*  Humphreys,  134,  135.         f  Humphreys,  141.        ^  Humphreys,  143,  144. 


812  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Between  the  two  armies  was  a  large  tract  of  country,  that 
afforded  abundant  booty  and  good  hiding-places  for  a  com- 
pany of  nondescript  tories,  half  brigand  and  half  soldier, 
who  did  nothing  but  rob  and  plunder  the  country  on  both 
sides  of  the  river,  and  who  made  their  head-quarters,  or 
rather  their  principal  den,  at  Westchester.  Neither  the 
rights  of  property,  nor  of  personal  security,  were  safe  within 
the  range  of  their  pillaging  explorations.  They  not  only 
stole  the  horses  and  cattle  of  the  more  peaceable  inhabitants, 
but  took  possession  of  their  persons  and  those  of  their  wives 
and  daughters  and  subjected  them  to  the  most  barbarous 
violence  and  outrageous  insults.  The  patriots  retaliated, 
and  deeds  were  perpetrated  along  the  banks  of  the  Hudson 
that  would  have  disgraced  the  tenth  century. 

General  Putnam  resolved  to  put  an  end  to  these  enormi- 
ties. He  sent  Colonel  Meigs  with  his  regiment  down  the 
river  to  effect  this  object.  Meigs  performed  during  the 
campaign  some  daring  feats,  that  taught  that  rabble  of 
depredators  to  respect  the  moral  principle  and  discipline  that 
thev  did  not  choose  to  cultivate  themselves., 

General  Putnam  was  thought  to  be  the  author  of  this 
movement,  and  all  the  malevolent  feelings  of  the  party  who 
felt  their  liberties  to  be  restrained,  were  directed  against  him. 
They  finally  began  to  concert  measures  to  surprise  the 
general  and  make  him  a  prisoner.  Governor  Tryon  proba- 
bly had  the  honor  of  being  consulted  in  this  enterprise,  as 
will  appear  in  the  sequel.  To  make  Putnam  a  captive  after  all 
the  trouble  that  he  had  given  them,  would  be  an  achievement 
worth  accomplishing.  Spies  were  sent  into  his  neighbor- 
hood, who  lurked  in  large  numbei^s  around  his  camp.  British 
'  gold  was  lavished  so  plentifully,  and  such  rewards  were 
offered  in  case  of  success,  that  the  tories  exerted  themselves 
to  the  utmost,  and  were  more  bold  than  they  ever  had  been 
in  any  good  cause.  The  intention  to  seize  Putnam  at  his 
head-quarters  was  so  generally  understood,  that  Washington 
was  well  aware  of  it,  and  sent  him  information  in  relation  to 
it,  accompanied  with  a  caution  to  him  to  be  on  his  guard. 


[1777.]  PUTNAM   HANGS   PALMER.  813 

In  spite  of  all  Putnam's  vigilance,  one  Nathan  Palmer,  a 
lieutenant  in  the  ranks  of  the  tory  recruits,  found  his  way 
into  the  camp,  but  he  was  fortunately  detected,  tried,  and 
found  guilty  of  being  a  spy.  Governor  Tryon,  who  com- 
manded the  tory  levies,  used  all  his  efforts  to  save  the 
prisoner.  He  wrote  a  letter  to  Putnam,  in  which  he  painted 
in  glowing  colors  the  crime  of  taking  the  life  of  one  of  the 
king's  commissioned  officers.  He  threatened  the  American 
general  with  his  sharpest  vengeance,  if  he  dared  to  do  the 
least  harm  to  Palmer.  Putnam  had  a  very  concise  way  of 
expressing  his  thoughts  in  writing.  He  answered  the  menac- 
ing epistle  in  these  pertinent  words  : 

"  Sir — Nathan  Palmer,  a  lieutenant  in  your  king's  service, 

was  taken  in  my  camp  as  a  spy.     He  was  tried  as  a  spy ;  he 

was  condemned  as  a  spy,  and  you  may  rest  assured,  sir,  he 

shall  be  hanged  as  a  spy. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

"Israel  Putnam. 
"  His  Excellency,  Governor  Tryon. 

"  P.  S.     Afternoon.     He  is  hanged."* 

The  letter,  as  well  as  the  postscript,  is  a  model  of  pith  and 
brevity. 

Soon  after  the  departure  of  the  two  brigades  for  Penn- 
sylvania, the  British  army  at  New  York  was  largely  rein- 
forced by  the  arrival  of  troops  from  England.  Putnam's 
single  brigade  in  the  field,  and  his  solitary  regiment  at  Fort 
Montgomery,  under  command  of  General  Clinton,  could 
hardly  be  expected  to  withstand  the  large  army  that  might 
at  any  hour  he  marched  against  him.  He  wrote  to  General 
Washington  informing  him  of  his  situation  and  asking  him 
for  some  troops  to  defend  the  important  posts  that  had  been 
intrusted  to  his  keeping.  Washington's  condition  was 
equally  perilous,  and  he  could  only  authorize  him  to  call  upon 
the  militia. 

Putnam  was  not  wrong  in  his  apprehensions  of  evil.     On 

*  Ilinman,  113  ;  Humphreys,  147. 


814  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

the  5th  of  October,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  sailed  up  the  Hudson 
with  three  thousand  men,  and  after  making  many  feints  to 
deceive  the  Americans,  and,  passing  the  night  on  board  his 
vessels,  landed  the  next  morning  at  Stony  Point,  and  moved 
rapidly  forward  toward  Fort  Montgomery.  As  soon  as  the 
commander  of  the  garrison  became  aware  of  the  approach 
of  Sir  Henry,  he  sent  by  express  a  letter  to  General  Putnam, 
asking  for  a  reinforcement.  The  courier  proved  to  be  a 
tory  in  disguise,  and  did  not  deliver  the  letter.  Hearing 
nothing  of  the  enemy,  General  Putnam  began  to  be  alarmed, 
and  at  last  rode  forth  with  General  Parsons  and  Colonel 
Root,  to  reconnoitre  them  at  King's  Ferry. 

By  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had 
climbed  the  mountains  that  were  interposed  between  the 
landing  and  the  rear  of  the  fort,  and  hastily  descending 
a  high  hill  through  thickets  that  none  but  light  troops 
could  have  passed,  made  a  vigorous  assault  upon  the 
redoubt. 

Major  David  Humphreys,  then  a  major  of  the  first  Con- 
necticut brigade,  was  at  head-quarters  when  the  firing  began 
and  was  the  first  to  hear  it.  He  flew  to  the  camp,  and  beg- 
ged Colonel  Wyllys,  the  officer  in  command,  to  send  all  the 
,men  who  were  not  on  duty,  to  the  relief  of  the  garrison  at 
Fort  Montgomery.  Colonel  Meigs  was  instantly  dispatched 
with  five  hundred  men,  while  Major  Humphreys,  then  young 
and  of  an  ardent  temperament,  rode  at  full  speed,  accom- 
panied by  Dr.  Beardsley,  along  a  bye-path,  to  inform  Gov- 
ernor Clinton  that  a  reinforcement  was  advancing.  When 
Major  Humphreys  had  crossed  the  river,  he  found  the  fort 
so  completely  invested  that  he  could  not  approach  it.  He 
therefore  went  on  board  a  frigate  that  lay  at  anchor  in  the 
river,  and  waited  for  the  American  detachment  to  come  up. 
Here  he  witnessed  the  whole  action.  The  fort  had  been 
thrown  up  to  defend  the  river,  and  had  not  been  constructed 
with  any  reference  to  an  attack  from  the  rear.  However, 
Governor  Clinton,  his  brother.  General  James  Clinton,  Colo- 
nel Dubois,  and  the  other  officers,  were  men  of  true  courage, 


[1777.]  MAJOR  HUMPHREYS.  815 

and  were  all  seconded  by  the  garrison,  who  fought  with  great 
spirit.  But  it  was  idle  to  attempt  to  oppose,  with  a  single 
regiment,  the  solid  columns  of  three  thousand  British  troops 
advancing  against  the  frail  works  at  places  where  they 
could  be  hardly  said  to  offer  an  obstruction.  At  dusk,  the 
enemy  entered  the  fort  with  fixed  bayonets.  The  loss  on 
either  side  was  not  very  great.  Almost  all  the  officers  and 
men  of  the  garrison  escaped  under  cover  of  the  smoke  and 
darkness,  that  was  now  fast  settling  over  the  abrupt  moun- 
tains whose  shadows  offered  them  a  safe  retreat. 

It  is  not  hkely  that  the  little  band  of  men  under  Colonel 
Meigs,  had  they  arrived  in  season,  could  have  prevented  the 
loss  of  the  fort  against  such  fearful  odds. 

The  young  major  of  brigade,  who  saw  the  battle,  the 
retreat,  and  the  sublime  picture  that  followed  it,  has  left  us  a 
lively  sketch  of  the  closing  scene. 

"The  frigate,"  writes  this  young  scholar  and  poet,  ''after 
receiving  several  platoons,  slipped  her  cable,  and  proceeded 
a  little  way  up  the  river ;  but  the  wind  and  tide  becoming 
adverse,  the  crew  set  her  on  fire,  to  prevent  her  falling  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy,  whose  ships  were  approaching.  The 
louring  darkness  of  the  night,  the  profound  stillness  that 
reigned,  the  interrupted  flashes  of  the  flames  that  illuminated 
the  waters,  the  long  shadows  of  the  cliffs  that  now  and  then 
were  seen,  the  explosion  of  the  cannon  which  were  left 
loaded  in  the  ship,  and  the  reverberating  echo  which  resounded 
at  intervals  between  the  stupendous  mountains  on  both  sides 
of  the  river,  composed  an  awful  night-piece  for  persons  pre- 
pared by  the  preceding  scene,  to  contemplate  subjects  of 
horrid  cruelty."* 


*  General  David  Humphreys,  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  Humphreys,  of 
Derby,  Conn.,  where  he  was  born  in  1753.  He  graduated  at  Yale  College,  in 
1771,  and  soon  went  to  reside  in  the  family  of  Colonel  Phillips,  of  Phillips'  INIanor, 
New  York.  He  early  entered  the  revolutionary  army  as  a  captain  ;  in  1778,  he 
was  a  major  and  aid  to  General  Putnam  ;  in  1780,  he  was  selected  as  Washing- 
ton's aid  with  the  rank  of  colonel — his  competitors  for  the  place  being  Tallmadge, 
Hull,  and  Alden.  For  his  valor  at  the  siege  of  York,  Congress  honored  him  with 
a  sword.     In  1784,  he  accompanied  Jefferson  to  France,  as  Secretary  of  Lega- 


816  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

The  capture  of  Fort  Montgomery,  and  the  removal  of  the 
booms  and  chains  that  had  been  placed  in  the  river,  gave  to 
Sir  Henry  Clinton,  a  free  passage  to  Albany,  and  opened  a 
communication  between  him  and  Burgoyne.  But  before  any 
union  of  their  forces  could  be  effected,  the  capitulation  of  Bur- 
goyne changed  the  whole  plan  of  operations. 

The  loss  of  Fort  Montgomery  led  to  a  trial  of  General 
Clinton  by  a  court-martial.  He  was  acquitted  with  honor. 
Sir  Henry  soon  fell  back  to  New  York.  Putnam  followed 
him  a  part  of  the  way  by  land.  Colonel  Meigs  was  sent 
forward  with  a  detachment  of  men  who  had  been  selected 
from  General  Parsons'  brigade  to  fall  upon  a  band  of 
robbers  in  Westchester.  He  succeeded  in  breaking  up 
the  company  for  a  time.  He  made  fifty  prisoners,  and 
carried  off  a  large  number  of  horses  and  cattle  that  they  had 
stolen. 

Among  the  other  outrages  committed  by  these  free-booters 
under  the  sanction  of  the  British  government,  was  that  of 

tion.  He  represented  Derby  in  the  Legislature  of  Connecticut  in  1786,  but  soon 
after  became  a  resident  of  Hartford.  In  1788,  he  went  to  reside  in  Washington's 
family,  and  continued  with  him  until  he  was  appointed  minister  to  Portugal,  in 
1790.  Four  years  afterwards,  he  was  sent  as  minister  plenipotentiary  to  Spain. 
He  concluded  treaties  with  Tripoli  and  Algiers.  In  1812  he  was  appointed 
major-general  of  the  Connecticut  militia.  General  Humphreys  died  in  New 
Haven,  Feb.  21,  1818,  aged  sixty-five. 

In  the  midst  of  his  public  duties  he  found  time  for  the  indulgence  of  his  tastes 
as  a  writer,  both  in  prose  and  verse,  A  collection  of  his  miscellaneous  works  was 
published  in  New  York,  in  1790,  and  1804.  See  Am.  Spec,  i.  259—272.  Had 
he  devoted  his  attention  exclusively  to  polite  literature,  he  would  doubtless  have 
excelled  any  American  writer  of  that  day.  His  writings  bear  evident  marks  of 
haste,  but  evince  abundant  proofs  of  genius.  He  was  remarkable  for  his  wit,  his 
pathos,  the  facility  with  which  he  wrote,  and  his  powerful  and  condensed  narra- 
tive. He  presents  more  images  to  the  mind  of  a  reader  upon  a  single  page,  than 
any  other  writer  who  has  treated  of  the  incidents  and  characters  of  the  revolution. 
His  principal  work,  is  a  life  of  Major-General  Putnam. 

There  is  at  Yale  College,  a  likeness  of  General  Humphreys,  by  Stuart,  that  is 
one  of  the  best  works  of  that  great  artist.  It  ought  to  be  engraved  and  published 
as  a  beau  ideal  of  the  American  military  gentleman  of  that  period.  It  is  as  I  once 
heard  a  good  artist  say,  "  one  of  the  few  portraits  that  may  be  said  to  speak  and 
glow  with  life." 


[1777.]  CONNECTICUT  AND  WEST  POINT.  817 

burning  the  houses  of  the  principal  patriots.  General  Put- 
nam resolved  to  put  an  end  to  this  wanton  mode  of  warfare. 
Having  learned  that  Governor  Tryon  had  sent  out  a  party  to 
burn  Wright's  mills,  he  detached  three  parties  of  one  hundred 
men  each  to  prevent  it ;  one  detachment  captured  thirty-five 
of  these  incendiary  tories,  and  another  forty.  Foiled  in  their 
attempt  upon  the  mills,  a  number  of  the  new  levies  went  to 
the  house  of  Mr.  Van  Tassel,  a  whig  committee-man  of  high 
character,  and  took  him  prisoner.  They  dragged  him  along 
with  them  a  great  distance,  naked  and  barefoot,  over  the  ice 
and  frozen  ground,  in  a  bleak  cold  night.  Putnam  deter- 
mined to  retaliate,  and  to  make  his  selection  in  a  quarter 
that  would  command  the  attention  of  the  authors  of  this 
mischief  He  chose  a  victim  best  suited  to  effect  his  object. 
He  ordered  Captain  Buchanan,  in  a  whale  boat,  with  a  few 
trusty  men,  to  repair  to  York  Island,  and  burn  the  splendid 
mansion-house  of  General  Oliver  Delancy.  The  mission 
was  accomplished  with  remorseless  fidelity,  and  the  dwelling 
burned  to  ashes.  This  incense,  rising  in  the  very  nostrils 
of  Governor  Tryon,  was  not  an  acceptable  sacrifice.  But 
it  stayed  the  plague  in  the  infected  district  for  a  long 
time.* 

Late  in  the  year  1777,  General  Washington  commissioned 
Putnam  to  select  a  new  site  for  a  fort,  that  would  supply 
the  place  of  Fort  Montgomery.  Putnam  examined  the 
banks  of  the  river  with  great  caution,  and  finally  hit  upon 
that  bold  rock,  impregnable  in  the  rear  by  the  high  ridges 
that  rise  one  after  another  behind  it  in  regular  walls,  and 
overlooking  wdth  its  frowning  buttresses  the  pent  up  waters 
of  the  Hudson.  Not  long  after,  the  gallant  and  accomplished 
General  Parsons,  with  the  first  Connecticut  brigade,  went  to 
the  spot  thus  designated  by  Putnam,  and  in  the  cold  month 
of  January,  while  the  snow  lay  upon  the  ground  to  the  depth 
of  two  feet,  without  tents  to  shield  his  men,  and  without 
suitable  intrenching  tools  to  prosecute  the  work,  struck  the 
first  mattock  into  the  soil  and  threw  up  the  first  embankment 

*  Humphreys,  151. 


818  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

at  West  Point.  From  that  day  to  this,  neither  the  valor  of 
foreign  troops,  nor  the  vile  machinations  of  treason,  have  been 
able  to  pluck  or  steal  the  key  of  the  North  River  from  our 
hands,  nor  can  a  keel  pass  up  and  down  its  channel  w^ithout 
doing  homage  to  our  flag.* 

*  Humphreys. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE   NOETHERX  DEPARTMENT.    CAPTURE  OF  BURGOYNE. 

General  Schuyler,  who  had  offended  the  Continental  Con- 
gress by  writing  one  of  his  "subacid  letters,"*  did  not  find 
the  displeasure  of  that  body  quite  as  desirable  as  he  might 
have  anticipated.  He  finally  condescended  to  offer  an 
apology  in  the  shape  of  a  memorial  presented  to  Congress, 
that  was  designed  as  a  glossary  to  the  offensive  letter,  and 
explained  away  the  text  so  well,  that  on  the  8th  of  May,  the 
Congress  resolved  to  receive  him  again  into  favor.  About 
a  fortnight  after  this  act  of  oblivion  was  passed,  it  was 
resolved  that  Albany,  Ticonderoga,  Fort  Stanwix,  and  their 
dependencies,  be  henceforth  considered  as  forming  the  north- 
ern department,  and  that  Major-General  Schuyler  be  direc- 
ted to  take  the  command  there.  Whether  the  general  hum- 
bled himself  with  any  view  of  a  subsequent  exaltation, 
the  reader  can  judge.  It  is  quite  certain  that  one  event 
followed  the  other  very  much  in  the  relation  of  cause  and 
effect.  The  New  England  delegates  voted  against  the 
appointment,  as  they  said  it  superceded  General  Gates,  and 
had  their  representation  been  full  at  that  time,  the  result 
would  have  been  different. 

It  belonged  to  the  states  of  New  Hampshire,  Massachu- 
setts and  Connecticut,  to  furnish  the  troops  for  the  northern 
posts.  Massachusetts  did  not  furnish  the  quota  of  men  that 
had  been  designated  for  her,  under  an  impression  that  Ticon- 
deroga would  not  be  attacked. 

*  General  Schuyler,  in  one  of  his  complaints  to  Congress  against  General 
"Wooster,  accuses  him  of  writing  "subacid  letters."  A  reference  to  the  corres- 
pondence of  those  officers  in  the  fourth  volume  of  the  fourth  series  of  the  Ameri- 
can Archives,  will  readily  detect  the  injustice  of  the  charge.  The  courtesy  and 
forbearance  of  Wooster  are  in  striking  contrast  to  the  insolence  of  Schuyler. 


820  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

The  British  force  in  that  quarter  was  under  the  command 
of  Burgoyne,  the  successor  of  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  who  had 
been  superceded  on  account  of  his  conscientious  scruples.* 
This  army  was  provided  with  everything  that  could  be 
called  munitions  and  accoutrements  in  the  greatest  abund- 
ance, and  had  the  best  train  of  artillery  that  had  ever  followed 
the  movements  of  a  subordinate  army  in  America.f 

The  designs  of  Bursovne  were  entirelv  unknown  to  the 
Americans,  and  hence  Washington,  as  well  as  his  subordin- 
ates in  command  at  the  north,  was  greatly  perplexed  with 
doubt  as  to  what  course  to  pursue.  At  least  ten  thousand 
men  were  necessary  for  the  defense  of  Ticonderoga  alone  ; 
but  St.  Clair,  who  commanded  there,  had  only  three  thou- 
sand, and  these  were  insufficiently  armed  and  equipped.  It 
was  in  fact  a  part  of  Burgoyne's  plan,  not  merely  to  take 
Ticonderoga,  but  to  advance  thence  upon  Albany,  and,  with 
the  cooperation  of  the  troops  at  New  York,  to  get  possession 
of  the  posts  in  the  Highlands.  He  started  on  this  expedition 
with  an  army  of  eight  thousand  men,  composed  of  British 
and  German  soldiers,  besides  a  large  number  of  tories,  Indians, 
Canadian  boatmen,  laborers,  and  skirmishers.  J 

On  the  1st  of  July,  Burgoyne  gained  a  steep  hill  over- 
looking Ticonderoga,  which  the  Americans  had  neglected 
to  fortify  because  they  regarded  it  as  inaccessible  to  artillery. 
St.  Clair  at  once  saw  that  there  was  no  chance  for  his  troops 
except  in  a  hasty  retreat.  He  accordingly  placed  his  bag- 
gage and  stores  in  two  hundred  batteaux,  and,  under  convoy 
of  five  armed  galleys,  sent  them  to  Skenesborough,  now 
Whitehall,  towards  which  point  the  troops  retired  by  land,  in 
a  south-easterly  direction,  through  the  New  Hampshire 
grants. §  By  three  in  the  afternoon,  the  van  of  the  British 
squadron,  composed  of  gun-boats,  came  up  with  and  attacked 
the  American  galleys  ;  and  in  a  short  time,  the  British  frigates 

*  It  will  be  remembered  that  Sir  Guy  refused  the  services  of  the  Indians 
because  they  persisted  in  killing  and  scalping  the  American  prisoners  and  the 
wounded.     His  scruples  could  not  be  tolerated  by  the  British  government. 

t  Gordon,  ii.  203,  204.        $  Hildreth,  in.  196,  197.        §  Hildreth. 


[1777.]  DEFEAT  OF  THE  AMERICANS.  321 

having  joined  the  van,  the  galleys  were  completely  over- 
powered. Two  of  them  surrendered,  and  three  were  blown 
up.* 

The  American  garrison  at  Skenesborough,  on  being 
informed  of  Burgoyne's  approach,  set  fire  to  the  works,  and 
retreated  up  Wood  Creek  to  Fort  Ann,  a  post  half  way  to 
the  Hudson  river.  Colonel  Long,  who  commanded  at  this 
post,  hearing  that  the  British  were  approaching,  sallied  out 
to  meet  them ;  but  after  a  contest  which  lasted  for  more  than 
two  hours,  he  retired  with  his  troops  to  Fort  Ann,  set  fire  to 
the  buildings,  and  withdrew  to  Fort  Edward,  on  the  Hudson, 
where  General  Schuyler  had  previously  arrived. t 

The  vanguard,  conducted  by  St.  Clair  in  person,  reached 
Castleton  on  the  6th  ;  the  rear,  consisting  of  three  regiments, 
amounting  in  all  to  twelve  hundred  men,  commanded  by 
Colonels  Francis,  Warner,  and  Hale,  rested  through  the 
night  at  Hubbardston,  six  miles  below  Castleton.  At  this 
place  they  were  overtaken  the  next  morning  by  General 
Frazer,  and  attacked.  Hale's  regiment  ingloriously  fled  from 
the  field.  Francis  and  Warner,  with  the  two  remaining 
regiments,  behaved  with  great  spirit  and  firmness,  and  the 
English  fought  with  equal  obstinacy.  Several  times  the  lat- 
ter gave  way,  but  were  rallied  again  by  their  gallant  officers. 
The  Americans  seemed  destined  to  triumph,  until  the  arrival 
of  General  Reidesel,  with  his  German  brigade,  when  they 
were  compelled  to  give  way  before  the  superior  force  of  the 
enemy.  Francis  was  killed,  together  with  two  hundred  of 
his  brave  soldiers.  The  number  of  the  wounded  was 
estimated  at  about  six  hundred,  many  of  whom,  deprived  of 
all  succor,  perished  miserably  in  the  woods.  Two  hundred 
prisoners  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  The  loss  of  the 
royal  troops  was  about  one  hundred  and  eighty.  J 

So  completely  were  the  Americans  dispersed,  that  when 
Warner  joined  St.  Clair,  on  the  9th,  he  had  with  him  less 
than  ninety  men.§  By  the  15th,  the  entire  northern  army, 
consisting  of  about  five  thousand  men,  were  congregated  at 

*  Botta,  i.  457.         +  Botta,  iii.  458,  459.         J  Botta.         §  Hildreth,  iii.  198. 

53 


822  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Fort  Edward.  Many  of  the  soldiers  were  without  arms,  and 
there  was  a  great  deficiency  in  ammunition  and  provisions. 

The  intelligence  of  these  disasters  was  received  with  sur- 
prise and  chagrin  by  Congress,  as  well  as  by  General  Wash- 
ington. The  New  England  officers  charged  them  upon  the 
mismanagement  of  General  Schuyler — and  probably  not 
without  some  cause.  Suspicions  of  treachery  against  cer- 
tain officers,  were  whispered  in  the  ears  of  men  high  in 
authority.  Congress  immediately  directed  the  recall  of  all 
the  northern  generals,  and  an  inquiry  was  ordered  into  their 
conduct.  This  order,  however,  was  suspended  by  request  of 
Washington,  who  represented  that  the  army  of  the  north 
could  not  be  left  without  officers  at  that  critical  moment. 
Tw^o  brigades  from  the  Highlands,  Morgan  with  his  rifle 
corps,  Arnold  and  Lincoln,  were  detached  to  reinforce  the 
army  at  Fort  Edward  ;  and  Gates  was  appointed  commander 
in  the  place  of  Schuyler.* 

During  this  brief  interval,  Burgoyne  was  making  desperate 
effiDrts  to  open  a  passage  from  Fort  Ann  to  Fort  Edward. 
The  intervening  country  was  for  the  most  part  a  dense 
wilderness.  Besides  removing  the  trees  with  which  Schuy- 
ler had  caused  the  road  to  be  obstructed,  he  had  to  re-build 
no  less  than  forty  bridges.  At  length,  on  the  30th  of  July, 
he  reached  Fort  Edward,  which  bv  this  time  had  been  evacu- 
ated  by  the  Americans,  they  having  taken  up  their  quarters 
at  Stillwater,  lower  down  on  the  Hudson. f 

A  corps  of  New  Hampshire  militia,  under  command  of 
Colonel  Stark,  had  recently  arrived  at  Bennington.  Being 
informed  of  the  approach  of  Colonel  Baum,  with  two  pieces 
of  artillery  and  eight  hundred  men.  Stark  sent  off  expresses 
for  the  militia,  and  Colonel  Warner,  who  was  encamped  at 
Manchester,  six  miles  from  Bennington.  Baum  began  to 
intrench  himself  on  the  14th  of  August,  and  sent  back  to 
Burgoyne  for  reinforcements.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Breyman, 
with  his  regiment  of  Brunswick  grenadiers  and  light-infantry, 
was  sent  to  his  assistance,  but  he  was  delayed  by  rains  and  by 

*  Hildreth,  iii.  199,  200.         t  Gordon,  ii.  210,  211 


[1777.]  GALLANTRY   OF  WARNER  AND   STARK.  323 

the  badness  of  the  road.  Similar  causes  prevented  Colonel 
Warner  from  reaching  Bennington  at  the  time  anticipated. 
About  noon  on  the  16th,  having  been  joined  by  some  Berk- 
shire militia  under  Colonel  Simmons,  Stark  approached  the 
enemy.  After  a  hotly  contested  action  of  two  hours,  the 
Americans  began  to  pour  into  the  intrenchments  on  every 
side.  The  Indians,  Canadians,  and  British,  fled  into  the 
w^oods.  The  German  dragoons  still  continued  to  fight,  and 
after  their  ammunition  was  exhausted,  they  were  led  to  the 
charge  with  their  swords.  The  survivors  and  their  wounded 
colonel  were  made  prisoners.  About  four  o'clock,  the  regi- 
ments of  Breyman  and  Warner,  came  up  from  different 
directions,  and  the  battle  was  renewed.  A  fierce  conflict 
ensued,  which  continued  until  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  when 
Breyman  abandoned  his  baggage  and  artillery,  and  retreated. 
By  this  victory,  a  thousand  stand  of  arms,  a  thousand  swords, 
and  four  pieces  of  artillery,  fell  into  the  hands  of  Warner 
and  Stark,  besides  nearly  six  hundred  prisoners.  About  two 
hundred  of  the  enemy  were  killed ;  the  Americans  had  four- 
teen killed,  and  forty-two  wounded.* 

These  successes,  together  with  the  gallant  and  resolute 
defense  of  Fort  Schuyler,  had  a  wonderful  eflfect  in  reviv- 
ing the  spirits  of  the  American  soldiers,  and  inspiring  them 
with  hope  and  energy. 

A  strong  corps  of  Connecticut  and  New  Hampshire  mili- 
tia, under  General  Lincoln,  was  detached  with  the  hope  of 
recovering  the  fortresses  of  Ticonderoga  and  Mount  Inde- 
pendence, and  consequently,  the  command  of  Lake  George. 
He  parted  his  troops  into  three  divisions,  viz  :  the  first,  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Brown,  of  Berkshire  county,  who  sur- 
prised all  the  posts  upon  Lake  George,  including  Mount 
Hope,  Mount  Defiance,  and  the  old  French  lines  ;  he  took 
possession  of  two  hundred  batteaux,  an  armed  brig,  several 
gun-boats,  and  a  very  considerable  number  of  prisoners. 
The  second,  led  by  Colonel  Johnson,  arrived  at  Ticonderoga 
and  Fort  Independence,  and  summoned  the  garrison  to  sur- 

*  Hildreth  ;  Botta. 


824  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

render.  General  Powell  expressed  his  determination  to 
defend  himself;  and  the  fortresses  were  besieged  for  four  days, 
without  success.  The  third,  commanded  by  Colonel  Wood- 
bury, was  designed  for  the  reduction  of  Skenesborough,  Fort 
Ann,  and  Fort  Edward.* 

Burgoyne,  having  by  great  efforts  obtained  about  thirty 
days'  provisions,  determined  to  force  a  passage  to  Albany. 
Toward  the  middle  of  September,  he  crossed  the  river  on 
a  bridge  of  boats,  and  encamped  with  his  army  on  the  plains 
of  Saratoga.  General  Gates  was  encamped  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, about  three  miles  below.  The  two  armies  being  thus 
brought  into  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  each  other,  a 
battle  was  anticipated. 

On  the  morning  of  the  19th  of  September,  the  movements 
of  the  belligerent  forces  indicated  that  a  crisis  in  their  des- 
tiny was  approaching.  The  English  formed  themselves  in 
order  of  battle,  their  right  wing  resting  upon  the  high  grounds 
which  rise  gradually  from  the  river ;  it  was  flanked  by  the 
grenadiers  and  light  infantry,  who  occupied  the  hills.  The 
Indians,  Canadians,  and  loyalists,  were  ranged  some  distance 
in  front,  and  upon  the  side.  The  left  wing  and  artillery 
commanded  by  Generals  Phillips  and  Reidesel,  kept  along 
the  great  road  and  meadows  by  the  river  side. 

The  American  army  drew  up  in  the  same  order  from  the 
river  to  the  hills — Gates  commanding  the  right  in  person, 
and  Arnold  the  left.f  After  several  skirmishes,  the  battle 
became  general,  and  continued  until  the  shadows  of  evening 
fell  upon  the  contending  parties.  In  the  language  of  Gordon, 
"  There  was  one  continual  blaze  of  fire  for  three  hours  without 
intermission.  The  report  of  the  muskets  resembled  an  inces- 
sant roll-beating  on  a  number  of  drums.  The  Americans  and 
British  alternately  drive  and  are  driven  by  each  other."J 
The  enemy  lost  over  five  hundred  men  in  killed,  wounded, 
and  prisoners  ;  yet  they  claimed  the  victory,  and  encamped 
upon  the  field.  The  Americans  retired  to  their  camp,  with  a 
loss  of  about  three  hundred.      They,  also,  claimed  to  have 

*  Botta,  ii.  8.         t  Botta.        t  Hist.  Am.  Rev.  ii.  249. 


[1777.]  FALL   OF  FRAZER.  325 

triumphed,  in  maintaining  their  position  against  such  fearful 
odds. 

Among  the  American  troops  engaged  in  this  memorable 
conflict,  were  Cilley's,  Scammell's  and  Hale's  New  Hamp- 
shire regiments,  two  regiments  of  Connecticut  militia,  Van 
Courtland's  and  Livingston's  New  York  regiments.  Wesson's, 
Marshall's,  and  Brooks's  Massachusetts  regiments,  and 
others.* 

From  the  20th  of  September  to  the  7th  of  October,  both 
armies  were  engaged  in  efforts  to  replenish  their  stocks  of 
provisions  and  ammunition,  recruiting  their  respective  forces 
or  throwing  up  intrenchments.  During  these  few  days,  the 
American  army  was  constantly  increasing,  while  Burgoyne's 
condition  was  becoming  more  and  more  hopeless.  His  com- 
munications were  entirely  cut  off,  and  he  could  neither 
advance  nor  retreat  ;  his  troops  at  the  same  time  were 
suffering  severely  on  a  short  allowance  of  food,  and  he  had 
long  waited  in  vain  for  the  expected  aid  of  General  Clinton. 
In  his  desperation,  he  resolved  to  hazard  another  engage- 
ment. With  this  view,  he  marched  forward  with  fifteen 
hundred  picked  men,  to  make  a  reconnoisance  of  the  Ameri- 
can lines,  and  to  cover  a  forage  of  his  army.  He  had  with 
him  Generals  Phillips,  Reidesel,  and  Frazer,  together  with 
ten  pieces  of  artillery.  A  fierce  action  soon  ensued — the 
attack  having  been  commenced  by  Poor's  New  Hampshire 
brigade,  followed  up  by  Morgan's  riflemen.  The  gallant 
Frazer  was  mortally  wounded  ;t  and  the  British  troops,  after 
a  desperate  effort,  succeeded  in  regaining  their  camp,  leaving 
behind  them  six  pieces  of  artillery.  The  retreating  enemy 
were  followed  up  with  great  spirit  by  Arnold,  and,  after  an 
obstinate  defense,  succeeded  in  gaining  their  works,  where 
the  fight  was  continued  until  the  darkness  of  night  again  put 
an  end  to  the  strife.     In  this  assault,  Arnold  was  wounded 

*  Gordon ;  Hildreth. 

+  Besides  the  loss  of  General  Frazer,  Sir  James  Clark,  aid-de-camp  to  General 
Burgoyne,  was  mortally  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  ;  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brey- 
man  was  killed,  and  Majors  Oakland  and  Williams  were  taken  prisoners. 


826  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

and  compelled  to  retire.  Colonel  Brooks,  of  Massachusetts, 
was  still  more  successful  in  his  attack  upon  a  German  brig- 
ade, having  driven  them  from  their  intrenchments  at  the 
point  of  the  bayonet,  and  captured  their  camp  equipage, 
artillery,  and  ammunition. 

That  night,  the  Americans  slept  on  their  arms,  intending 
to  renew  the  engagement  in  the  morning.  But  the  British, 
under  cover  of  the  darkness,  silently  withdrew  to  the  high 
grounds  in  the  vicinity.* 

On  the  8th,  several  skirmishes  ensued,  in  one  of  which 
General  Lincoln  was  so  severely  wounded  as  to  be  deterred 
from  further  service.  During  the  following  day,  Bur- 
goyne,  fearing  he  should  be  surrounded,  abandoned  his  new 
quarters,  and  fell  back  upon  Saratoga,  a  distance  of  six 
miles. 

By  this  time,  Burgoyne's  force  was  reduced  to  four  thou- 
sand effective  men,  and  he  was  surrounded  by  three  times 
that  number  of  Americans,  who  were  now  flushed  with  suc- 
cess and  eager  for  another  trial  at  arms.  He  was  reduced 
to  three  days'  supply  of  provisions,  and  he  could  gain  no 
intelligence  from  Howe  or  Clinton.  He  called  a  council  of 
war,  on  the  13th,  who  advised  that  a  treaty  of  capitulation 
should  be  opened. 

General  Gates  at  first  insisted  upon  an  unconditional  sur^ 

*  The  late  Colonel  Moses  Lyman,  of  Goshen,  then  a  lieutenant,  commanded  a 
company  of  militia  during  this  northern  campaign.  He  was  well  known  to  many 
of  the  officers  in  the  camp,  as  he  had  been  in  the  service  during  much  of  the  two 
preceding  years  ;  and  during  the  memorable  night  of  the  7th  of  October,  he  was 
put  in  command  of  a  company  of  observation,  to  watch  the  movements  of  Bur- 
go}Tie  to  see  whether  he  would  advance  or  recede  from  the  position  which  he 
held  at  the  close  of  the  action.  The  sentinels  of  the  two  armies  were  stationed 
so  near  together  that  they  might  have  hailed  each  other.  No  movement,  how- 
ever, was  discovered  in  the  British  camp  during  the  night.  Soon  after  dawn,  on 
the  morning  of  the  8th,  Lyman  marched  out  with  his  men  toward  the  hostile 
camp,  expecting  that  his  appearance  would  provoke  a  movement  of  some  kind, 
on  the  part  of  the  enemy.  He  advanced  still  nearer,  but  found  only  the  slain 
and  wounded  5  he  continued  his  march  until  he  reached  their  deserted  tents. 
He  was  the  first  to  inform  General  Gates  that  the  enemy  had  abandoned  their 
camp  and  sought  a  more  secure  position.  Rev.  Grant  Powers'  Centennial  Ad- 
dress, 1839. 


[1777.]  BUKGOY^'E   CAPITULATES.  827 

render,  which  was  refused.  But  as  he  had  learned  that  all 
the  American  posts  in  the  Highlands  had  fallen  into  the 
enemy's  hands,  and  fearing  that  Burgoyne  might  soon  be 
reinforced,  he  was  particularly  anxious  to  hasten  the 
capitulation.  He  accordingly  proposed  that  the  British 
troops  should  march  out  of  their  camp  with  the  honors  of 
war,  lay  down  their  arms,  and  be  conducted  to  Boston,  and 
there  embark  for  England,  under  a  pledge  not  to  serve 
against  the  United  States  until  exchanged.  These  terms 
were  accepted. 

The  number  of  prisoners  who  surrendered  was  five  thou- 
sand six  hundred  and  forty-two,  with  their  arms,  artillery, 
baggage  and  camp  equipage.  Among  these  articles  were 
thirty-two  brass  cannons,  seven  howitzers,  and  three  royal 
mortars,  besides  four  thousand  six  hundred  and  forty-seven 
muskets,  six  thousand  dozen  of  cartridges,  shot,  carcasses, 
cases  and  shells.* 

The  intelligence  of  the  capture  of  Burgoyne  was  hailed 

*  Hildretli,  iii.  214.  Among  the  most  accomplished  Connecticut  officers  who 
participated  in  the  battle  and  witnessed  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne,  was  Captain 
Moses  Seymour,  of  Litchfield,  who  at  that  time  commanded  a  company  of  cavalry. 
A  day  or  two  after  the  terms  of  capitulation  were  signed,  the  American  officers 
invited  Burgoyne  and  his  fellow-officers  to  dine  with  them.  At  this  interesting 
festival  Captain  Seymour  was  present.  His  account  of  the  conversations  that  took 
place  on  the  occasion,  between  the  conquerors  and  the  conquered,  and  particularly 
his  minute  relation  of  the  toasts  given  on  both  sides,  are  still  remembered  with 
interest.  The  utmost  courtesy  and  good  feeling  prevailed  on  the  part  of  the 
principal  officers,  and  the  responses  to  the  sentiments  given  were  hearty  and 
enthusiastic.  At  length,  General  Burgoyne  was  called  upon  for  a  toast.  Every 
voice  was  for  the  moment  hushed  into  the  deepest  attention,  as  he  rose  and 
gave — "  America  and  Great  Britain  against  the  world."  The  response  which 
followed  may  be  imagined. 

During  the  night  that  succeeded  the  last  battle  between  Gage  and  Burgoyne, 
Captain  Seymour  watched  with  a  British  officer  vi'ho  had  been  wounded  and  carried 
off  the  field  in  the  midst  of  the  engagement.  Soon  after  he  had  entered  the 
apartment,  the  wounded  officer,  who  had  not  before  learned  the  fate  of  the  day, 
eagerly  asked  Captain  S.  as  to  the  result.  On  hearing  that  the  British  had  been 
defeated,  he  remarked — "  Then  the  contest  is  no  longer  doubtful ;  America  will 
be  independent.  I  have  fought  earnestly  for  my  king  and  country,  but  the  con- 
test is  ended!"  The  kindness  of  Captain  S.  to  him,  an  enemy,  deeply  affected 
the  officer  5  he  thanked  him  again  and  again  ;  and  finally  offered  him  his  watch 


328  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

throughout  the  country  witn  thanksgiving  and  rejoicings.  It 
became  a  general  theme  of  congratulation  in  private  circles, 
and  in  public  assemblies — and  the  pulpit  and  press  joined  in 
celebrating  the  praises  of  Gates  and  his  heroic  band  of 
officers  and  soldiers.* 

Captain  Thomas  Y.  Seymour,  of  Hartford,  a  captain  of 
cavalry  in  Gates'  army,  vv^as,  for  a  part  of  the  route,  at  least, 
commander  of  the  escort  sent  with  General  Burgoyne  to 
Boston.  The  people  in  that  part  of  New  England  through 
which  they  passed  had  been  greatly  exasperated  at  the 
proclamation  of  the  British  commander,  threatening  the 
extremities  of  war  against  all  who  should  oppose  his  march, 
and  particularly   at  the  barbarous   offer  of  a  reward  to  his 

and  other  rewards,  which  were  of  course  refused.  The  gallant  American  did  all 
in  his  power  to  relieve  the  distresses  and  sooth  the  mind  of  his  charge — but  his 
wounds  proved  fatal. 

*  On  one  of  the  Sabbaths  in  October,  the  Rev.  Cotton  Mather  Smith,  of  Sharon, 
Connecticut,  preached  a  sermon  from  Isaiah  xxi.  11 — "  Watchman,  what  of  the 
night  ?  the  Watchman  saith,  The  morning  cometh."  "  The  discourse,"  says 
Sedgwick,  (Hist.  Sharon,  p.  54,)  "  was  entirely  adapted  to  the  condition  of  public 
affairs.  He  dwelt  much  upon  the  indications,  which  the  dealings  of  Providence 
afforded,  that  a  bright  and  glorious  morning  was  about  to  dawn  upon  a  long  night 
of  defeat  and  disaster.  He  told  the  congregation  that  he  believed  they  would 
soon  hear  of  a  signal  victory  crowning  the  arms  of  America,  exhorted  them  to 
trust  with  an  unshaken  and  fearless  confidence  in  that  God  who,  he  doubted  not, 
would  soon  appear  for  the  deliverance  of  his  people,  and  crown  with  success  the 
efforts  of  the  friends  of  liberty  in  this  country.  Before  the  congregation  was 
dismissed  a  messenger  arrived,  bringing  the  intelligence  of  the  surrender  of 
Burgoyne's  army.  Parson  Smith  read  the  letter  from  the  pulpit,  and  a  flood  of 
joy  burst  from  the  assembly." 

"  During  the  next  year,"  continues  the  same  author,  "  a  large  part  of  Bur- 
goyne's army  marched  through  this  town,  on  their  way  to  the  south.  They  were 
met  here  by  a  regiment  of  continental  troops,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Jameson,  who  was  afterwards  conspicuous  in  the  affairs  connected  with 
the  capture  of  Andre,  and  who  here  took  charge  of  the  prisoners."  It  appears 
that  a  large  part  of  this  detachment  were  Hessians.  They  encamped  in  Sharon 
over  night  ;  and  when  they  started  in  the  morning,  the  whole  body  sang  devo- 
tional songs  as  they  marched.  The  late  Governor  Smith,  then  a  lad,  followed 
them  two  or  three  miles,  to  hear  their  singing. 

Colonel  Gay,  of  Sharon,  with  a  large  number  of  men  under  his  command  from 
that  town  and  vicinity,  shared  in  all  the  conflicts  which  preceded  the  surrender  of 
Burgoyne.     Sedgwick's  Hist.  p.  53. 


[1777.]  THE   PRICE   OF  YANKEE   SCALPS.  829 

Indian  allies  for  American  scalps.  In  every  town  where  the 
escort  stopped,  multitudes  of  people  flocked  to  its  quarters  to 
see  him,  and  in  some  instances.  Captain  Seymour  found  it 
difficult  to  preserve  his  prisoner  from  actual  violence. 

One  day,  the  company  had  halted  at  a  village  inn  in  Mas- 
sachusetts for  purposes  of  refreshment  and  rest.  General 
Burgoyne  was  sitting  in  the  principal  room  in  the  house, 
and  a  crowd  of  curious  spectators  were  gathered  about  the 
door,  eager  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  him.  Among  others,  a 
large,  masculine-looking  old  woman  elbowed  her  way  through 
the  crowd,  and  actually  gained  admittance.  When  first 
observed  by  the  captain  of  the  escort,  she  stood  directly  in 
front  of  Burgoyne,  with  her  arms  akimbo,  scrutinizing  him 
from  head  to  foot,  with  a  look  in  which  were  blended 
curiosity,  boldness,  and  exultation.  The  general  became 
restless  under  her  gaze,  and  uneasily  shifted  his  position  so 
as  to  avoid  it ;  but  to  no  purpose.  Before  Captain  Seymour 
could  interfere  to  protect  his  prisoner  from  the  annoyance, 
the  virago,  looking  steadily  at  Burgoyne  and  shaking  her 
finger  in  his  face,  exclaimed  in  a  high  shrill  voice  :  "  Neow 
what' II  ye  give  for  Yankee  scalps  .?" 

So  saying,  she  suddenly  withdrew,  leaving  the  irritated 
prisoner  to  digest  the  insult  as  he  best  might  ;  while  the 
Captain,  mortified  though  he  was  at  the  occurrence,  could 
hardly  maintain  his  gravity  at  the  ludicrous  spectacle. 

It  is  proper  to  add,  that  on  reaching  Boston,  General  Bur- 
goyne presented  Captain  Seymour  with  a  magnificent  saddle 
and  a  pair  of  silver-mounted  cavalry  pistols,  as  tokens  of  his 
appreciation  of  the  manner  in  which  that  officer  had  per- 
formed his  delicate  duty. 

This  Captain  Seymour,  mounted  on  his  charger,  forms  a 
conspicuous  figure  in  Trumbull's  painting  of  The  Surrender 
of  Burgoyne. 


CHAPTER   XV. 


WYOMING. 

In  July  1753,  the  Connecticut  Susquehannah  Company, 
formed  at  Windham,  sent  out  a  committee  to  explore  "a  cer- 
tain tract  of  land  lying  on  the  Susquehannah  river,  at  a 
place  called  Chiwaumuck,  an  island  in  said  river.*  This 
committee  went  forward  to  view  the  territory,  admitted  by 
the  best  lawyers  of  the  nation  to  belong  to  Connecticut  by 
virtue  of  her  charter, f  and  to  perfect  in  the  hands  of  the  cor- 
poration which  they  represented,  the  Indian  title  to  it,  in 
accordance  with  the  old  custom  of  the  colony.  This  territo- 
ry, embracing  that  part  of  Pennsylvania  lying  within  the 
forty-second  degree  of  north  latitude,  was  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  and  attractive  regions  that  the  eye  of  the  western 
pioneer  ever  rested  upon. J  Hill,  valley,  mountain,  and 
stream,  diversified  the  landscape,  while  the  magnificent  forests 
and  luxuriant  vegetation  indicated  the  richness  of  the  soil 
and  gave  promise  of  golden  harvests  and  pleasant  homes,  as 

*  Supposed  to  be  llie  Minocasy. 

t  The  Warwick  Patent,  dated  March  19,  1631,  describes  the  bounds  of  Con- 
necticut as  extending  "throughout  the  main  lands,"  '■'•from  the  western  ocean 
to  the  south  sea,^^  So  also  the  charter  of  Charles  II.,  dated  April  20,  1662, 
describes  the  bounds  "  as  running  from  east  to  west,  that  is  to  say,  from  the 
said  Narragansett  Bay  on  the  east,  to  the  south  sea  on  the  west  part.''"'  As, 
however,  the  territory  of  New  York  had  previously  been  claimed  and  settled 
upon  by  the  Dutch,  Connecticut  did  not  attempt  to  establish  any  right  to  or 
jurisdiction  over  that  country,  but  contented  herself  with  her  claim  to  the 
lands  lying  west  of  New  York  and  south  of  the  fort}''-second  degree  of  north 
latitude.  The  claim  of  Pennsylvania  to  the  same  territory,  was  founded  upon 
the  patent  granted  by  Charles  II.  to  William  Penn,  bearing  date  March  4, 
1681 — nineteen  years  after  the  date  of  the  charter  of  Connecticut. 

X\n  its  more  limited  signification,  the  "Valley  of  Wyoming  "  is  a  name  given 
to  a  valley  on  the  Susquehannah  river,  about  twenty  miles  in  length,  from  north- 
east to  south-west,  and  from  three  to  four  in  breadth. 


[1755.]  THE   SUSQUEHANNAH   COMPANY.  831 

the  rewards  of  industry  and  enterprise.  The  abundance  of 
wild  game  with  which  the  woods  and  air  were  teeming — 
the  varieties  of  fish  that  sported  in  the  streams — the  rich 
clusters  of  grapes  and  other  tempting  fruits  that  grew  spon- 
taneously in  those  quiet  valleys  and  along  those  sloping  hill- 
sides— all  seemed  to  add  their  cordial  invitation  to  the  hardy 
adventurer  from  the  east. 

Such,  briefly,  was  the  country  which  the  agents  of  the 
Susquehannah  company  were  commissioned  to  explore  and 
purchase  of  its  aboriginal  proprietors.  This  company  con- 
sisted, at  first,  of  eight  hundred  and  forty  persons,  including  a 
large  number  of  the  leadino;  men  of  Connecticut.  The  num- 
ber  of  proprietors  was  subseqently  increased  to  twelve  hund- 
red. The  purchase  was  fairly  and  honorably  made,  and  was 
ratified  by  the  congress  of  delegates  which  convened  at 
Albany  in  July,  1754,  in  which  Pennsylvania  was  represent- 
ed by  John  Penn,  Isaac  Norris,  Benjamin  Franklin,  and 
Richard  Peters.  In  the  treaty  with  the  Six  Nations,  which 
was  executed  by  the  Congress  in  question,  the  territory  pur- 
chased by  the  Susquehannah  Company  is  described  as  "lying 
within  the  limits  of  the  roval  charter  to  Connecticut "  ;  and 
it  does  not  appear  that  any  objection  was  made  to  the  claim 
thus  set  forth  and  virtually  recognized  by  the  delegates  in 
their  official  capacity.* 

In  May,  1755,  Phineas  Lyman  and  others,  as  a  committee 
of  the  Susquehannah  Company,  petitioned  the  Assembly  of 
Connecticut,  praying  the  acquiescence  of  the  Legislature  in 
the  purchase,  and  desiring  their  consent  for  an  application  to 
his  majesty  to  erect  them  into  a  new  colony  or  plantation. 
In  response  to  this  petition,  the  Assembly  "  manifested  their 
ready  acquiescence  therein."  During  the  same  year,  sur- 
veyors were  sent  by  the  company  to  lay  out  the  lands  ;  but 

*The  Hon.  Charles  Miner,  in  his  admirable  "History  of  Wyoming,"  gives 
a  minute  history  of  the  conflicting  claims  of  Pennsylvania  and  Connecticut — 
and  proves  conclusively  that  Connecticut  held  the  country,  first,  by  a  grant 
or  charter  from  the  king  ;  second,  by  the  purchase  of  the  soil  from  the  In- 
dians 5  and  third,  by  the  right  of  possession. 


832  HISTOEY  OF  CONN-ECTICUT. 

the  war  with  the  French  prevented  any  actual  settle- 
ments. 

In  1762,  several  emigrants  from  Connecticut  visited  the 
valley,  cleared  up  some  lands,  sowed  their  grain,  and  return- 
ed home.  During  the  following  spring,  they  went  back  to 
Wyoming  with  their  families,  with  the  determination  of 
making  a  permanent  settlement — taking  with  them  their 
stock,  farming  utensils,  and  household  furniture.  Their  town 
was  built  on  the  flats  near  the  river  below  Wilkesbarre. 
Their  crops  had  proved  abundant,  they  were  delighted  with 
their  new  homes,  and  they  began  to  anticipate  a  life  of  peace 
and  plenty.  On  the  15th  of  October,  however,  they  were 
suddenly  startled  at  the  sound  of  the  war-whoop,  which  was 
followed  by  a  fierce  attack  from  a  large  party  of  savages. 
The  settlers  were  entirely  unprepared  for  such  an  assault, 
and  about  twenty  men  were  killed  and  scalped.  The  residue 
of  the  men,  women  and  children  fled  to  the  mountains,  and 
ultimately  found  their  way  back  to  Connecticut. 

In  1768,  the  Susquehannah  Company  determined  to  renew 
the  attempt  to  settle  the  lands  at  Wyoming.  A  meeting  of 
the  proprietors  was  held  at  Hartford,  at  which  it  was  resolv- 
ed that  five  townships,  each  five  miles  square,  should  be  sur- 
veyed and  granted,  each  to  forty  settlers,  being  proprietors, 
on  condition  that  those  settlers  should  remain  upon  the 
ground,  "  man  their  rights,"  and  defend  themselves  and  each 
other  from  the  incursions  of  all  rival  claimants.  Forty  per- 
sons were  to  set  out  forthwith  ;  the  others,  to  the  number  of 
two  hundred  in  all,  were  to  follow  during  the  succeeding 
spring.  As  an  additional  encouragement  to  the  settlers,  the 
sum  of  two  hundred  pounds,  Connecticut  currency,  (8667,00) 
was  appropriated  to  provide  implements  of  husbandry,  pro- 
visions, arms  and  ammunition,  for  those  who  might  require 
assistance.  The  five  townships  allotted  to  these  adventurers 
were  situated  in  the  heart  of  the  valley.  They  were  Wilkes- 
barre, Hanover,  Kingston,  Plymouth,  and  Pittston.  At  a 
subsequent  date,  three  other  townships,  to  be  laid  out  on  the 
west  branch  of  the  Susquehannah,  were  appropriated  to  forty 


[1769.]  THE   SECOND   SETTLEMENT.  833 

settlers  each.*  On  the  8th  of  February,  1769,  the  first  forty 
settlers — comprising  the  advance  corps  of  pioneers  from 
Connecticut — arrived  in  the  valley.  On  reaching  their  place 
of  destination,  however,  they  were  surprised  to  find  that  the 
block-house  and  huts  from  which  their  friends  had  been 
driven  a  few  years  before,  were  in  possession  of  their  ene- 
mies. During  the  preceding  month,  three  Pennsylvania 
officerSjf  with  several  men,  had  taken  up  their  abode  there 
— a  lease  of  one  hundred  acres  having  been  granted  to  them 
for  seven  years,  on  condition  that  the}^  should  establish  an 
Indian  trading-house  thereon,  and  defend  the  valley  from 
encroachment.  The  Yankees  forthwith  invested  the  block- 
house of  Captain  Ogden,  cutting  off  all  communication 
with  the  surrounding  country,  so  that  the  besieged  could 
neither  obtain  fuel  nor  venison  ;  and  demanded  in  the  name 
of  Connecticut,  the  surrender  of  the  garrison. 

Captain  Ogden,  who  appears  to  have  been  an  adept  in  the 
arts  of  diplomacy,  as  well  as  a  gallant  military  oflicer,  sent  a 
very  polite  and  conciliatory  note  to  the  commander  of  the 
forty,  respectfully  soliciting  a  friendly  conference  on  the  sub- 
ject of  their  respective  claims.  This  was  readily  acceded 
to,  and  Messrs.  Isaac  Tripp,  Benjamin  Follett,  and  Vine 
Elderkin  were  selected  as  the  representatives  of  the  Con- 
necticut party.  No  sooner,  however,  had  they  entered  the 
block-house,  than  SheriflT  Jennings  clapped  a  writ  on  their 
shoulders,  saying — "  Gentlemen,  in  the  name  of  the  common- 
wealth of  Pennsylvania,  you  are  my  prisoners."      The  pris- 

*  Subsequent  to  the  pui'chase  of  the  Susquehannah  Company,  a  second  associa- 
tion was  formed  in  Connecticut,  called  the  "  Delaware  Company,"  who  purchased 
of  certain  Indian  chiefs,  "  all  the  lands  bounded  east  by  the  Delaware  river,  with- 
in the  forty-second  degree  of  north  latitude,  west  to  the  line  of  the  Susquehannah 
purchase,  to  wit,  ten  miles  east  of  that  river."  This  company  commenced  a  set- 
tlement at  Coshatunk,  on  the  Delaware  river,  which  flourished  for  several  years — 
having,  in  17G0,  thirty  dwelling  houses,  a  block-house  for  defense,  a  grist  mill 
and  saw  mill. 

t  These  officers  were  Captain  Amos  Ogden,  the  military  leader  of  the  company, 
Charles  Stewart,  surveyor,  afterwards  aid-de-camp  to  General  Washington,  and 
John  Jennings,  Esq.,  High  Sheriff  of  Northampton  county. 


834  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

oners  were  immediately  conducted  to  Easton  jail.  They 
were  closely  followed  by  their  friends,  and  no  sooner  was  the 
key  turned  than  bail  was  entered  for  their  appearance,  and 
they  were  set  at  liberty.  On  their  return  to  Wyoming,  they 
found  themselves  in  the  peaceable  possession  of  the  valley. 
This  was  the  beginning  of  a  contest  between  the  settlers 
under  the  Connecticut  claim  and  the  government  of  Penn- 
sylvania, which  continued  for  many  years. 

Sheriff  Jennings  appears  to  have  been  not  a  little  chagrin- 
ed at  the  result  of  this  attempt  at  negotiation  with  the  set- 
tlers. He  forthwith  raised  a  posse  in  Northampton  county, 
and,  accompanied  by  several  magistrates,  repaired  to  Wyo- 
ming, stormed  the  fortification  of  the  settlers,  and  captured 
nearly  the  whole  of  them.  About  thirty  of  their  number 
were  forthwith  marched  off  to  Easton  jail — a  distance  of 
sixty  miles,  through  a  dreary  wilderness,  and  in  the  depth 
of  winter.  They  were  all  committed  to  jail,  but  were  almost 
immediately  admitted  to  bail,  as  their  predecessors  had  been, 
and  they  once  more  returned  to  their  homes  on  the  Susque- 
hannah.  Thus,  in  less  than  sixty  days  after  their  arrival  in 
the  valley,  some  of  their  number  had  been  twice  arrested 
and  nearly  all  of  them,  in  going  and  returning  from  jail,  had 
traveled  at  least  two  hundred  and  forty  miles. 

By  the  10th  of  April,  the  little  colony  had  been  so  rein- 
forced by  emigrants  from  Connecticut,  that  two  hundred  and 
seventy  able-bodied  men  assembled  on  the  bank  of  the  river 
where  Wilkesbarre  now  stands.  A  new  fortification  was 
erected  at  that  point,  and  called  Fort  Durkee,  after  the  com- 
mander, and  twenty  or  thirty  huts  were  built  in  its  immedi- 
ate vicinity.  Having  now  a  brief  interim  of  peace,  the  set- 
tlers entered  upon  their  agricultural  labors  with  energy,  and 
succeeded  in  breaking  up  the  ground  for  the  reception  of  the 
seed. 

By  the  20th  of  May,  Captain  Ogden  and  Sheriff  Jennings 
again  appeared  upon  the  plains,  with  their  forces  recruited, 
and  assumed  a  hostile  attitude.  After  reconnoitering  the 
position  of  the  enemy,  they  withdrew  to  Easton.      In  his 


[1769.]  FORT  DURKEE   SURRENDERED.  335 

report  to  the  governor,  Jennings  states  that  the  intruders 
mustered  three  hundred  effective  men,  and  that  he  could  not 
collect  a  sufficient  force  in  the  county  to  dislodge  them. 
About  a  month  later,  Colonel  Turbot  Francis,  at  the  head  of 
a  splendid  corps  from  the  city,  visited  the  plains  and  made  a 
similar  examination  of  the  fortifications  of  the  settlers  ;  but 
retired  to  wait  for  reinforcements. 

In  June,  1769,  Colonel  Eliphalet  Dyer  and  Major  Jedediah 
Elderkin  arrived  in  Philadelphia  as  agents  of  the  Susquehan- 
nah  Company,  vested  with  full  power  to  negotiate  for  the 
settlement  of  the  controversy  respecting  the  Wyoming  lands. 
The  Hon.  Benjamin  Chew  was  appointed  agent  on  the  part 
of  Pennsylvania  to  confer  with  the  gentlemen  named.  No 
terms  for  the  adjustment  of  their  difficulties  could  be  agreed 
upon. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  autumn,  a  well-armed  and  well- 
equipped  corps  of  two  hundred  men,  under  command  of  Cap- 
tain Ogden  and  Sheriff  Jennings,  began  their  march  for  the 
disputed  territory.  An  artillery  company,  with  an  iron  four- 
pound  cannon,  and  a  supply  of  ball  and  cartridges,  constitu- 
ted a  part  of  this  force.  Ogden  soon  siezed  Captain  Durkee, 
sent  him  in  irons  to  Philadelphia,  and  there  closely  incar- 
cerated him.  Fort  Durkee  shortly  after  surrendered. 
By  the  articles  of  capitulation,  three  or  four  of  the  leading 
men  were  to  be  detained  as  prisoners  of  war  ;  seventeen  of 
the  Connecticut  people  were  to  remain  to  gather  the  har- 
vests ;  and  all  the  others,  without  exception,  were  to  leave 
the  valley  immediately. 

These  terms  were  strictly  complied  with  on  the  part 
of  the  settlers  ;  but  no  sooner  had  the  people  left,  than 
Ogden,  in  direct  violation  of  his  pledges,  began  to  plunder 
the  property  that  had  been  left  behind.  Cattle,  horses, 
and  sheep  were  driven  off  to  market.  The  seventeen  men 
who  were  to  remain  on  the  ground,  being  left  without 
any  means  of  subsistence,  were  compelled  to  follow  their 
friends  to  Connecticut.  Thus  the  close  of  the  year 
1769  found  Wyoming  in  full  possession  of  the  Pennsylva- 


336  HISTOEY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

nians — the  Yankees*  having  been  driven  from  the  country 
for  the  third  time,  their  homes  made  desolate,  their  property 
destroyed,  themselves  defeated  and  disheartened.  So  at  least 
thought  their  enemies,  w^ho  imagined  that  the  people  of  Con- 
necticut would  now  desist  from  all  further  attempts  to  found  a 
colony  in  the  valley  of  the  Susquehannah.  Fully  impressed 
with  this  belief,  Ogden  and  Jennings,  leaving  a  guard  of  ten 
men  to  take  charge  of  the  public  property  in  the  fort,  repair- 
ed to  Philadelphia,  to  while  away  the  winter. 

Early  in  February,  a  company  of  men  from  the  adjacent 
town  of  Hanover  united  with  a  few  Connecticut  people, 
under  Captain  Stewart,  entered  the  valley,  drove  oif  the 
guard  stationed  at  Fort  Durkee,  took  possession  of  the  fort, 
provisions,  and  cannon,  and  quietly  awaited  the  result.  The 
news  soon  reached  Ogden,  who  hastily  mustered  about  fifty 
friends,  and,  marching  to  Wyoming,  took  possession  of  his 
old  quarters  at  mill  creek.  Major  Durkee,  who  had  by  this 
time  escaped  from  prison,  again  took  the  command  of  the 
settlers.  A  collision  soon  occurred,  in  which  one  of  the 
Connecticut  party  was  killed.  Durkee  now  determined  to 
drive  Ogden  from  his  position.  With  his  single  cannon  he 
commenced  the  siege,  and  carried  it  forward  with  such  suc- 
cess, that  on  the  29th  of  April  Ogden  surrendered.  By  the 
terms  agreed  upon,  all  the  Pennsylvanians  were  to  leave  the 
valley  within  three  days,  except  six  men  who  were  to  remain 
in  possession  of  one  of  the  houses. 

Soon  after  the  departure  of  Ogden,  the  commander  of  the 
settlers  resolved  to  retaliate  upon  the  previous  conduct  of 
that  officer.  He  forthwith  expelled  the  six  unwelcome  neigh- 
bors as  spies,  seized  upon  the  property  left  in  their  posses- 
sion, and  burnt  the  fort  that  had  been  vacated  by  Ogden. 

Governor  Penn  at  once  issued  his  proclamation  denounc- 
ing the  "  outrageous  conduct "  of  the  intruders,  and  offering 
large  rewards  for  their  arrest.  Having  in  vain  applied  for 
assistance    to    General     Gage,    commander-in-chief  of  his 

*"  Yankees''''  and  ^^  PennymiteSj^^  were  the  names  by  which  the  two  parties 
were  long  known  in  Wyoming. 


[1773.]  COMMISSIONERS   APPOINTED.  337 

majesty's  forces,  whose  head-quarters  were  then  in  New 
York,  the  governor  directed  Captain  Ogden  to  raise  as  many 
soldiers  as  he  could,  and  dispossess  the  Yankees  of  the  valley. 
The  business  of  recruiting  proceeded  so  slow,  that  it  was 
late  in  September  before  he  reached  Wyoming.  His  force 
amounted  to  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men.  His  move- 
ments were  conducted  with  such  secrecy,  that  he  surprised 
the  fort  and  garrison,  and  took  a  large  number  of  prisoners, 
almost  without  opposition.  A  few  of  the  officers  were  sent 
to  Philadelphia,  while  the  others  were  taken  to  the  jail  at 
Easton.     The  valley  was  again  deserted  by  the  settlers. 

The  triumph  of  the  Pennsylvanians  was  of  short  duration. 
On  the  18th  of  December,  the  sleeping  garrison  was  startled 
with  a  "  Hurrah  for  King  George  !"  and  Captain  Stewart 
with  thirty  men  took  possession  of  the  fort  in  behalf  of  Con- 
necticut. Six  of  its  inmates  escaped  half  naked  to  the 
mountains,  while  the  remainder  were  expelled  from  the 
valley  without  ceremony. 

In  January,  the  fort  again  fell  into  the  hands  of  Ogden  ; 
and  on  the  14th  of  August,  after  a  vigorous  siege,  it  was  sur- 
rendered to  Captain  Zebulon  Butler. 

What  is  known  as  "  the  first  Pennymite  and  Yankee  war," 
was  now  ended,  and  the  Connecticut  settlers  on  the  Susque- 
hannah  began  to  enjoy  the  blessings  of  peace.  During  the 
autumn,  many  of  them  went  to  Connecticut  and  brought 
their  families  into  the  valley.  Prosperity  smiled  upon  the 
labors  of  the  husbandman,  and  domestic  and  social  happiness 
at  last  crowned  the  struggles  and  privations  of  the  war-worn 
combatants.  A  church  was  formed,  a  minister  settled,  schools 
established,  and  a  local  civil  government  organized. 

Connecticut  now  determined  to  extend  a  formal  and  positive 
jurisdiction  over  the  Susquehannah  Company's  purchase. 
To  this  end,  in  October  1773,  her  Legislature  appointed 
Eliphalet  Dyer,  William  Samuel  Johnson,  and  Jedediah 
Strong,  commissioners  to  proceed  to  Philadelphia,  to  nego- 
tiate an  amicable  settlement  of  the  controversy.  In  Decem- 
ber they  presented  their  credentials  to  Governor  Penn,  and 

54 


338  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

commenced  the  business  assigned  to  them.  All  their  propo- 
sitions were  objected  to  and  declined  by  Governor  Penn — as 
they  doubtless  anticipated  would  be  the  case — and  the  com- 
missioners returned  to  Connecticut.  On  receiving  their 
report,  the  General  Assembly,  in  January,  passed  an  act 
"erecting  all  the  territory  within  her  charter  limits,  from  the 
river  Delaware  to  a  line  fifteen  miles  west  of  the  Susque- 
hannah,  into  a  town,  with  all  the  corporate  powers  of  other 
towns  in  the  colony,  to  be  called  Westmoreland,  attaching  it 
to  the  county  of  Litchfield."  Zebulon  Butler  and  Nathan 
Denison  were  commissioned  justices  of  the  peace  for  the  new 
town.  Governor  Trumbull  issued  a  proclamation  forbidding 
any  settlement  within  the  hmits  of  Westmoreland,  except 
under  the  authority  of  Connecticut.* 

Captain  Butler  and  Mr.  Joseph  Sluman  were  chosen  the 
first  representatives  from  Westmoreland  to  the  Legislature 
of  Connecticut. 

As  may  well  be  supposed,  the  spirit  that  had  roused  the 
people  of  the  colonies  to  resist  the  oppressive  acts  of  the 
mother  country,  met  with  a  cordial  response  from  the  settlers 
of  Wyoming.  Long  accustomed,  as  they  had  been,  to  resist 
oppression  at  home,  they  were  among  the  first  to  protest 
against  the  encroachments  of  a  foreign  despotism.  As  early 
as  August  1775,  in  town  meeting,  they  passed  a  vote  express 
ing  their  acquiescence  in  the  action  of  the  Continental  Con- 
gi'ess,  and  declaring  that  they  would  "  unanimously  join  their 
brethren  in  America  in  the  common  cause  of  defending  their 
libertv." 

In  the  fall  of  1775,  the  governor  of  Pennsylvania  resolved 
to  renew  the  war  against  the  people  of  Wyoming,  who  had 
now  enjoyed  a  period  of  four  years  of  uninterrupted  peace. 
Colonel  Plunket,  with  seven  hundred  men  in  his  train, 
returning  from  an  expedition  against  the  settlements  at  Judea 
and  Charlestown,  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  Nescopeck  creek, 

*  The  governor  of  Pennsylvania  also  issued  a  proclamation  about  the  same 
time,  prohibiting  any  settlement  on  contested  claims,  "  under  pretended  grants 
from  Connecticut,"  or  any  other  than  the  authority  of  Pennsylvania. 


[1776-'7.]  INDIAN'S   AND   TORIES.  839 

on  the  20th  of  December.  Congress  having  been  informed 
that  an  attack  upon  Wyoming  was  contemplated,  interposed 
in  behalf  of  the  settlers — recommending  "  that  the  con- 
tending parties  immediately  cease  all  hostilities,  and  avoid 
every  appearance  of  force,  until  the  dispute  can  be  legally 
settled." 

This  advice  came  too  late  to  be  of  any  avail.  Plunket  arriv- 
ed upon  the  borders  of  the  valley  on  the  28d.  As  his  force 
was  nearly  double  that  of  all  the  settlements  in  the  valley,  his 
appearance  was  the  occasion  of  much  alarm.  Colonel  Z. 
Butler,  with  the  most  strenuous  exertions,  succeeded  in 
collecting  together  about  three  hundred  men  and  boys  ;  but 
as  there  were  not  guns  enough  to  supply  them  all,  some  of 
them  appeared  on  the  ground  with  scythes  fastened  upon 
handles.  He  selected  his  position  and  fortified  it  as  well  as 
circumstances  would  permit.  On  the  23d  and  24th,  Butler's 
fortification  was  attacked,  two  or  three  skirmishes  took  place, 
and  several  persons  were  killed.  The  expedition  ended  in 
the  inglorious  retreat  of  Plunket  and  his  army.^ 

During  the  years  of  1776  and  1777,  few  events  occurred 
in  the  valley  that  need  to  be  repeated  here.  As  among  the 
patriotic  citizens  in  other  parts  of  the  country,  strenuous 
efforts  were  made  to  raise  and  equip  their  quota  of  soldiers, 
to  supply  the  families  of  the  absent,^  and  to  provide  means 
for  their  own  safety  and  defense.  Occasionally  the  Indians 
and  tories  would  make  an  incursion  into  their  vicinity,  and 
kill  or  take  captive   such  objects  of  their  hatred  as  might 

*  Mr.  Miner,  (Hist,  of  Wyoming,  p.  180,)  introduces  evidence  to  show  that 
Colonel  P.  was  identical  with  the  Dr.  Plunket,  an  apothecary,  who  was  concerned 
with  James  Maclean  in  several  highway  robberies  committed  on  Hounslow  Heath, 
England,  in  1750,  an  account  of  which  may  be  found  in  the  London  Gentleman's 
Magazine  for  September  of  that  year.  Among  the  persons  assaulted  by  Maclean 
and  Plunket,  was  Lord  Eglington.  It  is  stated  that  Colonel  Plunket  acknowl- 
edged, that  he  was  associated  with  Maclean  in  the  robberies  alluded  to  ;  and  that 
he  was  recognized  in  this  country  by  persons  who  had  known  him  in  England. 

+  Town  Meeting,  Westmoreland,  Dec.  30th,  1777,  "Voted  by  this  town,  that 
the  committee  of  inspection  be  empowered  to  supply  the  soldiers'  wives  and  the 
soldiers'  widows,  and  their  families,  with  the  necessaries  of  life." 


840  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

fall  in  their  way  ;*  but  though  war  raged  around  them,  the 
people  of  Wyoming  dwelt  in  comparative  quiet. 

At  the  October  session  of  the  Connecticut  Legislature, 
1776,  Westmoreland  had  been  erected  into  a  county.  Jona- 
than Fitch,  Esq.,  was  commissioned  as  the  first  high  sheriff 
of  the  new  organization,  and  other  county  officers  were  soon 
after  appointed. 

It  appears  that  sweet  Wyoming  was  after  all  a  part  of 
Connecticut.  Her  sons  were  there  with  their  good  English 
names,  shrewd  sense,  unostentatious  home-bred  tastes,  habits 
of  economy,  schools,  religion,  laws,  industry,  and  valor.  Let 
us  suppose  that  we  too  are  there,  and  that  it  is  early  January 
of  the  eventful  year  1778.  Hill  and  glade  smile  as  the  morning 
sun  glances  over  the  mountain,  to  woo  and  melt  at  last  the 
cold  unsullied  snow.  The  hale  cattle,  and  the  dainty  sheep, 
nipping  the  hay  that  lies  in  heaps  around  the  stack  in  the 
open  meadow,  while  the  farmer,  who  has  just  fed  them,  stands 
with  his  hands  in  his  pockets  regarding  their  growth  with  a 
complacent  smile  that  is  the  outward  sign  of  the  promise 
that  his  heart  has  made  to  itself  of  thrift  for  his  sons  and 
marriage  portions  for  his  daughters,  are  additional  features 
in  the  picture.  Should  he  ask  you  to  accompany  him  home 
and  breakfast  with  him,  you  need  not  excuse  yourself  or 
hesitate  lest  his  busy  wife  and  pretty  daughters  whose  com- 
plexions show  that  they  once  belonged  to  Litchfield  county, 
should  blush  at  the  scantiness  of  the  repast.  They  will  set 
before  you  buckwheat  cakes  and  venison,  or  it  may  be  salt 
fish  and  the  nice  fragments  of  the  wild  turkey  that  flanked 
the  loin  of  beef  for  yesterday's  dinner.f 

The  whole  family  circle  will  have  the  questioning  curiosity 
that  belongs  to  their  origin,  and  why  should  they  not  be 

*  In  1777,  an  old  man,  named  Fitzgerald,  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  tories,  who 
placed  him  on  a  flax-brake,  and  told  him  he  must  either  renounce  his  "  rebel 
principles,"  or  die.  "  Well,"  said  he,  "  I  am  old,  and  have  little  time  to  live  any- 
how ;  and  I  had  rather  die  now  a  friend  to  my  country,  than  to  live  ever  so  long, 
and  die  a  tory  !"     They  thought  him  incorrigible  and  let  him  go. 

+  See  Miner's  Hist.  208-'9. 


[1778.]  A   STORM   GATHERING.  341 

indulged?  These  are  revolutionary  times.  "What  is  Wash- 
ington doing  since  the  last  Indian  runner  brought  the  news 
from  the  north  ?  What  is  Putnam  doing  at  Reading  since 
the  last  arrival  of  the  post-rider  from  Hartford  ?  Well  may 
they  ask  questions,  for  what  new  wonder  is  to  follow  the 
battle  of  Germantown  and  the  capture  of  Burgoyne  ? 

It  was  in  every  sense  a  Connecticut  settlement.  Its  electors 
had  all  taken  the  new  oath  of  allegiance  to  her  as  a  sove- 
reign state.  On  the  13th  of  April,  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
nine  more  were  added  to  the  number  of  self-taxing  citizen 
electors — making  in  all  two  hundred  and  sixty-nine.  They 
chose  John  Dorrance  collector  of  the  state  tax,  and  Nathan 
Denison  and  Anderson  Dana  representatives  to  the  General 
Assembly  that  was  to  meet  at  Hartford  in  May.  On  the  21st 
of  the  same  month,  the  voters  of  Westmoreland  held  another 
meeting,  and  in  obedience  to  the  advice  of  his  excellency, 
Governor  Trumbull,  and  the  recommendation  of  the  Assem- 
bly, fixed  the  rates  of  labor  and  the  prices  of  all  produce 
and  manufactured  articles.* 

Early  in  the  year,  it  began  to  be  whispered  abroad  that  the 
Indians  were  gathering  to  make  an  attack  upon  Westmoreland. 
But  the  mothers  and  daughters  of  Wyoming,  if  they  grew  pale 
at  the  news,  did  not  shrink  from  the  hard  duties  that  are  impos- 
ed upon  women  in  new  settlements  in  times  of  war  or  threat- 
ened public  calamity.  They  were  already  inured  to  dangers. 
While  their  husbands  and  lovers  had  been  absent  from  home 
fighting  the  battles  of  their  country  against  the  British,  Indians, 
and  tories,  they  had  made  the  hay,  hoed  the  corn,  husked  it  and 
gathered  it  home.      At  last,  a  little  cannon  had  been  brought 

*  Among  these  items  were  the  following,  viz  :  "  Good  yarn  stockings,  a  pair 
10«.  ;  laboring  women,  at  spinning,  a  week,  6s.  ;  winter-fed  beef,  a  pound,  7s.  5 
taverners,  for  dinner,  of  the  best,  per  meal,  2s.  ;  metheglin,  per  gallon  7s.  ; 
beaver  skins,  per  lb.  18s.  ;  shad,  apiece,  Qd.  ;  beaver  hats,  of  the  best,  Al.  ;  for 
two  oxen,  per  day,  and  tackling,  3s.  ;  good  hemp-seed,  a  bushel,  15s.  ;  men's 
labor,  at  farming,  the  three  summer  months,  per  day,  5s.  3d.  ;  good  check  flannel, 
yard  wide,  8s.  5  good  tow  and  linen,  yard  wide,  6s.  ;  good  white  flannel,  yard 
wide,  5s.  ;  tobacco,  in  bank  or  leaf,  per  lb.,  9d. ;  taverners,  for  mug  of  flip,  with 
two  gills  of  rum  in  it,  4s.  5  good  barley,  per  bushel,  8s  ;  shoeing  horse  all  round, 
6«.  ;  eggs,  per  doxen,  8d.  ;  strong  beer,  by  the  barrel,  2i." 


842  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

up  the  river  to  defend  the  settlement  ;  and  so  far  were  these 
good  wives  and  daughters  from  running  away  and  stopping 
their  ears  to  keep  out  the  sound  of  its  sharp,  spiteful  voice, 
that  they  took  up  the  floors  of  their  humble  houses,  and  dug 
up  the  earth  from  beneath  them,  leached  it  in  casks,  and  then 
mixed  the  thin  fluid  with  the  ley  of  wood-ashes,  and  after 
having  boiled  them  together,  set  the  decoction  away  to  cool, 
until  the  salt-petre  rose  to  the  top.  Then  they  pulverized 
the  charcoal  and  ground  the  sulphur,  and  mingling  the  home- 
made ingredients  in  due  proportion,  they  made  gun-powder  to 
fill  the  horns  of  their  husbands,  and  to  gorge  the  black  throat 
of  this  fierce  bull-dog  that  had  come  to  keep  guard  over 
Wyoming. 

From  Niagara  and  the  Indian  country  that  skirted  the 
town,  it  was  rumored  that  the  British  and  Indians  were 
making  ready  to  invade  the  valley.  Not  only  did  the  patriot- 
ism of  the  inhabitants  tempt  such  an  invasion,  but  the  very 
situation  of  this  settlement — the  only  one  of  any  importance 
above  the  Blue  Ridge,  and  forming  as  it  did  a  troublesome 
barrier  between  the  savage  tribes  of  the  mountains  and  the 
Gei'man  towns  of  the  low  country — pointed  it  out  for 
destruction.  After  all  the  Indians  in  the  valley  and  all  the 
tories  from  that  neighborhood,  had  begun  to  flock  to  the  stand- 
ard of  the  enemy.  Congress,  on  the  16th  of  March,  passed 
the  following  resolution  : 

"Resolved,  That  one  full  company  of  foot  be  raised  in  the 
town  of  Westmoreland,  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Susquehan- 
nah,  for  the  defense  of  the  said  town,  and  the  settlement  on 
the  frontiers  and  in  the  neighborhood  thereof,  against  the 
Indians  and  the  enemies  of  these  states  ;  the  said  company 
to  be  enlisted  to  serve  one  year  from  the  time  of  their  enlist- 
ing, unless  sooner  discharged  by  Congress." 

As  if  to  mock  that  brave  people,  a  clause  was  added  to  the 
resolution,  "  that  the  company  find  their  own  arms,  accoutre- 
ments and  blankets." 

A  large  proportion  of  the  effective  men  of  the  settlement, 
under  the  command  of  Durkee  and  Ransom,  were  already 


[1778.]  SCOUTING  PARTIES   AND   SPIES.  343 

absent  with  the  army — scarcely  a  sufficient  number  being 
left  at  home  to  save  the  women  and  children  from  starvation, 
and  to  keep  guard  around  their  dwellings.  The  people  had 
been  taxed  to  their  utmost  capacity  to  arm  and  equip  the 
soldiers  who  were  already  in  the  field  ;  and  the  additional 
burden  now  imposed  upon  them  by  Congress,  was  felt  to  be 
unnecessary  and  unjust.  True,  the  company  ordered  to  be 
raised,  was  in  part  designed  for  their  own  protection  ;  and  so, 
as  they  had  supposed,  were  the  companies  previously  raised 
in  the  valley.  What  guarantee  had  they  that  the  new 
recruits  might  not  be  wanted  elsewhere,  and  that  thus  the 
settlement  would  be  left  without  any  other  means  of  defense 
than  such  as  the  old  men,  women  and  children  might  be  able 
to  afford  ? 

In  May,  little  scouting  parties  of  the  inhabitants  of  West- 
moreland began  to  meet  those  sent  out  by  the  enemy.  The 
latter  appeared  to  be  keeping  watch  of  the  former,  and 
though  they  did  no  acts  of  violence,  yet  they  probably  made  it 
a  principal  part  of  their  business  to  learn  where  the  settlement 
was  most  assailable,  and  at  the  same  time  to  cut  off  all  com- 
munication between  them  and  the  upper  country,  so  that 
the}^  might  remain  in  ignorance  of  the  preparations  that  were 
going  on  there.     A  single  man  was  shot  by  the  Indians. 

A  few  days  afterwards,  a  scouting  party  of  six  persons 
was  fired  upon  about  four  miles  from  Tunkhannock.  Two 
men  were  wounded — one  of  them  mortally — but  they  fled 
to  their  canoes,  and  dropped  down  the  river. 

Soon  after  this  occurrence,  two  Indians,  who  had  once 
lived  at  Wyoming,  came  down  with  their  squaws,  under  pre- 
tence of  paying  a  friendly  visit.  They  were  soon  suspected 
to  be  spies,  and  were  closely  watched.  At  last,  an  old  com- 
panion of  one  of  them,  who  knew  his  weak  points,  invited 
him  to  drink,  and  repeated  this  agreeable  act  of  hospitality  so 
many  times,  that  his  guest  was  finally  in  a  favorable  mood 
to  reveal  secrets.  He  frankly  confessed  that  his  people  were 
meditating  an  attack  upon  the  place,  and  that  he  had  visited 
it  as  a  spy.     This  frightful  intelligence  drove  the  inhabitants 


844  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

to  the  verge  of  despair.  The  people  in  the  border  districts 
took  refuge  in  the  forts,  and  the  wives  of  the  soldiers  sent 
message  after  message  to  their  absent  husbands,  begging  them 
as  they  loved  them  and  their  tender  babes,  to  come  home. 
Still,  the  Congress  refused  to  let  them  go.  This  last  piece 
of  intelligence  was  so  peculiarly  startling,  that  every  com- 
missioned officer  from  Wyoming,  except  two,  resigned,  and 
hastened  homeward.  Some  of  the  privates  also  deserted. 
At  this  point,  Congress  w^as  compelled  to  interfere.  On  the 
23d  of  June  they  resolved,  "that  the  two  independent  com- 
panies lately  commanded  by  Captains  Durkee  and  Ransom, 
which  were  raised  in  the  town  of  Westmoreland,  be  united, 
and  form  one  company."  From  the  preamble  of  this  resolve, 
it  appears  that  the  number  of  non-commissioned  officers  and 
privates  remaining  was  eighty-six.  The  new  company  was 
ordered  to  march  to  Lancaster,  and,  soon  after,  when  too  late, 
to  Wyoming. 

By  this  time  the  enemy  had  concentrated  themselves  at 
Newtown  and  Tioga,  (the  latter  being  a  part  of  the  town  of 
Westmoreland  ;)  and  every  man  capable  of  bearing  arms  was 
called  into  service  and  drilled.  The  assistance,  in  this  depart- 
ment, of  two  deserters  from  the  British  army,  named  Boyd* 
and  Pike,  was  called  into  requisition,  and  proved  very  accepta- 
ble. The  women  and  children  were  gathered  into  the  forts. 
The  only  cannon  in  the  valley  was  in  Wilkesbarre  fort,  and, 
having  no  ball,  it  could  only  be  used  as  an  alarm-gun.  All 
was  bustle  and  anxiety.  It  was  soon  ascertained  that  the 
force  of  the  enemy  consisted  of  Colonel  John  Butler's  rang- 
ers, a  detachment  of  Sir  John  Johnson's  royal  greens,  a  few 
tories  from  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  and  New  York — in 
all  about  four  hundred  ;  together  with  six  or  seven  hundred 
Indians.  Descending  the  river,  they  landed  about  twenty 
miles  above  the  valley,  and  marched  across  the  peninsula — 
arriving  on  the  western  mountain  on  the  evening  of  the  29th 
or  morning  of  the  30th  of  June. 

*  Boyd  was  subsequently  taken  prisoner  by  Colonel  John  Butler,  and  was  soon 
after  shot  as  a  deserter. 


[1778.]       COLOXEL   BUTLER   SUMM0:N'S   FORTY   FORT.  345" 

The  families  of  many  of  the  pioneers  were  gathered  at 
Fort  Jenkins,  the  uppermost  in  the  valley.  From  this  point, 
on  the  mornincr  of  the  30th,  seven  men  and  a  lad  took  their 
arms  and  went  to  their  usual  labors,  in  Exeter,  some  three 
miles  distant.  Toward  evenino;  thev  were  attacked,  four 
of  their  number  killed,  three  taken  prisoners,  and  one 
escaped.^' 

On  the  following  day,  the  Connecticut  people  rallied 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Zebulon  Butler,  and  marched 
to  Exeter,  where  the  murders  had  been  committed.  They 
found  the  remains  of  their  comrades — scalped  and  otherwise 
mutilated.  They  w^ere  removed  and  decently  buried  near 
Fort  Jenkins,  where  a  stone  has  since  been  erected  to 
their  memory.  Not  far  from  the  spot  where  these  dead 
bodies  were  found,  Colonel  Butler  discovered  two  Indians, 
who  were  quietly  watching  for  more  victims  among  those 
whom  they  presumed  would  come  to  ascertain  the  fate  of 
their  murdered  friends.     They  were  instantly  shot. 

During  the  same  day,  Colonel  John  Butler,  the  commander 
of  the  British  and  Indians,  took  possession  of  Wintermoot's 
Fort — the  Wintermoots  having  erected  it  on  purpose  for  him, 
though  they  had  studiously  kept  their  design  from  their 
neighbors.  That  evening,  Fort  Jenkins  surrendered  to  the 
enemy,  four  of  the  little  garrison  being  slain,  and  three  made 
prisoners.  i 

On  Thursday,  the  2d,  Colonel  John  Butler  sent  a  summons 
to  Forty  Fort,  demanding  its  surrender.  On  the  3d,  a 
demand  was  made  for  the  surrender  of  all  the  forts,  militia, 
and  public  property  in  the  valley.  The  Connecticut  people 
called  a  council  of  war,  which,  after  an  excited  session, 
resolved  not  to  comply  with  the  summons.  The  only  hope 
of  saving  the  settlement  from  destruction,  now  lay  in  attacking 
and  defeating  the  enemy.  Accordingly,  about  noon.  Col.  Zebu- 

*  The  names  of  the  slain  were  James  Hadsell,  James  Hadsell,  Jr.,  Benjamin 
and  Stukely  Harding.  Daniel  Weller,  John  Gardiner,  and  Daniel  Carr,  were 
taken  prisoners.  The  lad,  John  Harding,  threw  himself  into  the  river  and  lay 
hid  under  the  willows,  while  the  Indians  searched  in  vain  for  him. 


346  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

Ion  Butler,  began  to  muster  his  little  army  for  decisive  action. 
It  consisted  of  two  hundred  enrolled  soldiers,  and  about 
seventy  old  men,  boys,  civil  magistrates,  and  other  volunteers. 
Among  the  latter  were  several  exempt  officers,  judges,  and 
professional  men,  who  took  their  places  in  the  ranks  by  the 
side  of  their  neighbors.  Between  two  and  three  o'clock, 
they  took  up  the  line  of  march  toward  Wintermoot's  Fort, 
which,  however,  had  been  set  on  fire  and  abandoned  by  the 
enemy  before  the  arrival  of  the  Connecticut  troops. 

Arriving  near  the  enemy's  quarters,  Colonel  Z.  Butler, 
drew  up  his  men  in  the  order  of  battle.  On  the  right  was 
Captain  Bedlack's  company,  commanded  by  Colonel  Butler, 
who  was  supported  by  Major  John  Garrett.  On  the  extreme 
left,  was  Captain  Whittlesey's  company,  commanded  by 
Colonel  Denison  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Dorrance.  Colonel 
Butler  made  a  brief  and  pertinent  address  to  the  soldiers, 
reminding  them  of  the  wrongs  they  had  suffered  in  the  past, 
and  of  the  calamities  which  threatened  the  future ;  he  told 
them  that  they  had  not  only  to  fight  for  liberty,  but  for  life — 
and  what  was  dearer  still,  "to  preserve  their  homes  from  con- 
flagration, and  their  women  and  children  from  the  tomahawk." 
In  conclusion,  he  urged  upon  them  the  importance  of  with- 
standing the  first  shock. 

The  enemy's  left  was  commanded  by  Colonel  John  Butler, 
who  appeared  on  the  ground  with  a  handkerchief  tied  round 
his  head.  A  flanking-party  of  Indians  were  concealed 
among  some  logs  and  bushes  under  the  bank.  The  main 
body  of  the  Indians,  under  Brandt,  formed  the  right  wing. 
Johnson's  royal  greens  and  marksmen,  formed  the  centre. 

The  battle  commenced  at  about  four  o'clock,  when  Colo- 
nel Z.  Butler  commanded  his  men  to  fire,  and  at  every  volley 
advance  one  step.  The  discharges  were  quick  and  steady 
along  the  whole  line.  It  soon  became  apparent  that  in  the 
open  ground  the  shot  of  the  Yankees  told  with  the  most 
fatal  effect.  Our  men  now  moved  briskly  forward,  firing  by 
platoons  at  short  intervals,  yet  with  sure  aim.  This  fire 
proved  so  deadly  that  the  British  soon  broke  and  gave  way 


[1778.]  FALL   OF   DURKEE.  847 

along  the  whole  line.  Still,  the  Indian  flanking-party  kept 
up  a  galling  fire  from  their  safe  covert,  upon  the  right  wing 
of  the  Connecticut  troops.  Lieutenant  Gore  soon  received 
a  ball  through  the  left  arm,  and  instantly  called  out  in  a  tone 
of  alarm,  "Captain  Durkee,  look  sharp  for  the  Indians  in 
those  bushes."  The  caution  was  too  late.  As  the  hero 
stood  coolly  looking  into  the  thicket,  designing  to  attack  and 
dislodge  them,  he  was  struck  by  a  fatal  shot  and  fell  to  the 
ground.  His  death  was  a  severe  blow  to  Wyoming,  and  to 
Connecticut.  He  was  a  brother  of  Colonel  John  Durkee, 
one  of  the  prime  agents  in  preparing  the  way  for  the  revolu- 
tion, and  one  of  the  most  active  partizans  who  participated  in 
it.  The  name  will  never  be  forgotten  while  the  word  "stamp 
master"  has  a  meaning  in  it. 

On  the  enemy's  right,  meanwhile,  the  Indian  warriors  that 
covered  his  flank,  though  hotly  opposed  by  our  troops,  fought 
like  so  many  demons.  They  were  divided  into  six  parties, 
and  as  one  of  them  uttered  the  horrible  war-cry.  five  other 
yells  were  heard,  like  vollies  of  musketry,  though  a  thousand 
times  more  appalling,  passing  from  one  end  to  the  other  of 
his  line.  As  the  battle  grew  more  intense,  the  yell  became 
louder  and  more  piercing.  It  served  the  purpose  of  a  trum- 
pet to  sound  the  onset,  and  as  a  signal  by  which  they  com- 
municated with  each  other.  Near  the  spot  where  Colonel 
Dorrance  stood,  one  of  the  soldiers,  seeing  several  of  his 
companions  drop  dead  by  his  side,  began  to  fall  back. 
"  Stand  up  to  your  work,  sir,"  said  the  colonel,  in  a 
tone  of  calm  authority.  The  man  instantly  returned  to  his 
place. 

The  battle  had  lasted  thirty  minutes  before  it  was  apparent 
to  the  Connecticut  officers  how  overwhelming  was  the  force 
of  the  enemy.  A  large  number  of  Indians  had  been  thrown" 
into  a  swamp,  and  had  now  passed  around  so  as  to  outflank 
the  American  left  wing  and  throw  it  into  disorder.  To 
remedy  this  difficulty,  Captain  Whittlesey,  with  his  company, 
was  commanded  to  wheel  backward,  form  an  angle  with 
the  main  line,  and  present  his  front  instead  of  his  flank  to  the 


848  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

enemy.  As  soon  as  the  attempt  was  made  to  carry  this  order 
into  effect,  the  Indians  rushed  upon  them  with  frightful  yells. 
This  sudden  sally,  and  a  real  or  pretended  misunderstanding 
as  to  Colonel  Denison's  orders,  threw  the  whole  left  wing 
into  dismay.  The  word  "retreat !"  was  passed  from  rank  to 
rank.  The  brave  old  Colonel  Butler  exerted  himself  to  the 
utmost  to  bring  the  troops  again  into  line.  Riding  up  and 
down  the  space  between  the  two  armies,  he  called  out  in  a 
tone  of  earnest  expostulation  : 

"Don't  leave  me,  my  children,  and  the  victory  is  ours." 
But  the  appeal  came  too  late.  On  the  left  wing,  however, 
the  Americans  still  stood  their  ground.  One  captain  after  an- 
other led  up  his  men,  and  in  every  instance  the  commander  was 
killed  on  or  near  the  line.  As  was  said  of  Bidlack,  so  of  Hewitt, 
Whittlesey,  and  others,  "  they  fell  at  the  head  of  their  men." 
All  fought  bravely ;  but  they  were  overcome  by  a  force  of 
three  times  their  number. 

The  battle  being  over,  the  massacre,  so  awful  in  its  details, 
commenced.  The  Indian  flanking-party  having  cut  off  the 
retreat  to  Forty  Fort,  the  fugitives  rushed  toward  the  river  in 
the  direction  of  Monockasy  Island — that  being  the  only  point 
that  offered  them  any  hope  of  crossing  the  stream.  A  few 
who  leapt  in,  succeeded  in  reaching  the  opposite  bank,  and 
escaped ;  many  others  were  killed  while  struggling  in  the 
river.  Sergeant  Jeremiah  Bigford,  a  very  active  man,  was 
pursued  by  an  Indian  into  the  stream,  with  a  spear.  The 
former  turned  upon  his  pursuer,  struck  the  spear  from  his 
hand,  and  dashed  him  under  his  feet.  At  this  instant, 
another  savage  rushed  forward,  and  ran  his  spear  through 
Bigford's  body,  who  fell  dead  and  floated  down  the  stream. 
A  soldier  named  Pensil  hid  in  a  cluster  of  willow^s  on  the 
island.  Seeing  his  tory  brother  come  up,  he  threw  himself 
at  his  feet,  begging  for  protection  and  offering  to  serve  him 
for  life,  if  he  would  but  save  him.  "Mighty  well!"  was  the 
taunting  reply  ;  "  you  d — d  rebel !"  and  instantly  shot  him 
dead.  Lieutenant  Shoemaker,  a  w^ealthy  and  hospitable 
citizen,  fled  to  the  river,  when  Windecker,  who  had  often  fed 


[1778.] 


ESTHER   THE   EXECUTIONER.  849 


at  his  board,  came  to  the  brink.  "Come  out,  come  out," 
said  he  ;  "you  know  I  will  protect  you."  Windecker  reached 
out  his  left  hand  as  if  to  lead  him  ashore,  while  with  his 
right  hand  he  buried  his  tomahawk  into  the  head  of  his 
benefactor. 

Many  of  the  retreating  troops  were  tempted  to  the  shore, 
on  a  promise  of  quarter,  and  were  there  murdered.  The  keen 
Indian  marksmen  singled  out  the  officers,  taking  aim  with 
such  accuracy  as  to  break  the  thigh  bone,  and  thus  leave  their 
victims  alive  for  torture.  One  of  the  wounded  prisoners,  the 
brave  Captain  Bidlack,  was  thrown  upon  the  burning  logs  of 
the  fort,  and  held  down  with  pitchforks,  and  there  tormented 
till  death  came  to  his  relief.  A  large  group  were  ranged  in 
the  form  of  a  circle  around  a  huge  stone,  and  hemmed  in  by 
a  party  of  savages.  Esther,  an  Indian  queen — a  woman  of 
remarkable  strength — acted  the  part  of  executioner.  Pass- 
ine:  around  the  ring  with  a  death-maul  or  tomahawk  in  her 
hand,  and  keeping  time  with  her  discordant  voice  to  the 
deadly  strokes  of  the  weapon  that  she  wielded,  she  selected 
her  victims  and  dashed  out  their  brains,  or  buried  the  edge 
of  the  tomahawk  deep  in  the  heads  of  others,  as  best  suited 
the  whim  of  the  moment.  Three  of  the  stoutest  prisoners 
dashed  through  the  outer  circle  and  escaped  unhurt  into  the 
woods.  The  shattered  remnants  of  fourteen  or  fifteen  dead 
bodies,  scalped  and  bleeding  around  the  stone,  told  the  fate 
of  the  rest.  Nine  more  were  found  in  a  similar  circle  some 
distance  above. 

Young  Searle,  aged  sixteen,  and  William  Buck,  aged  four- 
teen, fled  and  were  pursued.  Searle,  almost  exhausted,  heard 
some  one  of  his  pursuers  cry  out,  "  Stop — you  shall  have 
quarter — we  won't  hurt  you."  He  paused,  and  for  an 
instant  was  determined  to  surrender,  but  on  looking  back,  he 
saw  Buck  struck  dead  by  a  blow  from  a  tomahawk.  Fear 
once  more  impelled  his  flight,  and  he  escaped. 

Although  night  put  an  end  to  the  pursuit,  yet  it  did  not 
arrest  the  hand  of  the  destroyer.  Three  of  the  settlers, 
attracted  by  fires  in  the  woods  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 


850  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT 

river,  at  Pittston,  paused  for  a  while  in  the  distance,  and 
witnessed  the  process  of  torture.  Several  naked  men,  in  the 
midst  of  the  flames,  were  driven  around  a  stake  by  the  savages, 
who  stood  ready  with  their  spears  to  thrust  their  victims 
back  if  they  attempted  to  escape  from  the  fierce  element. 
Their  groans  and  screams  were  most  piteous,  while  the 
shouts  and  yells  of  the  Indians  as  they  danced  around  the 
funeral  pyre,  were  too  horrible  to  be  endured.  Heart-sick, 
the  spectators  withdrew,  glad  that  they  knew  not  who  the 
sufferers  were. 

In  the  morning,  the  battle-field  presented  a  fearful  sight. 
Limbs  and  bodies  torn  in  fragments  were  scattered  over  the 
ground,  mangled  and  half  consumed.  About  one  hundred 
and  sixty  of  the  Connecticut  people  had  been  slain — or  more 
than  half  of  all  the  able-bodied  men  in  the  valley.  The  loss 
of  the  enemy  was  never  known.* 

*  The  following  list  of  persons  killed  at  the  "  Wyoming  massacre,"  is  copied 
from  Mr.  Miner's  "  History  of  Wyoming,"  pp.  242,  244.  There  were  probably 
some  thirty  or  forty  others  whose  names  are  not  remembered. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  George  Dorranee ;   Major  John  Garrett. 

Captains — Robert  Durkee,  Dethick  Hewitt,  Aholiab  Buck,  Wm.  McKarrican, 
Samuel  Ransom,  James  Bidlack,  Jr.,  Asaph  Whittlesey,  Rezin  Geer,  Lazarus 
Stewart. 

Lieutenants — James  Welles,  Timothy  Pierce,  Flavins  Waterman,  Aaron  Gay- 
lord,  Lazarus  Stewart,  Jr.,  Perrin  Ross,  Asa  Stephens,  Elijah  Shoemaker,  Stod- 
dard Bowen,  A.  Atherton. 

Ensigns — Asa  Gore,  William  White,  Silas  Gore,  Jeremiah  Bigford,  Titus 
Hinman. 

Privates — Christopher  Avery,  Jabez  Atherton, Acke,  A.  Benedict,  Jabez 

Beers,  Elisha  Bigsbee,  Thomas  Brown,  Amos  Bullock,  Asa  Bullock,  John  Brown, 
David  Bigsbree,  John  Boyd,  Joseph  Budd,  William  Buck,  Samuel  Bigford, 
Henry  Bush,  Samuel  Carey,  Samuel  Cole,  Joseph  Crocker,  John  Cortright,  John 
Caldwell,  Josiah  Cameron,  Robert  Comstock,  Kingsley  Comstock,  Samuel 
Crooker,  William  Coffrin,  Joel  Church,  Joseph  Corey,  Isaac  Campbell,  James 
CofFrin,  Christopher  Cortright,  Jenks  Corey,  Rufus  Corey,  Anson  Corey,  Ander- 
son Dana, Dutcher,  Jabez  Darling,  William  Dunn,  D.  Denton,  Levi  Dunn, 

James  Divine,  George  Downing,  Conrad  Davenport,  Thomas  Fuller,  Stephen 
Fuller,  Elisha  Fish,  Eliphalet  Folet,  Benjamin  Finch,  Daniel  Finch,  John  Finch, 
Cornelius  Fitchet,  Thomas  Foxen,  John  Franklin,  George  Gore,  Silas  Gore, 
Samuel  Hutchinson,  James  Hopkins,  Silas  Harvey,  William  Hammer,  Levi 
Hicks,  John  Hutchins,  Cyprian  Hibbard,  Nathaniel  Howard,  Benjamin  Hatch, 


[1778.]  SUFFERINGS   OF   THE   FUGITIVES.  851 

On  the  evening  of  the  3d  of  July,  Captain  John  Franklin 
arrived  at  Forty  Fort,  with  a  company  of  recruits  from  Hun- 
tingdon and  Salem,  numbering  about  thirty-five  men.  After 
a  long  consultation,  it  was  determined  to  gather  all  the  sur- 
viving settlers  and  their  families  into  Forty  Fort,  to  send  to 
VVilkesbarre  for  the  cannon,  and  to  make  the  best  defense 
they  could.  Upon  the  return  of  a  messenger  on  the 
morning  of  the  4th,  who  brought  intelligence  that  the 
people  had  fled  in  every  direction,  and  that  all  was  con- 
sternation and  horror  in  that  quarter,  these  measures  were 
deemed  impracticable.  All  now  resolved  to  seek  for  safety 
in  flight. 

I  need  not  stop  to  give  the  details  of  the  sufferings,  priva- 
tions, and  sorrows  that  followed  the  fugitives  in  their  journey 
through  the  wilderness.  The  dense  forests  and  swamps  that 
surrounded  the  valley  of  Wyoming,  were  teeming  with  the 
widowed  women  and  fatherless  children  of  the  pioneers,  who 
were  wending  their  way  back  toward  Connecticut,  with 
blighted  hopes  and  broken  hearts.  Very  few  of  their  num- 
ber were  provided  with  the  food  and  clothing  requisite  for  so 
long  a  journey  through  an  uninhabited  country.  In  the  "old 
war  path,"  in  one  company,  there  were  about  one  hundred 
women  and  children,  with  but  a  single  man,  Jonathan  Fitch, 
Esq.,  high  sheriff',  to  advise  or  aid  them.  Children  were  born, 

Elijah  Inman,  Israel  Inman,  Robert  Melntire,  Samuel  Jackson,  Robert  Jameson, 
Joseph  Jennings,  Henry  Johnson,  Francis  Lepard,  Daniel  Lawrence,  Joshua 
Landon,  Conrad  Lowe,  Jacob  Lowe,  James  Locke,  William  Lawrence,  A,  Meele- 
man,  C.  McCartee,  Job  Marshall,  Nicholas  Manvill,  John  Murphy,  Nero  Mat- 
thewson,  Andrew  Millard,  Thomas  Niel,  Joseph  Ogden,  J.  Otis  Abel  Palmer, 
William  Parker,  Noah  Pettibone,  Jr.,  John  Pierce,  Silas  Parke,  Henry  Pensil, 
Elias  Roberts,  Elisha  Richards,  Timothy  Rose,  Christopher  Reynolds,  Enos  Rock- 
way,  Jeremiah  Ross,  Joseph  Staples,  Reuben  Staples,  Aaron  Stark,  Daniel  Stark, 
Darius  SpafFord,  Joseph  Shaw,  Abram  Shaw,  Rufus  Stevens,  Constant  Searles, 
Nailer  Swede,  James  Stevenson,  James  Spencer,  Levi  Spencer,  Eleazer  Sprague, 
Josiah  Spencer,  Able  Seeley,  Ichabod  Tuttle,  John  Vanwee,  Abram  Vangorder, 
James  Wigton,  Peter  W^heeler,  Jonathan  Weeks,  Philip  Weeks,  Bartholomew 
Weeks,  Rufus  Williams,  Elihu  AVilliams,  Jr.,  Parker  W^ilson,  Azibah  Williams, 
John  Wilson,  John  Ward,  Esen  Wilcox,  Stephen  Whiton,  Elihu  Waters,  John 
\Villiams,  William  Wootlward,  Ozias  Yale. 


352  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

and  many  died  in  a  swamp  which  is  still  known  by  the  appro- 
priate name  of  the  "Shades  of  Death."*  Many  of  them 
ultimately  reached  the  favored  land  of  their  destination,  and 
lived  to  tell  the  sad  tale  of  Wyoming  to  their  children  and 
their  children's  children. 

On  the  morning  of  the  4th,  Fort  Brown  and  Forty  Fort 
were  surrendered  by  their  commanders  to  Colonel  John  But- 
ler, on  terms  of  fair  capitulation.  After  the  articles  were 
signed,  Butler  observed,  "that  as  Wyoming  was  a  frontier, 
it  was  wrong  for  any  part  of  the  inhabitants  to  leave  their 
own  settlements,  and  enter  into  the  continental  army  abroad; 
that  such  a  number  having  done  so,  was  the  cause  of  the 
invasion,  and  that  it  never  would  have  been  attempted,  if  the 
men  had  remained  at  home."  Colonel  Franklin,  who  heard 
this  declaration,  expressed  the  same  opinion. 

Soon  after  the  surrender,  the  savages  began  to  plunder  the 
prisoners — breaking  open  boxes  and  trunks,  scattering  and 
destroying  valuable  papers  and  records,  brandishing  their  tom- 
ahawks, and  threatening  the  owners  with  death,  if  they  did 
not  give  up  the  money  or  other  valuables  that  they  might  have 
about  their  persons.  Growing  bolder  and  more  insolent,  they 
finally  seized  Colonel  Denison,  and  taking  the  hat  from  his 
head,  demanded  the  linen  frock  that  he  wore.  In  the  pocket 
were  a  few  dollars  of  public  money,  which  he  was  desirous 

*  Mr.  Miner,  in  his  "  History  of  Wyoming,"  gives  many  painful  instances  of  suf- 
fering and  death  experienced  by  the  fugitives,  "  Jabez  Fish,  who  was  in  the  battle, 
escaped  ;  but,  not  being  able  to  join  his  family ,was  supposed  to  have  fallen.  Mrs.  Fish 
hastened  with  her  children  through  the  wilderness.  Overcome  with  fatigue  and 
want,  her  infant  died.  Sitting  down  a  moment,  on  a  stone,  to  see  it  breathe  its 
last,  she  gazed  in  its  face  with  unutterable  anguish.  There  was  no  way  to  dig  a 
grave — and  to  leave  it  to  be  devoured  by  wolves,  seemed  worse  than  death  ;  so 
she  took  the  dead  babe  in  her  arms  and  carried  it  twenty  miles,  when  she  came  to 
a  German  settlement.  Though  poor,  they  gave  her  food ;  made  a  box  for  the 
child,  attended  her  to  the  graveyard,  and  decently  buried  it." 

"  Mrs.  Rogers,  from  Plymouth,  an  aged  woman,  flying  with  her  family,  over- 
come by  fatigue  and  sorrow,  fainted  in  the  wilderness,  twenty  miles  from  human 
habitation.  She  could  take  no  nourishment,  and  soon  died.  They  made  a 
grave  in  the  best  manner  they  could,  and  the  next  day  nearly  exhausted,  came  to 
a  settlement  of  Germans,  who  treated  them  with  great  kindness." 


[1778.]  THE   INDIANS   MUKDER  THE   CAPTIVES.  853 

of  preserving  from  the  hands  of  the  Indians ;  he  accordingly 
stepped  backward,  pretending  to  have  some  difficulty  in  slip- 
ping the  garment  over  his  head.  A  young  woman  sitting 
near,  comprehended  the  maneuvre,  and  adroitly  took  out  the 
purse  without  being  noticed  by  the  savage  spectators.  Again 
and  again.  Colonel  Denison  and  others  remonstrated  with 
Butler,  telling  him  that  the  prisoners  had  capitulated  relying 
upon  the  honor  of  a  British  officer.  He  commanded  the  In- 
dians to  stop  their  depredations,  and  gave  peremptory  orders 
to  the  chief;  "These  are  your  Indians — you  must  restrain 
them."  His  directions  and  threats  were  of  no  avail ;  and  he 
finally  declared  that  he  could  do  nothing  with  them.  He 
seemed  to  be,  and  doubtless  was,  offended  and  hurt  that  such 
outrages  should  be  committed,  in  violation  of  his  plighted 
faith  and  positive  orders.* 

Without  going  farther  into  the  details  of  the  massacre,  it 
is  sufficient  to  add  that  in  many  instances,  women,  children 
and  infants  were  murdered.  The  valley  was  deserted,  and 
nearly  every  house  and  barn  was  burnt.  The  entire  region 
presented  a  scene  of  devastation  and  ruin.  The  bodies  of 
the  slain  lay  unburied  until  the  22d  of  October,  when  a  mili- 

*  Miner's  Hist,  of  Wyoming,  231 — 237.  Nearly  all  the  historians  of  the  revo- 
lution have  agreed  in  branding  the  name  of  Colonel  John  Butler  with  infamy ; 
but  according  to  Miner's  accovmt  of  him,  his  great  fault  was  in  heading  such  an 
infamous  expedition.  The  terms  of  the  capitulation  were  regarded  by  Colonel 
Denison,  as  in  a  high  degree  honorable  and  favorable  to  him.  According  to  the 
testimony  of  Colonel  Franklin,  Butler  exerted  himself  to  his  utmost  to  restrain  the 
savages  ;  and  when  he  found  himself  unable  to  do  so,  he  offered  to  make  good  the 
property  lost.  Among  the  stores  at  Forty  Fort  was  a  quantity  of  whiskey  which 
he  at  once  ordered  to  be  destroyed,  giving  as  a  reason  that  if  the  Indians  became 
intoxicated  he  feared  he  could  not  control  them.  Finding  that  his  authority  was 
set  at  naught,  he  mustered  all  his  force  whom  discipline  could  control,  and  on 
Wednesday,  the  8th,  withdrew  from  the  plains.  Mr.  Miner  expresses  the  belief 
that  he  was  sickened  by  the  tortures  already  committed,  dreaded  the  further 
cruelties  of  the  Indians,  and  desired  by  his  absence  to  escape  the  responsibility  of 
their  future  conduct. 

In  1795,  the  American  commissioners  appointed  to  treat  with  the  six  nations, 
accepted  an  invitation  from  Colonel  Butler,  crossed  over  to  Canada,  and  dined 
with  him.  He  was  then  Indian  agent  in  Canada,  with  a  salary  of  about  £500  per 
nnnum.     He  received  for  himself  and  family,  ten  thousand  acres  of  land. 

55 


354  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

tary  guard  of  twenty-five  men,  under  the  direction  of  a  lieu- 
tenant, two  sergeants,  and  two  corporals,  collected  their 
remains,  dug  a  large  hole,  and  buried  them — constant  alarm 
from  the  enemy  preventing  any  further  ceremony. 

The  Connecticut  people  soon  re-established  a  fort  in  the 
valley,  and  a  few  families  returned  to  the  scene  of  their 
troubles,  rebuilt  their  log-houses,  and  proceeded  to  cultivate 
the  fields.  The  Indians,  however,  looking  down  upon  the 
plains  from  the  sides  of  the  adjacent  mountains,  watched 
eagerly  for  their  prey.  Individuals  and  sometimes  whole 
families  became  their  victims.  The  distant  sound  of  the 
warwhoop  often  blended  with  the  voice  that  recited  some 
story  of  murder  and  carnage  around  the  blazing  hearth  of 
the  pioneer.  Some  were  shot  and  scalped  while  at  work  in 
the  fields  or  in  the  woods ;  at  other  times,  the  dwelling  of 
the  settler  was  assaulted  in  the  night,  the  cattle  killed,  the 
house  burnt,  and  the  family  carried  into  captivity.* 
It  might  reasonably  be  inferred  that  the  events  of  1778  would 

*  On  the  2d  of  November,  1778,  the  house  of  Jonathan  Slocum,  a  member  of 
tiie  Society  of  Friends,  and  who  had  alwaj^s  treated  the  Indians  with  kindness, 
was  assaulted  by  a  party  of  savages.  Nathan  Slocum,  his  son,  aged  fifteen  years, 
was  killed  and  scalped  ;  Frances  Slocum,  a  lad  named  Kingsley,  and  a  black  girl, 
were  carried  into  captivity.  On  the  16th  of  December  following,  Mr.  Slocum 
was  shot  and  scalped. 

The  loss  of  little  Frances,  who  was  a  favorite  in  the  family,  was  especially 
mourned  by  her  mother  and  surviving  brothers  and  sisters.  Through  a  long  series 
of  years,  every  possible  effort  was  made  to  find  her.  Her  brothers,  at  different 
times,  hearing  of  a  white  child  among  the  ludians,  took  long  and  tedious  journeys, 
hoping  to  restore  her  to  the  bereaved  family  circle.  At  length,  in  August,  1837 — > 
fifty-nine  years  after  the  capture — G.  W.  Ewing,  of  Logansport,  Indiana,  wrote  to 
the  editor  of  the  Lancaster  (Pa.)  Intelligencer,  that  there  was  a  white  woman 
residing  among  the  Miami  Indians,  near  that  place,  who  had  been  taken  away 
from  her  father's  house  near  the  Susquehannah,  when  she  was  very  young,  &c.  The 
statement  induced  Joseph  and  Isaac  Slocum,  (brothers  of  Frances,)  to  make  a  visit 
t^  Logansport.  Accompanied  by  Mr.  Ewing,  they  went  to  see  the  woman  in 
question,  and  soon  ascertained  that  she  was  indeed  their  long  lost  sister!  She  had 
married  a  chief,  and  lived  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  rude  wealth  of  her  tribe.  She 
was  cautious,  reserved,  and  haughty  ;  but  at  last,  as  she  talked  of  her  father  and 
mother  (whom  she  well  remembered,)  her  heart  melted,  and  she  wept.  The 
brothers  spent  several  days  at  Logansport,  and  received  several  visits  from  her. 
She  refused  to  leave  her  Indian  home. 


[1782.]  THE  COMMISSIONERS.  355 

have  effectually  put  an  end  to  the  settlement  of  Wyoming — 
at  least  until  the  war  of  the  revolution  should  be  over.  But 
the  New  England  spirit  of  enterprise  and  love  of  adventure 
seemed  to  defy  danger  and  death  in  all  their  forms.  Espe- 
cially after  the  victorious  expedition  of  General  Sullivan 
against  the  Indians  on  the  Susquehannah,  the  tide  of  emigra- 
tion to  that  country  was  renewed.  Under  the  leadership  of 
Colonel  Zebulon  Butler,  Colonel  John  Franklin,  and  other 
brave  and  experienced  officers,  they  banded  together  for 
mutual  self-protection,  and  not  only  performed  wonders  in 
defending  themselves,  but  did  good  service  to  their  country 
elsewhere.  Until  the  peace  between  England  and  America, 
the  valley  was  frequently  visited  by  savage  hordes,  who 
amused  themselves  by  plundering  or  destroying  the  property 
of  the  settlers,  and  some  times  by  resorting  to  their  favorite 
pastime  of  scalping,  murdering,  or  torturing  their  victims. 

The  revolution  being  ended,  the  old  feud  between  the  set- 
tlers from  Connecticut  and  the  government  of  Pennsylvania, 
was  revived.  On  the  3d  of  November,  1781 — only  fifteen 
days  after  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis — the  subject  was 
brought  before  Congress.  During  the  winter  both  parties 
were  busily  employed  in  the  preliminary  measures  relating  to 
the  contest ;  and  it  was  finally  agreed  that  the  subject  of 
jurisdiction  should  be  left  to  a  board  of  commissioners,  to  be 
selected  by  the  delegates  from  the  two  states.*  A  majority 
of  the  board  opened  their  court  at  Trenton,  New  Jersey, 
November  12,  1782.  Messrs.  Eliphalet  Dyer,  William 
Samuel  Johnson,  and  Jesse  Root,  appeared  as  counsel  for 
Connecticut;  and  Messrs.  William  Bradford,  Joseph  Reed, 
James  Wilson,  and  Jonathan  D.  Sergeant,  were  the  agents 
of  Pennsylvania. 

On  Monday,  December  30,  1782,  after  a  session  of  forty- 


*  The  commissioners  finally  agreed  upon  were,  lion.  William  Whipple,  of  New 
Hampshire,  Hon.  AVelcome  Arnold,  of  Rhode  Island,  Hon.  David  Erearly,  and 
Wm.  Churchill  Houston,  esqrs.,  of  New  Jersey,  Hon.  Cyrus  Griffin,  Joseph  Jones, 
esqrs.,  and  Thomas  Nelson,  of  Virginia. 


856  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

one  judicial  days,  the  court  gave  their  decision   in   these 
words : 

"We  are  unanimously  of  opinion  that  Connecticut  has  no 
right  to  the  lands  in  controversy. 

"  We  are  unanimously  of  opinion,  that  the  jurisdiction  and 
pre-emption  of  all  the  territory  lying  within  the  charter  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  now  claimed  by  the  state  of  Connecticut, 
do  of  right  belong  to  the  state  of  Pennsylvania."* 

This  decision,  so  explicitly  and  clearly  expressed,  put  an 
end  to  the  jurisdiction  of  Connecticut  over  the  disputed  terri- 
tory on  the  Susquehannah.  The  controversy  between  the 
settlers  and  the  Pennsylvania  government,  however,  was  not 
to  be  quieted  by  the  summary  decree  of  Trenton.  They 
felt  that  there  was  no  reason  or  justice  in  thus  surrender- 
ing them  to  the  jurisdiction  of  their  sworn  and  bitter 
enemies,  not  only  without  their  consent,  but  without  even 
being  consulted.  As  the  right  of  property  in  the  lands 
which  they  had  fairly  purchased,  and  which  their  valor  had 
so  long  defended,  had  not  been  decided  by  the  commissioners, 
they  knew  that  they  were  liable  to  be  ejected  from  their 
homes  whenever  it  might  suit  the  interests  or  caprice 
of  Pennsylvania.  Notwithstanding  a  very  humble  and 
loyal  petition  to  the  legislature  of  Pennsylvania,  had  been 
drawn  up  and  signed  by  some  of  the  citizens  of  Wyoming, 
soon  after  the  decision  of  the  commissioners  had  been  pro- 
mulgated, it  would  seem  that  a  little  time  for  reflection 
induced  a  large  majority  to  resolve  upon  defending  their 
rights,  if  need  be,  as  they  had  long  been  in  the  habit  of  doing. 
The  plausible  proposals  of  the  state  commissioners,  guardedly 
expressed  as  they  were,  they  looked  upon  with  suspicion  and 
distrust.  They  knew  their  farms  were  claimed  by  others, 
and  they  reasonably  enough  presumed  that  the  state  com- 
missioners, as  well  as  the  legislature,  who  had  long  regarded 
them  as  outlaws,  would  be  slow  in  meting  out  justice  to 
them.  Unaccustomed  to  conceal  their  true  sentiments 
either  through  fear  or  favor,  their  -Verbal  and  written  com- 

*  Miner's  Hist.,  p.  308. 


[1783.]  TERMS   OF   COMPROMISE.  357 

munications  with  the  emissaries  of  Pennsylvania  were  plain 
and  honest. 

On  the  22d  of  April,  1783,  the  committee  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania landholders  sent  an  address  to  the  state  commis- 
sioners, "with  their  proposals  of  compromise."  They  say — 
"We  are  sorry  to  observe  so  much  of  the  old  leaven  remain- 
ing in  the  people  of  Connecticut,  and  expressed  in  their  last 
conference  before  your  honors.  Their  humanity  would,  it 
seems,  permit  us  and  our  associates  to  go  anywhere  over  the 
wide  world,  no  matter  where,  provided  they  may  enjoy  our 
lands ;  they  cannot  conveniently  spare  us  one  foot  for  the 
support  of  our  families.  We  think  this  an  ungrateful  return 
to  the  good  people  of  the  state,  and  far  short  of  the  expecta- 
tions of  the  legislature,  whose  humanity  and  pity  alone  pro- 
posed to  consign  to  oblivion  all  past  offences,  by  a  law  for 
that  purpose."  They  then  proceed  to  give  their  "  terms 
of  compromise,"  which  are  summed  up  as  follows  : 

1st.  Pledges  to  be  given  by  the  settlers,  such  as  could  not 
admit  of  denial  or  evasion,  for  their  obedience. 

2d.  A  disclaimer  in  writing,  publicly,  plainly,  and  unequivo- 
cally given,  of  all  claims  to  the  lands  held  under  title  from  Con- 
necticut. 

3d.  The  settler  to  take  a  lease  of  half  his  farm,  for  about 
eleven  months,  giving  up  possession  at  once  of  the  other 
half.  On  the  1st  of  April  following,  he  is  to  abandon  his 
claims,  home,  and  possession,  to  his  adversary. 

4th.  The  widows  of  those  who  had  fallen  by  the  savages, 
to  be  indulged  in  half  their  possessions  a  year  longer. 

5th.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Johnson,  (the  pastor,)  to  be  allowed  to 
occupy  his  grounds  (under  disclaimer  and  lease,)  for  two 
years.* 

The  committee  of  settlers,  after  suggesting  that  they  do 
not  think  "  the  lawful  defense  of  what  they  esteemed  to  be 
their  own,  can  with  any  justice  be  termed  a  disaffection  to 
government,"  added : 

"As  we   conceive  that  the  proposals  of  the  committee, 

*  Hist,  of  Wyoming,  p.  324,  325. 


858  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

which  they  offer  as  a  compromise,  will  not  tend  to  peace,  as 
they  are  so  far  from  what  we  deem  reasonable,  we  cannot 
comply  with  them  without  doing  the  greatest  injustice  to 
ourselves  and  associates,  to  widows  and  fatherless  children. 
And  although  we  mean  to  pay  due  obedience  to  the  constitu- 
tional laws  of  Pennsylvania,  we  do  not  mean  to  become  abject 
slaves,  as  the  committee  of  landholders  suggest  in  their  address 
to  your  honors/' 

The  commissioners  forthwith  divided  Wyoming  into  three 
towns,  naming  the  two  new  ones  Stoke  and  Shawnese. 
They  appointed  eight  justices  of  the  peace — only  one  of 
whom,  (Colonel  Denison,)  had  for  years  been  an  inhabitant 
of  Westmoreland.  Having  been  nine  days  in  the  valley, 
they  withdrew  on  the  24th  of  April,  and  made  their  report 
to  the  Assembly,  which  convened  early  in  August.  They 
recommended  that  a  reasonable  compensation  of  lands,  in 
the  western  part  of  the  state,  should  be  made  to  the  families 
of  those  who  had  fallen  in  arms  against  the  common  enemy; 
and  the  same  to  such  other  settlers  under  the  Connecticut 
title  as  "did  actually  reside  on  the  lands  at  the  time  of  the 
decree  at  Trenton,  provided  they  immediately  relinquish  all 
claim  to  the  soil  where  they  now  inhabit,  and  enter  into  con- 
tracts to  deliver  up  full  and  quiet  possession  of  their  present 
tenures,  to  the  rightful  owners  under  Pennsylvania,  by  the 
first  of  April  next." 

The  assembly  of  Pennsylvania  confirmed  the  doings  of  the 
commissioners,  and  applauded  the  terms  proposed  to  the  Con- 
necticut people  as  "generous  offers."  Captain  Patterson,  a 
bitter  enemy  of  the  settlers,  having  been  appointed  the  special 
agent  of  the  state,  took  up  his  abode  in  the  valley,  and  with 
two  companies  of  Pennsylvania  militia  to  enforce  his  orders, 
he  commenced  his  arbitrary  rule.  These  soldiers  were  quar- 
tered upon  the  settlers  ;  and  in  some  cases  where  special 
oppression  was  designed,  eight  or  ten  were  quartered  upon  a 
single  family.  As  Colonel  Butler  had  been  conspicuous  in 
his  opposition  to  Pennsylvania,  twenty  were  thrust  upon  him, 
notwithstanding  his  wife  was  ill,  and  his  accommodations 


[1783.] 


NEW   PROCESS   OF   EJECTMENT.  359 


very  limited.  The  soldiers  were  extremely  insolent,  and 
they  were  protect-ed  in  their  flagrant  outrages  by  the  agent. 
Colonel  Butler  and  Captain  Franklin  were  arrested  and  sent 
to  jail — the  latter,  for  trespass,  in  attempting  to  cultivate 
his  lands.* 

The  settlers  petitioned  the  assemblies  of  Pennsylvania 
and  Connecticut,  as  well  as  Congress,  for  redress,  without  any 
effectual  remedy.f  To  add  to  their  distresses,  an  unprece- 
dented flood  occurred  in  March,  which,  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  village  of  Wilkesbarre,  swept  off  many  houses,  barns, 
stacks  of  hay  and  grain,  and  in  some  instances  cattle  and 
horses. 

With  the  opening  of  spring  followed  scenes  that  defy 
description.  The  soldiers  were  set  to  work  in  April,  to 
remove  the  fences  of  the  settlers,  and  lay  out  the  lands  accord- 
ing to  the  surveys  of  Pennsylvania.  The  old  highways  were 
fenced  up,  and  new  ones  opened  far  away  from  the  houses  of 
the  settlers.  The  inhabitants  were  not  allowed  to  obtain 
water  from  their  wells,  draw  their  nets  for  fish,  cut  a  stick  of 
timber,  or  provide  shelters  for  their  families.  On  the  13th 
and  14th  of  May,  the  soldiery  went  forth,  and  at  the  point  of 
the  bayonet  dispossessed  one  hundred  and  fifty  families,  in 
many  instances  setting  fire  to  their  dwellings.  Unable  to 
resist  such  a  force,  they  appealed  to  the  law  for  protection; 
but  the  magistracy  shielded  the  oflTenders.  The  scenes  that 
followed  the  massacre  were  re-enacted  in  the  vicinity  of 
Wyoming.  Five  hundred  men,  women  and  children — infants 
in   their   mothers'   arms,   and   old   men  on  crutches — were 

*  Colonel  Zebulon  was  born  in  Lyme,  Conn.,  in  1731  ;  lie  served  as  a  captain 
in  the  old  French  war  •,  and  emigrated  to  Wyoming  in  1769.  His  subsequent 
career  as  the  military  leader  of  the  settlement  is  well  known.  He  died,  July  28, 
1795,  aged  sixty-four. 

+  As  the  claim  of  Connecticut  to  the  jurisdiction  of  Wyoming  had  been  officially 
declared  void,  of  course  her  assembly  could  afford  no  relief  in  the  premises.  In 
Congress,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  chairman  of  the  committee,  it  was  resolved, 
Jan.  23,  1784,  "  That  a  court,  under  the  ninth  article  of  the  confederation,  should 
be  raised,  to  try  and  determine  the  private  right  of  soil,  as  derived  from  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Connecticut."  A  spirited  remonstrance  from  the  Pennsylvania  assem- 
bly, adopted  in  February,  arrested  further  proceedings. 


360  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

driven  from  the  valley.  As  the  paths  they  were  compelled 
to  take  v^^ere  impassable  for  w^agons,  most  of  the  crowd 
traveled  on  foot — wading  streams  and  sleeping  on  the  naked 
earth.  Several  died  in  the  forests,  and  others  were  taken 
sick,  and  only  lived  to  reach  the  settlements.  After  a  journey 
of  seven  days,  they  arrived  at  a  town  on  the  Delaware,  from 
which  point  they  diverged. 

The  treatment  of  the  settlers  produced  an  intense  feeling 
wherever  the  facts  became  known.  An  appeal  was  made  in 
their  behalf  to  the  Pennsylvania  legislature,  and  that  body 
ordered  the  instant  dismissal  of  the  troops  that  had  been 
stationed  in  the  valley.  Sheriff  Antis  hastened  to  Wyoming, 
and  dispatched  messengers  after  the  exiles,  promising  them 
his  protection  if  they  would  return.  A  large  part  of  them 
did  return,  but  it  was  only  to  suffer  a  repetition  of  their 
former  troubles.  The  sheriff  found  his  authority  powerless ; 
the  houses  and  lands  of  the  returning  fugitives  were  in 
possession  of  Pennsylvanians,  who  refused  to  yield  them  up ; 
and  the  iron  rule  of  Patterson  was  still  unbroken.  The 
Connecticut  men  once  more  rallied  under  the  leadership  of 
Captain  John  Franklin,  their  old  and  tried  favorite.  Civil  war 
again  crimsoned  those  fair  fields  with  blood.  As,  however, 
the  valley  had  ere  this  ceased  to  be  a  part  of  Connecticut,  I 
cannot  follow  its  history  in  detail  any  further. 

The  contest  continued  to  rage  for  several  years,  and  fre- 
quent collisions  took  place  between  the  contending  parties. 
In  spite  of  the  persecuting  spirit  manifested  by  Pennsylvania, 
emigrants  from  New  England  occasionally  found  their  way 
into  the  valley.  The  Connecticut  settlers  and  their  associates 
increased  in  number  and  influence ;  and  their  cause  found 
manv  earnest  advocates  in  distant  states.  In  1787,  General 
Ethan  Allen,  of  Vermont,  ever  a  firm  friend  of  the  oppressed, 
visited  Wyoming  ;  and,  though  his  purposes  were  not  divulged, 
"it  was  not  doubted  that  his  object  was  to  reconnoitre,  and 
concert  measures  for  early  and  decisive  action."*  By  this 
time,  the  great  design  of  the  party  in  Wyoming  and  their 

*  Miner's  Hist,  of  "Wyoming,  p.  412. 


COLONEL   PICKERING  IN  RETIREMENT.  861 

friends  abroad,  was  declared  to  be,  Xo  form  a  neiv  state  in  the 
valley  of  the  Susquehannah.  After  suffering  and  enduring  so 
much  from  the  government  of  Pennsylvania,  it  is  not  impossi- 
ble that  the  settlers  had  at  last  conceived  the  idea  of  severing 
their  connection  with  it,  and  asserting  their  claim  to  be  a  free 
and  independent  state.*  Upon  this  charge,  at  all  events, 
Colonel  Franklin  was  forcibly  seized  in  September,  and  car- 
ried to  Philadelphia,  where,  after  a  long  imprisonment  on  a 
charge  of  treason,  he  was  released  on  bail,  and  the  prosecu- 
tion was  finally  abandoned. f 

Colonel  Pickering,  one  of  the  Pennsylvania  commissioners, 
was  known  to  have  participated  in  the  arrest  of  Franklin, 
and  it  was  suspected  that  it  was  through  his  influence  that  he 
was  so  long  kept  in  prison.  By  way  of  retaliation,  on  the 
night  of  June,  1783,  a  party  of  settlers  proceeded  to  the 
house  of  Colonel  Pickering,  seized  him  and  carried  him  off  as 
a  hostage  for  Colonel  Franklin.  They  retained  him  for  nine- 
teen days,  during  which  time,  four  companies  of  militia,  a 
troop  of  horse,  and  the  sheriff  and  posse,  were  almost  con- 
stantly engaged  in  searching  for  him.  His  keepers  eluded 
the  vigilance  of  the  officers,  by  carrying  their  prisoner  with 
them  from  place  to  place,  as  circumstances  dictated.  They 
finally  released  him  voluntarily.  Rewards  were  offered  for 
the  arrest  of  fne  persons  who  were  engaged  in  the  abduction 
of  Colonel  Pickering.  Some  of  them  were  arrested,  tried,  and 
convicted  ;  four  were  fined  twenty  shillings,  and  sentenced 
to  be  imprisoned  for  six  months,  nine  were  fined  one  hundred 
dollars  each,  and  one  was  fined  fifty  dollars.  Nearly  all  who 
were  imprisoned  were  allowed  to  escape  immediately  after 
court  adjourned. J 

*  According  to  the  testimony  introduced  into  the  "History  of  Wyoming,"  a 
constitution  for  the  new  state  had  been  actually  drawn  up  by  Oliver  "VYolcott,  and 
it  was  understood  that  Major  William  Judd,  of  Farmington,  Conn.,  was  to  be  the 
first  governor,  and  Colonel  John  Franklin,  lieutenant-governor. 

t  Colonel  Franklin  w^as  born  in  Canaan,  Conn,,  in  1749.  He  was  a  represen- 
tative in  the  legislatures  of  Pennsylvania  and  Connecticut  5  high  sheriff  of  the 
county  of  Luzerne  5  judge  of  the  county  court,  &c.  He  died  March  1st,  1831, 
aged  eighty-two  years. 

X  Colonel  Timothy  Pickering,  was  one  of  the  most  remarkable  men  of  his  day. 


362  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Compromising  and  confirming  laws  were  at  length  passed 
by  the  legislature  of  Pennsylvania,  under  which  the  Con- 
necticut settlers  were  allowed  to  retain  their  farms,  and 
peace  and  harmony  were  restored. 

I  have  thus  recited  a  few  only  of  the  sickening  details  that 
have  given  the  loveliest  of  all  the  towns  of  Connecticut 
the  strange  fascination  that  belongs  to  human  sorrow. 
The  massacre  that  has  given  the  valley  such  a  fearful  interest 
to  the  reader  of  American  history,  was  the  most  signal  of  all 
the  butcheries  that  have  been  perpetrated  upon  the  citizens 
of  Connecticut  under  the  sanction  of  the  British  flag,  not 
only  on  account  of  the  agents  used  in  consummating  it,  but 
because  women,  children,  and  helpless  infancy,  were  sacrificed 
upon  a  common  field. 

But  the  fate  of  Wyoming  has  not  remained  unhonored 
and  unsung.  Wherever  the  language  that  proclaims  the  con- 
quering power  of  the  blood  that  flows  in  our  veins,  is  spoken 
or  read,  the  same  page  that  records  the  cruelty  of  British  rule 
and  the  sharpness  of  the  British  sword,  tells  the  world  of  the 
sorrowing  pity  of  the  British  muse,  in  the  tale  of  "  Gertrude 
OF  Wyoming." 

He  was  successively  postmaster-general,  secretary  of  war,  secretary  of  state,  mem- 
ber of  Congress,  and  United  States  Senator  from  Massachusetts.  He  died  in 
Salem,  Mass.,  Jan.  29, 1829,  in  the  eighty-fourth  year  of  his  age. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

BRMDITVINE,    GERMANTOWN,    AND   HORSE-NECK 

In  tracing  the  history  of  the  Connecticut  settlements  on 
the  Susquehannah,  it  was  found  necessary,  in  order  to  a  proper 
understanding  and  final  disposal  of  the  subject,  to  anticipate 
somewhat  the  chronological  data  previously  observed  in  my 
general  narrative  of  events.  The  reader  will  now  go  back 
with  me  to  the  autumn  and  winter  of  1777. 

While  the  northern  army  under  Schuyler  and  Gates  were 
pursuing  those  measures  which,  as  we  have  seen,  resulted  in 
the  capture  of  Burgoyne,  the  army  under  Washington  had 
not  been  idle.  On  the  11th  of  September,  the  battle  of  the 
Brandy  wine  was  fought  between  the  Americans  under  Wash- 
ington, Greene,  Sullivan,  Wayne,  Lincoln,  Lafayette,  and 
Pulaski,  and  the  British  commanded  by  Howe,  Cornwallis, 
Grey,  Knyphausen,  Mathew,  and  Agnew.  The  action  proved 
disastrous  to  the  Americans — their  loss  in  killed,  wounded 
and  prisoners,  being  estimated  at  twelve  or  thirteen  hundred.* 
The  loss  of  the  British  was  from  six  to  seven  hundred. 
Among  the  wounded  was  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  who  had 
recently  arrived  in  this  country  with  several  other  French 
officers. t 

The  American  army  retired  to  Chester,  and  the  next  day 
to  Philadelphia.  After  the  removal  of  the  magazines,  public 
stores,  and  much  private  property.  Congress  adjourned  to 
Lancaster,  and  the  city  was  evacuated  by  the  Americans. 
Howe  soon  entered  the  city,  but  the  bulk  of  the  British  army 

*  Gordon,  ii.  226. 

+  The  services  of  Lafayette  had  been  secured  by  Mr.  Silas  Deane,  of  Connec- 
ticut, who  had  been  sent  to  France  as  the  secret  agent  of  Congress.  Though 
Mr.  Deane  was  censured  for  going  beyond  the  strict  line  of  his  instructions,  it 
cannot  be  denied  that  his  agency  in  that  country  resulted  in  great  good  to  our 
cause. 


BQ4:  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

still  remained  at  Germantown,  about  ten  miles  distant. 
Washington  had  encamped  near  the  Schuylkill,  some 
fourteen  miles  from  Germantown,  where  he  was  reinforced 
by  the  Maryland  and  New  Jersey  militia.  Learning  that 
two  or  three  detachments  of  the  British  were  absent  from 
camp,  Washington  determined  to  improve  the  opportunity 
by  attacking  the  main  body  of  the  army  who  still  remained 
at  their  quarters  near  Germantown.  Accordingly  he  set 
out  with  his  troops,  and,  after  marching  nearly  all  night, 
arrived  at  the  place  of  his  destination  about  sunrise,  on  the 
morning  of  the  4th  of  October.  The  enemy  were  taken 
entirely  by  surprise,  and  at  the  commencement  of  the 
engagement  the  Americans  anticipated  an  easy  victory.  The 
morning  was  so  dark  and  foggy,  however,  that  the  officers 
were  not  able  to  know  their  own  position  or  that  of  the 
British.  They  were  also  entirely  ignorant  of  the  quarters  of 
several  divisions  of  the  enemy,  and  consequently  knew  not 
where  to  make  an  attack,  except  upon  the  troops  that  con- 
fronted them  in  the  street.  For  awhile  the  Americans  were 
successful;  but  by  the  arrival  on  the  ground  of  reinforce- 
ments from  the  British  quarters,  the  tide  of  victory  was  soon 
turned.  Our  forces  were  now  compelled  to  retreat,  and 
were  closely  pursued  by  the  British,  for  a  distance  of  five 
miles,  and  a  few  continued  the  chase  for  twice  that  distance. 
Most  of  our  army  found  their  way  back  to  their  encampment 
on  the  Schuylkill.  The  British  loss  in  this  battle  was  about 
six  hundred ;  that  of  the  Americans  was  not  less  than  one 
thousand,  including  four  hundred  who  were  taken  prisoners. 
In  both  of  these  battles,  Connecticut  bore  an  active  and  hon- 
orable part.  Colonel  Heman  Swift  was  present  with  his  regi- 
ment, and  did  good  service.*  Other  Connecticut  officers  and 
men  participated  in  those  unfortunate  actions.  Lieut.  James 
Morris,  of  Litchfield,  a  highly  meritorious  officer,  commanded 

*  The  regiments  of  Colonels  Swift  and  Bradley  were  raised  in  the  western 
part  of  Connecticut.  Of  one  company  David  Strong,  of  Sharon,  was  appointed 
lieutenant,  and  he  enlisted  several  recruits — one  of  whom,  David  Goodrich,  of 
that  town,  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Brandywme.     Sedgwick's  Hist,  of  Sharon. 


[1777.]  LIEUTENANT  JAMES  MORRIS.  865 

the  company  that  led  one  of  the  columns  in  the  first  attack 
at  Germantown,  and  consequently  was  in  the  rear  in  the 
retreat.  He  was  pursued  ten  miles,  before  he  was  taken 
prisoner.*  Major  Benjamin  Tallmadge  was  a  field  officer  at 
Brandy  wine  and  at  Germantown. 

While  the  British  remained  in  full  possession  of  Phila- 
delphia, Washington  sent  off  Lieutenant-Colonel  Smith, 
of  the  Maryland  line,  with  two  hundred  men,  to  take 
possession  of  the  fort  on  Mud  Island,  a  little  below 
the  city,  at   the  junction  of  the  Delaware  and   Schuylkill, 

*The  following  petition  from  Lieutenant  (afterwards  Captain)  Moi'ris,  and  a 
brother  officer,  is  well  worthy  of  preservation  : 

"  To  His  Excellency  Sir  "William  Howe,  K.  B.,  general  and  commander-in- 
chief  of  his  majesty's  foi'ces  in  America. 

"  The  memorial  of  James  Morris,  lieutenant  in  the  fourth  Connecticut  regiment, 
and  Samuel  Mills,  quarter-master  to  the  said  troops,  in  the  second  regiment  of 
American  cavalry — humbly  sheweth — 

"  That  your  excellency's  memorialists  being  now  prisoners  of  war  confined  in 
the  new  jail— the  first  captivated  at  Germantown,  on  the  4th  of  October  last,  and 
ever  since  that  time  has  been  in  confinement,  the  latter  captivated  on  the  loth  of  . 
December  ult.,  at  which  time  he  received  several  wounds  and  had  the  privilege  of 
his  parole  in  this  city,  but  is  now  and  has  been  for  some  time  past  in  confinement. 
Your  excellency's  memorialists  entreat  that  their  present  situation  and  circum- 
stances might  be  taken  into  consideration,  when,  after  so  long  a  confinement,  and 
if  continued,  especially  at  this  season  of  the  year,  will  probably  impair  their  health 
if  not  put  an  end  to  their  lives.  Also,  they  being  at  a  great  distance  from  their 
homes,  both  belonging  to  the  state  of  Connecticut,  from  which  cause  they  cannot 
receive  such  supplies  as  are  necessary. 

"  Your  excellency's  memorialists  request  that  he  would  in  his  clemency  grant 
them  their  parole  (which  they  will  sacredly  keep,)  to  retire  into  the  country  to 
their  respective  homes,  until  such  time  as  they  shall  be  regularly  exchanged,  or 
remain  in  the  country  for  any  period  of  time  your  excellency  shall  be  pleased  to 
appoint.  If  this  cannot  be  granted,  they  crave  an  indulgence  of  a  parole  to  this 
city  ;  and  if  any  further  security  be  wanting  than  their  parole  of  honor,  they  stand 
ready  to  produce  it. 

"  Your  excellency's  indulgence  will  ever  be  acknowledged  with  gratitude. 
"  By  your  Memorialists, 

"  James  Morris, 
"  Samuel  Mills." 

On  the  1 6th  of  May,  after  being  confined  more  than  seven  months,  Lieutenant 
Morris  was  admitted  on  parole  to  board  in  a  private  family  in  the  city. 

Colonel  Ephraim  Kirby,  of  Litchfield,  was  wounded  at  GermantoviTi,  and  left 
for  dead  upon  the  field — but  being  taken  care  of  by  a  friend,  he  recovered. 


SQ6  HISTORY  OF   CONNECTICUT. 

which  he  effected.  The  second  in  command  of  this  expedi- 
tion was  Lieutenant-Colonel  Russell,  of  the  Connecticut 
line,  who,  when  Colonel  Smith  was  wounded,  on  the 
11th  of  November,  took  the  chief  command  of  the  garrison, 
and  made  a  gallant  defense.  But  as  he  had  become  worn 
out  with  fatigue  and  illness,  he  soon  requested  to  be  re-called, 
and  Major  Thayer,  of  the  Rhode  Island  line,  after  being  rein- 
forced, was  appointed  to  the  command.  By  the  combined 
efforts  of  the  British  fleet,  and  of  the  artillery  on  shore,  on 
the  15th  of  November  the  defenses  were  levelled  with  the 
ground  after  more  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  garri- 
son had  been  killed  and  wounded.* 

At  the  October  session  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Con- 
necticut, Messrs.  Roger  Sherman,  Eliphalet  Dyer,  Oliver 
Wolcott,  Samuel  Huntington,  Titus  Hosmer,  Oliver  Ells- 
worth, and  Andrew  Adams,  were  appointed  delegates  to  the 
General  Congress.  It  was  ordered  that  all  the  tents  in  the 
state  should  be  immediately  sent  to  the  militia  that  had 
marched,  or  were  about  to  march,  to  reinforce  General  Put- 
nam at  Peekskill;  also,  that  a  sufficient  number  of  canteens, 
kettles  and  pots,  for  fifteen  hundred  men,  should  be  imme- 
diately sent  to  Peekskill,  for  the  use  of  our  soldiers  there. f 
Provision  was  made  for  the  payment  of  the  wages  and  bounty 
of  the  officers  and  soldiers,  and  to  supply  them  with  the 
necessary  food  and  clothing. 

General  Oliver  Wolcott  stated  to  the  Assembly,  that,  upon 
the  requisition  of  General  Gates,  he  had,  during  the  preced- 

*  Captain  Nathan  Stoddard,  of  Woodbury,  was  killed  by  a  cannon  ball  during 
the  siege,  Nov.  15th,  1777.  He  had  stepped  upon  the  walls  of  the  intrench- 
ment  to  see  how  the  battle  progressed,  when  the  ball  struck  his  head,  cutting  it 
entirely  from  his  body.  The  late  Lieutenant  John  Strong,  of  Woodbury,  who 
was  standing  near  him  at  the  time,  was  wont  to  relate  that,  for  a  moment  after  the 
occurrence,  the  headless  body  of  Captain  Stoddard  stood  erect,  as  in  life,  before 
falling.     Cothren's  Hist. 

t  Jonathan  Wells,  in  the  first  brigade,  Elnathan  Camp,  in  the  second,  Jonathan 
Deming,  in  the  third,  Wm.  Hawley,  in  the  fourth,  Samuel  Gray,  in  the  fifth,  and 
Lynde  Lord,  in  the  sixth  brigade,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  provide  the  tents, 
pots,  kettles  and  other  utensils,  for  the  use  of  General  Putnam,  and  to  forward 
them  to  him  forthwith. 


[1777.]  VALLEY  FORGE.  367 

ing  month,  marched  to  the  north  with  from  three  to  four 
hundred  of  the  miHtia  of  his  brigade,  together  with  a  com- 
pany of  light-horse,  and  a  few  of  the  thirteenth  regiment  of 
volunteers ;  that  with  these  troops  he  joined  the  continental 
army  under  General  Gates,  and  continued  in  service  until 
the  capture  of  Burgoyne.  He  desired  that  the  legislature 
would  cancel  certain  obligations  incurred  during  the  cam- 
paign— which  request  was  readily  granted.* 

Washington,  previous  to  these  battles,  had  sent  to  the  High- 
lands for  twelve  hundred  men ;  and  he  soon  learned  that  the 
posts,  thus  weakened,  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
Early  in  December,  he  established  his  winter-quarters  at 
Valley  Forge,  "  a  piece  of  high  and  strong  ground  on  the 
south  side  of  the  Schuylkill,  about  twenty  miles  from  Phila- 
delphia."t  At  this  point,  eleven  thousand  soldiers  spent  the 
winter,  in  log  huts,  which  were  arranged  in  rows  like  the 
streets  of  a  city.  The  Connecticut  troops  shared,  with  their 
brothers  from  the  other  states,  the  destitution  and  rigors  of 
that  memorable  winter.  Half  naked  and  bare-foot,  beside 
being  destitute  of  wholesome  food,  nearly  three  thousand 
soldiers  were  at  one  time  reported  as  unfit  for  duty.  For 
some  time  after  the  army  retired  to  its  winter-quarters. 
Major  Tallmadge  was  stationed  with  a  corps  of  dragoons 
between  the  two  armies — a  position  which  brought  him  into 
several  conflicts  with  the  enemy. 

Previous  to  this  date,  Mr.  Joseph  Trumbull,  the  commis- 
sary-general of  purchases,  resigned  his  office,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Colonel  Jeremiah  Wadsworth,  also  of  Connecticut. 
General  Mifflin  soon  after  resigned  the  post  of  quarter-mas- 
ter-general. A  new  board  of  war  was  appointed,  consisting 
of  General  Gates,  Timothy  Pickering,  Joseph  Trumbull, 
General  Mifflin,  and  Richard  Peters. 

The  difficulties  experienced  by  Washington,  while  at  Valley 
Forge,  in  procuring  subsistence  for  his  soldiers,  was  a  just 
subject  of  complaint  on  his  part,  and  on  the  part  of  the  suf- 
ferers.    The  quarter-master's  department  was  without  a  head, 

*  Ilinman,  296.         f  Ilildreth. 


368  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

and  was  totally  inefficient  to  supply  the  demands  made  upon 
it.  The  commander-in-chief  was  compelled  to  send  out 
parties  to  seize  corn  and  cattle  wherever  they  could  find 
them.  Certificates  were  given  of  these  seizures  ;  but  their 
payment  was  often  long  delayed,  and  at  last  they  were  nom- 
inally cancelled  by  being  paid  for  in  depreciated  continental 
bills — contrasting  very  unfavorably  with  the  gold  tendered 
by  the  British  for  all  their  purchases.* 

Washington  remonstrated  not  only  to  Congress,  but  to  the 
states  individually,  and  not  altogether  without  effect.  In  accord- 
ance with  the  recommendation  of  Congress,  a  convention  was 
held  at  New  Haven,  in  January  1778,  composed  of  delegates 
from  the  eight  northern  states,  which  agreed  upon  the  scale 
of  prices,  in  accordance  to  which  provisions  and  clothing 
were  to  be  paid  for  by  the  commissaries  of  the  army.f  Some 
of  the  state  legislatures  attempted  to  enforce  the  scale  of 
prices  thus  agreed  upon,  but  all  efforts  to  that  end  proved 
fruitless.  With  the  same  object  in  view,  recourse  was 
had  to  internal  embargoes,  which  resulted  disastrously  to 
commerce.  J 

The  American  army  did  not  leave  their  winter-quarters 
until  about  the  middle  of  May.  On  the  18th  of  June,  the 
British  evacuated  Philadelphia,  and  having  crossed  the  Dela- 
ware, took  up  their  line  of  march  through  the  Jerseys. 
Washington  pursued  and  overtook  them  at  Monmouth  Court 
House,  where  on  the  29th  of  June,  the  battle  of  Monmouth  was 
fought.  The  disobedience  of  General  Lee  to  the  orders  of  the 
commander-in-chief,  prevented  the  action  from  being  a  deci- 
sive one.  The  American  loss  in  killed,  wounded  and  otherwise 
disabled,  was  about  two  hundred ;  that  of  the  British,  about 
three  hundred,  besides  more  than  fifteen  hundred  desertions. 

The  occupation  of  Newport  by  the  British  had  long  been 

*  Hildreth,  iii.  231,232. 

t  The  commissioners  or  delegates  from  Connecticut  to  this  convention,  were 
Roger  Sherman,  Wm.  Hillhouse,  and  Benjamin  Huntington. 

X  Hildreth.     Congress  in  June  following,  recommended  to  the  several  legisla- 
tures, the  repeal  of  all  laws  regulating  prices. 


[1778.]  THE  SEA  COAST.  369 

a  source  of  chagrin  to  many  of  the  American  officers.  There 
were  at  this  time  six  thousand  men  stationed  there,  com- 
manded by  General  Pigot;  and  a  project  was  formed  to  capture 
them.  An  attempt  upon  Newport  had  been  made  the  year 
before,  by  General  Spencer,  of  Connecticut,  but  for  various 
reasons  the  expedition  had  proved  a  failure.* 

Sullivan  had  been  appointed  to  the  command  of  this 
second  attempt  to  recover  Rhode  Island  from  the  hands  of 
the  enemy.  His  call  upon  Connecticut,  Massachusetts,  and 
Rhode  Island,  for  five  thousand  militia,  to  aid  him  in  this 
enterprise,  was  promptly  responded  to ;  and  two  brigades  of 
continentals  were  sent  on  from  the  main  army.  The  French 
fleet  under  D'Estaing,  designed  to  cooperate  with  Sullivan, 
sailed  from  Sandy  Hook  early  in  August,  bound  for  Newport. 

On  the  10th  of  August,  the  American  army,  ten  thousand 
strong,  landed  near  the  north  end  of  the  island,  in  two  divis- 
ions, one  commanded  by  Greene,  and  the  other  by  Lafayette. 
The  four  thousand  French  troops  who,  according  to  the  plan 
agreed  upon,  were  t^  have  joined  them,  had  been  carried  off 
to  sea  by  D'Estaing,  in  a  vain  search  for  the  British  fleet. 
In  spite  of  this  disappointment,  the  Americans  marched  down 
the  island,  established  themselves  within  two  miles  of  the 
enemy's  works,  and  opened  a  cannonade  upon  them.  Having 
long  waited  in  vain  for  the  return  of  D'Estaing,  Sullivan 
abandoned  his  lines,  and  retired  at  night.  The  enemy  pur- 
sued him,  and  a  sharp  action  ensued,  in  which  he  lost  about 
two  hundred  men,  and  the  British  a  still  larger  number.  The 
Americans  continued  their  retreat,  and  in  a  few  days  the 
British  army  was  largely  reinforced. 

During  this  period,  the  legislature  of  the  state  and  the 
council  of  war  had  been  almost  constantly  in  session.  At 
the  January  session,  1778,  several  companies  were  directed 
to  be  raised  for  the  defense  of  the  sea  coast.     Of  these,  one 

*  Congress  having  manifested  some  ill  feeling  on  account  of  this  failure,  Spen- 
cer resigned  his  commission.  The  people  and  government  of  Connecticut  vindi- 
cated his  course,  by  appointing  him  a  member  of  the  Council  of  Safety  and  a 
delegate  to  the  General  Congress. 

56 


870  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

hundred  men  were  raised  and  stationed  at  New  London.  They 
consisted  of  a  company  of  artillery  commanded  by  Captain 
Nathaniel  Saltonstall,  and  a  company  of  musketry  of  which 
Adam  Shapley  was  captain.  The  two  corresponding  companies 
stationed  atGroton  were  commanded  by  William  Ledyard  and 
Oliver  Coit.  A  company  of  musketry  under  the  command  of 
Captain  Nathan  Palmer,  was  ordered  for  the  defense  of 
Stonington.  As  these  troops  were  entirely  inadequte  to  the 
object  contemplated,  a  regiment  was  raised  expressly  for 
the  defense  of  the  coast  of  New  London  county.  Before 
they  enlisted,  however,  Colonels  Ely,  Latimer,  and  Throop, 
and  Majors  Buel  and  Gallop,  performed  tours  of  duty  with 
their  respective  regiments,  at  New  London  and  Groton.* 
Twenty-four  men,  with  a  lieutenant,  sergeant  and  corporal, 
were  detailed  for  the  defense  of  each  of  the  towns  of  New 
Haven,  Fairfield,  Norwalk,  Stamford,  and  Greenwich ;  a 
company  of  twenty  men,  with  the  same  officers,  were  ordered 
to  Milford,  and  another  to  Saybrook. 

In  March,  William  Ledyard  was  appointed  to  the  command 
of  the  posts  at  New  London,  Groton,  and  Stonington,  with 
the  rank  and  pay  of  major.  Under  his  direction  the  works 
were  repaired  and  enlarged. 

Two  brigades  were  ordered  to  be  raised  in  the  state— to 
consist  of  six  battalions,  each  battalion  to  contain  eight  com- 
panies, and  each  company  to  contain  ninety  men.  These 
troops  were  to  hold  themselves  in  constant  readiness  to  march 
wherever  they  might  be  directed,  at  the  shortest  possible 
notice.  Of  these  six  battalions,  Roger  Enos,  Thaddeus 
Cook,  Samuel  Mott,  John  Mead,  Noadiah  Hooker,  and  Sam- 
uel McLellan,  were  appointed  colonels;  Howell  Woodbridge, 
James  Arnold,  Nathan  Gallop,  Ely  Mygatt,  Seth  Smith,  and 
Thomas  Brown,  lieutenant-colonels ;  Abel  Pease,  Abraham 
Tyler,  Joshua  Huntington,  Eleazer  Curtis,  Bezaleel  Beebe, 
and  Levi  Welles,  majors. 

In  May,  an  act  was  passed  providing  for  the  settlement  of 
the  estates  of  such  persons  as  had  voluntarily  placed  them- 

*  Caulkins'  New  London,  p.  526  ;  Hinman,  p.  300. 


[1779.]  CONFISCATION  ACTS.  371 

selves  under  the  protection  of  the  British,  or  had  voluntarily- 
joined  with  or  assisted  the  enemy — authorizing  the  confisca- 
tion of  their  property  to  the  use  of  the  state  in  certain  con- 
tingencies. Two  regiments  of  seven  hundred  and  twenty- 
eight  men  each,  including  officers,  together  with  three  com- 
panies of  light  dragoons,  were  ordered  to  be  forthwith  raised, 
to  be  subject  to  the  direction  of  the  governor  and  council  of 
war.  To  meet  these  and  other  extraordinary  expenses,  the 
governor  was  authorized  to  borrow  £100,000,  on  an  annual 
interest  of  six  per  cent.  A  corps  of  thirty  men,  exclusive  of 
officers,  was  directed  to  be  enlisted  to  act  as  a  guard  to  the 
continental  stores  and  public  offices  in  Hartford. 

In  October,  Colonel  Enos'  regiment  of  state  troops  was 
sent  to  guard  the  sea  coast  in  the  south-western  part  of  the 
state.  Provision  was  also  made  for  the  defense  of  the  whole 
line  of  the  coast  from  Stratford  to  Stonington. 

At  the  session  in  January,  1779,  an  order  was  laid  before 
the  Assembly  from  Congress,  notifying  the  state  that  her  pro- 
portion of  the  public  debt  and  expenses  of  the  general  gov- 
ernment to  the  close  of  the  year  1779,  had  been  fixed  at  one 
million  seven  hundred  thousand  dollars ;  with  an  intimation  that 
her  quota  of  the  six  millions  of  dollars  annually  for  eighteen 
successive  years  would  be  soon  determined  according  to  the 
articles  of  confederation.  Although  the  assembly  adjudged 
the  amount  named  to  be  more  than  her  just  proportion,  mea- 
sures were  taken  to  raise  the  money.  A  tax  was  levied  of 
three  shillings  on  a  pound  on  the  list  of  1778,  to  be  paid  into 
the  treasury  before  the  20th  day  of  the  following  May ;  and 
a  further  tax  on  the  same  list,  of  two  shillings  on  the  pound, 
was  laid.  Notwithstanding  these  exorbitant  demands  of  the 
new  government,  Connecticut  was  determined  to  do  ample 
justice  to  her  sons  then  in  the  continental  service.  She 
therefore, 

"  Resolved,  That  in  consequence  of  the  sufferings  of  the 
troops  of  this  state  in  the  army,  occasioned  by  the  enhanced 
prices  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  the  sum  of  forty-five  thou- 
sand pounds  lawful  money  be  paid  out  of  the  treasury  of  the 


872  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

state,  by  the  1st  day  of  April  next,  to  the  officers  and  soldiers 
belonging  to  this  state,  and  now  serving  in  the  infantry  and 
artillery  in  the  continental  army,  in  just  proportion  to  their 
respective  wages.  And  that  the  further  sum  of  sixty  thou- 
sand pounds  lawful  money,  be  paid  to  them  out  of  the  state 
treasury,  by  the  1st  day  of  December  next,  to  be  distributed 
justly  and  equitably  among  them."* 

During  this  and  former  sessions,  acts  were  passed  provid- 
ing for  fitting  out  and  manning  armed  vessels,  designed  not 
only  for  the  protection  of  our  coast,  but  for  the  annoyance 
of  the  British  naval  ships  on  the  sound,  as  well  as  for  priva- 
teering. Insignificant  as  was  our  little  fleet  compared  with 
that  of  the  enemy,  it  nevertheless  served  the  objects  for 
which  it  was  designed. 

General  Putnam,  late  in  the  autumn  of  1778,  had  removed 
his  army  from  White  Plains  and  Peekskill,  to  Reading,  in 
Connecticut,  where  he  established  his  quarters  for  the  winter. 
His  position  at  this  place  enabled  him  to  cover  the  country 
adjoining  the  sound  and  the  south-western  frontier,  and  at  the 
same  time  to  support  the  garrison  at  West  Point,  in  case  of 
an  attack.  He  had  under  his  orders,  General  Poor's  New 
Hampshire  brigade,  two  brigades  of  Connecticut  troops,  the 
corps  of  infantry  commanded  by  Colonel  Hazen,  and  the 
corps  of  cavalry  under  Colonel  Sheldon. 

While  at  Reading,  the  soldiers  appear  to  have  sufl^ered 
much  for  the  want  of  proper  food  and  clothing ;  and,  as  their 
time  was  passed  in  comparative  idleness,  they  found  abun- 
dant leisure  to  brood  over  their  privations  and  their  prospects, 
and  to  contrast  their  condition  with  the  enjoyments  of  home. 
They  were  not  soldiers  by  profession ;  but  having  known 
and  appreciated  the  endearments  of  domestic  life,  and  the 
comparative  freedom  of  thinking  and  acting  for  themselves, 
they  could  ill  brook  the  iron  discipline  of  the  camp,  or  the 

*  State  Records,  MS.  At  the  same  time  it  was  voted  that  as  the  £45,000 
necessary  to  be  raised  for  the  Connecticut  battalions  in  the  continental  army, 
could  not  be  procured  in  season,  the  governor  was  desired  to  write  to  our  delegates 
in  Congress  to  use  their  influence  with  that  body  to  procure  assistance. 


[1779.]  putmam's  speech.  873 

reckless  disregard  of  the  principles  of  humanity  as  well  as  of 
morality  that  too  often  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  war.  As  if 
to  add  insult  to  injury,  they  had  thus  far  been  paid  off  in  the 
depreciated  currency  of  the  times,  which  had  proved  almost 
useless  to  themselves  and  their  families.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, the  Connecticut  brigades  formed  the  design  of 
marching  to  Hartford,  where  the  legislature  was  then  sitting, 
and  of  demanding  redress,  if  need  be,  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet.  Putnam  having  been  informed  that  one  of  the 
brigades  was  actually  under  arms  for  this  purpose,  he  galloped 
to  the  cantonment,  and  thus  addressed  them : 

"  My  brave  lads,  whither  are  you  going  ?  Do  you  intend 
to  desert  your  officers,  and  to  invite  the  enemy  to  follow  you 
into  the  country  ?  Whose  cause  have  you  been  fighting  and 
suffering  so  long  in?  Is  it  not  your  own?  Have  you  no 
property,  no  parents,  wives  or  children  ?  You  have  behaved 
like  men  so  far ;  all  the  world  is  full  of  your  praises  ;  and 
posterity  will  stand  astonished  at  your  deeds — but  not  if  you 
spoil  all  at  last.  Don't  you  consider  how  much  the  country 
is  distressed  by  the  war,  and  that  your  officers  have  not  been 
any  better  paid  than  yourselves  ?  But  we  all  expect  better 
times,  and  that  the  country  will  do  us  ample  justice.  Let 
us  stand  by  one  another,  then,  and  fight  it  out  like  brave 
soldiers.  Think  what  a  shame  it  would  be  for  Connecticut 
men  to  run  away  from  their  officers  !"* 

Each  regiment  received  the  general  with  the  usual  saluta- 
tions as  he  rode  along  the  lines.  When  he  had  concluded 
his  address,  he  directed  the  acting  major  of  brigade  to  give 
the  word  for  them  to  shoulder  arms,  to  march  to  their  regi- 
mental parades,  and  there  to  lodge  their  guns.  They  obeyed 
with  promptness  and  apparent  good  humor.  A  single  soldier, 
only,  who  had  been  most  active  in  the  affair,  was  confined  in 
the  quarter-guard,  and  was  shot  dead  by  the  sentinel  while 
attempting  to  escape  during  the  succeeding  night. f 

On  the  night  of  the  25th  of  February,  a  detachment  of 

*  Humphreys,  p.  157,  158.        f  Humphreys,  158. 


874  HISTOKY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

the  enemy  under  Governor  Tryon,  consisting  of  the  seven- 
teenth, forty-fourth  and  fifty-seventh  regiments,  one  of  Hes- 
sians, and  two  of  new  levies,  marched  from  their  quarters  at 
Kingsbridge,  for  Horse  Neck,  with  the  intention  of  surpris- 
ing the  troops  at  that  place  and  destroying  the  Salt  Works. 
Horse  Neck  was  one  of  Putnam's  out-posts,  and  at  the  date 
of  this  incursion  of  the  British,  he  chanced  to  be  there  on  a 
visit.  Captain  Titus  Watson,  with  thirty  men,  was  sent  out 
by  Putnam  as  an  advance  corps,  who  discovered  the  enemy 
at  New  Rochelle,  and  retired  undiscovered,  before  them,  as 
far  as  Rye  Neck.  At  this  point,  as  it  was  now  day-light,  they 
were  observed  and  attacked.  Captain  Watson  gallantly 
defended  himself,  and  continued  his  retreat  to  Horse  Neck, 
Putnam  immediately  planted  his  cannon  and  formed  his 
troops  on  the  high  ground,  near  the  meeting-house,  and  for 
some  time  held  the  enemy  in  check  by  firing  the  field-pieces. 
Ascertaining  the  superior  force  opposed  to  him,  and  perceiv- 
ing by  their  movements  that  the  horse,  supported  by  the 
infantry,  were  about  to  charge,  he  directed  his  men  to  retire 
through  the  swamp,  and  form  on  a  hill  which  he  designated ; 
while  he  provided  for  his  own  safety  by  plunging  down  the 
precipice  in  his  front,  upon  a  full  trot.  The  declivity  was 
so  steep  that  more  than  a  hundred  artificial  stone  steps  had 
been  provided  for  the  accommodation  of  foot  passen- 
gers. The  British  dragoons  stopped  short  upon  the  brink, 
not  daring  to  follow ;  but  manifested  their  chagrin 
at  his  escape  by  firing  several  shots  at  him,  one  of  which 
passed  through  his  hat.  Putnam  continued  on  to  Stamford, 
where  he  rallied  a  body  of  militia  and  a  few  continentals, 
and  immediately  returned  to  Horse  Neck.  Finding  that  the 
enemy,  after  committing  some  depredations,  had  commenced 
their  return  towards  New  York,  he  started  in  pursuit ;  and 
soon  succeeded  in  taking  about  fifty  prisoners,  and  in  cap- 
turing one  ammunition  wagon  and  one  baggage  wagon. 
The  latter  was  filled  with  plunder,  which  Putnam  had  the 
satisfaction  of  restoring  to  its  rightful  owners. 

During  Putnam's  stay  at  Reading,  two  persons  were  exe- 


[1779.]  ATTACK  ON  WEST   HAVEN".  375 

cuted — one  having  been  shot  for  desertion,  and  the  other 
hung  as  a  spy.^ 

The  British  having  undisputed  possession  of  New  York, 
during  the  summer  of  1779,  amused  themselves  by  frequent 
incursions  upon  the  Connecticut  coast.  On  the  morning  of 
the  5th  of  July,  the  day  on  which  the  people  of  New  Haven 
had  made  arrangements  to  celebrate  the  anniversary  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  the  British  fleet,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Commodore  Sir  George  Collier,  anchored  off  West 
Haven,  having  on  board  Governor  Tryon,  with  some  three 
thousand  land  forces.  About  fifteen  hundred  of  these  troops, 
commanded  by  Brigadier-General  Garth,  landed  on  West 
Haven  Point  at  sun-rise,  and  commenced  their  march 
toward  New  Haven.  The  town  having  been  alarmed,  great 
excitement  prevailed,  and  while  a  few  of  the  militia  and  other 
citizens  mustered  for  purposes  of  defense,  the  mass  of  the 
people  seemed  intent  on  providing  for  the  safety  of  their 
families  and  their  property.    At  West  Bridge,  on  the  Milford 

*  The  Rev.  Nathaniel  Bartlett,  who  was  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church 
in  Reading  for  a  period  of  fifty  years,  ofHciated  as  chaplain  to  the  encampment 
during  the  winter,  and  was  present  at  the  execution.  lie  interceded  with  General 
Putnam  to  defer  the  execution  of  Smith  until  Washington  could  be  consulted — 
the  offender  being  a  youth  of  seventeen  years  ;  but  the  commander  assured  him 
that  a  reprieve  could  not  be  granted. 

Mr.  Bartlett  was  an  earnest  and  fearless  whig,  and  openly  talked  and  preached 
"  rebellion  ;"  so  much  so,  that  the  tories,  who  were  numerous  in  the  eastern  part 
of  the  town,  threatened  to  hang  him  if  they  could  catch  him.  In  consequence  of 
these  threats,  he  often  carried  a  loaded  musket  with  him  when  on  his  parochial 
visits.  His  son,  and  successor  in  the  ministry  at  Reading — the  Rev,  Jonathan 
Bartlett,  now  in  his  91st  year — well  remembers  the  revolutionary  encampment  at 
Reading,  and  frequently  visited  it.  He  is  sure  that  the  story  in  Barber's  "  His- 
torical Collections,"  about  Putnam's  inhumanity  at  the  execution  of  Smith  and 
Jones,  is  incorrect.  Though  not  present  himself,  he  has  often  heard  his  father 
relate  the  incidents  of  the  occasion  ;  and,  furthermore,  he  once  called  the  atten- 
tion of  Colonel  Ashbel  Salmon,  (who  died  in  1848,  aged  91,)  who  was  a  sergeant 
in  attendance  upon  the  execution,  to  the  statement,  and  he  declared  that  nothing 
of  the  kind  took  place. 

Mr.  Bartlett  (the  son,)  recollects  that  on  one  occasion  during  the  revolution,  he 
discovered  some  kegs  of  powder  in  the  garret,  wliich  he  afterwards  ascertained 
his  father  had  privately  stored  there  for  the  use  of  his  parishioners,  in  cases  of 
emergency ! 


876  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

road,  several  field-pieces  were  stationed,  and  some  slight 
works  of  defense  were  hastily  thrown  up.  Here  the  enemy- 
were  met  in  so  determined  a  manner,  that  General  Garth 
withdrew  his  troops  and  made  a  circuit  of  nine  miles  in 
order  to  enter  the  town  by  the  Derby  road.  In  this  march,  a 
small  party  who  had  gathered  on  Milford  hill,  had  a  skirmish 
with  the  enemy's  left  flank,  in  which  Adjutant  Campbell  was 
killed.  The  little  company  of  patriots,  though  dispersed, 
soon  rallied,  and  kept  up  a  continual  fire  upon  the  British 
troops  during  their  march  to  the  Derby  road.  At  Thompson's 
bridge,  on  this  road,  the  militia,  under  Captain  Phineas 
Bradley,  met  the  invaders  with  a  sharp  fire  of  musketry  and 
two  field-pieces,  which  was  kept  up  with  little  intermission 
until  they  entered  the  town.  In  the  meantime,  the  other 
division  of  the  British  troops  commanded  by  Governor  Tryon 
in  person,  landed  on  the  east  side  of  New  Haven  harbor, 
and  proceeded  by  land  to  attack  the  fort  at  Black  Rock. 
The  shipping  in  the  harbor  at  the  same  time  commenced 
cannonading  the  fort,  which,  as  it  contained  only  nineteen 
men  and  three  pieces  of  artillery,  was  finally  abandoned  to 
the  enemy. 

Notwithstanding  the  proclamation  of  Commodore  Collier 
to  the  contrary,  the  town  was  given  up  to  promiscuous 
plunder.  In  many  instances,  property  which  could  not  be 
conveniently  carried  off,  was  wantonly  destroyed.  On 
Tuesday  morning,  much  to  the  surprise  of  the  inhabitants, 
the  commanding  officers  called  in  their  guards,  and  silently 
withdrew  to  their  boats,  carrying  with  them  thirty  or  forty 
prisoners — having,  however,  first  burnt  the  stores  on  the 
wharf  and  seven  or  eight  houses  in  East  Haven.  The 
Americans  had  twenty-seven  killed  and  nineteen  wounded.^ 

*  Killed. — Captain  John  Gilbert,  Michael  Gilbert,  John  Hotchkiss,  Caleb 
Hotchkiss,  Jr.,  Ezekiel  Hotchkiss,  John  Kennedy,  Joseph  Dorman,  Asa  Todd, 
Samuel  Woodln,  Silas  Woodin,  Benjamin  English,  Isaac  Pardee,  Jeduthan 
Thompson,  Aaron  Burrell,  a  lad,  Jacob  Thorp,  and  Pomp,  a  negro,  all  of  New 

Haven  ;  Eldad  Parker,  of  Wallingford  ;  Bradley,  of  Derby  ;  Timothy 

Ludington,  of  Guilford  5  John  Baldwin  and  Gideon  Goodrich,  of  Branford  ;  and 
one  person  unknown. 


[1779.]  PRESIDENT  DAGGETT  IS    STABBED.  877 

Among  those  carried  off  was  John  Whiting,  Esq.,  judge  of 
probate,  and  clerk  of  the  courts.  The  Reverend  Doctor 
Daggett,  President  of  Yale  College,  was  captured  near 
Milford  hill,  cruelly  beaten,  stabbed,  and  robbed,  and  then 
driven  in  a  hasty  march  on  foot  for  more  than  five  miles. 

The  hostile  fleet  soon  sailed  for  Fairfield,  and  anchored 
opposite  that  town  on  the  morning  of  the  8th  of  July,  where 
they  disembarked.  A  few  militia  assembled  to  oppose  them, 
but  the  invasion  being  sudden  and  unexpected,  no  systematic 
plan  of  defense  was  attempted.  After  plundering  the  town, 
the  torch  of  the  incendiary  was  lighted,  and  eighty-five 
dwelling-houses,  two  churches,  an  elegant  court-house,  jail, 
fifteen  stores,  fifteen  shops,  and  fifty-five  barns,  were  burnt 
to  the  ground.  Colonel  Tallmadge  arrived  in  Fairfield  from 
White  Plains  on  the  following  day. 

Sailing  thence,  the  next  morning,  the  village  of  Green's 
Farms  soon  shared  the  vengeance  of  Tryon.  The  church, 
fifteen  houses,  eleven  barns,  and  several  stores,  were  con- 
sumed.* 

Governor  Tryon  and  General  Garth,  perhaps  for  the  pur- 
pose of  gathering  fresh  courage  for  the  renewal  of  their 
expedition,  crossed  the  Sound,  and  remained  in  Huntington 
Bay  until  the  11th  of  July.  They  then  sailed  for  Norvvalk, 
and  landed  at  that  place  between  eight  and  nine  o'clock  in 
the  evening.     With   the  exception   of  six   houses,    said   to 

Wounded. — Rev.  Dr.  Daggett,  Nathan  Beers,  (mortally,)  David  Austin,  Jr., 
Elizur  Goodrich,  Jr.,  Joseph  Bassett,  Captain  Caleb  Mix,  Thomas  Mix,  Israel 
Vfoodin,  (and  taken,)  John  Austin,  Abraham  Pinto,  Nathan  Dummer,  Jeremiah 
Austin,  Edmund  Smith,  and  Elisha  Tuttle,  (since  dead,  whose  tongue  was  cut  out 
by  the  enemy,)  all  of  New  Haven  ;  Benjamin  Hurd,  of  Branford,  and  Mr.  Atwa- 
ter,  and  a  negro,  of  Wallingford. 

Many  of  the  dead  had  the  appearance  of  having  been  wounded  by  bullets,  and 
afterwards  to  have  been  killed  with  bayonets.  Mr.  Beers,  (whose  name  appears 
in  the  above  list  as  mortally  wounded,)  was  assaulted  in  his  own  house  while  he 
was  unarmed. 

The  British  lost  about  eighty — among  whom  were  several  meritorious  officers. 

The  amount  of  property  destroyed  by  the  British  in  New  Haven  was  subse- 
quently estimated  by  a  committee  to  amount  to  j£24,893,  7s.  Gd. 

*  Barber's  Historical  Collections. 


878  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

belong  to  the  royalists,  the  entire  village  was  destroyed, 
including  the  public  stores  and  magazines,  the  vessels  in  the 
harbor,  and  other  combustible  property.* 

General  Washington,  having  learned  that  Tryon  had  com- 
menced his  threatened  invasion  of  Connecticut,  directed 
General  Parsons,  (then  in  command  near  the  Highlands,)  to 
hasten  to  the  scene  of  action.  Mustering  for  the  service  one 
hundred  and  fifty  continental  troops,  and  a  considerable  body 
of  Connecticut  militia  under  General  Erastus  Wolcott,  by 
forced  marches  he  was  able  to  reach  Norwalk  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the   12th  of  July,  immediately  after  the  British  had 

*  Upon  a  memorial  in  1791,  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  towns  of  Fairfield  and 
N^orwalk,  in  Fairfield  county,  the  great  losses  occasioned  by  the  devastations  of 
the  British  during  the  war,  were  shown  to  the  General  Assembly  ;  on  which 
they  prayed  for  remuneration  from  the  State.  A  committee  was  appointed  by 
the  Legislature,  in  May,  1791,  to  ascertain  from  documents  in  the  public  offices, 
the  losses,  not  only  of  the  memorialists,  but  of  others  who  had  been  sufferers 
under  similar  circumstances,  that  had  been  estimated  in  conformity  to  previous 
acts  of  the  Assembly,  such  as  had  been  occasioned  by  incursions  of  the  enemy 
during  the  war.  The  Assembly,  therefore,  in  May,  1792,  by  a  resolution, 
released  and  quit-claimed,  to  the  sufferers,  named  on  the  State  record,  or 
to  their  legal  representatives,  if  deceased,  and  to  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever, 
500,000  acres  of  land  owned  by  Connecticut,  situated  west  of  Pennsylvania, 
bounded  north  on  lake  Erie,  beginning  at  the  west  line  of  said  lands,  and  extend- 
ing eastward  to  a  line  running  northerly  and  southerly  parallel  to  the  east 
line  of  said  tract  of  land  owned  by  this  State,  and  extending  the  whole  width  of 
said  lands,  and  easterly  so  far  as  to  comprise  said  quantity  of  500,000  acres, 
(exclusive  of  former  grants  to  sufferers,  if  any,)  to  be  divided  among  said  suffer- 
ers and  their  legal  representatives,  in  proportion  to  the  several  sums  annexed  to 
their  names  on  record,  (which  land  is  located  in  Huron  county,  in  the  State  of 
Ohio.) 

The  following  sums  were  allowed  to  the  sufferers  in  the  several  towns  hereafter 
named,  viz. : — Sufferers  in  Greenwich,  £12,291 :  14  :  Oy  ;  sufferers  in  Norwalk, 
£26,066  :  0  :  1  ;  sufferers  in  Fairfield,  £23,893  :  12  :  8. 

Additional  losses  sustained  by  several  inhabitants  of  Fairfield,  in  the  enemy's 
expedition  to  Danbury,  viz. :— £1,436  :  10  :  11 ;  in  Danbury,  £8,303  :  17  :  10|-; 
in  New  Haven  and  East  Haven,  £16,912  :  16  :  6  ;  in  New  London,  £42,062  :- 
13  :  7  ;  in  Ridgefield,  £1,730  :  1  :  10. 

The  sums  advanced  to  Ridgefield  by  grants  of  the  Assembly,  were  deducted, 
and  the  net  balances  allowed. 

To  sufferers  in  Groton,  £7,719  :  12  :  2. 

Whole  amount  of  losses  allowed  to  the  sufferers  by  the  grant  of  said  lands, 
being  £251,606  :  8  :  8|. 


[1779.]  A  SHARP    CORRESPONDENCE.  379 

effected  a  landing  there.  Although  too  weak  to  prevent  the 
destruction  of  the  town,  Parsons  took  every  opportunity  to 
harass  and  annoy  the  enemy — so  that  they  re-embarked  and 
returned  to  Huntington  Bay,  ostensibly  for  fresh  supplies  of 
artillery  and  reinforcements  of  men.  Tryon,  however,  was 
too  prudent  a  man  to  renew  his  depredations  after  he  had 
ascertained  that  the  people  of  Connecticut  were  waiting  to 
give  him  a  warm  reception.  He  accordingly  abandoned  his 
undertaking,  and  in  a  short  time  anchored  his  fleet  off  New 
York.* 

The  following  correspondence  between  Governor  Tryon 
and  General  Parsons,  is  here  introduced  into  the  text,  as  an 
indication  of  the  spirit  of  one  of  the  bravest  and  most 
accomplished  officers  of  the  revolutionary  era.  It  will  be 
observed  that  the  letter  of  Tryon  was  written  previous  to 
his  incendiary  expedition  ;  while  the  response  was  penned 
subsequently  : 

"New  York,  June  18,  1779. 
"Sir  :  By  his  Majesty's  ships  of  war,  which  arrived  here 
last  night  from  Georgia,  we  have  intelligence  that  the  British 
forces  were  in  possession  of  Fort  Johnston,  near  Charlestown, 
the  first  of  June.  Surely  it  is  time  for  rational  Americans 
to  wish  for  a  reunion  with  the  parent  State,  and  to  adopt 
such  measures  as  will  most  speedily  effect  it. 
"  I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble, 

"obedient  servant, 

"  William  Tryon,  M.  G. 
"To  Gen.  Putnam,  or  in  his  absence,  to  Gen.  Parsons." 

[Answer.] 

"Camp,  Highlands,  Sept.  7,  1779. 

"  Sir  :  I  should  have   paid  an   earlier  attention   to    your 

polite  letter  of  the  18th  of  June,  had  I  not  entertained  some 

hope  of  a  personal  interview  with  you,  in  your  descents  upon 

the  defenseless  towns  of  Connecticut,  to  execute  your  mas- 

*  The  British  loss  at  Norwalk  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  was  one  hundred 
and  forty-eight. 


880  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

ter's  vengeance  upon  the  rebellious  women  and  formidable 
host  of  boys  and  girls,  who  were  induced,  by  your  insidious 
proclamations,  to  remain  in  those  hapless  places  ;  and  who, 
if  they  had  been  suffered  to  continue  in  the  enjoyment  of  that 
peace  which  their  age  and  sex  entitled  them  to  expect  from 
civilized  nations,  you  undoubtedly  supposed  would  prove  the 
scourge  of  Britain's  veteran  troops,  and  pluck  from  you  those 
laurels,  with  which  ikvdX  fiery  expedition  so  plentifully  crown- 
ed you.  But  your  sudden  departure  from  Norvmlk,  and  the 
particular  attention  that  you  paid  to  your pci'sonal  safety,  when 
at  that  place,  and  the  prudent  resolution  you  took,  to  suffer 
the  town  of  Stamford  to  escape  the  conflagration,  to  which 
you  had  devoted  Fairfield  and  Norwalk,  prevented  my  wishes 
on  this  head ;  this  I  hope  will  sufficiently  apologize  for  my 
delay  in  answering  your  last  letter. 

By  letters  from  France,  we  have  intelligence  that  his 
Catholic  Majesty  declared  war  against  Great  Britain  in  June 
last  ;  that  the  combined  fleets  of  France  and  Spain,  amount- 
ing to  more  than  sixty  sail  of  the  line,  have  formed  a  junc- 
tion, and  with  twenty-five  thousand  land  forces,  are  meditat- 
ing an  important  blow  on  the  British  dominions  in  Europe  ; 
and  that  the  grand  fleet  of  Old  England  find  it  very  incon- 
venient to  venture  far  from  their  harbors.  In  the  West 
Indies,  Admiral  Byron,  having  greatly  suffered  in  a  naval 
engagement,  escaped  with  his  ships  in  a  very  shattered  condi- 
tion to  St.  Christopher's  ;  and  covered  his  fleet  under  the 
batteries  on  the  shores,  and  has  suffered  himself  to  be  insult- 
ed in  the  road  of  that  island  by  the  French  Admiral  ;  and 
Count  D'Estaing,  after  reducing  the  Islands  of  St.  Vincent 
and  Grenada  to  the  obedience  of  France,  defeating  and  dis- 
abling the  British  fleet,  had  sailed  for  Hispaniola  ;  where  it 
is  expected  he  will  be  joined  by  the  Spanish  fleet  in  those 
seas,  and  attack  Jamaica.  The  storming  of  your  strong  works 
at  Stony  Point,  and  capturing  the  garrison  by  our  brave 
troops  ;  the  brilliant  successes  of  General  Sullivan  against 
your  faithful  friends  and  allies,  the  savages  ;  the  surprise  of 
Paulus  Hook,  by  Major  Lee  ;  the  flight  of  General  Provost 


[1779.]  STORMING  OF   STONY  POINT.  881 

from  Carolina  ;  and  your  shamefully  shutting  yourselves  up 
in  New  York  and  the  neighboring  islands,  are  so  fully 
within  your  knowledge  as  scarcely  to  need  repetition. 

Surely,  it  is  time  for  Britons  to  rouse  from  tlieir  delusive 
dreams  of  conquest,  and  pursue  such  systems  of  future  con- 
duct as  will  save  their  tottering  empire  from  total  destruc- 
tion. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

Samuel  H.  Parsons. 
Major-General  Tryon." 

On  the  15th  of  July,  General  Wayne  commenced  his 
march  with  the  intention  of  storming  Stony  Point.  The 
van  of  the  right,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  volun- 
teers, was  commanded  bv  Lieutenant-Colonel  Henrv,  while 
the  van  of  the  left,  numbering  one  hundred  volunteers,  was 
commanded  by  Major  Stuart — all  with  unloaded  muskets 
and  fixed  bayonets — preceded  by  a  company  of  twenty 
picked. men,  whose  duty  it  was  to  remove  the  abbatis  and 
other  obstructions.  Colonel  Meigs  was  one  of  the  officers 
engaged  in  this  expedition. 

On  the  morning  of  the  16th,  about  one  o'clock,  Wayne, 
at  the  head  of  his  men,  entered  the  works  in  the  face  of  an 
incessant  fire  of  musketry  and  artillery.  The  capture  was 
soon  effected.  About  fifty  of  the  garrison  were  killed,  and 
the  remainder,  to  the  number  of  four  hundred  and  fifty,  were 
taken  prisoners.  Wayne's  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was 
about  one  hundred.  The  surprise  and  capture  of  Paulus 
Hook  (now  Jersey  city,)  by  Major  Lee,  soon  followed. 

Between  Huntington  Harbor  and  Oyster  Bay,  on  Long 
Island,  on  a  high  promontory,  known  as  Lloyd's  Neck,  the 
enemy  had  erected  a  fort  and  manned  it  with  about  five 
hundred  soldiers.  Encamped  under  the  protection  of  this 
fortress,  was  an  organized  band  of  marauders,  who,  having 
armed  boats  in  command,  had  long  plundered  the  inhabitants 
along  the  Connecticut  shore,  besides  robbing  the  small 
vessels  on  the  Sound.  Major  Tallmadge  determined,  if  pos- 
sible, to  break  up  this  horde  of  banditti.     On  the  5th  of  Sep- 


882  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

tember  he  embarked  with  one  hundred  and  thirty  men  of  his 
detachment,  from  Shipand  Point,  near  Stamford,  at  eight 
o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  about  ten  o'clock  landed  on 
Lloyd's  Neck.  He  attacked  the  enemy  so  suddenl}^,  and 
*  with  such  spirit,  that  nearly  the  whole  party  was  captured, 
and  landed  in  Connecticut  before  morning.  Though  Tall- 
madge's  corps  were  fired  upon  by  the  freebooters  while  they 
were  engaged  in  destroying  the  huts  and  boats,  not  a  man 
was  lost  during  the  expedition.* 

On  the  28th  of  September,  Samuel  Huntington,  delegate 
from  Connecticut,  was  elected  President  of  Congress,  in  the 
place  of  Mr.  Jay,  who  had  accepted  the  appointment  of 
minister  to  Spain. 

In  October,  the  Connecticut  quota  of  twelve  thousand 
militia,  called  out  by  Washington  to  strengthen  him  in  his 
contemplated  attack  upon  New  York,  were  disbanded,  and 
the  army  under  the  immediate  direction  of  the  commander- 
in-chief,  went  into  winter-quarters  near  Morristown,  New 
Jersey.  Strong  detachments,  however,  were  stationed  at 
the  posts  on  the  Hudson  for  their  defense  and  to  prevent  the 
enemy  from  ascending  the  river.  The  cavalry  were  sent 
into  Connecticut  to  pass  the  winter.f 

General  Putnam  availed  himself  of  the  brief  season  of 
quiet  which  followed,  and  in  company  with  his  son.  Major 
Daniel  Putnam,  and  his  secretary,  Major  Humphreys,  visited 
his  home  in  Pomfret.  In  December,  he  began  his  journey  to 
Morristown  ;  but  while  on  the  road  between  Pomfret  and 
Hartford,  he  began  to  feel  an  unusual  numbness  and  torpor 
in  his  right  hand  and  foot,  which  increased  so  perceptibly 
and  rapidly  that  before  he  reached  the  house  of  his  friend. 
Colonel  Wadsworth,  his  limbs  on  that  side  were   partially 

*  See  sketch  of  Colonel  Tallmadge,  in  the  "  ISTational  Portrait  Gallery." 

f  Hildreth,  iii.  395.  The  depreciation  of  the  currency  still  occasioned  intense 
feeling,  not  only  among  the  soldiers,  but  with  the  people  generally.  In  some 
places  it  was  the  occasion  of  mobs  and  bloodshed.  With  the  hope  of  remedying 
the  evil,  a  convention  of  the  five  eastern  states  was  held  at  Hartford,  on  the  20th 
of  October.     A  new  regulation  of  prices  was  recommended. 


[1780.]  DEFENSE   OF   SEA   COAST.  883 

disabled.  His  naturally  energetic  mind  and  robust  frame  for 
awhile  induced  him,  as  well  as  his  friends,  to  believe  that 
the  effect  was  but  temporary  ;  but  it  proved  to  be  a  paralytic 
affection,  from  which  he  never  recovered.'^ 

In  January,  1780,  two  regiments  were  ordered  to  be  forth- 
with raised  for  the  defense  of  the  sea-coast,  each  regiment  to 

*  The  remainder  of  General  Putnam's  life  was  necessarily  passed  in  retirement. 
His  mental  faculties  remained  miimpaired,  and  he  continued  to  enjoy  the  society 
of  his  friends  until  the  period  of  his  death,  in  1790.  The  late  Rev,  Dr.  D wight, 
President  of  Yale  College,  who  knew  General  Putnam  intimately,  has  portrayed 
his  character  faithfully  in  the  following  inscription,  which  is  engraven  on  his 
tomb  : 

Sacred  be  this  Monument 

to  the  memory 

of 

Israel  Putnam,  Esquire, 

senior  Mojor-Gcneral  in  the  armies 

of 

the  United  States  of  America  ; 

who 

was  born  at  Salem, 

in  the  province  of  Massachusetts, 

on  the  7th  day  of  January, 

A.  D.  1718, 

and  died 

on  the  19th  day  of  May, 

A.  D.  1790. 

Passenger, 

if  thou  art  a  Soldier, 

drop  a  tear  over  the  dust  of  a  Hero 

who, 

ever  attentive 

to  the  lives  and  happiness  of  his  men, 

dared  to  lead 

where  any  dared  to  follow  ; 

if  a  Patriot, 

remember  the  distinguished  and  gallant  services 

rendered  thy  country 

by  the  Patriot  who  sleeps  beneath  this  marble ; 

if  thou  art  honest,  generous  and  worthy, 

render  a  cheerful  tribute  of  respect 

to  a  man, 

whose  generosity  was  singular, 

whose  honesty  was  proverbial ; 

who 

raised  himself  to  universal  esteenn 

and  offices  of  eminent  distinction, 

by  personal  worth 

and  a 

useful  life. 


384  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

consist  of  eight  companies,  and  each  company  to  contain 
fifty-five  privates,  with  a  captain,  Heutenant,  ensign,  four 
sergeants,  four  corporals,  a  drummer  and  fifer.  Levi  Wells 
and  Bezaleel  Beebe  were  appointed  lieutenant-colonels  and 
commanders  of  these  regiments,  and  Edward  Shipman  and 
EHas  Buel  were  appointed  majors  of  the  same. 

At  the  same  time  it  was  officially  announced  to  the  Assem- 
bly that  an  exchange  of  prisoners  had  been  effected  between 
General  Washington  and  the  British  commissary  general  of 
prisoners  in  New  York,* 

Among  the  acts  passed  at  this  session,  was  one  designed  to 
establish  the  value  of  the  bills  of  credit  issued  by  the  legisla- 
ture, forbidding  any  person  from  offering  or  receiving  them 
at  a  less  rate  than  that  which  they  purport  to  be,  and  making 
them,  as  well  as  the  bills  issued  by  Congress,  a  legal  tender 
for  all  payments  within  this  state,  according  to  their  current 
value. t 

In  compliance  with  a  call  from  Congress,  the  Assembly,  in 
April,  appointed  James  Watson  to  be  a  commissary  to  pur- 
chase rum  and  hay  for  the  army,  and  to  deposit  them  at 
such  place  within  the  state  as  the  commander-in-chief  shall 
direct. J 

A  requisition  was  made  upon  the  Assembly  by  General 
Washington,  for  two  thousand  five  hundred  and  twenty 
effective  men,  rank  and  file,  "to  cooperate  with  the  army  of 
the  United  States  for  the  term  of  three  months  from  and 
after  the  15th  of  July  next."  Measures  were  immediately 
taken  to  comply  with  the  call  thus  made.  The  number  of 
men  designated  were  directed  to  be  raised,  and  to  march  and 
rendezvous  at  Danbury  by  the  15th  of  July,  there  to  await 
the  order  of  the  commander-in-chief.  It  was  also  voted,  that 
fifteen  hundred  men  should  forthwith  be  enlisted  for  the  Con- 

*  Brigadier-General  Silliman  was  exchanged  for  Judge  Jones  ;  Brigade-Major 
William  Silliman  was  exchanged  for  Mr.  Willett  and  John  Pickett. 

t  This  act  was  repealed  a  few  months  afterwards. 

X  Mr.  Commissary  Watson,  after  the  war,  became  a  United  States  Senator  from 
New  York.     He  was  a  native  of  Woodbury,  Connecticut. 


[1780.]  THE  SIX  NORTHERN"  STATES.  885 

necticut  battalions  in  the  continental  army,  to  continue  in 
the  service  until  the  last  day  of  December. 

if,  during  the  campaign,  it  should  be  deemed  advisable  to 
make  an  attempt  to  recover  New  York  from  the  hands  of 
the  enemy,  the  two  state  regiments  commanded  by  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonels Beebe  and  Wells,  were  directed  to  join  the  main 
army,  to  serve  on  this  side  of  the  Hudson  river.  The  gov- 
ernor was  desired  to  inform  General  Washington  of  this 
arrangement,  and  to  assure  him  that  the  state  would  furnish 
the  full  number  of  men  that  he  had  requested.* 

When  the  legislature  had  assembled  in  October,  immediate 
steps  were  taken  for  raising  and  equipping  four  thousand  two 
hundred  and  forty-eight  effective  men  to  serve  in  the  con- 
tinental army  during  the  war.  Each  town  was  required  to 
furnish  its  proportion  of  beef,  pork,  and  wheat  flour,  for  the 
use  of  the  troops.  Congress  having  proposed  a  convention 
of  the  six  northern  states,  to  assemble  at  Hartford,  on  the 
second  Wednesday  of  November,  to  consult  on  some  uniform 
measures  for  filling  up  and  completing  their  several  quotas 
for  the  continental  service,  and  to  agree  upon  other  means 

*  State  Records,  MS.  Colonel  Henry  Champion,  superintendent  of  purchases, 
is  directed  to  repair  to  New  London  and  seize  and  secure  for  the  use  of  the  state 
one  half  of  the  mess  beef  and  salted  pork  which  has  been  lately  captured  and 
brought  into  that  port  by  privateer  ships. 

Messrs.  John  Chevenard,  Ebenezer  Wales,  Samuel  Lyman,  Fenn  Wadsworth, 
and  James  Church,  were  appointed  committee  of  pay  table. 

The  bounty  heretofore  offered  to  soldiers  to  enlist,  was  extended  to  the  dragoons 
under  Colonel  Sheldon  and  Major  Tallmadge. 

"  Upon  the  memorial  of  Benedict  Arnold^  Esq.,  major-general  in  the  army  of 
the  United  States,  in  behalf  of  himself,  and  Israel  Putnam,  Esq.,  major-general  of 
said  army,  praying  that  they  may  be  admitted  to  the  benefits  and  advantages 
granted  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  Connecticut  line  of  the  continental  army, 
by  acts  of  the  General  Assembly  passed  in  April  and  October,  A.  D.,  1779" — 
their  petition  was  granted,  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  adjust  their  accounts. 
It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that,  though  Arnold  enjoyed  the  honor  of  being  born  in 
Connecticut,  his  native  state  did  little  or  nothing  toward  honoring  him.  It  is 
believed  that  the  only  commission  ever  granted  him  by  the  government  of  Con- 
necticut, was  that  of  captain  of  the  governor's  guards.  He  procured  the  appoint- 
ment of  colonel  from  the  Massachusetts  committee  of  safety,  and  his  subsequent 
commissions  were  received  from  Congress.    Indeed,  his  name  seldom  occurs  upon 

our  colonial  and  state  records. 

57 


386  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

of  defense,  Messrs.  Eliphalet  Dyer,  William  Williams,  and 
Andrew  Adams,  were  appointed  commissioners  to  represent 
this  state  in  that  body.* 

In  response  to  the  application  of  Count  Rochambeau,  the 
cavalry  corps  of  the  Duke  of  Lauzun  was  allowed  to  be 
quartered  during  the  approaching  winter,  in  the  towns  of 
Windham,  Lebanon,  and  Colchester.  Colonel  Jeremiah 
Wadsworth,  David  Trumbull,  Esq.,  and  Mr,  Joshua  Elder- 
kin,  were  directed  to  provide  suitable  accommodations  for 
the  officers  and  to  erect  barracks  for  the  men  of  the  Legion. 
At  the  same  time,  the  second  regiment  of  dragoons,  consist- 
ing of  two  hundred  and  forty  men,  with  one  hundred  and 
forty  horses,  were  directed  to  be  quartered,  at  the  expense 
of  the  state,  in  the  towns  of  Cornwall,  Salisbury,  Sharon, 
Goshen,   Canaan,    and  Torrington.f 

The  southern  campaign,  under  Lincoln  and  Gates,  had 
proved  particularly  disastrous  to  the  Americans.  Almost 
our  entire  army  in  that  quarter  had  been  swept  away.  Some 
had  died  of  disease,  some  had  been  killed,  some  taken 
prisoners,  and  others  scattered  and  lost.  Washington  was 
alarmed,  and  declared  that  the  army  under  him  could  not 
be  kept  together  during  another  campaign,  unless  the  aspect 
of  affairs  was  changed.  Anxious  to  strike  a  decisive  blow, 
he  proposed  to  Rochambeau,  then  commanding  the  French 
troops  at  Newport,  that  New  York  should  be  attacked.  This 
measure  was  not  thought  feasible  without  an  addition  to  our 
naval  force.     Letters  were  sent  to  the  French  admiral  in  the 


*  These  gentlemen,  together  with  Jeremiah  Wadsworth,  were  appointed  com- 
missioners to  meet  with  those  from  other  states,  at  such  time  and  place  as  should  be 
agreed  upon,  "  to  agree  upon  some  terms  for  supplying  the  French  army  and  navy 
now  in  this  country  with  necessary  provisions." 

Captain  Roswell  Grant,  Captain  James  Hillhouse,  Mr.  Zephaniah  Huntington, 
Colonel  Eli  Mygatt,  Major  John  Ripley,  and  Major  Aaron  Austin,  ^vere  at  the 
same  time  appointed  commissaries  of  brigade. 

t  Benjamin  Tallraadge,  David  Smith,  and  Richard  Sill,  officers  of  the  Connec- 
ticut line  in  the  continental  army,  in  behalf  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  said  line, 
complain  that  they  have  been  paid  off  in  depreciated  currency — and  ask  for  redress. 
The  committees  appointed  for  that  purpose  are  directed  to  adjust  their  claims  and 
pay  them  from  the  monies  received  from  the  sales  of  the  confiscated  estates. 


[1780.]  WASHINGTON   GOES   TO   HARTFORD.  387 

West  Indies,  begging  for  assistance.  Washington,  on  the 
19th  of  September,  set  out  for  Hartford,  for  the  purpose  of 
consulting  with  Rochambeau  and  others  in  regard  to  some 
definite  plan  of  operation.* 

On  Thursday,  the  21st,  the  principal  chiefs  of  the  allied 
armies  met  according  to  agreement,  and  a  long  conference 
ensued.  The  commander-in-chief  assured  his  friends  that 
he  had  in  camp  but  fifteen  thousand  troops  for  a  new  campaign. 
The  plan  of  another  campaign  was  agreed  upon,  and  trans- 
mitted to  the  Court  of  France. f 

On  Friday,  the  French  commanders  started  on  their  return 
to  Newport ;  and  on  the  following  day,  the  American  officers 
set  off'  toward  the  camp.  Passing  through  Farmington, 
Litchfield,  and  the  new  town  of  Washington,  the  commander- 
in-chief  and  his  suite  reached  West  Point,  by  way  of  Fishkill, 
on  Monday,  where  his  arrival  was  announced  by  the  firing 
of  thirteen  cannon,  about  eleven  o'clock,  of  that  day.  J  On 
his  way,  however,  he  had  learned  of  the  infamous  attempt 
of  Benedict  Arnold,  who  commanded  at  that  post,  to  surren- 
der it  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. § 

A  short  time  before  this  discovery,  Washington  had  granted 

*  From  the  Connecticut  Courant,  of  September,  26tk,  1780. 

"  Last  week,  their  excellencies  Governor  Trumbull,  General  Washington,  Count 
Rochambeau,  and  Admiral  Ternay,  arrived  in  this  town,  with  the  Marquis  de 
Lafayette,  General  Knox,  and  several  other  officers  of  distinction  from  the  allied 
armies.  The  greatest  satisfaction  was  expressed  by  all  parties  at  their  meeting, 
and  the  highest  marks  of  polite  respect  and  attention  were  mutual.  The  corps  of 
guards  and  artillery  were  on  duty,  and  saluted  with  thirteen  cannon  on  the  arrival 
and  departure  of  these  gentlemen." 

t  Gordon,  iii.  128.  This  author  states  that  General  "Washington  and  his  suite, 
on  leaving  for  Connecticut,  had  procured  all  the  money  they  could  for  the  trip,  but 
found  it  was  more  than  half  gone  before  they  left  New  York.  "  They  put  on  a 
good  countenance  when  in  Connecticut,  called  for  what  they  wanted,  and  were 
well  supplied  5  but  the  thought  of  reckoning  with  their  host,  damped  their  plea- 
sure. However,  to  their  great  joy,  when  the  bills  were  called  for,  they  were 
informed  that  the  governor  of  Connecticut  had  given  orders  that  they  should  pay 
nothing  in  that  state,  but  should  be  at  free  cost." 

J  Connecticut  Courant. 

§  While  Arnold  was  in  command  in  Philadelphia,  he  had  lived  in  great  extrav- 
agance 5  his  debts  accumulated,  his  creditors  tormented  him,  and  he  was  charged 


888  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

to  Major  Tallmadge  a  separate  command,  consisting  of  the 
dismounted  dragoons  of  the  regiment,  and  a  body  of  horse, 
with  directions  to  break  up  a  system  of  ilhcit  traffic  which 
had  been  for  some  time  carried  on  between  the  British  on 
Long  Island,  and  the  tories  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Sound. 
With  this  body  of  troops,  Major  Tallmadge  took  a  position 
on  the  coast  near  the  line  between  the  states  of  New  York 
and  Connecticut,  where  he  had  the  best  facilities  for  obtain- 
ing intelligence  and  watching  the  operations  of  the  offenders. 
Spending  some  time  at  this  point,  without  an  opportunity  of 
effecting  his  purpose,  he  turned  back  towards  the  Hudson 
and  encamped  near  North  Castle.  On  the  very  day  of  his 
arrival  there,  he  was  informed  that  a  prisoner  had  been  taken, 
by  the  name  of  John  Anderson.  On  inquiry,  he  ascertained, 
that  three  militia-men,  named  John  Paulding,  David  Williams, 
and  Isaac  Yan  Wert,  who  had  passed  below  our  ordinary 
military  patrols,  on  the  road  from  Tarrytown  to  Kingsbridge, 
had  fallen  in  with  the  prisoner,  while  he  was  riding  towards 
New  York.  Upon  searching  him,  they  had  found  sundry 
unintelligible  papers  in  his  boots,  and  had  brought  him  in  as 
a  prisoner  to  Colonel  Jameson. 

The  next  morning,  Anderson  was  given  in  charge  to  Major 
Tallmadge,  who  was  the  first  to  suspect  that  he  was   an 

with  having  appropriated  public  property  to  his  own  use.  His  bills  against  the 
government  were  enormous,  and  were  not  allowed.  A  court-martial  sentenced 
him  to  be  reprimanded  by  Washing-ton.  Arnold  vowed  vengeance,  and  he 
appears  from  that  time  to  have  meditated  treason.  He  had  been  so  far  restored  to 
public  favor  as  to  be  placed  in  command  of  the  important  post  at  West  Point.  In 
carrying  out  his  plan  of  revenge,  he  commenced  negotiating  with  General  Clinton 
for  the  surrender  of  the  fortress  ;  and  Major  Andre,  of  the  British  army,  was 
soon  sent  to  West  Point  to  perfect  the  arrangement.  Having  agreed  with  Arnold 
upon  the  terms  and  time  of  the  surrender,  Andre  started  on  his  return  to  New 
York.  He  had  safely  passed  all  the  guards  and  posts  on  the  road,  and  began  to 
congratulate  himself  on  his  safety,  when  his  horse  was  suddenly  seized  by  three 
militia-men  who  had  been  out  with  a  scouting  party.  Scorning  his  proffered 
bribes,  they  conducted  him  to  the  quarters  of  Colonel  Jameson.  Andre  showed 
the  colonel  his  pass  from  Arnold,  and  begged  permission  to  write  a  line  to  him, 
(Arnold,)  informing  him  of  the  capture  ;  which  Jameson,  through  an  ill-judged 
delicacy,  granted  him.  Arnold  was  thus  warned  in  time  to  effect  his  own 
escape. 


[1780.]  FATE   OF  ANDRE.  889 

important  British  officer,  under  an  assumed  name.  Thiis 
opinion  was  formed  from  his  mihtary  step,  as  well  as  from  his 
general  manners,  intelligence,  and  refinement.  The  prisoner 
(Major  Andre,)  was  tried  by  fourteen  general  officers,  includ- 
ing the  Marquis  de  Lafayette  and  Baron  Steuben,  to  examine 
into  his  case  ;  who,  upon  his  own  confessions,  adjudged  him 
to  be  a  spy,  and  sentenced  him  to  hanged.  Major  Tallmadge 
retained  charge  of  him  up  to  the  time  of  his  execution,  and 
walked  with  him  to  the  gallows.  To  him  Major  Andre 
delivered  the  open  letter  to  General  Washington,  disclosing 
his  real  character.'^     Andre  was  hanged  October  2d,  1780. 

Early  in  October,  a  committee  appointed  for  that  purpose 
reported  a  plan  for  a  re-organization  of  the  army,  to  which 
Congress  gave  its  assent.  All  new  enlistments  were  to  be 
made  for  the  war.  Fifty  regiments  of  foot,  four  regiments 
of  artillery,  two  corps  of  rangers  under  Armand  and  Lee, 
one  regiment  of  artificers,  and  four  legionary  corps  to  con- 
sist of  two-thirds  horse,  and  one-third  foot,  in  all  thirty- 
six  thousand  men  were  to  constitute  the  sum  total  of  the  new 
army.  Of  these  troops,  Massachusetts  and  Virginia  were  to 
furnish  eleven  regiments  each,  Pennsylvanianine,  Connecticut 
six,  Maryland  five,  North  Carolina  four.  New  York  three, 
South  Carolina,  New  Hampshire,  and  New  Jersey,  two  each, 
Rhode  Island,  Delaware,  and  Georgia,  one  each.  The  corps 
of  Armand,  Lee,  and  Hazen,  were  to  be  recruited  at  large. f 

About  the  same  time,  Robert  H.  Harrison,  secretary  to  the 
commander-in-chief,  having  accepted  the  post  of  chief  justice 
of  Maryland,    resigned,    and   was   succeeded   by   Jonathan 

*  "  Nat.  Portrait  Gallery."  Major  Tallmadge  thus  wrote  concerning  Andre : 
"  For  the  few  days  of  intimate  intercourse  I  had  with  him,  which  was  from  the 
time  of  his  being  remanded  to  the  period  of  his  execution,  I  became  so  deeply 
attached  to  Major  Andre,  that  I  could  remember  of  no  instance  when  my  affec- 
tions were  so  fully  absorbed  by  any  man.  When  I  saw  him  swing  under  the 
jibbet,  it  seemed  for  a  time  utterly  insupportable  ;  all  were  overwhelmed  with  the 
affecting  spectacle,  and  the  eyes  of  many  were  suffused  with  tears.  There  did  not 
appear  to  be  one  hardened  or  indifferent  spectator  in  all  the  multitude  assembled 
on  that  solemn  occasion." 

t  Hildreth,  iii.  324. 


890  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Trumbull,  son  of  the  governor  of  Connecticut,  and  previously 
paymaster  of  the  northern  department.* 

In  November  of  the  same  year,  Major  Tallmadge  resumed 
his  scheme  of  annoying  the  British  on  Long  Island.  He 
crossed  the  Sound,  made  a  personal  examination  of  Fort  St. 
George,  and  found  it  a  depository  of  stores,  provisions,  and 
arms.  The  works  looked  quite  formidable.  After  much 
importimity,  Washington  authorized  him  to  attempt  its  cap- 
ture. On  the  night  of  the  21st  of  November,  he  embarked 
from  Fairfield  with  about  one  hundred  dismounted  dragoons, 
and  effected  a  landing  on  Long  Island,  several  miles  distant 
from  the  fort,  about  nine  o'clock.  In  consequence  of  a  heavy 
rain,  they  deferred  the  attack  until  the  following  night. 
Reaching  the  fortress  about  day-break,  the  attack  com- 
menced. Cutting  down  the  stockade,  the  little  army  forced 
their  way  through  the  grand  parade,  and  in  ten  minutes,  the 
main  fort  was  carried  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  The 
works,  shipping,  and  stores  were  secured ;  an  immense  maga- 
zine of  forage,  at  Cazum,  ten  miles  distant,  was  burnt ;  and 
the  captors  returned  to  Fairfield  without  the  loss  of  a  man. 
Major  Tallmadge  was  tendered  the  thanks  of  Congress  and 
of  the  commander-in-chief,  for  this  heroic  and  successful 
exploit. 

There  is  an  interesting  incident  connected  with  the  history 
of  Major  Tallmadge,  that  exhibits  in  a  remarkable  degree 
the  patriotism  and  force  of  the  old  clergy  of  Connecticut,  of 
which  I  have  before,  more  than  once,  made  mention.  When 
the  whole  country  was  in  a  state  of  alarm  at  the  intelligence 
that  Lord  Cornwallis,  with  a  large  fleet  and  armament,  was 
approaching  the  American  coast,  Tallmadge  happened  to  pass 
through  Litchfield  with  a  regiment  of  cavalry.  While  there, 
he  attended  public  worship  with  his  troops  on  Sunday,  at  the 
old  meeting  house,  that  stood  upon  the  village-green.  The 
occasion  was  deeply  interesting  and  exciting.  The  Rev. 
Judah  Champion,  then  the  settled  minister  of  the  place,  a 
man   of  great  eloquence  and   a  high  order  of  intellectual 

*  Hildreth. 


[1781.]  MR.    champion's   PRAYER  391 

K 

endowments,  in  view  of  the  alarming  crisis,  thus  invoked  the 
sanction  of  Heaven  : 

"Oh  Lord!  we  view  with  terror  and  dismay  the  enemies 
of  thy  holy  religion  ;  wilt  thou  send  storm  and  tempest,  to 
toss  them  upon  the  sea,  and  to  overwhelm  them  in  the  mighty 
deep,  or  scatter  them  to  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth. 
But  peradventure,  should  any  escape  thy  vengeance,  collect 
them  together  again,  O  Lord  !  as  in  the  hollow  of  thy  hand, 
and  let  thy  lightnings  play  upon  them.  We  beseech  thee, 
moreover,  that  thou  do  gird  up  the  loins  of  these  thy  servants, 
who  are  going  forth  to  fight  thy  battles.  Make  them  strong 
men,  that  "  one  shall  chase  a  thousand,  and  two  shall  put  ten 
thousand  to  flight."  Hold  before  them  the  shield,  with  which 
thou  wast  wont  in  the  old  time  to  protect  thy  chosen  people. 
Give  them  swift  feet  that  they  may  pursue  their  enemies, 
and  swords  terrible  as  that  of  thy  destroying  Angel,  that  they 
may  cleave  them  down  when  they  have  overtaken  them. 
Preserve  these  servants  of  thine.  Almighty  God!  and  bring 
them  once  more  to  their  homes  and  friends,  if  thou  canst  do 
it  consistently  with  thine  high  purposes.  If,  on  the  other  hand, 
thou  hast  decreed  that  they  shall  die  in  battle,  let  thy  spirit  be 
present  with  them  and  breathe  upon  them,  that  they  may  go  up 
as  a  sweet  sacrifice  into  the  courts  of  thy  temple,  where  are 
habitations  prepared  for  them  from  the  foundations  of  the 
world."* 

In  January,  1781,  an  alarming  revolt  broke  out  among  the 
Pennsylvania  regiments  encamped  at  Morristown.  The  sol- 
diers claimed  that  they  had  enlisted  "  for  three  years  or  the  war," 
and  as  their  three  years  had  expired,  they  insisted  upon  being 
paid  off  and  discharged.  The  officers  maintained  that  their 
term  of  enlistment  was  for  "  three  years  and  the  war,"  and 
refused  to  give  them  a  discharge.  They  accordingly,  to  the 
number  of  thirteen  hundred,  broke  out  in  open  revolt,  killed 

*  This  remarkable  prayer  is  copied  in  part  from  the  remarks  made  by  the  Hon. 
F.  A,  Tallmadge,  at  the  Litchfield  "  Centennial  Celebration,"  and  in  part  from  the 
recollection  of  others. 


892  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

an  officer  who  attempted  to  restrain  them,  and  under  the 
direction  of  a  board  of  sergeants,  marched  off  toward  Prince- 
ton. Finding  it  impossible  to  control  such  a  body  of  men, 
goaded  to  desperation  as  they  were  by  hunger  and  cold,  the 
committees  of  Congress,  and  of  the  Pennsylvania  legislature, 
deemed  it  expedient  to  bend  to  the  necessity  of  the  case,  and 
accordingly  compromised  the  matter  with  the  revolters.  It 
was  agreed  that  the  soldiers  should  receive  an  immediate 
supply  of  clothing,  and  certificates  for  the  arrearages  of  their 
pay,  and  be  forthwith  discharged. 

Alarmed  at  this  outbreak,  and  fearing  that  still  further  trouble 
might  arise  in  consequence  of  his  inability  to  provide  for  and 
pay  off  the  soldiers,  Washington  wrote  urgent  letters  to  Gov- 
ernor Trumbull,  and  the  other  New  England  governors, 
stating  the  exigency  of  the  case,  and  calling  earnestly  for 
money.  Congress  had  previously  made  a  demand  for  nine 
hundred  thousand  dollars  in  specie,  or  its  equivalent,  upon  the 
northern  states,  which  had  not  as  yet  been  met  in  full,  and  the 
commander-in-chief  saw  the  necessity  of  looking  elsewhere 
for  the  desired  means.  Accordingly,  Colonel  John  Laurens, 
aid-de-camp  to  Washington,  was  dispatched  to  France  to 
represent  the  pressing  wants  of  the  American  army,  and  to 
negotiate  a  loan.* 

By  the  20th  of  January,  a  part  of  the  New  Jersey  line, 
having  witnessed  the  success  of  the  Pennsylvania  troops  in 
procuring  a  redress  of  their  grievances,  proceeded  to  imitate 
their  example.  Washington,  knowing  by  past  experience 
that  he  could  rely  upon  the  fidelity  of  the  eastern  troops  in 
all  cases  of  emergency,  immediately  ordered  a  detachment  to 
march  from  West  Point,  under  General  Robert  Howe,  to  the 
scene  of  the  revolt.  This  had  the  desired  effect.  The  camp 
of  the  disaffected  soldiers  was  surrounded,  they  were  made  to 
parade  without  arms,  and  complete  order  was  soon  restored. 
Two  of  the  principal  leaders  were  shot. 

On  the  6th  of  May,  Monsieur  de  Barras,  who  had  been 
appointed    to   the   command    of   the    French   squadron    at 

*  Gordon,  Hildreth. 


[1781.]       MOODY   INTERCEPTS   WASHINGTON'S  MAIL.  393 

Newport,  in  the  place  of  Admiral  Ternay,  deceased,* 
arrived  at  Boston,  bringing  with  them  dispatches,  for 
Count  de  Rochambeau.  By  a  previous  agreement,  General 
Washington,  in  company  with  Generals  Knox  and  Du  Por- 
tal, repaired  to  Wethersfield,  in  Connecticut,  where,  on  the 
21st  of  that  month,  they  met  the  Count  de  Rochambeau  and 
the  Chevalier  Chastellux.  The  subject  of  attacking  New 
York  was  once  more  debated  in  council,  and  was  fully 
resolved  upon.  It  was  agreed  that  the  French  army  should 
march  toward  the  Hudson  river  as  soon  as  circumstances 
would  permit,  after  leaving  a  sufficient  force  in  Rhode  Island 
to  guard  their  heavy  stores  and  baggage,  and  to  secure  the 
works  there.  In  furtherance  of  this  project,  letters  were 
written,  on  the  24th,  to  the  governors  of  New  Hampshire, 
Connecticut,  Massachusetts,  and  New  Jersey,  requiring 
among  other  things,  militia  to  the  number  of  six  thousand 
two  hundred. 

Washington  returned  to  his  head-quarters  on  the  26th  of 
May.  The  enemy  learning  that  a  conference  had  taken 
place  between  the  American  and  French  officers,  spies  and 
secret  agents  were  sent  out  to  intercept  the  mails ;  and  one 
Lieutenant  Moody,  of  the  British  army,  succeeded  in  seizing 
and  conveying  to  New  York  the  very  mail-bag  that  contained 
some  of  the  most  important  letters  relating  to  the  enterprise 
in  contemplation. 

The  preparations  in  the  American  army  had  been  going 
on  for  several  weeks;  until,  on  the  21st  of  June,  the  troops 
rendezvoused  at  Peekskill,  on  the  Hudson.  At  three  o'clock 
on  the  morning  of  July  2d,  the  army  commenced  its  march 
toward  New  York,  encumbered  with  only  four  days  provis- 
ions, a  blanket  and  an  extra  shirt  for  each  soldier.  Gen- 
eral Lincoln,  who  had  taken  post  near  Fort  Independence, 
was  attacked  on  the  3d,  by  about  fifteen  hundred  royal  troops. 
The  object  of  Lincoln  was,  to  draw  the  enemy  as  far  as  possi- 

*  Charles  Louis  de  Ternay,  Knight  of  St.  John  of  Jerusalem,  and  late  governor 
of  the  islands  of  France  and  Bourbon,  died  at  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  December 
18th. 


894  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

ble  from  their  post  at  Kingsbridge,  in  order  that  they  might 
be  attacked  in  the  open  field  by  Sheldon's  dragoons  and  the 
Duke  de  Lauzun's  French  legion.  The  British  commander, 
however,  evidently  comprehending  the  maneuvre,  declined 
sending  out  reinforcements,  and  soon  concentrated  his  entire 
force  within  the  works  at  Kingsbridge. 

The  American  and  French  troops,  (the  latter  having  been 
largely  reinforced,)  formed  a  junction  near  White  Plains  on 
the  8th.  In  a  few  days,  it  was  ascertained  that  the  British 
had  commenced  their  march  toward  Tarrytown,  with  the 
design  of  capturing  and  carrying  off  the  stores  and  ordnance 
deposited  at  that  place.  General  Robert  Howe  was  forth- 
with dispatched  with  a  sufficient  force,  who  succeeded  in 
saving  the  stores  and  other  property,  and  in  repulsing  the 
enemy's  shipping.  General  Washington,  in  his  dispatch, 
dated  on  the  14th,  speaks  of  the  "gallant  behavior,  and 
spirited  exertions  of  Colonel  Sheldon,  Captain  Hurlbut,  of 
the  second  regiment  of  dragoons.  Captain  Miles,  of  the  artil- 
lery, and  Lieutenant  Shaylor,  of  the  fourth  Connecticut  regi- 
ment," in  "  rescuing  the  whole  of  the  ordnance  and  stores  from 
destruction." 

On  the  evening  of  the  21st,  a  portion  of  the  French  and 
American  troops,  accompanied  by  the  general  officers  and 
several  engineers,  marched  to  the  vicinity  of  New  York, 
where  the  officers  made  a  careful  reconnoisance  of  the 
enemy's  posts.  On  the  following  afternoon,  they  all  returned 
to  their  quarters.  The  expedition  had  already  been  too  long 
delayed  in  consequence  of  the  non-arrival  of  the  reinforce- 
ments that  had  been  ordered  and  anticipated  by  Washington. 
On  the  2d  of  August,  Washington  wrote — "  I  am  not  stronger 
at  this  advanced  period  of  the  campaign,  than  when  the 
army  first  moved  from  winter  quarters.  Not  a  single  man 
has  joined  me,  except  one  hundred  and  seventy-six  militia 
from  Connecticut,  who  arrived  at  West  Point  yesterday,  and 
eighty  of  the  New  York  levies  and  about  two  hundred  state 
troops  of  Connecticut,  both  of  which  corps  were  upon  the 
lines  previous  to  leaving  winter  cantonments."     The  move- 


[1781.]  GENERAL   GREENE.  895 

ments  of  the  Americans  and  French  in  the  neighborhood  of 
New  York,  had  in  the  mean  time  convinced  Sir  Henry  CUn- 
ton  that  the  intercepted  letters  which  had  fallen  into  his  hands 
were  genuine,  and  he  had  accordingly  strengthened  his  garri- 
sons by  calling  to  his  aid  a  considerable  part  of  the  force 
under  the  command  of  Cornwallis,  at  the  south.  A  knowledge 
of  this  fact,  induced  Washington  to  change  his  entire  plan 
of  operations.  While  he  kept  up  the  appearance  of  a  design 
upon  New  York,  he  ordered  the  fleets  and  armies  of  the 
allied  powers  to  concentrate  upon  the  Chesapeake,  to  coope- 
rate with  the  naval  force  under  the  Count  de  Grasse,  which 
had  just  arrived  there  from  France.  For  the  present,  let  us 
leave  them  on  their  several  routes  thither. 

Early  this  year,  an  efficient  guard  was  established,  extend- 
ing along  the  entire  range  of  our  sea-board,  which  was  placed 
under  the  chief  command  of  Colonel  Beebe,  of  Litchfield — 
who  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  bravest  and  most  excellent 
officers  in  Connecticut  line  of  the  continental  army. 

The  campaign  of  General  Greene,  at  the  south  during  the 
winter  and  summer  of  1781,  had  resulted  in  various  successes 
and  defeats,  but  no  decisive  action  had  taken  place. 

Clinton  having  at  last  discovered  the  real  object  of  Wash- 
ington, determined  to  interrupt  it  by  a  diversion  at  the  north. 
The  Highlands  being  too  strongly  fortified  and  manned  to 
justify  him  in  hazarding  an  attack  in  that  direction,  he 
dispatched  Arnold,  who  had  a  short  time  before  been  recalled 
from  the  south,  on  an  expedition  to  Connecticut — the  particu- 
lars of  which  may  be  found  in  the  succeeding  chapter. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

AENOLD  BURNS  NEW  LONDON.   FALL  OF  FOETS  TRUMBULL  AND  GRISWOLD. 

For  several  years  the  whole  surface  of  Long  Island  Sound 
had  been  vexed  with  every  species  of  conflict  known  to 
unrestrained  human  passions  in  times  of  civil  war.  Pirating, 
privateering,  foraging,  with  all  the  gradations  of  crime  and 
brutality  that  attend  them,  swept  the  waters  with  the  free- 
dom of  the  winds  and  the  storms.  The  coast  of  Long  Island 
had  before  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  British  and  tories, 
and  the  patriots  had  abandoned  their  arms  and  passed  over 
to  the  Connecticut  side,  where  they  found  an  asylum  among 
friends  who  entertained  the  same  political  sentiments. 
Fisher's  Island  had  already  been  robbed  of  its  cattle  and 
sheep,  and  stripped  of  everything  that  could  afford  nutriment 
to  man.  British  fleets,  sometimes  numbering  a  hundred 
vessels,  sometimes  twenty,  had  almost  from  the  beginning  of 
the  war  been  seen  sweeping  around  Montauk  Point,  riding 
at  anchor  at  Gardiner's  Bay,  loitering  around  the  mouth  of  the 
Thames,  or  standing  in  toward  Stonington,  in  such  a  threat- 
ening attitude  that  the  citizens  of  New  London  had  no  as- 
surance when  they  retired  at  night,  that  they  should  not  be 
awakened  before  morning  by  the  light  of  their  own  dwellings. 
Again  and  again  the  alarm-gun  from  Stonington,  answered 
from  Fort  Trumbull  and  Fort  Griswold,  had  summoned  in 
from  the  upper  country  the  devoted  militia  to  defend  the 
coast,  and  often  had  the  inhabitants  looked  out  from  the 
roofs  of  the  houses,  and  from  the  tops  of  the  rocky  hills,  with 
eyes  strained  and  anxious,  to  watch  the  streamers  of  St. 
George,  and  returned  with  joy  to  tell  their  loved  ones  that 
Newport  on  the  east  or  New  York  on  the  west,  was  their 
probable  destination.  This  long  indemnity  tended  to  lull  the 
minds  of  the  people,  and  to  make  the  signals  of  distress  from 


[1781.]  CAPTAIN  DUDLEY   SALTONSTALL.  897 

the  exposed  points,  less  terrible  to  the  militia  of  the  inland 
towns.     Even  the  officers  shared  in  this  feeling  of  security. 

At  length  a  large  quantity  of  merchandize  from  Europe 
and  the  West  Indies  was  accumulated  in  storehouses  at  New 
London.  The  place  was  wealthy  and  many  sail  of  ships, 
built  and  owned  by  its  citizens,  were  lying  idle  there,  as  well 
as  the  vessels  that  privateers  had  captured  and  taken  into 
port  as  prizes. 

All  this  property  offered  a  strong  temptation  to  the  British 
commander-in-chief,  who  had  found  himself  so  often  baffled 
in  his  undertakings  by  Colonel  Meigs,  Captain  Hinman,  and 
other  officers,  who  did  nothing  but  cut  off  his  foraging  par- 
ties, and  intercept  his  transports  laden  with  cattle  and  grain 
for  the  army.  Of  these  prizes,  the  capture  of  the  rich  mer- 
chant ship  Hannah  by  Captain  Dudley  Saltonstall,  while  on 
her  passage  from  London  to  New  York,  was  the  most  deeply 
resented,  and  was  thought  to  have  hastened  the  stroke  of  ven- 
geance. It  is  not  likely  that  Sir  Henry  Clinton  would  have 
attempted  to  destroy  New  London  at  the  time  he  did, 
had  not  General  Arnold,  who  had  just  returned  from  a  like 
expedition  against  the  Virginian  coast,  advised  him  of  the 
defenseless  condition  of  the  place,  and  offered  to  conduct  the 
enterprise. 

Arnold  was  a  native  of  Norwich,  and  was  of  course  ac- 
quainted with  the  whole  neighborhood  of  New  London  and 
Groton,  and  knew  the  very  steps  to  take  to  ensure  success. 
His  plan  was,  to  enter  the  harbor  in  the  night,  and  set  fire  to 
the  stores,  merchandise,  shipping,  and  public  offices,  and  de- 
molish the  forts  on  both  sides  of  the  Thames  before  the 
militia  could  have  time  to  rally  from  the  country  to  oppose 
him.  It  is  not  likely  that  either  he  or  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
contemplated  the  burning  of  the  dwelling-houses  and 
churches,  or  the  murders  that  were  able  to  blacken  even  the 
treason  of  Arnold. 

On  the  evening  of  the  5th  of  September  tidings  were  re- 
ceived in  New  London  that  a  British  fleet  had  been  seen  under 
the  Long  Island  shore,  at  a  point  nearly  opposite  the  town,  but 


898  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

this  was  so  common  an  occurrence  that  it  did  not  excite 
much  alarm.  The  citizens  sought  their  beds  at  about  the 
same  hour  as  usual,  and  probably  most  of  them  slept  as 
soundly  as  they  were  in  the  habit  of  doing.  When  it  was 
dark,  Arnold  advanced  toward  the  Connecticut  coast,  which 
he  reached  about  ten  o'clock.  The  wind  now  shifted  sud- 
denly, and  blew  so  strongly  from  the  north,  that  the  large 
ships  were  forced  to  stand  out  to  sea  and  the  smaller  ones  to 
seek  the  protection  of  the  shore.  The  morning  twilight  re- 
vealed to  the  garrison  at  Fort  Griswold  the  spreading  sails 
of  thirty-two  British  ships  standing  in  toward  the  doomed 
town. 

At  ten  o'clock  seventeen  hundred  troops  were  landed  from 
twenty-four  transports,  at  a  distance  of  about  three  miles 
from  New  London.  They  were  sent  ashore  in  two  divisions 
— eight  hundred  on  the  Groton  side  of  the  Thames,  and  nine 
hundred  on  the  western  or  New  London  side.  The  eastern 
division  consisted  of  the  fortieth  and  fifty-fourth  regiments, 
the  third  battalion  of  New  Jersey  volunteers,  and  a  detach- 
ment of  Yagers  and  artillery,  all  under  the  command  of 
Lieut-Col.  Eyre.  The  western  division  was  made  up  of  the 
thirty-eighth  regiment,  the  loyal  Americans,  the  American 
Legion,  some  refugees,  and  sixty  Yagers,  all  under  the  com- 
mand of  Arnold.  The  troops  immediately  began  to  move 
forward. 

From  the  earliest  morning  twilight,  Colonel  William  Led- 
yard,  to  whom  the  guardianship  of  the  two  forts  and  the 
towns  in  which  they  were  situated,  had  been  committed,  had 
exerted  himself  to  the  utmost  to  alarm  the  neighboring  towns, 
and  to  put  the  coast  in  a  state  of  defense.  Captain  Adam 
Shapley  commanded  at  Fort  Trumbull  and  the  Town  Hill 
Battery,  and  Captain  William  Latham  at  Fort  Griswold.  The 
established  signals  that  had  long  been  used  at  Stonington  and 
at  the  two  forts,  were  three  guns  for  good  news  and  two  for 
an  alarm,  fired  at  stated  intervals.  These  signals  were  as 
well  known  to  the  tories  as  to  the  patriots,  and  were  probably 
familiar  to  Arnold  before  he  sailed  from  New  York. 


[1781.]  WOMEN  AND   CHILDREN   FLEE.  899 

As  soon  as  the  usual  warning  sounded  from  Fort  Griswold, 
a  third  gun  from  one  of  the  British  ships  was  discharged, 
thus  changing  the  signal  of  distress  into  one  of  jubilee. 
From  the  difference  in  the  size  of  the  guns,  or  in  the  eleva- 
tion of  them,  this  false  addition  did  not  probably  deceive  the 
most  wary  of  the  militia  officers;  but  it  served  to  confuse 
and  keep  back  those  who  were  less  critically  observant  of 
the  sound.  Other  alarms  followed  :  the  inhabitants  were 
panic-stricken  at  the  sudden  gathering  of  the  storm,  that  was 
evidently  about  to  burst  upon  their  heads.  Starting  from 
their  beds,  and  groping  about  with  trembling  hands  to  find 
their  garments,  they  gathered  together  their  families  and 
moveable  effects,  and  sent  them  into  the  woods  and  fields  on 
the  remote  and  difficult  hill-sides  where  the  enemy  would 
find  it  impracticable  to  follow  them. 

An  effort  was  made  to  secure  the  shipping,  by  sending  it 
far  up  the  Thames  ;  but  the  wind  and  tide  were  both  ad- 
verse. At  noon,  however,  there  sprung  up  a  lively  breeze 
from  the  south  that  favored  the  attempt,  and  a  number  of 
valuable  vessels  were  saved. 

After  Colonel  Ledyard  had  made  such  arrangements  as 
his  scanty  means  could  allow,  at  Fort  Trumbull,  and  had 
dispatched  messengers  to  Lebanon  to  inform  the  governor 
of  his  condition,  he  hastened  to  repair  to  Fort  Griswold, 
where  he  determined  to  make  his  last  stand  against  the 
enemy.  When  he  went  down  to  cross  the  ferry,  his  friends 
gathered  around  him  to  wish  him  success  and  give  him  a 
farewell  pressure  of  the  hand.  His  noble  features  wore  an 
expression  of  resolve  which  those  who  saw  him  remembered 
long  after.  His  step  was  elastic  as  he  leapt  into  the  boat, 
and  his  voice  had  the  triumphant  tone  of  prophecy,  as  he 
said  to  them :  "  If  I  must  lose  to-day  honor  or  life,  you  loho 
knoLV  me,  can  tell  which  it  vjill  be  f" 

Meanwhile  Arnold,  who  had  landed  his  forces  near  the 
light-house,  marched  rapidly  forward,  as  nearly  in  a  right 
line  as  the  nature  of  the  ground  would  allow,  and  soon  came 
into  the  Town  Hill  road.     He  arrived  at  the  cross  road  that 


400  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

leads  to  the  fort  at  about  eleven  o'clock.  Here  he  detached, 
Captain  Millett  of  the  thirty-eighth  regiment  with  four  com- 
panies, to  go  down  to  the  shore  and  attack  the  garrison.  At 
the  foot  of  this  road,  Millett  was  joined  by  a  company  of  re- 
fugees under  Captain  Frink,  who  had  followed  the  shore  more 
closely  in  marching  from  the  landing-place  than  the  main 
body  of  the  army  had  done. 

Fort  Trumbull  was  not  then  what  it  is  now,  a  well- 
appointed  fortification,  with  solid  masonry  on  all  sides,  secure 
magazines,  and  all  the  furnishings  of  a  fortress  designed  to 
resist  aggressive  attempts  as  well  by  land  as  by  water;  but 
an  area,  with  three  sides  inclosed,  and  mounted  with  a  few 
guns  that  were  designed  to  protect  the  harbor  from  the  ap- 
proach of  ships.  The  rear  of  the  fort  was  open,  not  having 
even  the  advantage  of  a  temporary  breastwork  to  cover  the 
garrison,  which  numbered  at  the  time  of  the  invasion  only 
twenty-three  men.  Colonel  Ledyard  was  of  course  aware 
how  idle  it  would  be  to  resist  the  advance  of  the  enemy 
with  a  mere  nominal  garrison,  and  had  instructed  Captain 
Shapley  to  retreat,  should  he  be  attacked,  to  Fort  Griswold. 
In  obedience  to  this  order  Shapley  fired  a  single  well-aimed 
volley  at  the  approaching  detachment,  spiked  the  guns  upon 
his  batteries,  and  withdrawing  his  men  in  good  order,  em- 
barked them  in  whale-boats  almost  under  the  very  shrouds 
of  the  British  ships  that  were  so  near  that  the  men  from  the 
decks  could  reach  them  with  musket  shot.  Thus  exposed 
seven  of  his  men  were  wounded,  and  one  of  the  boats  was 
captured.  It  need  hardly  be  said  that  Captain  Millett  im- 
mediately took  possession  of  the  deserted  fort. 

Arnold,  goaded  to  madness  as  he  always  was  when  he 
found  himself  in  the  atmosphere  of  human  strife,  rushed  for- 
ward toward  the  devoted  town,  to  execute  upon  it  the  fierce- 
ness of  his  wrath.  It  is  difficult  to  imagine  a  situation  more 
likely  to  quicken  the  long  stifled  admonitions  of  a  guilty  con- 
science, than  that  of  this  bold  bad  man.  He  was  now  within 
a  few  miles  of  his  birth-place.  As  he  ascended  the  hill  upon 
his  nefarious  errand,  that  most  beautiful  of  our  coast  scenery 


[1781.]  ARNOLD   CONTEMPLATES  THE   SCENE.  401 

lay  spread  out  like  a  map  in  all  its  bewildering  charms  of 
pleasant  inlets,  seamed  rocks  fretted  by  the  ebbing  and  flow- 
ing of  the  tides,  strips  of  sandy  beach  sparkling  with  their 
shining  decorations  of  shells,  hills  covered  with  cedars,  and 
in  the  distance,  islands  crowned  with  groves,  lying  like  sisters 
side  by  side  in  the  feathery  foam  of  the  waves.  At  his  feet 
the  fairest  harbor  of  the  Atlantic,  with  its  never  failing  river 
coming  down  from  the  sharp  ledges,  where  in  his  childhood 
its  waters,  young  and  restless  as  he,  had  typified  the  future 
career,  as  they  mirrored  the  features  of  the  fickle,  ambitious 
boy  ;  a  fine  old  town,  associated  with  the  early  settlement 
of  the  continent,  and  inhabited  bv  his  old  schoolmates  and 
acquaintances  ;  ships  with  the  names  of  their  owners  upon 
them,  huddling  together  like  a  flock  of  frightened  sea-fowl  in 
their  attempt  to  escape  the  torch  that  he  himself  had  brought 
to  apply  to  them  ;  all  these  objects  spread  out  before  him, 
and,  smiling  in  the  light  of  a  September  sun,  must  have 
touched,  one  would  think,  even  the  heart  of  a  traitor.  But  they 
do  not  appear  to  have  made  any  impression  upon  Arnold. 
When  he  had  reached  the  top  of  the  hill,  and  had  driven 
from  the  slight  battery  that  had  been  hastily  thrown  up  there, 
the  few  brave  men  who  had  dared  to  point  its  six  small  guns 
at  an  invading  foe,  he  saw  the  owners  of  the  ships  trying  to 
avail  themselves  of  the  breeze  that  had  sprung  up  from  the 
south,  to  get  this  most  perishable  of  all  property  out  of  harm's 
way,  and  immediately  sent  a  messenger  to  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Eyre  with  orders  to  press  forward  and  attack  Fort 
Griswold  as  speedily  as  possible,  so  that  he  might  pos- 
sess himself  of  the  guns  and  turn  them  against  the  fugitive 
vessels. 

In  addition  to  the  cannon  at  this  fort,  (if  it  could  be  called 
a  fort,)  there  was  on  the  common  upon  Manwaring's  hill 
still  another  gun,  a  four  or  six  pounder,  that  had  been  kept 
there  for  use  upon  muster  days,  and  to  give  the  customary 
signals  of  distress  or  good  tidings  to  town  and  country.  As 
the  enemy  were  descending  Town  Hill,  three  or  four  men 

levelled  this  little  piece  and  fired  it  at  them  several  times. 

58 


402  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Arnold  sent  a  detachment  of  British  troops  up  Blackhull 
Hill  to  silence  this  turbdant  neighbor.  At  their  approach 
the  gunners  abandoned  it  and  fled.  While  the  British  were 
securing  the  gun  they  were  exposed  to  the  muskets  of  some 
marksmen  who  had  secreted  themselves  behind  the  rocks 
and  fences,  and  who  kept  up  a  severe  though  irregular  fire 
upon  them.  Mr.  Manwaring's  house,  the  only  mansion  in 
that  part  of  the  town,  was  the  next  object  of  their  attention. 
They  broke  it  open,  ransacked  it,  broke  a  part  of  the  furni- 
ture in  pieces,  and  set  it  on  fire.  One  of  the  neighbors  en- 
tered it  soon  after  the  soldiers  had  left  it,  and  quenched  the 
flames  with  a  barrel  of  soap.  Arnold  now  proceeded  to  the 
more  populous  parts  of  the  town.  As  the  hills  abounded  in 
loose  stones,  walls  had  been  thrown  up  at  intervals  of  a  few 
rods,  and  from  behind  these  breastworks  the  resolute  citizens 
lurked  in  little  groups,  or  in  solitary  security,  and  aimed  their 
desperate  shots  at  the  invaders.  When  they  had  reached  the 
southerly  part  of  the  town,  Arnold  ordered  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Upham,  who  commanded  the  New  Jersey  tories,  to 
advance  and  get  possession  of  the  hill  north  of  the  meeting- 
house, where,  says  this  loyal  hero,  in  his  military  dispatch  to 
Governor  Franklin,  (who  had  now  returned  from  his  rural 
quarters  at  the  Litchfield  jail,)  "  the  rebels  had  collected  and 
which  they  resolved  to  hold."  He  advanced  with  his  own 
troops,  and  with  the  Yagers,  and  drove  the  patriots  from  it. 
He  kept  it  until  the  surrender  of  Fort  Griswold,  and  accord- 
ing to  his  own  account  of  the  matter,  "  was  exposed  to  a 
constant  fire  from  the  rebels  "  on  the  neighboring  hills,  and 
from  the  fort  on  the  Groton  side,  until  the  work  of  destruc- 
tion was  over  on  either  bank  of  the  river.  On  his  way  to 
this  outpost  of  danger.  Colonel  Upham  passed  through  Cape 
Ann-street,  and  Lewis-lane,  while  a  flanking  guard  amused 
themselves  by  setting  the  house  of  Mr.  Latimer  on  fire,  that 
stood  in  what  is  now  Vauxhall-street.  This  house  had  been 
filled  with  the  goods  of  the  citizens,  who  thought  it  was  too 
remote  from  the  populous  parts  of  the  town  to  be  exposed. 
It  was  the  very  first  house  that  was  burned. 


[1781.]  AKNOLD   AND    LOKD   DALRYMPLE.  403 

Arnold  with  the  main  body  now  advanced  at  a  rapid  rate 
through  Vauxhall -street  toward  the  place  where  the  stores, 
shipping  and  public  offices  were  crowded  into  a  very  small 
area.  A  number  of  citizens  with  muskets  had  stationed 
themselves  on  the  hill  above  the  old  burial-ground,  and  gave 
him  a  few  shots  as  he  came  within  range.  They  retired  on 
his  nearer  approach,  to  retreats  more  safe  and  remote. 
Under  cover  of  Colonel  Upham's  party,  which  had  gained 
possession  of  the  outpost,  Arnold,  accompanied,  as  is  sup- 
posed, by  Lord  Dalrymple,  who  acted  as  his  aid,  now  rode 
to  the  top  of  another  hill,  that  stood  in  the  rear  of  the  town. 
He  could  see  from  this  point  the  few  vessels  that  were  flying 
before  the  shots  of  the  little  field-piece  that  Upham  had 
brought  from  Town  Hill,  and  here  too,  he  had  a  fair  view  of 
Fort  Griswold.  He  sat  upon  his  horse  with  a  perspective 
glass  in  his  hand,  and  surveyed  for  a  few  moments  the  field 
where  he  was  to  reap  such  a  harvest  of  infamy.  After 
glancing  his  eye  over  it,  and  pointing  out  to  his  lordship  the 
principal  land-marks  that  were  to  guide  them,  they  both  fol- 
lowed the  main  body  of  the  army  down  Richards-street. 
The  most  fastidious  critic  could  hardly  cavil  at  Arnold's 
methodical  and  comprehensive  plan  of  destruction.  He  sent 
a  detachment  to  the  south  part  of  the  town,  while  he  began 
the  work  himself  at  the  northern  extremity,  by  setting  fire 
to  the  printing  office  and  town  mill.  He  also  sent  a  company 
to  Winthrop's  Neck  to  burn  the  ships  that  had  not  escaped,  as 
well  as  the  houses  and  the  battery.  This  was  a  very  impor- 
tant part  of  the  town,  and  so  thoroughly  was  the  torch  applied, 
that  of  all  the  shipping,  warehouses,  dwellings,  and  other  com- 
bustible property  there,  only  a  solitary  house  escaped.  On 
Main-street,  near  the  point  reserved  by  Arnold  for  his  own 
personal  operations,  stood  a  goodly  number  of  old  family 
mansions.  The  most  expensive  and  imposing  of  these  was 
the  dwelhng  of  General  Gurdon  Salstonstall.  They  were 
soon  wrapt  in  flames.  The  custom-house,  collector's  house, 
shops,  wharves,  boats  and  lumber,  all  shared  the  same  fate. 
When  the  party  reached  Hallam's  corner  they  turned  down 


404  HISTOKY  OF   CONNECTICUT. 

toward  Water-street.  As  they  came  within  fair  view  of  the 
rich  warehouses  and  the  vessels  that  lay  moored  there, 
Arnold  pointed  with  his  sword  to  the  tempting  prize,  as  he 
cried  with  the  energy  of  an  officer  giving  orders  upon  the 
battle-field,  "  Soldiers,  do  your  duty  !" 

A  scene  of  conflagration  followed  that  closed  only  with 
the  failure  of  the  fuel  that  fed  it.  They  also  destroyed  every 
thing  on  the  parade.  The  magazine  and  battery,  the  market, 
the  court-house,  and  jail,  the  episcopal  church,  the  wharf, 
and  the  dwellings,  as  well  as  the  stores,  were  laid  in  ashes. 
Not  even  the  houses  of  the  tories  were  spared.  The  very 
roof  under  which  Arnold  dined  that  day,  though  it  was  the 
property  of  one  of  his  old  acquaintances,  was  treated  with 
no  more  indulgence  than  the  others  in  that  vicinity,  and 
before  his  repast  w^as  completed,  the  flames  had  been  kindled 
over  his  head,  as  if  to  crown  the  festive  board  with  an  illu- 
mination. 

A  similar  destruction  followed  the  footsteps  of  the  party 
that  had  been  sent  to  the  southern  district  of  the  town.  The 
boats,  shops,  and  stores,  were  consumed,  but  the  dwellings 
were  treated  with  more  indulgence.  The  most  valuable 
mansions  on  either  side  of  Bank-street  were  burned,  and  the 
other  buildings  were  indiscriminately  consumed.  It  seems 
idle  to  linger  over  the  sickening  details  of  this  conflagration. 
Even  Arnold  was  ashamed  to  acknowledge  that  he  was 
instrumental  in  destroying  the  town,  and  attributed  it,  as  did 
Sir  Henry  Clinton,  to  the  unexpected  explosion  of  gun- 
powder. The  candid  reader  will  decide  from  the  few  facts 
that  are  given  here,  as  well  as  from  the  conduct  of  the 
enemy  at  Fort  Griswold,  how  far  this  excuse  is  to  go  in 
extenuation  of  the  crime  that  has  been  charged  at  the  door 
of  the  perpetrators. 

The  eastern  bank  of  the  Thames  afforded,  meanwhile,  a 
very  different  spectacle.  The  order  sent  by  Arnold  to 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Eyre,  to  attack  Fort  Griswold,  had  been 
based  on  the  supposition  that  the  Fort  was  much  more  feebly 
garrisoned,  and  that  its  walls  were  weaker  than  proved  to  be 


[1761.]  FOET   GRISWOLD.  405 

the  case.  He  had  supposed  that  the  place  would  be  carried 
in  a  few  minutes,  and  that   its  ffuns   would   be  turned  upon 

^  <—>  J. 

the  shipping.  But  when  he  saw  that  the  vessels  were  escap- 
ing, and  that  the  fort  was  manned  by  a  garrison  of  con- 
siderable size,  he  sent  an  officer  in  a  boat  to  countermand 
the  order.  This  second  messenger  did  not  arrive  until  after 
the  attack  had  commenced.  The  situation  of  the  fort  was 
very  well  chosen,  and  in  the  hands  of  a  garrison  of  sufficient 
size  to  man  it,  would  have  been  very  formidable.  The  fol- 
lowing is  Hempstead's  description  of  the  fortification  : 

"  The  fort  was  an  oblong  square  wn'th  bastions  at  opposite 
angles,  its  longest  sides  fronting  the  river  in  a  north-west 
and  south-east  direction.  Its  walls  were  of  stone,  and  were 
ten  or  twelve  feet  high  on  the  lower  side,  and  surrounded  by 
a  ditch.  On  the  walls  were  pickets,  projecting  over  twelve 
feet,  above  this  was  a  parapet  with  embrasures,  and  within 
a  platform  for  cannon,  and  a  step  to  mount  upon,  to  shoot 
over  the  parapet  with  small  arms.  In  the  south-west  bastion 
was  a  flag-staff,  and  in  the  side  near  the  opposite  angle  was 
the  gate,  in  front  of  which  was  a  triangular  breastwork  to 
protect  the  gate  ;  and  to  the  right  of  this  was  a  redoubt, 
with  a  three  pounder  in  it,  which  was  about  one  hundred 
and  twenty  yards  from  the  gate.  Between  the  fort  and  the 
river  was  another  battery  with  a  covered  way,  but  which 
could  not  be  used  in  this  attack,  as  the  enemy  appeared  in  a 
different  quarter." 

There  were  in  this  fort  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  and  of 
these  two-thirds  were  farmers  and  mechanics  who  were  totally 
unacquainted  with  the  usages  of  war.  They  were  poorly 
armed  too,  many  of  them,  having  snatched  up  their  weapons 
and  rode  at  a  moment's  warning  to  defend  the  fort.  About 
noon  the  British  troops  were  seen  coming  out  of  the  woods 
about  half  a  mile  from  the  fort.  They  ran  with  broken  ranks 
until  they  were  protected  from  the  guns  of  the  garrison  by 
the  hills  and  rocks  that  occupy  the  middle  ground  between 
the  fortification  and  the  forest.  Under  the  friendly  shelter 
of  a  ledge  one  hundred  and  thirty  yards  south-east  from  the 


406  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

fort,  Colonel  Eyre  brought  his  men  again  into  line,  while 
Major  Montgomery  at  the  head  of  the  fortieth  regiment, 
sought  the  cover  of  a  hill  near  at  hand. 

Colonel  Eyre  soon  sent  a  flag  and  a  summons  for  the 
instant  surrender  of  the  fort.  Colonel  Ledyard  called  a 
council  of  war  to  decide  what  answer  should  be  given.  The 
officers  composing  it  were  all  in  favor  of  resistance.  The 
council  was  not  very  formal  and  did  not  waste  much  time  in 
deliberation.  Its  decision  was  made  known  by  three  volun- 
teers who  left  the  fort  and  advanced  to  meet  the  British 
officer  who  had  delivered  the  summons. 

Shortly  after,  the  flag  was  again  seen  emerging  from 
behind  the  ledge  of  rocks.  The  demand  was  the  same  as  the 
first,  with  the  addition  of  a  threat,  that  if  it  should  become 
necessary  to  storm  the  works,  "Martial  law  should  be  put 
in  force  !"  The  officers  were  still  unanimous  in  their  resolu- 
tion. Captain  Shapley,  who  had  commanded  at  Fort  Trum- 
bull, was  sent  to  deliver  their  answer  :  "  We  shall  not  sur- 
render, let  the  consequences  be  what  they  may." 

Of  course  all  parley  was  now  at  an  end  ;  and  both  divis- 
ions of  the  enemy  immediately  moved  forward  with  a  quick 
step,  and  formed  in  solid  columns. 

The  arrangements  made  by  Colonel  Ledyard,  when  it  is 
borne  in  mind  what  scanty  materials  that  he  had  at  his  com- 
mand, were  truly  admirable.  He  had  placed  a  small  party 
of  his  little  band  in  the  eastern  battery,  to  open  their  fire 
upon  the  enemy.  They  fired  a  single  round,  and  then  with- 
drew into  the  fort.  He  strictly  enjoined  upon  the  garrison 
not  to  fire  a  gun,  until  the  columns  of  the  detachment  that 
led  the  attack,  should  have  advanced  within  a  range  where 
every  shot  would  tell  upon  them  Colonel  Eyre's  division 
was  the  first  to  approach  ;  Captain  Halsey,  an  old  naval 
officer,  stood  by  an  eighteen  pounder  loaded  with  bags  of 
grape  shot,  and  brought  it  to  bear  upon  them  with  a  deliber- 
ate aim.  When  the  order  was  given  to  fire,  twenty  men 
dropped  dead  or  wounded.  This  shot  broke  their  columns 
and  threw  them  into  disorder.     It  was  the  signal  for  a  resist- 


[1781.]  FALL   OF    COLOXEL    EYRE.  407 

ance  as  obstinate  as  can  well  be  imagined.  Volley  after 
volley  was  poured  upon  the  enemy  with  murderous  effect. 
It  was  with  the  greatest  difficulty  that  Colonel  Eyre,  and  the 
officers  under  him,  could  keep  their  men  from  running  away 
in  utter  confusion  ;  but,  by  exposing  their  own  persons,  and 
remaining  in  front  of  their  shattered  columns,  they  were 
able  to  prevent  a  retreat.  The  soldiers  advanced  without 
much  regard  to  discipline,  running  with  their  bodies  bent 
half  way  to  the  ground,  for  a  few  paces,  then  falling  upon 
the  ground,  and  then  again  rushing  forward.  This  division 
made  their  attack  upon  the  south-west  bastion  of  the  fort, 
and  upon  its  south  and  west  sides.  Eyre  was  soon  shot 
through  the  body,  and  carried  from  the  field  mortally 
wounded,  and  three  other  officers  of  his  regiment  fell  dead 
before  they  reached  the  fort.  Montgomery  pressed  forward 
with  his  detachment,  and  found  no  difficulty  in  throwing  him- 
self into  the  redoubt  on  the  east  side  of  the  fortification.  He 
was  not  long  in  getting  possession  of  the  ditch,  and  from 
thence,  with  headlong  impetuosity,  he  vaulted  to  the  base  of 
the  rampart,  and  attempted  to  ascend  it.  This  was  no 
easy  task.  The  rampart  was  very  high  and  was  strongly 
guarded  by  projecting  pickets.  The  soldiers  were  obliged 
to  get  up  by  climbing  upon  each  others  shoulders,  and 
from  this  uncertain  footing,  wrench  away  the  pickets,  or 
struggle  up  between  them.  Of  course  this  effort  required 
their  whole  strength,  and  consumed  a  good  deal  of  time. 
The  Americans  shot  them  dead,  one  after  another,  with 
musket  balls,  as  they  thrust  their  heads  above  the  rampart — 
coolly  taking  aim  and  making  sure  of  their  men — at  almost 
every  fire.  Many  a  poor  fellow  clung  quivering  to  the 
pickets,  as  if  in  the  last  agonies  of  impalement.  Joseph 
Woodmancy  counted  eighteen  times  that  he  loaded  and  fired 
his  piece.  As  fast  as  the  dead  bodies  were  taken  down, 
living  men  supplied  their  places.  The  Americans  resisted 
the  assailants  by  the  application  of  every  weapon  and  missile 
that  came  to  hand.  They  threw  down  cold  shot  and  nine 
pounders  on  their  heads.     But  Montgomery's  attack  was  like 


408  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

a  whirlwind,  and  he  finally  succeeded  in  effecting  a  lodge- 
ment upon  the  rampart.  The  few  soldiers  who  first  scaled  it 
were  obliged  to  silence  a  nine  pounder  that  swept  the  place. 
After  this  was  done,  a  larger  force  was  hoisted  up,  and  the 
enemy  now  attempted  to  enter  the  works  through  the  embra- 
sures with  fixed  bayonets.  Here  they  w^ere  met  by  the  main 
body  of  the  garrison  under  Ledyard,  who  w^ere  armed  with 
long  sharp  spears,  which  they  w^ielded  with  fatal  effect. 
The  British  soldiers  staggered  before  this  strange  weapon 
that  kept  the  point  of  their  bayonets  at  such  a  safe  distance. 
Major  Montgomery  urged  them  on,  and  to  encourage  them 
by  his  own  example  threw  himself  into  the  front  ranks,  as 
Colonel  Eyre  had  done  outside  of  the  walls,  and  exposing  his 
breast  to  the  points  of  the  spears,  was  pierced  through  and 
fell  dead  at  the  threshold  of  the  embrasure.  Ensign  Whit- 
lock  of  the  fortieth  regiment,  was  also  killed,  and  three  other 
officers  of  the  same  regiment  were  wounded. 

Major  Montgomery  was  a  universal  favorite  both  with  his 
officers  and  soldiers,  and  the  instant  that  he  fell  they  rushed 
through  the  deadly  gaps  uttering  fierce  cries  of  vengeance. 

It  was  no  longer  possible  for  Ledyard  and  his  band  of  self- 
sacrificing  patriots  to  resist  their  overpow^ering  numbers. 
They  swept  through  the  embrasures  like  tide  streams,  and 
carried  every  thing  before  them  until  they  came  to  the  gate. 
This  they  tried  to  force  open.  The  first  assailant  was 
instantly  killed,  but  the  frail  barriers  soon  yielded,  and  the 
British  soldiers  with  fixed  bayonets  crowded  into  the  fort  by 
hundreds.  They  swung  their  caps  over  their  heads  and 
uttered  a  yell  of  exultation  as  the  signal  of  their  entrance. 

As  soon  as  the  enemy  had  forced  the  gate.  Colonel  Led- 
yard, who  had  until  that  moment  fought  with  determined 
resolution,  seeing  that  the  garrison  could  maintain  the  une- 
qual struggle  no  longer,  ordered  his  men  to  throw  down  their 
arms.  They  instantly  obeyed,  but  the  British  troops  who 
had  now  full  possession  of  the  fort  kept  firing  upon  them 
from  the  parapets,  and  stabbing  them  with  their  bayonets  as 
they  crossed  the  area  to  open  the  south  gate.    Captain  Shap- 


[1781.]  THE   MURDER   OF   LED  YARD.  409 

ley  and  his  little  company,  ignorant  of  what  was  going  on 
within  the  walls,  still  kept  their  dangerous  post  at  the  south- 
west bastion.  The  British  now  turned  the  cannon  of  the 
north  bastion  upon  them  and  cut  them  literally  in  pieces. 
Captain  Shapley  and  Lieutenant  Richard  Chapman  were 
both  killed.  The  few  survivors  fled  to  the  inside  of  the  fort 
and  threw  down  their  arms.  The  south  gate  was  now 
opened  and  the  troops  of  the  other  division  marched  in,  in 
solid  columns,  and  fired  by  platoons  upon  the  unresisting  gar- 
rison who  retreated  before  them,  some  to  the  magazine,  and 
others  to  the  barracks,  to  secure  themselves,  as  weapons 
were  now  denied  them,  against  this  wholesale  butchery. 
Major  Bromfield,  who  was  now  the  officer  in  command, 
marching  at  the  head  of  the  southern  division,  called  out  as 
he  entered : 

"  Who  commands  this  fort  ?" 

The  gallant  Ledyard,  who  had  made  a  resistance  unsur- 
passed, perhaps,  in  the  whole  history  of  freedom's  battles, 
replied  : 

"  I  did,  sir,  but  you  do  now." 

As  he  spoke,  he  raised  and  lowered  his  sword  and  advanc- 
ing respectfully,  presented  it  to  the  conqueror.  The  brutal 
wretch  took  the  proffered  weapon  and  instantly  plunged  it 
to  the  hilt  into  the  breast  of  the  unsuspecting  patriot.*  When 
this  barbarous  murder  took  place,  Captain  Richards,  who 
had  been  wounded,  was  standing  by  holding  himself  up  by 
his  spontoon  in  company  with  Captain  Ledyard,  the  nephew  of 
the  colonel,  and  a  few  other  fearless  spirits,  who  had  scorned  to 
take  refuge  in  the  magazine  or  barracks.  They  now  saw 
that  they  were  contending  with  savages,  and  that  it  was 
vain  to  look  for  quarter  at  the  hands  of  such  a  foe.  They 
rallied  around  the  corpse  of  their  commander,  and  fought  till 
they  fell  pierced,  some  of  them  with  more  than  twenty 
wounds.  The  whole  parade  was  open,  and  as  the  platoons 
marched  in,  they  shot  or  stabbed  every  American  who  was 
standing  on  it.     They  then  fired  by  platoons  into  the  maga- 

*  Gordon  iii.  249. 


410  HISTOEY  OF   CONNECTICUT. 

zine  where  a  large  part  of  the  garrison  were  crowded 
together  in  masses,  so  that  one  bullet  would  perhaps  pass 
through  two  or  three  bodies  before  its  force  was  spent.  The 
dead  bodies  and  the  wounded  men  that  lay  bleeding  upon 
the  grounds,  were  also  made  the  target  for  this  devilish  past- 
time. 

Major  Bromfield,  whose  hands  were  still  stained  by  the 
blood  that  had  trickled  down  upon  the  hilt  of  Ledyard's 
sword,  and  to  whom  humanity  could  make  no  successful 
appeal,  commanded  them  to  stop  their  firing,  as  he  feared  it 
might  blow  up  the  magazine,  and  thus  involve  the  victors 
and  the  victims  in  one  promiscuous  ruin.  It  was  thought 
that  such  an  event  might  have  taken  place  at  the  firing  of 
the  first  volley,  had  not  the  powder  that  lay  scattered  under 
the  feet  and  bodies  of  those  who  had  taken  refuge  there,  been 
floating  in  pools  of  blood. 

But  this  prudential  order  did  not  put  an  end  to  the  slaugh- 
ter. A  number  of  American  soldiers  had  crowded  under 
the  platforms  to  escape  the  massacre,  but  the  bayonets  found 
them  and  pierced  them  through  and  through  until  their 
bodies  w^ere  perforated  some  of  them  with  a  dozen  deep 
stabs,  any  one  of  which  would  have  been  mortal.  As  this  did 
not  endanger  the  safety  of  his  own  party.  Major  Bromfield  did 
not  interfere  with  it.  The  barrack-rooms  were  carefully 
searched,  and  those  who  were  found  in  them  were  shot  or 
bayoneted,  and  their  remains  treated  with  the  same  indigni- 
ties. The  hands  of  some  of  the  dead  soldiers  were  horribly 
gashed  and  mutilated  as  they  encountered  the  points  and 
edges  of  the  bayonets  in  their  vain  strugglings  to  keep  that 
dreaded  weapon  from  their  faces,  breasts,  and  throats.  Mr. 
William  Seymour,  of  Hartford,  a  brave  volunteer,  and  a 
nephew  of  Colonel  Ledyard,  after  his  knee  had  been  shat- 
tered by  a  musket  ball,  was  stabbed  thirteen  times  with  the 
bayonet.  Ensign  Woodmancy,  who  had  counted  the  number 
of  times  that  he  loaded  and  fired  at  the  enemy  while  they 
were  scaling  the  fortress,  had  his  hands  and  arms  almost  cut 
into  splinters  with  a  cutlass  as  he  lay  wounded  and  helpless, 


[1781.]  CAPTAIN    BECKWITH.  411 

and  Lieutenant  Parke  Avery,  whose  skull  had  been  entered 
by  a  bullet  that  rent  away  a  part  of  the  brain,  and  who  had 
lost  one  of  his  eyes,  was  still  further  tortured  by  a  cut  in  his 
side. 

One  of  the  British  officers,  Captain  Beckwith,*  perhaps, 
sickened  by  the  details  of  this  awfully  protracted  butchery, 
commanded  the  soldiers  to  desist.  It  was  with  the  greatest 
difficulty  that  he  could  call  off  these  hell-hounds  already 
drunk  with  blood !  With  his  drawn  sword  in  his  hand  he 
ran  from  room  to  room  of  the  barracks  crying  out  : 

"Stop  !  stop! — in  the  name  of  Heaven,  I  say,  stop! — my 
soul  can't  bear  it  !" 

After  awhile  the  carnage  was  checked  ;  but  not  until 
eighty-five  men  lay  dead  in  the  fort,  and  sixty  wounded,  only 
a  few  of  whom  survived  that  day  of  horrors. 

But  murder  and  mutilation  were  not  the  only  features  of 
this  grim  victory.  The  soldiers  were  allowed  to  strip  the 
scanty  summer  clothing,  valueless  as  it  was,  from  the  dead 
and  wounded,  until  some  of  them  were  nearly  or  quite 
naked  ;  and  although  there  was  a  well  of  cold  spring-like 
water  within  the  inclosure,  that  quenched  the  thirst  of  the 
British  soldiers,  the  poor  wretches  that  lay  panting  and  gasp- 
ing in  the  hot  sun  looked  upward  imploringly  toward  the 
precious  drops  that  dripped  from  the  pump,  but  looked  in  vain. 

The  English  now  gathered  their  dead  and  buried  them, 
and  removed  their  wounded  to  a  place  of  safety  as  a  step 
preliminary  to  blowing  up  the  fort.  Then,  too,  whether  in 
mockery  of  the  common  sentiment  of  humanity,  or  impelled 
by  an  inconsiderate  haste  scarcely  less  blame-worthy,  they 
counted  off   thirty-five  of   those  who  were  least  likely  to 

*  Captain  Beck  with  acted  as  aid  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Eyre,  and  after  the  death 
of  the  latter,  led  on  his  men  to  a  bold  charge  upon  the  fort,  being  one  of  the  first 
officers  that  entered  the  works.  He  was  afterwards  promoted  in  the  king's  ser- 
vice, and  was  at  one  time  appointed  governor  of  Barbadoes.  Caulkins,  p.  563. 
Some  have  charged  him  with  the  murder  of  Ledyard  ;  he,  however,  indignantly 
denied  the  accusation,  and  the  evidence  of  history  as  well  as  the  testimony  of 
those  who  participated  in  the  Groton  fight,  both  go  to  establish  his  innocence  of 
the  crime. 


412  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

recover,  and  raising  them  fainting  and  bleeding  as  they  were 
in  every  stage  of  approaching  dissolution,  carried  them  upon 
boards  to  an  ammunition  wagon  that  stood  near  the  fort, 
and  notwithstanding  the  heat  of  the  day,  and  the  groans  of 
the  sufferers,  packed  them  in  layers  one  above  another,  and 
employed  about  twenty  men  to  draw  them  down  to  the 
shore.  The  declivity  was  so  steep  and  the  load  so  heavy 
that  the  momentum  of  the  vehicle  could  not  long  be 
resisted,  and  the  soldiers  who  had  charge  of  it  soon  stepped 
aside  and  committed  it  with  its  precious  freight  to  the  guid- 
ance of  chance  and  the  force  of  gravitation.  The  ground 
was  covered  with  earth-fast  rocks,  stumps  and  other  obsta- 
cles, but  such  was  the  strength  of  the  wagon,  that  it  rolled 
down  the  rough  hill-side  for  a  distance  of  nearly  one  hundred 
rods,  until  it  was  arrested  in  its  career  by  the  trunk  of  an 
apple-tree  that  stood  near  the  water's  edge.  The  shock  was 
so  sudden  that  the  wagon  rebounded  and  swayed  half  round. 
Some  of  the  wounded  men  were  instantly  killed  by  the  jar, 
others  fainted  away,  and  a  few  were  thrown  violently  upon 
the  ground.  The  survivors  were  carried  into  a  house  near 
by  and  left  there  on  their  parole.  There  was,  indeed,  little 
danger  that  they  would  violate  it. 

The  other  wounded  men  to  the  number  of  thirty  had  been 
already  removed  and  put  under  guard  to  be  carried  away  as 
prisoners. 

At  sun-set,  when  the  enemy  embarked,  the  flames  of  the 
village  of  Groton,  flaring  on  the  river's  brink,  lit  up  the 
waters  with  a  sickly  glare  that  deepened  into  an  awful 
red  as  night  drew  on,  making  a  fit  beacon  to  light  a 
TRAITOR  from  the  shore  that  he  had  stained  with  the  slime  of 
his  foot-prints  for  the  last  time.  Doubtless  he  looked  out 
eagerly  from  the  deck  of  his  ship  to  witness  the  explosion  of 
the  magazine  at  Fort  Griswold,  that  was  to  have  been  the 
epilogue  of  this  tragedy.  In  this  he  was  disappointed.  The 
train  had  been  perfectly  laid,  although  Arnold  attempted  to 
throw  blame  upon  the  officer  charged  with  this  task.  The 
flames  were  extinguished  by  the  brave  Major  Peters,  who 


[1781.]  THE    DEPARTUEE   OF  THE  TRAITOR.  413 

rushed  into  the  fort  and  at  the  risk  of  his  life  quenched  them 
with  water  from  the  friendly  well.  He  then  looked  among 
the  dead  bodies  for  the  corpse  of  Colonel  Ledyard.  He  had 
no  difficulty  in  finding  it.  The  pale  forehead,  the  high  placid 
features,  made  visible  by  the  blaze  of  the  burning  village  and 
the  gleam  of  the  evening  twilight,  could  not  be  mistaken. 
They  bore  witness  that  the  pledge  which  he  had  given  at  the 
ferry  but  a  few  hours  before  was  redeemed  :  "  If  I  must  lose 
to-day  honor  or  life,  you  who  know  me,  can  tell  which  it 
will  be  !"* 

Thus  Benedict  Arnold,!  who  from  the  day  that  he  insulted 

*  In  addition  to  the  facts  gathered  and  presented  by  Miss  Caulkins  in  such  per- 
fect method,  and  those  set  forth  by  Captain  Avei-y's  ISIarrative,  I  have  been 
greatly  assisted  by  the  account  given  me  in  1840  by  that  excellent  old  gentleman, 
who  spent  nearly  two  days  in  walking  over  the  ruins  of  the  fort  where  the 
massacre  took  place,  and  detailing  to  me  the  events  of  the  day  with  the  minute- 
ness and  feeling  of  one  who  was  not  only  an  eye-witness,  but  a  participator  in  the 
scenes  that  were  so  indelibly  stamped  upon  his  memory. 

t  Benedict  Arnold  was  born  in  Norwich,  January  3rd,  1741.  I  am  indebted 
to  Miss  Caulkins'  History  of  that  town,  for  the  particulars  of  his  life  which  are 
here  given. 

He  descended  from  an  honorable  Rhode  Island  family,  where  one  of  his  ances- 
tors bearing  the  same  name,  for  fifteen  years  held  the  office  of  governor.  Two 
brothers  of  this  femily,  Benedict  and  Oliver,  removed  from  Newport  to  Nor- 
wich about  the  year  1730.  The  elder  Benedict,  (the  father  of  the  traitor,) 
soon  became  engaged  in  trade  and  public  aiFairs.  He  served  his  fellow- 
townsmen  as  collector,  lister,  selectman,  constable,  and  militia  captain.  He 
married  Mrs.  Hannah  King,  whose  maiden  name  was  Lathrop,  November  8, 
1733.  The  following  letter  from  her  to  her  wayward  son,  who  was  then  at 
school  in  Canterbury,  will  be  read  with  interest — indicating  as  it  does  her  charac- 
teristics as  an  affectionate  mother  and  devoted  christian  : 

"  To  Mr.  Benedict  Arnold,  at  Canterbury. 

"Norwich,  April  12,  1754. 

"Dear  Child — I  received  yours  of  the  1st  instant,  and  was  glad  to  hear  that 
you  was  well.  Pray,  my  dear,  let  your  first  concern  be  to  make  your  peace  with 
God,  as  it  is,  of  all  concerns,  of  the  greatest  importance. 

"  Keep  a  steady  watch  over  your  thoughts,  words,  and  actions.     Be  dutiful  to 

superiors,  obliging  to  equals,  and  affable  to  inferiors,  if  any  such  there  be.  Always 

choose  that  your  companions  be   your  betters,  that  by  their  good  examples  you 

may  learn. 

"  From  your  afFectionate  mother, 

"  Hannah  Arnold. 

"  P.  S.     I  have  sent  you  50s.    Use  it  prudently,  as  you  are  accountable  to  God 


414  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

the  venerable  Wooster,  at  New  Haven,  had  never  been 
honored  by  a  single  office  by  the  state  where  he  was  born, 
and  the  people  who  knew  him  best,  paid  the  long  score  of 
revenge  with  conflagration  and  blood. 

and  your  father.  Tour  father  and  aunt  join  with  me  in  love  and  service  to  Mr. 
Cogsvi^ell  and  lady,  and  yourself.     Tour  sister  is  from  home." 

"  It  is  lamentable,"  adds  Miss  Caulkins,  "  that  the  son  of  such  a  mother,  and 
the  recipient  of  such  wholesome  advice,  should  have  become  a  proud,  obstinate, 
and  unprincipled  man." 

Among  the  anecdotes  related  of  Arnold  while  a  lad,  are  the  following  :  On  a 
day  of  public  rejoicing  for  some  success  over  the  French,  Arnold,  then  a  mere 
stripling,  took  a  field-piece,  and  in  a  frolic  placed  it  on  end,  so  that  the  mouth 
should  point  upright,  poured  into  it  a  large  quantity  of  powder,  and  actually 
dropped  into  the  muzzle,  from  his  hand,  a  blazing  fire-brand.  His  activity  saved 
him  from  a  scorching,  for  though  the  flash  streamed  up  within  an  inch  of  his 
face,  he  darted  back,  and  shouted  hurrah  !  as  loud  as  the  best  of  the  company. 

On  another  occasion  he  was  concerned  with  other  boys  in  rolling  away  some 
valuable  casks  from  a  shop-yard  to  aid  in  making  the  usual  thanksgiving  bonfire, 
when  the  casks  were  arrested  by  an  officer  who  had  seen  sent  by  the  owner  to 
recover  them.  Toung  Arnold  was  so  enraged  that  he  stripped  off"  his  coat  upon 
the  spot  and  dared  the  constable,  a  stout  and  grave  man,  to  fight  ! 

Miss  Hannah  Arnold,  the  only  sister  of  Benedict,  was  an  affable,  witty  and 
accomplished  lady.  Among  those  who  paid  her  particular  attentions  was  a 
young  foreigner,  who  resided  temporarily  in  the  place.  Benedict  disliked  the 
man  and  had  tried  in  vain  to  break  oflf  their  intimacy.  He  finally  vowed 
vengeance  upon  the  young  man,  if  he  ever  caught  him  in  the  house  again. 
On  returning  from  New  Haven  one  evening,  he  ascertained  that  the  French- 
man was  in  the  parlor  with  his  sister.  He  instantly  planted  himself  in  front  of 
the  house,  with  a  loaded  pistol,  while  he  ordered  a  servant  to  make  a  violent 
assault  upon  the  parlor  door.  As  Arnold  anticipated,  the  young  man  leapt  out 
of  the  window  ;  Arnold  fired  the  pistol  at  him,  but  it  being  dark,  he  escaped, 
and  the  next  day,  left  the  place.  Arnold  afterwards  met  him  at  the  Bay  of 
Honduras,  where  a  challenge  was  given  and  accepted,  which  resulted  in 
severely  wounding  the  Frenchman. 

Miss  Arnold  never  married.  After  the  death  of  her  father,  she  resided 
principally  with  her  brother.  She  died  at  Montague,  in  Upper  Canada,  in 
1803,  aged  60  years. 

The  house  in  which  the  Arnold  family  lived  is  still  standing  in  a  good  state 
of  preservation. 


CHAPTER  XYIII. 

YORKTOWN.    TRUMBULL,  AND  PUTNAM. 

In  the  autumn  of  1781,  Major  Tallmadge,  who  had  been 
stationed  with  the  troops  in  the  Highlands  under  General 
Heath,  renewed  his  plan  of  annoying  the  enemy  on  Long 
Island.  Having  marched  his  troops  to  Norwalk,  he  embarked 
with  them  on  the  9th  of  October  with  the  design  of  attack- 
ing Fort  Slongo,  on  Treadwell's  Neck.  Early  on  the  follow- 
ing morning  the  assault  was  commenced  and  the  fortress 
was  soon  subdued  The  combustible  part  was  burnt,  and  the 
party  returned  in  safety  with  their  prisoners.  The  gallant 
major  again  established  his  quarters  at  White  Plains, 
where  he  found  abundant  employment  in  protecting  the 
inhabitants  from  the  plundering  and  marauding  parties  that 
infested  the  neighborhood.* 

The  French  fleet  under  De  Grasse  and  Du  Barras  having 
reached  the  Chesapeake,  four  ships  of  the  line  and  several 
frigates  were  sent  to  block  up  James  and  York  rivers,  so  as 
to  cut  off  Cornwallis'  retreat.  During  the  maneuvering  of 
the  ships  of  De  Grasse  with  those  of  Admiral  Graves  of  the 


*  Major  Tallmadge  continued  to  be  actively  and  successfully  employed  in  the 
service  of  his  country  until  the  establishment  of  peace,  when  he  retired  from  the 
army  with  the  rank  of  colonel.  He  was  subsequently  president  of  the  Cincinnati 
Society  of  Connecticut,  In  March,  1784,  Colonel  Tallmadge  married  Mary 
Floyd,  daughter  of  General  William  Floyd,  of  Mastic,  Long  Island,  and  shortly 
after  settled  in  Litchfield,  Connecticut,  where  he  became  extensively  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits,  and  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  From  1800 
to  1816,  he  was  a  representative  in  Congress.  He  was  distinguished  for  his 
unostentatious  piety  and  active  benevolence, 

Mrs.  Mary  Tallmadge  died  June  3d,  1805,  leaving  several  children.  Colonel 
Tallmadge  was  again  married,  on  the  3d  of  INIay  1808,  to  Maria,  daughter  of 
Joseph  Hallett,  Esq.,  who  survived  her  husband  a  few  years. 

Colonel  Tallmadge  died  in  Litchfield,  March  7,  1835.  He  had  four  sons  and 
two  or  three  daughters. 


416  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

British  service,  Du  Barras  entered  the  bay  along  with  several 
transports  loaded  with  heavy  artillery,  for  the  siege  of  York- 
town.  The  combined  armies  of  America  and  France  soon 
formed  a  junction  with  Lafayette  at  Williamsburg,  from 
which  point,  the  plan  of  operations  having  been  previously 
arranged,  they  commenced  their  march  against  Cornwallis. 
The  French  troops  now  amounted  to  seven  thousand  ;  the 
continentals  numbered  five  thousand  five  hundred  ;  and 
about  three  thousand  five  hundred  Virginia  militia,  under 
General  Nelson,  had  assembled  in  Lafayette's  camp.  The 
besieging  army  thus  amounted  to  about  sixteen  thousand 
men.  The  British  force  at  Yorktown,  consisting  of  about 
eight  thousand  troops,  had  strongly  fortified  themselves,  and 
works  had  been  thrown  up  in  the  vicinity  to  impede  the 
approach  of  the  Americans.  The  most  interesting  event  of 
the  siege  was  the  simultaneous  storming  of  two  of  these 
out-posts.  One  of  these  forts,  situated  near  the  banks  of 
York  river,  was  assaulted  about  day-break  on  the  morning 
of  the  15th  of  October,  by  a  detachment  of  American  light 
infantry.  The  forlorn  hope  was  commanded  by  Colonel 
Alexander  Hamilton.  The  first  company  at  the  head  of  the 
column  that  supported  the  forlorn  hope,  was  led  by  Captain 
James  Morris,  of  Litchfield.*     A  brisk  fire  was  soon  opened 

*  James  Morris,  Esq.,  was  born  in  Litchfield,  South  Farms  parish,  January  19, 
1752  ;  graduated  at  Tale  College  in  1775  ;  and  soon  after  commenced  the  study 
of  divinity  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bellamy,  of  Bethlem,  in  company  with  his  college 
friends,  Messrs.  Seth  Swift,  David  Tuller,  and  Adoniram  Judson — all  of  whom 
subsequently  became  distinguished  in  the  ministry.  In  May,  1776,  while  precep- 
tor of  the  grammar  school  in  Litchfield,  he  received  from  Governor  Trumbull 
an  ensign's  commission  in  the  troops  enlisted  for  a  six  months'  campaign  in  New 
York,  which  he  accepted,  after  obtaining  the  advice  of  Dr.  Bellamy  in  its  favor. 
He  was  in  the  retreat  from  Long  Island,  and  in  the  battles  of  York  Island  and 
White  Plains.  During  the  autumn  he  received  from  Congress  a  commission  of 
second  lieutenant  5  in  January,  1777,  he  was  promoted  to  a  first  lieutenancy, 
and  during  that  winter  was  stationed  at  Litchfield  in  the  recruiting  service,  and  as 
superintendent  of  the  small-pox  hospital.  In  May,  he  joined  the  army  at  Peeks- 
kill,  with  the  men  he  had  enlisted,  and  from  thence  in  September  marched  with 
the  army  under  the  immediate  command  of  General  Washington,  for  Philadel- 
phia. Captured  at  the  battle  of  Germantown,  he  was  detained  as  a  prisoner  for 
the  period  of  three  years  and  three  months,  having  been  liberated  January  3d, 


[1781.]  YOKKTOWN".  417 

upon  the  Americans,  but  the  van  of  the  party  under  Hamil- 
ton and  Morris,  were  so  near  the  fort  before  they  were  dis- 
covered, that  the  British  overshot  them.  Not  a  man  of  their 
party  was  killed,  though  the  main  body  of  the  detachment 
lost  about  sixty  in  killed  and  wounded.  At  the  same  time, 
the  French  army  made  an  attack  on  the  second  of  these  forts, 
which  proved  to  be  a  much  more  disastrous  conflict.  They 
finally  succeeded,  but  with  the  loss  of  about  two  hundred 
men.* 

The  allied  forces  now  had  possession  of  the  grounds  that 
overlooked  Yorktown.  The  British  were  hemmed  in  on  all 
sides,  the  elbow  of  the  river  being  occupied  by  our  ships. 
Our  artillery  began  to  play  upon  the  town  ;  the  condition  of 
the  enemy  grew  more  and  more  hopeless  ;  and  as  a  last 
resort  Cornwallis  thought  of  passing  his  army  across  to 
Gloucester  and  forcing  his  way  through  the  troops  on  that 

1781.  During  this  period  he  had  been  appointed  Captain.  He  passed  the  spring 
and  most  of  the  summer  succeeding  his  exchange,  with  the  army  on  the  Hudson, 
and  was  in  several  skirmishes  in  that  quarter.  Near  the  close  of  August,  Colo- 
nel Scammel's  regiment,  to  which  Captain  Morris  belonged,  was  ordered  to  march 
to  Virginia,  and  he  accompanied  the  army  under  Washington  to  Yorktown. 

At  the  close  of  the  war.  Captain  Morris  returned  to  Litchfield,  and  there  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  days.  For  many  years  he  was  a  justice  of  the  peace,  select- 
man, and  deacon  in  the  church,  and  was  often  elected  to  represent  the  town  in 
the  Legislature  of  Connecticut. 

In  1790,  Mr.  Morris  commenced  a  school  in  South  Farms,  which  gradually 
extended  its  reputation  and  influence,  until  "  Morris'  Academy"  became  favorably 
known  throughout  the  country.  "While  under  his  care,  more  than  sixty  of  its 
pupils  entered  college,  and  nearly  fifteen  hundred  children  and  youth  had  been 
members  of  it — from  twelve  different  states  of  the  union,  and  from  the  Islands 
of  St.  Thomas  and  Bermuda. 

Mr.  Morris  was  the  author  of  a  valuable  pamphlet  of  124  pages,  entitled  "  A  Sta- 
tistical account  of  several  towns  in  Litchfield  County,"  which  was  published  in  1815, 
by  the  Connecticut  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences.  He  also  wrote  a  very  inter- 
esting narrative  of  his  own  life  and  public  services  during  the  revolution  and  sub- 
sequently, which  throws  much  light  upon  the  history  of  the  particular  corps  of  the 
Connecticut  line  with  which  he  was  connected.  1  take  great  pleasure  in 
acknowledging  my  indebtedness  to  his  only  surviving  son,  Dwight  Morris,  Esq., 
of  Bridgeport,  for  the  use  of  this  manuscript  volume — a  work  which  does  honor 
to  the  head  and  heart  of  its  author. 

*  See  INIorris'  Narrative  ;  also,  Gordon's  Hist. 

59 


418  HISTOEY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

side  of  the  river.  A  violent  storm,  however,  prevented  the 
accompHshment  of  this  purpose  ;  and  in  the  afternoon  of  the 
17th  a  flag  was  sent  out,  requesting  the  cessation  of  hostiU- 
ties  for  the  space  of  twenty-four  hours.  General  Washing- 
ton sent  back  word  that  he  would  grant  them  two  hours  only. 
The  moment  the  time  designated  had  expired,  all  the  artillery 
of  the  American  and  French  armies  was  discharged  at  once 
upon  Yorktown.  Before  another  volley  could  be  flred,  the 
British  beat  a  parley,  and  sent  a  second  flag,  with  the 
request  that  commissioners  might  be  appointed  to  agree  upon 
articles  of  capitulation.  This  was  done,  and  the  terms  were 
soon  agreed  upon. 

On  the  19th  of  October,  1781,  the  allied  armies  were 
drawn  up  in  parallel  lines,  about  six  rods  apart,  each  extend- 
ing more  than  a  mile  in  length  along  the  plain.  The  van- 
quished army  then  marched  between  these  lines,  playing 
their  own  tunes,  but  with  their  colors  muffled.*  General 
Lincoln  was  appointed  to  receive  the  submission  of  the 
royal  army  in  precisely  the  same  way  that  his  own  surrender 
had  been  conducted  by  the  enemy  eighteen  months  before. 
They  piled  up  their  arms  on  the  field,  and  marched  back  to 
Yorktown  unarmed.* 

More  than  seven  thousand  British  troops  surrendered  as 
prisoners  of  war,  exclusive  of  fifteen  hundred  seamen  ;  more 
than  two  thousand  of  whom  were  either  wounded  or  sick. 
The  Guadaloupe  frigate  and  twenty-four  transports,  together 
with  one  hundred  and  sixty  pieces  of  cannon,  and  eight  mor- 
tars, fell  into  the  hands  of  the  conquerors.  The  loss  of  the 
besiegers  was  about  four  hundred  and  fifty  in  killed  and 
wounded  ;  the  besieged  had  about  five  hundred  and  fifty 
slain,  among  whom  was  Major  Cochrane.  Twenty  trans- 
ports belonging  to  the  enemy  had  been  sunk  or  burnt  during 
the  siege. 

On  the  20th,  General  Washington  issued  his  orders  for  a 
general  pardon  of  all  culprits  of  the  army  that  were  in  con- 
finement for  crimes  as  well   as   those  under  sentence  of  a 

*  Morris,     f  Gordon,  ]\Iorris,  Hildreth. 


[1782.]  TREATY   OF   PEACE.  419 

court-martial.  His  orders  closed  with  the  following  para- 
graph : 

"  Divine  service  shall  be  performed  to-morrow  in  the  differ- 
ent brigades  and  divisions.  The  commander-in-chief  recom- 
mends  that  all  the  troops  that  are  not  upon  duty,  do  assist  in 
it  with  a  serious  deportment,  and  that  sensibility  of  heart 
which  the  recollection  of  the  surprising  and  particular  inter- 
position of  Providence  in  our  favor,  claims." 

On  the  24th  of  October,  a  British  fleet,  consisting  of 
twenty-five  sail  of  the  line,  with  two  of  fifty  guns  and 
several  frigates,  arrived  off  the  Chesapeake,  having  on  board 
seven  thousand  men  desin;ned  for  the  reinforcement  of  Corn- 
wallis.  On  receiving  the  intelligence  of  the  catastrophe  at 
Yorktown,  the  British  commander  returned  to  New  York, 
with  this  formidable  naval  force. 

The  capture  of  Cornwallis  determined  the  great  contest 
in  favor  of  the  Americans.  Although  more  than  a  year 
elapsed  before  a  treaty  of  peace  was  actually  made  and 
ratified,  and  although  during  this  period  the  armies  of  the 
two  nations  continued  to  maintain  a  hostile  attitude,  verv 
few  skirmishes  and  no  general  engagement  took  place.  On 
the  3d  day  of  September,  1782,  definitive  treaties  between 
Great  Britain,  France,  and  Spain,  were  signed  at  Versailles 
by  the  Duke  of  Manchester,  and  the  plenipotentiaries  of  the 
said  courts.  On  the  same  day,  a  definitive  treaty  with  Great 
Britain  and  the  United  States  of  America  was  also  signed  at 
Paris,  by  David  Hartley,  Esq.,  the  British  plenipotentiary, 
and  the  plenipotentiaries  of  the  United  States.*  It  was  not 
until  the  30th  of  November  that  the  articles  for  concludins;  a 
general  peace  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain, 
were  formally  signed,  at  Paris,  by  Richard  Oswold,  Esq.,  the 
commissioner  of  his  Britannic  majesty  on  the  one  part,  and 
by  John  Adams,  Benjamin  Franklin,  John  Jay,  and  Henry 
Laurens,  commissioners  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
on  the  other  part. 

On  the  19th  of  April,  1783,  at  noon,  General  Washing- 

^  Gordon,  iii.  356. 


420  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

ton  proclaimed  to  the  American  army  the  cessation  of 
hostihties  between  the  two  governments.  In  November 
following,  Washington  issued  his  farewell  address  to  the 
officers  and  soldiers,  and  the  army  was  disbanded.* 

It  is  particularly  worthy  of  remark,  that,  notwithstanding 

*  Before  a  final  separation,  the  officers  of  the  army  formed  themselves  into  an 
association  called  the  "  Order  of  the  Cincinnati " — after  the  illustrious  Roman  Cin- 
cinnatus^  who,  having  repelled  the  invaders  of  his  country,  returned  to  the  hum- 
ble employments  of  agricultural  life.  As  this  society  vi^as  long  the  subject  of 
bitter  animadversion  on  account  of  its  supposed  aristocratic  objects  and  tenden- 
cies, I  will  briefly  state  some  of  its  provisions. 

Its  principles,  as  officially  stated  by  the  association  itself,  were  as  follows  :  An 
incessant  attention  to  preserve  inviolate  the  exalted  rights  and  liberties  of  human 
nature,  for  which  its  members  have  fought  and  bled — and  an  unalterable  deter- 
mination to  promote  and  cherish  between  the  respective  states  union  and  national 
honor ;  to  render  permanent,  cordial  affection,  and  the  spirit  of  brotherly  kindness 
among  the  officers  ;  and  to  extend  acts  of  beneficence  toward  those  officers  and 
their  families  who  may  unfortunately  be  under  the  necessity  of  receiving  it.  The 
general  society,  for  the  sake  of  frequent  communications,  shall  be  divided  into 
state  societies,  and  those  again  into  such  districts  as  the  state  societies  shall  direct. 
"  The  society  shall  have  an  order  by  which  its  members  shall  be  known  and  dis- 
tinguished, which  shall  be  a  medal  of  gold  of  proper  size  to  receive  the  proposed 
emblems,  and  to  be  suspended  by  a  deep  blue  ribbon  two  inches  wide,  edged 
with  white,  descriptive  of  the  union  of  America  and  France."  This  order  was 
to  be  perpetuated  in  the  line  of  the  eldest  male  descendents  of  the  original  mem- 
bers, or,  failing  such  descendants,  by  the  admission  of  such  collateral  relations  as 
might  be  deemed  worthy.  There  was  also  a  provision  for  admitting  as  honorary 
members  persons  who  had  not  belonged  to  the  army.* 

A  great  outcry  was  raised  against  the  society,  especially  by  the  soldiers,  and  by  many 
prominent  civilians  in  America  and  in  France,  among  whom  were  Franklin,  John 
and  Samuel  Adams,  Gerry  and  others.  A  pamphlet  was  published  in  Charleston,  S. 
C,  in  October  1783,  entitled,"*'  Considerations  on  the  Society  of  the  order  of  Cincin- 
nati," which  was  attributed  to  Chief  Justice  Burke,  in  which  the  author  attempts 
to  prove  that  "  the  Cincinnati  creates  two  distinct  orders  among  the  Americans — 
1st,  a  race  of  hereditary  nobles,  founded  on  the  military,  together  with  the  power- 
ful families  and  first-rate  leading  men  in  the  state,  whose  view  it  will  ever  be,  to 
rule ;  and  2d,  the  people,  or  plebeians,  whose  only  view  is,  not  to  be  oppres- 
sed ;  but  whose  certain  fate  it  will  be  to  suffer  oppression  under  the  institution." 

The  prejudice  and  alarm  became  so  universal  that  at  the  first  general  meeting 
of  the  order,  in  May  1784,  through  the  efforts  of  Washington  and  other  leading 
members,  the  constitution  was  so  modified  as  to  exclude  the  hereditary  principle. 
Even  this  did  not  satisfy  the  people,  and  the  association  long  continued  to  be  an 
object  of  jealously. 

*  Gordon,  Hildreth. 


THE   DEBATING   CLUB.  421 

the  limited  extent  of  her  territory,  and  the  comparatively 
small  number  of  her  population,  Connecticut  furnished  for 
the  continental  ranks  and  kept  in  actual  service  more  men 
than  any  other  colony  or  state  in  the  confederacv.*  It 
should  be  borne  in- mind,  also,  that  the  thirty-two  thousand 
of  her  able-bodied  sons  who  formed  a  part  of  the  continental 
army,  constituted  but  a  small  portion  of  her  force  in  actual 
service.  Besides  the  detachments  employed  in  defending  her 
own  frontiers,  and  her  sea-coast,  her  militia  shared  in  the 
privations  of  the  camp  and  the  perils  of  the  field  in  every 
part  of  the  country.  It  was  estimated  that  more  than  five 
thousand  of  her  citizens  perished  during  the  war,  in  their 
country's    service,   exclusive    of  those    in    the   continental 

line.f 

The  part  that  Connecticut  took  in  the  revolution,  grew 
not  only  out  of  the  causes  named  in  the  preceding  chapters, 
but  from  that  peculiar  deliberation  with  which  the  people  of 
the  colony  were  in  the  habit  of  making  up  their  minds  upon 
all  matters  of  public  importance.  The  following  interesting 
extract  from  a  letter  of  the  Rev.  Chauncev  A.  Goodrich,  D.D., 
of  Yale  College,  will  set  forth  this  characteristic  in  a 
much  clearer  light  than  any  language  of  mine : 

"  There  is  one  fact  respecting  the  revolutionary  history  of 
our  State  which  ought  to  be  recorded,  as  exhibiting  the  wis- 
dom and  deliberation  with  which  our  leading  men  entered 
into  the  war.  Dr.  Nathan  Strong,  of  Hartford,  told  my 
father  that  about  the  time  the  contest  drew  on,  our  governor 
called  a  secret  session  of  the  Legislature.  Dr.  Strong  was 
chaplain,  and  was  sworn  to  secrecy.  The  Legislature  then 
appointed  six  of  the  ablest  jurists  in  the  State — three  to 
argue  the   cause  in  favor  of  the  right  of  parliament  to  tax 

*  The  number  nominally  furnished  by  each  state  was  as  follows :  Massachu- 
setts 67,907  ;  Connecticut,  31,939  ;  Virginia,  26,678  ;  Pennsylvania,  25,678  ;  New 
York,  17,781  5  Maryland,  13,9<12  ;  New  Hampshire,  12,497  :  New  Jersey,  10,726  : 
North  Carolina,  7,263  ;  South  Carolina,  6,417  ;  Rhode  Island,  5,908 ;  Georgia, 
2,679  ;  Delaware,  2,386.     Total,  231,791.     Hildreth. 

fRev.  Benjamin  Trumbull's  Thanksgiving  Sermon  at  North  Haven,  December 
11th,  1783. 


422  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

the  colonies,  and  three  against  it.  These  arguments  were 
continued  for  two  or  three  days,  when  the  conviction 
became  universal  among  the  members,  that  parliament  had 
not  the  right,  and  that  the  colonies  might  lawfully  resist. 
With  this  conviction,  and  the  arguments  on  which  it  was 
founded,  the  representatives  returned  each  to  his  own  place 
of  residence.  This,  Dr.  Strong  stated,  was  the  origin  of  the 
entire  unanimity  with  which  our  state  entered  into  the  con- 
test. The  whole  people  had  the  argument  from  their  repre- 
sentatives ;  but  no  one  knew,  at  that  time,  by  what  means  it 
had  been  so  maturely  formed.  Dr.  Strong  mentioned  these 
things  to  my  father  toward  the  close  of  his  life,  stating  that 
he  had  never  spoken  of  them  before  ;  but  considered  him- 
self as  released,  by  the  lapse  of  time  and  course  of  events, 
from  all  further  obligation  to  his  oath  of  secrecy." 

I  mentioned  these  facts  a  few  vears  ago  to  Charles  Chaun- 
cey,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphia.  He  remarked,  "  It  is  one  of  the 
most  curious  and  interesting  pieces  of  secret  history  con- 
nected with  our  revolution.  It  is  strikingly  characteristic  of 
the  habits  of  Connecticut  ;  especially  that  so  much  pains 
should  be  taken  to  understand  the  argument  fully  on  both 
sides."* 

Before  leaving  this  interesting  era  in  the  history  of  our. 
state,  let  us  revert  to  some  of  the  traits  of  two  or  three  of 
the   principal    actors   in   the  events  commemorated  in  these 
pages. 

Colonel  Seth  Warner  was  born  in  Woodbury,  Connecticut, 
in  1742.  About  the  year  1763,  his  father  purchased  a  tract 
of  land  in  the  township  of  Bennington,  on  the  New  Hamp- 
shire Grants,  and  young  Warner  removed  thither  with  his 
parents.  He  soon  became  enured  to  the  hardships  of 
pioneer-life,  and  no  hunter  on  the  Green  Mountains  was 
more  indefatigable  and  successful  than  he.  Long  before  the 
breaking  out  of  the  revolution,  the  controversy  between  the 

*  It  seems  eminently  proper  that  this  important  state  secret  should  have  fallen 
into  the  hands  of  a  family  so  historical,  and  that  it  should  have  been  given  to  the 
world  by  so  accurate  a  pen. 


[1784.]  COLONEL   WARNER.  423 

settlers  on  the  grants  and  the  government  of  New  York  gave 
scope  to  his  energies  and  developed  his  manliness  of  charac- 
ter and  his  hatred  of  oppression.  Associated  with  Ethan  Allen 
as  a  recognized  leader  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  through 
a  series  of  years  Seth  Warner's  name  was  the  watch-word 
of  the  settlers  and  a  sound  of  dread  in  the  ears  of  their 
enemies.  His  feats  of  noble  daring  and  self-denying  effort, 
are  worthy  of  an  honorable  place  on  the  page  that  tells  the 
story  of  the  heroic  age  of  our  country's  history.  Nor  have 
his  deeds  been  without  a  chronicler,  A  few  years  since 
the  Hon.  Daniel  Chipman  gave  to  the  world  a  faithful  record 
of  his  life  and  public  services  in  a  handsome  volume,  to 
which  the  reader  is  referred.  Colonel  Warner's  services  in 
the  revolution  have  long  formed  a  part  of  the  history  of  that 
great  struggle,  but  a  perusal  of  Mr.  Chipman's  volume  will 
show  that  previous  biographers  and  historians  had  failed  to 
do  him  justice. 

He  did  not  long  survive  to  participate  in  the  blessings  of 
the  peace  and  freedom  which  he  had  assisted  to  achieve. 
Worn  down  with  toil  and  disease,  he  returned  to  his  native 
town,  where  he  died,  December  26,  1784,  in  the  42d  year  of 
his  age. 

Colonel  Warner  was  a  man  of  iron  frame  and  of  remark- 
able strength  and  agility.  He  was  six  feet  and  four  inches 
in  height,  and  his  figure  was  well  proportioned  and  manly. 
He  was  mild  and  courteous  in  his  bearing,  cool  and  deliber- 
ate in  his  judgment,  firm  and  energetic  in  his  purposes,  while 
his  unwavering  integrity  and  strict  sense  of  honor  inspired 
his  friends  and  the  community  generally  with  the  most 
implicit  confidence. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Canfield,  of  Roxbury,  preached  his 
funeral  sermon,  from  2  Samuel,  ii.  27  :  "  How  are  the 
mighty  fallen,  and  the  weapons  of  war  perished  ?"* 

Pre-eminent  in    the  roll   of  our    patriots   and    statesmen, 

*  See  Chipman's  Life  of  Warner  ;  Houghton's  Address  on  the  life  and  pubhc 
services  of  Colonel  Warner. 


424  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

stands  the  name  of  Jonathan  Trumbull.  His  position  as 
governor  of  the  state  during  the  war,  united  with  that  rare 
combination  of  powers  which  made  him  second  only  to 
Washington  in  executive  abihties,  not  second  even  to  him  in 
the  maturity  of  his  wisdom  and  the  depth  of  his  moral 
nature,  and  greatly  his  superior  in  intellectual  culture,  con- 
stituted him  the  principal  character  in  our  colony  and  state 
during  the  period  occupied  by  his  administration.  It  is  true 
of  Trumbull,  as  of  Washington,  that  the  perfect  symmetry 
of  his  character  has  induced  many  to  lose  sight  of  the  vast 
scale  on  which  it  was  constructed,  and  the  elevation  with 
which  it  towers  above  the  level  of  other  public  men  of  that 
day. 

At  the  head  of  the  little  republic  on  the  breaking  out 
of  the  war,  Trumbull  was  the  only  governor  in  all  the  colo- 
nies who  had  the  courage  and  the  firmness  to  make  a  stand 
against  the  tyranny  of  the  British  government.  As  before 
stated,  he  had  indignantly  refused  to  take  an  oath  to  execute 
the  stamp-act,  or  even  to  witness  the  degrading  ceremony. 
During  the  period  that  transpired  between  that  day  and  the 
19th  of  April,  1775,  his  convictions  had  been  strengthened 
and  his  mind  confirmed  in  the  justice  of  the  American  cause. 
He  was  the  presiding  genius  of  Connecticut  during  the 
whole  conflict.  Marshalling  troops,  providing  munitions, 
superintending  the  financial  department  and  the  building  of 
ships  of  war,  perfecting  the  defenses  of  the  colony,  purchas- 
ing cannon,  muskets,  clothing,  and  provisions  for  the  army, 
sitting  in  council,  advising  with  the  General  Assembly,  writ- 
ing letters  to  committees  of  safety,  keeping  up  a  constant 
correspondence  with  Washington,  composing  state  papers, 
mustering  the  militia,  listening  to  the  complaints  of  the 
soldiers  as  if  they  had  been  his  children,  and  soothing  them 
with  soft  words — in  all  departments,  we  find  him  the  great 
central  executive  force  to  which  Washington  was  drawn  in 
the  dark  hours  of  that  eight  years'  struggle.  Did  he  need 
troops  to  swell  the  army  at  Cambridge,  he  called  upon  Trum- 
bull ;  and  reluctantly,  and  in  spite  of  the  solicitations  of  the 


I 


GOVERNOR   TRUMBULL.  425 

people  whom  he  governed,  rather  than  disobey  the  com- 
mander-in-chief, he  ordered  the  coast  of  Connecticut  to  be  left 
unguarded,  and  the  citizen-soldiers  to  leave  their  homes  to 
the  mercy  of  the  British  invaders,  and  march  into  another 
colony.*  Did  a  British  fleet  threaten  to  invade  New  York, 
and  tories  boast  that  they  would  lay  the  city  in  ruins 
Washington  had  only  to  write  a  letter  to  Trumbull,  and 
the  troops  were  sent  into  the  infected  district,  and  the  British 
ships  were  soon  seen  to  spread  their  wings  like  scared  birds  of 
prey,  and  fly  toward  the  south.  Did  thousands  of  British 
regulars,  at  a  later  day,  press  around  him,  and  seem  about 
to  overwhelm  him  ?  A  requisition  upon  Trumbull  brought 
to  his  aid  fourteen  regiments  of  farmers,  who  obeyed  the 
command  of  the  chief  magistrate  whom  they  had  themselves 
helped  to  elect,  without  a  murmur,  and  returned,  if  they 
happened  to  survive,  to  vote  for  him  again.  In  still  darker 
hours,  when  the  genius  of  the  American  people  drooped,  and 
the  hearts  of  the  other  colonies  sank  beneath  the  accumula- 
ted burden  of  severe  campaigns,  heavy  taxes,  and  debts  that 
had  been  piled  on  them  like  mountains  ;  when  even  Wash- 
ington doubted  from  what  source  another  dollar  could  be 
raised  to  keep  the  army  in  the  field,  he  called  upon  Trum- 
bull, and  the  sinews  of  war,  strained  till  they  were  ready  to 
crack,  again  recovered  their  elasticity.  Industrious,  quiet, 
unselfish,  trust-worthy — with  a  head  never  giddy,  however 
steep  the  precipice  upon  which  he  stood,  and  a  heart  that 
kept  all  secrets  confided  to  it  as  the  deep  wave  holds  the 
plummet  that  is  dropped  into  its  bosom — no  wonder  that 
Trumbull  should  have  been  selected  by  the  first  man  of  the 

*  In  the  early  part  of  the  war  when  the  British  ships  of  war  were  threatening  to 
land  on  our  coast,  Governor  Trumbull  requested  that  a  part  of  the  troops  about 
to  be  raised  in  the  colony,  might  remain  to  defend  our  own  soil.  For  some  cause 
not  readily  divined,  Washington  persisted  in  ordering  them  all  to  Boston.  The 
governor  wrote  him  a  pungent  letter,  expressive  of  his  surprise  and  regret,  but, 
in  the  true  spirit  of  patriotism,  added — "It  is  plain  that  such  jealousies  indulged, 
however  just,  will  destroy  the  cause  "  ;  and,  in  spite  of  the  manifest  injustice  of 
the  demand,  he  expressed  his  determination  to  comply. 


426  HISTOEY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

world  as  his  counselor  and  companion,  and  no  wonder  that 
he  called  him  "brother."" 

We  are  natm'ally  led  to  inquire,  what  were  the  secret 
fountains  that  fed  this  pure  life  ?  They  may  be  easily  known 
by  the  bright  verdure  that  springs  up  along  their  course  as 
they  wind  through  the  quiet  fields  of  unambitious  boyhood. 
Long  before  he  had  ever  turned  his  eye  toward  the  high 
places  of  the  world,  before  a  war  with  England  was  dreamed 
of  as  a  possible  event,  and  while  at  Harvard,  he  was  looking 
out  upon  life  through  that  pleasant  perspective  glass,  a  young 
scholar's  imagination,  he  was  mature  above  his  years  in  all 
that  gives  promise  of  future  usefulness ;  and  at  the  tender 
age  when  other  boys  are  properly  called  children,  and  are 
occupied  with  sports  that  demand  the  exercise  of  little  else 
than  the  blood  that  courses  through  their  frame ;  the  future 
statesman,  in  company  with  a  few  kindred  spirits,  was  fram- 
ing a  series  of  rules  by  which  his  moral  nature  and  intellec- 
tual character  might  shape  themselves  into  a  mould  of  com- 
pleteness that  few  men  have  ever  attained,  and  a  durability 
that  is  destined  to  defy  the  flight  of  years,  as  it  resisted 
during  his  life  time  the  temptations  of  the  world.f 

*The  term,  "Brother  Jonathan,"  was  frequently  apphed  by  Washington  to 
Governor  Trumbull.  "  When  he  wanted  honest  counsel  and  wise,  he  would  say, 
'  let  us  consult  Brother  Jonathan.'  "     See  Bushnell's  "  Historical  Estimate,"  p.  34. 

t  On  entering  college,  in  1724,  young  Trumbull  joined  a  religious  society  con- 
nected with  the  institution.  Its  character  can  be  judged  from  the  articles  of  agree- 
ment entered  into  by  the  members,  which  were  substantially  as  follows  : 

1 .  That  we  will  meet  together  twice  a  week  for  the  worship  of  God. 

2.  That,  being  met  together,  we  will,  as  God  enables  us,  perform  the  several 
injunctions  of  the  meeting. 

3.  That  all  manner  of  disagreeing,  strifes  or  quarrelling,  with  one  another  shall 
be  suppressed,  and  that  we  will  live  in  love,  peace,  and  unity,  with  one  another. 

4.  That  if  we  see  or  hear  any  one  of  our  number  speak  or  do  anything  unbe- 
coming a  member  of  this  society,  we  will  reprove  him  as  far  as  we  shall  think  the 
reproof  worthy,  with  all  meekness,  love,  and  tenderness  toward  him. 

5.  That  we  will  bear  with  one  another's  infirmities,  and  divulge  nothing  of 
what  nature  soever,  that  is  done  at  our  meetings. 

6.  That  when  absent  from  our  meetings,  we  will  endeavor  to  behave  ourselves 
so  that  ''  none  may  have  occasion  to  speak  evil  of  us."  For  the  rules  of  this 
society,  I  am  indebted  to  Hon.  1.  W.  Stuart,  of  Hartford, 


CHAKACTER   OF   TRUMBULL.  427 

At  that  early  day  was  laid  the  foundation  of  that  gentle- 
ness and  christian  humility,  that  sweetness  of  temper,  that 
serene  confidence  and  cheerfulness  in  critical  emergencies, 
and  the  unshaken  purpose  of  soul,  which  marked  him  out  as 
the  fit  man,  and  the  only  one,  for  the  place  of  honor  that  was 
assigned  him  by  his  native  state. 

Trumbull's  private  character  was  no  less  a  model  than  his 
public  life.  His  manners  had  none  of  the  stiffness  of  official 
rank  belonging  to  that  day,  but  were  sprightly,  amiable,  and 
unostentatious.  He  knew  how  to  adapt  himself  to  all  classes 
of  people,  and  always  when  at  leisure  had  a  lively,  pleasant 
word  to  say  to  everybody  who  happened  to  be  in  his  presence. 
He  was  remarkable  for  his  quiet  way  of  expressing  his  senti- 
ments either  in  the  council  or  in  the  drawing-room,  and 
always  spoke  in  a  low  tone. 

In  the  midst  of  all  his  watchful  cares,  he  never  lost  his  love 
of  letters,  and  retained  his  knowledge  of  the  dead  languages 
with  an  unimpaired  memory  till  he  died.  He  habitually 
read  the  Bible  in  the  original  Hebrew  and  Greek,  and  never 
left  off  the  studies  of  history  and  chronology,  in  which  he 
particularly  excelled.  He  was  very  regular  and  temperate 
in  his  habits,  devoted  to  his  family,  and  testified  how  much 
better  he  loved  his  home  than  he  did  any  public  station,  by 
resigning  his  office  as  soon  as  the  termination  of  the  war 
allowed  him  to  think  of  repose.  He  had  another  motive,  too, 
for  seeking  retirement,  which  is  touchingly  expressed  in  his 
address  to  the  General  Assembly,  when  he  tendered  to  the 
people  the  office  that  he  had  held  so  long  : 

"Contemplating,"  he  says,  "with  pleasing  wonder  and 
satisfaction,  at  the  close  of  an  arduous  contest,  the  noble  and 
enlarged  scenes  which  now  present  themselves  to  my  coun- 
try's view  ;  and  reflecting  at  the  same  time  on  my  advanced 
stage  of  life — a  life  w^orn  out,  almost,  in  the  constant  cares 
of  office — I  think  it  my  duty  to  retire  from  the  busy  concern 
of  public  affairs;  that  at  the  evening  of  my  days,  I  may 
sweeten  their  decline,  by  devoting  myself  with  less  avoca- 
tion, and  more  attention  to  the  duties  of  religion,  the  service 


428  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

of  my  God,  and  preparation  for  a  future  and  happier  state 
of  existence ;  in  which  pleasing  employment  I  shall  not  cease 
to  remember  my  country,  and  to  make  it  my  ardent  prayer, 
that  heaven  will  not  fail  to  bless  her  with  its  choicest 
favors."* 

*  The  first  ancestor  in  this  country  of  the  Trumbull  family  of  Connecticut,  was 
John  Trumbull^  who  is  stated  by  Hinman  and  others,  to  have  emigrated  from 
Cumberland  county,  England,  and  settled  in  Rowley,  Massachusetts.  His  son  of 
the  same  name,  was  an  early  settler  of  Suffield,  Connecticut,  and  from  him  have 
descended  all  of  the  Trumbulls  of  the  state,  many  of  whom  have  been  eminent  as 
statesmen,  soldiers,  scholars,  and  divines. 

Jonathan  Trumbull,  the  elder,  was  a  son  of  Joseph  Trumbull,  of  Lebanon, 
where  he  was  born  June  12,  1710.  He  graduated  at  Harvard  college,  in  1727, 
pursued  the  study  of  theology  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  "Williams,  of  his  native  town, 
and  was  licensed  to  preach.  On  the  death  of  an  elder  brother,  who  was  lost  at 
sea,  he  was  called  home  to  close  up  the  mercantile  affairs  of  his  father ;  and,  feel- 
ing it  to  be  his  duty  to  remain  with  his  aged  parents,  he  relinquished  his  chosen 
profession  and  became  a  merchant.  In  1733,  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years, 
he  was  elected  a  representative  from  Lebanon,  and  was  often  re-elected.  In  1739, 
he  was  chosen  Speaker  of  the  House  ;  and  at  the  May  session  of  the  following 
year,  he  was  elected  an  assistant,  or  member  of  the  Upper  House,  where  he  con- 
tinued for  many  years.  From  1766  to  1770,  he  was  lieutenant-governor  of  the 
state,  and  chief  judge  of  the  superior  court;  and  from  1770  to  1784,  he  was 
annually  elected  governor.     He  died  August  17,  1785. 

Jonathan  Trumbull,  (son  of  the  preceding,)  w^as  born  at  Lebanon,  March  26, 
1740,  graduated  at  Harvard  college  in  1759,  and  settled  in  his  native  town.  From 
the  commencement  of  the  revolution  to  the  close  of  the  campaign  of  1778,  he 
was  paymaster  in  the  northern  department  of  the  army;  and  in  1780,  he  was 
appointed  secretary  and  first  aid  to  General  Washington,  in  whose  family  he 
remained  till  the  close  of  the  war.  In  1789,  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  Con- 
gress, and  in  1791,  he  was  elected  Speaker  of  the  United  States  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives. He  was  subsequently  a  senator  in  Congress,  and  from  1798,  until  his 
death,  he  was  governor  of  Connecticut.  He  died  at  Lebanon,  August  7,  1809, 
aged  sixty-nine. 

Colonel  Joseph  Trumbull,  (also  a  son  of  the  elder  Governor  Trumbull,)  was  the 
first  commissary  general  of  the  United  States  army — an  office  which  he  resigned 
in  August,  1777.  In  October  following,  he  was  appointed  by  Congress  one  of  the 
five  commissioners  of  the  board  of  war,  his  colleagues  being  Major-General  Gates, 
Major-General  Mifflin,  Richard  Peters,  Esq.,  and  Colonel  Timothy  Pickering. 
Colonel  Trumbull  died,  universally  lamented,  in  July,  1779,  aged  forty-two. 

Rev.  Benjamin  Trumbull,  D.D.,  was  a  native  of  Hebron,  and  a  graduate  of 
Yale  College,  in  the  class  of  1759.  He  was  ordained  and  settled  as  pastor  of  the 
congregational  church  in  North  Haven,  December  25,  1760  ;  and  died  February 
2,  1820,  aged  eighty-five.  Though  a  learned  and  faithful  preacher,  his  fame  rests 


DEATH   OF   TRUMBULL.  429 

The  remainder  of  Trumbull's  life  was  spent  in  exact 
accordance  with  the  sentiments  expressed  in  this  passage.  In 
the  calm  retreat  where  he  had  entertained  princes  and  noble- 
men— where  Washington  sought  him  out  to  take  counsel  of 
him — in  the  circle  of  his  family,  and  near  the  spot  that  he 
had  selected  for  his  grave,  he  awaited  the  flight  of  the  friendly 
arrow  that  was  to  set  him  free.  Though  he  watched  it 
carefully,  yet  it  came  in  secret,  and  at  an  unexpected  hour. 
He  was  of  such  an  equal  temperament  and  had  such  an 
excellent  physical  constitution,  that  his  friends  anticipated 
for  him  a  long  life  ending  in  a  slow  and  calm  decline.  But 
he  was  suddenly  attacked  by  a  fever,  which  might  be  said  to 
be  his  first  sickness  and  proved  to  be  his  last.  He  died  after 
an  illness  of  about  twelve  days,  during  which  he  suffered 
much  pain  with  a  sweetness  that  made  even  death  seem  to 
be  a  protecting  rather  than  a  destroying  angel.  His  reason 
was  unclouded,  and  his  mind  composed  to  the  last.  In  the 
words  of  Mr.  Ely,  who  preached  his  funeral  sermon,  "he  had 
nothing  to  do  but  to  die."* 

chiefly  upon  his  historical  works,  which  are  remarkable  for  the  evidence  they 
afTord  of  successful  research  and  laborious  investigation.  His  publications  are — 
History  of  Connecticut,  vol.  1,  8vo.,  1797  ;  in  2  vols.  1818  ;  History  of  the  United 
States  to  1765,  vol.  i.,  1819  ;  Essays  in  favor  of  the  claim  of  Connecticut  to  the 
Susquehannah  county,  1774,  also — Thanksgiving  Sermon,  1783;  A  Treatise  on 
Divorces,  1788  ;  Ordination  Sermon,  1789  ;  Century  Sermon,  1801  ;  Address  on 
Prayer  and  Family  Religion,  1804;  twelve  Discourses  on  the  Divine  Origin  of 
the  Scriptures. 

John  Trumbull,  LL.D.,  (son  of  the  Rev.  John  Trumbull,  of  Watertown,  Conn.,) 
was  born  in  AYatertown,  in  1750,  and  graduated  at  Yale  College,  in  1767.  From 
1771  to  1773,  he  was  a  tutor  at  Yale,  and  during  that  time  published  his  poem, 
"  The  Progress  of  Dullness.''^  He  subsequently  studied  law  with  John  Adams, 
at  Boston,  and  settled  in  Hartford  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  In  1784,  his 
celebrated  poetical  satire,  "  McFingal^^''  was  published — and  has  since  gone 
through  several  editions  both  in  this  country  and  in  England.  From  1801  to  1819, 
he  was  a  judge  of  the  sUperior  court  of  Connecticut.  His  poetical  works  were 
collected  and  published  in  two  volumes  in  1820.  Judge  Trumbull,  died  at  the 
residence  of  his  son-in-law,  Governor  Woodbridge,  in  Detroit,  Michigan,  May  10, 
1831,  aged  eighty-one. 

A  sketch  of  Colonel  John  Trumbull,  the  artist,  will  be  given  in  another  place. 

*  The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ely's  funeral  sermon,  alluded  to : 

"  Me  think  I  see  our  late  renowned  glorious  chief  in  war,  America's  boast  and 


430  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

One  after  another,  the  great  nnen  of  the  revolution  were 
now  fast  dropping  away.  Putnam,  the  second  military  chief- 
tain of  that  era,  was  destined  soon  to  follow.  We  have  seen 
how,  at  the  close  of  the  campaign  of  1779,  he  was  siezed 

the  world's  wonder,  solitary  and  pensive,  with,  the  big  tear  starting  from  the  eye 
of  keenest  sensibility,  the  melancholy  tidings  having  reached  his  ears,  that  his 
highly  prized  friend  in  the  cabinet,  his  brother  and  companion  in  the  late  struggles 
and  bloody  conflict,  is  no  morei,,  In  similar  sorrow  methink  I  view  many  more, 
greatly  admired,  much  beloved,  whose  names  I  dare  not  mention  lest  others  be 
jealous  through  the  tenderness  of  their  friendship.  Let  this  consideration,  dear 
afflicted  mourners,  have  some  weight  with  you." 

Immediately  on  receiving  intelligence  of  Trumbull's  death,  General  Washing- 
ton thus  wrote  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Jr.,  a  son  of  the  governor  : 

"  Mount  Vernon,  Oct.  1st,  1785. 

"  My  Dear  Sir — ^It  has  so  happened  that  your  letter  of  the  first  of  last  month, 
did  not  reach  me  until  Saturday's  post. 

"  Tou  know  too  well  the  sincere  respect  and  regard  I  entertained  for  your  ven- 
erable father's  public  and  private  character,  to  require  assurance  of  the  concern  I 
felt  for  his  death  ;  or  of  that  sympathy  in  your  feelings,  for  the  loss  of  him,  which 
is  prompted  by  friendship.  Under  this  loss,  however,  great  as  j^our  pangs  may  have 
been  at  the  first  shock,  you  have  everything  to  console  you. 

"  A  long  and  well  spent  life  in  the  service  of  his  country,  places  Governor 
Trumbull  among  the  first  of  patriots.  In  the  social  duties  he  yielded  to  no  one  ; 
and  his  lamp  from  the  common  course  of  nature  being  nearly  extinguished,  worn 
down  with  age  and  cares,  but  retaining  his  mental  faculties  in  perfection,  are  bless- 
ings which  rarely  attend  advanced  life.  All  these  combined,  have  secured  to  his 
memory  unusual  respect  and  love  here,  and  no  doubt,  unmeasurable  happiness 
hereafter. 

"  I  am  sensible  that  none  of  these  observations  can  have  escaped  you,  that  I  can 
offer  nothing  which  your  own  reason  has  not  already  suggested  upon  the  occasion, 
and  being  of  Sterne's  opinion,  that  "  before  an  affliction  is  digested,  consolation 
comes  too  soon,  and  after  it  is  digested  it  comes  too  late,  there  is  but  a  mark  be- 
tween these  two,  almost  as  fine  as  a  hair,  for  a  comforter  to  take  aim  at."  I  rarely 
attempt  it ;  nor  should  I  add  more  on  this  subject  to  you,  as  it  will  be  a  renewal  of 
sorrow,  by  calling  afresh  to  your  rememberance  things  that  had  better  be  forgot- 
ten. 

"  My  principal  pursuits  are  of  a  rural  nature,  in  which  I  have  great  delight, 
especially  as  I  am  blessed  with  the  enjoyment  of  good  health.  Mrs.  Washington, 
on  the  contrary,  is  hardly  ever  well ;  but,  thankful  of  your  kind  remembrance  of 
her,  joins  me  in  every  good  wish  for  you,  Mrs.  Trumbull,  and  your  family. 

"  Be  assured,  that  with  sentiments  of  the  purest  esteem,  I  am,  dear  sir, 

"  Tour  affectionate  friend 

"  and  obedient  servant, 

"  Geo.  Washington." 


LAST  DAYS   OF   PUTN"AM.  431 

with  paralytic  numbness  while  on  the  road  between  Pomfret 
and  Hartford.  It  was  difficult  for  a  man  of  his  ardent  tem- 
perament to  persuade  himself  that  he  had  done  with  the 
camp  and  the  tented-field,  at  a  time  when  he  had  looked 
forward  to  the  successful  termination  of  a  war  which  he  had 
been  the  first  to  advocate  and  to  put  to  the  terrible  arbitra- 
ment of  the  sword.  That  he,  the  man  of  action,  whose 
whole  life  had  been  passed  in  the  open  air,  whether  in  tilling 
the  fields  and  digging  up  the  rocks  of  Pomfret,  following  into 
her  lair  the  wolf  that  had  preyed  upon  his  flock,  threading 
the  crooked  trails  that  led  along  the  borders  of  the  lakes  and 
rivers  of  the  west,  in  chase  of  French  partizans  and  their 
Indian  allies,  or,  in  captivity  worse  than  death,  wandering 
naked  and  hungry  through  the  wild  woods  that  echoed  to  the 
shouts  of  joy  with  which  his  tormentors  saluted  the  fire  that 
scorched  his  flesh  ;  that  he,  of  all  other  men,  should  be  con- 
demned to  shut  himself  away  from  the  busy  scenes  that  had 
made  up  his  existence,  and  count  the  hours  by  the  sunbeams 
that  peeped  in  through  his  bed- curtains,  or  stole  on  him 
through  the  windows  that  fronted  his  easy  chair,  seemed 
insupportable.  At  first  his  heart  sank  within  him,  and  a 
shadow  of  sadness  clouded  his  features.  But  Putnam  was 
not  a  man  to  give  himself  up  to  settled  melancholy.  He 
returned  home,  and  soon  summoned  to  his  aid  the  consola- 
tions of  religion,  and  the  smiles  of  the  domestic  cir- 
cle. Here  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days,  the  patriarch 
of  his  household,  and  the  centre  and  oracle  of  those  old 
neighbors  who  had  been  out  with  him  into  so  many  rough 
battle-fields,  and  had  brought  home  each  for  himself  a  garland 
of  honor  and  traditionary  renown.  How  eagerly  must  those 
venerable  soldiers,  who  had  served  with  him  under  Aber- 
crombie  and  Amherst,  forgetful  of  age  and  wounds,  have 
hobbled  upon  their  crutches  to  talk  over  with  him  the 
arrival  of  fresh  intelligence  from  the  army  ;  how  Arnold  had 
sought  to  sell  American  liberty  for  gold  ;  how  he  had  laid 
New  London  and  Groton  in  ruins  ;  and  how  Ledyard  and 
his  fellow  patriots  had  been  murdered  and  mutilated ;  or  how 


432  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Washington  had  thrown  the  meshes  of  his  net  over  Corn- 
wallis  at  Yorktown,  and  was  victorious  at  last  over  secret 
and  open  foes. 

Nor  was  Putnam  constantly  confined  to  his  house.  The 
paralytic  stroke  was  kindly  mitigated,  and  in  the  soft  warm 
days,  when  summer  smiled  upon  his  white  locks,  and  when 
cheerful  autumn  sported  with  them,  he  was  able  to  ride  forth 
to  view  his  farm,  his  flocks  and  herds,  and  to  visit  his  neigh- 
bors at  their  houses.  Occasionally,  too,  after  the  war  was 
over,  some  gentleman  of  the  army  would  pay  his  respects  to 
the  old  hero.  Colonel  Humphreys,  General  Parsons,  Colonel 
Trumbull,  the  artist,  or  Colonel  Wadsworth,  would  ride  over 
from  Hartford,  dismount  at  the  farm-house  gate,  and  drop  a 
tear  upon  his  palsied  hand  as  they  grasped  it  in  tender 
recognition. 

He  had  much  to  be  grateful  for  in  other  respects.  His 
intellect  remained  as  fresh  and  strong  as  it  was  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  The  strength  of  his  memory, 
the  sharp  sallies  of  his  wit,  his  broad  exuberant  humor, 
his  happy  way  of  relating  anecdotes  of  adventures  that  had 
happened  to  himself  or  had  fallen  under  his  observation,  his 
keen  relish  of  a  joke,  even  though  it  were  at  his  own  expense, 
all  continued  to  throw  around  the  old  man  the  fascinations 
that  had  made  him  from  childhood  the  favorite  of  every 
circle.  Nor  did  Washington  lose  sight  of  the  best  of 
all  his  officers,  but  found  time,  even  in  the  midst  of  his 
most  arduous  duties,    to  write  to  him  as  follows  : 

"  The  name  of  a  Putnam  is  not  forgotten ;  nor  will  be,  but 
with  that  stroke  of  time  which  shall  obliterate  from  my  mind 
the  remembrance  of  all  those  toils  and  fatigues  through  which 
we  have  struggled  for  the  preservation  and  establishment  of 
the  rights,  liberties,  and  independence  of  our  country."* 

With  a  delicacy  as  marked  as  the  friendship  that  dictated 
it,  in  the  same  letter  the  writer  attempted  to  soothe  the  invalid 
and  make  him  satisfied  in  his  retirement : 

*  Humphreys. 


DEATH  OF  PUTNAM.  433 

"  I  anticipate  with  pleasure  the  day,  and  that  I  trust  not 
far  off,  when  I  shall  quit  the  scenes  of  a  military  employ- 
ment and  retire  to  the  more  tranquil  walks  of  domestic  life. 
In  that  or  whatever  other  situation  Providence  may  dispose 
of  my  future  days,  the  remembrance  of  the  many  friendships 
and  connections  I  have  had  the  happiness  to  contract  with 
the  gentlemen  of  the  army,  will  be  one  of  my  most  grateful 
reflections." 

As  nearly  as  can  now  be  known,  such  was  the  old  age  of 
Putnam.  On  the  17th  of  May,  1790,  he  was  violently 
attacked  with  an  inflammatory  disease.  He  had  met  death 
too  often  on  the  battle-field  to  fear  him,  and  seems  to  have 
felt  from  the  first  that  his  recovery  was  neither  to  be  looked 
for  nor  desired.  After  an  illness  of  only  two  days,  he 
expired.  On  the  21st  of  May,  in  the  midst  of  a  vast  con- 
course of  people,  and  under  the  escort  of  the  grenadiers  of 
the  eleventh  regiment,  the  independent  corps  of  artillery,  and 
the  militia  of  the  neighborhood,  the  ashes  of  Putnam  were 
borne  to  their  last  resting  place. ^^ 

*  John  Putnam  emigrated  from  Buckinghamshire,  England,  and  settled  in 
Salem,  Massachusetts,  in  the  year  1634 — bringing  with  him  three  sons,  viz., 
Thomas,  Nathaniel,  and  John.  Edward  Putnam,  the  son  of  Thomas,  in  1733, 
made  the  following  record  : 

"  From  those  three  proceeded  twelve  males  ;  and  from  these  twelve,  forty 
males  ;  and  from  the  forty,  eighty-two  males."  All  of  the  name  in  New  England 
are  believed  to  be  descended  from  John. 

Captain  Joseph  Putnam,  (father  of  the  general,)  was  the  son  of  John,  who  was 
the  youngest  son  of  the  pioneer.  He  continued  to  reside,  in  Salem — in  which 
place  Israel  Putnam  was  born,  January  7th,  1718. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  Putnam  purchased  a  tract  of  land  in  Pomfret, 
Conn.,  and  took  up  his  abode  in  that  town — he  having,  about  that  time  married  a 
daughter  of  Mr.  John  Pope,  of  Salem.  By  dint  of  industry  and  frugality,  he 
became  one  of  the  most  successful  agriculturalists  in  the  town.  He  remained  on 
his  farm  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  between  England  and  France,  in  1755, 
when,  at  the  age  of  thirty-seven  years,  he  accepted  a  captain's  eomnnssion  in 
Lyman's  regiment,  and  shortly  afterwards  marched  with  the  troops  to  the  north. 
From  that  date,  until  he  was  disabled,  he  was  almost  constantly  in  the  service  of 
his  country. 

The  Putnams  of  Buckinghamshire,  (from  whom,  as  we  have  seen,  our  hero 
derives  his  descent,)  were  a  good  old  English  family  previous  to  the  emigration. 
In  Burke's  "  Complete  Armory,"  the  coat  of  arms  is  thus  described  : 

60 


434  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

The  character  of  Putnam  was  the  result  of  our  peculiar 
structure  of  society  and  the  growth  of  our  soil.  A  hero  from 
his  cradle,  he  needed  not  the  tactics  of  the  schools  to  give 
him  discipline,  nor  the  maxims  of  philosophy  to  make  him 
brave.  Like  the  ghost  of  Fingal  rising  in  the  mist  of  its  hill, 
and  unveiling  its  features  to  the  moon,  the  fame  of  our  chief- 
tian  is  just  beginning  to  unfold  itself  in  its  colossal  propor- 
tions. Already  the  eyes  of  the  world  are  turned  toward 
him.  A  monument  is  soon  to  stand  above  his  grave  that  will 
be  worthy  of  the  spot.  Let  it  be  made  of  material  solid  as 
his  integrity,  and  planted  deep  and  immovable  as  the  love 
that  he  bore  to  his  country  was  seated  in  his  heart,  yet  let  it  be 
costly  and  rare  as  the  lavish  gifts  that  the  creating  hand 
poured  so  plentifully  upon  him.  Let  it  be  simple  and  bold 
like  his  character ;  above  all,  let  it  transmit  the  epitaph  that 
has  so  long  told  the  pilgrims  who  visit  the  tomb,  that  Putnam 
*^  dared  to  lead  where  any  dared,  to  follow  /" 

"Puttenham,  or  Putnam,  (Bedfordshire,  and  Penn,  eo.  Buckingham,)  Sa. 
cruslly  fitehee  ar.  a  stork  of  the  last.    Crest — A  wolf's  head." 

It  is  a  very  significant  symbol  it  must  be  admitted,  for  a  Putnam.  One  would 
almost  think  that  the  original  grantee  must  have  been  an  astrologer  and  cast  the 
horoscope  of  his  Yankee  descendant.  Of  course,  then,  it  was  useless  for  the 
old  she  wolf  to  gnash  her  teeth  and  growl  as  her  unwelcome  guest  entered  her 
cave.  Her  fate  had  been  recorded  in  the  herald's  college  ages  before  her  invader 
was  born. 

Our  American  Putnams  are  unquestionably  descended  from  the  noble  family  of 
Puttenhams,  of  Hants,  of  which  mention  is  made  by  Burke  in  the  paragraph 
which  follows.  It  will  be  noticed  that  the  description  of  the  coat  of  arms  is 
similar,  the  crest  excepted. 

"Puttenham,  (Sherfield, Co.  Hants,  Visitation  of  1634;  Richard  Puttenham, 
of  Sherfield,  Esq.,  grandson  of  Sir  George  Puttenham,  of  Sherfield,  left  an  only 
daughter  and  heir,  Anne,  wife  of  Francis  Morris,  of  Copwell.)  Ar.  crusily  fitehee 
sa.  a  stork  of  the  last.     Crest,  as  the  last." 


f»»«<a^»'*« 


J 


Enjr'MiyD.C.ffiamiiiifL-oiii.  a -ininin.tia- e  iy  Co].  TrumbiLD  .  m    lUe  TKojibiill    Gullery.  Tnle  Cnlleo 


OlLIETIEM     ElLIL^WOMTMo 


uiuJ^ulium^ 


CouLiecLiciit 


CHAPTER   m. 

THE   CONSniUTION   OF    THE   UNITED    STATES. 

It  was  by  this  time  quite  apparent  that  the  articles  of  con- 
federation would  not  serve  the  purposes  of  a  government 
that  was  expected  to  be  anything  more  than  provisional.  The 
depreciation  of  its  paper  money,  the  boldness  with  which 
its  authority  was  set  at  naught,  as  well  by  the  colonies  as  by 
individuals,  evinced  clearly  enough  that,  without  regard  to 
the  dangers  that  might  threaten  the  country  from  a  foreign 
invasion,  the  government  had  no  control  over  the  inhabitants 
of  the  colonies  who  claimed  its  protection.  Now  that  the 
one  inspiring  theme  of  independence  had  lost  its  power  over 
the  imagination,  the  confederacy  was  found  to  be  but  a  rope 
of  sand. 

In  order,  therefore,  to  strengthen  the  bonds  of  union 
between  the  states,  and  with  the  view  of  forming  a  central 
government  of  greater  strength  and  efficiency,  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States  recommended  to  the  several  govern- 
ments that  delegates  should  be  appointed  to  form  a  special 
convention,  to  meet  at  Philadelphia,  and  deliberate  upon  the 
matter.  Most  of  the  states  cheerfully  and  promptly  responded 
to  the  recommendation,  and  elected  the  requisite  number  of 
delegates — nearly  all  of  whom  were  men  remarkable  for  their 
talents,  patriotism,  and  public  services. 

The  convention  met  at  the  State  House  in  Philadelphia, 
in  May,  1787.*  At  the  suggestion  of  Dr.  Franklin,  his 
excellency  George  Washington,  was  unanimously  chosen 
President.!     William  Jackson  was  appointed  secretary;  and 


*  The  convention  was  called  to  meet  on  the  14th  of  May ;  but  a  quorum  could 
not  be  procured  until  the  25th  of  that  month. 

t  Gordon,  iii.  401. 


436  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

a  committee  was  appointed  to  take  into  consideration  the 
manner  of  proceeding. 

The  committee  reported,  and  the  convention  agreed,  that 
each  state  represented  should  be  entitled  to  one  vote ;  and 
that  seven  states  should  constitute  a  quorum ;  all  committees 
were  to  be  chosen  by  ballot ;  the  doors  were  to  be  closed ; 
and  an  injunction  of  secresy  was  placed  on  the  debates. 
The  members  were  even  prohibited  from  taking  copies  of 
entries  on  the  journals.* 

In  a  few  days,  about  fifty  delegates  had  presented  their 
credentials  and  were  sworn.  They  represented  eleven  of  the 
thirteen  states.  Before  the  convention  broke  up,  the  dele- 
gates from  another  state  arrived. 

The  character  of  our  legislature,  and  indeed  of  our  people, 
at  this  time,  could  not  have  been  better  represented,  than  by 
the  choice  of  delegates  to  attend  this  convention.  They  are 
to  this  day  called  to  mind,  and  their  familiar  faces  appear 
whenever  the  state,  which  was  honored  in  doing  them  honor, 
is  mentioned  at  home  or  abroad.  Their  names  were  William 
Samuel  Johnson,  Oliver  Ellsworth,  and  Roger  Sherman. 

Dickinson  of  Delaware,  Johnson  of  Connecticut,  and 
Rutledge  of  South  Carolina,  all  of  whom  had  acted  so  con- 
spicuous a  part  in  the  Congress  of  1765,  again  had  the  oppor- 
tunity of  renewing  the  reminiscences  of  a  day  antecedent  to 
the  Revolution.  Franklin  had  been  a  member  of  the  con- 
vention at  Albany  in  1754 — thirty-three  years  before.  Wil- 
liam Livingston,  George  Read,  Elbridge  Gerry,  Robert  Mor- 
ris, Alexander  Hamilton,  Charles  Cotesworth  Pinckney, 
Edmund  Randolph,  and  others  of  a  similar  cast — old  men 
and  young — the  civilians,  lawyers,  and  military  leaders,  who 
had  counseled  or  fought  in  the  Revolution,  and  others  who 
had  grown  up  to  the  estate  of  manhood  under  its  auspices, 
were  there,  alike  to  testify  to  the  frailty  of  the  confederacy, 
and  to  devise  a  substitute  for  it.  But  what  should  that  sub- 
stitute be  ?  This  was  a  question  not  easily  to  be  settled. 
Those   gentlemen  representing  the  large  states  of  Virginia, 

*  Hildreth,  iii.  482. 


[1787.]  THE   FEDERAL   CONSTITUTION.  437 

Massachusetts  with  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia,*  were  in 
favor  of  a  national  government  based  upon  proportionate 
representation ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  the  smaller  states 
of  Connecticut,  New  Jersey,  and  Delaware,  with  most  of  the 
delegates  from  Maryland  and  New  York,  were  in  favor  of 
giving  to  the  states,  by  virtue  of  their  individual  sovereignty, 
a  power  under  the  Constitution  not  depending  upon  numbers. 

The  reader  has  seen  that  state  sovereignty  had  been  a 
favorite  political  maxim  of  Connecticut  from  the  earliest 
times.  Small  as  she  was,  she  had  been  obliged  to  contend 
for  her  individuality  with  her  whole  strength  in  order  to 
keep  it. 

Governor  Randolph  was  the  first  to  speak  upon  the  inade- 
quacy of  the  articles  of  confederation.  He  spoke  with  his 
usual  earnestness  and  ability.  At  the  close  of  his  speech  he 
offered  a  series  of  resolutions,  fifteen  in  number,  proposing 
important  changes  in  the  federal  system.  The  main  features 
of  these  resolutions  were,  a  general  legislature  or  congress 
having  two  branches — one  to  be  chosen  by  the  people  accord- 
ing to  the  free  population,  or  taxes ;  while  the  other  was  to 
be  selected  by  the  first  from  candidates  nominated  by  the 
state  legislatures.  It  was  also  suggested  that  there  should  be 
a  national  executive,  judiciary,  and  council  of  revision,  to  be 
elected  by  the  proposed  Congress.  Randolph's  resolutions, 
with  another  series  from  the  pen  of  Charles  Pinckney,  were 
referred  to  the  committee  of  the  whole.  The  principal 
debaters  in  the  committee  were  Randolph,  Madison,  and 
Mason,  of  Virginia  ;  Gerry,  Gorham,  and  King,  of  Massa- 
chusetts;  Wilson,  Morris,  and  Franklin,  of  Pennsylvania; 
Johnson,  Sherman,  and  Ellsworth^  of  Connecticut;  Hamilton 
and  Lansing,  of  New  York ;  the  two  Pinckneys,  of  South 
Carolina;  Patterson,  of  New  Jersey  ;  Martin,  of  Maryland; 
Dickinson,  of  Delaware ;  and  Williamson,  of  North  Carolina. 


*  The  Carolinas  and  Georgia,  which  at  that  time  embraced  the  present  states 
of  Tennessee,  Georgia,  and  Alabama,  anticipated  that  they  should  at  no  distant 
day  contain  a  greater  population  than  all  the  rest  of  the  Union  together.  See 
HUdreth,  iii.  486. 


488  HISTOEY  OF  COKNECTICUT. 

It  is  with  pleasure  that  we  contemplate  the  position  of  our 
little  state  in  the  long  debates  that  followed.  Three  men 
could  hardly  have  been  selected  from  the  whole  body  of  the 
people,  who  were  so  different  in  their  mental  characteristics, 
and  yet  so  well  fitted  to  give  weight  and  influence  to  each 
other.  It  will  not  be  disputed,  as  no  one  thought  of  disputing 
it  then,  that  they  were  all  men  belonging  to  the  first  rank  of 
American  statesmen,  Sherman  was  of  a  grave  and  massive 
understanding,  a  man  who  looked  at  the  most  difficult  ques- 
tions, and  untied  their  tangled  knots,  without  having  his  vision 
dimmed  or  his  head  made  dizzy.  He  appears  to  have  known 
the  science  of  government  and  the  relations  of  society  from 
his  childhood,  and  to  have  needed  no  teaching  because  he 
saw  moral,  ethical,  and  political  truths  in  all  their  relations, 
better  than  they  could  be  imparted  to  him  by  others.  He 
took  for  granted  as  self-evident  the  maxims  that  had  made 
Plato  prematurely  old,  and  had  consumed  the  best  hours  of 
Bacon  and  Sir  Thomas  More,  in  attempting  to  elaborate  and 
reconcile  the  anomalies  and  inconsistencies  of  the  British 
constitution.  With  more  well-digested  thoughts  to  communi- 
cate than  any  other  member  of  the  convention,  he  used  fewer 
words  to  express  his  sentiments  than  any  of  his  compeers. 
Indeed,  his  thoughts  could  hardly  be  said  to  be  expressed  but 
were  rather  incorporated  with  his  language.  His  views,  uttered 
in  a  plain  though  didactic  form,  seemed  to  be  presented  not  so 
much  in  a  course  of  reasoning  as  to  be  an  embodiment  of 
pure  reason  itself 

With  a  broad-based  consciousness,  extended  as  the  line  of 
the  horizon  where  calm  philosophy  and  wild  theory  meet  and 
seem  to  run  into  each  other,  he  saw  at  a  glance  the  most 
abstruse  subjects  presented  to  his  consideration,  and  fused 
them  down  as  if  by  the  heat  of  a  furnace,  into  globes  of  solid 
maxims  and  demonstrable  propositions.  Nor  did  he  look 
merely  at  the  present  hour,  but  with  a  sympathy  as  lively  as 
his  ken  was  far-reaching,  he  penetrated  the  curtains  that  hid 
future  generations  from  the  sight  of  common  men,  and  made 
as  careful  provision  for  the  unborn  millions  of  his  country- 


[1787.]  TH:E   SHERMANS.  439 

men,  as  for  the  generation  that  was  then  upon  the  stage  of 
life.  With  no  false  pride  to  sustain  at  the  expense  of  virtue, 
or  schemes  of  grasping  ambition  to  gratify,  with  no  favorites 
to  flutter  around  him  and  claim  the  first  fruits  of  his  confi- 
dence and  labors  ;  fearless  to  announce  an  opinion,  as  he 
was  modest  and  delicate  in  his  mode  of  doing  it,  he  was  able 
at  a  moment's  warning,  to  bring  his  best  intellectual  resources 
into  the  field  of  debate. 

These   traits   of  character   belonged   to  Sherman  by  the 
double  tenure  of  inheritance  and  the  endowments  of  nature. 
He  was  descended   from  the  Shermans  of  Yaxley,  in  the 
county  of  Suffolk,  England,  as  well  as  from  the  Wallers,  the 
Yaxleys,  and  other  families  in  the  maternal  line  belonging  to 
the  solid  landed  gentry  w^ho  had  helped  to  frame  the  British 
constitution.     Three  members  of  the  Sherman  family  emi- 
grated to  America  in  1634.     Two  of  them,  Samuel  Sherman, 
who  soon   removed  to  the  valley  of  the   Connecticut   and 
was  one   of   the  strongest   pillars  of  the   colony,   and    the 
Rev.  John  Sherman,  who  was  famous  throughout  New  Eng- 
land as  the  best  mathematician  and  astronomer  of  the  colo- 
nies, and  one  of  the  most  eloquent  preachers  of  that  day,  were 
brothers,  and  are  not  unknown  to  fame.  The  other  emigrant, 
designated  in  our  old  books  as  Captain   John  Sherman,  was 
their  first  cousin,  and  not  inferior  to  them  in  moral  worth  if 
indeed  he  could  be  said  to  be  in  intellectual  ability.     He  was 
a  soldier  of  high  courage,  and  that  his  education  had  not 
been  neglected,  his  beautifully  legible  and  clerkly  hand  which 
still  perpetuates  the  records  of  Watertown,  in  Massachusetts, 
as  well  as  the  phraseology  of  the  records  themselves,  bear 
ample  testimony.     Roger  Sherman  was  a  grandson  of  this 
gentleman,  and  inherited  the  best  traits  of  the  family.     But 
good  lineage  and  intellectual  powers  of  a  high  order,  were 
not  adequate  of  themselves  to  form  such  a  character  as  Sher- 
man's.    It  was  to  be  tried  in  the  school  of  poverty,  and  to 
buffet  the  waves  of  adversity,  before  it  could  gain  nerve  and 
strength  enough  to  baffle  the  sophistries  of  the  British  min- 
istry, defy  the  sword  of  a  tyrant,  or  successfully  oppose  itself 


440  HISTOKY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

to  the  headlong  flood  of  popular  passions.  His  personal  his- 
tory, of  which  so  much  has  been  written  and  so  little  under- 
stood, is  given  in  the  subjoined  note,  and  will  show  with 
what  success  he  addressed  himself  to  support  his  numerous 
brothers  and  sisters,  and  to  overcome  the  obstacles  of  evil 
fortune.* 


*  The  name  of  Sherman  is  by  no  means  a  common  one  in  England,  though  it 
has  been  highly  respected  and  honored.  Sir  Henry  Sherman  was  one  of  the  exe- 
cutors of  the  will  of  Lord  Stanley,  Earl  of  Derby,  county  of  Lancaster,  dated  23 
May,  152L  William  Sherman,  Esq.,  purchased  Knightston,  in  the  time  of  Henry 
Vin.  A  monument  to  Wm.  Sherman,  is  in  Ottery,  St.  Mary,  1542.  John  Sher- 
man, and  his  son  both  died  in  the  same  place,  in  1617.  John  (above  named,) 
married  Dorothy,  sister  of  John  Drake,  Esq.,  of  Arke.  William  Sherman,  of 
Ottery  St.  Mary  (county  of  Devon,)  had  a  daughter  Catharine,  married  to  Gilbert 
Drake,  of  Spratsays,  Devon. 

"  Pedigree  of  Sherman,  of  Yaxley — ^From  Davy's  manuscript  collections  relat- 
ing to  the  county  of  Suffolk,  (England,)  deposited  in  the  British  Museum. 

1.  Thomas  Sherman,  (1st,)  of  Yaxley,  county  Suffolk,  mai'ried  Jane,  daughter 
of  John  Waller,  Gent.,  and  had  nine  children,  viz.,  Thomas,  Richard,  John, 
Henry,  Richard,  Francis,  James,  Anthony,  and  a  daughter  who  married  Lock- 
wood. 

2.  Thomas  Sherman,  (2d,)  also  of  Yaxley,  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  An- 
thony Yaxley,  Esq.,  of  Mellis.  He  was  living  in  1561.  His  children  were — 
Thomas,  Elizabeth,  Anne,  John,  Rev.  Richard,  Owen,  William,  Margaret,  and 
Faith. 

(3.)  Thomas  Sherman,  (3d,)  Gent.,  of  Yaxley,  and  Stuston,  (afterwards  of 

Ipswich,)  married  a  daughter  of Thwaytes,  of  Hardingham,  in  Norfolk.  His 

will  is  dated  March  9, 1618,  and  was  proved  in  1619.  To  his  wife  Margaret,  he 
gave  a  life-lease  of  his  dwelling-house,  after  which  it  should  go  to  his  son  John. 
To  his  son  Thomas,  he  gave  a  house  and  lands  in  Swilland.  His  son  Samuel,  his 
"  daughter  Mary  Tomlinson,"  his  "  daughter  Carpenter,"  his  "  brother  Alexander 
Sherman,  late  of  Tyhenham,  in  Norfolk,  deceased,"  and  his  two  daughters, 
Margaret  and  Barbara,  are  also  mentioned  in  his  will.  I  have  good  reason  to 
believe  that  the  John  and  Samuel  of  this  family  were  none  other  than  the  Rev. 
John  Sherman,  of  Watertown,  Mass.,  and  the  Hon.  Samuel  Sherman,  of  Weth- 
ersfield,  Conn. 

3.  John  Sherman,  second  son  of  Thomas  Sherman,  (2d,)  and  brother  of  Thomas 
Sherman,  (3d,)  married  Anne,  daughter  of  William  Cane,  and  had  eight  children, 
viz..  Faith,  William,  Thomas,  Eleanor,  Jane,  Milicant,  Elizabeth,  and  Anne.  He 
resided  in  Newark,  Leicestershire. 

4.  William  Sherman,  eldest  son  of  the  preceding,  married  Maiy  Lascelles  of 
Nottinghamshire.  He  was  aged  thirty-one  years  in  1619,  His  son  John,  came 
to  America,  in  1634,  and  settled  in  Watertown,  Mass.,  near  his  cousin  of  the 
same  name,  from  whom  he  is  distinguished  in  history  as  Captain  John  Sherman. 


OLIYEE   ELLSWOETH.  441 

Ellsworth  was  logical  and  argumentative  in  his  mode  of 
illustration,  and  possessed  a  peculiar  style  of  condensed 
statement,  through  which  there  ran,  like  a  magnetic  current, 
the  most  delicate  train  of  analytical  reasoning. 

His  eloquence  was  wonderfully  persuasive,  too,  and  his  man- 
ner solemn  and  impressive.  His  style  was  decidedly  of  the 
patrician  school,  and  yet  so  simple  that  a  child  could  follow 

5.  Captain  John  Sherman,  married  Martha  Palmer,  and  had  five  children,  viz., 
Martha,  Sarah,  Joseph^  Grace,  and  John,  He  died  January  25,  1690.  Martha, 
his  widow,  died  February  7,  1700. 

6.  Joseph  Sherman,  (eldest  son  of  Captain  John,)  married  Elizabeth  Winship, 
Nov.  18,  1673.  They  had  ten  children,  viz.,  John,  Edward,  Joseph,  Samuel, 
Jonathan,  Ephraim,  Elizabeth,  William^  Sarah,  and  Nathaniel.  He  died  January 
20, 1730-'31. 

7.  William  Sherman,  married  (1.)  Rebecca  Cutler,  of  Charlestown,  Mass.,  and 
had  one  son  who  died  in  infancy.  He  married  (2d,)  Mehetable,  daughter  of 
Benjamin  Wellington,  of  Watertown,  Mass.,  Sept.  13,  1715.  Their  children 
were,  William,  of  New  Milford,  Mary,  Roger,  Elizabeth,  Rev.  Nathaniel,  of 
Bedford,  Mass.,  Rev.  Josiah,  of  Woborn,  (Mass.,)  Goshen,  and  Woodbridge, 
(Conn.,)  and  Rebecca. 

8.  Hon.  Roger  Sherman,  (son  of  William  and  Mehetable,)  was  born  at  New- 
ton, Mass.,  April  19,  1721.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years  his  father  died,  and  the 
care  of  a  large  family  thus  early  devolved  upon  him  and  his  elder  brother.  In 
1743,  he  removed  to  New  Milford,  and  became  a  partner  of  that  brother  in  the 
mercantile  business.  Two  years  after,  Roger  was  appointed  county  surveyor  ;  and 
in  1754,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Litchfield  county.  TVTiile  a  resident  of 
New  Milford,  he  also  became  a  justice  of  the  peace,  deacon  of  the  church,  repre- 
sentative, and  justice  of  the  quorum.  Removing  to  New  Haven,  in  1761,  he  was 
soon  chosen  an  assistant,  and  appointed  a  judge  of  the  superior  court,  which  ofliice 
he  held  for  twenty-three  years.  He  was  a  member  of  Congress  for  nineteen  years, 
and  was  a  signer  of  the  declaration  of  independence.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
council  of  safety,  member  of  the  convention  which  formed  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States,  and  United  States  Senator.  He  died  July  23,  1793,  aged  seventy- 
two.  Mr.  Sherman's  first  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Dea.  Joseph  Hartwell,  of 
Stoughton  ;  his  second  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  Prescott,  Jr. 

Hon.  Roger  Minott  Sherman,  LL.  D.,  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Josiah  Sherman, 
(above  named,)  and  was  a  nephew  of  the  Hon.  Roger  Sherman.  He  was  born 
in  Woborn,  Mass.,  in  1773,  and  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1792,  in  which 
institution  he  was  for  three  years  a  tutor.  In  1796  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar, 
and  soon  commenced  the  practice  of  the  law  in  Fairfield,  where  he  resided  until 
his  death,  Dec.  30, 1844.  He  was  frequently  a  member  of  both  branches  of  the 
legislature,  and  was  subsequently  a  judge  of  the  superior  court.  Judge  Sherman 
was  one  of  the  most  accomplished  and  eminent  men  in  the  state. 


442  HISTORY  OF  CONN'ECTICUT. 

without  difficulty  the  steps  by  which  he  arrived  at  his  con- 
clusions. That  he  also  had  the  best  judicial  powers  that  were 
known  in  that  elder  age  of  our  republic,  will  not  be  disputed. 
Add  to  these  qualities,  an  eye  that  seemed  to  look  an  adver- 
sary through,  a  forehead  and  features  so  bold  and  marked  as 
to  promise  all  that  his  rich  deep  voice,  expressive  gestures 
and  moral  fearlessness, mdidiQ  good,  add  above  all,  that  reserved 
force  of  scornful  satire,  so  seldom  employed,  but  so  like  the 
destructive  movements  of  a  corps  of  flying  artillery,  and  the 
reader  has  an  outline  of  the  strength  and  majesty  of  Ells- 
worth.^ 

Johnson,  added  to  the  gifts  of  nature  that  had  been  so  un- 
sparingly lavished  upon  him,  the  ripest  perfections  of  the 
scholar  and  the  most  astute  discipline  that  the  study  of  the 
civil  code  and  the  common  law  of  England  can  impart  to 
their  self-sacrificing  devotees. 

He  had  represented  Connecticut  in  the  Congress  at  New 
York  in  the  year  1765,  where  he  had  met  the  first  men 
of  the  continent.  The  address  of  that  body  to  the  king, 
remonstrating  against  the  course  pursued  by  the  ministry  and 
the  parliament  toward  the  American  colonies,  flowed  mainly 

*  Josiah  Ellsworth,  of  Windsor,  was  admitted  a  freeman  in  May,  1657,  and  was 
married  to  Mary  Holcomb,  Nov.  16,  1654.  Their  son  Thomas  Ellsworth,  was 
born  Sept.  2,  1665.  William  Ellsworth  (son  of  Thomas,)  was  born  April  15, 
1702,  was  married  to  Mary  Oliver,  of  Boston,  June  16,  1737. 

Oliver  Ellsworth,  LL.  D.,  son  of  William  and  Mary  Ellsworth,  was  born  at 
Windsor,  Conn.,  March  24,  1746-'7,  (as  appears  by  the  Windsor  records,)  and 
graduated  at  the  College  of  New  Jersey,  in  1766.  He  soon  became  one  of  the 
most  eminent  legal  practitioners  in  the  colony.  He  was  successively  a  member  of 
the  council  of  his  native  state,  delegate  in  the  Continental  Congress,  judge  of  the 
superior  court,  member  of  the  national  constitutional  convention,  and  of  the  state 
convention  which  ratified  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States.  He  was  also 
chosen  one  of  the  first  United  States  Senators  from  Connecticut,  and  was  appoint- 
ed chief  justice  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  United  States,  as  the  successor  of  Jay. 
In  1799,  President  Adams  appointed  him  Envoy  Extraordinary  to  France — a  post 
which  he  accepted.  Having  accomplished  the  business  of  his  embassy,  he  spent 
some  time  in  England  where  he  sought  to  avail  himself  of  the  benefit  of  its  miner- 
al waters.  Returning,  he  again  became  a  citizen  of  his  native  state  ,and  was  once 
more  elected  to  the  council,  and  in  May  1807,  he  was  chosen  chief  justice  of  the 
state.     He  died  at  Windsor,  November  26,  1807,  aged  sixty-five  years. 


WILLIAM   SAMUEL   JOHNSON.  443 

from  his  fervent  soul  and  was  most  of  it  penned  by  liim.  It 
is  still  preserved  among  the  British  archives,  and  evinces  a 
lofty  spirit  of  patriotism  that  might  have  breathed  life  into 
the  dry  bones  of  any  administration  based  upon  other 
principles  than  the  spoils  of  office  and  the  obstinacy  of  dis- 
appointed ambition.  The  very  next  year,  the  University  of 
Oxford  made  him  a  doctor  of  laws,  notwithstanding  his 
efforts  in  behalf  of  American  liberty.  His  fame  as  a  law- 
yer was  also  pre-eminent.  In  1782,  he  had  appeared  as 
counsel  for  Connecticut  in  the  celebrated  Wyoming  con- 
troversy, where  he  met  the  ablest  advocates  that  Pennsyl- 
vania could  bring  into  the  field  against  him,  and  was  acknowl- 
edged to  have  exhibited  on  that  occasion  unrivalled  powers 
both  of  reasoning  and  eloquence."" 

These  were  formidable  opponents  when  met  single-handed; 
and  united,  they  were  irresistible. 

The  resolution  proposing  to  elect  the  first  branch  of  Con- 
gress by  the  people,  was  met  on  the  threshold  by  Sherman. 
He  was  in  favor  of  a  system  of  checks  and  balances  that 
would  guard  the  great  mass  of  the  voters  from  the  intrigues 
of  politicians.  In  this  he  was  seconded  by  the  delegates  from 
Massachusetts  and  South  Carolina.  But  Ellsworth  and 
Johnson  were  in  favor  of  the  plan  of  electing  one  branch  of 
the  national  legislature  by  the  people.  After  an  earnest 
debate,  that  called  out  an  exhibition  of  talent  and  learning 
that  could  at  that  time  have  been  surpassed  in  no  assembly 

*  William  Samuel  Johnson,  LL.  D.,  eldest  son  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Johnson, 
J).  D.,  first  President  of  King's  (now  Columbia)  College,  was  born  at  Stratford, 
Conn.,  October  7,  1727,  and  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1744.  He  was  often 
a  member  of  both  branches  of  the  Connecticut  legislature,  besides  being  a  mem- 
ber of  the  old  Congress  of  1765,  and  of  the  Continental  Congress  during  the 
revolution.  In  1766,  he  visited  England  as  the  agent  of  the  colony,  where  he 
remained  until  1771  ;  and  during  the  following  year,  he  was  elected  a  judge  of 
the  superior  court.  He  was  also,  as  we  have  seen,  a  member  of  the  convention 
'which  formed  the  Federal  Constitution,  and  of  the  convention  which  subsequently 
ratified  it.  In  1787,  he  was  elected  a  United  States  Senator,  and  during  the  same 
year  was  chosen  President  of  Columbia  College,  in  New  York,  a  post  which  he 
held  until  1800,  when  he  returned  to  Stratford,  where  he  died  Nov.  14,  1819, 
aged  ninety-three. 


444  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

of  men  in  the  world,  the  proposition  was  carried.  Having 
determined  to  elect  one  branch  of  Congress  by  the  popular 
vote,  the  question  then  came  before  the  committee  for  what 
term  the  members  of  that  bodv  should  be  chosen.  Sherman, 
who  had  before  taken  what  he  thought  to  be  more  conservative 
ground  than  the  Virginia  delegates,  proposed  the  term  of  one 
year.  He  was  in  favor  of  short  terms.  It  made  the  mem- 
bers amenable  to  the  power  that  elected  them,  and  put  them 
upon  their  good  behavior.  He  did  not  desire  that  the  new 
government  should  call  into  being  and  foster  a  class  of  poli- 
ticians such  as  had  grown  up  under  the  shadow  of  the  British 
parliament,  and  had,  for  a  century  and  a  half,  in  the  shape  of 
emissaries,  colonial  governors,  and  commissioners  to  settle 
boundary  lines,  preyed  upon  the  people  of  this  country.  He 
was  seconded  in  this  view  by  Elbridge  Gerry,  his  warm 
friend  and  ardent  admirer,  and  by  the  other  delegates  from 
Connecticut,  as  well  as  by  those  of  Massachusetts  and  South 
Carolina.  Madison  and  his  colleagues  proposed  three  years 
for  the  same  reason  that  Sherman  had  opposed  the  election 
by  the  people.     This  longer  term  was  finally  agreed  upon. 

Sherman  made  the  same  objection  to  the  length  of  time 
named  by  Mr.  Randolph  and  advocated  by  Madison  as  the 
term  of  the  senatorial  office.  Seven  years  seemed  by  the 
gentlemen  from  Virginia  short  enough.  Randolph  urged 
that  "the  democratic  licentiousness  of  the  state  legislatures 
proved  the  necessity  of  a  firm  senate."  Sherman  argued 
differently.  He  had  lived  in  a  part  of  the  world  where  the 
licentiousness  of  state  legislatures  was  at  that  time  a  thing 
unknown,  and  where  the  voters — such  was  their  stability — 
were  in  the  habit  of  annually  going  through  with  the  form  of 
electing  the  same  state  officers  and  the  same  judges  year 
after  year,  with  the  regularity  of  the  sun  and  the  tides,  until 
the  functionaries  thus  submitted  so  often  to  their  scrutiny, 
and  brought  within  their  reach,  either  withdrew  their  names 
as  candidates  or  died.  With  habitudes  of  mind  formed  under 
the  operations  of  a  free  government  instituted  and  kept  alive 
by  such  a  people,  Sherman,  who  had  more  confidence  in 


[1787.]  DEBATE  IN  COXVEXTIOX.  445 

the  masses  than  he  had  in  those  who  might  impose  upon  their 
credulity,  found  no  difficulty  in  believing  that  seven  years 
was  too  long  a  term  of  office.  He  used  the  same  arguments 
that  he  had  employed  when  advocating  the  annual  choice  of 
the  members  of  the  first  branch  of  the  legislature. 

The  question  was  then  agitated,  how  the  second  branch 
of  the  legislature  should  be  chosen.  Wilson  proposed  that 
the  people  should  do  it ;  but  this  did  not  meet  the  approval  of 
any  state  represented  in  the  convention  except  Pennsylvania. 
Dickinson  and  Sherman  spoke  strongly  in  behalf  of  confid- 
ing this  election  to  the  legislatures  of  the  respective  states. 
This  was  hotly  contested,  but  at  last  prevailed. 

The  smaller  states,  of  which  Sherman  was  a  principal 
champion,  were  afraid  of  being  overwhelmed  by  the  larger 
ones,  and  insisted  that  the  upper  or  second  branch  of  the 
legislature  should  be  made  up  of  an  equal  number  of  mem- 
bers from  each  state,  without  regard  to  population.  Sher- 
man entered  into  this  debate  with  his  whole  soul,  and  was 
ably  seconded  by  his  colleagues.  Five  states  voted  in  favor, 
and  six  against  the  side  that  he  so  warmly  espoused. 

It  shows  the  prescience  of  this  great  man,  that  he  advoca- 
ted before  the  committee,  against  such  opponents  as  Rutledge 
and  Butler  of  South  Carolina,  the  same  basis  of  representa- 
tion that  now  prevails  in  Connecticut,  strenuously  claiming 
that  the  number  of  free  inhabitants  without  regard  to  the 
property  of  the  citizens,  should  form  the  basis  of  representa- 
tion. This  recognition  of  the  rights  of  citizenship,  discon- 
nected with  any  consideration  of  land  or  money,  shows  how 
much  he  was  in  advance  of  the  other  members  of  the  con- 
vention, and  of  the  age  in  which  he  lived,  in  all  that  related 
to  the  elective  franchise. 

After  this,  followed  the  debates  in  relation  to  the  executive 
and  the  judiciary.  The  question  as  to  whether  the  execu- 
tive should  consist  of  one  person  or  of  several,  was,  after  an 
animated  debate,  decided  in  favor  of  a  single  person — New 
York,  Delaware,  and  Maryland  voting  in  the  negative.  Wil- 
son then  proposed  that  the  national   executive  be  chosen 


446  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

directly  by  the  people.  Sherman  proposed  that  Congress 
should  elect  the  President,  and  that  he  should  be  dependent  upon 
that  body.  Other  suggestions  and  propositions  were  made, 
but  as  no  other  plan  could  be  agreed  upon,  that  of  Sherman 
was  concurred  in.  As  to  the  length  of  his  term  of  service, 
the  same  difference  of  opinion  existed.  Sherman,  Wilson,  and 
others,  advocated  three  years,  with  re-eligibility.  Mason 
was  in  favor  of  seven  years,  and  ineligibility ;  and  this  was 
finally  cai'ried — Connecticut,  the  Carolinas,  and  Georgia, 
voting  against  it ;  and  Massachusetts  being  divided. 

The  judiciary  was  long  a  subject  of  earnest  consideration 
on  the  part  of  the  convention.  Numerous  propositions  and 
suggestions  were  made,  the  mass  of  which  were  voted  down. 
It  was  at  last  determined  that  the  judges  should  be 
chosen  by  the  second  branch  of  the  national  legislature ; 
and  a  veto  upon  all  laws  inconsistent  with  the  articles  of 
union  or  to  treaties  with  foreign  powers,  was  conceded  to 
the  executive. 

Such  were  some  of  the  main  features  of  the  bill,  which,  on 
the  13th  of  June,  was  presented  to  the  convention  by  the 
committee  of  the  whole.  Scarcely  had  the  formularies,  so 
long  debated,  been  submitted  to  the  convention,  when  the 
opposition,  that  was  supposed  by  many  of  the  friends  of  a 
consolidated  government  to  have  vanished  before  the 
eloquence  and  reasoning  of  the  delegates  representing  the 
larger  states,  burst  forth  into  a  flame.  Patterson,  of  New 
Jersey,  and  some  others,  appearing  in  behalf  of  the  smaller 
states,  had  been  brooding  in  secret  over  some  propositions 
that  had  been  adopted  by  the  committee  of  the  whole,  that 
must,  as  they  believed,  should  they  receive  the  ultimate  sanc- 
tion of  the  convention,  prove  fatal  to  the  already  feeble  influ- 
ence of  the  smaller  states  in  the  general  government. 

The  vote  of  the  committee,  placing  both  branches  of  the 
legislature  upon  the  same  basis,  of  numerical  representation, 
was  especially  offensive  to  the  minority.  Patterson,  of  New 
Jersey,  Lansing,  of  New  York,  and  others,  representing  the 
smaller  states,  had  therefore  performed  the  double  duty  of 


[1787.]  DEBATE   COXTIXUED.  447 

attending  the  debates,  and  preparing,  as  they  found  time,  a 
system  that  embodied  the  sentiments  of  a  portion  of  the 
minority  which  had  been  voted  down. 

As  soon  as  the  Virginia  scheme,  as  amended  by  the  com- 
mittee, had  been  brought  before  the  convention,  this  new  one, 
then  and  since  known  as  the  "New  Jersey  Plan,"  was 
exhibited  by  Patterson.  This  scheme  was  as  unhke  the  one 
akeady  reported  as  could  well  be  conceived.  It  proposed  to 
retain  the  old  Continental  Congress,  giving  to  it  power  to 
levy  duties  on  imported  goods,  impose  taxes,  and  regulate 
trade  with  other  nations.  By  its  provisions,  the  executive 
w^as  to  consist  of  more  than  one  person  ;  a  federal  judiciary 
w^as  to  be  instituted,  and  acts  of  Congress  and  treaties  made 
with  foreign  powers  were  to  be  the  supreme  law.* 

It  is  not  at  all  probable  that  either  Patterson,  or  any  of  the 
other  gentlemen  who  advocated  the  "New  Jersey  Plan," 
expected  that  it  could  ever  receive,  in  the  shape  in  which  it 
was  presented,  the  approbation  of  the  convention.  However, 
it  served  as  a  protest  against  the  Virginia  Plan,  and  certainly 
contained  some  provisions  and  embodied  some  principles  of 
a  highly  important  character,  which  in  a  modified  form  still 
survive  in  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  give  to 
it  much  of  that  solidity  and  at  the  same  time  expansive  elas- 
ticity, which  are  so  well  adapted  to  the  wants  of  our  grow- 
ing millions  and  constantly  increasing  territory. 

As  must  have  been  anticipated,  the  two  plans  of  govern- 
ment were  referred  to  a  new  committee  of  the  whole,  and 
subjected  to  the  ordeal  of  debate.  While  this  discussion  was 
going  on,  and  waxing  more  and  more  warm,  a  new  party 
appeared  in  the  field,  and  with  a  fearlessness  that  amazed  the 
contending  factions,  offered  battle  to  them  both.  This 
knight,  bearing  a  "banner  with  a  strange  device,"  was  Alex- 
ander Hamilton.  Not  only  did  he  dissent  from  the  Virginia 
and  the  New  Jersey  systems,  but  he  differed  from  the  other 
New  York  delegates.  He  did  not  dare  to  trust  the  govern- 
ment in  the  hands  of  the  people.     He  was  afraid  of  repubhcs, 

*  Ilildreth,  iii.  492. 


448  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

and  dreaded  the  shifting  and  changeable  Proteus,  called  demo- 
cracy. He  therefore  proposed,  that  as  the  people  had  grown 
up  under  the  firm  rule  of  the  British  constitution,  the  new 
form  of  government  should  approach  as  nearly  to  that  model 
as  would  be  consistent  with  the  character  of  our  inhabitants 
and  the  multiform  interests  of  the  «tate  governments.  He 
desired  that  the  executive  and  the  second  branch  of  the 
national  legislature  should  be  appointed  during  good  behavior. 
He  proposed  that  the  executive  should  be  called  governor; 
that  the  senate  should  be  chosen  by  electors  whom  the  peo- 
ple should  select ;  that  the  first  branch  of  the  national  legis- 
lature should  be  chosen  by  the  people,  wdth  a  three  years' 
term  of  office ;  that  the  governors  should  be  appointed  by 
the  national  legislature,  and  have  the  power  of  vetoing  all 
the  laws  enacted  by  the  state  legislatures.  Hamilton  advo- 
cated this  impracticable  system,  with  an  ability  worthy  of  a 
better  cause.  Fortunately  it  was  that  there  were  in  the 
convention  so  many  delegates  who  had  no  theories  either  to 
adopt  or  to  approximate,  but  who  saw  in  the  preservation  of 
the  state  legislatures  the  principal  safe-guard  of  the  national 
government.  To  the  smaller  states,  this  one  feature  in  the 
Hamilton  plan  would  have  been  total  destruction,  and  to  the 
general  government,  a  certain  instrument  of  suicide. 

After  making  a  speech  in  favor  of  his  plan,  and  submitting 
a  sketch  of  it  in  writing;  he  left  the  convention  for  a  period 
of  six  weeks.  The  new  system  found  few  friends.  The 
New  Jersey  plan  fared  little  better;  and  after  a  short  discus- 
sion, the  vote  in  favor  of  the  Virginia  scheme,  as  amended, 
obtained  a  very  decided  majority.  Connecticut  voted  unani- 
mously for  reporting,  as  before,  the  Virginia  plan  to  the  con- 
vention. 

The  debate  was  now  resumed  before  the  convention  with 
fresh  vigor,  and  every  detail  of  the  proposed  constitution  was 
subjected  to  the  closest  examination  and  severest  criticism. 
The  old  wound  that  had  been  partially  healed — the  danger 
that  the  small  states  would  be  overwhelmed  and  lose  their 
individual  sovereignty — was  soon  made  to  bleed  afresh.     To 


[1787.]  A  NEW  NAME.  449 

allay  the  excitement,  Ellsworth  made  a  motion  that  the 
words,  "government  of  the  United  States,"  should  be  sub- 
stituted for  the  offensive  term,  "national  government,"  which 
sounded  like  a  harsh  synonym  for  consolidation,  in  the  ears 
of  the  delegates  from  the  smaller  states.  This  motion  pre- 
vailed ;  but  as  the  evil  still  existed  though  called  by  a  softer 
name,  the  cause  of  complaint  was  by  no  means  removed. 
How  many  votes  the  states  were  respectively  to  have  in  the 
legislature  of  the  general  government,  was  of  more  import- 
ance than  the  name  by  which  that  government  was  to  be 
called.  The  discussion  on  this  vital  question  grew  more  and 
more  exciting  as  it  advanced,  and  at  last  became  bitter  and 
vehement.  Dr.  Franklin  moved  that  a  chaplain  should  be 
chosen,  and  that  prayers  should  be  read,  to  bring  the  minds 
of  the  delegates  to  a  right  frame.  Mr.  Madison  opposed  the 
motion,  fearing  lest  the  measure,  should  it  be  adopted  at  that 
late  hour,  might  startle  the  public  with  the  anticipation  of 
some  desperate  issue  close  at  hand.  A  motion  of  adjourn- 
ment was  substituted  for  the  proposition  of  Franklin,  which 
was  carried,  and  the  excited  minds  of  the  debaters  had  time 
to  cool. 

The  ratio  of  representation  that  had  been  adopted  by  the 
committee  of  the  whole,  for  the  first  branch  of  the  legisla- 
ture, finally  prevailed  in  the  convention.  Then  came  the 
crisis  of  the  debate.  What  should  be  the  ratio  in  the  second 
branch  ?  Ellsworth  made  a  motion  that  the  states  should  be 
equally  represented  in  that  body,  and  pressed  home  upon  the 
committee  all  the  arguments  that  such  a  mind  as  his  could 
urge  upon  a  question  that  seemed  to  involve  the  very 
existence  of  the  state  that  he  had  been  appointed  to  defend. 
His  vast  learning  and  clear  powers  of  analysis  were  brought 
to  bear  upon  this  interesting  question,  and  elicited  the  admira- 
tion even  of  the  bitterest  opponents  of  the  motion.  Breath- 
less as  had  been  the  silence  that  prevailed  while  the  debate 
was  going  on,  and  while  its  result  was  yet  doubtful,  no  sooner 
was  it  made  known,  than  the  pent  up  flames,  that  had  been 

so  long  smothered  in  the  breasts  of  the  delegates  from  the 

61 


450  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

smaller  states,  burst  forth  like  the  fires  of  a  volcano.  Dis- 
cord reigned  for  a  while  in  the  chamber,  and  the  convention 
seemed  about  to  be  shattered  in  pieces  by  its  own  explosive 
elements. 

Deeply  as  he  felt  the  poison  of  the  sting  inflicted  by  this 
vote  upon  the  bosom  of  the  state  for  which  he  would  gladly 
have  died,  Sherman  was  calm  and  self-possessed  as  if  he  had 
been  placed  there  to  represent  the  motions  of  the  planets  in 
their  orbits  or  the  unrelaxing  grasp  of  the  law  of  gravitation. 
Determined  not  to  resort  to  extremes  until  the  resources  of 
reason  and  argument,  and  all  the  ordinary  appliances  by 
which  men  are  wrought  upon,  had  been  exhausted,  deter- 
mined most  of  all  to  govern  himself  that  he  might  the  better 
control  others,  he  rose  and  moved  that  a  committee  of  con- 
ference should  be  appointed  of  one  delegate  from  each  of  the 
states  represented  there.  This  motion  at  once  prevailed,  and 
the  convention  adjourned  for  three  days.  The  4th  of  July 
was  celebrated  during  the  period  of  the  adjournment,  and 
lent  the  warm  light  of  liberty  to  the  temperate  counsels  of 
the  more  moderate  members  of  the  convention. 

Dr.  Franklin  proposed  to  the  committee  of  conference, 
that  the  states  should  be  equally  represented  in  the  second  or 
upper  branch  of  the  legislature,  and  that  all  bills  of  appro- 
priation should  originate  with  the  first  orpopular  branch,  which 
was  to  be  chosen  in  accordance  with  the  three-fifths  ratio, 
and  upon  a  basis  of  one  representative  to  every  forty  thou- 
sand inhabitants.  The  delegates  from  the  larger  states  were 
deeply  chagrined  that  they  should  have  fallen  into  the  net 
spread  for  them  by  Sherman,  before  their  eyes,  while  the 
members  of  the  old  minority  were  delighted  at  the  result  of 
the  experiment. 

Side  issues  now  arose,  that  diverted  the  current  of  discus- 
sion from  the  main  question,  how  the  states  should  be  repre- 
sented in  the  upper  branch.  The  national  party  then  brought 
forward  the  consideration  of  the  question,  on  what  basis  the 
members  of  the  popular  branch  of  the  legislature  should  be 
chosen,    and    how    many    there    should    be.      This    inquiry 


[1787.]  THE   APPORTIONMENT.  451 

branched  off  into  a  variety  of  issues  more  or  less  complex, 
that  tended  to  distract  the  attention  of  the  delegates  and 
divide  their  minds.  The  mode  of  apportioning  the  members 
of  the  lower  house,  was  referred  to  a  select  committee  of 
five,  who  reported  in  favor  of  fifty-six  members,  to  represent 
the  states  according  to  the  two  most  important  elements,  of 
wealth  and  population.  The  number-  recommended  was 
thought  to  be  too  small,  and  the  distribution  wrong.  A 
second  select  committee  was  chosen,  to  review  this  part  of 
the  report  of  the  former  one.  This  investigation  was  more 
fortunate,  and  resulted  in  the  presentation  of  a  plan  of  appor- 
tionment that  was  satisfactory,  and  finally  became  a  part  of 
the  constitution.  It  gave  to  the  several  states  a  representa- 
tion as  follows  : — Virginia,  ten  ;  Pennsylvania  and  Massachu- 
setts, each,  eight ;  Maryland  and  New  York,  each,  six ;  Con- 
necticut and  the  Carolinas,  each,  five ;  New  Jersey,  four ; 
New  Hampshire  and  Georgia,  each,  three  ;  and  Delaware 
and  Rhode  Island,  each,  a  single  representative. 

This  progress,  so  highly  encouraging,  was  suddenly  arrested 
by  the  inquiry,  how  the  future  apportionment  should  be 
made.  This  brought  up  the  most  delicate  and  still  vexed 
question  of  negro  slavery.  Patterson  was  opposed  to  any 
scheme  by  which  slaves,  not  counted  in  the  representation  of 
the  state  governments  in  which  they  were  respectively 
owned,  should  form  any  part  of  the  basis  that  was  to  support 
the  first  branch  of  the  national  legislature.  If  they  were 
treated  as  property  where  they  belonged,  he  expressed  him- 
self unable  to  see  why  they  should  stand  on  a  different  foot- 
ing in  relation  to  the  general  government. 

Madison  replied  that  if  this  was  to  be  the  rule,  the  claims  of 
the  smaller  states  to  an  equal  representation  in  either  branch 
of  the  legislature,  to  preserve  their  sovereignty  and  guard 
their  property,  were  equally  without  foundation. 

Governor  Morris  proposed  to  leave  this  matter  of  future 
proportionment  to  the  legislature.  Rutledge  expressed  him- 
self in  favor  of  this  proposition.  Randolph,  Mason,  and 
Wilson,  were  opposed  to  it  on  the  ground  that  it  would  place 


452  HISTOKY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

the  majority  in  the  power  of  the  minority.  They  thought 
the  matter  should  be  settled  then,  once  for  all.  Randolph 
suggested  that  a  periodical  census  should  be  taken,  and  that 
it  should  govern  the  apportionment.  Williamson  moved,  by 
way  of  amendment,  that  in  taking  the  proposed  census,  the 
whole  number  of  freemen  and  three-fifths  of  all  others,  should 
be  the  rule  of  apportionment.  Butler  and  Charles  Cotesworth 
Pinckney,  were  in  favor  of  having  the  slaves  and  freemen  alike 
taken  into  account  in  the  representative  estimate.  Morris 
was  opposed  even  to  the  three-fifths  basis,  because  he  thought 
it  favored  the  slave-trade,  and  that  the  slave-trade  was  a 
curse.  Butler's  proposition  to  count  blacks  equal  with  the 
whites,  was  readily  vote^  down,  as  it  was  supported  only  by 
the  three  states  of  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  and  Delaware. 
Then  came  up  the  motion  of  Williamson,  that  slaves  should 
count  three  to  five  in  the  census.  This  motion  was  also 
defeated.  Randolph's  proposition  in  relation  to  a  periodical 
census,  shared  the  same  fate.  The  report  of  the  committee, 
recommending  that  future  apportionments  should  be  made  by 
the  legislature  according  to  wealth  and  numbers,  was  the 
next  topic  of  consideration.  Morris  made  a  motion  that 
taxation  should  be  in  proportion  to  representation — which 
was  adopted.  This  called  out  Davie,  of  North  Carolina. 
"He  was  sure,"  he  said,  "that  North  Carolina  would  never 
confederate  on  any  terms  that  did  not  rate  them  at  least  as 
three-fifths.  If  the  eastern  states  meant,  therefore,  to  exclude 
them  altogether,  the  business  was  at  an  end."  Here  was  the 
old  fire-brand  again  thrown  into  the  convention.  It  was 
obvious  that  Davie  had  hit  upon  the  most  sensitive  nerve  of 
the  south,  and  that  the  delegates  from  the  slave-states  would 
not  yield  the  point.  It  was  then  that  the  gentlemen  repre- 
senting Connecticut  came  forward  as  mediators.*  Johnson 
expressed  it  as  his  opinion  that  population  was  the  surest 

*  A  highly  respectable  authority  from  Massachusetts,  who  has  laid  the  whole 
world  under  great  obligations  to  him,  has  represented  the  delegates  from  Connec- 
ticut as  "  aspiring  to  act  as  mediators."  Had  he  said  that  they  were  emphati- 
cally the  gentlemen  in  the  convention  from  the  eastern  states  to  mediate 
successfully,  the  remark  would  have  been  more  accurate.     Such  men  as  Roger 


[1787.]  BASIS  OF   REPRESENTATION.  453 

measure  of  wealth.  He  said  he  was  willing  that  blacks  as 
well  as  whites  should  be  counted.  This  was  a  greater  con- 
cession than  Ellsworth  thought  it  necessary  to  make.  He 
therefore  called  up  the  motion  made  by  Williamson,  that  all 
the  whites  and  three-fifths  of  the  blacks  should  constitute  the 
basis  of  taxation,  and  that  taxation  should  be  the  basis  of 
representation.  This  proposition  thus  amended  and  simplified, 
finally  prevailed,  after  a  protracted  debate.  The  delegates 
from  Connecticut  all  voted  for  it ;  New  Jersey,  and  Dela- 
ware, against  it ;  while  Massachusetts,  and  South  Carolina, 
were  divided. 

The  proposition  reported  by  the  committee  of  one  from 
each  state,  that  the  states  should  be  equally  represented  in 
the  second  branch  of  the  national  legislature,  seemed  after 
this  discussion  more  likely  to  meet  with  favor  than  it  had 
before  done,  now  that  the  three-fifths  compromise  had  been 
thrown  into  the  scale.  It  was  therefore  renewed.  Still  an- 
other attempt  was  made  to  qualify  it  in  a  very  essential 
degree  by  Charles  Pinckney,  who  moved  that  the  proposed 
legislative  body  should  consist  of  thirty-six  members — five 
from  Virginia,  four  from  each  of  the  states  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  Massachusetts,  three  from  each  of  the  states  of  Connec- 
ticut, New  York,  Maryland,  and  the  Carolinas,  while  New 
Hampshire  and  Georgia,  were  each  to  send  two,  and  Dela- 
ware and  Rhode  Island,  one  each.  Of  course  the  Virginia 
delegation  advocated  the  proposition  with  all  their  eloquence. 
This  debate  brought  out  Sherman  and  Ellsworth,  who  both 
opposed  the  amendment,  and  contended  for  an  equal  repre- 
sentation in  the  senate,  without  regard  to  the  size  of  the 
states.  As  the  Connecticut  delegates  had  been  the  mediators 
in  relation  to  a  point  regarded  so  vital  by  the  slave-holding 
states,  they  were  able,  aside  from  their  intrinsic  weight  of 
character,  to  wield  a  mighty  influence  in  this  discussion. 
Gerry,  as  he  usually  had  done  during  the  debate,  fell  in  with 
the  views  of  Sherman,  and  Strong  also  voted  in  the  same 


Sherman,  Oliver  Ellsworth,  and  "William  Samuel  Johnson,  seldom  aspire  to  any- 
thing beyond  what  nature  has  fitted  them  to  do. 


4:64:  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

way.  Pinckney's  motion  was  lost,  and  the  report  of  the 
committee  was  then  adopted — Connecticut,  New  Jersey, 
Delaware,  Maryland,  and  North  Carolina,  voting  in  the 
affirmative,  and  Virginia,  Pennsylvania,  South  Carolina,  and 
Georgia,  with  a  part  of  the  Massachusetts  delegates,  in  the 
negative.  New  York  had  long  before  retired  from  the  con- 
vention in  disgust. 

It  was  now  the  turn  of  the  consolidating  party  to  be  alarmed. 
Rising  with  the  dignified  solemnity  that  sat  so  gracefully 
upon  him,  Randolph  moved  that  the  convention  should 
adjourn.  He  wished  to  give  the  large  states  time  to  "  con- 
sider the  steps  proper  to  he  taken  in  the  present  solemn  crisis, 
and  that  the  small  states  might  also  deliberate  on  the  means 
of  reconciliation."  This  piece  of  dramatic  acting,  admirably 
played  off*  as  it  was,  was  met  by  another  equally  adroit.  Pat- 
terson, treating  the  motion  for  adjournment  as  a  proposition 
to  bring  the  convention  to  an  end,  turned  the  guns  of  his 
opponent  upon  him  with  great  effect.  "He  thought  it  was 
indeed  high  time  to  adjourn ;  that  the  rule  of  secrecy  ought 
to  be  rescinded,  and  their  constituents  consulted.  No  con- 
ciliation could  be  admissable  on  the  part  of  the  smaller  states 
on  any  other  ground  than  equality  of  votes  in  the  second 
branch.  If  Mr.  Randolph  would  reduce  to  form  his  motion 
to  adjourn  sine  die,  he  would  second  it  with  all  his  heart." 

Randolph  rose  to  explain.  He  declared  that  he  only  pro- 
posed to  adjourn  until  the  next  day,  to  give  time  to  devise 
some  plan  of  agreement. 

The  motion  prevailed.  A  consultation  was  held  by  the 
delegates  from  the  larger  states.  Some  advised  a  separate 
union  among  themselves  ;  others  were  averse  to  it.  The  next 
day  a  motion  was  made  to  reconsider.     It  was  lost. 

Thus,  inch  by  inch,  was  the  legislative  branch  of  the  con- 
stitution debated  in  the  convention,  with  an  unwearied  per- 
sistency and  courage  that  did  honor  to  both  parties. 

Then  came  the  consideration  of  the  executive  office,  which 
was  finally  adjusted  with  much  equanimity  of  temper  on  the 
part  of  all  concerned.     The  great  questions  for  consideration, 


[1787.]  PRESIDENTIAL  TERM.  455 

were  the  mode  of  electing  the  President,  his  term  of  office,  and 
his  re-ehgibility.  Once  it  was  voted  that  the  choice  should 
be  made  by  electors  appointed  for  that  purpose  by  the  state 
legislatures,  and  the  number  of  such  electors  to  which  each 
state  should  be  entitled  was  agreed  upon.  This  was  recon- 
sidered, and  the  choice  was  given  to  the  national  legislature. 
In  relation  to  the  length  of  the  presidential  term,  great  diver- 
sity of  opinion  existed.  Six  years,  was  once  agreed  upon, 
and  then  reconsidered.  "During  good  behavior,"  was  voted 
for  by  the  states  of  New  Jersey,  Delaware,  Pennsylvania,  and 
Virginia — but  was  not  carried.  The  term  of  four  years  was 
retained. 

The  report  of  the  committee  of  the  whole,  as  amended,  was 
adopted  by  the  convention,  and  referred  to  a  special  commit- 
tee of  detail,  consisting  of  Rutledge,  Randolph,  Gorham, 
Ellsworth,  and  Wilson.  To  this  committee  also  were  refer- 
red Patterson's  New  Jersey  plan,  and  the  draft  made  by 
Charles  Pinckney.  Motions  were  made,  instructing  this 
committee  to  report  property  qualifications  for  the  executive, 
the  judiciary,  and  the  members  of  the  legislature — a  proposi- 
tion which  was  advocated  by  Madison  and  Gerry,  and 
opposed  by  Dickinson,  one  of  the  wealthiest  men  in  the  con- 
vention, who  thought  the  object  aimed  at  might  better  be 
obtained  by  limiting  the  right  to  vote  for  President  to  free- 
holders. It  was,  however,  carried — Connecticut,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  Delaware,  voting  in  the  negative. 

The  committee  of  detail,  after  deliberating  for  ten  days, 
brought  in  a  rough  sketch  of  the  constitution,  as  it  now  stands. 
The  name  of  Congress,  was  given  to  the  national  legislature ; 
the  first  branch  was  designated  as  the  House  of  Representatives, 
and  the  second  branch  as  the  Senate.  The  chief  executive 
officer  of  the  government  was  called  a  President.  Several 
important  items  in  the  constitution  were  again  discussed  and 
amendments  were  proposed,  but  no  material  alterations  were 
made.  Thus  amended  and  finally  adopted  by  the  conven- 
tion, the  constitution  was  sent  into  the  several  states  for 
ratification. 


4:56  HISTOFvY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

In  Connecticut,  a  convention  to  ratify  the  constitution  met 
at  Hartford,  on  the  3d  of  January,  1788.  Over  this  con- 
vention, the  Hon.  Matthew  Griswold,  of  Lyme,  presided, 
and  Jedediah  Strong,  Esq.,  of  Litchfield,  was  its  secretary. 
On  the  4th,  the  debates  w^ere  opened  by  Oliver  Ellsworth  in  a 
speech  of  which  the  following  is  believed  to  be  a  substan- 
tially accurate  report.  It  is  copied  from  the  "  Connecticut 
Courant." 

"  Mr.  President, — It  is  observable,  that  there  is  no  preface 
to  the  proposed  Constitution ;  but  it  evidently  pre-supposes 
two  things ;  one  is,  the  necessity  of  a  federal  government, 
the  other  is  the  inefficiency  of  the  old  articles  of  confedera- 
tion, A  union  is  necessary  for  the  purposes  of  national 
defense.  United,  we  are  strong ;  divided,  we  are  weak.  It 
is  easy  for  hostile  nations  to  sweep  off  a  number  of  separate 
states  one  after  another.  Witness  the  states  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  ancient  Rome.  They  were  successively  subdued  by 
that  ambitious  city,  which  they  might  have  conquered  with 
the  utmost  ease  if  they  had  been  united.  Witness  the 
Canaanitish  nations,  whose  divided  situation  rendered  them 
an  easy  prey.  Witness  England,  which,  when  divided  into  a 
number  of  separate  states,  was  twice  conquered  by  an  inferior 
force.  Thus  it  always  happens  to  small  states,  and  to  great 
ones,  if  divided.  Or  if  to  avoid  this,  they  connect  themselves 
with  some  powerful  state,  their  situation  is  not  much  better. 
This  shows  us  the  necessity  of  our  combining  our  whole 
force  ;  and  as  to  national  purposes,  becoming  one  state. 

A  union,  sir,  is  likewise  necessary,  considered  with  rela- 
tion to  economy.  Small  states  have  enemies  as  well  as  great 
ones.  They  must  provide  for  their  defense.  The  expense 
of  it,  which  would  be  moderate  for  a  large  kingdom,  would  be 
intolerable  to  a  petty  state.  The  Dutch  are  wealthy,  but 
they  are  one  of  the  smallest  of  the  European  nations,  and 
their  taxes  are  higher  than  in  any  other  country  of  Europe. 
Their  taxes  amount  to  forty  shillings  per  pound,  while  those 
of  England  do  not  exceed  half  that  sum. 


[1788.]  SPEECH  OF  ELLSWORTH.  457 

We  must  unite  in  order  to  preserve  peace  among  ourselves. 
If  we  are  divided,  what  is  to  hinder  wars  from  breaking  out 
among  the  states  ?  States,  as  well  as  individuals,  are  subject 
to  ambition,  to  avarice,  to  those  jarring  passions  which  disturb 
the  peace  of  society.  What  is  to  check  these  ?  If  there  is 
a  parental  hand  over  the  whole,  this,  and  nothing  else,  can 
restrain  the  unruly  conduct  of  the  members. 

Union  is  necessary  to  preserve  commutative  justice 
between  the  states.  If  divided,  what  is  to  hinder  the  large 
states  from  oppressing  the  small  ?  What  is  to  defend  us  from 
the  ambition  and  rapacity  of  New  York,  when  she  has  spread 
over  that  vast  territory  which  she  claims  and  holds  ?  Do  we 
not  already  see  in  her  the  seeds  of  an  overbearing  ambition  ? 
On  the  other  side  there  is  a  large  and  powerful  state.  Have 
we  not  already  begun  to  be  tributaries  ?  If  we  do  not  im- 
prove the  present  critical  time,  if  we  do  not  unite,  shall  we 
not  be  like  Issachar  of  old,  a  strong  ass  crouching  down 
between  two  burdens  ?  New  Jersey  and  Delaware  have 
seen  this,  and  have  adopted  the  constitution  unanimously. 

A  more  energetic  system  is  necessary.  The  present  is 
merely  advisory.  It  has  no  coercive  power.  Without  this, 
government  is  ineffectual,  or  rather,  is  no  government  at  all. 
But  it  is  said  such  a  power  is  not  necessary.  States  will  not 
do  wrong.  They  need  only  to  be  told  their  duty,  and  they 
will  do  it.  I  ask,  sir,  what  warrant  is  there  for  this  assertion  ? 
Do  not  states  do  wrong  ?  Whence  come  wars  ?  One  of 
two  hostile  nations  must  be  in  the  wrong.  But  it  is  said, 
among  sister  states  this  can  never  be  presumed.  But  do  not 
we  know,  that  when  friends  become  enemies,  their  enmity  is 
the  most  virulent  ?  The  seventeen  provinces  of  the  Nether- 
lands were  once  confederated ;  they  fought  under  the  same 
banner.  Antwerp,  hard  pressed  by  Phillip,  applied  to  the 
other  states  for  relief.  Holland,  a  rival  in  trade,  opposed, 
and  prevented  the  needful  succors.  Antwerp  was  made  a 
sacrifice.  I  wish  I  could  say,  there  were  no  seeds  of  similar 
injustice  springing  up  among  us.  Is  there  not  in  one  of  our 
states  injustice  too  barefaced  for  eastern  despotism?     That 


458  HISTOKY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

state  is  small ;  it  does  little  hurt  to  any  but  itself.  But  it  has 
a  spirit,  which  would  make  a  Tophet  of  the  universe.  But 
some  will  say,  we  formerly  did  well  without  any  union.  I 
answer,  our  situation  is  materially  changed.  While  Great 
Britain  held  her  authority,  she  awed  us.  She  appointed  gov- 
ernors and  councils  for  the  American  provinces.  She  had  a 
negative  upon  our  laws.  But  now,  our  circumstances  are 
so  altered,  that  there  is  no  arguing  what  we  shall  be  from 
what  we  have  been. 

It  is  said  that  other  confederacies  have  not  had  the  princi- 
ple of  coercion.  Is  this  so  ?  Let  us  attend  to  those  con- 
federacies which  have  resembled  our  own.  Some  time  before 
Alexander,  the  Grecian  states  confederated  together.  The 
Amphyctionic  council,  consisting  of  deputies  from  those 
states,  met  at  Delphos,  and  had  authority  to  regulate  the  gen- 
eral interests  of  Greece.  This  council  did  enforce  its  decrees 
by  coercion.  The  Beotians  once  infringed  upon  a  decree  of 
the  Amphyctions.  A  heavy  mulct  was  laid  upon  them. 
They  refused  to  pay  it.  Upon  that,  their  whole  territory  was 
confiscated.  They  were  then  glad  to  compound  the  mat- 
ter. After  the  death  of  Alexander,  the  Achaian  League  was 
formed.  The  decrees  of  this  confederacy  were  enforced 
by  arms.  The  iEtolian  League  was  formed  by  some 
other  Grecian  cities  in  opposition  to  the  Achean,  and  there 
was  no  peace  between  them  till  they  were  conquered,  and 
reduced  to  a  Roman  province.  They  were  then  all  obliged 
to  sit  down  in  peace  under  the  same  yoke  of  despotism. 

How  is  it  with  respect  to  the  principle  of  coercion  in  the 
Germanic  body  ?  In  Germany  there  are  about  three  hun- 
dred principalities  and  republics  ;  deputies  from  there  meet 
annually  in  the  general  Diet  to  make  regulations  for  the 
empire.  But  the  execution  of  these  is  not  left  voluntarily 
with  the  members.  The  empire  is  divided  into  ten  circles — 
over  each  of  which  a  superintendent  is  appointed  with  the 
rank  of  major-general.  It  is  his  duty  to  execute  the  decrees 
of  the  empire  with  a  military  force." 


[1788.]  SPEECH   OF   ELLSWORTH.  459 

[The  Swiss  Cantons  and  the  Dutch  republic  are  next  re- 
ferred to  and  briefly  considered.] 

"But  to  come  nearer  home,  Mr.  President,  have  we  not 
seen  and  felt  the  necessity  of  such  a  coercive  power  ?  What 
was  the  consequence  of  the  want  of  it  during  the  late  war, 
particularly  towards  the  close  ?  A  few  states  bore  the  burden 
of  the  war.  While  we,  and  one  or  two  more  of  the  states, 
were  paying  eighty  or  one  hundred  dollars  per  man  to  recruit 
the  continental  army,  the  regiments  of  some  states  had 
scarcely  men  enough  to  wait  on  their  officers.  Since  the 
close  of  the  war,  some  of  the  states  have  done  nothing 
towards  complying  with  the  requisitions  of  Congress  ;  others, 
who  did  something  at  first,  seeing  that  they  were  left  to  bear 
the  whole  burden,  have  become  equally  remiss.  What  is  the 
consequence  ?  To  what  shifts  have  we  been  driven  ?  We 
have  been  driven  to  the  wretched  expedient  of  negociating 
new  loans  in  Europe  to  pay  the  interest  of  the  foreign  debt. 
And  what  is  still  worse,  we  have  been  obliged  to  apply  these 
new  loans  to  the  support  of  our  own  civil  government  at 
home. 

Another  ill  consequence  of  this  want  of  energy  is  that 
treaties  are  not  performed.  The  treaty  of  peace  with  Great 
Britain  was  a  very  favorable  one  for  us.  But  it  did  not  hap- 
pen perfectly  to  please  some  of  the  states,  and  they  would 
not  comply  with  it.  The  consequence  is,  Britain  charges  us 
with  the  breach,  and  refuses  to  deliver  up  the  forts  on  our 
northern  quarter. 

Our  being  tributaries  to  our  sister  states  is  a  consequence 
of  the  want  of  a  federal  system.  The  state  of  New  York  raises 
sixty  or  eighty  thousand  pounds  a  year  by  impost.  Connecticut 
consumes  about  one  third  of  the  goods  upon  which  this  impost 
is  laid  ;  and  consequently  pays  about  one  third  of  this  sum 
to  New  York.  If  we  import  by  the  medium  of  Massachu- 
setts, she  has  an  impost,  and  to  her  we  pay  a  tribute.  If  this 
is  done,  when  we  have  the  shadow  of  a  national  government, 
what  shall  we  not  suffer  when  even  that  shadow  is  gone  ? 

If  we  go  on  as  we  have  done,  what  is  to  become  of  the 


460  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

foreign  debts  ?  Will  foreign  nations  forgive  us  this  debt, 
because  we  neglect  to  pay  ?  or  will  they  levy  it  by  reprisals 
as  the  laws  of  nations  authorize  them  ?  Will  our  w^eakness 
induce  Spain  to  reUnquish  the  exclusive  navigation  of  the 
Mississippi,  or  the  territory  which  she  claims  on  the  east  side 
of  that  river  ?  Will  our  weakness  induce  the  British  to  give 
up  the  northern  posts  ?  If  a  war  breaks  out,  and  our  situa- 
tion invites  our  enemies  to  make  war,  how  are  we  to  defend 
ourselves  ?  Has  government  the  means  to  enlist  a  man,  or 
buy  an  ox?  or  shall  we  rally  the  remainder  of  an  old  army? 
The  European  nations  I  believe  to  be  not  friendly  to  us. 
They  were  pleased  to  see  us  disconnected  from  Great  Britain ; 
they  are  pleased  to  see  us  disunited  among  ourselves.  If  we 
continue  so,  how  easy  it  is  for  them  to  canton  us  out  among 
them,  as  they  did  the  kingdom  of  Poland.  But  supposing  this 
is  not  done,  if  we  suffer  the  union  to  expire,  the  least  that 
can  be  expected  is  that  the  European  powers  will  form  alli- 
ances, some  with  one  state,  and  some  with  another,  and  that 
we  shall  be  involved  in  all  the  labyrinths  of  European  politics. 
But  I  do  not  wish  to  continue  the  painful  recital.  Enough 
has  been  said  to  show,  that  a  power  in  the  General  Govern- 
ment to  enforce  the  decrees  of  the  union,  is  absolutely 
necessarv. 

The  constitution  before  us  is  a  complete  system  of  legisla- 
tive, judicial,  and  executive  power.  It  was  designed  to  supply 
the  defects  of  the  former  system ;  and  I  believe,  upon  a  full 
discussion,  it  will  be  found  calculated  to  answer  the  purposes 
for  which  it  was  designed." 

Dr.  Johnson  followed  on  the  same  side  of  the  question. 

The  paragraph  which  relates  to  taxes,  imposts,  and  excises, 
was  largely  debated  by  several  gentlemen. 

"  Monday,  Jan.  7. — General  Wadsworth  objected  against 
it,  because  it  gave  the  power  of  the  purse  to  the  general 
legislature ;  another  paragraph  gave  the  power  of  the  sword ; 
and  that  authority  which  has  the  power  of  the  purse  and 
sword,  is  despotic.  He  objected  against  imposts,  and  excises, 
because  their  operation  would  be  partial  and  in  favor  of  the 


RATIFICATION   OF    THE   CONSTITUTION.  461 

southern    states.      He   was   replied  to   by   Mr.    Ellsworth, 
at  considerable  length. 

The  convention  finished  debating  on  the  constitution  by 
sections.  It  was  compared  critically  and  fully.  Suffice  it  to 
say,  that  all  the  objections  to  the  constitution  vanished,  before 
ihe  learning  and  eloquence  of  Johnson,  the  genuine  good 
sense  and  discernment  of  a  Sherman,  and  the  didactic  stren'gth 
of  Ellsworth,  who  like  the  Earl  of  Chatham,  spoke  on  this 
occasion  with  the  authority  of  an  oracle. 

The  grand  question  was  moved  by  General  Parsons,  and 
was  seconded  by  General  Huntington.  Upon  the  general 
discussion  of  the  subject,  His  Excellency  Governor  Hunting- 
ton, and  Governor  Wolcott,  both  addressed  the  convention 
in  favor  of  ratifying  the  Constitution.  Mr.  Law  and  other 
gentlemen  followed. 

The  question  being  put,  the  vote  stood : 

Yeas,     128 
Nays,      40 

Majority,  88 

RATIFICATION. 
"  In  the  name  of  the  people  of  the  State  of  Connecticut : 
"  We  the  delegates  of  the  people  of  said  state  in  General 
Convention  assembled,  pursuant  to  an  act  of  the  legislature 
in  October  last,  have  assented  to  and  ratified,  and  by  these 
presents  do  assent  to,  ratify  and  adopt  the  Constitution 
reported  by  the  convention  of  delegates  in  Philadelphia,  on 
the  17th  day  of  September,  A.  D.,  1787,  for  the  United  States 
of  America. 

"Done  in  Connecticut,  this  9th  day  of  January,  A.D., 
1788.     In  witness  whereof,  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands." 

After  having  presented  to  the  reader  the  foregoing  facts, 
and  the  appeal  of  Ellsworth  to  the  delegates,  it  cannot  be 
thought  immodest  in  us  to  claim  for  Connecticut,  what  Cal- 
houn, the  great  southern  statesman,  admitted  in  the  Senate 
of  the  United  States  in  1847,  "that  it  is  owing  mainly  to  the 


462  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

states  of  Connecticut,  and  New  Jersey,  that  we  have  a 
federal  instead  of  a  national  government — the  best  govern- 
ment instead  of  the  most  intolerable  on  earth.  Who  are  the 
men  of  those  states,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  this  admira- 
ble government  ?  I  will  name  them — their  names  ought  to 
be  engraven  on  brass  and  live  forever.  They  were  Chief 
Justice  Ellsworth,  and  Roger  Sherman,  of  Connecticut,  and 
Judge  Patterson,  of  New  Jersey.  The  other  states  farther 
south  were  blind ;  they  did  not  see  the  future.  But  to  the 
coolness  and  sagacity  of  these  three  men,  aided  by  a  few 
others  not  so  prominent,  we  owe  the  present  Constitution."* 
However  we  are  to  decide  the  question  of  state  sovereignty 
growing  out  of  the  construction  of  the  Constitution,  the  facts 
stated  in  the  paragraph  just  quoted,  are  not  to  be  disputed. 
Without  the  delegates  from  Connecticut,  the  Constitution 
could  not  have  been  adopted,  and  we  may  repeat  the  prayer 
of  Sir  William  Blackstone,  in  relation  to  the  basis  of 
the  British  government,  as  better  applicable  to  our  own — 
"Esto  Perpetua."  Let  the  fate  of  this  noble  structure,  under 
which  we  have  grown  up  to  be  the  first  republic  of  the  earth 
be  what  it  may,  the  influence  of  Ellsworth,  Sherman,  and 
Johnson,  cannot  be  lost  upon  the  world. 

*  The  application  of  this  extract  from  Calhoun's  speech  was  first  made  by  Dr. 
Bushnell,  in  his  "  Historical  Estimate,"  one  of  the  best  specimens  of  the  "  multum 
inparvo^''^  to  be  found  in  American  letters. 


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CHAPTER  XX. 

NEW  AND  DERIYATIVE  TOWNa     ' 

Litchfield  county  was  organized  in  1751  ;  Middlesex 
county  in  1785  ;  and  Tolland  county  in  1786. 

Lebanon  is  composed  of  several  tracts  of  land,  which  were 
united  by  agreement  among  the  planters  about  the  year  1700. 
The  first  clergyman  of  the  town,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Parsons, 
was  settled  in  November,  1700.  Here  were  born  and  lived 
the  two  governors  Trumbull,  as  well  as  other  distinguished 
members  of  that  and  other  families.  Lebanon  was  an  impor- 
tant place  in  the  revolution.  Washington,  Franklin,  Jeffer- 
son, Lafayette,  Rochambeau,  and  other  patriots  of  that  day, 
came  here  to  consult  with  the  elder  Trumbull.  De  Lauzun's 
legion  of  cavalry  wintered  here  ;  and  at  this  place  Washing- 
ton reviewed  the  French  regiment. 

On  running  the  boundary  line  between  Connecticut  and 
Massachusetts,  in  1713,  the  towns  of  Woodstock,  Suffield, 
Enfield,  and  Somers,  (embracing  the  entire  northern  frontier 
of  Connecticut  then  inhabited,)  had  been  somewhat  infor- 
mally surrendered  to  the  jurisdiction  of  Massachusetts.  The 
people  of  those  towns  repeatedly  remonstrated  against  it, 
and  seemed  determined  to  throw  off  their  allegiance  to  a 
government  to  which  they  had  thus  been  annexed  without 
their  consent.  In  May,  1747,  the  General  Assembly  of  this 
colony,  in  response  to  an  application  made  by  these  towns, 
appointed  commissioners  to  meet  such  as  might  be  appointed 
by  Massachusetts,  and  consult  and  report  on  the  matter  in 
question.  At  the  end  of  two  years,  finding  that  no  amicable 
adjustment  could  be  made  between  the  two  governments, 
the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut  resolved,  that  inasmuch 
as  the  said  agreement  had  never  received  the  royal  con- 
firmation, and  the  respective  governments  having  no  authority 


4:64:  HISTORY  OF   CONNECTICUT. 

or  power  to  give  up,  exchange  or  alter  their  jurisdiction,  the 
agreement  was  declared  void,  and  the  towns  were  received 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  Connecticut.  Massachusetts  appeal- 
ed to  the  crown,  but,  after  a  fair  hearing,  the  claim  of  Con- 
necticut was  fully  established. 

Woodstock  was  settled  by  inhabitants  of  Roxbury,  Massa- 
chusetts, as  early  as  1687,  and  was  called  New  Roxbury  ; 
but  received  its  present  name  in  1690.  It  is  situated  near 
the  north-east  corner  of  the  State,  and  is  eight  miles  long 
and  seven  miles  broad.  General  William  Eaton,  American 
Consul  to  Tunis,  was  a  native  of  Woodstock. 

Suffield  was  the  residence  of  General  Phineas  Lyman, 
whose  name  often  appears  in  this  volume  ;  and  was  also  the 
birth-place  of  Gideon  Granger,  Post  Master  General  of  the 
United  States.  Suffield  is  the  seat  of  the  "  Connecticut 
Literary  Institution,"  an  academy  in  high  repute  throughout 
the  Union. 

Enfield  lies  on  the  east  side  of  the  Connecticut  river,  with 
the  Massachusetts  line  for  its  northern  boundary.  It  was 
settled  as  early  as  1681,  by  emigrants  from  Salem,  Massa- 
chusetts, being  at  that  time  a  part  of  Springfield.  The  town 
has  produced  many  persons  of  distinction,  and  contains  a 
thriving  agricultural  population.  The  "Shaker  Settlement" 
in  Enfield  has  attracted  much  attention. 

Reading,  in  Fairfield  county,  was  incorporated  in  1761. 
The  township  is  said  to  have  derived  its  name  from  Colonel 
John  Read,*  an  early  and  principal  settler.  In  the  winter  of 
1779,  as  I  have  elsewhere  stated,  Major-General  Putnam  had 
his  winter-quarters  in  Reading.  Reading  was  the  birth- 
place of  Joel  Barlow,  the  poet  and  diplomatist. f 

Chatham  was  a  part  of  Middletown  until  October,  1767. 
James  Stanclifi'and  John  Gill  were  the  first  settlers  in  1690; 
William  Cornwell  became  a  resident  in  1703.    In  1710,  there 

*  Colonel  Read  had  a  park  of  ten  or  fifteen  acres,  in  which  he  kept  deer.  He 
died  in  1786,  aged  85  years. 

t  In  Reading  also  was  born  the  Hon.  Samuel  G.  Goodrich,  of  Boston,  late 
American  Consul  to  Paris  ;  and  well  known  as  the  popular  author  of  "  Peter 
Parley's  "  works. 


EAST  WINDSOR  AND  SOUTHINGTON.  465 

were  but  nine  or  ten  families  within  the  limits.  The  town 
embraces  Chatham  parish,  East  Hampton  parish,  a  greater 
part  of  the  parish  of  Middle  Haddam,  and  a  portion  of  the 
parish  of  West  Chester. 

East  Windsor  was  a  part  of  the  old  town  of  Windsor 
until  1768,  when  it  was  organized  as  a  distinct  town.  The 
settlement  began  there  in  1680  ;  and  in  1695,  an  ecclesiasti- 
cal society  was  formed,  and  the  Rev.  Timothy  Edwards  was 
ordained  as  the  first  minister  of  the  place.  The  "  Theological 
Institute  of  Connecticut"  was  established  here  in  1834. 
Among  the  distinguished  men  who  were  born  in  East  Wind- 
sor, were  Roger  Wolcott,  major-general  in  the  expedition 
against  Louisbourg  in  1745,  and  afterwards  governor;  Oliver 
Wolcott,  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and 
governor  of  Connecticut  ;  John  Fitch,  inventor  of  the  first 
steamboat  ;  and  Jonathan  Edwards,  the  greatest  of  Ameri- 
can divines. 

Southington,  previously  a  part  of  Farmington,  w^as  incor- 
porated as  a  town  in  1779.  The  first  settlers  bore  the  names 
of  Woodruff,  Langdon,  Lewis,  Newell,  Root,  Andrews, 
Gridley,  Hart,  Barnes,  Clark,  &c.  It  is  a  thriving  manufac- 
turing and  agricultural  town. 

Washington,  in  the  county  of  Litchfield,  was  set  off  from 
Woodbury  and  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1779.  The  first 
sermon  preached  there  was  by  Mr.  Isaac  Baldwin,  of  Litch- 
field, who  subsequently  relinquished  the  ministry,  and 
became  the  first  clerk  of  the  court  of  common  pleas  in 
Litchfield.  The  first  minister  settled  here  was  the  Rev. 
Reuben  Judd,  who  was  ordained  Sept.  1st,  1742.  The  fol- 
lowing eminent  men  were  born  in  Washington,  viz  :  Daniel 
N.  Brinsmade,  judge  of  the  county  court  for  sixteen  years, 
representative  at  forty-three  sessions,  and  clerk  of  the  House 
of  Representatives  ;  Captain  Nathan  Hickox,  a  gentleman 
distinguished  both  in  public  and  private  life  for  his  talents, 
integrity,  and  influence ;  Frederick  Whittlesey,  member  of 
Congress  from  the  State  of  New  York,  and  Vice  Chancellor ; 

Ebenezer  Porter  Mason,  one  of  the  most  eminent  astrono- 

62 


4:6Q  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

mers  of  his  age — of  whom  Sir  John  Herschel  speaks  "  as  a 
young  and  ardent  astronomer,  a  native  of  the  United  States, 
whose  premature  death  is  the  more  to  be  regretted,  as  he 
was,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  the  only  other  recent  observer 
who  has  given  himself,  with  the  assiduity  that  the  subject 
requires,  to  the  exact  delineation  of  nebulae,  and  whose 
figures  I  find  at  all  satisfactory."* 

Cheshire,  originally  a  parish  of  Wallingford,  was  incorpo- 
rated in  1780.  The  first  minister,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Hall, 
was  ordained  as  a  pastor  in  December,  1724.  The  Rev. 
John  Foot  was  settled  as  Mr.  Hall's  colleague  in  March, 
1767.  The  Episcopal  Academy  in  this  town  was  incorpora- 
ted in  1801,  and  has  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  best 
academic  institutions  in  Connecticut.  Cheshire  was  the 
birth-place  and  residence  of  the  late  Hon.  Samuel  A.  Foote, 
LL.D.,  governor,  and  United  States  senator. 

The  parish  of  Westbury,  in  Waterbury,  was  incorporated 
as  a  town  by  the  name  of  Watertown,  in  1780.  It  contains 
some  of  the  finest  farms  and  most  enterprising  agriculturists 
in  Litchfield  county.  The  Rev.  John  Trumbull  was  the 
first  pastor  of  the  church  in  this  place.  His  son  of  the  same 
name  became  famous  as  a  judge,  and  as  the  author  of 
'•'  McFingal."*  The  late  learned  Professor  Matthew  Rice 
Button,  of  Yale  College,  was  a  native  of  Watertown. 

East  Hartford,  in  Hartford  county,  and  Woodbridge,  in 
New  Haven  county,  were  incorporated  as  towns  in  1784. 

Hartland  contains  17,654  acres,  and  is  bounded  north  on 
the  Massachusetts  line,  south  on  Barkhamsted,east  on  Granby 
and  west  on  Colebrook.  The  proprietors  held  their  first 
meeting  in  Hartford,  on  the  10th  of  July,  1733,  and  immedi- 
ately attempted  to  sell  the  lands  ;  but  more  than  twenty 
years  elapsed  before  any  permanent  settlement  was  made 
within  the  limits  of  the  township.      In  the  spring  of  1753, 

*The  Rev.  Jeremiali  Day,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  of  New  Haven,  Hon.  Thomas  Day, 
LL.D.,  of  Hartford,  Hon.  Elisha  Whittlesey,  of  Ohio,  Prof.  Elisha  Mitchell,  D.D., 
of  the  University  of  North  Carolina,  and  Rev.  Nathaniel  S.  Wheaton,  D.D.,  ex- 
President  of  "Washington  College,  (now  Trinity  College,)  are  also  natives  of 
Washington. 


NORFOLK.  467 

John  Kendall,  with  his  family,  moved  on  to  the  lands,  but, 
through  fear  of  the  Indians,  he  left  during  the  following  year. 
In  1754,  Deacon  Thomas  Giddings,  from  Lyme,  became  a 
permanent  resident  of  the  townsh'p  ;  and  the  next  year  two 
other  families  joined  him.  In  1757,  the  settlement  consisted 
of  eight  families.  The  location  of  Hartland  being  quite  on  the 
Indian  frontier,  and  the  lands  being  rough,  wild,  and  altogether 
uninviting  to  the  eye  of  the  pioneer,  it  was  long  before  a 
sufficient  number  of  inhabitants  had  settled  there  to  form 
either  a  civil  or  ecclesiastical  organization.  The  town  was 
incorporated  in  1761  ;  and  in  1768,  the  Rev.  Sterling  Graves 
was  ordained  and  settled  as  the  first  pastor  of  the  church. 
Uriel  Holmes,  senior  and  junior,  were  among  the  most 
prominent  men  in  the  town.  The  latter  removed  to  Litch- 
field where  he  was  chosen  a  judge,  and  member  of  Con- 
gress. 

Norfolk  is  an  elevated  township,  bordering  upon  Massa- 
chusetts, and  was  laid  out  nine  miles  in  length  and  four  and 
a  half  miles  in  breadth.  It  was  offered  for  sale  at  Middle- 
town  in  1742,  at  which  time  but  a  small  part  of  the  lands 
were  disposed  of;  and  the  first  settlements  were  made  upon 
the  tract  in  1744,  or  soon  after,  by  Titus  and  Cornelius 
Brown,  from  Windsor,  and  John  Turner  and  Jedediah  Rich- 
ards, from  Hartford.  The  sale  of  the  lands  in  Norfolk  was 
not  completed  until  1758.  The  town  was  incorporated  in 
the  year  last  named,  at  which  date  there  were  but  twenty- 
seven  families  within  its  limits.  Among  the  early  settlers 
were  Ezra,  Ebenezer,  and  Samuel  Knapp,  and  James  Bene- 
dict, all  of  Danbury ;  Jacob  Spaulding,  and  Isaac  Holt; 
Jacob  and  Samuel  Mills,  Asahel  Case  and  Samuel  Cowles, 
all  of  Simsbury  ;  Samuel  Manross,  from  Farmington  ;  and 
Joshua  Whitney,  from  Canaan.  The  Rev.  Ammi  Ruhamah 
Robbins,  a  native  of  Branford  and  a  graduate  of  Yale  Col- 
lege, was  ordained  as  the  first  pastor  of  the  church  in  Nor- 
folk, October  28,  1761.*     Though  the  lands  of  this  township 

*  Among  the  citizens  of  Norfolk  particularly  deserving  of  notice,  I  may  name 
the  late  Joseph  Battell,  Esq.,  a  gentleman  distinguished  for  his  wealth,  enterprize, 


4:68  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

are  rough  and  broken,  they  sustain  an  intelhgent,  patriotic, 
and  thriving  population ;  while  an  abundance  of  water-power 
is  turned  to  good  account  in  driving  the  machinery  of  various 
manufacturing  estabhshments.f 

Barkhamsted  was  granted  to  the  people  of  Windsor  in 
1732,  and  contains,  by  estimation,  20,530  acres.  The  first 
person  who  made  a  permanent  settlement  within  the  limits 
of  the  town,  was  Pelatiah  AUyn,  from  Windsor,  about  the 
year  1748.  He  remained  the  sole  inhabitant  for  a  period  of 
more  than  ten  years.  The  next  person  who  located  on  the 
tract  was  Israel  Jones,  from  Enfield,  in  1759.  Among  the 
other  principal  settlers  were  William  Austin,  Joseph  Shepard, 
John  Ives,  Joseph  Wilder,  Asa  Case,  and  Jonathan  King. 
There  were  but  twenty  families  in  the  town  in  1771,  and  the 
act  of  incorporation  was  not  passed  until  1779.  The  Rev. 
Ozias  Eells,  the  first  pastor  of  the  church,  was  ordained 
January,  1787. 

Winchester  constituted  a  part  of  the  tract  that  was 
partitioned  out  among  the  Hartford  patentees  at  a  proprie- 
tors' meeting,  holden  on  the  5th  of  April,  1732,  and  continued 
by  adjournment  to  the  27th  of  September  following.  The 
township  contained  20,380  acres,  and  was  named  at  the 
May  session,  1733.  It  was  incorporated  in  May,  1771  ;  and 
the  first  pastor  was  settled  in  the  town,  November  11,  1772. 
The  village  of  Winsted,  which  is  situated  in  this  town,  is  the 
present  terminus  of  the  Naugatuck  railroad,  and  is  one  of 
the  most  thriving  and  enterprising  localities  in  the  State. 

The  first  settler  of  Colebrook  was  Benjamin  Horton,  who 
located  himself  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  south  of  the 
centre,  on  the  Norfolk  road,  in  December,  1765.  Joseph 
Rockwell  came  into  the  town  a  few  weeks  later.  Joseph 
Seymour,  Nathan  Bass,  and  Samuel  Rockwell,  soon  followed, 

and  benevolence ;  and  the  late  Hon.  Augustus  Pettibone.  General  George  B. 
Holt,  a  prominent  citizen  of  Dayton,  Ohio  ;  Rufus  Pettibone,  Judge  Supreme 
Court  of  Louisiana  ;  Rev.  Thomas  Robbins,  D.D.,  of  Hartford  ;  Lewis  Riggs, 
member  of  Congress  from  the  State  of  New  York.  &c.,  were  born  in  Norfolk. 

tSee  Hist.  Norfolk,  by  Anson  Roys— 1847. 


TOWNS    ORGANIZED.  469 

and  commenced  clearing  their  lands  and  erecting  their 
dwellings.  The  town  was  organized  in  1786  ;  and  the  Rev. 
Jonathan  Edwards,  D.D.,  was  settled  as  the  first  pastor  in 
1795.  He  was  elected  President  of  Union  College  in  1799, 
and  was  succeeded  in  the  pastoral  office  in  Colebrook  by  the 
Rev.  Chauncey  Lee,  D.D.* 

These  townships,  comprising  the  northern  and  north- 
eastern portions  of  Litchfield  county,  were  the  last  of  the 
original  towns  in  the  colony  both  in  point  of  settlement  and 
organization.  The  tract  was  only  known  previous  to  the 
revolution  by  the  name  of  the  "Green  Woods."  Its  hills, 
mountains,  and  morasses,  were  covered  by  a  dense  growth 
of  evergreens,  which,  in  the  winter,  moaned  in  sad  concert 
with  the  howl  of  the  wolf  and  the  war-whoop  of  the  red  man, 
where  now  smiling  villages,  quiet,  rural  homesteads,  fruitful 
fields,  and  the  cheerful  hum  of  industry,  bear  indisputable 
witness  to  the  transforming  hand  of  civilization  and  Chris- 
tianity. 

The  towns  of  Franklin,  Bristol,  Berlin,  East  Haven,  and 
Thompson,  were  organized  in  1785. 

The  year  1786  was  more  prolific  in  the  institution  of  new 
towns  than  any  of  its  predecessors  or  successors.  Elling- 
ton, Montville,t  Preston,  Brooklyn,  Hampton,  Lisbon,  Boz- 
rah,  Warren,  Granby,  Hamden,  North  Haven,  and  South- 
bury,  all  came  into  the  confederacy  during  that  year,  and 
were  vested  with  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  their  elder 
associates.  Each  has  contributed  its  quota  to  the  prosperity 
and  glory  of  our  little  commonwealth  ;  each  has  a  history 
of  its  own,  that  is  waiting  for  the  labors  of  the  local  histo- 
rian and  chronicler  for  its  full  and  perfect  development.  To 
him  we  earnestly  commend  the  praise-worthy  task. 

*  Rev.  Rufus  Babcoek,  D.D.,  late  President  of  Waterville  College,  Maine, 
Hon.  Julius  Rockwell,  Speaker  of  the  Massachusetts  House  of  Representatives, 
member  of  Congress  and  United  States  senator,  are  natives  of  Colebrook. 

+  The  first  pastor  of  the  church  in  Montville,  was  the  Rev.  James  Hillhouse, 
who  was  settled  in  1722,  and  died  in  1740,  aged  53.  He  was  the  founder  of  a 
family  distinguished  for  their  talents  and  public  services. 


470  HISTOKY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Weston  in  Fairfield  county,  and  Bethlem  in  Litchfield 
county,  were  made  towns  in  1787.  The  latter  is  particular- 
ly distinguished  as  the  scene  of  the  pastoral  labors  of  the 
Rev.  Joseph  Bellamy,  D.D.,  one  of  the  most  learned  and 
renowned  preachers  and  authors  of  his  day,  who  spent  his 
entire  ministerial  life  in  this  retired  rural  parish.  He  died  in 
1790,  in  the  seventy-second  year  of  his  age,  and  in  the  fiftieth 
of  his  ministry  ;  and  was  succeeded  in  the  pastoral  office 
by  the  Rev.  Azel  Backus,  D.D.,  afterwards  President  of 
Hamilton  College,  New  York.* 

Brookfield,  in  Fairfield  county,  was  incorporated  in  1788, 
having  been  formed  from  parts  of  New  Milford,  Danbury, 
and  Newtown. 

Between  the  last  mentioned  date  and  the  year  1800,  inclu- 
sive, Huntington,  Sterling,  Plymouth,  Wolcott,  Oxford, 
Columbia,  and  Trumbull,  were  incorporated  as  distinct 
towns.  From  the  commencement  of  the  present  century 
down  to  the  period  of  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution,  the 
following  towns  were  organized,  viz  :  New  Canaan,  Roxbury, 
Sherman,  Burlington,  Canton,  Marlborough,  Middlebury, 
North  Stonington,  Vernon,  Griswold,  and  Waterford. 

Roxbury  was  originally  a  part  of  Woodbury,  and  was 
incorporated  in  1801.  Colonel  Seth  Warner,  of  the  revolu- 
tionary army,  Hon.  Nathaniel  Smith,  member  of  Congress, 
Hon.  Nathan  Smith,  United  States  Senator,  Hon.  Truman 
Smith,  United  States  Senator,  and  John  Sanford,  member  of 
Congress  from  New  York,  were  born  in  Roxbury.  General 
Ephraim  Hinman,  and  the  Hon.  Royal  R.  Hinman,  were 
long  residents  of  the  town. 

Southbury  was  a  part  of  Woodbury  until  1786,  when  it 
was   incorporated  as  a  town,  and  remained  a  part  of  the 

*  In  Bethlem  were  born  the  Hon.  Samuel  J.  Hitchcock,  LL.  D.,  Professor  of 
Law  in  Yale  College  ;  David  Prentice,  LL.  D.,  Professor,  of  Mathematics  in 
Geneva  College,  N.  Y.5  Harvey  P.  Peet,  LL.  D.,  President  of  the  New  York  Insti- 
tution for  the  deaf  and  dumb  5  Laurens  Hull,  M.  D.,  of  Alleghany  county, 
N.  Y.,  President  of  the  State  Medical  Society,  representative  and  senator  in  the 
N.  Y.  Legislature. 


BKIDGEPORT.  471 

county  of  Litchfield  for  about  twenty  years  thereafter,  when 
it  was  annexed  to  New  Haven  county. 

I  cannot  close  this  chapter  without  so  far  overstepping  the 
chronological  bounds  I  had  marked  out  for  myself,  as  to 
notice  the  flourishing  town  and  city  of  Bridgeport.  Though 
it  has  sprung  into  existence  since  the  adoption  of  the  Consti- 
tution, a  history  of  the  state  would  be  imperfect  without  at 
least  a  reference  to  its  rise  and  progress.  Previous  to  the 
date  of  its  incorporation  as  a  town  in  1821,  Bridgeport  form- 
ed a  part  of  the  parish  of  Stratfield,  in  Stratford.  In  1836, 
the  city  of  Bridgeport  was  incorporated  ;  in  1837,  its  popu- 
lation was  3,416  ;  in  1850,  the  number  of  its  inhabitants 
had  increased  to  seven  thousand  five  hundred  and  thirty- 
eight. 

The  stable  character  of  its  population,  their  business  habits, 
the  central  position  of  the  city,  its  neatness,  the  style  of  its 
buildings,  the  beautiful  hills  that  crown  it,  and  which  are 
already  covered  with  splendid  mansions  and  elegant  villas, 
all  prophecy  the  brilliant  future  of  Bridgeport  and  bespeak 
the  vitality  of  the  principles  and  blood  of  the  old  coast 
towns  the  descendants  of  whose  pioneers  are  gathered 
there. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

MISCELLANEOUS  EYENTS.    WAE  OE  1812.    HAETFOED  CONTENTION. 

The  state  and  federal  governments  having  been  establish- 
ed, the  people  of  Connecticut,  cheered  with  the  prospect  of 
continued  peace,  gradually  recovered  from  their  pecuniary- 
embarrassments,  and  from  the  physical  and  social  evils  that 
inevitably  follow  in  the  train  of  war.  Soldiers  and  officers, 
the  council  of  war,  committees  of  safety  and  inspection — 
royalists  and  republicans — all  swore  allegiance  to  the  new 
constitution  and  government,  laid  aside  their  badges  of  dis- 
tinction, and  were  content  and  proud  to  be  known  by  the 
honorable  title  of  American  citizens. 

Measures  were  at  once  adopted  and  the  requisite  steps 
taken  by  our  legislature,  to  adapt  the  laws  and  local  govern- 
ment to  the  new  order  of  things.  William  Samuel  Johnson, 
and  Oliver  Ellsworth,  were  elected  senators  to  the  General 
Congress ;  and  Messrs.  Jonathan  Sturges,  Roger  Sherman, 
Benjamin  Huntington,  Jonathan  Trumbull,  and  Jeremiah 
Wadsworth,  were  chosen  representatives  in  that  body.  Acts 
were  passed  regulating  the  subsequent  election  of  members 
of  both  houses  of  Congress.  Oliver  Wolcott,  Jr.,  Samuel 
Holden  Parsons,  and  James  Davenport,  were  appointed  com- 
missioners on  the  part  of  this  state,  to  negotiate  a  treaty 
with  "  the  Indians  who  occupy  the  territory  reserved  by 
Connecticut  in  their  cession  to  the  United  States."* 

For  a  period  of  more  than  twenty  years  from  the  date  of 
the  ratification  of  the  Federal  Constitution,  few  events  occur- 
red within  the  limits  of  our  state  worthy  to  be  noted  by  the 
pen  of  the  historian.  The  usual  elections  occurred,  the 
legislature  held  its  regular  semi-annual  sessions,  laws  were 
passed,   amended   and  repealed,  various   alterations   in   the 

*  State  Records,  MS. 


EQUAL   RIGHTS.  473 

national  constitution  were  proposed  and  considered,  and  the 
ordinary  current  of  public  affairs  flowed  smoothly  on. 

In  October,  1791,  an  act  was  passed  which  professedly 
secured  "equal  rights  and  privileges  to  christians  of  all 
denominations  in  this  state,"  About  the  same  time,  statutes 
were  passed  for  the  encouragement  of  manufactures,  for 
reorganizing  the  militia  of  the  state,  and  for  procuring  the  sale 
of  the  western  lands.  At  the  October  session,  1793,  the 
legislature  passed  the  following  resolve.  It  indicates  a  spirit 
of  liberality  which  was  far  from  being  common  at  that  period. 

"  Be  it  enacted.  That  the  monies  arising  from  the  sale  of 
the  territory  belonging  to  this  state,  lying  west  of  the  state 
of  Pennsylvania,  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby  established  as  a 
perpetual  fund,  the  interest  whereof  is  granted  and  shall  be 
appropriated  to  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  several  ecclesi- 
astical societies,  churches  or  congregations,  of  all  denorimia- 
tions,  in  this  state,  to  be  by  them  applied  for  the  support  of 
their  respective  ministers  or  preachers  of  the  gospel,  and 
schools  of  education,  under  such  rules  and  regulations  as 
shall  be  hereafter  adopted  by  this  Assembly. "f 

The  Assembly  of  the  state  having,  in  1792,  granted  to 
those  citizens  of  Connecticut  whose  property  had  been 
destroyed  by  the  British,  a  tract  of  half  a  million  acres  of 
Ohio  lands,  it  was,  in  May  1795,  ordered  that  all  deeds  con- 
veying those  lands  to  others  should  be  recorded  in  the 
clerk's  office  in  the  town  or  towns  where  the  damage  of  the 
original  grantee  was  sustained.  The  ''Connecticut  Land 
Company  "  soon  after  purchased  other  western  lands  of  the 
state  ;  and  in  October,  1797,  in  compliance  with  the  petition 
of  the  company  referred  to,  Connecticut  surrendered  to  the 
United  States  her  jurisdiction  over  the  territory. 

Previous  to  the  commencement  of  the  present  century, 
the  public  roads  of  the  state  appear  to  have  b^en  much  neg- 
lected, and  the  difficulties  of  intercommunication  between  the 
several  towns  were  correspondingly  great.  About  the  year 
1795,  the  subject  of  turnpike  roads  began  to  attract  much 

*  State  Pwecords,  MS. 


474  HISTOKY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

attention.  For  several  years  thereafter,  the  number  of  char- 
tered companies  continued  to  be  multiplied,  until  nearly  all 
the  important  towns  of  the  state  were  reached  by  the  net- 
work of  turnpikes.  These  lines  were  extended,  from  time  to 
time,  and  new  lines  were  constantly  added.  The  system  did 
much  to  improve  the  facilities  of  travel,  and  answered  a 
good  purpose,  until  superceded  by  the  greater  works  of  inter- 
nal improvement  which  have  since  changed  the  face  of  the 
world. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  Revolution,  the  boundary  line 
between  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts  became  a  subject 
of  contention.  In  May,  1791,  the  legislature  was  officially 
notified  by  the  governor  of  Massachusetts,  that  in  conse- 
quence of  disputes  that  had  arisen,  commissioners  had  been 
appointed  on  the  part  of  that  state  to  unite  with  those  of 
Connecticut  in  adjusting  the  matter.  Our  legislature  at  that 
time  declined  taking  any  action  upon  the  subject.  In  Octo- 
ber, 1793,  however,  the  Hon.  Oliver  Ellsworth,  Roger  New- 
bury, and  Gideon  Granger,  Jr.,  were  appointed  commission- 
ers to  ascertain  and  establish  the  line  between  the  two  states 
from  Connecticut  river  westward  to  the  state  of  New 
York.  In  May,  1801,  it  was  resolved,  that  inasmuch  as  the 
former  commissioners  had  not,  for  various  reasons,  attended 
to  the  object  of  their  appointment,  Aaron  Austin,  Zephaniah 
Swift,  and  Eliphalet  Terry,  should  be  appointed  in  their  stead. 
They  were  vested  "  with  the  same  powers  in  every  respect, 
as  were  given  to  said  former  commissioners."  Two  years 
subsequently,  the  work  not  having  been  completed  on 
account  of  the  disagreement  of  the  commissioners,  Aaron 
Austin,  Nathaniel  Terry,  and  Thaddeus  Leavitt,  were 
appointed  to  perfect  the  line. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  gallant  sons  of  Connecticut  were 
adding  to  the 'fame  of  the  young  republic  by  their  heroic  con- 
duct in  a  distant  land.  In  May  1801,  Jussuf  Caramalli, 
Bashaw  of  Tripoli,  (who  had  deposed  his  brother  Hamet,) 
cut  down  the  flag-staff  of  the  American  consulate.  This 
act  was  a  virtual  declaration  of  war.      Commodore  Preble 


[1804.]  GENERAL   EATON'S   EXPEDITION.  475 

having  failed  in  his  efforts  to  humble  the  usurper,  General 
William  Eaton,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  who  had  for  some 
years  been  the  American  consul  at  Tunis,  conceived  the  idea 
of  restoring  the  exiled  Hamet,  and  through  him,  of  effecting 
a  permanent  peace.  With  this  project  in  view,  General 
Eaton  visited  the  United  States ;  and  having  obtained  the 
sanction  of  his  government,  he  re-embarked  in  July,  1804, 
on  board  the  Argus  sloop  of  war,  with  the  squadron  of  Com- 
modore Barron,  who  was  directed  to  cooperate  with  Eaton 
in  the  enterprise. 

A  few  days  after  the  commodore  took  the  command  before 
Tripoli,  he  sent  the  Argus  under  command  of  Captain  Isaac 
Hull,  (also  a  native  of  Connecticut,)  to  Alexandria,  with 
General  Eaton,  where  they  arrived  on  the  26th  of  Novem- 
ber. From  this  place,  accompanied  by  some  of  the  officers 
of  the  squadron,  Eaton  proceeded  to  Cairo.  The  viceroy  of 
Egypt  received  them  with  favor,  and  readily  granted  permis- 
sion to  Hamet  to  leave  his  dominions  unmolested,  notwith- 
standing he  had  been  fighting  against  the  government  with 
the  discontented  Mamelukes.*  The  deposed  prince  gladly 
accepted  the  proposals  of  Eaton,  and  they  soon  raised  about 
five  hundred  men — of  twelve  different  nations — including 
eleven  Americans  and  seventy  or  eighty  Greeks  and  French- 
men. If  he  had  possessed  means  of  subsistence  for  so 
many,  the  commander  could  have  enlisted  thirty  thousand 
men  for  the  expedition.  On  the  6th  of  March,  the  little 
army  entered  the  desert  of  Lybia,  and  after  a  fatiguing 
march  of  fifty  days,  during  which  time  they  had  traversed 
more  than  six  hundred  miles  of  desert-sands  and  surmounted 
innumerable  obstacles,  they  encamped  in  the  rear  of  the  city 
of  Derne,  on  the  26th  of  April.* 

Captain  Hull,  during  this  time,  had  made  his  way  back  to 
Malta  for  orders  and  stores,  and  by  the  middle  of  April, 
with  the  ships  Argus,  Nautilus,  and  Hornet,  was  cruising 
along  the  coast  in  the  vicinity  of  Derne,  awaiting  the  arri- 

*  Cooper,     t  Allen,  Cooper,  Blake. 


476  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT, 

val  of  the  overland  army.  Ascertaining  soon  after,  that 
Eaton  had  encamped  about  a  league  from  the  shore,  Captain 
Hull  landed  a  field-piece  with  some  stores  and  muskets,  in 
charge  of  a  few  marines  of  the  corps.  The  order  of  attack 
having  been  agreed  upon,  at  two  o'clock  P.  M.,  April  27th, 
a  furious  assault  upon  the  town  was  commenced  at  the 
same  instant  from  the  land  and  from  the  ships.  The  enemy 
made  a  spirited  defense,  but  the  town  and  fortress  were  com- 
pelled to  surrender  before  night-fall.  Only  fourteen  of  the 
assailants  had  been  killed  and  wounded,  General  Eaton  being 
among  the  latter.  The  number  of  men  engaged  in  the 
attack,  including  the  marines  and  sailors,  was  about  twelve 
hundred  ;  while  the  place  was  defended  by  three  or  four 
thousand. 

Jussuf,  the  reigning  Bashaw,  soon  collected  a  formidable 
army,  and  attempted  to  regain  the  town,  but  was  defeated  in 
a  battle  fought  on  the  13th  of  May,  and  met  with  a  complete 
repulse  on  the  10th  of  June.  Eaton  was  preparing  to  push 
his  conquests  still  farther,  but  was  arrested  by  a  treaty  of 
peace.* 

Though  the  people  and  authorities  of  Connecticut  have 
always  yielded  suitable  obedience  to  the  "higher  powers,'' 
they  have  not  so  uniformly  submitted  to  what  they  have 
regarded  as  unjust  or  unwise  acts,  without  expressing  their 
dissent.  The  act  of  Congress  of  December  22,  1807,  declar- 
ing an  unlimited  embargo,  for  all  the  purposes  of  foreign 
commerce,  on  every  port  in  the  Union,  was  considered  by 
the  great  mass  of  our  citizens,  as  unnecessary  and  oppressive 
in  its  operations.  The  legislature,  at  the  October  session, 
after  expressing  an  apprehension  that  silence  on  their  part 
"  might  be  construed  to  imply  the  want  of  a  disposition  to 

*  See  Cooper's  Naval  Hist. ;  Pease  and  Niles'  Gaz. ;  Allen's  Biog.  Die.  Gen- 
eral Eaton  was  born  in  Woodstock,  Feb.  23,  1764.  At  the  age  of  sixteen,  he  ran 
away  from  home  and  joined  the  army,  but  subsequently  graduated  at  Dartmouth 
college.  In  1797,  he  was  appointed  consul  to  Tunis,  and  continued  in  that  office 
for  about  nine  years.  On  his  return  to  this  country,  he  settled  in  Brimfield,  Mass., 
and  in  1807,  represented  that  town  in  the  legislature.  He  died  June  1,  1811, 
aged  forty-seven. 


[1811.]  THE  EMBARGO.  477 

protect,  or  an  intention  to  betray,  the  dearest  rights  of  their 
constituents,"  proceeded  to  pass  a  series  of  stringent  resolu- 
tions, indicative  of  their  feelings  and  sentiments  in  relation 
to  that  "unprecedented  crisis."  "We  maintain,"  say  they, 
"that  the  right  freely  to  navigate  the  ocean,  w^as,  like  our 
soil,  transmitted  to  us  as  an  inheritance  from  our  forefathers, 
and  the  enjoyment  of  this  right  is  secured  to  us,  as  a  free 
and  sovereign  state,  by  the  plighted  faith  of  the  United 
States."  After  detailing,  however,  the  oppressive  burdens 
and  grievances  brought  upon  the  people  of  this  state  by  the 
operations  of  the  act  referred  to,  they  add,  in  the  true  spirit 
of  patriotic  obedience,  "we  rely,  nevertheless,  on  the  further 
patient  and  faithful  regard  to  public  order,  in  the  hope  that 
the  Congress  will,  at  their  approaching  session,  on  a  knowl- 
edge of  these  distresses,  speedily  decide  that  a  removal  of 
them  is  compatible  with  the  peace,  honor,  and  happiness  of 
the  United  States." 

Congress  having  on  the  9th  of  January,  1809,  passed  an  act 
"to  enforce  and  make  more  effectual"  the  embargo,  an  extra 
session  of  the  legislature  was  called  in  the  succeeding 
February,  on  account  of  the  "great  national  emergency." 
A  series  of  resolutions,  and  an  address  to  the  people  of  Con- 
necticut, were  adopted,  and  two  thousand  copies  were  ordered 
to  be  printed  and  circulated  ;  and  a  like  number  of  copies  of 
the  offensive  act  was  directed  to  be  distributed  with  the 
resolves  and  address. 

In  May,  1811,  the  subject  was  again  brought  before  the 
legislature,  and  a  series  of  resolutions,  similar  in  their  purport 
to  those  already  adverted  to,  was  adopted.  The  commercial 
interests  of  the  state  were  prostrated  ;  the  ordinary  business 
of  the  inhabitants  along  the  line  of  our  sea-coast  was  neces- 
sarily suspended  ;  and  the  consequent  distress  which  prevailed 
in  many  places  so  exasperated  the  people  that  some  were 
ready  for  open  rebellion  against  the  General  Government. 
The  Assembly,  alarmed  at  the  extent  of  this  feeling,  while  it 
recognized  the  right  and  duty  of  the  people  to  defend  "the 
liberties   and   independence  of  the  state,  as  well  as  of  the 


478  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

United  States,  against  every  aggression,"  exhorted  the  citi- 
zens to  "  continue  to  cherish  an  attachment  to  social 
order,  the  principles  of  our  republican  institutions  and 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  as  essentially  con- 
nected with  the  liberty  they  so  highly  prize ;  and  to  enter- 
tain the  hope  that  the  General  Government  will  abandon  a 
course  of  measures  so  distressing  to  individuals,  so  debasing 
to  the  national  spirit  and  character,  and  so  inefficacious  for 
the  protection  of  the  rights  and  honor  of  the  United  States ; 
and  that  they  remain  assured  that  the  General  Assembly  of 
this  state,  participating  in  the  sentiments  and  sufferings  of 
the  people  by  whom  they  are  chosen,  will  never  lose  sight  of 
their  commercial  rights  and  interests."* 

The  train  of  events  finally  led  to  a  result  that  had  long 
been  anticipated.  On  the  18th  of  June,  1812,  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  declared  war  against  Great  Britain. 
It  is  needless  to  go  into  the  causes  which  led  to  such  a  decla- 
ration. A  long  series  of  insults  and  aggressive  acts  on  the 
part  of  our  old  enemy,  including  the  impressment  of  our 
seamen  and  indignities  offered  to  our  flag,  were  the  alleged 
occasions  of  an  appeal  to  arms  for  a  redress  of  grievances. 
The  views  of  the  people  of  Connecticut  in  relation  to  this 
important  step  are  expressed  in  the  following  paper.  It 
is  copied  from  the  manuscript  records  of  the  doings 
of  the  Assembly,  at  their  special  session  in  August  of  that 
year : 

"The  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  specially 
convened  to  consult  the  welfare  and  provide  for  the  defense 
of  the  state  at  this  interesting  and  eventful  period,  avail 
themselves  of  the  opportunity  thus  afforded  to  declare  and 
resolve — 

"  That  while  some  of  their  sister  states  offer  assurance  of 
their  unqualified  approbation  of  the  measures  of  the  General 
Government,  in  respect  to  our  foreign  relations,  we  confi- 
dently trust  that  the  motives  which  influence  us  to  declare 
what  we  believe  to  be  the  deliberate  and  solemn  sense  of 

*  State  Records,  MS. 


[1812.]  MANIFESTO   OF  CONNECTICUT.  479 

the   people  of  this  state,  on  the  question  of  the  war,  will  be 
justly  appreciated. 

"The  people  of  this  state  view  the  war  as  unnecessary. 

"  Without  pretending  to  an  exclusive  or  superior  love  of 
country  to  what  is  common  to  their  fellow-citizens,  or  arro- 
gating a  preeminence  in  those  virtues  which  adorn  our  his- 
tory, they  yield  to  none  in  attachment  to  the  Union,  or  vene- 
ration for  the  Constitution.  The  Union,  cemented  by  the 
blood  of  the  American  people,  is  endeared  to  our  best  affec- 
tions, and  prized  as  an  invaluable  legacy  bequeathed  to  us 
and  our  posterity  by  the  founders  of  our  empire. 

"The  people  of  this  state  were  among  the  first  to  adopt  the 
Constitution.  Having  shared  largely  in  its  blessings,  and 
confidently  trusting  that  under  the  guardianship  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  of  the  states,  it  will  be  found  competent  to  the  objects 
of  its  institution,  in  aU  the  various  vicissitudes  of  our  aflfairs, 
they  will  be  the  last  to  abandon  the  high  hopes  it  aflfords  of  the 
future  prosperity  and  glory  of  our  country. 

"  These  sentiments  of  attachment  to  the  Union  and  to  the 
Constitution,  are  believed  to  be  common  to  the  American 
people,  and  those  who  express  and  disseminate  distrust  of 
their  fidelity  to  both  or  either,  we  cannot  regard  as  the  most 
discreet  of  their  friends. 

"Unfortunately  our  country  is  now  involved  in  that  awful 
conflict  which  has  desolated  the  fairest  portions  of  Europe. 
Between  the  belligerents.  Great  Britain  is  selected  for  our 
enemy.  We  are  not  the  apologists  of  the  wrongs  of  foreign 
nations — we  inquire  not  as  to  the  comparative  demerits  of 
their  respective  decrees  or  orders.  We  will  never  deliberate 
on  the  choice  of  a  foreign  master.  The  aggressions  of  both 
nations  ought  to  have  been  met  at  the  onset,  by  a  system  of 
defensive  protection  commensurate  to  our  means,  and 
adapted  to  the  crisis.  Other  counsels  prevailed,  and  that 
system  of  commercial  restrictions,  which  before  had  dis- 
tressed the  people  of  Europe,  was  extended  to  our  country. 
We  became  parties  to  the  continental  system  of  the  French 
emperor.     Whatever  its  pressure  may  have  been  elsewhere, 


480  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

on  our  citizens  it  has  operated  with  intolerable  severity  and 
hardship. 

"  In  the  midst  of  these  sufferings,  war  is  declared,  and  that 
nation  of  the  two  is  selected  as  a  foe,  which  is  capable  of  in- 
flicting the  greatest  injury.  In  this  selection  we  view,  with 
the  greatest  solicitude,  a  tendency  to  entangle  us  in  an  alli- 
ance with  a  nation  which  has  subverted  every  republic  in 
Europe,  and  whose  connections,  wherever  formed,  have  been 
fatal  to  civil  liberty. 

"  Of  the  operation  of  her  decrees  on  the  American  com- 
merce, it  is  not  necessary  here  to  remark.  The  repeal  of 
them,  promulgated  in  this  country  since  the  declaration  of 
war,  virtually  declares  that  the  American  government  was 
not  to  be  trusted.     Insult  is  thus  added  to  injury. 

"  Should  a  continuance  of  this  war  exclude  our  sea-faring 
and  mercantile  citizens  from  the  use  of  the  ocean,  and  our 
invaluable  institutions  be  sacrificed  by  an  alliance  with 
France,  the  measure  of  our  degradation  and  wretchedness 
would  be  full. 

"War,  always  calamitous,  in  this  case  portentous  of  great 
evils,  enacted  against  a  nation  powerful  in  her  armies,  and 
without  a  rival  on  the  ocean,  cannot  be  viewed  by  us  but 
with  the  deepest  regret.  A  nation  without  fleets,  without 
armies,  with  an  impoverished  treasury,  with  a  frontier  by 
sea  and  land  extending  many  hundred  miles,  feebly  defended, 
waging  a  war,  hath  not  first  "counted  the  cost." 

"  By  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  the  power  of 
declaring  war  is  vested  in  Congress.  They  have  declared 
war  against  Great  Britain.  However  much  this  measure  is 
regretted,  the  General  Assembly,  ever  regardful  of  their  duty 
to  the  General  Government,  will  perform  all  those  obligations 
resulting  from  this  act.  With  this  view,  they  have  at  this 
session  provided  for  the  more  effectual  organization  of  the 
military  force  of  this  state,  and  a  supply  of  the  munitions  of 
war.  These  will  be  employed,  should  the  public  exigencies 
require  it,  in  defense  of  this  state,  and  of  our  sister  states, 
in  compliance  with  the  Constitution — and  it  is  not  to  be 


[1812.]  THE  WAR.  481 

doubted,  but  that  the  citizens  of  this  state  will  be  found,  at 
the  constitutional  call  of  their  country,  among  the  foremost 
in  its  defense. 

"To  the  United  States  is  delegated  the  power,  to  call  forth 
the  militia  to  execute  the  laws,  to  suppress  insurrection,  and 
to  repel  invasions.  To  the  states  respectively  is  reserved 
the  entire  control  of  the  militia,  except  in  the  cases  specified. 
In  this  view  of  that  important  provision  of  the  Constitution, 
the  legislature  fully  accord  with  the  decision  of  his  excellency 
the  governor,  in  refusing  to  comply  with  the  requisition  of  the 
General  Government  for  a  portion  of  the  militia.  While  it 
is  to  be  regretted  that  any  difference  of  opinion  on  that  sub- 
ject should  have  arisen,  the  conduct  of  the  chief  magistrate 
of  this  state,  in  maintaining  its  immunities  and  privileges, 
meets  our  cordial  approbation.  The  legislature  also  enter- 
tain no  doubt  that  the  militia  of  the  state  will,  under  the 
direction  of  the  captain-general,  be  ever  ready  to  perform 
their  duty  to  the  state  and  nation,  in  peace  or  war.  They 
are  aware  that  in  a  protracted  war,  the  burden  upon  the 
militia  may  become  almost  insupportable,  as  a  spirit  of  ac- 
quisition and  extension  of  territory  appears  to  influence  the 
councils  of  the  nation,  which  may  require  the  employment  of 
the  whole  regular  forces  of  the  United  States  in  foreign  con- 
quest, and  leave  our  maritime  frontier  defenseless,  or  to  be 
protected  solely  by  the  militia  of  the  states. 

"At  this  period  of  anxiety  among  all  classes  of  citizens,  we 
learn  with  pleasure,  that  a  prominent  cause  of  the  war  is 
removed  by  a  late  measure  of  the  British  cabinet.  The  re- 
vocation of  the  orders  in  council,  it  is  hoped,  will  be  met  by 
a  sincere  spirit  of  conciliation  on  the  part  of  our  administra- 
tion, and  speedily  restore  to  our  nation  the  blessings  of  a  solid 
and  honorable  peace. 

"In  the  event  of  the  continuance  of  the  war,  the  legisla- 
ture rely  on  the  people  of  Connecticut,  looking  to  Him 
who  holds  the  destinies  of  empires  in  His  hands,  to  maintain 
those  institutions  which  their  venerable  ancestors  estab- 
lished,  to   preserve    inviolate    those    inestimable    privileges 

63 


482  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

which  then'  fathers  acquired  and  which  are  consecrated  by 
their  blood." 

Although  our  people  had  steadily  opposed  the  principles 
and  measures  that  had  led  to  the  declaration  of  war,  yet 
when  they  saw  the  country  actually  involved  in  the  contest, 
they  had  too  much  patriotism  to  remain  inactive.  At  the 
same  session  of  the  legislature  that  originated  and  sent  forth 
this  document,  the  quarter- master-general  was  authorized 
and  directed  to  purchase  for  the  state,  in  addition  to  the 
arms  and  artillery  that  had  already  been  contracted  for,  "three 
thousand  muskets,  three  thousand  cartouch  boxes,  eight 
pieces  of  brass  artillery  of  six  pound  calibre,  and  the  neces- 
sary apparatus,  six  thousand  pounds  of  powder,  seventy 
thousand  flints,  and  five  tons  of  musket  balls."  A  military 
force  was  also  ordered  to  be  forthwith  raised  in  the  state,  to 
consist  of  two  regiments  of  infantry,  four  companies  of  artil- 
lery, and  four  companies  of  cavalry,  "to  hold  themselves  in 
readiness  for  the  defense  of  the  state,  to  enforce  the  laws  of 
the  Union,  to  suppress  insurrections  and  repel  invasions,  dur- 
ing the  present  war, — subject  only,  to  the  order  of  the  com- 
mander-in-chief of  this  state." 

This  resolve  of  the  legislature,  together  with  the  previous 
action  of  Governor  Griswold,  which  was  in  strict  accordance 
with  the  wishes  and  intentions  of  the  Assembly  as  above  ex- 
pressed, was  the  occasion  of  much  remark  at  the  time,  and 
attempts  have  since  been  made  to  cast  reproach  upon  the 
state  for  the  stand  she  took  on  that  occasion.  Whether  the 
measures  pursued  by  our  state  were  worthy  of  praise  or 
l)lame,  it  is  proper  to  remark,  that  our  harbors  and  shipping 
were  in  a  most  exposed  condition  ;  the  fortifications  along 
the  coast  had  been  neglected,  and  v/ere  decaying ;  and  most 
of  the  regular  troops  had  been  withdrawn  from  the  sea- 
board.* It  should  be  remembered,  also,  that  even  when 
under  a  kingly  government,  the  Connecticut  troops  v/ere 
usually  enlisted  with  the  express  proviso  that  they  should  be 


* 


Andrews'  Eulogy,  p.  32. 


[1812.]  STATE   RIGHTS.  483 

under  the  command  of  their  own  officers,  and  their  wishes  in 
this  particular  had  been  generally  acceded  to.  A  similar 
feeling  seems  to  have  still  existed  not  only  among  the  soldiers 
but  on  the  part  of  the  state  authorities.  The  governor,  there- 
fore, had  refused  to  comply  with  a  requisition  from  General 
Dearborn,  for  troops  to  be  under  the  command  of  officers  of 
the  regular  army,  on  the  two-fold  ground  that  the  constitu- 
tional exigencies  authorizing  such  a  call  did  not  exist,  and 
that  the  militia  "could  not  be  compelled  to  serve  under  any 
other  than  their  own  officers,  with  the  exception  of  the  presi- 
dent himself  when  personally  in  the  field."  He  argued, 
that  by  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  the  entire  con- 
trol of  the  militia  is  given  to  the  state  governments,  except 
in  certain  specified  contingencies,  viz.,  "to  execute  the  laws 
of  the  Union,  suppress  insurrections,  and  repel  invasions  ;" 
and  as  he  contended  that  neither  of  these  exigences  actually 
existed,  he  could  not  constitutionallv  answer  the  call  made 
upon  him.  In  this  decision  he  was  fully  sustained  by  the 
council,  which  consisted  of  the  lieutenant-governor  and 
twelve  assistants."'^  That  Governor  Griswold  and  the 
council  of  Connecticut  carried  the  doctrine  of  "state  rights" 
farther  than  a  true  regard  to  the  interests  and  powers  of  the 
confederacy  will  justify,  is  now  pretty  generally  conceded,  at 
least  at  the  north.  But  if  they  erred  in  one  direction,  it  is 
equally  true  that  the  course  of  the  national  government  was 
not  altogether  in  accordance  with  the  dictates  of  justice.  As 
if  to  revenge  upon  New  England  for  her  opposition  to  the 
war  and  the  measures  that  had  led  to  it,  her  six  hundred 

*  Tlie  question  whether  the  governor  of  a  state  had  a  right  to  decide  in  regard 
to  the  existence  of  the  exigences  contemplated  by  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States,  was  referred  by  the  authorities  of  Ma!?sachusetts  to  the  supreme  court  of 
that  state.     The  court  gave  its  decision  in  the  affirmative. 

At  the  session  of  the  General  Assembly  in  August,  the  following  resolution  was 
passed. 

"Resolved,  That  the  conduct  of  his  excellency  the  governor,  in  refusing  to 
order  the  militia  of  this  state  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  on  the  requisi- 
tion of  the  Secretary  of  War,  and  Major-General  Dearborn,  meets  with  the 
entire  approbation  of  this  Assembly." 


484  '  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

miles  of  sea-coast  had  been  left  almost  entirely  defenseless. 
Not  only  had  the  ships  of  war  been  withdrawn  from  our 
waters,  but  the  United  States'  troops  that  had,  in  times  of 
peace,  been  stationed  at  the  forts  along  the  coast,  had  been 
ordered  away — at  a  moment,  too,  when,  in  the  words  of  the 
secretary  of  war,  "there  was  imminent  danger  of  the 
invasion  of  the  country.''* 

I  have  deemed  it  incumbent  upon  me  to  say  thus  much  on 
a  subject  that  once  elicited  much  attention  throughout  the 
Union,  and  concerning  which  many  misrepresentations  have 
gone  abroad.  The  militia  of  the  state,  in  large  numbers, 
were  frequently  called  out,  not  only  for  purposes  of  self- 
defense,  but  for  the  defense  of  the  property  of  the  United 
States.  At  New  London,  they  were  long  employed  in  pro- 
tecting the  government  squadron.  The  only  ground  of  con- 
tention was,  whether  the  militia  of  the  state  should  be 
under  the  command  and  control  of  the  state  or  of  the  United 
States. 

At  the  same  time,  the  gallantry  of  Captain  Hull,  on  the 
ocean,  was  a  theme  of  general  admiration  throughout  the 
country.  His  noble  frigate,  the  Constitution,  rode  the  waves 
"hke  a  thing  of  life,"  outstripping  the  fleetest  sails  of  the 
enemy  in  the  chase,+  while  her  heroic  commander  seemed  to 
defy  the  thunders  of  the  boasted  mistress  of  the  seas. 
During  the  month  of  August,  Captain  Hull  had  captured 
several  prizes,  and  on  the  15th  of  that  month,  he  achieved 
his  celebrated  victory  in  the  capture  of  the  Guerriere,  com- 
manded by  Captain  Dacres,  one  of  the  ships  that  had  so  lately 
chased  the  Constitution  off  the  New  York  coast.  Taking 
on  board  the  remnant  of  the  officers  and  crew,  as  prisoners 
of  war,  together  with  the  sick  and  wounded,  Captain  Hull 
set  fire  to  the  wreck  of  the  Guerriere,  and  returned  to  Bos- 

*  Letter  from  secretary  Eustis,  to  Lieutenant-Governor  Smith,  of  Connecticut, 
dated  July  14th,  1812. 

t  On  one  occasion,  the  Constitution  was  chased  for  three  days  and  three  nights 
by  some  eight  or  ten  British  ships  of  war.  They  were  all  at  last  compelled  to 
abandon  the  pursuit. 


[1812.]  GOVERNOR  GRISWOLD.  485 

ton,  where  he  arrived  on  the  30th.  "It  is  not  easy,"  says 
Cooper,''^  "  at  this  distant  day,  to  convey  to  the  reader  the  full 
force  of  the  moral  impression  created  in  America  by  this  vic- 
tory of  one  frigate  over  another.  So  deep  had  been  the 
effect  produced  on  the  public  mind  by  the  constant  account 
of  the  successes  of  the  English  over  their  enemies  at  sea, 
that  the  opinion  of  their  invincij^ility  on  that  element  gener- 
ally prevailed  ;  and  it  had  been  publicly  predicted  that,  before 
the  contest  had  continued  six  months,  British  sloops  of  war 
would  lie  along  side  of  American  frigates  with  comparative 
impunity.  But  the  termination  of  the  combat  just  related, 
far  exceeded  the  expectations  of  the  most  sanguine."  The 
loss  of  the  Constitution  was  only  seven  killed,  and  seven 
wounded.  On  the  other  hand,  the  Guerriere  was  completely 
dismasted,  had  seventy-nine  men  killed  and  wounded,  and, 
according  to  the  statement  of  her  commander,  when  on  trial 
before  a  court-martial  for  the  loss  of  his  ship,  *'she  had 
received  no  less  than  thirty  shots  as  low  as  five  sheets  of 
copper  beneath  the  bands. "f 

During  the  sitting  of  the  October  session,  his  excellency, 
Governor  Griswold,  died  at  his  residence  in  Norwich.  He 
was  a  gentleman  of  high  character  and  commanding  talents ; 
a  true  patriot,  wise  in  council,  and  efficient  in  action.  His 
decease,  particularly  at  that  interesting  period  of  our  history, 
was  felt  to  be  a  public  calamity.  J  The  Lieutenant-Governor, 

*  "  Naval  History,"  vol.  ii.  p.  56,  57. 

t  In  October,  1817,  the  legislature  of  this  state  "  Resolved,  That  they  enter- 
tain a  high  and  respectful  sense  of  the  virtues,  gallantry,  and  naval  skill  of  their 
fellow-citizen,  Commodore  Isaac  Hull,  that  an  elegant  sword,  and  pair  of  pistols, 
both  mounted  with  gold,  with  suitable  inscriptions,  and  manufactured  in  this  state, 
be  procured  ;  and  that  his  excellency  the  governor,  be  respectfully  requested  to 
present  the  same  to  the  commodore,  with  a  copy  of  this  resolve,  as  honorary  tokens 
of  the  high  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  the  people  of  this  state,  for  his  personal 
worth  and  public  services :  and  that  his  excellency  be  requested  to  do  this  in  a 
manner  which  he  shall  deem  most  expressive  of  the  sincerity  of  that  esteem." 

$  The  Hon.  Roger  Griswold,  LL.  D.,  was  a  son  of  the  Hon.  Matthew  Griswold^ 
formerly  governor  of  the  state,  and  was  born  in  Lyme,  May  21,  1762.  Having 
graduated  at  Yale  College,  and  completed  his  professional  studies,  he  commenced 
the  practice  of  law  in  Norwich,  in  1783,  and  soon  became  an  eminent  advocate. 


486  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

John  Cotton  Smith,  became  the  acting  governor,  and  in  May 
following,  he  was  duly  elected  to  that  office. 

On  the  4th  of  December,  Commodore  Decatur,  wdth  the 
frigate  United  States,  attended  by  his  prize,  the  Macedonia, 
came  into  New  London  harbor.  In  April  following,  a 
formidable  British  fleet  passed  through  the  Sound.  The 
British  flag  was  raised  on  Block  Island,  while  Sir  Thomas 
Hardy,  in  the  flag-ship  Ramillies,  with  other  vessels,  cruised 
along  the  coast.  On  the  1st  of  June,  Decatur's  squadron, 
consisting  of  the  frigates  United  States  and  Macedonia,  and 
the  sloop-of-war  Hornet,  having  sailed  from  New  York, 
attempted  to  pass  out  to  sea  by  way  of  Montauk,  but  were 
arrested  in  their  progress  near  the  entrance  to  the  Souixl  by 
Commodore  Hardy,  and  driven  into  New  London  harbor. 
The  enemy's  ships  anchored  off"  Gull  Island,  so  as  to  com- 
mand the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  completely  blockaded  the 
port.  The  British  fleet  having  been  soon  after  augmented 
by  the  arrival  of  two  ships  of  the  line,  two  frigates,  and 
several  smaller  vessels,  it  was  anticipated  that  the  enemy  would 
either  bombard  the  city,  or  sail  up  the  river  and  attack  the 
American  squadron.  The  militia  from  the  neighborhood 
were  summoned  to  the  coast,  the  specie  of  the  banks  was 
conveyed  to  Norwich,  and  the  women  and  children,  together 
with  such  valuables  as  could  readily  be  removed,  were  car- 
ried back  into  the  country.  Great  anxiety  and  confusion 
prevailed  for  several  days  in  New  London,  nor  could  quiet 
be  restored  until  it  was   ascertained   that  the   enemy  had 

In  1792,  when  but  thirty-two  years  of  age,  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  and  re- 
mained a  member  of  that  body  for  a  period  of  ten  years.  In  1801,  he  was  nomin- 
ated for  the  post  of  Secretary  of  War,  but  he  declined  to  accept  it.  In  1807,  he  was 
appointed  a  judge  of  the  superior  court ;  in  1809,  he  was  chosen  lieutenant-gov- 
ernor ;  and  in  1811,  he  became  governor  of  the  state.  He  died  at  Norwich,  Oct. 
25,  1812,  aged  fifty  years. 

The  legislature  appointed  Calvin  Goddard,  Theodore  Dwight,  and  Frederick 
Wolcott,  of  the  Council,  and  Messrs.  D.  Humphrey,  Putnam,  Sherwood,  and  N. 
Terry,  of  the  House,  a  committee  to  attend  the  funeral.  Elizur  Goodrich,  A.  Smith, 
Hubbard,  and  Caldwell,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  make  arrangements  for 
suitable  public  services  in  Hartford  ;  and  the  Hon.  David  Daggett,  was  chosen  to 
pronounce  a  funeral  eulogy. 


[1813.]  THE   TOEPEDO.  487 

selected  their  anchorage  ground  about  five  miles  from  the 
city.  Even  then,  as  the  blockade  was  kept  up,  a  reinforce- 
ment or  any  unusual  movement  among  the  ships,  was  sufficient 
to  arouse  the  suspicions  of  the  people,  and  not  unfrequently 
occasioned  great  alarm.  The  American  ships  having  been 
taken  as  far  up  the  river  as  possible,  Decatur  threw  up 
intrenchments  on  Allyn's  mountain,  from  which  point  he 
had  a  fine  view  of  the  harbor.* 

Toward  the  latter  part  of  June,  an  American  schooner 
called  the  Eagle,  had  been  fitted  out  as  a  kind  of  torpedo 
vessel,  and  sent  into  the  Sound.  As  she  had  a  show  of  naval 
stores  on  board,  she  was  captured  by  the  British  a  short  dis- 
tance west  of  New  London — the  crew  having-  eflfected  their 
escape  to  the  shore  in  the  small  boats.  The  captors  attempted 
to  tow  their  prize  up  to  the  Ramillies,  but  not  succeeding 
in  this,  they  anchored  her  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  from 
that  vessel.  In  three  hours  after  her  seizure,  the  Eagle  blew 
up  with  a  tremendous  explosion,  throwing  a  shower  of  pitch 
and  tar  upon  the  Ramillies,  and  filling  the  air  with  timbers 
and  stones.  A  second  lieutenant,  and  ten  men,  who  were  on 
board,  were  instantly  killed,  and  several  men  in  the  small 
boats  were  badly  wounded.  The  hold  of  the  Eagle,  under 
the  appearance  of  ballast,  contained  four  hundred  pounds  of 
powder,  with  a  quantity  of  ponderous  stones,  and  destructive 
implements,  together  with  a  secret  piece  of  mechanism,  which 
when  set  in  motion,  would  explode  in  a  given  length  of 
time.f 

In  consequence  of  this  event,  the  blockade  was  extended 
to  vessels  and  boats  of  every  description,  and  was  kept  up  with 
more  rigor  than  ever. 

About  the  same  time.  General  Burbeck,  in  obedience  to 
the  orders  of  the  General  Government,  arrived  from  New- 
port, and  assumed  the  military  command  of  the  district.  As 
the  governor  and  legislature  claimed  the  control  of  the  militia 


*  Caulkins'  New  London. 

+  Caulkins'  Hist,  of  New  London.     This  was  one  of  Buslinell's  "  American 
Turtles." 


488  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

of  the  state,  the  troops  stationed  at  New  London,  numbering 
about  one  thousand,  were  dismissed  on  the  12th  of  July,  by 
order  of  the  secretary  of  war,  and  the  town  was  left  without 
a  single  soldier  on  duty.  Simultaneously  with  this  event,  it 
was  ascertained  that  the  fleet  of  the  enemy  had  been  rein-- 
forced,  and  as  the  firing  of  cannon  had  commenced  on  board, 
the  ships,  the  greatest  panic  was  excited  among  the  people 
on  shore.  They  charged  the  General  Government  with  hav- 
ing betrayed  them,  and  purposely  left  them  to  destruction. 
General  Burbeck  himself  appears  to  have  participated  in  the 
alarm,  and  at  once  applied  to  the  governor  for  a  temporary 
force,  who  authorized  General  Williams  to  call  to  his  aid 
as  many  of  the  militia  as  the  circumstances  of  the  case  might 
seem  to  demand. 

Commodore  Decatur,  tired  of  the  inglorious  idleness  forced 
upon  him  by  the  blockade,  had  long  meditated  a  plan  of 
escape.  During  the  months  of  October  and  November,  his 
ships  had  been  quietly  dropping  down  the  river  toward  New 
London,  and  by  the  1st  of  December,  they  were  anchored  in 
the  harbor,  opposite  market  wharf,  where  everything  was  put 
in  the  best  trim  for  sailing.  His  designs  were,  so  far  as  pos- 
sible, kept  a  profound  secret,  both  from  friend  and  foe.  The 
night  of  the  12th  of  December,  which  had  been  fixed  upon 
for  the  attempt,  proved  to  be  dark  and  the  wind  favorable, 
and  as  soon  as  the  tide  turned  they  were  to  set  sail.  While 
thus  waiting,  word  was  brought  to  Decatur,  that  at  different 
times  between  eight  and  ten  o'clock,  blue  lights  had  been  seen 
on  both  sides  of  the  river,  near  its  mouth.  It  was  imagined 
by  the  timid,  that  they  were  designed  as  signals  to  the  enemy 
to  be  on  their  guard.  The  Commodore  gave  heed  to  the 
stories,  instantly  relinquished  his  plan  of  escape,  and  never 
again  attempted  it. 

The  story  of  the  "blue  lights"  was  eagerly  circulated 
throughout  the  country,  and  an  attempt  was  made  to  cast  I'e- 
proach  upon  Connecticut,  by  stigmatizing  her  citizens  as 
traitors.  It  is  to  be  lamented  that  in  some  instances  the 
partizan  press  of  a  later  day,  within  our  own  borders,  for  the 


BLUE    LIGHTS.  489 

accomplishment  of  party  ends,  have  not  scrupled  to  reiterate 
the  statement,  and  attempt  to  fasten  the  stigma  of  treachery 
upon  the  state.  It  may  be  difficult,  at  this  distance 
of  time,  to  decide  upon  the  facts  in  the  case.  That  the 
story  was  confidently  denied  and  disbelieved  by  many 
of  the  most  intelligent  persons  in  New  London,  at  a 
time  when  all  the  facts  and  circumstances  that  could  be 
elicited  on  the  subject,  were  fresh  in  the  minds  of  the  public, 
of  itself  affords  sufficient  grounds  for  a  reasonable  doubt  in 
the  case.  It  was  averred  that  "accidental  lights  kindled  by 
fishermen,  or  the  gleams  from  country  windows,  or  reflec- 
tions from  the  heavens  upon  water,  might  have  been  mista- 
ken for  treasonable  signs."*  But  even  if  the  lights  were 
designed  as  a  warning  to  the  enemy,  it  does  not  follow  that 
they  w^ere  kindled  by  the  torch  of  the  traitor.  The  officers 
and  soldiers  of  the  British  fleet  had  free  access  to  the  city, 
and  to  the  adjacent  coast.  "It  was  rum.ored,"  says  Miss 
Caulkins,  "that  spies  vvere  often  in  town,  under  various  dis- 
guises, and  that  suspicious  persons  appeared  and  disappeared 
strangely."  It  is  not  unreasonable  to  infer  that  officers  from 
the  fleet  might  have  mingled  with  the  crowds  of  anxious  citi- 
zens who  daily  gathered  at  the  corners  of  the  streets,  in  the 
hotels,  or  other  public  places — that  they  secretly  watched 
the  movements  of  Decatur  and  his  men — that  they  ascer- 
tained their  intentions  of  attempting  to  escape  during  that 
very  night.  If  "traitors"  could  contrive  to  possess  them- 
selves of  the  secret,  why  might  not  an  accomplished  spy  do 
it?  Certain  it  is,  that  no  attempt  was  ever  made  to  fasten 
the  treasonable  act  upon  any  citizen  of  Connecticut,  nor  does 
it  appear  that  any  person  was  ever  suspected  of  being  con- 
cerned in  it. 

All  the  vessels  of  the  American  squadron  withdrew  up  the 
Thames  early  in  the  spring,  except  the  Hornet,  which  re- 
mained at  New  London,  and  in  November,  1814,  managed 
to  pass  the  blockading  fleet,  and  reached  New  York  in 
safety. 

*  History  of  New  London. 


490  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

Several  spirited  adventures  took  place  on  our  coast  during 
the  war.  Frequently  a  sloop  or  schooner  would  be  pursued 
by  the  enemy's  ships  into  some  one  of  our  many  harbors  or 
inlets,  and  the  people  on  shore  would  rally  to  defend  it.  The 
sloop  Victory,  having  been  chased  into  Mystic,  in  June,  1813, 
a  party  of  fifteen  men,  under  the  command  of  Jeremiah 
Haley,  drove  off  the  enemy  after  an  action  of  fifteen  minutes. 
The  sloop  Roxana,  in  November,  was  thus  driven  ashore 
near  the  light-house,  by  three  British  barges ;  and  in  half  an 
hour  a  crowd  of  people  had  assembled  to  rescue  her.  The 
enemy,  after  setting  fire  to  their  prize,  escaped.  The  Ameri- 
cans attempted  to  extinguish  the  flames,  but  were  prevented 
by  a  heavy  cannonade  from  the  ships. 

The  historian  of  New  London  mentions  the  singular 
fact,  that  Captain  John  Howard,  of  the  packet  sloop  Juno, 
continued  to  pass  back  and  forth  between  New  London  and 
New  York,  during  the  whole  war,  in  spite  of  the  vigilance 
of  the  blockading  squadron.  He  usually  chose  a  dark  or 
stormy  night  for  leaving  or  entering  the  harbor,  and  was  al- 
ways successful  in  passing  the  blockade,  notwithstanding  he 
was  narrowly  watched  by  the  enemy.  Four  cannon  were  kept 
constantly  loaded  on  his  deck,  and  he  carried  with  him  an 
ample  supply  of  ammunition,  and  shot.  He  was  often  way- 
laid and  pursued,  but  a  spirited  discharge  of  his  guns  had  the 
desired  effect  in  keeping  the  assailants  at  a  respectful  dis- 
tance, though  he  was  once  driven  into  Saybrook,  and  had 
his  mast  shot  away. 

Meanwhile  the  citizens  of  Stonington  were  kept  in  a  state 
of  constant  alarm,  growing  out  of  the  fact  that  the  British 
employed  in  the  blockade  of  New  London,  were  in  full  view 
from  the  village,  and  their  boats  almost  daily  reconnoitered 
along  the  coast.  They  transmitted  an  earnest  appeal  to 
Congress  for  assistance  and  protection,  but  without  avail. 
Governor  Smith  sent  them  a  small  guard  of  militia,  to  aid 
them  in  keeping  a  nightly  watch  ;  and  the  citizens  threw  up 
temporary  breastworks  in  different  positions,  on  one  of  which 
a  flag-staff  was  planted  and  a  platform  erected  for  the  recep- 


[1814.]  BOMBARDMENT   OF   STONINGTON.  491 

tion  of  their  two  eighteen-pounders.  On  the  9th  of 
August,  1814,  the  ships  of  the  enemy  were  seen  entering 
Stonington  harbor.  They  were  the  RamiUies,  the  frigate 
Pactolus,  the  bomb-ship  Terror,  and  the  brig-of-war  Despatch. 
Casting  anchor,  a  barge  put  off  from  the  nearest  ship  for  the 
shore,  bearing  a  white  flag.  Several  gentlemen  immediately 
entered  a  boat  and  proceeded  to  receive  the  flag.  The  offi- 
cer of  the  barge  presented  them  with  the  following  commu- 
nication, and  immediately  returned  to  his  ship. 

"His  Britannic  Majesty's  ship  Pactolus, 

"9th  of  August,  1814,  half-past  5,  P.  M. 
"Not  wishing  to  destroy  the  unoffending  inhabitants  resid- 
ing in  the  town  of  Stonington,  one  hour  is  granted   them 
from  the  receipt  of  this,  to  remove  out  of  town. 

"T.  M.   Hardy, 
"Captain  of  his  Majesty's  ship  Ramillies.'* 

The  consternation  which  followed  this  message,  especially 
among  the  women,  and  children,  can  hardly  be  imagined. 
The  fearful  import  of  the  communication,  the  overwhelming 
force  of  the  enemy,  the  defenseless  condition  of  the  town, 
and  the  brief  space  of  time  allowed  for  the  removal  of  their 
families,  and  to  prepare  for  the  conflict,  were  considerations 
which  forced  themselves  upon  all,  and  for  a  moment  seemed 
to  appal  the  stoutest  heart.  Soon,  however,  the  citizens 
began  to  recover  their  self-possession,  and  before  the  hour 
had  elapsed,  a  goodly  number  of  bold  volunteers  had  taken 
possession  of  the  breastworks,  and  were  watching  the  move- 
ments of  the  enemy,  while  others  were  employed  in  collect- 
ing whatever  ammunition  could  be  found  in  the  possession  of 
individuals. 

About  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  Terror  began  the 
bombardment,  and  continued  all  night  to  throw  fire-bombs 
and  carcasses  into  the  town.  At  daylight  on  the  following 
morning,  the  barges  drew  up  on  the  east  side  of  the  village, 
and  commenced  firing  rockets  at  the  buildings.  The  Ston- 
ington volunteers  dragged  one  of  their  guns  across  the  point, 


492  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

opened  a  fire  upon  the  barges,  sunk  one  of  them,  compelled 
the  others  to  retire,  and  then  returned  to  their  intrenchments 
in  safety.  The  brig  of  war  and  the  Terror,  about  sunrise, 
commenced  firing  upon  the  town,  and  discharging  rockets, 
shells,  and  carcasses.  While  some  of  the  citizens  were  man- 
ning the  guns,  others  were  following  the  rockets  and  car- 
casses wherever  they  might  strike,  for  the  purpose  of  extin- 
guishing the  fires  that  they  kindled.  At  last  their  ammuni- 
tion failed  the  artillerists,  and  they  were  compelled  to  sus- 
pend their  firing  until  the  express  which  they  had  sent  to 
New  London  should  return.  At  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.,  to 
their  great  joy,  the  messenger  arrived.  Nailing  their 
colors  to  the  staff,  they  renewed  their  fire  with  such 
effect  that  the  brig,  to  avoid  being  sunk,  cut  her  cables  and 
retired.* 

The  bombardment  continued  until  the  third  day,  when 
Commodore  Hardy  sent  a  flag  on  shore,  with  a  message, 
demanding  that  Mrs.  Stewart,  the  British  consul's  wife, 
should  be  sent  on  board  his  ship,  and  that  the  inhabitants 
should  give  a  pledge  that  they  would  set  afloat  no  more  tor- 
pedoes to  annoy  his  vessels !  He  promised,  if  these  terms 
were  complied  with,  that  the  bombardment  should  cease.  In 
reply,  he  was  told  that  his  requisitions  could  not  be  regarded, 
and  that  they  asked  no  favors  of  him  beyond  what  the  rules 
of  honorable  warfare  required.  The  ships  renewed  their  fire, 
and  kept  it  up  until  noon  on  Friday,  the  fourth  day  of  the 
siege,  when  the  enemy  retired  to  their  old  quarters  off  New 
London,  with  little  cause  to  boast  of  the  success  of  their 
expedition. 

When  we  consider  all  the  circumstances  of  the  attack,  the 
gallant  defense,  and  the  length  of  time  employed  in  the  bom- 
bardment, it  is  a  matter  of  surprise  that  not  a  single  individual 
in  the  town  was  killed.  One  young  man  received  a  wound 
in  the  knee  and  died  six  months  afterward.  Though  the 
vigilance   of  the    citizens  prevented   conflagration,    several 

*  The  anchor  and  cable,  which  were  left  behind  are  still  preserved. 


[1814.]  LAKE   CHAMPLAIN.  493 

buildings  were  badly  shattered,  and  some  were  wholly 
destroyed.* 

During  the  year  1814,  General  Burbeck  was  removed  to 
another  station,  and  General  Thomas  H.  Gushing  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  command  of  this  military  district. f 

In  the  spring  of  1813,  Captain  McDonough  had  taken 
command  of  the  American  fleet  on  Lake  Champlain,  and 
from  his  well  known  spirit,  energy,  and  bravery,  much  was 
expected  of  him.  No  decisive  action,  however,  occurred  on 
the  lake  until  in  the  month  of  September,  1814.  Early  in 
that  month.  Sir  George  Provost,  the  English  commander-in- 
chief,  advanced  against  Plattsburg,  then  held  by  Brigadier- 
General  Macomb.  The  English  army,  consisting  of  about 
twelve  thousand  men,  was  divided  into  four  brigades,  led  by 
Lieutenant-General  de  Rottenburg,  and  Majors  General 
Brisbane,  Power,  and  Robinson.  The  British  fleet  on  the 
lake  was  commanded  by  Captain  Downie,  and  numbered  six- 
teen vessels  of  various  kinds,  mounting  ninety-five  or  ninety- 
six  guns,  and  carrying  one  thousand  men.  The  total  force 
of  the  Americans  on  the  lake,  consisted  of  fourteen  vessels, 
mounting  eighty-six  guns,  and  coutaining  eight  hundred  and 
fifty  men.  Captain  McDonough  had  the  personal  command  of 
the  Saratoga,  while  Captain  Downie's  own  ship  was  the  Confi- 
ance,  the  largest  craft  in  his  fleet.  On  the  11th  of  Septem- 
ber, a  fierce  conflict  ensued  between  the  two  fleets,  which 
resulted  in  the  capture,  by  McDonough,  of  one  frigate,  one 
brig,  and  two  sloops  of  war.  The  loss  of  the  Americans,  in 
killed,  and  wounded,  was  one  hundred  and  twelve  ;  that  of 
the  enemy  something  over  two  hundred. 

Sir  George  Provost,  on  hearing  the  fate  of  the  British 
squadron,   made  a  precipitate   retreat,   leaving  behind   him 

*  Hist,  of  Xew  London. 

t  General  Henry  Burbeck,  became  a  resident  of  New  London  soon  after  the 
war,  and  died  there  Oct.  2,  1848,  aged  ninety-four.  General  Gushing,  a  native 
of  Massachusetts,  entered  the  army  in  1776,  and  continued  in  the  service  until 
1815,  vi^hen  he  was  appointed  collector  of  the  port  of  New  London.  He  died 
Oct.  19,  1822,  aged  sixty-seven. 


494  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

much  of  his  heavy  artillery,  stores,  and  supplies.  From  that 
moment  to  the  end  of  the  war,  our  northern  frontier  remained 
unmolested.* 

Besides  the  usual  medal  from  Congress,  and  various  com- 
pliments and  gifts  from  different  towns  and  states,  Captain 
McDonough  was  promoted  for  his  services,  and  the  legisla- 
ture of  New  York  presented  him  with  a  small  estate  on  the 
lake  shore  overlooking  the  scene  of  his  triumph.      *        * 

Commodore  McDonough  was  a  son  of  a  physician  in  New 
Castle  county,  Delaware.  When  quite  young,  he  obtained  a 
midshipman's  warrant,  and  sailed  for  the  Mediterranean. 
During  the  whole  of  the  war  of  1812,  he  proved  himself  an 
efficient  officer.  He  resided  at  Middletown,  Conn.,  where 
he  died,  Nov.  10,  1825,  aged  thirty-nine.  In  May,  1819,  the 
legislature  of  Connecticut  voted,  that  "a  pair  of  pistols,  with 
suitable  devices,  and  manufactured  in  this  state,  which  now 
claims  the  hero  as  her  son,  be  procured,  and  that  his  excel- 
lency the  governor,  be  respectfully  requested  to  present  them 
to  Commodore  McDonough,  with  a  copy  of  this  resolution, 
in  such  manner  as  he  shall  judge  most  expressive  of  their 
gratitude  and  esteem." 

At  the  October  session  of  the  Connecticut  legislature,  the 
governor  was  desired  to  purchase  for  the  use  of  the  state,  six 
tons  of  powder,  three  tons  of  cannon  shot,  two  thousand 
stand  of  arms,  and  twenty-six  cannon,  with  other  suitable 
implements,  and  materials  for  the  use  of  the  troops  when  on 
duty.  The  Assembly  also  took  into  consideration  a  plan  that 
had  been  submitted  to  Congress  by  the  secretary  of  war,  for 
filling  up  the  regular  army,  which  placed  the  militia  and  the 
troops  raised  for  the  defense  of  the  state,  at  the  disposal  of 
the  General  Government.  By  the  principles  of  the  proposed 
plan,  the  Assembly  say,  "  our  sons,  brothers,  and  friends,  are 
made  liable  to  be  delivered,  against  their  will,  and  by  force, 
to  the  marshalls  and  recruiting  officers  of  the  United  States, 
to  be  employed,  not  for  our  own  defense,  but  for  the  conquest 
of  Canada,  or  upon  any  foreign  service  which  the  adminis- 


* 


Cooper,  ii.  224. 


[1815.]  PROPERTY   ON    OUR       COAST.  495 

tration  might  choose  to  send  them."  They  further  declare 
the  plan  to  be,  "  not  only  intolerably  burdensome  and  op- 
pressive, but  utterly  subversive  of  the  rights  and  liberties  of 
this  state,  and  the  freedom,  sovereignty,  and  independence  of 
the  same,  and  inconsistent  with  the  principles  of  the  consti- 
tution of  the  United  States."  In  case  the  offensive  measure 
should  become  a  law  of  Congress,  the  governor  was  directed 
forthwith  to  convene  the  legislature  to  consult  on  the  mea- 
sures to  be  adopted. 

It  is  quite  evident  that  the  controversy  between  the  admin- 
istration and  the  New  England  states,  be  the  blame  where  it 
might,  was  now  assuming  an  alarming  character,  and  that 
the  eastern  sea-coast,  where  were  the  oldest  settlements,  and 
where  was  accumulated  more  property  than  lay  on  the  whole 
ocean-line  from  the  Jersey  shore  to  the  gulf  of  Mexico,  was 
sadly  exposed  to  the  ships  of  a  powerful  nation  that  were 
pirating  along  our  borders,  and,  in  defiance  of  the  rules  of 
civilized  warfare,  were  laying  waste  some  of  the  finest  towns 
in  the  Union.  What  was  the  honest  feeling  that  pervaded 
the  state  at  that  time,  may  be  gleaned  from  the  following 
extract  from  Governor  Smith's  speech  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly, at  the  May  session,  1814  : 

"  I  am  not  informed  that  any  effectual  arrangements  are 
made  by  the  national  government  to  put  our  sea-coast  into  a 
more  respectable  state  of  defense.  Should  the  plan  of  the 
last  campaign  be  renewed,  and  especially  should  the  war 
retain  the  desolating  character  it  has  been  made  to  assume, 
the  states  On  the  Atlantic  border  cannot  be  insensible  to  the 
dangers  which  await  them.  'To  provide  for  the  common 
defense'  was  an  avowed,  and  it  may  with  truth  be  said  the 
chief  purpose  for  which  the  present  constitution  was  formed. 
How  far  this  object  is  promoted  by  aiming  at  foreign  con- 
quest, and  resigning  our  most  wealthy  and  populous  frontier 
to  pillage  and  devastation,  becomes  a  momentous  inquiry. 
Whatever  measures,  gentlemen,  you  may.  think  proper  to 
adopt  on  the  occasion,  I  feel  assured  they  will  flow  from  an 
equal  regard  to  your  own  rights  and  to  the  interests  of  the 


496  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Union.  In  any  event,  I  am  persuaded  that  we  shall  place  no 
reliance  on  the  forbearance  of  a  declared  enemy,  and  that  if 
the  aid  to  which  we  are  entitled  is  withheld,  the  means 
which  God  has  given  us  will  be  faithfully  employed  for  our 
safety."* 

Massachusetts  was  no  less  alarmed  than  Connecticut,  at 
the  situation  of  the  eastern  coast.  In  the  summer  of 
1814,  the  English  took  possession  of  Castine,  a  town  on  the 
Penobscot,  and  of  all  that  part  of  Maine  which  lies  to  the 
eastward  of  that  river.  News  soon  arrived  in  Boston,  that 
the  enemy  were  preparing  to  invade  Massachusetts.  This, 
among  other  causes  of  alarm,  induced  that  state,  through  her 
constituted  authorities,  to  address  a  letter  to  the  states  of 
Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island,  calling  upon  them  "  to 
appoint  delegates"  to  meet  with  those  from  other  states  to 
deliberate  upon  the  dangers  then  impending,  and  "to  devise, 
if  practicable,  means  of  security  and  defense  which  may  be 
consistent  with  the  preservation  of  their  resources  from 
total  ruin,  and  adapted  to  their  local  situation,  mutual 
relations  and  habits,  and  not  repugnayit  to  their  obliga- 
tions as  members  of  the  Union."  Such  were  the  avowed 
motives  that  led  to  the  call  for  the  far-famed  "Hartford 
Convention." 

The  General  Assembly  was  in  session  when  this  communi- 
cation was  received  from  Massachusetts,  and  immediately 
appointed  a  committee  to  investigate  the  matters  named  in 
it.  Henry  Champion  was  chairman  of  the  committee,  a 
man  of  an  original  type  of  intellect  and  character,  and 
capable  of  expressing  his  thoughts  in  a  strong  nervous 
style,  of  which  the  following  extracts  afford  a  good 
illustration: 

"The  condition  of  this  state  demands  the  most  serious 
attention  of  the  legislature.  We  lately  enjoyed,  in  common 
with  the  other  members  of  the  national  confederacy,  the 
blessings  of  peaqe.     The  industry  of  our  citizens,  in  every 

*  See  Appendix  to  the  Eulogy  of  Governor  Smith,  by  the  Rev.  WiUiam  W. 
Andrews,  of  Kent. 


[1814.]  HENRY  CHAMPION".  497 

department  of  active  life,  was  abundantly  rewarded ;  our 
cities  and  villages  exhibited  indications  of  increasing  wealth; 
and  the  foreign  relations  of  the  Union  secured  our  safety  and 
nourished  our  prosperity. 

"The  scene  is  now  reversed.  We  are  summoned  to  the 
field  of  war,  and  to  surrender  our  treasures  for  our  defense. 
The  fleets  of  a  powerful  enemy  hover  on  our  coasts,  block- 
ade our  harbors,  and  threaten  our  towns  and  cities  with  fire 
and  desolation. 

"When  a  commonwealth  falls  from  a  state  of  high  pros- 
perity, it  behoves  the  guardians  of  its  interests  to  inquire 
into  the  cause  of  its  decline,  and,  with  deep  solicitude,  to  seek 
a  remedy." 

tP  "ff*  Tf  tP  tF 

"Occupying  a  comparatively  small  territory,  and  naturally 
associating,  during  the  revolutionary  war,  with  states  whose 
views  were  identified  with  ours,  our  interests  and  inclina- 
tions led  us  to  unite  in  the  great  national  compact,  since 
defined  and  consolidated  by  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States. 

***** 

"Thus  driven  from  every  object  of  our  best  hopes,  and 

bound  to  an  inglorious  struggle  in  defense  of  our  dwellings 

from  a  public  enemy,  we  had  no  apprehension,  much  as  we 

had  suffered  from   the  national  government,  that  it  would 

refuse  to  yield  us  such   protection   as  its  treasures  might 

afford.     Much  less  could  we  doubt,  that  those  disbursements, 

which  might  be  demanded  of  this  state,  would  be  passed  to 

our  credit  on  the  books  of  the  treasury.     Such,  however,  has 

not  been   the  course  adopted  by  the  national  agents.     All 

supplies  have  been  withdrawn  from  the  militia  of  this  state, 

in  the  service  of  the  United  States.     The  groundless  pretext 

for  this  unwarrantable  measure,  was,  their  submission  to  an 

officer  assigned  them  by  the  commander-in-chief,  in  perfect 

conformity  with  military  usage  and  the  principles  of  a  re- 

64 


498  HISTOKY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

quest  from  the  President  himself,  under  which  a  party  of 
them  were  detached."  *  *  ^ 

"The  people  of  this  state  have  no  disloyalty  to  the  inte- 
rests of  the  Union.  For  their  fidelity  and  patriotism,  they 
may  appeal  with  confidence  to  the  national  archives  from 
the  commencement  of  the  revolutionary  war. 

"In  achieving  the  independence  of  the  nation,  they  bore 
an  honorable  part.  Their  contingent  in  men  and  money  has 
ever  been  promptly  furnished,  when  constitutionally  required. 
Much  as  they  lament  the  present  unnatural  hostilities  with 
Great  Britain,  thev  have,  with  characteristic  obedience  to 
lawful  authority,  punctually  paid  the  late  taxes  imposed  by 
the  General  Government.  On  everv  lawful  demand  of  the 
national  executive  their  well-disciplined  militia  have  resorted 
to  the  field.  The  public  enemy,  when  invading  their  shores, 
has  been  met  at  the  water's  edge  and  valiantly  repulsed. 
They  duly  appreciate  the  great  advantages  which  would 
result  from  the  federal  compact,  were  the  government  ad- 
ministered according  to  the  sacred  principles  of  the  constitu- 
tion. They  have  not  forgotten  the  ties  of  confidence  and 
affection,  which  bound  these  states  to  each  other  during  their 
toils  for  independence  ;  nor  the  national  honor  and  commer- 
cial prosperity  which  they  mutually  shared,  during  the  happy 
years  of  a  good  administration.  They  are,  at  the  same 
time,  conscious  of  their  rights  and  determined  to  defend 
them.  Those  sacred  liberties — those  inestimable  institutions, 
civil,  and  religious,  which  their  venerable  fathers  have 
bequeathed  to  them — are,  with  the  blessing  of  Heaven,  to  be 
maintained  at  every  hazard,  and  never  to  be  surrendered  by 
tenants  of  the  soil  which  the  ashes  of  their  ancestors  have 
consecrated. 

"In  what  manner  the  multiplied  evils,  which  we  feel  and 
fear,  are  to  be  remedied,  is  a  question  of  the  highest  moment, 
and  deserves  the  greatest  consideration.  The  documents 
transmitted  by  his  excellency  the  governor  of  Massachusetts, 
present,  in  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  an  eligible  method 
of  combining  the  wisdom  of  New  England*  in  devising,  on 


[1814.]  DELEGATES    TO  THE   CONVENTION.  499 

full  consultation,  a  proper  course  to  be  adopted,  consistent 
with  our  obligations  to  the  United  States."* 

These  brief  extracts  will  show  something  of  the  feelings  of 
the  people  of  the  state,  and  leave  little  doubt  of  the  sincerity 
at  least  of  a  writer  who  has  had  few  equals  in  New  England. 

A  resolution  accompanied  the  report,  appointing  seven 
delegates  to  represent  the  state  at  a  convention  to  be  held  at 
Hartford,  on  the  15th  of  December,  1814,  there  to  confer 
with  delegates  from  Massachusetts,  and  such  other  New  Eng- 
land states  as  shall  join  in  the  enterprise,  "for  the  purpose" 
to  use  the  words  of  the  committee,  "of  devising  and  recom- 
mending such  measures  for  the  safety  and  welfare  of  those 
states  as  may  he  consistent  with  our  obligations  as  members  of 
the  national  Union.''' 

The  names  of  the  men  who  were  appointed  delegates  to 
the  convention,  were  Chauncey  Goodrich,  John  Treadwell, 
James  Hillhouse,  Zephaniah  Swift,  Nathaniel  Smith,  Calvin 
Goddard,  and  Roger  Minott  Sherman. 

On  the  15th  of  December,  1814,  the  convention  met  at 
Hartford,  and  was  composed  of  the  following  named  gentle- 
men, in  addition  to  those  from  Connecticut. 

Rhode  Island. — Messrs.  Daniel  Lyman,  Samuel  Ward, 
Benjamin  Hazard,  and  Edward  Manton. 

Massachusetts. — Messrs.  George  Cabot,  William  Prescott, 
Harrison  Gray  Otis,  Timothy  Bigelow,  Nathan  Dana,  George 
Bliss,  Joshua  Thomas,  Hodijah  Baylies,  Daniel  Waldo, 
Joseph  Lyman,  Samuel  S.  Wilde,  and  Stephen  Long- 
fellow, Jr. 

New  Hampshire. — Messrs.  Benjamin  West,  and  Mills 
Olcott. 

Vermont. — William  Hall,  Jr. 

Having  chosen  the  Hon.  George  Cabot,  president,  and 
Theodore  Dwight,  secretary,  the  convention  proceeded  to 
business,  and  after  a  session  of  about  three  weeks,  they  put 
into  the  form  of  a  report,  the  result  of  their  proceedings. 
After  setting  forth  what  they  claimed  to  be  the  causes  of 

*  Dwight's  Hist,  of  "  Hartford  Couvention." 


500  HISTOKY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

their  grievances,  they  passed  a  series  of  resolutions  which 
were  as  follows  : 

"Resolved,  That  it  be  and  hereby  is  recommended  to  the 
legislatures  of  the  several  states  represented  in  this  conven- 
tion, to  adopt  all  such  measures  as  may  be  necessary  effectu- 
ally to  protect  the  citizens  of  said  states  from  the  operation 
and  effects  of  all  acts  which  have  been  or  may  be  passed  by 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  which  shall  contain  pro- 
visions, subjecting  the  militia  or  other  citizens  to  forcible 
drafts,  conscriptions,  or  impressments,  not  authorized  by  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States. 

"Resolved,  That  it  be  and  hereby  is  recommended  to  the 
said  legislatures,  to  authorize  an  immediate  and  earnest  appli- 
cation to  be  made  to  the  government  of  the  United  States, 
requesting  their  consent  to  some  arrangement,  whereby  the 
said  states  may,  separately  or  in  concert,  be  empowered  to 
assume  upon  themselves  the  defense  of  their  territory  against 
the  enemy;  and  a  reasonable  portion  of  the  taxes,  collected 
within  said  states,  may  be  paid  into  the  respective  treasuries 
thereof,  and  appropriated  to  the  payment  of  the  balance  due 
said  states,  and  to  the  future  defense  of  the  same.  The 
amount  so  paid  into  the  said  treasuries  to  be  credited,  and  the 
disbursements  made  as  aforesaid  to  be  charged  to  the  United 
States. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  be,  and  hereby  is  recommended  to  the 
legislatures  of  the  aforesaid  states,  to  pass  laws  (where  it  has 
not  already  been  done,)  authorizing  the  governors  or  com- 
manders-in-chief of  their  militia  to  make  detachments  from 
the  same,  or  to  form  voluntary  corps,  as  shall  be  most  con- 
venient and  conformable  to  their  constitutions,  and  to  cause 
the  same  to  be  well  armed,  equipped,  and  disciplined,  and 
held  in  readiness  for  service ;  and  upon  the  request  of  the 
governor  of  either  of  the  other  states,  to  employ  the  whole  of 
such  detachment  or  corps,  as  well  as  the  regular  forces  of 
the  state,  or  such  part  thereof  as  may  be  required  and  can 
be  spared  consistently  with  the  safety  of  the  state,  in 
assisting    the    state    making    such   request,   to    repel    any 


[1814.]  KESOLUTIONS.  501 

invasion  thereof  which  shall  be  made  or  attempted  by  the 
public  enemy. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  following  amendments  of  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  United  States  be  recommended  to  the  states 
represented  as  aforesaid,  to  be  proposed  by  them  for  adoption 
by  the  state  legislatures,  and  in  such  cases  as  may  be  deemed 
expedient,  by  a  convention  chosen  by  the  people  of  each  state. 

"And  it  is  further  recommended,  that  the  said  states  shall 
persevere  in  their  efforts  to  obtain  such  amendments,  until 
the  same  shall  be  effected. 

''First,  Representatives  and  direct  taxes  shall  be  appor- 
tioned among  the  several  states  which  mav  be  included 
within  this  Union,  according  to  their  respective  numbers 
of  free  persons,  including  those  bound  to  serve  for  a  term 
of  years,  and  excluding  Indians  not  taxed,  and  all  other 
persons. 

"  Second.  No  new  state  shall  be  admitted  into  the  Union 
by  Congress,  in  virtue  of  the  power  granted  by  the  constitution, 
without  the  concurrence  of  two-thirds  of  both  houses. 

"  Third,  Congress  shall  not  have  power  to  lay  any 
embargo  on  the  ships  or  vessels  of  the  citizens  of  the 
United  States,  in  the  ports  or  harbors  thereof,  for  more  than 
sixty  days. 

''Fourth,  Congress  shall  not  have  power,  without  the  con- 
currence of  two-thirds  of  both  houses,  to  interdict  the  com- 
mercial intercourse  between  the  United  States  and  any 
foreign  nation  or  the  dependencies  thereof. 

"Fifth,  Congress  shall  not  make  or  declare  war,  or  author- 
ize acts  of  hostility  against  any  foreign  nation,  without  the 
concurrence  of  two-thirds  of  both  houses,  except  such  acts 
of  hostility  be  in  defense  of  the  territories  of  the  United 
States  when  actually  invaded. 

"  Sixth,  No  person  who  shall  hereafter  be  naturalized,  shall 
be  eligible  as  a  member  of  the  senate  or  house  of  represen- 
tatives of  the  United  States,  nor  capable  of  holding  any  civil 
office  under  the  authority  of  the  United  States. 

"  Seventh,  The  same  person  shall  not  be  elected  president 


502  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

of  the  United  States  a  second  time;  nor  shall  the  president 
be  elected  from  the  same  state  two  terms  in  succession. 

''Resolved,  That  if  the  application  of  these  states  to  the 
government  of  the  United  States,  recommended  in  a  fore- 
going resolution,  should  be  unsuccessful,  and  peace  should  not 
be  concluded,  and  the  defense  of  these  states  should  be  neg- 
lected, as  it  has  been  since  the  commencement  of  the  war,  it 
will,  in  the  opinion  of  this  convention,  be  expedient  for  the 
legislatures  of  the  several  states  to  appoint  delegates  to  an- 
other convention,  to  meet  at  Boston,  in  the  state  of  Massa- 
chusetts, on  the  third  Thursday  of  June  next,  with  such  pow- 
ers and  instructions  as  the  exigency  of  a  crisis  so  moment- 
ous may  require. 

''Resolved,  That  the  Hon.  George  Cabot,  the  Hon.  Chaun-- 
cey  Goodrich,  and  the  Hon.  Daniel  Lyman,  or  any  two  of 
them,  be  authorized  to  call  another  meeting  of  this  conven- 
tion, to  be  holden  in  Boston,  at  any  time  before  new  delegates 
shall  be  chosen,  as  recommended  in  the  above  resolution,  if 
in  their  judgment  the  situation  of  the  country  shall  urgently 
require  it."* 

This  report,  with  the  resolutions  as  above  quoted,  was 
immediately  published  to  the  world,  and,  as  was  naturally  to 
be  expected,  filled  the  whole  country  with  excitement.  Some 
hailed  it  with  demonstrations  of  lively  joy,  and  others  with 
hisses  of  derision  ;  some  called  it  patriotic,  others  averred  that 
it  was  treasonable ;  some  made  it  their  banner-cry,  others 
were  ready  under  other  banners  to  go  out  and  give  battle  to 
the  men  who  dared  to  march  under  it.  But  the  prevailing 
voice  of  the  country,  it  must  be  admitted,  was  against  the 
Hartford  Convention.  It  had  sat  with  closed  doors,  and 
although  in  doubtful  times  the  General  Assembly  of  Connec- 
ticut had  always  done  so,  although  the  very  convention  that 
adopted  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  had  done  the 
same,  yet  the  delegates  to  the  Hartford  Convention  were  not 
allowed  to  plead  these  precedents  in  answer  to  the  charge 
that  secrecy  was  a  badge  of  fraud. 

*  Vide  Dwight's  Hist. 


THE   CHARACTER   OF   THE   WITNESSES.  503 

Now  without  attempting  to  vindicate  that  convention,  the 
fruitful  mother  of  50  many  others  that  were  possessed  of  few 
of  the  attributes  which  it  embodied,  it  is  a  duty  devolving 
upon  the  author  of  such  a  work  as  this,  to  inquire  into  the 
motives  of  the  delegates  who  composed  it,  and  see  if  they 
were  criminal.  It  has  been  already  asserted  that  the  states 
which  they  represented  felt  themselves  aggrieved.  The 
alleged  motives  of  the  state  legislatures  themselves,  was  to 
provide  for  the  safety  of  the  eastern  coast,  acting  under  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  without  doing  any- 
thing that  should  contravene  the  letter  or  the  spirit  of  that 
instrument.  Again,  the  delegates  themselves  in  their  public 
manifesto,  declared  that  they  were  governed  by  the  same 
influences.  But  testimony  is  to  be  weighed  by  the  triers  not 
only  in  accordance  with  the  probabilities  of  the  case,  but  the 
character  of  the  witnesses  for  veracity,  good  or  bad,  is  to  be 
taken  into  the  account.  The  witnesses  to  the  honest  motives 
of  the  authors  of  the  Hartford  Convention,  were  no  vulgar 
men. 

At  the  head  of  the  Connecticut  delegation  stood  his 
honor  Chauncey  Goodrich,  whose  blanched  locks  and  noble 
features  had  long  been  conspicuous  in  the  halls  of  national 
legislation  ;  a  gentleman  whose  character  is  identified  with 
truth  and  honor  in  all  parts  of  the  Union  ;  a  gentleman  of 
w^hom  Albert  Gallatin  was  wont  to  say,  that  when  he 
endeavored  to  meet  the  arguments  of  his  opponents,  he  was 
accustomed  to  select  that  of  Mr.  Goodrich,  as  containing  the 
entire  strength  of  all  that  could  be  said  upon  that  side — feel- 
ing that  if  he  could  answer  him,  he  could  maintain  his  cause; 
a  man  of  whom  Jefferson,  no  mean  judge  of  intellectual 
strength,  used  playfully  to  say,  "that  white-headed  senator 
from  Connecticut  is  by  far  the  most  powerful  opponent  I  have 
to  my  administration." 

Next  to  him  was  James  Hillhouse,  the  great  financier  of  the 
state,  who  found  our  School  Fund  in  darkness,  and  left  it  in  light ; 
the  scholar  and  the  father  who  superintended  the  early  cul- 
ture of  that  poet-boy,  and  laid  the  foundations  of  that,  bright  and 


504  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

glorious  intellect,  which  in  the  bowers  of  "  Sachem's  Wood," 
saw  as  in  a  vision  the  magnificent  scenes  of  Hadad,  and  re- 
ceived as  guests  in  western  groves,  the  spirits  of  oriental 
oracle  and  song ;  Hillhouse,  the  man  of  taste,  who  planted 
the  New  Haven  elms ;  the  native  American,  with  Irish  blood 
in  his  veins — a  man  who  like  Washington  never  told  a  lie. 

John  Treadwell,  was  the  third  delegate,  whose  life  was 
filled  with  honors  and  usefulness. 

The  fourth  was  Swift,  the  first  commentator  upon  the  laws 
of  our  little  repubhc,  of  whom  no  lawyer  in  the  United 
States  would  dare  to  feign  ignorance,  lest  he  should  put  at 
risk  his  professional  reputation. 

The  Hon.  Nathaniel  Smith,  was  the  fifth,  whom  the  God 
of  Nature  chartered  to  be  great  by  the  divine  prerogative  of 
genius  ;  a  jurist  wiser  than  the  books,  whose  words  were  so 
loaded  with  convincing  reasons  that  they  struck  an  adversary 
to  the  earth  like  blows  dealt  by  a  hand  guantletted  in  steel ; 
to  listen  to  whom,  when  he  spoke  in  the  convention,  Harri- 
son Gray  Otis  turned  back  as  he  was  leaving  the  chamber, 
and  stood  gazing  in  silent  admiration,  unconscious  of  the 
flight  of  time. 

The  sixth  was  Calvin  Goddard,  who  long  enjoyed  the 
reputation  of  being  the  most  learned  and  successful  lawyer 
east  of  the  Connecticut  river ;  an  upright  judge,  a  wise 
counselor,  an  honest  man. 

Last,  but  not  least  of  the  Connecticut  delegation,  was 
Roger  Minott  Sherman,  a  profound  metaphysician,  a  scholar 
equal  to  the  younger  Adams,  one  of  the  principal  oracles  of 
the  New  York  city  bar  for  the  last  twenty  years  of  his  Hfe, 
who  seemed  more  fitly  than  any  other  man  to  represent  the 
lawgiver,  Roger  Ludlow,  and  to  inhabit  the  town  which  he  had 
planted,  whose  level  acres  he  had  sown  with  the  quick  seeds 
of  civil  liberty  and  then  left  the  up-springing  crop  to  be 
harvested  by  the  sickle  of  his  successor. 

Such  were  the  men  from  Connecticut,  who  took  part  with 
men  as  nearly  their  equals  as  could  be  gathered  from  the 
other  eastern  states,  in  the  debates  and  deliberations  of  the 


[1814.]  CHARACTER   OF   THE   WITNESSES.  505 

Hartford  Convention.  The  grave  has  closed  over  them  all. 
In  their  lifetime  they  were  kept  from  the  councils  of  the 
nation,  because  they  had  been  unfortunate  enough  to  be 
designated  by  the  General  Assembly  for  the  place  that  they 
filled  with  such  abihty  and  integrity.  Like  a  priesthood  hon- 
ored in  their  monastic  retirement,  but  excluded  from  the  field 
where  they  were  eminently  fitted  to  shine,  they  passed  the 
rest  of  their  days  under  a  cloud.  Let  their  conquerors  be 
generous.  Let  them  not  trample  rudely  upon  the  ashes  nor 
trifle  with  the  fame  of  the  strong  men  who  were  singled  out 
by  the  state  as  hostages  to  remain  in  exile  for  the  policy, 
demeanor,  and  future  good  faith,  of  those  whom  they 
represented.* 


*  The  Hon.  Chauncey  Goodrich  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Elizur  Goodrich,  pastor 
of  the  congregational  church  in  Durham,  Conn.  A  gentleman  of  thorough 
education  and  high  legal  attainments,  he  was  for  many  years  an  eminent  advocate 
at  the  Hartford  bar,  until  called  to  serve  his  constituents  in  other  fields  of  honor- 
able distinction.  He  was  frequently  a  member  of  both  branches  of  the  Connec- 
ticut legislature,  besides  being  a  representative  in  Congress,  United  States  Sena- 
tor, and  lieutenant-governor.     He  died  August  18,  1815. 

The  Hon.  John  Treadwell,  of  Farmington,  was  successively  a  representative, 
councilor,  judge  of  the  court  of  common  pleas,  lieutenant-governor,  and  governor. 
Distinguished  for  the  simplicity  of  his  manners,  the  uprightness  and  purity  of  his 
life  and  character,  his  sound  judgment,  and  unquestioned  integrity,  he  enjoyed  in 
a  remarkable  degree  the  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens.  He  died  August  19, 
1823,  aged  seventy-seven. 

The  Hon.  James  Hillhouse,  of  New  Haven,  was  a  representative  and  senator  in 
Congress  for  nearly  twenty  years.  In  the  war  of  the  revolution  he  had  bravely 
fought  for  his  country,  and  through  life  he  was  esteemed  for  his  integrity,  patriot- 
ism, and  talents.     He  died  in  New  Haven. 

The  Hon.  Zephaniah  Swift,  of  Windham,  was  long  in  public  life,  as  a  member 
and  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  representative  in  Congress,  judge, 
and  chief  judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  state.  He  died  Sept.  27,  1823,  aged 
sixty-four. 

The  following  letter  from  the  Hon.  David  S.  Boardman,  of  New  Milford,  rela- 
tive to  Judge  Smith,  will  be  read  with  interest.  There  is  no  other  person  now 
living  who  could  have  furnished  such  a  sketch, 

"New  Milford,  Jan.  7,  1855. 
"  Dear  Sir, — Yesterday  afternoon,  I  received  a  line  from  my  friend.  General 
Sedgwick,  stating  that  it  was  your  desire  that  he  would  ask  of  me,  in  your  behalf, 
to  furnish  you  with  some  facts  in  relation  to  the  late  Nathaniel  Smith,  and  my 


506  HISTORY  or  CONNECTICUT. 

In  January,  1815,  a  special  session  was  convened  by  the 
governor,  when  it  was  resolved,  that  his  excellency  should 
appoint  two  commissioners  to  proceed  immediately  to  Wash- 
views  of  his  character,  which  might  be  of  use  to  you  in  the  preparation  of  the 
work  you  have  in  hand. 

"  I  am  of  course  aware  that  this  application  is  owing  to  the  accidental  circum- 
stance that  I  am  the  oldest  if  not  the  only  member  of  the  profession  now  living, 
who  had  much  personal  acquaintance  with  that  truly  able  and  excellent  man,  or 
saw  much  of  him  in  the  exercise  of  his  forensic  or  judicial  talents.  Judge  Smith 
was  indeed  one  of  nature's  nobles,  and  considering  the  limited  range  of  his  early 
education,  he  had  few  equals  and  perhaps  no  superior  in  the  profession  which  he 
chose,  and  which  he  eminently  adorned.  You  are  doubtless  aware  that  Judge 
Smith  had  only  such  an  education  in  childhood  and  youth,  as  the  common  schools 
of  the  country  afforded  at  the  time.  It  was  such,  however,  as  a  boy  of  unusual 
capacity  and  industrious  habits  would  acquire  from  such  a  source,  and  such  as, 
under  the  guidance  of  uncommon  discretion  through  life,  rarely  permitted  its 
defects  to  be  disclosed. 

"  When  I  first  went  to  the  Law  School  in  Litchfield,  which  was  in  the  fall  of 
1793,  Mr.  Smith,  though  not  over  thirty  years  old,  was  in  full  practice,  and 
engaged  in  almost  every  cause  of  any  importance.  Indeed,  he  was  said  to  have 
established  a  high  reputation  for  talents  in  the  first  cause  he  argued  in  the  higher 
courts.  It  was  upon  a  trial  for  manslaughter,  which  arose  in  his  native  town, 
and  in  which  he  appeared  as  junior  counsel,  and  astonished  the  court,  the  bar, 
and  all  who  heard  him.  Not  long  afterwards,  in  the  celebrated  case  of  Jedediah 
Strong  and  wife,  before  the  General  Assembly,  (she  having  applied  for  a  divorce,) 
he  greatly  distinguished  himself  again,  and  thus  became  known  throughout  the 
state  as  a  young  lawyer  of  the  first  promise  ;  and  the  reputation  thus  early  acquired 
was  never  suffered  to  falter,  but  on  the  other  hand,  steadily  increased  in  strength 
imtil  his  elevation  to  the  bench. 

"  During  my  stay  in  Litchfi^eld,  and  after  my  admission  to  the  bar,  I  of  course 
saw  Mr.  Smith,  and  heard  him  in  almost  all  the  important  cases  there ;  and  as  I 
was  located  in  the  south-west  corner  town  in  the  county,  adjoining  Fairfield,  I 
almost  immediately  obtained  some  business  which,  though  small,  was  such  as  dur- 
ing nearly  all  my  professional  life  caused  me  to  attend  the  courts  in  that  county, 
where  I  found  Mr.  Smith  as  fully  engaged  and  as  highly  esteemed  as  in  his  own 
county.     In  New  Haven  I  also  know  he  had  a  very  considerable  practice. 

"It  is  worthy  also  to  be  observed,  in  forming  an  estimate  of  Mr.  Smith's  pro- 
fessional talents  and  character,  that  there  never  at  any  period  was  an  abler  bar  in 
Connecticut,  than  during  his  practice.  In  Litchfield  county,  were  Judge  Reeve, 
Judge  Adams,  General  Tracy,  John  Allen,  Judge  Gould,  N.  B.  Benedict,  and 
others  ;  at  the  Fairfield  county  bar,  were  Pierpont  Edwards,  Judge  Ingersoll,  and 
Judge  Daggett,  constantly  from  New  Haven,  Judge  Edmonds,  S.  B.  Sherwood,  R. 
M.  Sherman,  Judge  Chapman,  and  Governor  Bissell  -,  and  in  New  Haven,  besides 
the  three  above  named,  were  James  Hillhouse,  Judge  Baldwin,  and  others. 

"  As  I  suppose  it  not  probable  that  you  ever  saw  Judge  Smith,  as  he  ceased  to 


[1815.]         GENERAL   GOVERNMENT  SUPPLICATED.  507 

ington,  under  such  instructions  as  the  governor  might  think 
proper  to  give  them ;  and  earnestly  supphcate  the  General 
Government  that  Connecticut  might  be  empowered  to  pro- 
vide for  the  defense  of  her  own  territory,  and  that  a  reason- 
attend  courts  in  1819,  and  died  when  you  was  very  young,  I  will  observe,  what 
you  have  doubtless  heard,  that  he  was  a  large  and  fine  appearing  man,  much  of 
the  same  complexion  of  the  Hon,  Truman  Smith,  his  nephew,  with  whom  you  are 
so  well  acquainted  ;  less  tall  than  he,  but  of  rather  fuller  habit.  His  face  was  not 
only  the  index  of  high  capacity,  and  solid  judgment,  but  uncommonly  handsome  ; 
his  hair  was  dark  and  thin,  though  not  to  baldness,  except  on  the  fore  part  of  his 
head,  and  was  very  slightly  sprinkled  with  gray.  His  fine,  dark  eyes,  were  re- 
markably pleasing  and  gentle  in  ordinary  intercourse,  but  very  variable,  always 
kindling  when  he  began  to  speak  in  public,  and,  when  highly  excited  in 
debate,  they  became  almost  oppressive.  His  voice  was  excellent,  being  both 
powerful  and  harmonious,  and  never  broke  under  any  exertion  of  its  capacity. 
His  manner  was  very  ardent  and  the  seeming  dictate  of  a  strong  conviction  of  the 
justice  of  his  cause ;  and  his  gestures  were  the  natural  expression  of  such  a  con- 
viction. Mr.  Smith's  style  was  pure  and  genuine  Saxon,  with  no  attempt  at  classic 
ornament  or  allusion.  His  train  of  reasoning  was  lucid  and  direct,  and  evincive 
of  the  fact  that  the  whole  of  it  was  like  a  map  spread  out  in  his  mind's  eye  from 
the  beginning.  His  ingenuity  v.as  always  felt  and  dreaded  by  his  opponent.  He 
spoke  with  much  fluency,  but  with  no  undue  rapidity ;  he  never  hesitated  for  or 
haggled  at  a  word,  nor  did  he  ever  tire  his  audience  with  undue  prolixity,  or  omit 
to  do  full  justice  to  his  case  for  fear  of  tiring  them  ;  and  indeed  there  was  little 
danger  of  it.  Though  certainly  a  very  fine  speaker,  he  never  achieved  or  aspired 
to  those  strains  of  almost  superhuman  eloquence  with  which  his  old  master  Reeve, 
sometimes  electrified  and  astonished  his  audience,  and  yet,  in  ordinary  cases,  he 
was  the  most  correct  speaker  of  the  two — though  Judge  Reeve  was,  and  he  was 
not,  a  scholar.  Mr.  Smith,  though  quite  unassuming,  and  often  receding  in  com- 
mon intercourse  and  conversation,  was,  when  heated  in  argument,  it  must  be  con- 
fessed, often  overbearing  to  the  adverse  party,  and,  not  only  to  them,  but  to  their 
counsel.  Upon  all  other  occasions,  he  appeared  to  be,  and  I  believe  was,  a  very 
kind  hearted,  agreeable  and  pleasant  man.  To  me,  he  always  so  appeared,  and  I 
have  been  much  in  his  company. 

"  Mr.  Smith  came  early  into  public  life,  and  was  frequently  elected  to  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  from  Woodbury.  In  1795,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  fourth 
Congress  ;  and  in  1797,  he  was  chosen  to  the  fifth  Congress  ;  but  declined  further 
election.  In  May,  1799,  he  was  made  an  assistant,  and  was  re-elected  for  the  five 
following  years,  when  he  resigned  his  seat  at  that  board  in  consequence  of  the 
passage  of  the  act  in  1803,  prohibiting  the  members  of  the  then  supreme  court  of 
errors  from  practicing  before  that  court.  He  remained  in  full  practice  at  the  bar 
until  October,  1806,  when  he  was  elected  a  judge  of  the  supei-ior  court,  and  con- 
tinued to  fill  that  office  until  May,  1819,  when  the  judiciary  establishment  of  that 
year  went  into  operation  •,  from  which  time  he  remained  in  private  life  until  his 
death. 


508  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

able  portion  of  the  taxes  might  be  appropriated  for  that  pur- 
pose. Our  senators  and  representatives  in  Congress,  were 
requested  to  cooperate  with  the  commissioners  in  effecting 
the  object.* 

In  May,  Nathaniel  Terry,  Seth  P.  Staples,  and  David 
Deming,  Esquires,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  revise 
all  the  militia  laws  of  the  state. 

From  this  time  until  the  close  of  the  war,  few  events  of 
general  interest  transpired,  in  which  Connecticut  partici- 
pated. When  the  news  of  peace  arrived  in  February,  1815, 
Admiral  Hotham  commanded  the  blockading  squadron  off 
New  London.  He  immediately  came  on  shore,  and  was 
received  with  great  courtesy  by  the  civil  authority  and  citi- 
zens. On  the  21st,  the  city  was  illuminated,  and  a  festival 
was  held  to  which  all  the  British  officers  on  the  coast  were 
invited.  Those  present,  were  Captains  Aylmer,  of  the  Pac- 
tolus.  Garland  of  the  Superb,  Gordon  of  the  Narcissus, 
Jayne,  of  the  Arab,  the  commanders  of  the  brigs  Tenedos, 
and  Despatch,  and  ten  or  twelve  officers  of  inferior  rank. 
Commodores  Decatur  and    Shaw  assisted  in  receiving  the 

"  In  every  public  station  in  whicli  Mr.  Smith  was  placed,  lie  distiuguislied  him- 
self. He  did  so  in  Congress,  at  a  time  when  our  representation  was  as  able,  per- 
haps, as  it  ever  has  been,  and  when  the  character  of  the  house  to  which  he 
belonged  was  far  higher  than  it  now  is.  In  the  superior  court  he  was  certainly 
very  greatly  respected  and  admired,  as  an  able  and  perfectly  upright  judge. 

"  In  private  life  his  name  was  free  from  all  reproach.  A  strictly  honest  and 
pure  life,  free  from  any  of  those  little  blemishes  which  often  mar  the  fame  of  dis- 
tinguished men,  may,  I  think,  be  fairly  claimed  by  his  biographer  to  be  his  due. 
As  a  husband,  a  parent,  a  friend,  a  neighbor,  a  moralist,  and  a  christian,  I  believe 
few  have  left  a  more  faultless  name. 

"  If,  sir,  the  foregoing  facts  and  suggestions  will  be  of  any  use  to  you,  I  shall  feel 
gratified  in  having  furnished  them.  In  the  success  of  the  undertaking  in  which 
you  are  engaged,  I  feel  an  interest.  It  is  one  which  has  been  quite  too  long 
neglected. 

"  I  am  sir,  very  respectfully  yours, 

"  D.   S.    BOARDMAN." 

G.  H.  HoLLisTER,  Esq. 

*  State  Records,  MS.  Probably  the  tidings  of  peace^  which  reached  this 
country  soon  after,  rendered  it  unnecessary  for  the  commissioners  to  act  under 
this  appointment. 


EXCHANGE   OF  SALUTES.  509 

guests.  On  the  11th  of  March,  the  British  ships  left  the 
Sound,  exchanging  salutes  with  Fort  Trumbull,  and  put  out 
to  sea.* 

The  war  having  ended,  the  jarring  interests  of  the  State 
and  General  Government  were  harmonized,  and  the  bitter 
partizan  feelings  which  it  engendered  gradually  gave  place  to 
those  of  a  more  charitable  and  pacific  nature. 

*  Caulkins'  Hist.  New  London,  pp.  636,  637. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

THE  PRESENT  CONSTITUTION  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

The  narrative  of  this  work,  already  extended  beyond  the 
limits  first  assigned  to  it,  is  now  drawing  to  a  close.  An 
account  of  the  constitution  of  1639,  the  first  written  constitu- 
tion of  the  world,  has  been  given  in  a  former  chapter.  The 
varied  fortunes  of  the  republic  under  the  charter  of  1662, 
have  also  been  critically  detailed.  Upon  the  declaration  of 
independence,  all  the  old  political  charters  were  severed 
from  the  crown,  the  original  fountain-head  of  executive 
power,  and  lost  at  once  their  administrative  force,  except  so 
far  as  the  people  should  suffer  them  to  remain,  and  either  for- 
mally or  tacitly  adopt  them  as  their  own.  Hence  it  was, 
that  with  two  exceptions,  all  the  colonies  which  had  been 
concerned  in  that  protracted  but  ultimately  successful  strug- 
gle for  liberty,  cast  off  their  charters,  and  falling  back  upon 
the  democratic  basis  elaborated  by  Roger  Ludlow  and 
adopted  by  Connecticut  in  1639,  constructed  for  themselves, 
with  various  modifications,  paper  constitutions,  originating 
with  the  people  and  recognizing  their  sovereignty.  Connec- 
ticut was  one  of  those  exceptions-.  It  may  at  first  seem 
strange  to  the  reader  that  she,  who,  in  the  infancy  of  her  ex- 
istence, had  tasted  the  sweets  of  liberty,  should  allow  others 
to  profit  by  her  original  example,  while  she  clung  to  the 
forms  of  the  charter  that  had  been  granted  by  one  king,  with 
as  much  tenacity  as  she  had  cut  herself  adrift  from  the 
domination  of  another.  She  adopted  the  charter,  too,  by  a 
mere  legislative  vote,  without  even  resorting  to  the  authority 
of  the  people  in  a  primary  assembly. 

In  order  to  understand  why  Connecticut  did  not  follow  the 
course  pursued  by  other  states,  we  must  examine  the  struc- 
ture of  her  society,  which  differed  so  materially  from  that  of 


NEW   POLITICAL   ELEMENTS.  511 

her  confederate  sisters.  In  the  first  place,  her  charter  was 
better  than  theirs.  Hers  had  a  vitaHty  in  it  that  had  kept  the 
popular  mind  in  a  continual  glow  ;  theirs  were  cold  and 
dead.  Hers  had  proved  a  shield,  extending  the  circumfer- 
ence of  its  orb,  to  save  the  lines  and  defend  the  enlarging 
borders  of  three  generations  of  men ;  theirs  had  proved 
totally  inadequate  to  the  growing  wants  of  their  respective 
communities.  Connecticut  had  an  additional  motive  to  love 
her  charter.  While  one  after  another,  those  of  the  neigh- 
boring colonies  were  dropping  like  ripe  fruit  into  the  hands 
of  provisional  governors,  and  other  rapacious  functiona- 
ries of  the  crown,  she  had  hidden  hers  in  an  oak,  and  the 
recollection  of  peril  from  which  her  idol  had  escaped,  caused 
her  to  love  it  the  more.  Still  another  motive,  stronger 
perhaps  than  all  these,  induced  her  to  cling  to  it.  A  major- 
ity of  the  inhabitants  were  still  puritans,  and  under  this 
charter,  fortified  by  statutes  having  close  aflinities  with  it, 
had  grown  up  an  established  religion,  which  they  regarded 
as  of  the  highest  importance  to  their  well  being  in  this  world 
and  the  next. 

But  gradually  there  grew  up  new  elements  that  threatened, 
if  left  to  themselves,  to  overthrow  the  supremacy  of  the  old 
order  of  things.  Statutes  were  passer!,  to  check  the  advanc- 
ing tide  of  what  was  believed  by  the  majority,  to  be  radical- 
ism of  the  most  destructive  character.  Some  of  these  acts 
were  regarded  by  the  minority  as  arbitrary  and  oppressive. 
Those  bearing  upon  the  elective  franchise  were  looked  upon 
as  especially  tyrannical.  The  "  stand-up  law,"  as  it  was  de- 
nominated, which  required  the  voters  to  stand  up  at  elections 
and  expose  themselves  and  their  political  sentiments  to  the 
scrutiny  of  the  public,  was  complained  of  as  subjecting  the 
voter  to  the  cruel  ordeal  of  being  gazed  at  by  his  creditors. 
It  was  said  further,  that  all  offices  of  emolument,  honor,  and 
trust,  were  withheld  from  the  minority. 

The  courts  of  law,  too,  were  made  the  subject  of  severe 
animadversion.  It  was  said  that  the  judges  were  partizans 
in  their  legal  opinions,  and  that  the  republicans,  as  they  were 


512  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

called,  could  not  meet  the  federals  in  the  tribunals  of  the 
state  upon  an  equal  footing.  The  minority  also  alleged  that 
they  were  disparaged  in  all  their  business  relations  ;  that  they 
"  were  treated  as  a  degraded  party,  and  that  this  treatment 
was  extended  to  all  the  individuals  of  the  party,  however 
worthy  and  respectable  in  fact ;  as  the  Saxons  were  treated 
by  the  Normans,  and  as  the  Irish  were  treated  by  the  Eng- 
lish government."* 

Such  were  the  sentiments  of  the  respective  parties.  As  early 
as  the  year  1800,  petitions  began  to  be  circulated  through 
the  state,  asking  for  the  choice  of  members  of  the  council  and 
representatives  to  Congress  by  districts.  It  was  now  more 
boldly  than  ever  asserted  that  the  charter,  excellent  as  it  had 
been  in  its  day,  was  behind  the  spirit  of  the  age,  and 
though  a  very  good  instrument  for  the  majority,  was  not 
adequate  to  protect  the  minority  from  oppression.  Still,  no 
decisive  steps  were  taken  to  bring  about  the  adoption  of  a 
new  constitution,  until  the  29th  of  August,  1804,  when  a 
convention,  numbering  among  its  members  many  of  the  most 
respectable  of  the  minority  leaders,  and  understood  to  repre- 
sent the  sentiments  of  the  republican  party  of  the  state, 
convened  at  New  Haven,  and  passed  a  series  of  resolutions 
in  favor  of  the  change  which  they  had  so  much  at  heart.  It 
is  sufficiently  evincive  of  the  fever-heat  of  the  political  pulse 
of  that  day,  that  every  justice  of  the  peace  belonging  to  the 
minority,  who  had  attended  the  convention,  was  tried  and 
impeachedf  before  the  next  General  Assembly.  This 
attempt  to  stifle  the  expression  of  the  public  sentiment,  only 
gave  the  minority  the  sympathy  of  many  of  their  fellow  citi- 
zens, who  were  now  ready  to  assent  to  the  claim  that  the 
republicans  were  persecuted. 

In  August,  1806,  a  second  convention  or  meeting  of  re- 
monstrance, was  held  by  the  same  party  at  Litchfield,  which 
was  even  more  bold  and  decided  in  its  tone  than  the  one  at 
New  Haven  had  been. 

To  recite  the  details  of  the  party  strifes  of  that  day,  would 

*  See  Judge  Clim-ch's  MS.        t  Idem. 


eelictIous  sects.  513 

be  to  dig  up  from  the  graves  that  ought  forever  to  hide  them, 
some  of  the  most  bitter  and  malignant  pamphlets  and  news- 
paper articles  that  ever  disgraced  the  politics  of  the  northern 
states.  The  whole  ground  seemed  to  be  covered  with 
pamphleteers,  libellers,  scurrilous  poets,  and  all  the  other 
driftwood  that  the  swollen  currents  of  popular  prejudice  and 
bad  passions  can  dislodge  from  the  ooze,  where  they  lie  half 
hidden  or  remote  from  view,  in  quiet  times.  The  malaria  con- 
sequent upon  this  flood  was  confined  to  neither  party,  and  was 
so  contaminating  that  it  seems  to  poison  the  lungs  even  now, 
as  it  rises  in  vapor  and  is  inhaled  by  the  reader  who  adven- 
turously seeks  to  investigate  the  history  of  those  times. 

The  war  of  1812,  and  the  Hartford  Convention,  did  not  of 
course  tend  to  allay  the  excitement. 

The  war  closed  with  a  much  better  reputation  than  the 
federalists  had  anticipated.  In  many  parts  of  the  country  it 
was  very  popular,  and  in  Connecticut  it  had  obviously 
gained  friends  as  it  advanced,  and  many  of  them  of  a  high 
order  of  respectability  and  talents. 

As  in  the  Revolution,  so  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  in  the  po- 
litical disputes  that  preceded  and  followed  it,  the  old  congre- 
gational clergy  constituted  the  nucleus  of  the  dominant 
party.  This  influence,  as  was  claimed  by  the  minority,  more 
than  any  other  single  element,  controlled  the  elections,  and 
their  annual  meetings  at  Hartford  were  declared  to  be  not 
altogether  of  a  spiritual  tone.  It  was  also  affirmed  that  nomi- 
nations for  office  were  often  made  through  the  procurement  of 
some  influential  clergyman,  and  some  of  the  republican  ora- 
tors and  writers  went  so  far  as  to  say  that  the  whole  ticket  of 
state  officers  was  often  the  result  of  a  conference  between 
the  leaders  of  a  dominant  party  and  this  oldest  and  most  un- 
mixed of  all  the  conservative  classes  of  the  state.  As  has 
been  stated  in  a  former  chapter  of  this  work,  religious  sects 
had  been  from  a  very  early  day  tolerated  in  Connecticut  to  a 
degree  unknown  in  Massachusetts,  and  many  other  colonies. 
But  although  they  were  allowed  the  undisturbed  enjoyment 
of  their  peculiar  tenets,  yet,  as  it  was  then,  and  still  is  in 

65 


514  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

England,  the  establishment  was  considered  as  entitled  to  the 
patronage  of  the  government.  All  other  denominations 
were  treated  as  subordinates,  and  were  understood,  from  the 
very  theory  and  spirit  of  the  government,  to  hold  their  posi- 
tion hy  sufferance  rather  than  of  right.  But  it  was  now 
argued  with  great  earnestness,  that  the  sects  as  familiarly 
called  "  dissenters"  as  the  puritans  had  been  in  England, 
were  now  several  of  them  large,  and  had  already  acquired 
a  respectable  footing  in  the  state ;  that  they  were  generally 
sprung  from  the  blood  of  the  old  emigrants,  had  been 
born  upon  the  soil,  and  had  as  good  a  right  to  be  consulted  in 
the  deliberations  of  the  government  as  the  congregationalists. 
They  said  that  they  v/ere  willing  to  admit  that  the  old  order 
of  things  was  well  fitted  to  the  condition  of  the  people  a  cen- 
tury and  a  half  before,  but  they  denied  that  any  such 
distinctions  ought  longer  to  exist.  Appeals  were  made  to  the 
people  on  both  sides,  displaying  great  ability  and  learning. 

It  finally  began  to  be  v/hispered  that  some  one  of  the  de- 
nominations called  dissenters  must  be  conciliated,  or  the 
federal  party  would  be  overborne  at  last  by  the  concerted 
action  of  those  who  were  opposed  to  the  congregational  form 
of  religion.  When  the  charter  of  the  Phoenix  Bank  was 
asked  for,  it  was  therefore  suggested  that  the  850,000  bonus 
which  was  to  be  sequestered  from  its  large  capital,  for  public 
uses,  should  be  divided  between  Yale  College  and  the  Bishop's 
Fund,  and  petitions  were  circulated  to  that  effect  among  the 
people.*  Some  of  the  federalists  thought  it  desirable  to  con- 
ciliate the  episcopalians,  who  now  numbered  some  of  the 
first  men  in  the  state. f 

The  bank  was  chartered,  and  $20,000  of  the  bonus  was 
bestowed  upon  Yale  College,  but  from  some  cause  the  Bishop's 
Fund  did  not  get  the  portion  anticipated  by  its  friends. 
This  was  a  severe  disappointment  to  the  denomination  in- 
terested in  that  fund.     The  episcopalians  now  arrayed  them- 

*  Vide  Columbian  Register,  June  17,  1820. 

t  Among  them  were  the  Ingersolls,  Nathan  Smith,  Johnson,  Chapman,  Peters, 
Morgan. 


THE   TOLERATIONISTS.  515 

selves  against  the  party  in  power,  with  all  the  appliances  that 
they  could  bring  to  bear  upon  an  opponent.* 

In  1816,  the  party  in  power  passed  an  act  to  appropriate 
the  monies  received  from  the  treasury  of  the  United  States, 
for  disbursements  made  during  the  war,  to  religious  uses,  and 
divide  them  anions^  the  several  denominations  of  the  state. 
This  measure  was  complained  of,  and  proved  to  be  very  un- 
popular. The  methodists  and  baptists  indignantly  refused  to 
receive  the  share  allotted  to  them  in  the  division,  and  now 
more  than  ever  before,  took  part  with  the  minority  and  advo- 
cated with  the  episcopalians  the  cause  of  the  new  constitu- 
tion. Nor  were  the  difficulties  that  beset  the  federalists 
merely  external.  Thev  had  become  divided  in  their  coun- 
sels.  Some  of  them  supported  Treadwell  as  their  candidate 
for  the  office  of  governor,  and  another,  and,  as  they  termed 
themselves,  a  more  liberal  portion  of  the  same  party,  as  ear- 
nestly advocated  the  claims  of  Rosrer  Griswold  for  the  same 
place.  This  attempt  to  elect  Griswold  proved  on  the  first 
trial  to  be  a  failure.  The  next  year,  however,  by  a  union  of 
the  democrats  with  the  federalists  who  had  voted  for  him,  he 
was  elected  governor. 

A  new  party  now  arose  under  the  name  of  "  toleration- 
ists,"  which  came  into  power  in  1817,  and  took  as  speedy 
measures  as  possible  to  bring  about  the  change  that  had  so 
long  been  desired  by  the  various  elements  that  composed  it. 

At  the  May  session  of  the  General  Assembly,  1818,  it  was 
"  Resolved,  that  it  be  and  is  hereby  recommended  to  the 
people  of  this  state,  who  are  qualified  to  vote  in  town  or 
freeman's  meetings,  to  assemble  in  their  respective  towns  on 
the  4th  day  of  July  next,  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  at  the 
usual  place  of  holding  town  or  freeman's  meetings,  and  after 
having  chosen  their  presiding  officer,  there  and  then  to  elect 
by  ballot  as  many  delegates  as  said  towns  now  choose  repre- 
sentatives to  the  General  Assembly,  who  shall  meet  in  con- 
vention at  the  state  house  in  Hartford,  on  the  fourth  Wednes- 
day of  August  next ;  and  when  so  convened,  shall,  if  it  be 

*  Church's,  IMS. 


516  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

by  them  deemed  expedient,  proceed  to  the  formation  of  a 
constitution  of  civil  government  for  the  people  of  this  state." 

It  was  fm'ther  provided,  that  a  copy  of  the  constitution, 
when  so  formed,  should  be  transmitted  to  each  town  clerk  in 
the  state,  who  was  directed  to  lay  it  before  the  people  of  the 
town  to  which  he  belonged  in  legal  town  meeting,  for  their 
approbation  and  ratification.  The  constitution,  when  thus 
ratified  by  a  majority  of  the  qualified  voters  of  the  state,  it 
was  ordered,  should  "  be  and  remain  the  supreme  law  of  this 
state." 

All  these  causes  so  briefly  enumerated,  were  instrumental 
in  bringing  about  the  adoption  of  the  constitution.  It  has 
been  my  object  in  this  chapter,  to  avoid  expressing  any  party 
predilections.  The  participators  in  that  severe  contest  are 
many  of  them  still  living,  and  vividly  remember  and  keenly 
feel  the  part  that  they  played  in  it.  Those  who  are 
dead  have  transmitted  their  sentiments  to  their  children.  As 
a  matter  of  course,  therefore,  this  is  a  delicate  and  difficult 
part  of  our  history  to  treat  upon,  and  one  that  calls  for  the 
indulgence  of  every  candid  I'eader.  The  bitter  strifes,  the 
abusive  pamphlets,  the  scornful  speeches,  the  appeals  from  the 
pulpits  of  all  denominations,  the  prosecutions  for  libel,  the  in- 
terruption of  social  intercourse  in  families  and  neighborhoods, 
no  longer  disturb  the  peace  or  darken  the  moral  atmosphere 
of  our  state.  Indeed,  it  now  seems  to  be  the  better  opinion, 
that  there  w^as  much  to  praise  and  much  to  blame  in  the  or- 
ganization of  all  parties,  and  that  all  were  ashamed,  after  the 
heat  of  the  battle  was  over,  for  many  things  that  they  had 
allowed  themselves  to  say,  to  write,  and  to  do,  and  were  glad 
to  shake  hands  and  pass  mutual  acts  of  oblivion,  which  should 
cover  their  own  conduct  as  well  as  that  of  their  opponents. 
Gradually,  too,  most  of  them  learned  to  reverence  the  old 
charter /or  the  good  it  had  done  during  a  hundred  and  fifty 
years  of  hard  and  honest  service,  while  at  the  same  time  they 
spoke,  some  loudly,  and  others  in  a  more  subdued  tone,  in 
praise  of  the  constitution  which  gave  equal  rights,  ecclesias- 
tical as  well  as  civil,  to  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  state. 


[1787.]  HOjS".   JOHN   COTTOX   SMITH.  517 

It  seems  proper  to  add  to  this  chapter  a  brief  delineation 
of  the  character  of  His  Excellency  John  Cotton  Smith,  the 
last  of  that  class  of  our  governors  who  were  actuated  by  the 
principles,  and  who  exhibited  in  their  manners  more  stri- 
kingly than  their  successors  have  done,  the  traits  designated 
by  the  now  indefinite  term  "gentlemen  of  the  old  school." 
He  was  the  last  of  our  governors  under  the  charter  who 
loved  it  and  would  have  been  ready  to  die  for  it.  In  order 
that  we  may  understand  why  this  w^as  so,  and  see  at  a  nearer 
view  the  delicate  yet  firm  fibres  of  his  character,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  give  a  brief  outline  of  his  life.  It  has  been  pre- 
viously stated  that  the  clergymen  of  Connecticut,  under  the 
old  regime,  constituted  the  most  select  and  thorough-bred 
class  of  our  colonial  aristocracy.  Now  when  it  is  recollected 
that  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  a  descendant  of  the  Rev. 
Henry  Smith,  of  Wethersfield,  w^ho,  as  he  tells  us  in  his  will, 
had  "  well  proved  the  terrors  of  this  wilderness  ;"  that  he 
also  inherited  the  blood  of  John  Cotton,  Richard  Mather,  and 
Cotton  Mather  ;  that  the  beautiful  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Worthington,  of  Saybrook,  was  his  mother,  and  that  his 
father  was  also  a  clergyman  of  uncommon  powers  of  mind, 
great  force  of  character  and  scholarly  attainments  of  a  high 
order — we  are  ready  to  expect  from  him  an  exhibition  of 
some  of  their  strongest  points  of  character  and  especially  a 
firm  attachment  to  the  colonial  party.  When  we  are  told 
that  to  all  these  hereditaments,  he  added  rare  gifts  bestowed 
by  a  discriminating  Providence  only  upon  a  favored  few ;  a 
handsome  person,  features  classically  beautiful,  a  natural 
gracefulness,  a  ready  wit,  and  culture,  laborious  enough  to 
shape  all  these  materials  and  give  them  due  development  and 
proportion  ;  we  are  prepared  to  see  in  this  only  son,  so  care- 
fully brought  up  in  the  way  that  his  fathers  had  walked,  and 
so  critically  educated,  an  exhibition  not  only  of  the  strong 
characteristics  of  the  historical  men  from  whom  he  was  de- 
scended, but  a  model  of  the  Christian  gentlemen  worthy  to 
form  the  study  of  millions  now  growing  up  in  our  country, 
who  appear  to  worship  no  God  so  much  as  that  golden  one 


518  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

which  is  molded  by  their  own  hands ;  who  regard  principles 
as  the  artist  does  the  colors  that  he  spreads  upon  the  can- 
vas— valuable  only  to  form  a  surface ;  and  who  look  upon 
the  social  and  domestic  relations,  as  so  many  wares  and  com- 
modities that  have  their  price  in  the  great  world's  fair  of 
business. 

As  a  statesmen,  Governor  Smith  was  also  of  the  old 
school.  He  was  in  favor  of  the  established  order  of  things 
under  which  the  state  to  which  he  belonged,  and  whose 
institutions  his  ancestors  had  adorned,  had  grown  up  and  had 
been  able  to  resist  so  successfully  the  misrule  of  British  par- 
liaments and  the  measures  of  ministerial  oppression.  He 
was  of  course,  by  nature  and  education,  as  much  opposed  as 
Burke  was,  to  the  recklessness  that  led  to  the  bloody  scenes 
of  the  French  revolution,  and  was  distrustful,  as  many  good 
men  then  were,  of  the  advancing  waves  of  popular  power 
that  were  fast  fretting  away  the  long- settled  foundations, 
which  then  supported  the  fabric  of  European  and  American 
society.  In  the  struggle  that  followed  that  event,  he  sym- 
pathized with  England  for  the  same  reason.  Though  not 
blind  to  her  faults  and  spurning  her  tyranny,  he  loved  her 
sobriety  of  character,  her  good  sense,  her  warm  adherence 
to  the  Christian  faith,  while  he  shrank  from  the  blood-stained 
maxims  and  hollow  pretensions  of  French  philosophers  and 
propagandists,  with  loathing  and  horror. 

In  1800,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress.  He  had 
not  anticipated  the  possibility  of  such  an  event,  and  was  only 
persuaded  to  accept  the  place  by  the  solicitations  of  Gover- 
nor Trumbull  and  his  other  friends.  When  he  took  his  seat 
in  Congress,  the  federal  party  still  held  the  ascendency,  but 
its  sun  was  destined  soon  to  set  never  to  rise  again.  He  re- 
mained a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  for  a 
period  of  six  years,  and  during  that  time,  with  the  exception 
of  a  single  session,  was  in  the  minority.  It  may  be  safely 
affirmed  that  no  gentleman  of  that  body  was  more  widely 
known,  or  more  highly  respected  by  both  parties.  Most  of 
this  time  he  was  chairman  of  the  committee  on  claims,  and 


nOX.   JOHN   COTTOX   SMITH.  519 

discharged  the  duties  of  this  important  position  with  great 
energy  and  impartiality.  He  was  often  called  to  the  chair,  and 
presided  over  the  deliberations  of  the  committee  of  the  whole 
with  more  facility  and  dignity  in  those  stormy  times,  than 
any  other  member  of  the  House.  To  the  lofty  bearing  and 
firmness  of  a  Roman  senator  in  the  last  days  of  the  Repub- 
lic, he  added  a  gentleness  so  conciliating  and  persuasive, 
that  the  spirit  of  discord  fled  abashed  from  his  presence. 
Whenever  any  question  came  up  for  discussion  that  threat- 
ened to  excite  party  jealousies,  he  was  sure  to  be  called  to 
the  chair.  In  pleasant  allusion  to  this  circumstance,  a  mem- 
ber of  Congress  of  very  high  character,  representing  a  sister 
state,  thus  interrogated  Governor  Smith,  in  a  letter  in  180G, 
after  he  had  retired  from  public  life,  that  he  might  the  better 
administer  to  the  comfort  of  an  aged  father.  "  But  first  and 
chiefest,  instruct  me  concerning  him  who  used  so  often,  when 
presiding  in  the  committee  of  the  whole,  to  beckon  us  to  be 
solemn,  while  Randolph,  executing  on  his  party  a  holy  jus- 
tice with  his  whip  of  scorpions,  made 

"  Strange  horror  seize  them,  and  pangs  uufult  before." 

Thus,  without  mingling  much  in  debate,  he  presided  over 
it,  and  ruled  it,  at  a  time  when  John  Randolph,  Otis,  Gris- 
wold,  Lee,  and  Pinckney,  were  participators  in  it,  and  were 
willing  to  submit  to  the  justice  of  his  decisions  and  free  to 
acknowledge  his  superiority  over  all  his  compeers  in  the 
sagacity  and  address,  that  enabled  him  to  avoid  the  gathering 
storm,  and  the  lightness  and  elegant  ease,  with  which  he  rose 
upon  its  crested  waves. 

In  1809,  he  was  chosen  a  judge  of  the  superior  court. 
He  discharged  the  duties  of  the  new  place  thus  assigned  him 
with  great  ability.  As  a  member  of  the  supreme  court  of 
errors,  his  written  opinions  are  among  the  best  to  be  found 
in  our  reports,  and  are  distinguished  for  their  clearness  of 
thought  and  finish  of  diction. 

But  Judge  Smith  was  not  long  suffered  to  remain  a  mem- 
ber of  the  court.  He  was  soon  elected  lieutenant-governor 
of  the  state.     The  sickness  of  Governor  Griswold,   as  has 


520  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

been  stated  in  the  preceding  chapter,  threw  upon  him  for  a 
time  the  onerous  burdens  of  the  executive,  at  a  time  the  most 
critical  of  any  that  had  transpired  since  the  Revolution.     In 
October,  1812,  Governor  Griswold  died,  and  for  the  four  fol- 
lowing years,  Mr.  Smith  w^as  elected  governor  of  the  state. 
It  is  impossible,  in  the  limited  space  allotted  to  this  sketch, 
to   trace  the  details   of  Governor    Smith's    administration, 
and  recount  the  difficulties  that  beset  him  on  every  side. 
His  prudence   and  wisdom   doubtless  protracted  for  several 
years  the  dominion  of  the  party  with  which  his  political  life 
was  identified.     In  the  firm  belief  that  he  was  right  in  the 
construction  that  he  put  upon  the  constitution  of  the  United 
States,  anxious  to  defend  our  exposed  coast-towns  that  had 
once  suffered  from  the  fires  of  British  vengeance,  and  at  the 
same  time  to  hold  fast  to  the  old  charter  privilege  of  the  state 
government,  to  officer  its  own  militia  ;  anxious,  too,   in  his 
own  words  to  fulfill  his  "  obligations  to  the  letter  and  spirit 
of  the  constitution,"  he  turned  himself  in  every  way  that 
seemed  honorable  to  him,  to  meet  the  exigencies  of  the  times. 
His  administration  closed  with  the  election   of  the   late 
Governor  Wolcott,   in    1817.     With   the  fall   of  his  party 
Governor  Smith  retired  from  the  political  arena.     Whether 
the  principles  that  had  governed  his  public  life  were  right  or 
wrong,  he  felt  that  he  could  not  change  them  or  mix  in  the 
deliberations  of  those  who  were  so  earnest  in  breaking  down 
the  old  order  of  the  government.  From  birth,  from  association, 
from  early  culture,  from  the  teachings  of  scripture,  and  the 
examples  of  history,  as  he  understood  them,  his  character  had 
taken  its  guage,  and  could  be  neither  shortened  nor  length- 
ened to  adapt  itself  to  the  new  order  of  things.     Indeed, 
there  seemed  no  very  pressing  need  that  he  should  any  lon- 
ger keep  the  field.     He  was  now  fifty-two  years  old.     He 
was  the  proprietor  of  a  princely  domain  of  nearly  one  thou- 
sand acres  of  land,  most  of  it  lying  in  the  bosom  of  his  native 
valley,  every  rod  of  which  might  be  converted  into  a  garden. 
Upon  this  estate,  surrounded  by  the  ancient  forest-trees,  ash, 
oak,  and  elm,  that  had  shaded  his  boyhood,  had  been  erected 


THE   GENTLEMAN   OF   THE   OLD   SCHOOL.  521 

during  the  latter  half  of  the  preceding  century,  a  large  ele- 
gant mansion-house  of  stone,  that  could  defy  the  extremes  of 
the  New  England  year,  and  was  within  a  few  yards  of  the 
one  where  his  venerable  father  had  lived  and  died,  and  not  a 
mile  from  the  spot  where  he  helped  to  lay  the  good  old  man 
in  the  earth,  and  where  his  grandfather  and  grandmother 
also  reposed.  The  endearments  of  domestic  life,  in  all  their 
varied  relations  of  husband  and  father,  beckoned  him  to  this 
delightful  retreat,  and  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  neighbors 
were  ready,  without  distinction  of  party,  to  welcome  him 
home.  And  well  they  might  be  expected  to  welcome  him. 
His  father  had  administered  the  sacraments  to  their  fathers 
for  half  a  century,  had  preached  to  them,  had  baptized  them 
in  the  name  of  the  three  persons  of  the  blessed  Trinity,  had 
prayed  for  them,  been  present  at  their  bridals  and  burials  ; 
and  in  hours  of  public  calamity,  during  the  revolutionary 
period  had  stirred  their  courage  with  his  deep  manly  voice, 
and  the  better  to  infuse  into  them  the  spirit  of  the  Christian 
soldier,  had  consented  to  become  their  spiritual  guide  and 
accompany  them  as  chaplain  to  the  field  of  blood.  Well 
might  they  welcome  the  son  of  such  a  father,  who,  so  far 
from  squandering  the  reputation  of  his  ancestors,  or  suffering 
it  to  lie  hid  in  a  napkin,  had  put  it  out  to  use  until  the  one 
talent  had  gained  five  others. 

From  his  retirement  in  1817,  until  his  death,  a  period  of 
nearly  thirty  years.  Governor  Smith  remained  at  home.  Di- 
viding his  time  between  the  scholastic  studies  that  had  occu- 
pied so  large  a  portion  of  his  youth,  and  the  pursuits  of 
agriculture,  he  lived  the  life,  then  almost  obsolete,  of  the  Con- 
necticut planter  of  the  seventeenth  century.  His  hospitable 
mansion  was  always  thronged  with  the  most  refined  and  cul- 
tivated guests,  who,  on  whatever  points  they  might  differ,  all 
agreed  that  their  entertainer  was  an  unrivalled  gentleman  in 
the  highest  and  best  sense  of  the  word. 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  addressed  to  Governor 
Smith,  from  General  George  P.  Morris,  bears  delightful  testi- 
mony to  this  fact. 


522  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

"  I  shall  never  forget  my  visit  to  your  hospitable  mansion.  I 
have  one  association  about  it,  that  has  ever  been  present  to 
my  mind.  Will  you  forgive  me  if  I  record  it  here?  It 
taught  me  a  lesson  that  has  been  of  service  to  me  always. 
You  may  remember,  I  was  quite  a  boy  then.  I  was  very 
poor,  but  very  proud.  I  knew  nothing  of  the  world,  and  had 
never  seen  a  governor  in  the  whole  course  of  my  life.  When 
I  delivered  you  my  letter  of  introduction,  I  trembled  from 
head  to  foot,  although  you  did  not  perceive  it.  You  read  it 
in  the  gravel-walk,  in  the  shade  of  a  fine  tree,  just  by  the 
wicket-gate.  I  w^atched  your  features  as  you  folded  up  the 
note,  and  forgot  my  uneasiness  when  you  took  me  by  the  arm 
and  introduced  me  to  your  family.  I  slept  that  night  w^ell, 
and  w^as  awakened  by  the  birds  at  early  dawn.  Sleep  and 
the  perfume  of  the  flowers  which  stole  in  at  my  window  had 
completely  refreshed  me.  I  felt  like  one  who  rests  his  foot 
upon  the  air,  and  longs  for  wings  to  mount  to  paradise.  I 
had  literally  a  light  heart,  and  a  light  bundle ;  for  I  had 
brought  with  me  but  the  apology  of  a  w^ardrobe,  and  I  was 
wondering  how  I  should  make  my  toilet,  when  a  knock  at 
the  door  called  my  attention  another  way,  '  come  in,'  said  I. 
The  door  did  not  open.  I  went  to  it,  astonished  that  any  one 
should  be  '  stirring  with  the  lark.'  I  opened  it,  and  there 
stood  Governor  Smith,  with  my  boots  hanging  to  one  of  his 
little  fingers,  a  napkin  thrown  over  his  arm,  and  shaving  uten- 
sils in  the  palm  of  his  hand.  I  wish  you  could  see  that  noble- 
hearted  gentleman  now,  as  I  saw  him  then,  with  his  afiable 
smile,  his  cheerful  '  good  morning,'  and  the  true  spirit  of  hos- 
pitality sparkling  in  his  eyes  and  irradiating  his  whole  coun- 
tenance ;  you  would  not  think  me  extravagant  if  I  recom- 
mended him  as  a  study  for  an  artist.  I  shall  not  attempt  to 
describe  my  astonishment,  nor  the  impression  you  made  upon 
my  unfettered  and  inexperienced  mind ;  but  allow  me  to  say, 
you  taught  me  a  lesson  of  humility  which  I  have  not  forgotten, 
and  never  can  forget.  I  thanked  you  for  it  then,  and  though 
a  lifetime  has  since  been  numbered  with  the  past,  I  thank 
you  for  it  now." 


^ 


DEATH   OF   GOVERNOR   SMITH.  623 

This  beautiful  picture  is  rivaled  by  another  drawn  by  the 
hand  of  Governor  Smith's  biographer,  a  scholar  and  a  man 
of  rare  genius  : 

"  I  see  him  in  that  ripe  old  age  which  the  hand  of  time  had 
lightly  touched,  with  his  elastic  step,  his  upright  form,  his 
manly  and  beaming  countenance  ;  I  hear  the  words  of  warm 
and  courteous  welcome,  with  which  he  received  all  that  en- 
tered his  hospitable  mansion,  and  the  rich  and  various  dis- 
course with  which  he  charmed  them,  as  the  conversation 
ran  through  the  wide  fields  of  history,  philology,  politics,  and 
christian  doctrine  ;  and  admire  that  he  should  have  carried 
into  the  evening  of  life,  not  only  the  fruits  of  large  experi- 
ence, but  so  much  of  the  freshness  and  sparkle  of  the  dew 
of  youth." 

Governor  Smith  was  the  first  president  of  the  Connecticut 
Bible  Society.  In  1826,  he  was  made  president  of  the  Amer- 
ican Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  and  in 
1831,  president  of  the  American  Bible  Society.  In  1814,  the 
degree  of  doctor  of  laws  was  conferred  on  him  by  Yale 
College,  and  in  1836,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Royal 
College  of  Northern  Antiquarians,  in  Copenhagen,  Den- 
mark. He  died  on  the  7th  of  December,  1845,  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty  years.  His  name  and  fame  are  still 
and  must  ever  be  associated  with  the  great  public  religious 
enterprises  of  the  world,  which,  in  imitation  of  his  Divine 
Master,  he  sought  to  bring  under  the  mild  influences  of  the 
Christian  faith.  His  character  can  be  likened  to  nothing  that 
better  illustrates  it,  than  the  warm  smiling  Sharon  valley  on 
a  summer's  morning,  when  the  grass  sparkles  with  dew-drops 
and  the  bright  lakes  gleam  in  the  sun-shine ;  stretching 
around  the  border  of  the  vale,  the  large  forms  of  the  moun- 
tains seem  to  represent  the  immovable  principles  that  de- 
fended his  life,  and  bending  above  them  are  the  heavens  that 
suggest,  while  they  seem  to  await,  the  flight  of  a  pure  soul  to 
mansions  of  unclouded  felicity.^ 

*  The  Rev.  Henry  Smith,  (the  emigrant  ancestor  of  Governor  Smith,)  was 
graduated  at  Cambridge,  and  came  to  New  England  in  1636,     His  paternal  es- 


524  HISTOKY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

The  successor  of  Governor  Smith,  was  Oliver  Wolcott,  the 
second  of  that  name,  and  the  third  of  the  Wolcott  family,  v^^ho 
have  filled  the  executive  chair.  He  was  elected  under  the 
charter,  but  with  the  expectation  that  he  would  be  instrument- 
al in  substituting  for  it  the  proposed  constitution,  which  was 
then  a  foregone  conclusion.  He  was  now  the  acknowledged 
leader  of  the  new  party,  and  from  his  social  position  and 
family  influence  proved  a  very  important  pillar  of  the  edifice 
that  was  to  be  built  upon  the  ruins  of  the  old  one.  While 
holding  the  office  of  governor,  he  was  elected  a  member  of 
the  constitutional  convention  from  Litchfield,  and  was  chosen 
president  of  the  convention. 

His  mind  was  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  equality 
that  was  then  beginning  to  swallow  up  the  older  institutions 
of  the  country,  and  which  is  fast  extending  over  the  surface 
of  the  globe.  As  Governor  Smith's  administration  was  the 
last  which  represented  the  commonwealth,  in  the  days  of 
Haynes,  Wyllys,  Winthrop,  Treat,  and  Saltonstall,  so  on  the 
other  hand.  Governor  Wolcott's  was  the  first  that  embodied 
the  principles  of  republicanism  or  democracy,  as  all  political 
parties  now  understand  the  term.  It  is  not  necessary  to  say 
that  these  two  orders  were  very  different.  The  former  up- 
held a  particular  ecclesiastical  system,  in  the  belief  that  it 
was  better  than  any  other  in  the  world,  and  sustained  a  high- 
toned  aristocratical  sentiment  with  distinctions  in  society 
marked  sometimes  by  the  hereditary  influence  of  half  a 
dozen  generations;  the  latter,  made  up  of  several  religious 

tate  was  situated  in  Wymondham,  county  of  Norfolk,  England,  and  in  leaving  his 
native  country  he  sacrificed  a  handsome  fortune  and  a  high  social  position  for  the 
sake  of  "  freedom  to  woi'ship  God."  He  was  the  first  settled  minister  in  Wethers- 
field,  Connecticut,  where  he  died  in  1648. 

Samuel  Smith,  a  great  grandson  of  the  Rev.  Henry  Smith,  was  among  the  first 
settlers  of  Suffield.  He  married  Jerusha  Mather,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Cotton 
Mather,  D.D. 

llie  Rev.  Cotton  Mather  Smith,  was  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Jerusha  Smith,  and 
was  born  in  Suffield,  October  16,  1731  ;  graduated  in  Yale  College,  in  1751 ;  or- 
dained as  pastor  of  the  congregational  church  in  Sharon,  August,  1755,  where  he 
remained  until  his  death,  in  1806.  He  was  the  father  of  Governor  Smith.  See 
Rev.  Dr.  Chapin's  History  of  Glastenbury ;  Andrews'  Eulogy. 


THE   OLD   AXD   THE  NEW.  525 

sects,  declared  that  the  church  and  state  should  have  no  po- 
litical affinities,  that  all  denominations  were  alike  entitled  to 
the  fostering  care  of  the  government,  and  that  no  social  dis- 
tinctions should  be  tolerated  by  the  constitution,  or  counte- 
nanced by  the  people. 

Which  of  these  two  orders  was  the  more  to  be  desired,  the 
reader  must  determine  for  himself.  Doubtless  there  were 
good  elements  in  both,  and  doubtless  those  elements  still  exist 
in  the  great  poHtical  parties  of  the  state,  counteracting  each 
other  and  bringing  good  out  of  evil.  The  man  who  was 
born  in  Connecticut,  and  yet  can  see  nothing  to  admire  in 
both  these  systems  of  administration,  is  so  well  grounded  in 
his  convictions  that  it  would  be  useless  to  debate  with  him.* 

*  The  MS  quoted  in  this  narrative  was  prepared  by  the  Hon.  Samuel  Church, 
late  chief  judge  of  the  state,  expressly  for  this  work.  It  was  intended  to  repre- 
sent the  claims  of  the  party  which  was  instrumental  in  bringing  about  the  adop- 
tion of  the  constitution.  It  cost  the  venerable  author  much  labor,  and  is  at  the 
service  of  all  who  choose  to  consult  it.  Scarcely  was  the  ink  dry  upon  its  sheets 
when  the  hand  that  penned  it  was  cold  in  death. 


CHAPTEE   XXIII. 

EAELT  JTJEISPRIJDENCE  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

It  is  not  easy  to  tell  why  such  sedulous  attempts  have 
been  made  to  fasten  upon  Connecticut  the  odium  of  having 
grown  up  under  an  illiberal  municipal  code.  Without  reca- 
pitulating what  has  been  said  in  former  chapters  of  this  work, 
on  the  subject  of  civil  liberty,  it  may  be  proper  to  say  here, 
that  of  all  the  early  American  colonies,  Connecticut  was  the 
least  exclusive,  and  that  she  is  only  to  be  blamed  that  she  was 
not  still  more  in  advance  of  that  bigoted  age.  It  would  not 
be  a  hard  task  to  draw  a  contrast  between  her  and  the  mother 
country,  which  would  show  in  a  most  favorable  light  the 
mild  and  equitable  policy  of  the  emigrants.  The  number  of 
capital  offenses  was  far  less  than  in  England,  in  the  reign  of 
Elizabeth,  or  either  Stuart.  Indeed,  except  for  the  offenses 
of  murder,  treason,  and  rape,  whatever  may  have  been  the 
letter  of  the  law,  the  death-penalty  w^as  hardly  ever  inflicted. 
The  offenses  of  blasphemy,  witchcraft,  and  one  or  two  others 
of  a  kindred  sort,  were  borrowed  from  the  Jewish  code,  and 
inserted  in  the  statute-book,  out  of  respect  for  the  Hebrew  ora- 
cles ;  but  remained  for  the  most  part  inoperative,  except  as 
they  might  tend  to  keep  the  wayward  from  the  paths  of  trans- 
gression. There  have  been,  it  is  believed,  within  the  last  two 
hundred  and  twenty  years,  fewer  executions  in  Connecticut 
for  crime,  than  in  any  other  state  of  equal  size  in  the  world. 
The  records  of  our  courts  have  scarcely  the  stain  of  blood 
upon  them,  except  in  those  rare  instances,  happening  less  fre- 
quently formerly  than  now,  when  some  hapless  murderer  has 
paid  the  forfeit  of  his  guilt.*     This  one  fact  speaks  volumes  in 

*  Tliere  have  been  but  three  executions  in  the  county  of  Litchfield,  since 
its  organization  ;  viz.,  1.  John  Jacob,  an  Indian,  for  the  murder  of  another  Indian, 
in  1768;  2.  Barnet  Davenport,  for  murder  and  arson,  in  Washington,  hung 
May  8, 1780  ;  3.  A  man  named.  Goss,  for  murdering  his  wife,  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  County.     See  "Woodruff's  History  of  Litchfield  pp.  30,  31. 


BLUE  LAWS.  527 

favor  of  the  mildness  of  the  criminal  code,  as  it  was  adminis- 
tered by  the  founders  of  the  republic. 

The  proper  way  of  determining  the  spirit  of  a  code,  is  to 
see  it  through  the  medium  of  the  records  of  the  courts  which 
govern  themselves  by  it.  What  construction  did  they  put 
upon  it,  who  instituted  it  ?  What  was  its  practical  opera- 
tion ?  Did  it  protect  the  people  from  tyranny,  or  did  it  press 
heavily  upon  them  ?  Did  it  heal  the  wounds  of  bleeding 
humanity,  or  did  it  tear  them  open  afresh  ?  When  these 
questions  are  answered,  a  child  can  tell  whether  the  laws 
were  good  or  bad.  It  is  idle  for  a  stranger  to  attempt,  from 
the  cursory  examination  of  the  laws  of  a  generation  long 
passed  away,  to  determine  what  was  their  character.  He  may 
regard  them  in  one  way,  and  those  who  administered  them 
may  regard  them  in  another.  Let  the  searcher  after  truth  ex- 
amine the  records,  and  then,  after  taking  into  account  the  pe- 
culiarities of  the  age  to  which  they  belong,  he  may  form  some- 
thing like  a  correct  estimate  of  the  jurisprudence  of  a  people. 

It  has  been  said  that  Connecticut  is  the  "  Blue  Law  State." 
It  is  difficult  for  a  scholar  to  understand  the  precise  signifi- 
cance of  this  cant  phrase,  which  bears  upon  its  features  such 
marks  of  its  low  origin,  that  it  is  marvelous  how  it  ever 
could  have  gained  admittance  into  good  society.  The  vul- 
garity of  this  nickname,  takes  away  from  it  the  poison  which 
micdit  otherwise  have  flowed  throusfh  its  hollow  fansjs,  and 
leaves  it  nothing  save  its  impotent  hiss  and  a  malevolence 
that  is  to  be  avoided  only  because  it  unsettles  the  equilibrium 
of  a  nervous  system  too  refined  to  be  indifferent  to  jarring 
sounds.  It  is  thought  to  be  the  child  of  political  prejudice, 
and  to  have  had  its  birth  out  of  the  limits  of  the  state.  But 
there  are  other  objections  to  be  raised  against  it,  aside  from  the 
fact  that  it  is  an  alien.  It  has  a  shockingly  bad  moral  charac- 
ter. It  is  a  demagogue,  making  all  its  appeals  to  the  worst 
passions  of  the  people,  and,  (why  should  not  the  whole  por- 
traiture be  given,)  it  is  either  woefully  ignorant  or  sadly  given 
to  lying.  It  represents  this  oldest  of  all  republics,  erected 
upon  the  representative  basis ;  the  place  where  free  republi- 


528  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

canism  was  born,  cradled  in  its  infancy,  and  grew  up  to  as- 
sume the  port  and  stature  of  mature  years ;  the  place  where 
all  extremes  of  religious  opinion  were  more  freely  tolerated 
than  in  any  other  part  of  the  Christian  world ;  the  soil  where 
the  fugitive  Anne  Hutchinson  could  find  a  place  of  refuge, 
and  Whalley  and  Goffe  could  find  a  cave,  while  their  pursu- 
ers were  courteously  entertained ;  where,  by  the  very  first 
code  ever  published  by  her  people,  all  denominations  were 
allowed  to  w^orship  God  in  their  own  way,  provided  they  did 
not  commit  a  breach  of  the  peace  ;  it  represents  such  a  re- 
public as  intolerant,  cruel,  bigoted,  and  persecuting. 

Let  us  see  if  this  representation  is  not  false.  Long  before 
1672,  when  the  first  municipal  code  of  Connecticut  was 
published,  the  General  Court  or  Legislature  of  the  repubhc 
adopted  the  following  preamble,  and  enacted  the  following 
statute : 

"  This  court,  having  seriously  considered  the  great  divis- 
ions that  arise  amongst  us  about  matters  of  Church  Govern- 
ment, for  the  Honour  of  God,  welfare  of  the  Churches  and  pre- 
servation of  the  publick  peace  so  greatly  hazarded  : 

"  Do  Declare,  That  whereas  the  Congregational  Churches 
in  these  parts,  for  the  general  of  their  profession  and  practice 
have  hitherto  been  approved,  we  can  do  no  less  than  approve 
and  countenance  the  same  to  be  without  disturbance  until 
better  light  in  an  orderly  way  doth  appear.  But  yet,  foras- 
much as  sundry  persons  of  worth  for  prudence  and  piety 
amongst  us,  are  otherwise  persuaded,  (whose  welfare  and 
peaceable  satisfaction  we  desire  to  accommodate.)  This 
Court  doth  Declare,  That  all  such  persons,  being  so  approved 
according  to  law,  as  orthodox  and  sound  in  the  fundamentals 
of  the  Christian  Religion,  may  have  allowance  in  the  persua- 
sion and  Profession  in  Church  ways  or  Assemblies  without 
disturbance." 

This  statute  was  passed  at  a  period,  let  it  be  remembered, 
when  civil  and  religious  toleration  was  almost  unknown  in 
the  rest  of  the  world,  and  was  enacted  on  purpose  to  give  a 
wider  latitude  to  the  forms  that  were  supposed  to  embody  the 


QUAKERS,    RANTERS,   AND   ADAMITES.  529 

essentials  of  the  Christian  faith,  than  had  been  tolerated  in 
the  mother  country.  All  that  this  statute  required  of  those 
who  dissented  from  the  congregational  or  established  religion 
of  the  republic,  was,  that  they  should  conduct  themselves 
peaceably,  and  should  be  Christians.  But  who  was  to  be  the 
judge  of  the  doctrines  maintained  by  dissenters  from  the  es- 
tablished order  ?  The  people  themselves,  through  their  con- 
stituted authorities.  They  might  err  in  judgment,  in  making 
the  application,  and  doubtless  did  in  many  instances.  It  is 
demanding  too  much  of  them  that  they  should  not  only  be 
more  than  a  century  in  advance  of  any  European  nation  in 
the  spirit  of  their  tenets,  but  that  they  should  travel  out  of  the 
conditions  which  prescribe  imperfection  to  human  nature,  and 
infallibly  apply  those  laws  to  individual  cases.  They  abhorred 
infidelity.  They  were  willing  to  tolerate  peaceable  Chris- 
tians, and  passed  an  act  intending  to  embrace  them  all.  They 
did  not  agree  to  give  them  the  patronage  of  the  government ; 
that  measure  of  liberty  was  reserved  for  a  later  day.  But 
they  agreed  to  tolerate  them.  And  yet  they  are  accused  of 
intolerance,  because  they  reserved  to  their  authorities  the 
construction  of  their  laws.  What  other  nation  does  not  do 
the  same  ?  Treason,  murder,  forgery,  burglary,  all  the 
crimes  known  to  the  code  of  any  nation  on  earth,  are  con- 
strued by  the  authorities  of  the  nation  which  makes  them 
penal.  The  only  danger  is,  that  the  oracles  of  the  law  being 
uttered  by  the  lips  of  men,  may  sometimes  speak  equivocally, 
sometimes  falsely.  That  is  an  incident  to  our  common 
nature.  But  it  is  said  that  the  practical  administration  of  the 
laws  was  faulty,  and  that  some  sects  of  Christians,  especially 
the  quakers,  were  roughly  treated  and  excluded  from  the 
commonwealth.  It  is  true,  that  in  the  early  period  of  the 
colony  there  was  a  law  passed  against  *'  hereticks,  whether 
Quakers,  Ranters,  Adamites,  or  such  like  !"  Was  there  any 
thing  startling  in  the  features  of  such  a  law  at  that  day  ? 
Had  not  a  similar  one  existed  in  England,  under  various 
modifications,  from  a  time  ante-dating  the  conquest  of  Wil- 
liam, the  Norman,  and  was  it  not  harshness  and  cruelty  itself 

66 


530  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

compared  with  this  statute  ?  But  let  us  see  what  sort  of  citi- 
zens those  persons  were,  who  were  denominated  "  Quakers, 
Ranters,  Adamites,  and  such  like''  The  first  dissenters  in  the 
colony  against  whom  the  arm  of  the  civil  law  was  raised 
were  known  as  Ranters  or  Ranting  Quakers.  For  their  vio- 
lent and  unlawful  behavior,  they  were  ordered  to  be  forcibly 
transported  out  of  the  colony.  Subsequently  about  the  year 
1674,  John  and  James  Rogers,  of  New  London,  having  been 
engaged  in  trade  with  the  Rhode  Islanders,  gradually  imbibed 
the  peculiar  doctrines  and  sentiments  of  the  seventh-day  bap- 
tists of  that  colony.  Their  father,  James  Rogers,  sen.,  was  a 
man  of  w^ealth  and  high  position,  who  had  frequently  repre- 
sented the  town  in  the  General  Court  of  the  colony.*  The  new 
sect  never  became  numerous,  but  for  a  long  series  of  years  they 
gave  the  people  and  the  authorities  much  trouble.  In  their 
tenets  and  discipline,  they  soon  became  obnoxious  to  the  sect 
in  Rhode  Island  from  which  they  originally  received  their 
principles  of  dissent,  and  established  a  denomination  or  sect 
of  their  own,  and  were  called  Rogerine  Quakers,  and  some- 
times Rogerine  Baptists.  They  regarded  all  days  alike,  and 
took  especial  delight  in  treating  the  Sabbath  and  public  wor- 
ship w^ith  contempt.  They  courted  persecution,  imprison- 
ment, and  martyrdom,  and  bade  defiance  to  the  law,  its  offi- 
cers, and  its  penalties.  They  would  enter  the  church  on  the 
Sabbath,  in  a  tumultuous  manner,  and  loudly  declaim  against 
the  doctrines  preached.  The  men  and  women  would  carry 
their  work  into  the  church  during  public  worship  ;  and  at 
other  times  would  enter  the  assembly  half  naked  during  Sun- 
day service,  and  loudly  boast  of  having  desecrated  the  day. 
They  regarded  churches  as  an  abomination,  and  all  audible 
prayers  either  in  the  family  or  in  public  as  hypocritical.  The 
taking  of  an  oath,  even  in  a  court  of  justice,  they  held  to  be 
taking  the  name  of  God  in  vain.f 

*  Miss  Caulkins  regards  him  as  the  James  Roger ^  who  came  to  this  country  in 
the  Increase,  in  April,  1635,  in  company  with  the  Chittendens,  Bucks,  Kilbourns, 
Warners,  Stones,  and  Marvins. 

t  The  records  of  the  New  London  County  Court,  under  date  of  April  14,  1685, 
contain  the  following  entry :  "  John  Rogers,  James  Rogers,  Jr.,  Samuel  Beebee, 


THE   ROGEKENES.  531 

The  offenders  were  fined,  imprisoned,  set  in  the  stocks,  and 
whipped,  but  all  without  avail.  It  was  calculated  that  John 
Rogers,  after  his  professed  conversion,  passed  one-third  of 
his  life  in  prison.  It  is  particularly  noticeable,  however,  that 
this  strange  sect  were  not  punished  for  their  religious  senti- 
ments or  opinions,  but  for  flagrant  outrages  against  the 
laws  of  the  colony. 

Such  were  the  victims  of  this  so-called  persecution,  which 
has  been  thrown  in  our  teeth  with  such  an  annihilatins;  air 
of  triumph  by  the  traducers  of  those  who  founded  our  state, 
and  built  up  its  history.  That  errors  were  committed  under 
this  and  kindred  statutes,  and  that  in  individual  cases,  bad 
passions  and  wicked  motives  may  have  carried  on  a  syste- 
matic plan  of  persecution  under  the  sanction  of  legal  forms, 
will  not  be  disputed.  We  all  know  that  this  is  done  even  in 
our  day,  and  will  be  until  the  coming  of  Him  whose  right  it 
is  himself  to  reign  without  committing  the  government  of 
men  to  a  delegated  authority. 

Jr.,  and  Joana  Way,  are  complained  of  for  profaning  God's  holy  day  by  servile 
work,  and  are  grown  to  tliat  height  of  impunity  as  to  come  at  several  times  into 
the  town  to  re-baptise  several  persons  ;  and  when  God's  people  were  met  together 
on  the  Lord's  day  to  worship  God,  several  of  them  came,  and  made  great  distm-b- 
ance,  behaving  themselves  in  such  a  frantic  manner,  as  if  possessed  with  a  dia- 
bolical spirit,  so  affrighting  and  amazing  that  several  women  swooned  and  fainted 
away.  John  Rogers  to  be  whipped  fifteen  lashes,  and  for  unlawfully  re-baptizing 
to  pay  £5.     The  others  to  be  whipped." 

Samuel  Fox,  prosecuted  for  catching  eels  of  Sunday,  said  that  he  made  no  dif- 
ference of  days  ;  his  wife  Bathshua  Fox,  went  openly  to  the  meeting-house  to 
proclaim  that  she  had  been  doing  servile  work  on  their  Sabbath  ;  John  Rogers 
accompained  her,  interrupting  the  minister,  and  proclaiming  a  similar  offence. 

At  one  time,  Rogers  trundled  a  wheel-barrow  into  the  porch  of  the  meeting- 
house during  the  time  of  service ;  for  which,  after  being  set  in  the  stocks,  he  was 
put  into  prison  and  kept  for  a  considerable  time.  While  thus  in  durance,  he 
hung  out  of  the  window  a  board  containing  the  following  proclamation  : 

"  I,  John  Rogers,  a  servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  doth  here  make  an  open  declara- 
tion of  war  against  the  great  red  dragon,  and  against  the  beast  to  which  he  gives 
power  ;  and  against  the  f\ilse  church  that  rides  upon  the  beast ;  and  against  the 
false  prophets  who  are  established  by  the  dragon  and  the  beast  5  and  also  a  proc- 
lamation of  derision  against  the  sword  of  the  devil's  spirit,  which  is  prisons,  stocks, 
whips,  fines,  and  revilings,  all  which  is  to  defend  the  elevation  of  devils."  See 
Caulkins'  Hist,  of  New  London,  211,  212. 


532  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

When  in  1665,  the  commissioners  of  Charles  II.,  visited 
Connecticut,  they  reported  that  the  colony  would  "  not  hin- 
der any  from  enjoying  the  sacraments  and  using  the  common 
prayer  book,  provided  that  they  hinder  not  the  maintenance 
of  the  public  minister."*  There  was,  however,  as  we  have 
seen,  no  organized  episcopal  church  in  Connecticut,  until 
about  the  year  1723,  though  divine  service  had  been  per- 
formed in  Stratford,  according  to  the  forms  of  that  church, 
for  some  years  anterior  to  the  date  designated.  In  1727,  within 
four  years  of  the  first  organization  of  the  first  episcopal 
church  in  the  colony,  and  probably  in  response  to  their  first 
application  for  relief,  it  was  enacted  by  the  legislature,  that 
"if  it  so  happen,  that  there  be  a  society  of  the  church  of 
England,  where  there  is  a  person  in  orders  according  to  the 
canons  of  the  church  of  England,  settled  and  abiding  among 
them,  and  performing  divine  service,  so  near  to  any  person 
that  hath  declared  himself  of  the  church  of  England,  that  he 
can  conveniently,  and  doth,  attend  the  public  worship  there, 
whatever  tax  he  shall  pay  for  the  support  of  religion,  shall 
be  delivered  unto  the  minister  of  the  church  of  England." 
Those  who  conformed  to  the  church  of  England,  were  at 
the  same  time  authorized  to  tax  themselves  for  the  support  of 
their  clergy,  and  were  "  excused  from  paying  any  taxes  for 
building  meeting-houses."  In  1729,  the  quakers  and  baptists 
were  exempted,  on  certain  conditions,  from  paying  taxes  for 
the  support  of  the  congregational  ministry,  and  for  building 
meeting-houses. t 

The  law  of  1727,  was  modified  by  several  successive  acts, 
each  being  designed  for  the  benefit  or  relief  of  dissenters. 

It  is  further  urged  that  the  fathers  of  the  state  believed  in 
the  crime  of  loitchcraft.  This  accusation  is  true.  They  did 
enact  a  statute  prohibiting  that  crime,  borrowed  from  the 
Hebrew  code,  and  from  the  laws  of  England.  This  is  its 
concise  form : 

*  Hutchinson,  412. 

t  See  early  statutes  ;  also  Prof.  Kingsley's  Historical  Discourse,  at  New  Haven, 

1838. 


GOODWIFE   KNAPP.  533 

"  If  any  man  or  woman  be  a  witch,  that  is,  hath  or  con- 
sulteth  with  a  familiar  spirit,  they  shall  be  put  to  death." 

But  what  was  the  practical  operation  of  the  law  ?  From 
a  careful  examination  of  the  records  of  New  Haven  colony, 
it  does  not  appear  that  there  ever  was  even  a  conviction  for 
that  crime,  within  that  jurisdiction ;  much  less  was  there 
ever  an  execution.  So  far  from  this  being  the  case,  those 
records  contain  strong  presumptive  evidence  that  the  courts 
in  that  colony  and  the  public  sentiment  there,  were  not  fa- 
vorable to  such  accusations.  The  New  Haven  archives  give 
us  the  only  evidence  which  now  exists  that  there  ever  was 
an  execution  for  witchcraft  in  the  Connecticut  colony.  The 
fact  is  mentioned  incidentally,  in  the  trial  of  Roger  Ludlow, 
Esq.,  for  having  slandered  the  wife  of  Thomas  Staples  in 
charging  her  with  being  a  witch.  In  the  testimony  elicited 
during  the  trial,  reference  is  made  to  the  execution  of  Good- 
wife  Knapp.*  There  mai/haYe  been  other  instances,  but  our 
records  do  not  furnish  them  ;  and  no  parole  or  traditionary 
proof  that  can  now  be  relied  upon,  leads  the  mind  to  any  cer- 
tain conclusion,  that  human  life  was  sacrificed  in  the  colony 
under  the  sanction  of  this  law,  on  any  other  occasion.  Ann 
Cole  was  convicted,  but  was  she  executed  ?  Let  the  anti- 
quary and  the  tradition-hunter  decide.  Mather  tells  us  she 
was.  How  did  he  know  it,  and  why  was  the  fact  so  public 
in  Boston,  and  yet  so  obscure  in  Hartford,  that  not  even  a 
tradition  of  it  remains  ? 

But  suppose  there  were  in  the  course  of  a  hundred  and 
fifty  years,  two  executions,  or  even  ten,  would  that  prove 
that  our  institutions  were  illiberal  ?    The  wise  and  philoso- 

*  Thus,  Ludlow  charged  Mrs.  Staples  with  havhig  caused  the  body  of  Good- 
wife  Knapp,  to  be  examined  "  after  she  was  hanged;''^  Susan  Lockwood  said  she 
was  ^^  present  at  the  execution  of  Goodwife  Knapp  ;"  Elizabeth  Brewster  testified 
that  "  after  Goodwife  Knapp  was  executed^  as  soon  as  she  was  cut  down,  she  the 
said  Knapp,  being  carried  to  the  grave-side,  Goodwife  Staples  with  some  other 
women  went  to  search  the  said  Knapp,"  for  witch  marks ;  and  that  Goodwife  Sta- 
ples declared  that  the  deceased  was  no  witch. 

Allusion  was  also  made  at  the  same  trial  to  the  conviction  of  "  Goodwife  Bas- 
sett  5"  and  our  colonial  records  refer  to  the  conviction  of  Mercy  Disborough  ;  but 
I  find  no  reason  to  believe  that  either  of  them  was  executed. 


534  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

phical  Cudworth,  one  of  the  brightest  gems  of  the  English 
church,  and  almost  as  free  from  bigotry  as  Paul,  said  in  1678, 
.that  those  who  did  not  believe  in  the  existence  of  witchcraft, 
"could  hardly  escape  the  suspicion  of  having  some  hankering 
towards  atheism."  James  I.,  James  IL,  Queen  Elizabeth, 
Lord  Bacon,  Lord  Coke,  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  Lord  Mans- 
field, and  Lord  Hale,  all  believed  implicitly  in  it.  Hale  sen- 
tenced more  than  one  poor  wretch  to  death  for  familiarity 
with  the  devil,  long  after  our  fathers  had  abandoned  the  su- 
perstition ;  and  Sir  William  Blackstone,  as  late  as  the  period 
of  the  American  revolution,  embodied  the  remark  in  his  ex- 
cellent Commentaries  upon  the  laws  of  England,  that  "  in 
general  there  has  been  such  a  thing  as  witchcraft."  Indeed, 
the  English  statute  punishing  that  crime,  remained  unre- 
pealed until  the  ninth  year  of  the  reign  of  George  IL,  after  the 
ashes  of  Goodwife  Knapp,  and  Ann  Cole,  if  she  too  was  a 
victim,  had  been  mingled  with  the  elements  for  the  period  of 
a  hundred  years.  While  our  fathers  were  hesitating  and 
doubting  if  such  a  crime  existed,  England,  Scotland,  Ger- 
many, and  Massachusetts,  were  sending  hundreds  of  withered 
women  and  enthusiastic  men  to  the  ducking-stool  and  the 
gallows. 

It  is  said  that  laws  were  enacted  both  in  New  Haven  and 
Connecticut,  compelling  people  to  attend  upon  public  worship 
on  the  Sabbath.  Before  our  ancestors  are  charged  with 
blame,  it  would  be  well  to  inquire  whether  this  was  exclu- 
sively a  puritanical  measure.  If  the  objector  will  turn  to  the 
act  of  the  35th  of  EHzabeth,  entitled  an  act  "  to  retain  the 
queen's  majesty's  subjects  in  their  due  obedience,"  he  will 
find  that  "  any  person  or  persons,  above  the  age  of  sixteen 
years,  which  shall  obstinately  refuse  to  repair  to  some  church, 
chapel,  or  usual  place  of  common  prayer,  to  hear  divine  ser- 
vice, established  by  her  majesty's  laws  and  statutes,  in  that 
behalf  made" — or  shall  "  advisedly  or  maliciously  move  or 
persuade  any  other  person"  from  attending — "  or  be  present 
at  any  unlawful  assemblies,  conventicles,  or  meetings,  under 
color  or  pretence  of  any  exercise  of  religion  contrary  to  her 


SUMPTUARY   LAWS.  635 

majesty's  said  laws  and  statutes" — and  shall  be  convicted 
thereof,  they  "shall  be  committed  to  prison,  there  to  remain 
without  bail  or  mainprize,  until  they  shall  conform  and  yield 
themselves,  to  come  to  some  church,  chapel,  or  usual  place 
of  common  prayer,  and  hear  divine  service  according  to  her 
majesty's  laws  and  statutes  aforesaid."  The  offender  not 
conforming,  he  was  obliged  to  "  abjure  the  realm,"  and  "  if 
he  return  without  her  majesty's  special  license,"  he  "  shall 
be  adjudged  a  felon,  and  shall  suffer,  as  in  the  case  of  felons, 
without  benefit  of  clergy." 

Can  the  caviler  find  a  more  stringent  law  on  this  subject, 
in  the  statute-book  of  Connecticut? 

But  we  are  told  that  the  laws  afTord  evidences  of  bigotry 
and  ascetecism,  and  that  sumptuary  statutes  were  passed  of 
a  narrow  and  bigoted  sort ;  that  the  people  feared  the  devil, 
and  that  the  inhabitants  were  compelled  to  attend  public  wor- 
ship. It  is  indeed  true,  that  they  were  a  stern  self-denying 
people,  and  that  they  fasted  often  and  prayed  much  ;  but  fast- 
tings  and  austerities  of  life,  were  not  confined  to  them  or  to 
their  religious  tenets.  In  many  things  they  were  bigoted  and 
abstinent,  but  these  extremes  are  believed  to  be  better  than 
a  laxness  of  moral  principle,  and  a  too  great  indulgence  in 
those  extravagancies  which  sap  the  foundations  of  the  hu- 
man constitution,  and  make  men  prematurely  old.  If  these 
things  were  faults,  they  were  what  our  ancestors  used  to  call 
"good  faults."  With  regard  to  sumptuary  laws,  they  passed 
some  strict  ones,  but  they  were  all  on  the  side  of  virtue  and 
morals,  all  conducive  to  the  greatest  good  of  the  greatest 
number;  not  fences  for  the  deer-parks  of  a  lazy  aristocracy, 
to  keep  the  people  shut  out  from  the  best  lands  of  the  coun- 
try, and  punish  them  by  death  or  banishment  if  they  hap- 
pened, in  attempting  to  satisfy  the  cravings  of  hunger,  to 
bend  a  cross-bow  beneath  the  branching  oaks  of  some  lord  of 
the  manor,  or  unstop  the  rabbit  warrens  of  some  beer-bloated 
country  squire.  As  regards  the  devil,  it  is  possible  to  fear 
him  too  much,  but  it  is  believed  that  if  the  present  generation 
were  more  afraid  of  that  dignitary,  and  regarded  him  more 


536  HISTOKY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

as  a  reality,  and  less  as  a  myth,  it  would  be  quite  as  well 
with  them  in  the  end. 

The  following  statute  contrasts  well  with  the  English 
"  Game  Laws"  at  that  era  : 

"  Whereas  great  loss  and  damage  hath  befel  this  colony  by 
reason  of  wolves,  which  destroy  great  numbers  of  our  cattle, 
therefore  for  the  encouragement  of  such  as  shall  labor  to 
destroy  them, 

"  It  is  ordered  by  this  court,  that  any  person  that  shall  kill 
any  wolf  or  wolves,  within  six  miles  of  any  plantation  in  this 
colony,  shall  have  for  every  wolf  by  him  or  them  so  killed, 
eight  shillings  out  of  the  public  treasury  of  the  colony.  And 
every  Englishman  shall  have  eight  shillings  more  paid  him 
out  of  the  town  treasury,  within  whose  bounds  the  wolf  was 
killed ;  provided  that  due  proof  be  made  thereof,  and  also  that 
they  bring  a  certificate  under  some  magistrate's  hand,  or 
constable  of  that  place,  unto  the  treasurer;  provided,  also, 
that  this  order  intend  only  such  plantations  as  do  contribute 
with  us  to  public  charges,  in  which  case  they  shall  make  pay- 
ment upon  their  own  charge." 

"It  is  also  ordered  by  the  authority  of  this  court,  that 
what  person  soever,  English  or  Indian,  shall  take  any  wolf 
out  of  any  pit  made  by  any  other  man  to  catch  wolves  in, 
whereby  they  would  defraud  the  right  owner  of  their  due 
from  the  colony  or  town,  every  such  offender  shall  pay  to 
the  owner  of  the  pit  twenty  shillings,  or  be  whipped  on  the 
naked  body  not  exceeding  six  stripes." 

But  it  is  objected  that  the  old  fathers  of  the  colony  passed  a 
statute  prohibiting  lying.  That  this  statute  has  been  much 
complained  of  by  modern  critics,  is  not  surprising.  Indeed, 
if  it  were  to  be  re-enacted  and  again  put  in  force,  it  would  be 
of  such  sweeping  application  as  to  be  intolerably  oppressive. 
But  even  in  this  respect,  Connecticut  was  in  no  way  singular. 
Moses  had  done  the  same  in  his  day ;  and  Alfred,  when  he  was 
laying  the  foundations  of  the  greatest  empire  of  modern  times, 
made  it  punishable,  not  by  whipping,  or  the  stocks,  but  by  a 
still  more   thorough  penalty — cutting  out  the  liar's  tongue. 


CIVIL   AUTHORITY  PARAMOUNT.  537 

To  come  nearer  home,  the  quaker  colony  of  Pennsylvania,  the 
Roman  catholic  colony  of  Maryland,  and  the  episcopal  one  of 
Virginia,  all  passed  a  law  similar  to  that  of  Connecticut,  and 
equally  rigid.  There  are  some  old  fashioned  people  left  in 
the  world  yet,  who  honor  them  for  it. 

It  would  be  easy  for  any  lawyer  of  ordinary  capacity  to 
examine  the  civil  and  criminal  code  of  Connecticut,  and  con- 
trast it  for  liberality,  simplicity,  and  moral  tone,  with  most  of 
the  other  modern  codes  of  the  world.  Whoever  attempts  to 
cast  reproach  upon  the  laws  of  such  a  people,  will  be  met 
with  startling  analogies,  let  us  rather  say,  painful  contrasts, 
pungent  repartees.  He  will  find  that  he  is  handling  tools 
with  sharp  edges  and  barbs,  that  readily  enter  his  flesh,  but 
are  plucked  out  with  difficulty  and  pain. 

The  laws  of  Connecticut,  like  her  first  constitution,  were 
made  to  pass  through  Roger  Ludlow's  mint.*  They  received 
his  stamp  and  of  course  bore  the  image  of  the  bird  of  free- 
dom, as  well  as  the  clusters  of  the  three  vines.  The  great 
object  of  these  laws,  as  might  have  been  expected,  was,  to 
take  care  of  the  people ;  to  do  justice  and  to  execute  judg- 
ment between  man  and  man.  One  of  the  very  first  statutes 
which  was  parsed,  and  which  was  embodied  in  the  first  edi- 
tion of  our  public  acts,  shows  a  wisdom  and  a  kind  of  second 
sight,  prophetic  of  the  general  equality  and  religious  tolera- 
tion of  the  constitution  of  1818.     It  is  as  follows  : 

"  Forasmuch  as  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the  churches, 
and  the  members  thereof,  as  well  as  civil  rights  and  liberties, 
are  carefully  to  be  maintained — 

*'  It  is  ordered  by  this  court,  That  the  civil  authority  here 
established,  hath  power  and  liberty  to  see  the  peace,  ordi- 
nances, and  rules  of  Christ,  to  be  observed  in  every  church 
according  to  his  word  ;  as  also  to   deal  with  any  church- 

*  As  early  as  April,  1646,  INIr.  Ludlow  was  desired  by  the  General  Court,  "  to 
take  some  paynes  in  drawing  forth  a  body  of  lawes  for  the  government  of  this 
commonwealth."  In  May,  1647,  the  court  ordered  that  Mr.  Ludlow  "should, 
besides  the  paying  the  hyer  of  a  man,  be  futher  considered  for  his  paynes."  The 
code  appears  to  have  been  "concluded  and  established"  in  May,  1651.  See  J. 
H.  Trumbull's  Records,  i.  pp.  138,  154,  509. 


538  HISTOEY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

member  in  a  way  of  civil  justice,  notwithstanding  any  church- 
relation,  office,  or  interest,  so  it  be  done  in  a  civil  and  not  in 
an  ecclesiastical  way,  nor  shall  any  church  censure,  degrade  or 
depose  any  man  from  any  civil  dignity,  office,  or  authority,  he 
shall  have  in  the  colony.''' 

Here  we  see  the  axe  laid  at  the  root  of  ecclesiastical  do- 
minion, as  such.  The  civil  authority  is  not  only  to  be  sepa- 
rated from  the  ecclesiastical,  but  it  is  declared  even  in  church 
matters  to  be  paramount  to  it.  It  took  a  long  time  to  bring 
the  people  to  recognize  a  practical  equality  of  all  religious 
sects,  but  the  seeds  were  sown  and  could  not  perish  in  the 
ground. 

The  laws  of  Connecticut  have  always  been  distinguished 
for  their  simplicity,  their  certainty,  their  mildness,  their  adap- 
tation to  the  conditions  of  the  humblest  classes,  and  the 
cheapness  with  which  they  have  meted  out  justice  to  the 
aggrieved.  The  tribunals  of  the  state  have  been  famed  for 
the  learning  and  impartiality  of  the  judges,  and,  thanks  to 
our  common  schools,  for  the  intelligence  and  manliness  of  our 
jurors.  To  dwell  at  length  upon  this  topic,  would  require  a 
separate  treatise.  Our  whole  statute  laws  are  yet  printed  in 
a  single  octavo  volume. 


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Enq.  by  JD.  CHi-mrum 


,-V/  ',-7   a  VTvnt  nv  ^hn 


MTo  miE^o  SAMTTMIL  §]£^:BII7MX,BJI1). 


Hoi; 


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i 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 

EPISCOPACY   IX   COXNECTICUT. 

It  would  be  interesting  to  trace  the  history  of  the  episco- 
pal church  throughout  the  American  colonies,  from  the  earli- 
est settlement  of  Jamestown  down  to  the  time  when  the  re- 
ligious estabhshment  of  Connecticut  gave  place  to  the  Consti- 
tution of  1818.  But  it  is  impossible  to  depart  from  the  limits 
of  the  State,  though  by  doing  so  we  might  the  better  estimate 
its  influence  upon  the  rest  of  the  continent. 

In  the  town  of  Stratford  still  stands  a  small  church  with  its 
high  arched  windows,  in  the  style  of  architecture  that  marks 
that  denomination  ofChristians,  with  its  square  tower  standing 
out  from  the  main  body  of  the  building,  surmounted  by  its 
small  belfry  and  shapely  spire  rising  above  the  trees,  that  shade 
the  sunny  slopes  and  swelling  mounds  which  relieve  the  vil- 
lage of  Stratford  from  the  dreary  level  that  often  marks  the 
conflict  of  the  ocean  with  the  shore.  This  church  was  erect- 
ed in  1746,  and  is  now  more  than  a  century  old.  The  aged 
men  who  helped  to  build  it,  and  who  were  present  at  its  con- 
secration, could  distinctly  remember  the  first  establishment 
of  episcopacy  in  Connecticut,  and  some  of  them  had  partici- 
pated in  the  exciting  warfare  consequent  upon  it.  It  has 
been  before  said,  that  from  almost  the  first  settlement  of  the 
colony,  there  had  existed  in  it  an  established  religion  which 
belonged  to  the  government,  and  was  as  firmly  upheld  by  it 
as  any  branch  of  the  civil  machinery.  One  of  the  provisions 
in  behalf  of  this  establishment,  was  embodied  in  the  statute 
of  which  the  following  is  an  extract : 

*'  It  is  ordered  by  the  Authority  of  this  Court,  That  every 
inhabitant  shall  henceforth  contribute  to  all  charges  both  in 
church  and  colony  whereof  he  doth  or  may  receive  benefit, 
and  every  such  inhabitant,  who  shall  not  voluntarily  contri- 


540  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

bute  proportionably  to  his  ability,  with  the  rest  of  the  same 
town,  to  all  charges  both  civil  and  ecclesiastical,  shall  be 
compelled  thereunto  by  assessment  and  distress,  to  be  levied 
by  the  constable  or  other  officer  of  the  town,  as  in  other 
cases,  and  that  the  lands  and  estates  of  all  men,  wherever 
they  dwell,  shall  be  rated  for  all  town  charges,  both  civil  and 
ecclesiastical,  as  aforesaid,  the  lands  and  estates  where  they 
shall  lie,  and  their  persons  where  they  dwell." 

This  provision  remained  substantially  the  same  until  1727. 
With  the  exception  of  the  opposition  of  the  persons  called 
"  Quakers,  Ranters,  and  Adamites,"  the  established  religion 
was  supported  in  the  colony  with  almost  entire  unanimity 
for  many  years.  But  it  is  impossible  that  the  opinions  of 
any  one  generation  should  be  locked  up  in  a  vault  strong 
enough  to  keep  them  from  age  to  age  in  their  primitive  con- 
dition. Dampness  will  gather  around  them  and  steal  away 
their  vitality,  violence  will  break  open  the  doors  that  imprison 
them,  and  set  them  free,  or  their  deliverance  will  be  left  to 
the  more  slow  but  equally  sure  action  of  the  rains  and  frosts, 
which  will  soften  and  crack  asunder  the  mortar  and  the 
stones,  until,  if  the  key  does  not  drop  from  the  arch,  there 
will  be  found  many  seams  and  crevices  in  the  walls  for  the 
entrance  of  the  winds.  So  it  had  been  in  the  old  world,  and 
so  was  it  in  the  new. 

There  were,  very  early  in  the  eighteenth  century,  a 
few  men  in  the  colony,  who  were  descendants  of  the  first 
emigrants,  and  who  sympathised  with  the  causes  that  had  in- 
duced their  fathers  to  remove  to  this  continent,  who  yet 
adhered  to  the  forms  of  the  English  church,  and  believed  that 
their  favorite  institution,  when  severed  from  political  connec- 
tions and  left  to  her  own  sphere  of  religious  action,  had  little 
sympathy  with  the  cruelties  and  oppressions  that  had  been 
charged  upon  her.  They  began  to  find  the  payment  of  rates 
to  support  a  form  of  religion  that  they  did  not  approve,  to  be 
very  irksome,  and  although  it  was  in  accordance  with  the  order 
of  things  established  in  England,  yet  they  felt  that  as  our  in- 
stitutions were  new,  they  ought  to  be  more  flexible.     They 


[170G.]  MR.   MUIRSON.  541 

pleaded,  too,  the  precedent  of  the  emigrants  themselves, 
who  had  left  England  for  the  enjoyment  of  liberty  of 
conscience,  and  claimed  that  all  the  descendants  of  those 
men,  more  especially  those  who  were  born  upon  the  soil, 
•had  a  right  to  pay  their  money  for  the  support  of  such  a 
religious  organization  as  they  deemed  fitted  for  their  own 
consciences.  But  they  could  not  fail  to  be  aware,  that  in 
bringing  about  this  charge,  they  must  struggle  with  the 
spirit  of  the  age,  and  that  the  contest,  if  not  ultimately 
doubtful,  would  be  at  least  a  protracted  one.  About  seventy 
years  had  passed  away  since  the  settlement  of  the  colony 
began,  when  the  "  Society  for  propagating  the  Gospel  in 
Foreign  Parts,"  an  episcopal  organization,  established  at 
Rye,  in  the  colony  of  New  York,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Muirson  as  a 
missionary.  A  few  individuals  at  Stratford,  some  of  whom 
were  highly  respectable,  had  for  some  time  been  dissatisfied 
with  the  prevailing  mode  of  worship  in  Connecticut,  and 
were  glad  that  they  could  have  for  a  near  neighbor,  a  clergy- 
man who  administered  the  sacraments  and  adhered  to  the 
ceremonials  of  the  church  as  they  recognized  it  to  exist. 

Not  long  after  Mr.  Muirson  had  been  stationed  at  Rye,  an 
earnest  application  was  made  to  him  in  behalf  of  these  per- 
sons, begging  him  to  visit  Stratford,  and  preach  there,  and 
baptize  such  as  might  desire  to  receive  that  rite  at  his  hands. 
Some  time  during  the  year  1706,  Mr.  Muirson  yielded  to 
these  solicitations,  and  in  company  with  Colonel  Heathcote, 
a  gentleman  who,  with  himself,  had  the  cause  of  the  English 
church  much  at  heart,  repaired  to  Stratford  on  this  errand. 
Of  course  they  could  not  expect  that  their  coming  would  be 
regarded  with  very  much  indulgence  by  the  puritan  ministers 
and  elders  of  the  town  and  neighborhood,  who  used  such  ar- 
guments as  they  could  to  prevent  their  families  and  friends 
from  attending  upon  religious  services  so  different  from  their 
own.  Perhaps  this  very  effort  excited  the  curiosity  of  the 
people  to  a  still  higher  pitch,  to  witness  the  new  ceremonies, 
and  it  is  almost  certain  that  it  stimulated  those  whose  minds 
were  already  made  up,  to  a  still  more  ardent  and  firm  resolve. 


542  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

The  whole  affair  was  managed  so  prudently  by  Mr.  Muirson, 
and  such  zealous  exertions  were  made  by  those  who  had  in- 
vited him,  that  a  large  number  of  persons,  probably  as  many 
as  seventy  or  eighty,  were  induced  to  assemble,  and  see  and 
hear  for  themselves.  The  result  was,  that  seventy-five  per- 
sons, most  of  them  adults,  were  baptized. 

This  was  the  first  time  that  any  attempt  had  been  made  to 
introduce  episcopacy  into  Connecticut. 

In  April,  1707,  Mr.  Muirson,  with  his  friend,  Mr.  Heath- 
cote,  again  visited  Stratford.  He  preached  there,  and 
also  at  Stratfield,  and  performed  the  baptismal  rite  in  both 
places.  The  congregational  ministers  and  magistrates  did 
not  interfere  with  him  in  any  other  way,  than  by  attempting 
to  persuade  the  people  not  to  attend  upon  his  ministrations. 
This  opposition  had  the  same  effect  that  it  had  done  before, 
in  stimulating  the  efforts  of  the  zealous,  and  in  quickening 
the  activity  of  those  who  were  charmed  with  the  novelty  of 
the  forms  of  the  church.  After  this,  Mr.  Muirson  made 
several  visits  to  Connecticut,  and  labored  earnestly  with 
those  who  were  willing  to  listen  to  him. 

In  the  year  1722,  the  Society  heretofore  alluded  to,  estab- 
lished the  Rev.  Mr.  Pigot  as  a  missionary  at  Stratford.  He 
soon  had  twenty  communicants  and  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  hearers. 

While  the  early  clergy  of  the  episcopal  church  were  thus 
struggling  to  establish  the  foundations  of  the  church  in  the 
colony,  and  laboring  to  overcome  those  prejudices  with 
which  they  were  compelled  to  contend,  the  alarming  intelli- 
gence burst  upon  the  public  ear,  that  the  Rev.  Timothy 
Cutler,  the  rector  of  Yale  College,  which  was  then  the 
strong-hold  of  Congregationalism  in  New  England,  had  de- 
clared for  episcopacy.  The  news  flew  as  if  it  had  been 
borne  by  carrier-pigeons,  into  every  hamlet,  and  to  every 
farm-house  in  the  northern  colonies.  It  was  of  course  an 
event  which  could  not  escape  the  notice  of  the  trustees  of  a 
seminary,  which  had  been  founded  for  the  avowed  object  of 
supporting  the  religion  of  the  colony,  and  of  educating  minis- 


JOHNSON,    CUTLER,    AND   PIGOT.  543 

ters  to  perpetuate  the  institutions  of  puritanism.  Mr.  Cutler 
was  not  surprised,  therefore,  when  he  was  informed,  by  a  vote 
of  the  board  of  trustees,  that  he  was  "  excused  from  all  further 
service  as  Rector  of  Yale  College."  It  was  a  vote  ap- 
parently characterized  by  little  of  the  bitterness  that  usually 
attends  ecclesiastical  controversies,  and  his  retirement  from 
the  official  station  was  the  occasion  of  keen  regret  on  both 
sides.  During  the  following  November,  Mr.  Cutler,  in  com- 
pany with  Mr.  Johnson,  of  West  Haven,  and  Mr.  Brown,  one 
of  the  tutors  of  the  college,  sailed  for  England,  and  in  March 
of  the  year  1723,  those  gentlemen  were  all  ordained  by  the 
Bishop  of  Norwich.  Soon  after,  Mr.  Cutler  received,  both 
from  Oxford  and  Cambridge,  the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity. 

Few  men  of  that  day,  enjoyed  a  higher  reputation  for 
scholarship  and  intellectual  gifts  than  Dr.  Cutler.  His  per- 
sonal popularity  at  Yale,  while  at  the  head  of  the  institution, 
was  almost  unbounded.  He  was  also  fortunate  in  being 
eulogized  even  by  his  successors,  who  were  opposed  to  him  in 
his  ecclesiastical  views.  One  president  of  Yale  College*  has 
left  his  written  testimonial,  that  "Dr.  Cutler  w^as  a  gentle- 
man of  superior  natural  powers  and  learning,"  while  another, 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Stiles,  no  insignificant  authority  in  such  matters, 
and  a  person  not  lavish  of  compliments,  wrote  of  him  as  fol- 
lows :  "In  the  philosophy,  metaphysics,  and  ethics  of  his  day, 
he  was  great.  He  spoke  Latin  with  fluency,  and  with  great 
propriety  of  pronunciation.  He  was  a  man  of  extensive 
reading  in  the  academic  sciences,  divinity,  and  ecclesiastical 
history,  and  of  a  commanding  presence  and  dignity  in  govern- 
ment. He  was  of  a  lofty  and  despotic  mien,  and  made  a 
grand  figure  at  the  head  of  a  college." 

In  1723,  Christ  Church,  the  oldest  episcopal  church  in  the 
colony,  was  founded  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Samuel  Johnson,  who 
was  appointed  to  succeed  Mr.  Pigot.  Mr.  Johnson  is  desig- 
nated by  Dr.  Dvvight  as  "  the  father  of  Episcopacy  in  Con- 
necticut, and  perhaps  as  the  most  distinguished  clergyman 
of  that  description  who  has  been  settled  within  its  limits." 

*  Dr.  Chp^ 


544  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

He  was  born  in  Guilford,  October  14,  1696,*  and  graduated 
at  Yale  College  in  1714.  From  1716  to  1719  he  remained 
in  the  college  as  a  tutor,  and  during  the  year  1720  he  was 
ordained  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  West  Haven. 
Having  embraced  episcopacy,  he  sailed  from  Boston  for 
England,  and  was  there  ordained.  Mr.  Johnson,  on  his  re- 
turn to  this  country,  was  settled  as  above  stated,  at  Stratford, 
where  he  remained  until  his  appointment  to  the  presidency 
of  King's  College,  in  New  York,  in  1754.  He  received  the 
degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  from  the  university  of  Oxford. 
He  published  A  System  of  Morals,  in  1746  ;  A  Treatise  on 
Morals,  and  A  Treatise  on  Logic,  which  were  republished  to- 
gether in  1772  ;  and  A  Hebrew  Grammar,  in  1767,  which 
was  reprinted  in  1771,  with  additions  and  improvements. 

Dr.  Johnson  was  regarded  as  a  learned,  diligent,  and  faith- 
ful preacher  of  the  gospel.  He  possessed  a  remarkably 
placid  temper,  and  a  benevolent  and  charitable  disposition, 
which  together  with  his  unfeigned  piety,  manifested  them- 
selves in  unwearied  efforts  to  do  good.  Even  in  his  contro- 
versial writings,  these  delightful  traits  of  the  Christain  charac- 
ter are  strikingly  observable.     He  died  January  6,  1772. 

The  Rev.  James  Wetmore,  the  congregational  minister  of 
North  Haven,  became  an  episcopalian  about  the  same  time 
with  Mr.  Johnson  and  Mr.  Cutler,  and  he  also  went  to  Eng- 
land for  the  purpose  of  being  re-ordained.  The  Rev.  John 
Beach,  who  had  been  for  seven  years  the  approved  pastor  of 
the  congregational  church  in  Newtown,  seceded  from  the^ 
established  church,  and  proceeded  to  England,  where  he  was 

*  Dr.  Johnson  was  a  son  of  Samuel  Jolinson  who  was  born  in  1670  and  died 
in  1727  ;  his  father,  William  Johnson,  settled  in  Guilford  where  he  died  in 
1702,  aged  73  5  his  father,  Robert  Johnson,  was  one  of  the  founders  of  New 
Haven. 

Dr.  Samuel  Johnson  was  married  to  Charity  Floyd,  Sept.  26,  1725.  She  died 
in  New  York,  June  1,  1758,  and  was  buried  under  the  chancel  of  the  old 
English  church.  Their  only  sons  were  William  Samuel  Johnson,  LL.  D.,  who 
was  born  Oct.  7,  1727,  and  the  Rev.  William  Johnson,  a  promising  young  clergy- 
man of  the  church  of  England,  who  died  of  small-pox  in  London,  Sunday,  June 
20,  1756,  "  and  was  buried  under  the  church  of  St.  Mildred,  in  the  Poultry,  in 
Mr.  Manley's  vault." 


EFFOKTS   TO   PROCURE   A  BISHOP.  545 

episcopally  ordained,  in  September,  1732.  He  became  a 
missionary  in  Newtown  and  Reading,  where  a  church  was 
erected  in  1734,  and  two  years  after  he  reported  one  hun- 
dred and  five  communicants.  In  1751,  the  ordinary  congre- 
gation in  each  place  was  between  two  and  three  hundred, 
and  the  communicants  between  ninety  and  one  hundred. 
In  1762,  Mr.  Beach  was  able  to  report  that  the  churchmen 
in  Newtown  had  become  more  numerous  than  all  others 
combined — a  fact  which  remains  good  to  this  day. 

Besides  the  parishes  under  the  immediate  care  of  Mr. 
Beach,  those  of  Roxbury  and  New  Milford*  were  organized 
by  him.  Those  of  Lanesborough,  in  Massachusetts,  and 
Arlington,  in  Vermont,  also  owed  their  existence  mainly  to 
emigration  from  the  parishes  under  his  care.f 

From  1707,  when  the  first  prayer  was  read  on  the  bank 
of  James  river,  invoking  the  divine  blessing  upon  the  emi- 
grants, who  were  to  level  the  forests  of  the  old  dominion, 
down  to  the  day  when  the  British  sceptre  was  cut  in  twain 
by  the  edge  of  Washington's  sword — a  period  of  one  hundred 
and  seventy  years — flie  scattered  flock  belonging  to  the 
American  branch  of  the  English  church  was  left  to  wander 
in  the  wilds  of  the  west  without  an  episcopal  shepherd. 
Again  and  again  did  the  pious  missionaries  who  had  been 
sent  to  this  continent  by  the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gos- 
pel in  Foreign  Parts,  address  letters  to  the  Bishop  of  London, 
and  others  in  authority  at  home,  begging  that  the  episcopalians 
in  America  might  have  a  bishop  of  their  own,  who  should 

*  It  is  stated  that  certain  churchmen  in  New  Milford  were  fined  for  refusing  to 
attend  the  meetings  of  the  established  church.  These  fines  were,  by  recommen- 
dation of  Mr.  Beach,  paid,  and  copies  of  the  proceedings  taken  to  be  forwarded 
to  the  king  and  council.  The  fact  becoming  known,  the  authorities  refunded  the 
money  and  granted  permission  to  build  a  church,  which  before  had  been  refused. 
Church  Review,  vol.  ii.  p.  317. 

t  Mr.  Beach  was  born  in  Stratford  in  1700;  graduated  at  Tale  College  in 
1721,  and  was  settled  over  the  congregational  church  in  1725,  He  died  March 
19,  1782.  He  published  several  sermons  and  pamphlets,  mostly  of  a  controversial 
character,  which  evince  a  candid  spirit  and  much  more  than  ordinary  talents. 
He  was  an  indefatigable  laborer  in  the  vineyard  of  his  Master.  The  name  of  Beach 
had  always  been  a  good  one  in  Connecticut.  The  Beaches  of  Litchfield,  New- 
Haven,  and  Hartford  counties,  are  from  the  same  family. 

67 


546  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

have  power  to  add  to  the  number  of  the  clergy,  and  to  estab- 
lish that  church  upon  a  basis  that  would  enable  her  to  enter 
the  field  of  labor  on  an  equal  footing  with  the  other  denomi- 
nations of  New  England ;  but  these  solicitations  fell  upon  the 
ears  of  the  establishment  with  as  little  practical  effect  as 
if  they  had  been  made  to  the  General  Court  of  Massachu- 
setts or  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut.  The  House 
of  Stuart  was  followed  by  the  Protectorate,  and  that  again 
gave  place  to  the  House  of  Stuart ;  Lord  Clarendon  gave 
the  authority  of  his  name  to  the  prayer  of  the  missionaries, 
and  even  the  king  approved  the  design  so  far  as  to  order  a 
patent  to  be  made  out ;  Queen  Anne  favored  the  applica- 
tion ;  eminent  doctors  and  learned  clergymen  pleaded  for  it 
upon  their  knees  ;  but  all  in  vain.  State  policy,  that  fruit- 
ful nurse  of  so  many  persecutions  and  proscriptions,  turned  a 
deaf  ear  to  the  prayer  of  the  suppliants,  and  "  refused  to 
let  the  people  go."  The  House  of  Hanover  succeeded,  with 
no  better  promise  for  this  result.  Meanwhile,  as  dynasty 
after  d^masty  passed  away,  the  patient  missionary,  stationed 
at  a  remote  point  on  the  border  of  some  colony  whose  in- 
habitants sympathized  little  with  his  teachings,  or  opposed 
them  either  by  argument,  as  in  Connecticut,  or  by  legislative 
enactments,  as  in  Massachusetts,  kept  on  the  even  tenor  of 
his  way,  sprinkling  with  water  and  signing  with  the  sign  of 
the  cross,  such  as  w^ould  receive  the  rite  at  his  hands.* 

*  The  first  effort  to  procure  the  consecration  of  a  bishop  for  New  England,  was 
made  in  1638,  but  the  scheme  was  thwarted  by  the  outbreak  of  troubles  in  Scot- 
land ("  JNIissions  of  the  Church  of  England,"  p.  376.)  In  the  revolution  whicli 
soon  followed,  the  matter  was  apparently  forgotten.  Soon  after  the  Restoration, 
however,  in  1660  the  subject  of  an  American  bishop  was  revived,  and  a  patent 
was  actually  made  out,  constituting  Dr.  Alexander  JNIurray,  bishop  of  Virginia, 
with  a  general  charge  over  the  other  provinces  and  colonies.  The  project  was 
defeated  by  the  accession  to  power  of  the  "  Cabal  Ministry,"  (Hawkins,  p.  376.) 
Seeker  states  that  the  failure  was  owing  to  the  endowment  being  made  payable 
out  of  the  customs.  Boucher,  however,  says  on  this  subject,  "  By  some  fatality 
or  other,  (such  as  seems  forever  to  have  pursued  all  the  good  measures  of 
that  unfortunate  family,)  the  patent  M^as  not  signed  when  the  king  died." 
Soon  after  the  establishment  of  the  venerable  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the 
Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts,  in  1701,  the  American  missionaries  began  to  urge  upon 
that  society  the  importance  of  having  a  bishop  in  the  colonies.     In  1705  a  me- 


[1753.]  SPECIAL   PLEADIXG.  5-17 

Objections  were  started,  metaphysical  obstacles  were 
pleaded,  old  precedents  were  set  up,  and  delay  followed  delay, 
until  the  heart-sick  laborer  was  ready  to  faint  in  the  field. 

At  last,  in  the  little  town  of  Groton,  on  the  eastern  bank 
of  the  Thames,  there  grew  up,  nourished  by  the  invigorating 
air  of  the  sea  and  of  the  hills,  a  dark-eyed,  thoughtful  boy, 
who  was  destined  to  break  the  chain  of  this  political  bond- 
age. He  was  the  son  of  a  congregational  clergyman,  and  like 
Johnson,  Cutler,  Beach,  Wetmore,  and  Brown,  was  of  the  good 
old  colonial  stock.  The  name  of  that  boy  was  Saf?iuel  Sea- 
hury.  When  the  boy  was  a  year  old,  his  father,  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Seabury,  gave  up  his  charge  at  Groton,  and  declared  for 
Episcopacy ;  soon  after  which  he  sailed  for  England  for 
orders.  Master  Seabury,  like  his  father,  was  entered  a 
student  at  Yale  College,  and  graduated  there  with  distinc- 
tion in  the  year  1748.  Three  years  after,  he  went  to  Scot- 
land for  the  purpose  of  qualifying  himself  for  the  practice  of 
medicine.  He  was  soon  induced  to  turn  his  attention  to  the 
study  of  theology,  and  was  ordained  by  the  Bishop  of  Lon- 
don, in  1753.  Not  long  after  he  returned  to  America  and 
filled  the  post  of  missionary   at   New  Brunswick,  in  New 

memorial  lo  the  archbishops  and  bishops  of  England,  was  signed  by  fourteen 
clergymen  assembled  at  Burlington,  New  Jersey,  praying  for  the  "  presence 
and  assistance  of  a  suffragan  bishop,  to  ordain  such  persons  as  are  fit  to  be  called 
to  serve  in  the  sacred  ministry  of  the  church."  It  was  urged  that  many 
persons  were  deterred  from  entering  the  ministry,  in  consequence  of  the  dangers 
and  expense  of  a  hazardous  journey  of  3,000  miles.  A  writer  in  the  London 
Gentleman's  Magazine  of  that  day  stated,  that  "  out  of  fifty-two  or  fifty-three 
who  have  come  hither  for  holy  orders,  forty-two  only  have  returned  safe.  There 
never  was  a  persecution  upon  earth,"  he  adds,  "that  destroyed  a  fifth  part  of  the 
clergy."  The  venerable  society  joined  in  the  appeal  to  Queen  Anne  in  1709. 
The  subject  was  finally  brought  before  a  meeting  of  the  bishops,  on  the  20th 
of  January,  1711  ;  "  but  as  the  Bishop  of  London,  who  had  a  right  to  be  con- 
sulted, was  not  there,  the  thing  was  dropped."  ("  Life  of  Archbishop  Sharpe,"  i. 
352.)  Several  other  petitions  and  memorials  were  presented,  and  the  prayer  of 
the  applicants  seemed  about  to  be  granted,  when  the  death  of  the  queen  and  the 
accession  of  a  new  sovereign  gave  an  entirely  different  aspect  to  affairs.  From 
this  time,  appeals  and  petitions,  not  only  from  missionaries,  but  from  men  high  in 
authority,  were  frequently  made  upon  the  crown,  for  a  resident  bishop  in 
America,  but  without  avail,  until  the  consecration  of  Dr.  Seabury. 


648  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Jersey,  until  1757.  His  next  pastoral  charge  was  at  Jamai- 
ca, on  Long  Island,  where  he  remained  until  1766,  when  he 
went  to  Westchester,  and  had  the  care  of  St.  Peter's  church 
for  ten  years.  In  December,  1776,  he  removed  to  New 
York,  on  account  of  political  disturbances  in  Connecticut, 
and  continued  to  reside  there  until  the  peace  of  1783.* 

As  soon  as  peace  was  restored,  the  clergy  of  Connecticut 
and  those  of  New  York  held  a  private  meeting  in  that  city, 
and  chose  the  Rev.  Dr.  Leaming  bishop  of  the  diocese  of 
Connecticut.  Dr.  Leaming  did  not  accept  the  place  as- 
signed him,  and  on  the  21st  of  April,  1783,  a  second  vote 
resulted  in  the  unanimous  choice  of  Dr.  Seabury.  A  letter 
was  immediately  addressed  to  the  Archbishop  of  York, 
reiterating  the  old  request  that  an  American  bishop  might 
be  consecrated.  "  The  person,"  say  they,  "  whom  we  have 
prevailed  upon  to  offer  himself  to  your  grace,  is  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Samuel  Seabury,  who  has  been  the  society's  worthy  mis- 
sionary for  many  years.  He  was  horn  and  educated  in  Con- 
necticut, he  is  every  way  qualified  for  the  episcopal  office,  and 
for  the  discharge  of  those  duties  peculiar  to  it  in  the  present 
trying  and  dangerous  times." 

The  bishop  elect  sailed  for  England  shortly  after  he  was 
chosen.  The  Archbishop  of  York  was  not  in  London  at  the 
time  of  his  arrival  there,  but  the  Bishop  of  London  gave 
his  ready  assent  to  the  proposition,  and  said  he  would  cheer- 
fully cooperate  with  the  Archbishops  of  York  and  Canterbury 
m  bringing  about  the  results  so  long  desired. 

New  difficulties  now  presented  themselves.  It  was  neces- 
sary that  the  candidate  for  episcopal  consecration  should 
take  oaths  of  allegiance  to  the  king,  and  of  obedience  to  the 
Archbishop  of  Canterbury.  Prudential  considerations  as 
well  as  acts  of  parliament  were  also  interposed.  If  the 
bishops  of  England  should  consecrate  an  applicant  from 
Connecticut,  what  warrant  had  they  to  believe  that  the  state 
where  he  was  to  exercise  his  functions,  would  give  her  con- 

*  For  a  copy  of  Mr.  Seabury's  memorial  to  the  General  Assembly  of  Con- 
neclicut,  see  Hinman,  548 — 551. 


SHIFTING   THE   RESPONSIBILITY.  549 

sent,  and  how  could  they  know  that  the  functionary  thus 
created  would  be  obeyed  ?  More  than  all,  how  vjas  he  to  he 
supported!  Besides,  it  was  urged,  had  they  not  good  cause 
to  anticipate  a  renewal  of  that  opposition  which  had  kept 
Dr.  Seabury  from  his  native  state  during  the  whole  period 
of  the  revolutionary  war  ?  Thus,  with  one  objection  after 
another,  did  those  cautious  dignitaries  lead  this  fearless 
knight  of  the  cross  from  cavern  to  cavern  and  grove  to 
grove,  as  if  for  a  more  perfect  trial  of  his  virtue  and  his 
faith.  But  firm  as  the  rocky  bank  that  rises  above  his  native 
river,  with  a  soul  unruffled  and  deep  as  the  waters  that  glide 
under  its  shadow,  this  son  of  the  west,  unabashed  in  the  pre- 
sence of  mitres  and  pontifical  robes,  with  one  great  purpose 
swelling  in  his  bosom  and  beating  at  his  heart,  was  not  to  be 
thwarted  from  doing  his  Master's  work.  He  wrote  to  the 
clergy  of  Connecticut,  who  were  now  on  tiptoe  with  expecta- 
tion, stating  the  fear  entertained  in  England,  that  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  state  would  prevent  a  bishop,  should 
he  be  consecrated,  from  entering  on  the  discharge  of  his 
episcopal  labors. 

A  convention  of  the  clergy  was  forthwith  called  at  Walling- 
ford,  to  determine  what  was  to  be  done.  As  the  assembly  was 
then  in  session  at  New  Haven,  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  confer  with  the  principal  members  of  the  legislature, 
and  solicit  the  passage  of  an  act  authorizing  a  bishop  to  re- 
side in  Connecticut,  and  to  exercise  the  episcopal  func- 
tions there.  The  gentlemen  to  whom  this  request  was 
made,  replied,  as  they  well  might,  that  it  was  not  necessary 
to  pass  such  an  act,  as  the  law  of  Connecticut  was  already 
in  conformity  with  their  wishes.*  Certified  copies  of  the 
statutes  of  the  colony  in  relation  to  this  matter,  were  made 
out  and  forwarded  to  England  without  delay. 

This  evidence  was,  of  course,  conclusive  on  the  point  in 
question.  Other  objections  were  then  started,  and  new 
pleadings  were  filed,   that  were  likely  to  keep  the  matter 

*  See  page  21  of  "  The  General  Laws  and  Liberties  of  Connecticut  Colony," 
edition  of  1672  ;  also  statute  of  1727,  ante. 


550  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

pending  until  half  a  dozen  generations  of  men  should  be 
mouldering  in  their  graves.  A  legislative  act  might  have 
been  passed  in  a  month,  removing  all  objections  that  could 
be  raised  on  account  of  any  informality  in  relation  to  the 
required  oaths,  but  the  parliament  refused  to  interfere  in 
behalf  of  the  appUcants.  It  was  idle  to  attempt  any  longer 
to  shift  the  responsibility  from  the  shoulders  of  the  English 
authorities  and  lay  it  at  the  door  of  the  General  Assembly 
of  Connecticut. 

If  there  ever  was  an  instance  where  "  hope  deferred  " 
made  a  sick  heart,  the  matter  now  presented  to  the  conside- 
ration of  the  episcopal  clergy  of  Connecticut,  and  of  their 
bishop  elect,  affords  an  illustration  of  it. 

With  the  advice  of  the  clergy,  Dr.  Seabury  finally  aban- 
doned these  fruitless  negotiations,  and  hastened  to  Scotland 
to  seek  the  consecration  that  had  been  denied  him  in  Eng- 
land. Here  the  doors  were  at  once  thrown  open  to  him. 
On  the  14th  of  November,  1784,  the  ceremonial  took  place 
at  Aberdeen,  under  the  direction  of  Robert  Kilgour,  bishop 
of  Aberdeen,  Primus,  with  the  assistance  of  Arthur  Petrie, 
of  Ross  and  Moray,  and  John  Skinner,  coadjutor  of  Bishop 
Kilgour.  It  was  an  occasion  of  the  deepest  interest,  and 
called  forth  many  warm  congratulations  and  fervent 
prayers.* 

Thus  by  the  kindly  aid  of  Scotland,  after  a  struggle  of 
so  many  years,  the  victory  over  English  exclusiveness 
was  won,  and  Connecticut,  let  us  rather  say  the  western 
world,  had  at  last  a  bishop. 

Hastening  homeward  with  a  heart  buoyant  as  the  wave 
that  floated  and  the  wind  that  wafted  him.  Bishop  Seabury 
repaired  immediately  to  New  London,  and  on  the  3d  of 
August,  1785,  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  his  high  and 
responsible  duties. f     Nobly  did  this  great  and  good  man  lay 

*  Dr.  Chapin's  sketch  of  Bishop  Seabury,  in  the  "  Evergreen,"  of  Jan.  1844. 

t  On  the  day  referred  to,  a  special  convention  was  held  at  Middletown,  Con- 
necticut, on  which  occasion  the  following  candidates  were  admitted  to  the  holy 
order  of  deacons  ;  viz.,  Messrs.  Colin,  Ferguson,  Henry  Van  Dyke,  Ashbel 
Baldwin,  and  Philo  Shelton. 


BISHOP   SEABURY.  551 

wide  and  deep  the  walls  that  were  to  stand  around  the 
diocese  of  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island.*  Brave  without 
any  ostentatious  show  of  moral  courage,  modest  without  the 
least  abatement  of  self-possession  or  firmness,  with  all  the 
lofty  zeal  of  a  martyr  tempered  with  the  forbearance  that  is 
the  fruit  only  of  Christain  charity  ;  discreet  in  counsel,  with 
a  hand  that  never  trembled  in  executing  his  ripe  purposes ; 
never  advancing  faster  than  he  could  fortify  his  progress, 
Bishop  Seabury  had  no  superior,  probably  no  equal,  among 
the  episcopal  dignitaries  of  his  generation. 

His  personal  appearance  was  calculated  to  inspire  univer- 
sal' respect.  His  features  were  not  regular,  nor  indeed  could 
they  be  called  handsome ;  but  there  was  an  intellectual 
strength,  a  force  of  character  and  of  will,  written  in  every 
line  of  his  open  countenance,  that  could  not  be  misinter- 
preted. Added  to  this,  was  that  indescribable  air  of  refine- 
ment which  belongs  to  the  well-bred  gentleman,  and  consti- 
tutes a  part  of  his  presence.  Bishop  Seabury  was  about  the 
middle  height,  portly  and  well-proportioned.  His  eye  was 
dark  and  piercing,  and  his  motions  as  well  as  his  utterance 
were  slow  and  dignified.  His  voice  was  not  a  sweetly 
modulated  one,  but  deep-toned  and  powerful,  and  expressed 
as  did  his  whole  manner,  decision  of  character  and  boldness 
of  thought.  He  had  besides,  a  strong  good  sense  that  never 
forsook  him,  a  very  lively  wit,  and  conversational  powers  at 
once  natural  and  graceful.  In  the  words  of  a  congregational 
minister,  contemporary  with  him,  "  Bishop  Seabury  looked 
as  a  bishop  ought  to  look'' 

As  a  writer,  his  distinguishing  attribute  was  comprehen- 
siveness and  strength,  and  his  style  was  limpid  as  a  crystal 
well.     His   thoughts  were  all  marshalled  like  a  well-trained 

+  "  The  inllueiice  of  Bishop  Seabury,  in  the  revision  of  the  Liturgy,''''  says 
Dr.  Chapin,  "'  was  very  considerable,  in  some  important  points.  The  invocation 
and  tlie  prayer  of  oblation  in  the  communion  service,  and  which  are  not  in  the 
present  English  service,  and  even  the  words  of  oblation  omitted  in  king  Edward's 
time  were  restored  at  the  urgent  desire  of  Bishop  Seabury.  The  descent  of 
Christ  into  hell,  mentioned  in  the  apostle's  creed,  seems  to  have  been  retained  at 
his  instance."     "  Evergreen,"  January,  1844. 


552  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

troop  of  cavalry,  performing  their  evolutions  without  fatigue, 
and  with  that  certainty  of  result  which  belongs  only  to 
discipline.  He  avoided  all  metaphysical  skirmishings  and 
whimsical  niceties,  and  cared  little  for  the  husks  and  shells  of 
disputation,  while  the  grain  and  the  liernel  were  within  his 
grasp.  His  intuitions  w^ere  also  delicate,  and  prescient  of 
good  to  be  sought  or  danger  to  be  shunned.  Sophistry,  and 
all  the  little  arts  of  little  men,  to  plume  themselves  with  the 
feathers  of  rhetoric,  or  hide  their  heads  in  the  clouds  of 
mysticism  or  the  drapery  of  inflated  declamation,  his  noble 
nature  had  no  need  to  employ,  and  would  have  scorned  to 
practice. 

Such,  as  seen  by  the  light  of  history,  were  some  of  the 
principal  attributes  of  Bishop  Seabury.  His  name  is  still  re- 
vered throughout  the  whole  continent  for  his  unaffected 
piety,  his  uncompromising  principles,  and  his  spotless  life  ; 
and  wherever  that  name  is  spoken,  it  seems  to  be  echoed  by 
the  hills  of  his  native  state,  and  repeated  by  the  voice  of  the 
ocean  waves  that  bore  him  from  her  free  shores  to  the 
old  world,  and  brought  him  safely  back  to  lay  himself  down 
to  die  in  the  maturity  of  his  fame  and  the  ripeness  of  his 
faith  on  the  bank  of  the  Thames.  His  death  took  place  in 
New  London,  February  25,  1796.  He  was  succeeded  in  the 
episcopal  office  by  the  Rev.  Abraham  Jarvis,  D.D.* 

Bishop  Jarvis  was  born  in  Norwalk,  May  5,  1739,  and 
graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1761.  In  JVovember,  1763,  he 
went  to  England,  where  he  was  ordained  deacon  by  the 
Bishop  of  Exeter,  and  priest  by  the  Bishop  of  Carlisle.  On 
his  return  he  entered  upon  the  duties  of  the  ministry  in 
Middletown  on  a  salary  of  ninety  pounds  per  year.  In  1797, 
he  was  consecrated  Bishop  of  Connecticut,  and  at  the  annual 
commencement  of  Yale  College  of  the  same  year,  he  received 
the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity.  In  1799,  he  removed  to 
Cheshire,  and  subsequently  to  New  Haven,  where  he  died. 

*  Dr.  Seabury  was  succeeded  in  the  office  of  rector  of  James'  Church,  New 
London,  by  his  son,  the  Rev.  Charles  Seabury,  who  continued  in  the  rectorship 
for  seventeen  years. 


BISHOP  JARVIS. 


553 


May  Sd,  1813,  aged  75  years.  He  was  much  esteemed  by 
his  contemporaries,  for  his  learning  and  piety.  His  only  son, 
the  Rev.  Samuel  Farmer  Jarvis,  D.D.,  was  born  in  Middle- 
to  v/n,  and  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1805.  He  became 
the  rector  of  the  episcopal  church  in  his  native  town,  April 
11,  1837,  having  previously  been  rector  of  the  church  in 
Bloomingdale,  N.Y.,  and  of  St.  Paul's,  in  Boston.  He  was 
also  a  professor  in  Trinity  College.  Dr.  Jarvis  died  in 
Middletown,  March  29,  1851,  aged  64. 


OLD   CHURCH   AT    STRATFORD, 


CHAPTER  XXV, 


OTHER  RELIGIOIIS  DENOMINATIONS. 


The  rise  and  progress  of  Methodism  in  America,  from  the 
humblest  beginnings  to  its  present  condition  as  one  of  the 
largest  and  most  influential  denominations  in  the  country, 
would  of  itself  afford  ample  materials  for  a  much  larger 
work  than  mine.  Were  proofs  of  this  assertion  needed,  I 
might  refer  to  the  handsome  volumes  of  Bangs,  Stevens,  and 
other  historians  of  the  sect,  which  do  honor  to  themselves, 
and  to  the  cause  in  which  they  are  so  zealously  engaged. 

The  pioneer  preachers  of  Methodism  in  the  new  world,  were 
Philip  Embury,  Richard  Boardman,  Joseph  Pilmoor,  and 
Capt.  ThoQias  Webb,  a  devout  officer  of  the  British  army.  In 
1768,  the  first  chapel  of  that  denomination  on  this  side  of 
the  ocean,  was  consecrated  in  the  city  of  New  York.  The 
first  conference  was  held  on  the  4th  of  July,  1778,  at  which 
date,  the  number  of  members  reported  was  eleven  hundred 
and  sixty,  scattered  over  five  states  of  the  Union.  It  was  not, 
however,  until  1789,^  that  the  seeds  of  the  new  sect  were 
sown  in  Connecticut.  In  June,  of  that  year,  the  Rev.  Jesse 
Lee,  preached  at  Norwalk,  Fairfield,  New  Haven,  Reading, 
Stratford,  Canaan,  and  other  places,  spending  about  three 
months  in  the  state,  passing  from  town  to  town,  wherever 
circumstances  of  the  voice  of  providence  seemed  to  call 
him.  The  first  Methodist  society  which  was  formed  in  Con- 
necticut, was  at  Stratford  on  the  26th  of  September,  of  the 
year  last  named,  and  consisted  of  only  three  females.  The 
next  was  in  Reading,  and  embraced  but  tiao  persons,  one  of 

*  This  is  the  date  given  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bangs,  in  his  History,  (i,  290.)  It  is 
proper  to  remark,  however,  that  according  to  the  testimony  of  the  Rev.  Abel 
Stevens,  in  his  "  Memorials  of  Methodism,"  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Cook  and  Black, 
had  preached  in  Connecticut  a  year  or  two  previous. 


i  I 


J)olD)o 


MI'Wil.'IU'';'!r'i: 


1 


lee's  chapel.  555 

whom*  subsequently  became  a  local  preacher.  The  first 
church  edifice  of  the  denomination  ever  built  in  New  Eno-- 
land,  was  in  the  town  of  Weston,  in  Fairfield  county,  and 
was  called  ''Lee's  Chapel,"  in  honor  of  its  founder.  It  stood 
until  the  year  1813,  when  it  was  torn  down,  and  a  new  one 
built  in  its  place. 

In  1790,  the  circuits  of  New  Haven,  Hartford,  and  Litch- 
field, w^ere  established.  The  only  methodist  ministers  in  New 
England  at  that  date  w^ere  Jesse  Lee,  Jacob  Brush,  George 
Roberts,  and  Daniel  Smith. f  There  w'ere  more  preachers 
than  classes,  and  scarcely  more  than  two  members  to  each 
preacher. 

During  the  year  1790,  Mr.  Lee  made  an  itinerating  tour 
through  New  England,  spending  much  time  in  Connecticut. 
His  journal  presents  an  interesting  narrative  of  his  trials,  dis- 
couragements, adventures,  and  successes. J  Though  not  a 
learned  man,  he  possessed  much  shrewdness  and  talent,  in- 
domitable energy,  and  a  pervading  sense  of  the  infinite  im- 
portance of  the  great  work  in  which  he  was  engaged. 

One  district,  six  circuits — four  in  Connecticut,  and  two  in 
Massachusetts — with  eleven  circuit  preachers  and  one  pre- 
siding elder,  constituted  the  field  and  ministerial  corps  in  New 
England,  for  the  year  1791. 

In  1793-4,  Mr.  Roberts  had  charge  of  the  Connecticut 

*  Rev.  Aaron  Sanford. 

+  Jesse  Lee  was  appointed  Elder,  by  the  New  England  Conference;  Fairfield, 
John  Bloodgood ;  New  Haven,  John  Lee ;  Hartford,  Nathaniel  B.  Mills  ;  Bos- 
ton, Jesse  Lee,  and  Daniel  Smith.  Besides  these  circuits,  under  the  nominal 
supervision  of  Mr.  Lee,  there  was  the  Litchfield  circuit,  traveled  by  Samuel 
Wigton  and  Henry  Christie,  which  lay  mostly  within  the  state  of  New  York,  and 
was  under  the  presiding  eldership  of  the  devoted  Freeborn  Garretson. 

X  He  entered  the  north-western  angle  of  Connecticut,  at  Sharon,  on  the  20th 
of  June,  and  preached  under  the  trees  to  about  one  thousand  people,  "  O  my  dove, 
thou  art  in  the  cleft  of  the  rock,"  &:c.  22d,  "  Rode  about  fifteen  miles  and  preached 
in  a  Presbyterian  meeting-house  to  some  hundreds."  23d,  "  Rode  about  twenty 
miles  to  Litchfield,  and  was  surprised  to  find  the  doors  of  the  Episcopal  church 
open,  and  a  large  congregation  waiting  for  me." 

In  some  places,  however,  he  was  treated  very  uncivilly  both  by  pastors  and 
people. 


556  APPENDIX. 

district.  In  1794-'5,  his  district  comprised  nearly  the 
whole  of  Connecticut,  and  extended  into  Rhode  Island 
on  the  east,  and  to  Vermont  on  the  north.  During  the 
two  following  years,  his  district  lay  principally  in  New 
York,  but  extended  into  Connecticut,  and  included  the 
Reading  circuit. 

Under  the  faithful  preaching  and  labors  of  such  men  as 
Bishop  Asbury,  Aaron  Hunt,  James  Covel,  Matthias  Swaim, 
Jeremiah  Cosden,  James  Coleman,  and  other  earnest  pioneers 
of  Methodism  in  Connecticut,  (in  addition  to  those  previously 
named,)  the  doctrines  and  discipline  inculcated  by  Wesley 
gradually  extended  over  the  state.  The  seed  sown  almost  at 
random  by  the  way-side,  took  deep  root  in  many  hearts  and 
bore  abundant  fruits.  At  the  close  of  the  ecclesiastical  year 
1802,  the  number  of  members  of  the  several  methodist 
churches  in  the  state  was  reported  at  sixteen  hundred  and 
fifty-eight ;  and  from  that  time  to  the  present,  the  denomina- 
tion has  been  steadily  progressing,  not  only  in  Connecticut, 
but  throughout  New  England,  and  indeed  in  almost  every 
part  of  the  Christian  world.*  In  the  number,  intelligence, 
and  piety  of  its  members,  as  well  as  in  its  churches,  schools, 
and  colleges,  it  will  compare  favorably  with  any  other  reli- 
gious sect. 

As  early  as  1798,  a  methodist  chapel  had  been  erected  in 
New  London.  In  1819,  the  church  there  numbered  three 
hundred  and  twenty-one  members;  in  1838,  the  number  had 
increased  to  three  hundred  and  seventy-seven.  In  1840, 
,  however,  the  society  became  divided,  one  party,  including  the 
trustees,  withdrew  from  the  conference,  disclaimed  its 
authority,  and  called  themselves  "Independent  Methodists." 
This  party  kept  possession  of  the  chapel,  while  the  others, 
under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  Ralph  W.  Allen,  erected 
a  church  in  Washington-street,  which  was  dedicated  Decem- 
ber 8,  1842.  A  decision  of  the  civil  court  in  1849,  gave  the 
old  chapel  to  the  latter  branch  of  the  society.     The  number 

*  In  1838,  the  total  number  of  communicants  in  the  methodist  episcopal  church 
in  the  United  States  was  749,216. 


[1796.]  DANIEL   OSTRANDER.  557 

of   members    reported    in    1851,     was    two    hundred   and 
nineteen.* 

In  Middletown,  the  society  was  formed  in  December,  1791 ; 
the  Middletown  circuit  was  instituted,  and  continued  until 
1816,  when  the  city  and  township  became  a  station  or  sepa- 
rate charge.  It  has  been  attached  to  several  districts,  as 
New  York,  New  London,  Rhinebeck,  New  Haven,  and  Hart- 
ford, and  in  consequence,  the  change  of  presiding  elders  has 
been  greater  in  proportion  to  the  time  allowed  for  services, 
than  the  circuit  and  stationed  preachers.  In  18 IG,  the  num- 
ber of  communicants  was  one  hundred  and  twelve;  in  1846, 
after  the  Wesleyan  University  had  for  several  years  been  in 
successful  operation  at  that  place,  the  number  was  five  hun- 
dred and  fifteen.  Since  1840,  about  sixty  of  the  students 
have,  on  an  average,  been  among  the  communicants  of  that 
church. 

In  New  Haven,  the  first  class  was  formed  bv  the  Rev.  D. 
Ostrander,  in  1795.  In  1800,  a  building  that  had  previously 
been  occupied  by  the  Sandemanians  was  purchased  by  a  mem- 
ber of  the  society,  and  was  used  as  a  place  of  worship  until  1807, 
when  a  chapel  was  erected  in  Temple-street,  though  it  was 
not  actually  finished  until  seven  years  afterwards.  In  1822, 
a  brick  church  was  built  on  the  north-west  corner  of  the 
green,  which  was  removed  three  or  four  years  since,  and  a 
new  and  beautiful  edifice  was  about  the  same  time  erected 
near  by,  on  the  opposite  side  of  Elm-street.  Other  metho- 
dist  churches  have  recently  gone  up  in  different  parts  of  the 
city.  In  1850,  the  denomination  numbered  in  New  Haven, 
five  hundred  and  thirty-three. 

In  Norwich,  Mr.  Lee  preached  as  early  as  1796,  and  not 
long  after,  classes  were  formed  both  at  Chelsea  and  Bean  Hill. 
The  society  at  Chelsea  flourished  for  awhile  under  the  foster- 
ing care  of  Mr.  Beatty,  of  that  place,  but  after  his  removal 
to  Ohio,  with  several  of  his  friends,  in  1804,  it  became  nearly 
extinct — only  two  or  three  members  remaining.  The  first 
house  of  worship  erected  by  the  methodists  within  the  limits 

*  Miss  Caulkins'  Hist,  of  New  London,  p.  597. 


658  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

of  Norwich,  was  in  the  vear  1811,  which  was  located  on  the 
wharf-bridge  in  Chelsea.  It  was  swept  off  by  a  flood  in  the 
spring  of  1823.  There  are  now  four  flourishing  churches  in 
the  town. 

Thus,  one  after  another,  churches  were  organized  in  all 
the  principal  towns  in  the  state.  The  denomination  numbers 
among  its  preachers  some  of  the  most  eloquent,  learned  and 
excellent  men  to  be  found  in  the  commonwealth.* 

Among  those  most  worthy  of  particular  mention,  it  is  pro- 
per to  name  the  learned  and  much  lamented  Wilbur  Fisk,  D.D., 
the  first  president  of  the  Wesleyan  University  at  Middle- 
town,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  bishop  elect  of  the  metho- 
dist  episcopal  church.  He  was  born  in  Brattleboro,  Ver- 
mont, August  31,  1792,  and  at  an  early  age  entered  the  col- 
lege at  Burlington,  in  that  state ;  but  as  that  institution  was 
closed  for  a  season  during  the  war  with  Great  Britain,  he  was 
sent  to  Brown  University,  in  Rhode  Island,  where  he  gradu- 
ated with  high  honors.  Commencing  the  study  of  the  law 
with  an  eminent  attorney,  he  promised  to  excel  in  that  pro- 
fession ;  but,  while  vigorously  prosecuting  his  studies  in 
Baltimore,  he  was  prostrated  by  a  violent  attack  of  a  pulmo- 
nary disease.  When  he  had  sufficiently  recovered  to  under- 
take so  long  a  journey,  he  returned  to  Burlington,  Vermont, 
where  he  soon  had  a  relapse  of  his  former  disease,  which  for 
a  while  threatened  his  life.  At  this  time,  the  religious  im- 
pressions of  an  earlier  day  were  revived,  which,  under  the 
guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  ultimately  led  to  a  radical 
change  in  his  views  and  purposes  of  life.  Uniting  himself 
with  the  methodist  church,  he  commenced  the  studv  of 
theology,  and  in  1818,  he  was  admitted  on  trial  in  the  New 
England  conference.  He  began  his  itinerant  labors  among 
his  native  hills,  inhaling  the  invigorating  atmosphere,  and 
enjoying  that  mental  and  bodily  exercise  so  conducive  to 
health.  His  first  ministerial  station  was  at  Charlestown, 
Massachusetts,  where  the  nature  of  his  duties  was  so  con- 

*  Bishops   Janes  and  Hamline,  of  the  methodist  church,  were  Connecticut 
men. 


REV.   DR.   FISK.  559 

fining  that  he  was  seized  with  his  former  disease,  and  in  1820, 
he  was  compelled  to  seek  retirement  and  rest.  In  1823, 
however,  he  had  so  far  recovered  that  he  was  able  to  resume 
his  itinerant  career  as  presiding  elder  of  the  Vermont 
district. 

On  the  establishment  of  the  Wilbraham  Academy,  in 
Massachusetts,  Mr.  Fisk  was  elected  its  principal.  Under 
his  supervision,  it  became  one  of  the  most  successful  and 
popular  institutions  of  its  class  in  New  England.  While 
engaged  in  this  congenial  employment,  he  attended  the  gen- 
eral conference,  as  a  delegate,  in  1824  and  1828.  In  1831, 
he  was  appointed  to  and  accepted  the  Presidency  of  the 
Wesleyan  University,  in  Middletown,  Connecticut.  In  1835 
and  1836,  he  made  the  tour  of  Europe,  an  account  of  which 
he  afterwards  published  in  a  large  octavo  volume.  While 
in  Europe  he  was  appointed  by  the  general  conference  of 
1836,  its  delegate  to  the  Wesleyan  methodist  conference  in 
England,  and  at  the  same  conference,  he  was  also  elected 
bishop  of  the  methodist  episcopal  church  of  the  United 
States.* 

Soon  after  his  return  to  this  countrv.  Dr.  Fisk  suffered  a 
relapse  of  his  pulmonary  complaint,  and  in  the  winter  of 
1838,  he  was  compelled  to  relinquish  the  active  duties  of  his 
office.     From  this  attack  he  never  recovered. 

Dr.  Fisk  possessed  a  clear,  vigorous,  and  w^ell-balanced 
mind,  regular  and  handsome  features,  an  expressive  coun- 
tenance, a  stately  figure,  and  a  pleasing  address.  "  His  man- 
ner in  the  pulpit,"  says  Dr.  Bangs,  "  was  solemn,  graceful, 
and  dignified ;  his  enunciation  clear  and  impressive  ;  and  all 
his  gesticulations  corresponded  with  the  purity  and  importance 
of  the  cause  in  which  he  was  engaged.  Perhaps,  when  un- 
embarrassed, he  came  as  near  to  the  perfection  of  a  christian 
pulpit  orator,  as  any  that  can  be  found  among  the  ministers 
of  the  sanctuary."  "  Though  never  boisterous  in  his  man- 
ner," adds  the  same  writer,  "  but  calm  and  collected,  he  w^as 
energetic,  plain,  and  pointed,  and  evinced  that  he  spoke  from 

*  Bangs'  Hist.,  iv.  313—317. 


560  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

the  fulness  of  his  heart — a  heart  thoroughly  imbued  with  the 
spirit  of  his  Divine  Master."* 

The  commencement  of  the  Baptist  denomination  of  chris- 
tians in  this  state,  was  made  by  a  small  colony  from  Rhode 
Island,  in  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century,  in  the  county 
of  New  London.  The  first  church  was  organized  in  the 
town  of  Groton,  in  1705,  by  Rev.  Valentine  Wightman, 
who  had  removed  to  that  town  from  North  Kingston,  Rhode 
Island.  This  remained  the  only  baptist  church  in  the  colony 
of  Connecticut  for  about  twenty  years.  In  1726,  another 
church  was  organized  in  fellowship  in  the  town  of  New  Lon- 
don, and  in  1743,  the  first  church  in  North  Stonington  was 
organized.  Rev.  Valentine  Wightman  was  born  1681.  He 
remained  pastor  of  the  church  in  Groton  forty-two  years, 
and  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-six.  He  was  a  descend- 
ant of  the  Rev.  Edward  Wightman,  the  christian  martyr 
who  was  burned  at  the  stake  in  England,  in  1612,  being  the 
last  man  who  suffered  death  for  conscience  sake,  by  direct 
course  of  law,  in  the  mother  country.  The  Rev.  Valen- 
tine Vv  ightman  was  followed  in  the  pastoral  office  of  the 
church  in  Groton,  by  his  son,  Timothy  Wightman,  who  filled 
the  office  forty  years,  till  his  death  in  1796,  and  was  succeeded 
by  his  son,  John  G,  Wightman,  from  1800  to  1841,  when 
he  died.  Thus  it  appears  that  the  three  Wightmans,  father, 
son,  and  grandson,  sustained  the  pastoral  office  in  this  church 
one  hundred  and  twenty-three  years.  Of  the  descendants  of 
the  Rev.  Valentine  Wightman,  nineteen  have  filled  the  pastoral 
office  in  the'baptist  church  with  usefulness  and  honor.  Thus 
the  blood  of  their  martyred  ancestor  has  been  the  seed  of 
the  church.  From  these  early  beginnings,  small  at  the  first, 
and  slow  in  progress,  have  arisen  amid  much  opposition  and 
very  many  discouragements,  the  eight  associations  of  baptist 
churches  in  this  state,  numbering  now  sixteen  thousand  six 
hundred  and  seventeen  communicants,  one  hundred  and 
thirteen  churches,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty-one  ministers, 
beside  the  Free-will,  and  Seventh-day  Baptist  churches,  who 

*  Hist,  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  iv.  321.  322. 


REV.   ASAHEL   MORSE.  561 

are  respectable  bodies  of  sober  minded  christians,  but  their 
statistics  are  not  at  hand. 

The  doctrinal  views  of  the  associated  baptist  churches  are 
like  those  of  the  early  puritans  of  New  England,  and  their 
church  organization  is  strictly  congregational,  holding  that 
none  are  proper  subjects  of  christian  ordinances,  but  pro- 
fessed believers,  and  thus  of  course  excluding  unconscious 
babes  from  the  ordinance  of  baptism.  Their  church  govern- 
ment is  essentially  democratic.  As  a  denomination,  it  is 
believed  they  have  ever  in  all  countries,  and  at  all  times,  been 
opposed  to  the  interference  of  the  civil  authority  in  matters 
of  conscience,  believing  as  Roger  Williams  expresses,  that 
great  cardinal  principle  in  the  full  enjoyment  of — "  Soul 
Liberty."  All  they  desire  of  the  civil  government  is,  that  it 
should  protect  every  man  in  the  state  equally,  in  the  free  exer- 
cise of  his  religious  privileges  and  belief  and  action,  provided 
he  does  not  interfere  with  the  equal  rights  of  his  neighbor. 

It  is  worthy  of  special  note,  that  the  Rev.  Asahel  Morse, 
then  pastor  of  the  first  baptist  church  in  Suffield,  was  one  of 
the  delegates  to  the  constitutional  convention  in  1818,  and 
that  the  article  in  the  constitution,  on  religious  liberty,  is 
from  his  pen. 

The  Christian  Secretary,  a  religious  newpaper,  was  estab- 
lished at  Hartford,  in  1824,  by  the  Connecticut  Baptist  Con- 
vention.-   The  Rev.  Gurdon  Robins  was  its  first  editor. 

The  names  of  some  of  the  most  prominent  ministers  of  the 
baptist  denomination  in  this  state,  from  the  date  of  its  intro- 
duction among  us,  are  Wightman,  Brown,  Rathburn,  Morse, 
Palmer,  Darrow,  Burrows,  Miner,  Wildman,  Rogers,  West, 
Higbee,  Robins,  Cushman,  Davis,"^  and  Hastings. 

*  One  of  the  most  eminent  baptist  preachers  in  this  state,  was  the  late  Rev. 
Gustavus  F.  Davis,  D.D.,  pastor  of  the  first  baptist  church  in  Hartford.  He  was 
born  in  Boston,  March  17,  1797  ;  commenced  preaching  at  th«  early  age  of 
seventeen  years ;  and  was  ordained  and  settled  as  pastor  of  a  church  in  Preston, 
Connecticut,  when  but  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  received  the  honorary  degree 
of  Master  of  Arts  at  Waterville  College,  and  subsequently  at  Yale  College,  and  the 
Wesleyan  University  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity.  He  was 
a  Trustee  of  Brown  University,  and  of  Washington  College,  and  was  elected  chap- 

68 


562  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

During  or  soon  after  the  "great  awakening,"  under  the 
preaching  of  Jonathan  Edwards,  James  Davenport,  Gilbert 
Tennant,  George  Whitefield,  Nathan  Howard,  and  John 
Owen,  considerable  parties  seceded  from  some  of  the  regu- 
lar churches  of  the  colony,  and  formed  themselves  into  dis- 
tinct ecclesiastical  organizations.  They  were  generally 
known  as  "new  lights,''  or  "separatists."  In  some  places, 
they  continued  to  flourish  for  many  years — though  it  is  be- 
lieved that  the  societies  have  now  nearly  all  ceased  to  exist, 
at  least  with  their  distinctive  characteristics.  Their  extrava- 
gances formed  a  striking  feature  of  the  age  in  which  they  took 
their  rise.  From  the  dead  formality  that  had  previously  reign- 
ed in  the  church,  they  rushed  to  the  opposite  extreme.  Their 
zeal  knew  no  bounds,  so  long  as  their  physical  and  mental 
energies  could  be  kept  in  play.  The  most  extravagant  ges- 
tures, and  boisterous  language,  fastings  of  extraordinary 
length,  the  destruction  of  what  they  called  their  idols,  and 
their  denunciations  of  the  church  members  and  clergy  who 
stood  aloof  from  the  new  measures,  all  evinced  an  over- 
heated brain,  and  a  "zeal  not  according  to  knowledge."* 


lain  to  both  houses  of  the  Connecticut  legislature.  Dr.  Davis,  was  a  man  of 
earnest  and  consistent  piety,  a  faithful  pastor,  an  eloquent  preacher,  and  a  public- 
spirited  citizen.     He  died  September  11,  1836. 

*  It  is  stated  on  good  authority  that  a  company  of  "  new  lights"  fasted  and  prayed 
for  three  days  in  succession.  At  Groton,  Mr.  Davenport  kept  up  his  meetings 
for  four  or  five  successive  days,  in  a  tent  or  in  the  open  air,  sometimes  not  breaking 
up  until  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  some  of  his  hearers  remaining  all  night  under 
the  tree  where  he  had  preached. 

In  New  London,  on  more  than  one  occasion,  fires  were  kindled  in  the  streets, 
into  which,  in  obedience  to  the  declamations  of  Davenport,  the  infatuated  people 
threw  whatever  they  had  regarded  with  idolatrous  veneration.  Certain  religious 
books  which  the  preacher  declared  to  be  "  heretical,^'  were  among  the  first  articles 
sacrificed.  Says  Miss  Caulkins — "  Women  came  with  their  ornamental  attire, 
their  hoops,  calashes,  and  satin  cardinals ;  men  with  their  silk  stockings,  embroidered 
vests,  and  buckles.  Whatever  they  had  esteemed  and  cherished  as  valuable,  must 
now  be  sacrificed.  Most  of  the  articles  were  of  a  nature  to  be  quickly  consumed, 
but  the  heavy  books  lay  long  upon  the  smoldering  heap,  and  some  of  them  were 
even  adroitly  rescued  by  lookers  on,  though  in  a  charred  condition.  A  copy  of 
Russell's  Seven  Sermons,  which  was  extracted  from  the  embers  with  one  corner 
burnt  oflf,  was  long  preserved  as  a  memorial  of  this  erratic  proceeding." 


[1850.]  CLERGYMEN   OF    OTHER   SECTS.  568 

In  1850,  the  number  of  clergymen  in  the  state  of  other 
denominations,  was  as  follows :  Wesleyan,  Protestant  and. 
Reformed  Methodists,  eight ;  Roman  Catholics,  seven ;  Uni- 
tarians, three  ;  Christians,  five ;  Presbyterians,  three  ;  Uni- 
versalists,  thirteen ;  Second  Adventists,  three ;  Free-will 
Baptists,  one  ;  Seven  Day  Baptists,  one ;  Shakers,  one  ;  Jews, 
one ;  Africans,  four. 


CHAPTEE  XXVI. 

SCHOOLS,  COLLEGES,  SCIENCE,  AET,  AND  LITERATUEE. 

Arriving,  as  we  now  do,  near  the  goal  whither  we  have 
been  tending,  and  by  ways  necessarily  so  devious  that  we 
seemed  some  times  hardly  to  advance,  let  us  stop  a  moment, 
and,  as  the  tired  huntsman,  standing  upon  some  breezy  hill- 
side, winds  his  horn  at  sun-set  to  call  together  the  stragglers 
of  his  party,  let  us,  before  descending  into  the  valley,  gather  in 
a  few  neglected  companions  who  have  fallen  behind  in  the 
hurry  of  the  chase. 

Among  the  earliest  of  our  fellow-travelers  was  the  school- 
master of  the  colony.  Hardly  had  the  log  cabin  of  the  emi- 
grants in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut,  begun  to  send 
upward  from  the  mouth  of  its  stone  chimney,  the 
wreaths  of  smoke  that  rose  to  the  heavens,  like  the 
morning  and  evening  oblation  breathed  by  the  fathers 
and  mothers  of  Hartford ;  scarcely  had  the  voice  of 
Hooker  thrilled  the  green  leaves  that  canopied  the  first 
worshiping  assembly  of  the  town ;  when  the  inhabitants 
began  to  turn  their  attention  toward  the  school,  where  their 
children  were  to  be  taught  the  rudiments  of  knowledge. 
The  earliest  records  of  our  old  towns  are  either  partially  lost, 
or  were  originally  kept  in  such  a  careless  manner,  that  we 
are  unable  to  trace  the  beginnings  of  that  peculiar  system 
of  universal  culture,  so  cheap,  so  wholesome,  so  democratic, 
and  at  the  same  time  so  conservative,  which  has  so  long  dis- 
tinguished the  New  England  states  from  the  rest  of  the  world, 
and  which  shows  in  the  best  possible  light,  the  wisdom,  the 
social  and  political  sagacity,  which  characterized  the  founders 
of  our  old  commonwealth.  As  early  as  1642,  we  find  the 
voters  of  Hartford  appropriating  "  thirty  pounds  a  year  to 
the  town  school."     This  record  takes  for  granted  the  fact  that 


SCHOOL   HOUSES   AND   SCHOOL-BOYS.  565 

a  school  was   already  existing  and  well   established  there. 
Similar  records  also  exist  in  most  of  the  other  old  towns. 

The  school  was  one  main  pillar  of  the  civil  fabric.  The 
school-house  stood  next  to  the  church.  It  was  a  humble 
edifice  with  few  modern  conveniences  ;  its  forms  were  hard, 
with  long  legs,  and  without  supporters  for  the  spine ;  but  the 
sons  and  daughters  of  the  emigrants  had  no  leisure  to  contract 
curvatures  of  that  delicate  part  of  the  human  frame.  Ven- 
tilation, that  important  element,  entering  so  largely  into  phy- 
sical economy,  and  so  loudly  called  for,  yet  so  seldom  found  in 
our  day,  their  school-houses  certainly  did  not  lack,  for  the  chinks 
in  the  chimney  that  stood  up  against  the  outer  wall,  and  the 
crevices  between  the  ill-fitting  joints  of  the  logs,  from  which 
the  urchins  had  in  summer  picked  out  the  clay  with  their 
mischievous  fingers,  would  in  the  winter  days  let  in  many  a 
lusty  current  of  the  north-west  blast  that  howled  at  the 
door. 

The  school-boy's  situation  at  that  day,  was  no  sinecure. 
He  was  compelled  to  make  many  a  deep  indentation  in  his 
brain  with  the  sharp  points  of  sums  in  arithmetic  not  easy  to 
do,  and  with  sentences  not  readily  subjected  to  the  rules  of 
grammar,  and  long  words  difficult  to  spell.  Tough  points  in 
theology,  seasoned  with  texts  of  scripture,  and  coupled  with 
knotty  questions  of  election,  of  faith,  of  works,  and  saving 
grace,  formed  a  wholesome  sauce  to  the  more  secular  learn- 
ing. Bits  of  practical  philosophy,  maxims  that  had  been 
tested  and  found  to  be  solid  old  English  proverbs,  scraps  of 
experience  pickled  down  in  good  attic  salt ;  something  of 
civil  polity  and  political  economy,  reverence  of  gray  hairs, 
and  respectful  treatment  to  woman,  were  among  the  things 
that  he  was  obliged  to  learn.  Rough  he  might  be  and  often 
was,  but  stupid  he  could  not  be,  for  knowledge,  and  that  of  a 
kind  not  easily  digested,  was  beaten  into  his  skull  as  if  by 
blows  upon  an  anvil.  Gentle  or  simple,  he  must  submit  to 
the  same  dry  rules  of  application. 

The  estimation  in  which  schools  were  held  may  be  better 
understood  by  finding  out  by  what  class  of  men  they  were 


5QQ  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

taught,  and  how  the  community  regarded  them.  The  school- 
master was  indeed  no  vulgar  man.  He  was  a  scholar  well 
skilled  in  all  the  rudiments  of  knowledge ;  his  mind  was 
stored  with  classical  lore  ;  often  a  graduate  of  some  one  of 
the  English  universities,  he  could  speak  Latin  and  write 
Greek  and  read  Hebrew.  He  was  also,  in  most  instances, 
a  gentleman.  Next  to  the  minister,  teacher,  ruling  elder,  magis- 
trates, and  more  genteel  planters,  he  was  regarded  with  the  pro- 
foundest  respect ;  and  when  he  walked  through  the  village, 
or  rambled  in  the  fields,  with  his  head  bowed  down  in  medi- 
tation upon  some  grave  moral  question,  or  solving  some 
ponderous  sum,  the  boys  dared  never  pass  him  without  pull- 
ing off  their  hats. 

Nor  was  the  education  of  the  young  long  left  to  the  volun- 
tary action  of  the  towns.  As  earl}^  as  1644,  the  General 
Court  took  the  matter  in  hand  and  enacted  the  following 
law : 

"  It  being  one  chief  project  of  that  old  deluder  Satan,  to 
keep  men  from  the  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  as  in  former 
times  keeping  them  in  an  unknown  tongue,  so  in  these  latter 
times  by  persuading  them  from  the  use  of  tongues,  so  that  at 
least  the  true  sense  and  meaning  of  the  original  might  be 
clouded  with  false  glosses  of  saint-seeming  deceivers ;  and 
that  learning  may  not  be  buried  in  the  grave  of  our  fore- 
fathers, in  church  and  commonwealth,  the  Lord  assisting  our 
endeavors — It  is  therefore  ordered  by  this  court  and  the 
authority  thereof,  that  every  township  within  this  jurisdic- 
tion, after  the  Lord  hath  increased  them  to  the  number  of 
fifty  householders,  shall  then  forthwith  appoint  one  within 
their  town  to  teach  all  such  children  as  shall  resort  to  him,  to 
write  and  read,  whose  wages  shall  be  paid  either  by  the 
parents  or  masters  of  such  children,  or  by  the  inhabitants  in 
general  by  way  of  supply,  as  the  major  part  of  those  who 
order  the  prudentials  of  the  town  shall  appoint;  Provided, 
that  those  who  send  their  children  be  not  oppressed  by  more 
than  they  can  have  them  taught  for  in  other  towns.  And  it 
is  further  ordered,  that  where  any  town  shall  increase  to  the 


[1644.]  THE   CATECHISM.  567 

number  of  one  hundred  families  or  householders,  they  shall 
set  up  a  grammar  school,  the  masters  thereof  being  able  to 
instruct  youth  so  far  as  they  may  be  fitted  for  the  university. 
And  if  any  town  neglect  the  performance  hereof  above  one 
year,  then  every  such  town  shall  pay  five  pounds  per  annum 
to  the  next  such  school,  till  they  shall  perform  such  order. 

"  The  propositions  concerning  the  maintenance  of  scholars 
at  Cambridge,  made  by  the  commissioners,  is  confirmed. 
And  it  is  ordered,  that  two  men  shall  be  appointed  in  every 
town  within  this  jurisdiction,  who  shall  demand  what  every 
family  will  give,  and  the  same  to  be  gathered  and  brought 
into  some  room,  in  March,  and  this  to  continue  yearly  as  it 
shall  be  considered  by  the  commissioners." 

It  was  also  enacted  that  the  selectmen  of  each  town  should 
keep  a  "  vigilant  eye  over  their  brethren  and  neighbors,"  and 
see  to  it  that  parents  and  masters  did  not  neglect  the  education 
of  the  children  under  their  care ;  and  that  all  heads  of  fami- 
lies should,  at  least  once  a  week  "catechise  their  children 
and  servants  in  the  grounds  and  principles  of  religion  ;"  and 
parents  and  guardians  were  to  learn  such  children  and  ap- 
prentices "  some  short  orthodox  catechism"  so  that  they  shall 
be  able  to  answer  the  questions  that  may  be  propounded  to 
them  by  their  parents,  masters,  or  the  selectmen. 

In  the  revised  edition  of  the  statutes  published  in  1672, 
these  laws  were  substantially  retained,  with  the  omission  of 
the  last  clause  respecting  the  college  at  Cambridge. 

In  New  Haven,  it  was  ordered,  in  1641,  that  "  a  free  school 
should  be  set  up"  in  that  town  ;  and  Mr.  Davenport,  together 
with  the  magistrates  were  authorized  to  determine  what 
allowance  should  be  given  to  it  out  of  the  common  stock  of 
the  town.  During  the  same  year,  a  public  grammar  school 
was  established  there,  and  placed  under  the  superintendence 
of  Mr.  Ezekiel  Cheever.  In  1644,  in  response  to  the  pro- 
position of  the  commissioners,  heretofore  referred  to,  a  yearly 
contribution  was  directed  to  be  taken  up  to  aid  in  the  educa- 
tion of  indigent  students,  of  requisite  talents  at  the  college  in 
Cambridge.     In  less  than  ten  years  after  the  erection  of  the 


668  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

first  log  house  in  Quinnipiack,  the  people  of  New  Haven 
colony  began  to  consider  the  importance  of  founding  a  college 
within  their  own  borders.  Thus,  in  1647,  in  a  vote  relative 
to  the  distribution  of  home  lots,  the  committee  were  directed 
to  "consider  and  reserve  what  lot  they  shall  see  neat  and 
most  commodious  for  a  college,  which  they  desire  may  be  set 
up  as  soon  as  their  ability  will  reach  thereunto."  At  a  meet- 
ing of  the  General  Court,  June  28,  1652,  it  was  "thought  to 
be  too  great  a  charge  for  us  of  this  jurisdiction  to  undergo 
alone,"  but,  they  add,  "  if  Connecticut  do  join,  the  planters 
are  generally  willing  to  bear  their  just  proportion  for  erect- 
ing and  maintaining  a  college  there." 

In  a  code  of  laws  for  New  Haven  colony,  drawn  up  by 
Governor  Eaton,  and  published  in  London  in  1656,  it  was 
made  the  duty  of  the  deputies,  or  constables  of  the  several 
towns,  to  see  to  it  that  all  children  and  apprentices  of  a  suit- 
able age  are  taught  to  "read  the  Scriptures  and  other  good 
and  profitable  printed  books  in  the  English  tongue."  In  cases 
where  the  parent  or  guardian  refused  or  neglected  this  duty, 
fines  were  imposed ;  and  if  he  persisted  in  his  neglect,  the 
court  was  authorized  to  "  take  such  children  or  apprentices 
from  such  parents  or  masters,"  and  place  them  in  the  care  of 
others  "who  shall  better  educate  and  govern  them." 

After  the  union  of  the  colonies  of  New  Haven  and  Con- 
necticut, in  1665,  the  laws  of  New  Haven  colony  were  super- 
ceded by  those  of  Connecticut.  In  the  code  of  1672,  it  was 
provided  that  a  grammar  school  should  be  established  in  every 
county,  to  be  under  the  superintendence  of  a  teacher  who 
should  be  capable  of  fitting  young  men  for  college.  To 
further  this  object,  six  hundred  acres  of  land  were  appropri- 
ated by  the  General  Court  to  each  of  the  four  county  towns — 
Hartford,  New  Haven,  New  London,  and  Fairfield, — "  to  be 
improved  in  the  best  manner  that  may  be  for  the  benefit  of  a 
grammar  school  in  said  county  towns,  and  to  no  other  use  or 
end  whatever."  As  this  order  seems  not  to  have  been  in  all 
cases  complied  with,  it  was  directed,  at  the  May  session,  1677, 
that  where  any  county  town  should  "neglect  to  keep  a  Latin 


[1658.]  GOVERNOR  HOPKINS'  WILL.  569 

School  according  to  order,"  a  fine  of  ten  pounds  annually 
should  be  levied  and  paid  to  the  next  town  in  that  county 
that  would  comply  with  the  terms.  A  fine  of  five  pounds  was 
imposed  upon  any  town  in  the  colony  which  should  neglect 
to  provide  a  school  for  a  period  of  more  than  three  months 
in  each  year. 

In  1G90,  the  county  schools  in  Hartford  and  New  Haven 
were  made  free  schools  and  constituted  of  a  higher  grade. 
In  them,  children  were  to  be  taught  reading,  writing,  arith- 
metic, the  Latin  and  English  languages.  At  the  same  time, 
it  was  made  the  duty  of  the  grand  jurors,  each  year,  to  visit 
every  family  suspected  of  neglecting  the  education  of  the  chil- 
dren and  servants,  and  report  all  such  neglects  to  the  county 
court,  which  court  shall  impose  a  fine  of  20^.  for  each  child 
or  servant  whose  education  is  thus  neglected. 

On  the  2d  of  June,  1658,  Governor  Hopkins,  died  in  Lon- 
don, leaving  by  will  certain  property  in  New  England,  for 
the  "encouragement  in  those  foreign  plantations  for  the 
breeding  up  of  hopeful  youth  both  at  the  grammar  school  and 
college,  for  the  public  service  of  the  country  in  future  times." 
This  bequest  was  left  in  trust  to  Theophilus  Eaton,  Esq.,  and 
Rev.  John  Davenport,  of  New  Haven,  and  to  Mr.  William 
Goodwin,  and  Mr.  John  Cullick,  of  Hartford.  After  much 
contention  and  doubt  as  to  the  precise  intentions  of  Governor 
Hopkins,  the  legatees  finally  allotted  £400  to  Hartford,  and 
£412  to  New  Haven.  These  sums  laid  the  foundations  of 
the  "  Hopkins  Grammar  Schools,"  which  are  still  flourishing 
in  each  of  those  towns. 

The  Hopkins  fund,  in  New  Haven,  now  consists  of  a  valu- 
able lot  on  which  the  school-house  stands,  a  building  lot  in 
Grove-street,  82,000,  and  bank  stock  valued  at  82,500.  The 
fund  sustained  a  loss  of  $5,000  by  the  failure  of  the  Eagle 
Bank  in  1823.  The  Hopkins  fund,  at  Hartford,  amounted  in 
1852,  to  820,000,  and  yielded  in  that  year  an  income  of 
81,500.* 

*  Annual  Report  for  1853,  of  the  Hon.  Henry  Barnard,  Superintendent  of  the 


570  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

In  the  revised  edition  of  the  laws,  pubhshed  in  1702,  the 
same  general  acts  for  the  support  of  schools  were  retained, 
and,  in  addition,  a  tax  was  ordered  to  be  collected  each  year, 
of  forty  shillings  on  every  thousand  pounds  in  the  grand  list, 
which  was  to  be  paid  proportionably  to  those  towns  only 
which  should  keep  their  schools  according  to  law.  Shght 
alterations  and  amendments  w^ere  made  to  this  provision,  but 
it  remained  substantially  the  same  for  many  years.  In  1712, 
it  was  extended  to  parishes,  instead  of  towns — and  from  the 
year  1717,  to  the  present  time,  parishes  or  ecclesiastical 
societies  have  been  authorized  in  some  cases  to  conduct 
business  connected  with  common  schools. 

In  May,  1733,  the  committee  that  had  previously  been 
appointed  to  view  the  seven  townships'^  belonging  to  the 
colony,  recommended  that  an  act  should  be  passed  granting  all 
the  monies  that  might  be  realized  from  the  sale  of  those  towns, 
"  to  be  improved  and  secured  forever  to  the  use  of  the  schools" 
of  the  several  towns  in  the  colony  that  had  already  been  set- 
tled ;  and  that  one  of  the  fifty-three  shares  in  each  of  the 
seven  townships  "  should  be  sequestered  for  the  use  of  the 
school  or  schools  in  such  town  forever."  The  funds  received 
from  the  sale  of  the  townships  named,  now  constitutes  a 
portion,  of  the  local  school  fund  of  the  different  towns  and 
societies. t 

Another  edition  of  the  statutes,  newly  revised,  was  pub- 
lished in  1750,  under  the  supervision  of  a  committee  appointed 
in  1742.  No  important  change  was  effected  in  the  school 
laws.  Every  town  where  there  was  but  one  ecclesiastical 
society,  and  having  seventy  householders  and  upwards,  and 
every  ecclesiastical  society  having  that  number  of  house- 
holders, was  compelled  to  maintain  at  least  one  good  school 
for  eleven  months  in  each  year  ;  and  every  town  and  society 
v/ith  less  than  seventy  families  was  obliged  to  sustain  a  good 

Common  Schools  of  Connecticut.     A  portion  of  the  Hopkins  property  was  allotted 
to  Harvard  College,  which  now  amounts  to  more  than  $30,000. 

*  Norfolk,  Goshe'n,  Canaan,  Cornwall,  Kent,  Salisbury,  and  Sharon. 

t  Annual  Report  of  the  Hon.  Henry  Barnard. 


THE   EESERVATION.  571 

school  for  at  least  half  of  each  year.  The  majority  of  legal 
voters  in  each  town  and  society,  were  clothed  with  full  power 
to  lay  taxes  and  make  all  the  necessary  arrangements  in 
relation  to  the  establishment  and  support  of  schools.  The 
selectmen  of  each  town  containing  but  one  ecclesiastical 
society,  and  a  committee  of  each  society  when  there  was 
more  than  one,  were  empowered  to  manage  all  lands  and 
funds  belonging  to  the  town  or  society,  for  the  benefit  of 
schools. 

In  May,  1766,  and  in  October,  1774,  provisions  were  made 
for  appropriating  certain  excise  money  for  the  use  of  schools. 
From  1754  to  1766,  the  annual  amount  ordered  to  be  delivered 
by  the  colonial  treasurer  to  each  town  and  school  society 
was  ten  shillings  on  every  thousand  pounds  in  the  grand  list; 
from  1766  to  1767,  this  rate  was  twenty  shillings  ;  and  from 
1767  to  1800,  it  was  forty  shillings. 

In  1786,  Connecticut  ceded  to  the  United  States  all  her 
right  and  title  in  the  public  lands — with  the  reservation, 
however,  of  a  tract  of  about  three  and  a  half  millions  of  acres, 
lying  within  her  ancient  charter  limits,  and  which  is  still 
known  as   the  "Connecticut   Reserve,"  in  Ohio.*'      At  the 

*  The  present  counties  of  Ashtabula,  Trumbull,  Lake,  Geauga,  Portage,  Cuy- 
ahoga, Medina,  Lorain,  Huron,  Erie,  and  the  north  part  of  Mahoning  and  Sum- 
mit, are  embraced  within  the  limits  of  the  territory  thus  reserved.  The  right  of 
jurisdiction  over  the  Reserve  was  ceded  by  Connecticut  to  the  United  States  in 
April,  1800. 

In  1792,  the  legislature  of  Connecticut  granted  five  hundred  thousand  acres  of 
the  western  portion  of  this  tract,  to  citizens  of  Danbury,  Fairfield,  Norwalk,  Nevir 
London,  and  Groton,  to  indemnify  them  for  the  loss  of  property  occasioned  by  the 
burning  of  those  towns  by  the  British  during  the  revolution.  The  territory  em- 
braced in  this  grant  was  afterwards  known  as  the  "  Fire  Lands." 

Our  state  has  sometimes  been  reproached  for  having  made  any  reservation  at 
all.  On  this  point,  we  cannot  better  vindicate  the  fame  of  Connecticut,  than  by 
quoting  the  following  extracts  from  a  debate  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States 
(Sept.  2G,  1850,)  between  Mr.  Mason,  of  Virginia,  and  our  own  patriotic  senator, 
the  Hon.  Roger  S.  Baldwin  : 

"Mr.  Mason.  After  the  close  of  the  war,  in  order  to  heal  dissensions  and 
provide  a  fund  for  the  federal  government,  all  the  states  were  called  upon  to  make 
cessions  of  these  unappropriated  lands.  In  response  to  that  call  the  state  of  Vir- 
ginia gave  up  the  whole  at  once.     Like  the  poor  old  Lear,  in  whose  character  the 


572  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

May  session  of  the  General  Assembly,  1795,  a  committee  of 
eight  persons,  of  which  the  Honorable  John  Treadwell,  was 

poet  has  beautifully  depicted  principles  that  belong  to  the  whole  human  family,  she 
gave  up  the  whole.  She  reserved  only  a  given  quantity  to  satisfy  her  military 
bounties,  and  to  make  indemnity  for  the  expenses  of  the  war.  And  what  did  the 
state  which  is  represented  by  the  honorable  gentleman  over  the  way  [Mr.  Bald- 
win] do,  when  she  made  a  cession  of  land  in  response  to  the  same  call  ?  Sir,  in 
that  cession  she  reserved  all  the  territory  lying  between  the  41st  and  42d  degrees 
of  north  latitude,  and  west  of  the  western  line  of  Pennsylvania,  to  the  amount  of 
3,666,000  acres  ;  and  that,  too,  for  private  purposes.  She  withheld  it  from  the 
general  fund,  in  order  that  she  might  be  enriched  ;  and  from  that  territory  the 
state  of  Connecticut  has  derived  in  money  upwards  of  $2,000,000.  Yet,  after  all 
this  the  state  of  Virginia  is  to  be  rebuked  by  the  representative  of  that  state  for 
having  made  large  appropriations  of  military  bounty  land  to  her  officers  !  Sir,  1 
feel  strongly  when  a  rebuke  come  from  any  quarter  respecting  the  conduct  of  Vir- 
ginia in  regard  to  the  revolutionary  war  5  but  I  feel  something  like  indignation 
when  it  comes  from  that  quarter." 

"  Mr.  Baldwin.  Sir,  the  senator  from  Virginia  has  thought  proper  to  refer 
disparagingly,  to  the  conduct  of  the  state  of  Connecticut  in  reserving  from  her 
cession  a  portion  of  her  public  domain.  I  can  inform  that  senator,  sir,  that  Con 
necticut,  small  as  she  is  in  territory,  small  as  she  was  in  population  when  compared 
with  the  state  of  Virginia,  had  more  troops  in  the  field  during  the  revolutionary 
war  than  the  great  state  of  Virginia.* 

*  The  following  tnble,  derived  from  the  report  of  General  Knox,  to  Congress,  in  1790,  in  obedi- 
ence to  a  call  on  the  War  Department  by  the  House  of  Representatives,  shows  the  number  of  regu- 
lar soldiers  furnished  by  each  state  to  the  war  of  the  Revolution.     See  National  Intelligencer,  Oct. 

7,  1850. 

Soldiers.      Population  in  1790. 

New  Hampshire, 12,497  141,891 

Massachusetts,  including  Maine, 67,097  475,257 

Rhode  Island, 5,908  69,110 

Connecticut 31,959  238,141 

New  York 17,781  340,120 

New  Jersey, 10,726  181,139 

Pennsylvania, 25,678  434,373 

Delaware, 2,386  59,098 

Maryland, 13,912  319,728 

Virginia 26,678  748,308 

North  Carolina, 7,263  393,751 

South  Carolina, 6,417  249,073 

Georgia, 2,509  82,548 

Total, 231,971        2,820,959 

"  This  was  stated  by  Chief  Justice  Ellsworth,  one  of  the  delegates  from  Con- 
necticut in  the  convention  which  formed  the  constitution  of  the  United  States ; 
and  no  delegate  from  Virginia — though  Mr.  Madison  was  present  and  participated 
in  the  debate — ventured  to  deny  it.  And  yet  the  senator  from  Virginia  says  he 
looks  almost  with  indignation  upon  the  state  of  Connecticut,  because  one  of  her 


SALE   OF   RESERVE   LANDS.  573 

chairman,  was  appointed  to  make  sale  of  the  lands  of  this 
reservation,  and  appropriate  the  avails  to  a  permanent  fund, 

senators,  in  the  performance  of  a  duty  imposed  upon  him  as  a  member  of  one  of 
the  committees  of  this  body,  has  thought  proper  to  rebuke  the  frauds  which  have 
been  committed  by  individuals  in  the  state  which  that  senator  has  the  honor  to 
represent.  Sir,  Virginia  is  a  noble  state  ;  I  impute  nothing  dishonorable  to  her. 
But,  inasmuch  as  I  have  deemed  it  my  duty  to  rebuke  those  frauds,  the  senator 
alludes  in  terms  of  disparagement  to  the  state  which  gave  me  birth,  and  which  I 
have  the  honor  to  represent,  because  with  all  her  revolutionary  claims  she  thought 
proper,  in  ceding  her  western  domain,  to  reserve  a  comparatively  small  portion  of 
it  for  the  purposes  of  popular  education.  Sir,  this  reservation  was  not  made  for 
any  mere  pi'ivate  objects;  it  was  not  made  to  aid  her  in  the  discharge  of  her 
revolutionary  responsibilities,  or  the  payment  of  her  civil-list  expenditures,  but  for 
the  noble  purpose  of  providing  for  the  education  of  every  child  within  her  limits, 
and  of  peopling  as  well  the  magnificent  territory  which  she  ceded,  as  that  which 
she  reserved,  with  an  educated,  enlightened,  and  enterprising  population. 

"It  was  by  this  reservation  that  she  laid  the  foundation  of  that  munificent 
School-Fund  which  enables  those  who  took  the  census  in  1840,  to  return  that  they 
found  in  the  whole  state  of  Connecticut  but  five  hundred  and  twenty-six  persons 
of  adult  age  who  were  not  able  to  read  and  write,  and  these  are  believed  to  have 
been  chiefly  foreigners.  Can  the  senator  from  Virginia  say  as  much  for  his  state, 
and  appeal  to  the  returns  of  the  census  to  confirm  him  ? 

"  But,  sir,  it  seems  that  the  state  of  Virginia,  in  order  to  induce  her  citizens  to 
share  in  the  perils  and  the  glories  of  the  revolution,  was  obliged  to  offer  the  enor- 
mous bounties  which  I  have  already  stated  to  the  Senate.  Sir,  the  citizens  of 
Connecticut  rushed  at  once  to  the  combat.  They  were  at  Ticondaroga,  sir.  Yes, 
sir  ;  they  were  there  with  Ethan  Allen,  and  his  Green  mountain  boys — himself  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  at  their  head — on  an  expedition  planned  in  Connecticut, 
and  supplied  from  its  public  treasury,  before  the  Continental  Congress  of  1775 
had  assembled — capturing  that  important  fortress,  almost  before  the  blood  had 
grown  cold  that  was  shed  at  Concord  and  at  Lexington.  They  were  at  Bunker's 
Hill  with  Putnam,  and  Knowlton,  and  Grosvenor,  and  their  brave  compatriots, 
who  needed  no  bounty  to  induce  them  to  engage  in  the  service  of  their  country. 
I  need  not  dwell  on  the  revolutionary  history  of  my  state.  It  is  known  to  all  who 
hear  me.  Was  it  too  much,  then,  I  ask,  when  the  state  of  Virginia,  with  fewer 
troops  in  the  field  than  Connecticut,  thought  proper  to  reserve  9,000,000  acres  of 
land  in  what  is  now  the  state  of  Kentucky,  and  3,700,000  more  in  Ohio,  in  the 
cession  of  her  claims  to  the  north-western  territory,  that  the  state  of  Connecticut 
should  reserve  3,000,000  acres  of  her  territory  for  the  free  education  of  her  children  ? 
— the  descendants  of  her  sons  who  had  bravely  fought  and  many  of  whom  had 
fallen  on  the  battle-fields  of  the  revolution,  in  the  service  of  their  country — a  ser- 
vice in  which  they  had  engaged  without  any  such  inducements  to  stimulate  their 
patriotism  as  were  offered  by  Virginia  to  her  sons  ?  Was  it  too  much  for  them  to 
ask  ;  and  is  it  for  Virginia  to  east  reproach  for  this?  no,  sir ;  no,  sir. 

"  Sir,  I  do  not  propose  at  this  time  to  go  into  the  question  of  the  title  of  Virginia 


574  HISTORY   OF  CONNECTICUT. 

the  interest  of  which  should  be  annually  distributed  among 
the  several  school  societies  of  the  state,  according  to  the  list 
of  polls  and  ratable  estate  in  each.* 

Since  the  year  1798,  the  towns,  as  such,  have  ceased  to 
have  the  controlling  power  in  the  direction  and  management 
of  schools,  that  authority  having  been  vested  in  school  socie- 
ties especially  constituted  for  the  purpose.  This  arrange- 
ment still  continues  throughout  the  states  and  certainly  pos- 
sesses some  advantages  over  the  systems  that  have  been 
adopted  in  other  states. 

The  committee  appointed  to  dispose  of  the  lands  of  the 
Connecticut  Reserve,  immediately  entered  upon  their  duties, 
and  at  the  October  session,  1795,  submitted  their  report,  by 
which  it  appeared  that  they  had  disposed  of  the  tract  for  the 
sum  of  twelve  hundred  thousand  dollars,  payable  in  five 
years,  with  annual  interest  after  the  expiration  of  two  years. f 

to  this  nortli-western  territory,  whicH  she  professes  to  have  ceded  to  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States.  If  time  permitted,  sir,  I  could  show  that,  while  the 
state  of  Connecticut  had  a  title  to  the  lands  which  she  reserved,  the  title  of  Vir- 
ginia to  the  territory  she  ceded  was  at  least  a  doubtful  one.  And  for  all  the  ser- 
vices which  are  claimed  to  have  been  rendered  by  her  sons  in  conquering  that  ter- 
ritory from  the  enemy,  they  have  received  a  liberal  reward  from  the  government 
and  been  quartered  on  the  public  treasury.  How  can  it  be  claimed  that  Virginia 
was  entitled  to  the  fruits  of  the  conquest,  when  her  soldiers  have  been  so  liberally 
provided  for  out  of  the  common  treasury,  and  are  now  claiming  that  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  should  assume  and  pay  a  large  additional  amount  for 
the  yet  out-standing  bounties  offered  by  that  state  ?  Sir,  no  such  claim  has  been 
made  by  the  state  of  Connecticut." 

*  The  other  members  of  this  committee  were — James  Wadsworth,  Marvin 
"Wait,  William  Edmund,  T.  Grosvenor,  Aaron  Austin,  Elijah  Hubbard,  and  Syl- 
vester Gilbert. 

t  Among  the  offers  which  the  committee  did  not  think  proper  to  accept,  were 
the  following  :  James  Sullivan,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  offered  $1,000,000  ;  Zephaniah 
Swift,  Esq.,  of  Windham,  $1,000,000  ;  Oliver  Phelps,  Esq.,  $1,000,000;  Colonel 
Silas  Pepoon,  of  Stockbridge,  $1,130,000  ;  John  Livingston,  Esq.,  of  the  state  of 
New  York,  $1,255,000.  The  last  offer  was  finally  withdrawn.  The  following  is 
a  complete  list  of  the  gentlemen  composing  the  company  who,  through  their  agent, 
Oliver  Phelps,  Esq.,  effected  the  purchase,  with  the  sums  subscribed  by  each  :  ], 
Robert  Charles  Johnson,  $60,000  ;  2,  and  3,  Moses  Cleveland,  $32,600  ;  4,  Wil- 
liam Judd,  $16,250  ;  5,  James  Johnson,  $30,000  ;  6,  William  Law,  $10,500  ;  7, 
Daniel  Holbrook,  $8,750  ;  8,  Pierpont  Edwards,  $60,000  ;  9,  James  Bull,  Aaron 
Olmsted,  and  John  Wyllys,  $30,000  ;  10,  Elisha  Hyde,  and  Uriah  Tracy,  $57,- 


[1810.]  JAMES   HILLHOUSE.  575 

Down  to  1800,  the  school  fund  was  managed  by  the  com- 
mittee that  negotiated  the  sale.  In  that  year,  Messrs.  John 
Treadwell,  Thomas  T.  Seymour,  Shubael  Abbe,  and  the  state 
treasurer  for  the  time  being,  were  appointed  "Managers  of 
the  funds  arising  in  the  sales  of  the  Western  Reserve."  For 
the  next  thirteen  years,  the  fund  was  administered  by  the 
committee  and  this  board  of  managers,  and  the  interest  paid 
out  to  the  several  school  societies,  amounted  to  835,13518 
per  annum.  As  it  appeared  from  the  annual  report  of  the 
managers  in  1809,  that  a  large  amount  of  the  interest  was 
unpaid,  and  that  the  collateral  securities  of  the  original  debt 
were  not  safe,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  appoint  some  one 
individual  who  should  devote  his  whole  time  to  a  superin- 
tendence of  the  fund.  Accordingly,  at  the  May  session  of 
the  legislature,  1810,  the  Hon.  James  Hillhouse,  then  a  mem- 
ber of  the  United  States  Senate,  was  appointed  sole  "  Com- 
missioner of  the  School  Fund."  He  at  once  resigned  his 
seat  in  the  senate,  and  entered  on  the  duties  of  his  appoint- 
ment. By  his  thorough  management  he  soon  brought  order 
out  of  confusion,  and  reduced  the  complicated  affairs  of  the 
office  to  a  system.  During  the  fifteen  years  of  his  adminis- 
tration, the  annual  dividend  of  the  fund  averaged  852,061  35, 
and  the  capital  was  augmented  to  81,719,434  24. 

The  State  Constitution,  adopted  in  1818,  provides  that  "no 
law  shall  ever  be  made,  authorizing  said  fund  to  be  diverted 

400  5  11,  Luther  Loomis,  and  Ebenezer  King,  $44,318;  12,  Roger  Newberry, 
Enoch  Perkins,  and  Jonathan  Brace,  $38,000;  13,  Ephraim  Root,  $42,000; 
14,  Ephraim  Kirby,  Uriel  Holmes,  Jr.,  and  Elijah  Boardman,  $60,000  ;  15, 
Oliver  Phelps,  and  Gideon  Granger,  Jr.,  $80,000  ;  16,  Oliver  Phelps,  $168,185  ; 
17,  John  Caldwell,  and  Peleg  Sanford,  $15,000;  18,  Solomon  Cowles,  $10,000; 
19,  Solomon  Griswold,  $10,000  ;  20,  Henry  Champion,  2d,  $85,675;  21,  Sam- 
uel P.  Lord,  $14,092;  22,  Jabez  Stocking  and  Joshua  Stow,  $11,423;  23, 
Timothy  Burr,  $15,231  ;  24,  Caleb  Atwater,  $22,846  ;  25,  Titus  Street,  $22,846  ; 
26,  Elias  Morgan,  and  Daniel  L.  Coit,  $51,402  ;  27,  Daniel  L.  Coit,  and  Joseph 
Howland,  $30,461  ;  28,  Ashur  Miller,  $34,000  ;  29,  Ephraim  Starr,  $17,415; 
30,  Joseph  Williams,  $15,231  ;  31,  William  Lyman,  John  Stoddard,  and  David 
King,  $24,730 ;  32,  Nehemiah  Hubbard,  Jr.,  $19,039;  33,  Asahel  Hatheway, 
$12,000;  34,  William  Hart,  $30,462;  35,  Samuel  Mather,  Jr.,  $18,461;  36, 
Sylvanus  Griswold,  $1 ,683.     Total,  $1 ,200,000. 


576  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT.  ' 

to  any  other  use  than  the  encouragement  and  support  of  com- 
mon schools  among  the  several  school  societies,  as  justice 
and  equity  shall  require." 

In  1823,  the  office  of  Assistant  Commissioner  of  the  School 
Fund  was  created,  and  the  Hon.  Seth  P.  Beers,  of  Litch- 
field, was  appointed,  with  a  salary  of  $1,000  and  his  expenses. 
Two  years  after,  Mr.  Hillhouse  resigned,  and  Mr.  Beers  was 
appointed  commissioner.* 

It  has  been  found  necessary  to  give  a  very  brief,  and  there- 
fore a  very  imperfect  account  of  the  enactments  made  by 
our  fathers,  relative  to  our  system  of  common  schools,  and 
to  note  the  origin  and  progress  of  the  present  magni- 
ficent provision  for  the  education  of  the  youth  of  the  state, 
not  for  a  single  generation  only,  but  for  all  future  ages.  It 
was  characteristic  of  the  forethought  and  expansive  benevo- 
lence of  our  state,  and  has  proved  to  be  a  measure  as 
benignant  in  the  influences  which  it  has  shed  upon  other  parts 
of  our  great  nation,  as  upon  the  citizens  of  Connecticut. 
The  noble  domain  thus  devoted  bv  our  state  for  educational 
purposes,  was  nearly  equal  in  extent  to  the  territory  now 
embraced  within  her  jurisdiction.  At  the  time  of  the  sale, 
it  was  a  wilderness,  shaded  perhaps  since  the  dawn  of  crea- 
tion with  vast  forest-trees  watered  by  rivers  and  washed  by 
the  waves  of  Lake  Erie.  The  panther,  the  bear,  the  wolf,  the 
wild-cat,  and  the  fox,  shared  its  acres  as  tenants  in  common,  and 
the  red  Indian  roamed  over  it  and  left  here  and  there  on  the 
dry  leaves  that  were  matted  above  its  surface,  the  blood-stain 
of  his  vengeance.  Fifty  years  have  rolled  away.  Let  us 
look  again.  Where  is  the  forest,  and  where  are  the  wild 
beasts,  and  savage  men,  its  old  inhabitants  ?  They  are  gone, 
to  return  no  more.  Who  are  their  successors  ?  Look  at  the 
animated  features,  the  strong  eye,  the  stalwart  frame  of  him 
who  tills  the  field  ;  note  the  lively  motions  of  the  mechanic, 

*  Mr.  Beers  continued  to  hold  the  office  until  May,  1849.  During  his  admin- 
istration the  principal  of  the  fund  was  augmented  to  $2,049,482  32,  and  the 
average  annual  income  was  $97,815  15.  The  aggregate  amount  distributed  to  the 
several  societies  during  the  twenty-four  years  of  Mr.  Beers'  superintendence  of  the 
fund,  was  $2,347,563  80. 


[1S12.]  THE   WESTERN  EESERVE.  577 

examine  the  daring  schemes  of  the  merchant,  and  the  manu- 
facturer, and  you  will  answer  unhesitatingly  that  these  are 
emigrants,  or  the  sons  of  emigrants,  from  Connecticut.  The 
villages,  rising  "like  an  exhalation,"  as  if  in  a  single  night, 
the  marts  of  business,  sparkling  with  life,  the  readiness 
with  which  old  things  are  cast  aside  in  the  struggle  for  a 
more  perfect  state  of  society ;  more  than  all  other  objects, 
the  church-spire,  the  frequent  school-house,  and  the  towered 
college  where  science  keeps  her  select  abode ;  as  you  pause 
to  listen  to  the  merry  laugh  of  children  on  their  way  to  the 
place  where  learning  can  be  had  without  price,  or  the 
tones  of  the  bell  that  calls  the  worshiper  to  prayer,  or  the 
undergraduate  to  the  recitation  room — all  seem  to  echo  the 
word  "Connecticut," 

Long  before  the  expiration  of  the  seventeenth  century,  the 
inhabitants  began  to  agitate  the  question  of  establishing  a 
college  within  their  borders.  The  Rev.  John  Davenport, 
seems  first  to  have  suggested  the  necessity  of  such  an  institu- 
tion. As  Harvard  was  already  in  existence,  and  needed  all 
the  patronage  of  the  New  England  colonies,  the  project  was 
allowed  to  slumber  until  after  that  learned  divine  removed  to 
Boston. 

In  1698,  the  attempt  was  again  made  to  institute  a  college 
by  a  general  synod  of  the  churches  of  the  colony.  It  was 
proposed  to  call  it  "  The  School  of  the  Church,"  and  that  it 
should  be  kept  in  operation  by  money  annually  contributed 
by  the  several  churches.  But  this  frail  and  uncertain  tenure 
of  existence  did  not  promise  a  long  life,  and  the  plan  was 
abandoned.  The  very  next  year,  how^ever,  ten  of  the  prin- 
cipal ministers  of  the  colony  were  named  as  trustees,  and 
were  authorized  to  found  a  college,  and  to  govern  it.*  These 

*  The  following  were  the  trustees  named,  viz.,  Rev.  James  iSToyes,  of  Stoning- 
ton ;  Rev.  Israel  Chauncey,  of  Stratford ;  Rev.  Thomas  Buckingham,  of  Say- 
brook  ;  Rev.  Abraham  Pierson,  of  Killingworth  ;  Rev.  Samuel  Mather,  of  Wind- 
sor 5  Rev.  Samuel  Andrew,  of  Milford  •,  Rev.  Timothy  Woodbridge,  of  Hartford  ; 
Rev.  James  Pierpont,  of  New  Haven  ;  Rev.  Noadiah  Russell,  of  Middletown ; 
and  Rev.  Joseph  Webb,  of  Fairfield.     For  sources  of  information  in  relation  to 

common  schools,  see  Appendix. 

69 


578  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

gentlemen  were,  with  one  exception,  graduates  of  Harvard, 
and  were  well  qualified  for  the  trust  confided  to  them.  At 
what  precise  time  they  held  their  first  meeting  is  not  known, 
but  it  was  certainly  in  the  course  of  the  year  1700.  They 
convened  at  New  Haven,  and  proceeded  to  form  an  associa- 
tion composed  of  eleven  ministers  and  a  rector,  and  resolved 
to  found  a  college  in  Connecticut,  but  did  not  at  that  time 
decide  at  what  place.  They  met  again  soon  after  at  Bran- 
ford.  Each  one  of  the  trustees  brought  with  him  a  few  folios, 
and  presented  them  to  the  association,  making  use  of  this 
simple  formulary  as  he  laid  them  on  the  table,  "I  give  these 
books  for  foundino;  a  college  in  Connecticut."  These  volumes 
were  committed  to  the  charge  of  the  Rev.  Mr,  Russell,  the 
minister  at  Branford,  who  kept  them  for  a  while  at  his  house. 
In  order  to  give  the  new  college  the  undisputed  right  to  hold 
lands,  it  was  incorporated  on  the  19th  of  October,  1701. 
Among  the  most  efficient  agents  in  this  delicate,  and  at  that 
time  difficult  work,  were  Mr.  Pierpont,  of  New  Haven,  Mr. 
Andrew,  of  Milford,  and  Mr.  Russell,  the  first  librarian. 

On  receiving  their  charter,  the  trustees  met  at  Saybrook, 
November  11,  1701,  and  made  choice  of  the  Rev.  Israel 
Chauncey,  of  Stratford,  as  rector ;  he,  however,  declined  the 
place,  and  the  Rev.  Abraham  Pierson,  of  Killingworth,  was 
elected  in  his  stead.  The  first  student  in  the  college  was 
Jacob  Hemingway,  who  entered  in  March,  1702,  and  grad- 
uated at  Savbrook,  in  1704.  For  the  first  six  months  after 
entering,  he  continued  alone  under  the  instruction  of  Mr. 
Pierson ;  but  before  the  close  of  the  year,  the  number  of 
students  had  increased  to  eight.  One  of  these,  John  Hart, 
who  had  been  three  years  at  Cambridge,  graduated  alone  in 
1703.     He  was  afterwards  minister  at  East  Guilford. 

Though  from  the  first  the  college  was  nominally  established 
at  Saybrook,  yet,  as  no  building  had  been  erected  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  the  rector,  Mr.  Pierson  never  removed  from 
Killingworth,  but  the  students  were  kept  with  him  until  his 
death  in  1707.  From  that  date,  Mr.  Andrew,  of  Milford, 
another   of  the   trustees,    discharged   the  duties  of  rector, 


[171G.]  YALE   COLLEGE.  579 

without  changing  his  residence.  The  senior  class  conse- 
quently was  stationed  at  Milford,  while  the  other  classes 
resided  at  Saybrook  under  the  instruction  of  tutors.  It  was 
not  until  1714,  that  measures  were  taken  to  remove  the  col- 
lege from  Saybrook.  About  that  time,  two  of  the  trustees 
preferred  a  petition  to  the  legislature,  desiring  that  the  institu- 
tion might  be  fixed  at  Hartford.  They  urged  that  Hartford 
was  more  in  the  center  of  the  colony  ;  that  the  people  of 
that  town,  in  connection  with  others,  had  subscribed  such  a 
sum  of  money  as  would  place  the  school  in  a  flourishing  con- 
dition; that  Hartford  was  surrounded  with  many  consider- 
able towns,  which,  it  might  be  presumed,  would  furnish  more 
students  for  the  college  if  it  were  removed  as  they  proposed. 
Several  other  towns  now  put  in  their  claim.  In  October, 
1716,  a  meeting  of  the  trustees  was  held  at  New  Haven  during 
the  session  of  the  legislature.  At  this  meeting,  it  was  resolved 
by  a  vote  of  six  to  two,  that  the  college  should  be  removed 
from  Savbrook.  A  vote  to  establish  it  at  New  Haven  was 
then  passed — five  out  of  the  eight  trustees  present  concurring 
in  the  proposition.* 

It  was  now  determined  to  erect  a  college  building  in  New 
Haven,  and  the  trustees  applied  to  Governor  Saltonstall  for 
a  plan  of  it.  Two  new  tutors  were  appointed,  only  one  of 
whom  repaired  to  New  Haven.  The  senior  class  was  placed 
under  the  care  of  Mr.  Noyes,  the  minister  of  the  town,  but 
nearly  half  of  the  students  persisted  in  remaining  under  the 
tuition  of  Mr.  Elisha  Williams,  at  Wethersfield.  Great  dis- 
satisfaction was  manifested  in  different  parts  of  the  colony,  at 
the  action  of  the  trustees.  A  plurality  of  the  members  of 
the  lower  house  of  the  legislature  voted  in  favor  of  establish- 
ing the  college  at  Middletown  ;  while  the  upper  house  deci- 
ded that  the  trustees  had  full  power  to  determine  the  question, 
and,  as  they  had  given  their  decision,  all  objections  to  the 
validity  of  their  proceedings  were  frivolous.  The  trustees 
were  summoned  to  appear  before  the  Assembly  ;  and,  after 
a  renewal  of  the  debate,  during  which  the  contending  parties 

*  Pres.  Woolsey's  Discourse. 


580  HISTOEY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

were  fully  heard,  both  houses  of  the  legislature  approved  of 
the  action  of  the  trustees  in  establishing  the  college  in  New 
Haven. 

The  people  of  Saybrook  manifested  their  disapprobation, 
by  attempting  to  prevent  the  removal  of  the  college  library 
to  New  Haven.  To  such  an  extent  was  their  opposition  car- 
ried, that  the  wagons  in  which  the  books  were  being  trans- 
ported were  assailed  at  night,  several  of  the  volumes  carried 
off,  and  some  of  the  bridges  along  the  route  destroyed.  On 
placing  the  books  in  the  new  college  building,  it  was  ascer- 
tained that  about  two  hundred  and  sixty  volumes  were 
missing 

At  the  commencement,  September  12,  1718,  the  institu- 
tion was  formally  named  "Yale  College,"  in  honor  of  Elihu 
Yale,  Esq.,  of  London,  who  had  a  short  time  before  sent  over 
a  donation  to  the  college  consisting  of  books  and  goods  to 
the  amount  of  eight  hundred  pounds.  At  this  commence- 
ment, ten  young  gentlemen  were  graduated.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Pierpont,  of  New  Haven,  delivered  a  salutatory  oration 
on  the  occasion ;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Davenport,  of  Stamford, 
one  of  the  trustees,  pronounced  a  Latin  oration ;  and 
Governor  Saltonstall,  in  a  Latin  address,  congratulated  the 
trustees  on  their  success,  and  the  prospects  of  the  school. 

In  1719,  the  Rev.  Timothy  Cutler,  minister  at  Stratford, 
was  chosen  rector.  In  a  little  more  than  three  years,  he, 
together  with  Mr.  Daniel  Brown,  the  only  tutor,  as  has  been 
stated  elsewhere,  became  episcopalians.  For  some  time  after 
this  event,  the  college  remained  without  a  head.  At  length, 
in  1726,  the  Rev.  Elisha  Williams,  minister  at  Newington, 
was  appointed  to  the  office  of  rector,  and  continued  to  occupy 
the  place  until  1739.  During  his  administration,  the  cele- 
brated Bishop  Berkeley  gave  to  the  college  about  one  thou- 
sand books,  and  a  farm  in  Newport. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Clap,  minister  at  Windham,  was  chosen 
to  succeed  Mr.  Williams  in  the  rectorship.  He  held  the  office 
until  1766,  a  period  of  twenty-seven  years.  During  this 
time,  in  1745,  in  the  amended  charter,  the  words  "  President 


[1772.] 


PRESIDENT   STILES.  581 


and  Fellows,"  were  substituted  for  "  Rector  and  Trustees," 
in  desisnating  the  officers  of  the  colleoje.  The  number  of 
students  at  the  close  of  Mr.  Clap's  administration,  was  one 
hundred  and  seventy.  Some  of  the  college  buildings  which 
still  stand,  had  been  erected,  and  the  professorship  of  didactic 
theology  had  been  established. 

The  corporation  now  invited  the  Rev.  James  Lockwood 
to  the  presidency ;  but  he  having  declined,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Daggett,  the  professor  of  divinity,  was  invested  with  the 
authority  of  president.  He  discharged  the  duties  of  the 
office  until  1777,  when  he  resigned,  but  continued  his  pro- 
fessorship until  his  death  in  1780. 

In  1777,  the  Rev.  Ezra  Stiles,  D.D.,  a  native  of  North 
Haven,  and  formerly  a  tutor  in  the  college,  was  chosen  pre- 
sident of  the  institution,  and  remained  in  office  until  his 
death,  May  12,  1795.  He  was  one  of  the  most  learned  and 
patriotic  men  of  the  age.  He  appears  to  have  been  one  of 
the  first  persons  in  the  country  who  anticipated  and  predic- 
ted the  independence  of  the  American  colonies.  In  1772,  he 
wrote  to  a  friend — "  When  Heaven  shall  have  doubled  our 
millions  a  few  times  more,  it  will  not  be  in  the  power  of  our 
enemies  to  chastise  us  with  scorpions."  In  1774,  he  addressed 
one  of  his  English  correspondents  as  follows — "  If  oppression 
proceeds,  despotism  may  force  an  annual  congress  ;  and  a 
public  spirit  of  enterprise  may  originate  an  American  Magna 
Charta,  and  Bill  of  Rights,  supported  with  such  intrepid  and 
persevering  importunity,  as  even  sovereignty  may  hereafter 
judge  it  not  wise  to  withstand.  There  will  be  a  Runnymede 
in  America."  The  Rev.  Dr.  Richmond  Price,  in  allusion  to 
a  letter  received  by  him  from  Dr.  Stiles,  just  at  the  beginning 
of  the  revolution,  assures  us  that  he  "  predicted  in  it  the  very 
event  in  which  the  war  has  issued  ;  particularly  the  conver- 
sion of  the  colonies  into  so  many  distinct  and  independent 
states,  united  under  Congress."  He  published  several  ordina- 
tion, funeral,  and  other  occasional  sermons,  and  the  "History 
of  the  three  Judges  of  King  Charles  I.,  Whalley,  Goffe,  and 
Dixwell."    He  left  an  unfinished  ecclesiastical  history  of  New 


582  HISTORY  OF   CONNECTICUT. 

England,  and  more  than  forty  volumes  of  manuscripts. 
During  much  of  the  early  part  of  his  official  term,  the  inte- 
rests of  the  college  were  sadly  deranged  by  the  revolutionary 
struggle.  In  1792,  a  change  in  the  charter  was  effected,  by 
which  the  governor,  lieutenant-governor,  and  the  six  senior 
members  of  the  council  for  the  time  being  were  constituted 
members  of  the  corporation.  This  provision  has  remained 
substantially  the  same  until  the  present  time. 

In  September,  1795,  the  Rev.  Timothy  Dwight,  D.D.,  was 
inaugurated  as  the  successor  of  Dr,  Stiles.  He  died,  January 
11,  1817,  aged  sixty-four,  after  a  presidency  of  twenty-one 
years.  Of  him,  and  of  those  who  succeeded  him  in  office, 
mention  will  be  made  in  another  place. 

These  were  the  humble  beginnings  and  such  has  been  the 
progess  of  Yale  College.  In  this  severe  school,  where  men 
were  taught  to  think  and  forbidden  to  rant,  have  been  educa- 
ted the  best  thinkers  of  the  continent.  Here  were  developed 
the  minds  of  such  men  as  Hopkins,  Smalley,  Humphreys, 
Dwight,  Barlow,  Trumbull,  Kent,  Calhoun,  and  Walworth. 
The  subjoined  note  will  give  the  reader  some  statistics  which 
will  show  what  has  been  the  influence  of  this  institution  upon 
the  country  and  the  world.* 

*  Yale  College  has  educated  105  Professors  of  Colleges  ;  2  Professors  of  theUnited 
States  Military  Academy  at  West  Point ;  40  Presidents  of  Colleges,  viz,  5  of  Yale, 
and  1  of  Trinity,  Connecticut ;  2  of  Middlebury,  and  2  of  Vermont  University, 
Vermont ;  2  of  Dartmouth,  New  Hampshire  ;  1  of  Amherst,  and  2  of  Williams, 
Massachusetts  ;  2  of  Columbia,  and  4  of  Hamilton,  New  York  ;  1  of  Rutgers, 
and  3  of  Princeton,  New  Jersey  ;  1  of  Pennsylvania  University,  and  1  of  Dickin- 
son, Pennsylvania  ;  2  of  Illinois  College  ;  1  of  Missouri  University  ;  1  of  Wiscon- 
sin University ;  1  of  Western  Reserve  ;  1  of  Kenyon,  Ohio ;  2  of  Transylvania 
University,  Kentucky  ;  1  of  East  Tennessee  ;  1  of  St.  Johns,  Maryland  ;  1  of 
Hampden  Sydney,  Virginia  ;  and  2  of  University  of  Georgia,  Georgia  ;  also,  8 
Secretaries  of  States;  18  Lieutenant-Governors,  and  21  Governors  of  States ; 
80  Judges  of  Superior  Courts  of  States  ;  2  Chancellors  of  New  York  ;  4  Signers 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  ;  3  Members  of  the  Convention  for  framing 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  5  12  members  of  the  Continental  Congress  ; 
also,  120  members  of  United  States  House  of  Representatives,  viz.,  45  for  Con- 
necticut; 19  for  Massachusetts  ;  35  for  New  York  ;  3  for  Georgia  ;  4  for  South 
Carolina  ;  2  for  Ohio  ;  2  for  Pennsylvania  ;  and  2  for  Marj^land  ;  1  for  Delaware  ; 
1  for  Kentucky  5  1   for  Missouri ;    1  for  Wisconsin  5  1  for  Virginia ;  and  3  for 


[1691.]  GOVERNOR   SALTONSTALL.  583 

The  patronage  bestowed  upon  this  institution  by  Governor 
Saltonstall,  has  associated  his  name  inseparably  with  its  his- 
tory.    In  a  former  chapter  it  has  been  stated  that  in  1722, 

Vermont ;  also,  40  United  States  Senators,  viz.,  15  for  Connecticut ,  4  for  Massa- 
chusetts ;  5  for  Vermont  5  3  for  Rhode  Island  ;  2  for  New  York  ;  2  for  Dela- 
ware 5  2  for  Georgia  ;  2  for  Ohio  ;  2  for  New  Hampshire  ;  1  for  North  Carolina  ; 
1  for  South  Carolina  ;  and  1  fur  Illinois  ;  also,  10  Members  of  the  Cabinet ;  3 
District  Judges  ;  and  1  Judge  of  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  ;  5  Foreign 
Ministers  5  and  1  Vice  President  of  United  States 

PRESIDENTS    OF    COLLEGES    EDUCATED    AT    YALE. 

Trinity. — Nathaniel  S.  Wheaton,  D.D. 

Yale.— Naphtali  Daggett,  D.D.,  Ezra  Stiles,  D.D.  LL.D.,  Timothy  Dwight, 
D.D.  LL.D.,  Jeremiah  Day,  D.D.  LL.D.,  Theodore  D.  Woolsey,  D.D.  LL.D. 

MiDDLEBURY. — Jeremiah  Atwaier,  D.D.,  Henry  Davis,  D.D.,  Vermont. 

Vermont  University. — Samuel  Austin,  D.D.,  Daniel  Haskell. 

Dartmouth. — Eleazer  Wheelock,  D.D.,  Benuet  Tyler,  D.D.,  New  Hamp- 
shire. 

Amherst. — Heman  Humphrey,  D.D. 

Williams. — Ebenezer  Fitch^  D.D.,  Edward  D.  Griffin,  D.D. ,  Massachusetts. 

Columbia. — Samuel  Johnson,  D.D.,  Wm.  S.  Johnson,  LL.D. 

Hamilton,  New  York. — Azel  Backus,  D.D.,  Henry  Davis,  DD.,  Serene  E. 
Dwight,  D.D. ,  and  Simeon  North,  D.D. 

Rutgers. — Abraham  B.  Hasbrouck,  LL.D. 

New  Jersey. — Aaron  Burr,  D.D.,  Jonathan  Edwards,  D.D.,  and  Jonathan 
Dickinson,  D.D. 

Georgia  University. — Josiah  Meigs,  Abraham  Baldwin. 

Dickinson,  Pennsylvania. — Jeremiah  Atwater,  D.D. 

Pennsylvania  University. — William  H.  DeLancey. 

East  Tennessee. — David  A.  Sherman. 

Western  Reserve. — George  E.  Pierce,  D.D. 

Kenyon,  Ohio. — David  B.  Douglass,  LL.D., 

Transylvania  University,  Kentucky. — Horace  Holley,  LL.D.,  Thomas  W. 
Coit,  D.D., 

Missouri  University. — A.  B.  Longstreet,  D.D. 

Wisconsin  University. — John  II.  Lathrop,  LL.D. 

Missouri  University. — John  H.  Lathrop,  LL.D. 

St.  Johns,  Maryland. — Hector  Humphreys,  D.D. 

Illinois. — Edward  Beeeher,  D.D.,  J.  M.  Sturtevant,  D.D. 

Hampden  Sidney,  Va. — William  Maxwell. 

SENATORS    EDUCATED    AT    YALE. 

Connecticut. — T.  Betts,  Wm.  S.  Johnson,  Stephen  M.  Mitchell,  James  Hill- 
house,  Samuel  W.  Dana,  Chauncey  Goodrich,  Samuel  A.  Foote,  J.  W.  Hunting- 
ton, Uriah  Tracy,  David  Daggett,  James  Lanman,  Gideon  Tomlinson,  R.  S. 
Baldwin,  Truman  Smith,  Francis  Gillette. 


584  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Dr.  Cutler,  the  rector  of  the  college,  followed  by  several  other 
gentlemen,  declared  for  episcopacy  at  a  time  when  there  was 
not  an  episcopal  chmxh  in  the  colony.  This  excited  much 
alarm.  It  was  thought  best  that  the  questions  of  difference 
should  be  debated  between  the  trustees  and  the  ministers  who 
had  so  suddenly  departed  from  their  allegiance  to  the  religion 
of  the  colony.  In  October  of  that  year,  a  special  meeting  of 
the  trustees  to  discuss  the  merits  of  episcopacy,  was  held 
in  the  college  library.  Governor  Saltonstall  presided  over 
the  meeting.  Rector  Cutler  espoused  the  affirmative  of 
the  issue,  and  the  governor  advocated  the  negative.  Both 
parties  claimed  to  be  triumphant. 

The  action  of  Governor  Saltonstall,  in  causing  the  library 
to  be  removed  from  Saybrook  to  New  Haven,  was  much 
blam.ed  at  the  time,  by  those  wiio  desired  to  prevent  its  re- 
moval. It  is  mainly  owing  to  his  firmness,  that  it  was  estab- 
lished at  New  Haven,  where  it  has  since  attained  to  such 
a  healthful  stature.  He  contributed  liberallv  from  time  to 
time,  to  endow  the  institution.  His  wife  also,  made  hand- 
some donations  to  it. 

This  appears  to  be  the  proper  place  to  give  some  account 
of  a  man  who  wielded  for  many  years,  an  influence  in  the 
colony  equalled  only  by  that  of  our  first  Winthrop.  Gurdon 
Saltonstall  w^as  born  at  Haverhill,  Massachusetts,  in  1666, 
and  graduated  at  Harvard,  in  1684.  He  was  ordained  at 
New  London,  on  the  25th  of  November,  1691.*  His  reputa- 
tion soon  spread  through  the  colony,  and  his  influence  over  the 
clergy  finally  become  almost  absolute.  They  appeared  to  regard 
him  with  sentiments  akin  to  idolatry.     The  structure  of  his 

*  This  ordination  ceremonial  was  a  great  event  in  its  day.  In  full  town  meet- 
ing it  was  voted  "  that  the  Honorable  Major-General  John  Winthrop,  is  to  appear 
as  the  mouth  of  the  town  at  Mr.  Saltonstall's  ordination,  to  declare  the  town's 
acceptance  of  him  to  the  ministry."  ''  A  large  brass  bell"  which  cost  "  twenty-five 
pounds  in  current  money,"  was  also  procured  on  the  occasion.  An  appropriation 
was  also  made  by  the  town  to  aid  him  in  purchasing  a  building-lot,  and  erecting  a 
house  suitable  to  his  dignity.  This  house  was  placed  on  the  Town  Hill,  and  com- 
manded a  view  of  the  town  and  adjacent  country.  An  old  highway  which  had 
been  shut  up  was  also  re-opened  for  his  private  accommodation,  and  led  from  the 


~''^o. 


'^j^y/o>?/j/a/. 


[1724.]  GOVERNOR   SALTONSTALL.  585 

mind  and  character  was  such  as  led  him  inevitably  to  cling 
to  strict  ecclesiastical  discipline,  and,  feeling  few  of  the  in- 
firmities of  our  nature,  he  had  little  patience  with  the  faults 
of  others.  His  personal  appearance^  as  has  been  before 
remarked,  was  so  striking  and  imposing  that  the  Earl  of 
Bellamont,  regarded  him  as  better  representing  the  English 
nobleman  than  any  other  gentleman  whom  he  had  seen  in 
America.  He  was  more  inclined  to  synods  and  formularies, 
than  any  other  minister  of  that  day  in  the  New  England 
colonies.  The  Saybrook  platform  was  stamped  with  his  seal, 
and  was  for  the  most  part  an  embodiment  of  his  views.  In 
an  episcopal  country  he  would  have  made  a  bishop  in  whose 
presence  the  lesser  lights  would  scarcely  have  been  seen  to 
twinkle. 

On  the  death  of  Governor  Fitz  John  Winthrop,  in  1707, 
he  was  chosen  governor  of  the  colony,  and  continued  in 
office  until  his  death,  which  took  place  on  the  20th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1724.  His  elevation  to  office  was  charged  by  his  ene- 
mies to  the  secret  influence  and  combined  action  of  the 
clergy,  but  seems  to  have  grown  rather  out  of  his  acknowl- 
edged fitness  for  the  place,  than  from  any  other  cause. 
His  administration  was  peculiarly  happy  and  prosperous. 
His  death  was  deeply  deplored,  and  his  funeral  obsequies 
were  celebrated  with  military  honors.  "  The  horse  and  foot 
marched  in  four  files,  the  drums,  colors,  trumpets,  halberts, 
and  hilts  of  swords,  covered  with  black,  and  twenty  cannon 
firing  at  half  minute's  distance."  When  the  mournful  train 
had  reached  the  family  vault,  the  people  gathered  around  the 
spot,  and  in   respectful   silence  waited    for  the  body  to  be 

rear  of  his  house  to  the  meeting-house.  This  highway  was  twenty-five  feet  wide. 
His  way  to  the  meeting-house  led  through  the  orchard  gate.  At  a  later  period, 
when  I\Ir.  Saltonstall  had  become  governor  of  the  colony,  it  is  retained  by  tradition 
that  he  might  be  seen  on  a  Sunday  morning,  issuing  from  this  orchard  gate,  and 
moving  with  a  slow  majestic  step  to  the  meeting-house,  accompanied  by  his  wife, 
and  followed  by  his  children,  four  sons  and  four  daughters,  marshaled  in  order,  and 
the  servants  of  the  family  in  the  rear.  The  same  usage  was  maintained  by  his 
son  General  Gurdon  Saltonstall,  whose  family  furnished  a  procession  of  fourteen 
sons  and  daughters."     Caulkins'  New  London. 


^SQ  HISTORY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

lowered  into  the  chamber  where  it  still  rests.  Then  two 
volleys  were  fired  from  the  fort,  and  after  their  echoes  had 
died  upon  the  ear  of  the  multitude,  the  military  companies, 
first  the  horse,  and  then  the  foot,  in  single  file  advanced  and 
discharged  their  "  farewell  shot"  over  his  ashes.* 

The  character  and  personal  appearance  of  Governor  Salton- 
stall,  may  be  gathered  from  the  following  passages  in  the  ser- 
mon of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Adams,  which  was  preached  at  the 
funeral.  "  Who  that  was  acquainted  with  him  did  not  ad- 
mire his  consummate  wisdom,  profound  learning,  his  dexterity 
in  business,  and  indefatigable  application,  his  intimate 
acquaintance  with  men  and  things  and  his  superior  genius. 
*  *  *  His  aspect  was  noble  and  amiable,  commanding 
respect  and  reverence,  and  attaching  esteem  and  love  at  the 
first  appearance ;  and  there  was  such  an  air  of  greatness  and 
goodness  in  his  whole  mien  and  deportment,  as  showed  him 
to  be  peculiarly  formed  for  government  and  dominion." 
He  was  eminently  fitted  for  his  station,  and  throughout  his 
long  administration  of  nineteen  years,  exemplified  his  own 
favorite  maxim:  "Justice  is  to  be  given,  not  sold — and  that 
with  an  equal  and  steady  hand."t 

Jonathan  Edwards  was  a  graduate  of  Yale  College.  A 
brief  sketch  of  this  most  gifted  of  all  the  men  of  the 
eighteenth  century,  perhaps  the  most  profound  thinker  of  the 

*  For  a  more  full  description  of  this  eminent  man,  see  Caulkins'  'New  Lon(k)n  5 
also,  Trumbull.  The  life  of  Saltonstall  would  itself  afford  material  for  a  volume 
larger  than  this.  His  tomb  is  still  in  a  perfect  state  of  preservation.  A  tablet  rests 
on  it  with  the  Saltonstall  arms,  and  this  simple  inscription.  "  Here  lyeth  the  body 
of  the  Honorable  Gurdon  Saltonstall,  Esquire,  Governor  of  Connecticut,  who  died 
the  20th  of  Sept.,  in  the  59th  year  of  his  age,  1724." 

t  Sir  Richard  Saltonstall,  knight,  who  was  descended  from  an  ancient  family  in 
Yorkshire,  came  to  America  with  Governor  Winthrop,  in  1630.  He  soon  became 
weary  of  the  hardships  of  colonial  life,  and  returned  to  England.  But  he  always 
felt  a  deep  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  colony.  His  two  oldest  sons  resolved  to 
try  their  fortunes  in  America.  Of  these,  Richard  settled  in  Ipswich,  where  he 
was  chosen  an  assistant  in  1637.  After  the  revolution,  he  went  back  to  England, 
but  returned  to  Massachusetts,  in  1680.  He  soon  after  visited  England,  and  died 
at  Hulme,  in  1694.  His  son  Nathaniel  was  a  graduate  of  Harvard.  He  lived  and 
died  at  Haverhill.  Gurdon  Saltonstall,  Governor  of  Connecticut,  was  his  oldest  son. 


JONATHAN   EDWARDS.  587 

world,  may  not  be  out  of  place  in  the  history  of  a  state  which 
had  the  honor  of  giving  birth  to  him.  He  was  born  in  1703, 
in  the  old  town  of  Windsor,  on  the  margin  of  the  Connec- 
ticut, and  in  the  midst  of  scenery  beautiful  as  the  forms 
of  his  thought.  He  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Timothy 
Edwards,  for  sixty  years  minister  of  the  church  in  that  town. 
His  mother  was  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Solomon  Stoddard, 
of  Northampton.  This  lady,  remarkable  for  her  intellectual 
powers  and  humble  piety,  was  the  mother  of  ten  daughters 
and  one  son,  who  was  her  fifth  child.  Having  four  sisters 
who  were  older,  and  six  who  were  younger  than  himself,  and 
being  from  his  infancy  a  delicate  child,  he  enjoyed  the  rare 
advantage,  never  understood  and  felt  except  by  those  who 
have  been  fortunate  enough  to  experience  it,  of  all  the  soften- 
ing and  hallowed  influences  which  refined  female  society 
sheds  like  an  atmosphere  of  light  around  the  mind  and  the 
soul  of  boyhood.  Had  that  fond  mother  and  those  loving 
sisters  been  fully  aware  of  the  glorious  gifts  that  were  even 
then  beginning  to  glow  in  the  eyes  of  their  darling — had 
they  been  able  to  see  in  its  full  blaze  the  immortal 
beauty  borrowed  from  the  regions  of  spiritualized  thought  and 
hallowed  affections,  that  was  one  day  to  encircle  that  forehead 
as  with  a  wreath  from  the  bowers  of  Paradise ;  they  could 
hardlv  have  unfolded  his  moral  and  intellectual  nature  with 
more  discreet  care.  His  home  exhibited  in  their  most  attrac- 
tive forms  all  the  graces  that  adorn  the  life  of  the  christian. 

Massachusetts. — Theodore  Sedgwick,  John  Davis,  I.  C.  Bates,  Juhus  Rock- 
well. 

Vermont, — Israel  Smith,  Horatio  Seymour,  Stephen  R.  Bradley,  Samuel  S. 
Phelps,  Nathaniel  Chipman. 

New  Hampshire. — Jeremiah  Mason,  Simeon  Olcott. 

New  York. — James  Watson,  John  S.  Hobart. 

South  Carolina. — John  C.  Calhoun. 

Georgia. — Abraham  Baldwin,  John  Ellrath. 

Ohio. — Stanley  Griswold,  R.  J.  Meigs. 

Illinois. — Elias  K.  Kane. 

Delaware. — John  M.  Clayton,  John  Wales. 

North  Carolina. — George  E.  Badger. 

Rhode  Island. — Christopher  EUery,  Asher  Bobbins,  Ray  Green. 


588  HISTOEY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

Deeply  as  they  loved  him,  they  had  too  much  of  the  old 
emigrant  spirit,  which  looks  at  the  future  of  a  child  through 
the  medium  of  the  present,  to  make  him  a  toy  with  which  to 
amuse  themselves.  They  regarded  him  rather  as  a  holy 
jewel,  left  in  their  charge  to  be  kept  pure  and  bright  for  the 
use  of  the  Prince  who  had  entrusted  it  to  them.  Yet  we  are 
not  to  suppose  that  this  family  entertained  no  thoughts  of  his 
future  promotion  in  the  world.  They  were  soon  made  aware 
that  he  w^as  no  common  child.  The  germ  of  great  thoughts, 
sown  so  freely  and  with  such  a  broad  cast  by  the  creating 
hand,  began  early  to  spring  up  and  to  grow  in  this  young 
mind,  and  were  gracefully  directed,  though  they  seemed 
scarcely  to  need  it,  by  their  fair  fingers.  New  forms  of 
expression,  combinations  rare  and  strange,  puzzling  inquiries, 
a  remarkable  gift  of  language,  a  fervent  manner,  and  an 
imagination  that  soared  upward  with  a  steady  flight,  like  the 
eagle,  into  the  mid  heaven — these  were  some  of  the  attributes 
that  were  observed  in  Edwards  at  a  very  tender  age.  He 
hardly  seemed  to  be  a  child,  but  rather  a  select  and  gifted 
traveler  who  had  come  from  some  other  land  to  look  upon 
the  objects  that  surrounded  him  ;  the  rolling  river,  the  starry 
heavens,  the  birds  fluttering  among  the  branches  of  the  trees, 
the  bursting  flower,  the  falling  leaf,  the  blinding  snows — and 
to  read  in  them  all  a  language  weighty  with  the  philosophy 
that  teaches  the  destinies  of  men  and  the  attributes  and 
providence  of  God.  Still,  upon  a  near  view  to  those  w^ho 
watched  him,  he  was  but  a  child.  It  was  observable 
that  he  was  all  the  while  advancing  in  knowledge,  and 
in  the  attitudes  and  phases  of  his  thoughts.  His  friends 
also  observed  that  his  moral  nature  was  becoming,  as 
he  grew  older,  more  exquisitely  toned,  more  perfectly  moulded, 
and  illuminated  as  if  by  a  light  burning  steadily  in  his  soul. 
The  elements  of  his  character  grew  more  harmonious,  and 
gradually  fell  into  a  sweet  accord,  like  the  parts  in  a  highly 
wrought  piece  of  music.  When  only  seven  years  old,  he  was 
in  the  habit  of  retiring  into  the  woods  alone,  to  meditate  upon 
the  great  mysteries  of  human  accountability  and  probation. 


JONATHAN   EDWARDS.  589 

Dark  misgivings  some  times  clouded  his  mind,  as  he  looked 
out  upon  nature  through  the  leafy  labyrinths  of  his  retreat. 
But  after  a  few  years,  the  whole  plan  of  redemption,  without 
any  sudden  or  startling  revelation,  was  opened  to  him,  and, 
embraced  by  him.  In  his  own  inimitable  words  he  has 
described  this  change : 

"  There  seemed  to  be  as  it  were  a  calm  sweet  cast  or  ap- 
pearance of  divine  glory  in  almost  every  thing.  God's  ex- 
cellency, his  wisdom,  his  purity  and  love,  were  visible  in 
every  thing  ;  in  the  sun,  moon,  and  stars ;  in  the  clouds  and 
blue  sky  ;  in  the  grass,  flowers  and  trees  ;  in  the  water  and 
in  all  nature,  which  used  greatly  to  fix  my  mind.  I  used 
often  to  sit  and  view  the  moon  for  a  long  time ;  and  in  the 
day,  spent  much  time  in  viewing  the  clouds  and  sky,  to 
behold  the  sweet  glory  of  God  in  these  things ;  in  the  mean 
time,  singing  forth  with  a  low  voice  my  contemplations  of  the 
Creator  and  Redeemer.  And  scarce  any  thing  among  all  the 
works  of  nature  was  so  sweet  to  me  as  thunder  and  light- 
ning. *  *  *  I  felt  God,  if  I  may  so  speak,  at  the  first 
appearance  of  a  thunder-storm,  and  used  to  take  the  opportu- 
nity at  such  times,  to  fix  myself  in  order  to  view  the  clouds, 
and  see  the  lightnings  play,  and  hear  the  majestic  and  awful 
voice  of  God." 

What  a  perfect  healthfulness  of  nature  do  these  few  sim- 
ple words  express  !  With  what  even  scales  does  this  youth, 
probably  not  more  than  fifteen  years  old,  poise  the  relations 
of  the  world  and  the  conditions  of  humanity,  which  seem 
to  other  minds  so  belligerant  and  wild.  How  precious  to 
all  coming  time  will  be  those  forest  shades  and  secret  nooks 
by  the  banks  of  the  Connecticut,  and  how  tame  in  the  eye 
of  the  christian  scholar,  will  one  dav  seem  the  classic  haunts 
where  Numa  roved  in  dalliance  with  that  shy  nymph,  Egeria; 
how  tame  will  be  the  mountain  haunted  bv  the  muses,  or  the 
palm  groves  that  shaded  the  Socratic  school ;  how  cold  and 
dead,  when  compared  with  the  oaks,  the  elms,  and  "  the 
rushy-fringed  bank,"  where  this  greatest  of  philosophers  lin- 
gered in  his  youth,  solving  for  himself  the  problems,  and  un- 


590  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

folding  those  hidden  truths  that  were  older  than  the  sun  that 
met  him  on  the  lawn,  or  the  moon  that  shed  her  trembling 
beams  upon  the  river  ! 

The  progress  made  by  Edwards  in  the  studies  which  are 
usually  pursued  by  boys  preparatory  to  entering  college  was 
astonishing.  When  only  six  years  old,  his  attention  became 
absorbed  in  acquiring  the  Latin  language ;  and  when  his 
venerable  father  was  too  much  occupied  with  the  duties  of 
his  calling,  to  assist  him,  his  sisters  who  were  older  than  him- 
self would  assume  the  place  of  teachers.  The  thorough  ac- 
quaintance with  that  language  which  he  is  known  to  have 
had,  as  well  as  with  Greek  and  Hebrew,  and  his  high  stand- 
ing at  Yale,  evince  that  he  was  a  scholar,  as  well  as  a  thinker. 
He  entered  college  at  the  age  of  twelve  years.  His  temper- 
ance in  diet,  and  the  habitudes  of  his  mind,  while  at  Yale, 
may  be  best  known  by  reading  his  diary  kept  at  that  time.* 

While  at  college,  he  was  a  frequent  visitor  at  the  house  of 
the  Rev.  James  Pierpont,  and  there  made  the  acquaintance 
of  Miss  Sarah  Pierpont,  a  young  lady  of  uncommon  powers 
of  mind,  excellent  education,  and,  as  appears  by  the  portrait 
still  preserved  of  her,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  women  of  her 
time.  To  this  lady,  then  in  her  eighteenth  year,  he  was 
married  on  the  28th  of  July,  1727.  The  following  brief 
extract,  taken  from  a  sketch  of  her  character  written  by  her 
husband  on  the  blank  leaf  of  a  book,  in  1723,  when  he  was 
only  twenty  years  old,  and  she  but  little  more  than  thirteen, 
is  lover-like,  yet  perfectly  truthful,  and  shows  us  what  traits 
in  the  female  character  he  most  admired.  "  If  you  present 
all  the  world  before  her,  with  the  richest  of  its  treasures,  she 

*  "  Tuesday,  July  7,  1724. — When  I  am  giving  the  relation  of  a  thing,  re- 
member to  abstain  from  altering,  either  in  the  matter  or  manner  of  speaking,  so 
much,  as  that  if  every  one,  afterwards,  should  alter  as  much,  it  would  at  last  come 
to  be  properly  false. 

"  Tuesday^  Sept.  2. — By  a  sparingness  of  diet,  and  eating  as  much  as  may  be 
what  is  light  and  easy  of  digestion,  I  shall  doubtless  be  able  to  think  more  clearly, 
and  shall  gain  time  ;  1.  By  lengthening  out  my  hfe  •,  2.  Shall  need  less  time  for 
digestion  after  meals;  3.  Shall  be  able  to  study  more  closely,  without  injury  to 
my  health  5  4.  Shall  need  less  time  for  sleep  ;  5.  Shall  more  seldom  be  troubled 
with  the  headache." 


[1727.]  SARAH  PIERPONT.  591 

disregards  it  and  cares  not  for  it,  and  is  unmindful  of  any 
pain  or  affliction.  She  has  a  strange  sweetness  in  her  mind, 
and  singular  purity  in  her  affections  ;  is  most  just  and  con- 
scientious in  all  her  conduct,  and  you  could  not  persuade  her 
to  do  any  thing  wrong  or  sinful,  if  you  would  give  her  all  the 
world,  lest  she  should  offend  this  Great  Being.  =*  *  * 
She  will  sometimes  go  about  from  place  to  place,  singing 
sweetly,  and  seems  to  be  always  full  of  joy  and  pleasure,  and 
no  one  knows  for  what.  She  loves  to  be  alone,  walking  in 
the  fields  and  groves,  and  seems  to  have  some  one  invisible 
always  conversing  with  her." 

If  ever  the  author  of  this  exquisite  passage  saw  any  part 
of  God's  creation  throuG;h  an  exasjGjeratinsi;  medium,  it  must 
have  been  when  he  cast  his  partial  regards  upon  Sarah  Pier- 
pont.  Yet  this  description  of  her,  as  all  who  knew  her 
could  have  borne  testimony,  approached  more  nearly  to  a 
handsome  portrait,  than  it  did  to  an  ideal  picture.  She  was 
indeed  worth}^  to  be  the  wife  of  Edwards,  the  companion  of 
his  solitudes,  the  soother  of  his  toils,  the  superintendent  of 
his  household,  the  mother  and  teacher  of  his  children,  the 
hostess  of  those  honorable  guests,  who  thronged  from  the  old 
world  and  the  new,  to  pay  court  to  the  great  man  beneath 
his  lowly  roof,  with  deeper  reverence  than  if  he  had  been  a 
titled  monarch.  She  was  the  one  person  on  earth  who  like 
him  was  always  conversing  "  with  some  one  invisible,"  and 
who,  with  the  greatness  of  the  soul  and  the  understanding  of 
the  heart  was  his  equal.  A  lady  of  graceful  manners,  a 
thorough  scholar,  a  prudent  wife,  the  presiding  genius  of  his 
table,  the  provider  of  the  most  ordinary  articles  required  in 
the  domestic  economy,^  she  seemed  made  for  a  ministering 

*  "WTiile  he  resided  at  Northampton,  Mrs.  Edwards,  who  took  charge  of  all  his 
affairs,  as  well  in  the  garden  as  in  the  house,  on  one  occasion  begged  her  hus- 
band, when  he  took  his  accustomed  walk,  to  call  at  the  blacksmith's  shop  and 
leave  directions  with  the  smith  to  make  two  garden  hoes  for  the  use  of  the  family. 
The  great  man  stopped  as  requested,  and  did  the  errand,  "  I  will  make  one  of  them 
to-morrow,  may  it  please  your  reverence,"  v^'as  the  prompt  answer.  "  But  Mrs. 
Edwards  wants  iwo,"  reiterated  the  philosopher.  It  was  not  till  after  some  ex- 
planation, that  the  author  of  the  "  Treatise  on  the  Will,"  could  be  so  far  brought 


592  HISTOEY  OF   CONNECTICUT. 

angel,  to  keep  him  as  much  as  mortal  can  be  kept  from  the 
chilling  contact  of  the  world. 

But  we  must  not  linger  over  the  details  of  the  life  even  of 
such  a  man  as  Edwards.  His  faithfulness  as  a  pastor,  his 
labors  as  a  missionarj^,  his  humility,  his  mildness  of  temper, 
his  industry  as  a  writer,  the  patience  with  which  he  investi- 
gated the  great  subjects  that  occupied  his  mind,  without  ade- 
quate libraries  or  suitable  books  of  reference,  belong  rather 
to  his  biographer  than  to  the  author  of  such  a  work  as  this. 

Whether  Edwards  was  accurate  in  all  his  views  of  the 
divine  economy,  let  theologians  and  metaphysicians  decide. 
There  is  a  deep  significance  in  the  unabated  contest  that  has 
been  going  on  now  for  nearly  a  century  and  a  quarter, 
between  the  philosophers  of  four  generations  and  this  great 
normal  New  England  mind.  When  we  see  Chalmers,  with 
reverent  face  approach  and  look  upward,  as  the  traveler 
who  gazes  upon  the  sun-illumined  brow  of  Mount  Blanc, 
until  with  dimmed  eye,  he  turns  away  awestruck  and 
confounded — the  spectacle  is  sublime.  Nor  are  we  less 
amazed,  when  we  see  Mackintosh,  Stuart,  and  a  whole 
sw^arm  of  English,  Scotch,  German,  and  American  phi- 
losophers, like  so  many  geologists,  attempting  to  knock  off 
as  with  hammers  the  sharp  angles  and  corners  of  "  those 
propositions  which  have  remained  as  if  they  were  mountains 
of  solid  crystal  in  the  center  of  the  world."  Even  those  who 
are  least  able  to  assent  to  those  propositions,  seem  equally 
with  his  followers  to  admire  his  transcendent  genius.  They 
are  unable  to  classify  such  vast  powers,  and  to  give  an  orbit 
to  this  independent  self-acting  mind.  The}^  have  exhausted 
their  whole  vocabulary  of  technics  in  attempting  to  define 
and  illustrate  what  kind  of  man  their  adversary  is.  The 
terms  philosophy,  theology,  ethics,  metaphysics,  in  their  or- 
dinary acceptation,  can  not  bind  his  faculties  with  their  iron 
links,  or  fetter  his  swift  limbs.     If  they  build  up  around  him 

back  to  the  consideration  of  common-place  matters  of  existence,  as  to  compre- 
hend the  fact  that  a  blacksmith  could  not  make  upon  the  same  anvil  two  hoes  at 
the  same  time. 


JONATHAN  EDWARDS.  593 

a  wall  of  words  and  definitions,  he  vaults  over  it  and  escapes ; 
if  they  oppose  doors  of  iron  and  bars  of  brass  to  his  entrance, 
with  one  blow  of  his  ponderous  battle-axe,  like  the  knight  in 
black  armor,  he  batters  them  down.  Clear-sighted  as  the 
eagle,  untiring  as  the  light  that  travels  from  the  fixed  stars 
regarding  the  wide  field  of  human  thought  with  a  glance 
more  delicate  and  comprehensive  than  that  of  Plato,  an  im- 
agination no  less  sublime,  and  a  soul  how  much  more  serenely 
pure  than  that  of  Bacon,  he  stands  foremost  among  all  phi- 
losophical thinkers,  ancient  or  modern. 

As  he  excels  all  other  philosophers  in  the  vastness  of  his 
conceptions  and  in  the  sharpness  of  their  outlines,  so  of  all 
men  who  have  lived  since  the  days  of  the  apostles,  he  ap- 
proached nearest  in  the  spotless  purity  of  his  life  and  in  the 
holiness  of  his  affections,  to  Him  who  knew  no  sin.  His  last 
days  were  his  best.  The  farewell  sermon  that  he  preached 
to  his  people  from  the  text.  "We  have  no  continuing  city, 
therefore  let  us  seek  one  to  come ;"  the  sublimity  with 
which,  when  he  had  said  farewell  to  his  children  on  leaving 
his  old  home  to  go  among  strangers,  he  turned  himself  about, 
and  looking  toward  the  door  where  they  were  clustered  to 
watch  through  their  tears  the  receding  form  of  the  patriarch, 
and  exclaimed,  "/  commit  you  to  God" — are  unequalled 
save  in  the  closing  scenes  that  proved  him  victorious  over 
death  and  the  grave.* 


*  Mr,  Edwards  was  born  in  Windsor,  October  5,  1703  5  graduated  at  Yale 
College  in  1720  ;  became  a  tutor  in  that  institution  in  1724  ;  and  was  settled  in 
Northampton,  as  colleague  pastor  with  his  grandfather,  the  Rev.  Solomon  Stoddard, 
in  1727.  Having  been  dismissed  at  his  own  request  in  1750,  he  succeeded  Mr. 
Sargeant  as  a  missionary  to  the  Ilousatonie  Indians,  at  Stockbridge,  Massachu- 
setts, where  he  remained  until  January,  1758,  when  he  accepted  the  presidency 
of  the  college  of  New  Jersey.  The  prevalence  of  the  small-pox  induced  him  to 
be  innoculated,  an  event  which  occasioned  his  death  on  the  22d  of  the  following 
March,  at  the  age  of  54  years. 

The  principal  works  of  President  Edwards,  are,  an  Essay  on  the  Freedom  of  the 
Will ;  the  great  Scripture  Doctrine  of  Original  Sin  ;  a  Treatise  concerning  Reli- 
gious Affections  •,  Dissertation  on  the  Nature  of  True  Virtue  ;  and  a  Dissertation 
on  the  End  for  which  God  created  the  World.  In  1809,  a  splendid  edition  of  his 
works  were  published  in  England,  in  eight  volumes,  edited  by  Dr.  Austin.     In 

70 


594  HISTOKY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Associated  with  the  name  of  Edwards,  is  that  of  his  friend 
and  fellow-laborer,  Doctor  Bellamy.  This  distinguished  pub- 
lic orator  and  divine,  was  born  at  Cheshire  in  1719.  He 
was  educated  at  Yale  College,  and  was  graduated  in  the  year 
1735,  when  only  sixteen  years  old.  Two  years  after,  he 
commenced  that  brilliant  career  as  a  preacher,  which  only 
terminated  with  the  coming  on  of  those  infirmities  that  unfit 
the  great  as  well  as  those  of  more  humble  abilities  for  the 
active  duties  of  life.  His  reputation  as  an  eloquent  preacher 
soon  spread  throughout  the  American  colonies,  and  long 
before  he  was  settled  over  the  people  with  whom  he  spent 
the  best  portion  of  his  life,  the  announcement  that  Mr.  Bel- 
lamy was  to  preach  in  any  pulpit  in  Boston,  Salem,  Hartford, 
or  New  Haven,  would  call  together  hundreds  who  were  in 
the  habit  of  attending  other  places  of  worship. 

While  wandering  through  the  thinly  peopled  parts  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, the  young  licentiate  one  Saturday  afternoon  rode 

1830,  an  edition  in  ten  volumes  was  published,  edited  by  his  descendant,  Sereno 
Edwards  Dwight,  D.D. 

A  recent  number  of  "  The  Westminster  Review^''''  speaks  of  Edwards  as  fol- 
lows :  "  Before  the  commencement  of  this  century,  America  had  but  one  great 
man  in  philosophy,  but  that  one  was  illustrious.  From  the  days  of  Plato,  there 
has  been  no  life  of  more  simple  and  imposing  grandeur,  than  that  of  Jonathan 
Edwards."  Says  Sir  James  Mackintosh — "  This  remarkable  man,  the  metaphy- 
sician of  America,  was  formed  among  the  calvanists  of  New  England,  when  their 
stern  doctrine  retained  its  rigorous  authority.  His  power  of  subtile  argument, 
perhaps  unmatched^  certainly  unsurpassed  among  men,  was  joined,  as  in  some 
of  the  ancient  mystics,  with  a  character  which  raised  his  piety  to  fervor." 

"  The  London  Quarterly  Review,''^  remarks,  "The  most  elaborate  treatise  on 
original  sin  is  confessedly  that  of  President  Edwards  of  America.  It  is  not  only 
the  most  elaborate  but  the  most  complete.  There  w^as  every  thing  in  the  intellec- 
tual character,  the  devout  habits  and  the  long  practice  of  this  great  reasoner,  to 
bring  his  gigantic  specimens  of  theological  arguments  as  near  to  perfection  as  we 
may  expect  any  human  composition  to  approach.  *  *  *  \Ye  are  not  aware  that 
any  other  human  composition  exhibits,  in  the  same  degree  as  his,  the  love  of  fruth, 
mental  independence,  grasp  of  intellect,  power  of  concentrating  all  his  strength 
on  a  difficult  inquiry,  reverence  for  God,  calm  self-possession,  superiority  to  all 
polemical  unfairness,  benevolent  regard  for  the  highest  interest  of  man,  keen 
analysis  of  arguments,  and  the  irresistible  force  of  ratiocination.  He  reminds  us 
of  the  scene  described  by  Sir  Walter  Scott,  between  Richard  and  Saladin,  uniting 
in  himself  the  sharpness  of  the  cimiter,  with  the  strength  of  the  battle-axe." 


[1719.]  REV.   DOCTOR   BELLAMY.  595 

up  to  the  door  of  Mr.  Edwards,  at  Northampton.  He  was 
invited  to  stay  and  preach  a  part  of  the  next  day.  Mr.  Bel- 
lamy consented  to  do  so,  and  selected  his  sermon  upon  the 
half-way  covenant.  Scarcely  had  the  preacher  announced 
his  text  and  began  in  his  clear  strong  manner  to  set  forth  his 
views  upon  a  subject  so  familiar  to  the  great  metaphysician, 
when  the  latter  began  to  manifest  unusual  interest  in  the 
discourse.  His  eyes  became  riveted  upon  the  speaker, 
and  he  bent  forward  and  gazed  at  him  with  admiration. 
As  soon  as  the  service  was  over,  and  while  "  the  congrega- 
tion were  retiring,  the  two  ministers  were  seen  in  the  midst 
of  them,  engaged  and  lost  in  earnest  conversation.  Indeed, 
they  had  gone  some  distance  from  the  door,  before  either  dis- 
covered that  Mr.  Edwards  had  forgotten  to  take  his  hat." 

At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  he  was  ordained  as  pastor 
of  the  congregational  church  in  Bethlem.  In  this  quiet 
village,  in  the  midst  of  scenery  that  could  not  fail  to  inspire 
his  mind  with  healthful  thoughts,  he  soon  developed  powers 
which  could  not  be  confined  to  the  shades  of  retirement. 

When  only  thirty  years  old,  he  published  his  great  work 
entitled,  "  True  Religion  Delineated,''  which  soon  found  its 
way  to  England  and  Scotland,  and  elicited  the  attention  of 
the  whole  religious  world.  The  Rev.  Dr.  John  Erskine,  of 
Edinburgh,  and  the  Earl  of  Buchan,  were  his  ardent  admirers 
and  correspondents.* 

Bellamy  was  the  most  powerful  pulpit  orator  in  New  Eng- 
land at  that  time.  His  personal  appearance  was  eminently 
calculated  to  command  the  attention  of  an  audience.  He 
was  large  and  tall,  and  of  a  commanding  presence.  His 
manner  was  earnest  and  bold,  and  his  voice  deep  and  of 
great  compass.  He  was  a  close  reasoner,  and  had  not  only 
a  happy  facility  in  the  use  of  language,  but  a  practical  mode 
of  illustrating  and  enforcing  his  positions  that  rendered  them 

*  Cothren's  Woodbury,  251.  The  Earl  of  Buchan  sent  to  Dr.  Bellamy  an 
engraving  of  himself,  which  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  Bellamy  family. 
Within  the  past  year,  a  gentleman  from  Scotland  has  paid  a  visit  to  Bethlem  to 
look  for  materials  for  a  more  complete  life  of  Dr.  Bellamy,  than  has  yet  been  given 
to  the  public. 


596  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

obvious  to  the  plainest  capacity.  The  grave  of  this  remark- 
able man  has  not  buried  his  fame.  The  spot  where  he  died 
is  still  a  place  of  interest  to  the  theological  student  of  his  own 
country,  and  sometimes  there  wanders  from  the  schools  of 
Aberdeen  or  Edinburgh,  a  young  enthusiast  who  stops  at 
Bethlem  to  gather  up  some  traditionary  shreds  of  the  per- 
sonal history  of  Bellamy,  and  to  shed  a  tear  upon  his  tomb. 

"  He  became  early  in  his  ministerial  life,"  says  the  Rev. 
Dr.  McEwen,*  "  a  teacher  of  theology ;  and  at  Bethlem,  for 
years,  he  kept  the  principal  school  in  the  United  States  to 
prepare  young  men  for  the  ministry.  The  great  body  of  the 
living  fathers  in  this  profession,  who  adorned  the  closing  part 
of  the  eighteenth  century,  were  his  pupils." 

It  is  difficult  to  name  a  portion  of  the  whole  continent  that 
might  with  more  propriety  be  called  a  wilderness,  than  most 
of  the  present  county  of  Litchfield  was,  when  those  honored 
patriarchs,  John  Marsh  and  John  Buel,t  with  their  neighbors 
and  friends,  first  began  to  clear  the  ground  and  build  their 
log  houses  on  the  unpromising  alder-swamp  where  the  village 
of  Litchfield  now  stands.  This  was  nearly  one  hundred 
years  after  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut  was  settled.  It 
needed  an  emigrant's  faith  to  foresee  the  changes  that  human 
industry,  under  the  guidance  of  good  principles,  could  bring 
about  in  the  face  of  wintry  skies  and  in  defiance  of  steep 
hills. 

In  a  few  years,  frame  houses  began  to  take  the  places  of 

*  Discourse  at  the  Centennial  Anniversary  of  the  North  and  South  Consocia- 
tions, at  Litchfield,  1852. 

The  origin  of  "  Sabbath  Schools,"  and  the  name  of  their  supposed  founder, 
have  long  been  the  fruitful  theme  of  christian  writers.  The  Rev.  E.  W.  Hooker, 
D.D.,  however,  assures  us  that  Dr.  Bellamy  had  such  a  school  in  his  church  from 
the  beginning  of  his  ministry  in  Bethlem.  It  was  divided  into  two  classes,  the 
eldest  being  instructed  by  Dr.  Bellamy  himself,  while  the  second  class  was  placed 
under  the  instruction  of  a  deacon,  or  some  other  prominent  member  of  the 
church. 

f  The  name  of  Bewelle  has  a  coat  of  arms  in  England,  which  is  thus  described 
in  Burke's  Complete  Armory  : — "  Or,  a  cheveron  between  three  torteaux," 

"  BewelWs  Cross^^^  in  Bristol,  England,  is  a  place  where  criminals  recite  their 
prayers  previous  to  their  execution. 


LITCHFIELD   HILL.  597 

the  first  rude  attempts  at  architecture,  and  the  court-house 
•  and  the  jail,  standing  on  the  connmon  by  the  side  of  the  meet- 
ing-house, had  begun  to  form  a  center  of  attraction  for  the 
few  towns  that  were  gathering  around  it,  most  of  them 
perched  upon  their  favorite  hill-tops.  There  gradually  sprang 
up  under  the  culture  of  a  virtuous  industry,  a  class  of 
men  of  uncommon  mental  endowments  and  of  refined  man- 
ners. Clergymen,  lawyers,  physicians,  taught  partly  at 
Yale,  and  partly  at  home,  were  observed  to  thrive  well  there, 
and  it  was  noticed  that  althouc^h  the  climate  was  forbidding: 
at  certain  periods  of  the  year,  yet  the  seeds  of  learning  germi- 
nated in  that  ground  with  great  certainty,  and  that  the  young 
plants  grew  thriftily  and  took  root  with  a  firm  fibre  in  the 
strong  mountain  air. 

At  last,  a  second  company  of  emigrants  began  to  visit  this 
then  remote  region.  They  brought  with  them  all  their  little 
stock  of  wealth.  The  names  of  Allen,  BIrge,  Beebe,  Collins, 
Garrett,  Griswold,  Kilbourn,  Phelps,  Stoddard,  Sanford, 
Webster,  Woodruff,  and  others,  are  enrolled  among  the 
early  settlers  at  "Bantam." 

The  revolutionary  war  was  hardly  over,  when  the  Hon. 
Tapping  Reeve,  one  of  the  judges  of  the  superior  court, 
opened  a  law  school  in  this  village.  Its  fame  soon  spread 
over  the  whole  union.  Judge  Reeve  was  the  sole  teacher  of 
this  school  from  the  time  when  he  instituted  it  in  1784,  down 
to  1798,  when  he  associated  with  him  as  joint  instructor, 
James  Gould,  Esquire.  These  two  gentlemen  continued 
together  in  this  capacity  until  the  year  1820,  when  Judge 
Gould  took  the  superintendence  of  it,  and  delivered  lectures 
to  the  students,  being  aided  in  the  recitation-room  by  the 
Hon.  J.  W.  Huntington.  Judge  Gould  discontinued  his  lec- 
tures in  1833,  at  which  time  there  had  been  educated  at  the 
Litchfield  law  school  one  thousand  and  twenty-four  lawyers, 
from  all  parts  of  the  United  States.* 

*  A  catalogue  embracing  the  names  of  805  of  these  students  has  been  pub- 
lished, of  whom  19  were  from  New  Hampshire,  25  from  Vermont,  98  from  Mas- 
sachusetts, 208  from  Connecticut,  124  from  New  York,  14  from  Delaware,  12 


698  HISTOEY   OF   CONNECTICUT. 

It  seems  proper  in  this  place  to  give  a  brief  portraiture  of 
the  two  men  who  exerted  such  an  influence  upon  the  juris- 
prudence of  the  western  world,  and  upon  the  mind  of  that 
generation. 

from  New  Jersey,  37  from  Maryland,  16  from  Virginia,  16  from  North  Carolina, 
45  from  South  Carolina,  60  from  Georgia,  9  from  Kentucky,  25  from  Pennsylva- 
nia, 22  from  Rhode  Island,  every  state  then  in  the  Union  having  been  represented 
in  the  school.  Fifteen  of  the  number  have  been  United  States  Senators,  viz., 
Benjamin  Swift,  William  Woodbridge,  Henry  W.  Edwards,  John  C.  Calhoun, 
Alfred  Cuthbert,  Horatio  Seymour,  Samuel  S.  Phelps,  Jabez  W.  Huntington, 
Levi  "Woodbury,  Perry  Smith,  Roger  S.  Baldwin,  Peleg  Sprague,  Chester  Ashley, 
Truman  Smith,  William  C,  Dawson,  and  John  JM.  Clayton.  Five  have  been 
members  of  the  Cabinet ;  viz.,  John  C.  Calhoun,  Levi  Woodbury,  John  Y.  Ma- 
son, John  M.  Clayton,  Samuel  D.  Hubbard.  Ten  have  been  Governors  of 
states ;  viz.,  H.  W.  Edwards,  Marcus  IMorton,  William  Woodbridge,  Levi  Wood- 
bury, George  B.  Porter,  Richard  Skinner,  Roger  S.  Baldwin,  John  Y.  Mason, 
William  W.  Ellsworth,  William  C.  Gibbs.  Two  have  been  Judges  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  of  the  United  States ;  viz.,  Henry  Baldwin  and  Levi  Woodbury. 
Fifty  have  been  members  of  Congress  ;  forty  have  been  Judges  of  the  highest 
state  courts  •,  and  several  have  been  Foreign  Ministers. 

A  literary  friend,  in  whose  accuracy  I  have  entire  confidence,  has  furnished  me 
with  the  following  curious  statistics  relative  to  Litchfield  county : 

"  Litchfield  County  contains  less  than  one-five-hundredth  of  the  population  of 
the  United  States,  and  about  one-seventieth  of  that  of  the  state  of  New  York.  Yet 
it  has  been  the  birth-place  of  thirteen  United  States  Senators,  which  is  about  one- 
fortieth  of  all  that  have  ever  been  in  Congress,  from  all  the  states  ;  viz.,  Elijah 
Boardman,  Nathan  Smith,  Perry  Smith,  and  Truman  Smith,  from  Connecticut ; 
Julius  Rockwellj  from  Massachusetts  ^  James  Watson  and  Daniel  S.  Dickinson, 
from  New  York ;  Stanley  Griswold,  from  Ohio  ;  Josiah  S.  Johnston,  from  Louis- 
iana ;  Augustus  Porter,  from  Michigan ;  Nathaniel  Chipman,  Horatio  Seymour, 
and  Samuel  S.  Phelps,  from  Vermont.  Litchfield  County  has  also  been  the  birth- 
place of  twenty-two  representatives  in  Congress  from  the  state  of  New  York, 
being  about  one-twenty-eighth  of  all  that  have  ever  been  sent  from  that  State ;  viz., 
Daniel  B.  St.  John,  Victory  Birdsey,  Edward  Rogers,  Freeborn  G.  Jewett,  Lewis 
Riggs,  Amasa  .J.  Parker,  Samuel  M.  Hopkins,  Thomas  R.  Gold,  Frederick  A. 
Tallmadge,  Charles  Johnston,  Theron  R.  Strong,  Frederick  Whittlesey,  John  M. 
Holley,  Henry  Mitchell,  Nathaniel  Pitcher,  John  Sanford,  Ambrose  Spencer,  Peter 
B.  Porter,  John  Bird,  Gameliel  F.  Barstow,  John  A.  Collier,  and  Graham  H.  Cha- 
pin  ;  of  fifteen  judges  of  the  supreme  court  in  other  states;  of  nine  presidents  of 
colleges  5  viz.,  Jeremiah  Day,  D.D.  LL.  D.,  of  Yale ;  Nathaniel  S.  Wheaton, 
D.D.,  of  Washington  (now  Trinity  ;)  Rufus  Babcock,  D.D.,  Waterville  ;  Horace 
Holley,  LL.  D.,  Transylvania ;  Charles  G.  Finney,  A.M.,  Oberlin ;  J.  M.  Stur- 
tevant,  D.D.,  Blinois  5  Bennet  Tyler,  D.D.,  Dartmouth  •,  Joseph  I.  Foote,  Wash- 
ington, (Tennessee;)  Ebenezer  Porter,  D.D.,  Andover  Theological  Seminary;  of 
eighteen  professors  of  colleges,  (not  included  in  the  above  list  of  presidents,  most  of 


[1744.]  JUDGE   EEEVE.  699 

Tapping  Reeve  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Reeve,  minis- 
ter at  Brookhaven,  Long  Island,  and  was  born  at  that  place 
in  October,  1744.  He  was  graduated  at  Princeton  in  1763. 
Nine  years  after,  he  removed  to  Litchfield,  where  he  com- 
menced the  practice  of  the  law  under  the  most  promising 
auspices.  Before  he  opened  his  office  for  the  instruction  of 
students  in  the  elements  of  his  favorite  science,  he  had  ac- 
quired a  high  reputation  for  learning  and  intellect.  He  was 
a  man  of  genius,  and  in  early  and  middle  life,  w^hen  his  feel- 

whom  have  been  professors ;)  viz.,  Nathaniel  W.  Taylor,  D.D.,  Matthew  R. 
Button,  A.M.,  Samuel  J.  Ilitcheoek,  LL.  D.,  Henry  Button,  LL.  B.,  Tale ;  Eli- 
sha  Mitchell,  B.B.,  North  Carolina;  Bavid  Prentice,  LL.  B.,  Geneva,  N.  Y. ; 
Henry  M.  Bay,  A.INL,  "Western  Reserve  ;  Thomas  Goodsell,  JNLB.,  Hamilton  ; 
Frederick  Whittlesey,  A.JNI.,  Genessee,  N.  Y. ;  Joseph  Emerson,  A.M.,  Beloit, 
"Wis. ;  Charles  Bavies,  LL.  B.,  Albert  E.  Church,  LL.  B.,  and  Wilham  G.  Peck, 
A.M.,  (Assis't  Prof.)  West  Point,  N.  Y. ;  Amasa  J.  Parker,  LL.  B.,  Albany 
University ;  Chester  Averill,  A.M.,  Union,  N.  Y. ;  Nathaniel  Chipman,  LL.  B., 
Richard  Skinner,  LL.  B.,  and  Baniel  Chipman,  LL.  B.,  Middlebury  College. 

In  1831,  the  Vice  President  of  the  United  States  and  one-eighth  of  the  United 
States  Senators,  were  either  natives  of,  or  had  been  educated  in  Litchfield  County. 
In  1850,  one-seventh  of  the  whole  number  of  United  States  Senators  were  found 
to  have  been  educated  in  the  county. 

The  county  has  also  been  the  birth-place  of  thirteen  United  States  Senators, 
and  of  eighteen  judges  of  the  supreme  courts  of  states.  Senators. — Elijah  Board- 
man,  Nathan  Smith,  Truman  Smith,  and  Perry  Smith,  from  Connecticut;  Hora- 
tio Seymour,  Nathaniel  Chipman,  and  Samuel  S.  Phelps,  from  Vermont ;  James 
"Watson  and  Baniel  S.  Bickinson,  from  New  York  ;  Julius  Rockwell,  from  Mas- 
sachusetts ;  Josiah  S.  Johnston,  from  Louisiana  ;  Stanley  Griswold,  from  Ohio  ; 
and  (probably)  Augustus  A.  Porter,  from  Michigan.  Judges. — Ambrose 
Spencer,  Freeborn  G.  Jewett,  (chief  judges,)  Amasa  J.  Parker,  Frederick 
"Whittlesey,  Samuel  A.  Foote,  Theron  R.  Strong,  of  New  York  ;  Clarke  Wood- 
ruff, of  Louisiana  ;  Rufus  Pettibone,  Missouri ;  Samuel  Lyman,  of  Massachusetts  ; 
Nathaniel  Chipman,  Richard  Skinner,  (chief  judges;)  Robert  Pierpont,  Milo  S. 
Bennett,  and  Samuel  S.  Phelps,  of  Vermont,  Roger  Skinner,  United  States  Judge 
of  the  Northern  Bistrict  of  New  York ;  and  N.  Smith,  J.  C.  Smith,  S,  Church, 
and  J.  Hinman,  of  Connecticut." 

The  Litchfield  County  Foreign  Mission  Society  was  the  first  auxiliary  of  the 
American  Board  of  Commissions  for  Foreign  Missions. 

The  following  eminent  clergymen  have  officiated  as  pastors  in  the  county ;  viz., 
Joseph  Bellamy,  Azel  Backus,  Jonathan  Edwards,  Lyman  Beecher,  Edward 
Borr  Griffin,  George  E.  Pierce,  Baniel  Linn  Carroll,  Ebenezer  Porter,  Ralph 
Emerson,  Laurens  P.  Hickok,  Nathaniel  S.  Wheaton,  and  Samuel  Fuller,  all  of 
whom  have  been  presidents  of  colleges  or  theological  seminaries. 


600  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

ings  were  enlisted  in  the  trial  of  a  cause,  he  often  displayed 
powers  of  eloquence  which,  from  the  suddenness  with  which 
they  flashed  upon  the  minds  of  his  audience,  and  from  his 
impassioned  manner,  produced  an  overwhelming  effect,  and 
contrasted  strongly  with  the  carelessness  of  his  more  common- 
place public  efforts.  He  was  very  unequal  in  the  exhibition 
of  his  powers.  He  was  a  man  of  ardent  temperament,  ten- 
der sensibilities,  and  of  a  nature  deeply  religious.  His  sym- 
pathies naturally  led  him  to  espouse  the  cause  of  the  op- 
pressed and  helpless.  He  was  the  first  eminent  lawyer  in 
this  country  who  dared  to  arraign  the  common  law  of  Eng- 
land, for  its  severity  and  refined  cruelty,  in  cutting  ofl"  the 
natural  rights  of  married  women,  and  placing  their  property 
as  well  as  their  persons  at  the  mercy  of  their  husbands,  who 
might  squander  it  or  hoard  it  up  at  pleasure.  His  sentiments 
did  not  at  first  meet  with  much  favor,  but  he  lived  long 
enough  to  see  them  gain  ground  in  this  and  other  states. 
His  principles  did  not  die  with  him.  All  the  mitigating 
changes  in  our  jurisprudence,  which  have  been  made  to  re- 
deem helpless  woman  from  the  barbarities  of  her  legalized 
tyrant,  may  fairly  be  traced  to  the  author  of  the  first  Ameri- 
can treatise  on  "  The  Domestic  Relations."  His  conduct 
afforded  a  living  example  of  his  views  on  this  important  sub- 
ject. His  first  wife,  who  was  a  daughter  of  President  Burr, 
was  an  invalid  for  twenty  years.  He  bestowed  upon  her  the 
most  unwearied  attention,  and  watched  her  symptoms  with 
the  liveliest  solicitude.  While  writing  his  celebrated  work, 
he  would  often  sit  up  with  her  whole  nights,  and  administer 
her  medicines  with  the  most  delicate  assiduity.  He  would 
often  shut  up  his  office  and  lecture-room  to  attend  upon  her. 
Judge  Reeve  was  an  ardent  revolutionary  patriot,  and, 
after  the  war  was  over,  was  distinguished  as  a  political 
writer  of  the  Hamiltonian  or  Federal  school.  His  features 
were  classically  handsome,  and  his  eye  bright  and  expressive 
of  the  tenderest  and  warmest  emotions.  His  fervent  piety 
and  well-timed  charities,  his  noble  impulses,  his  truthfulness, 
his  simplicity  of  character,  his  disinterestedness,  all  served  to 


'*'*iV  «...        ^ 


I-'wji':'l-n^  l^/aldr 


Rui'' hz/Ti. Bnhsmvif'-  .rAnJr f.vr^ .       i 


'^^^^-^-^^J^ 


JUDGE   GOULD.  601 

render  him  a  general  favorite  in  a  widely  extended  circle  of 
friends  and  acquaintances.  He  died  in  1823,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  79  years. 

James  Gould,  one  of  the  most  elegant  scholars  who  have 
adorned  American  letters,  was  born  in  Branford,  on  the  5th 
of  December,  1770.  His  family  were  originally  from  Devon- 
shire, England,  where  they  had  a  valuable  estate.  Richard 
Gould,  his  great  grandfather,  was  the  first  of  the  family  who 
came  to  this  country.  He  settled  in  Branford,  and  died 
there,  April  28,  1740,  in  the  84th  year  of  his  age.  William 
Gould,  eldest  son  of  Richard,  was  born  in  North  Fanton, 
Devonshire,  in  February,  1692-'3.  He  came  to  Branford 
about  the  time  of  his  father's  death,  and  died  there  in  January, 
1757.  He  was  a  respectable  physician.  His  eldest  son, 
William  Gould,  was  born,  November  17,  1727,  where  he 
died,  July  29,  1805.  He  followed  the  profession  of  his  father, 
and  was  a  man  of  high  respectability  and  great  influence 
in  his  native  town. 

Judge  Gould  was  the  third  son  of  the  last  named  Dr.  Wil- 
liam Gould,  by  his  third  wife,  daughter  of  Richard  Guy,  of 
Branford.  He  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1791,  on 
which  occasion  he  delivered  the  Latin  Salutatorv,  then 
the  highest  honor  for  the  graduating  class.  Among  his  class- 
mates were  Stephen  Elliott,  of  South  Carolina ;  Samuel  M. 
Hopkins,  of  New  York,  and  Peter  B.  Porter,  afterwards  sec- 
retary of  war.  In  1793,  he  was  appointed  tutor  of  Yale 
College,  and  for  nearly  two  years  had  the  entire  charge  of 
the  class  which  was  graduated  in  1797.  Among  his  pupils 
were  the  late  Henry  Baldwin,  judge  of  the  supreme  court  of 
the  United  States,  the  Rev.  Lyman  Beecher,  D.D.,  and  sev- 
eral other  gentlemen  of  high  distinction.  In  1795,  Mr. 
Gould  entered  the  law  school  at  Litchfield,  and  after  his  ad- 
mission to  the  bar,  he  became  associated  with  Judge  Reeve 
in  conducting  that  institution. 

In  May,  1816,  Mr.  Gould  was  appointed  a  judge  of  the 
superior  court  and  supreme  court  of  errors  of  Connecticut. 
In    1820,    Judge   Gould    received   from    Yale   College    the 


602  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

honorary  degree  of  doctor  of  laws,  at  the  same  time  with  his 
classmate  Mr.  Elliott.* 

Judge  Gould  was  one  of  the  most  finished  and  competent 
writers  who  have  ever  treated  upon  any  branch  of  the  Eng- 
Hsh  jurisprudence.  His  great  work  upon  pleading  is  a  model 
of  its  kind.  It  is  at  once  one  of  the  most  condensed  and 
critical  pieces  of  composition  to  be  found  in  the  language, 
and  is  altogether  of  a  new  and  original  order.  He  had  at 
first  contemplated  writing  a  much  more  extended  treatise, 
but  while  he  was  preparing  the  materials  for  it,  the  appear- 
ance of  Chitty's  work  on  the  same  title  induced  him  to 
change  his  plan.  As  it  was  presented  to  the  public,  Gould's 
Pleading  is,  therefore,  only  an  epitome  of  the  original  design, 
but  for  clearness,  logical  precision,  and  terseness  of  style,  it 
does  not  suffer  in  comparison  with  the  Commentaries  upon 
the  laws  of  England. 

As  a  lawyer.  Judge  Gould  was  one  of  the  most  profoundly 
philosophical  of  that  age.  He  carried  into  the  forum  the 
same  classical  finish  which  appears  upon  every  page  of  his 
writings.  It  would  have  been  as  impossible  for  him  to  speak 
an  ungrammatical  sentence,  use  an  inelegant  expression,  or 
make  an  awkward  gesture,  in  addressing  an  argument  to  a 
jury,  as  it  would  have  been  for  him  to  attempt  to  expound  the 
law  when  he  was  himself  ignorant  of  it,  to  speak  disrespect- 
fully to  the  judge  upon  the  bench,  or  to  exhibit  any  want  of 
courtesy  to  the  humblest  member  of  the  profession  who  might 
happen  to  appear  as  his  opponent.  His  arguments  also,  like 
his  writings,  were  expressed  in  the  m.ost  brief  forms  in  which 
a  speaker  can  convey  his  thoughts  to  his  hearers.  He  sel- 
dom spoke  longer  than  half  an  hour,  and  in  the  most  complex 
and  important  cases  never  exceeded  an  hour.  He  had  the 
rare  faculty  of  seizing  upon  the  strong  points  of  a  case  and 

*  Judge  Gould  was  married  in  October,  1798,  to  Sally  McCurdy  Tracy,  eldest 
daughter  of  the  Hon.  Uriah  Tracy,  of  Litchfield,  by  whom  he  had  eight  sons  and 
one  daughter,  all  of  whom  survived  him  except  his  third  son,  James  Reeve  Gould, 
a  young  man  of  the  highest  promise,  who  died  in  Georgia,  in  October,  1830.  A 
younger  son,  John  W.  Gould,  has  since  died. 


MISS  SAEAH   PIERCE.  603 

presenting  them  with  such  force  as  to  rivet  the  attention  of 
the  jury  and  carry  conviction  to  their  minds.  Like  a  skillful 
archer,  he  could  shoot  a  whole  quiver  of  shafts  within  the 
circle  of  the  target  with  such  certainty  and  force  that  they 
could  all  be  found  and  counted  when  the  contest  was  over. 

As  a  judge,  his  opinions  are  unsurpassed  by  any  which  ap- 
pear in  our  reports,  for  clearness  and  that  happy  moulding  of 
thought  so  peculiar  to  him  at  the  bar  and  in  social  conversa- 
tion. The  position  of  this  eminent  jurist  and  of  his  venera- 
ble associate  was  truly  enviable.  To  them,  flocked  from 
every  part  of  the  union,  the  youth  who  were  to  shape  the 
jurisprudence  of  their  respective  states.  They  looked  upon 
these  renowned  teachers  with  almost  as  much  reverence  as 
the  youth  of  Athens  regarded  the  features  of  the  philosophers 
who  prepared  their  minds  for  the  strifes  of  the  Agora,  the 
debates  of  the  council,  or  the  shades  of  contemplative  retire- 
ment. To  this  pleasant  little  village  among  the  hills  came 
the  very  flower  and  nobility  of  American  genius.  Here 
might  be  seen  Calhoun,  Clayton,  Mason,  Loring,  Woodbury, 
Hall,  Ashley,  Phelps,  and  a  host  of  others,  who  were  prepar- 
ing themselves  for  the  high  places  of  the  cabinet,  the  senate 
and  the  bench. 

The  influence  of  these  sages  upon  the  laws  of  the  country 
was  almost  rivaled  by  the  efforts  of  Miss  Sarah  Pierce,  in 
another  department  of  learning.  This  lady  opened  a  school 
for  the  instruction  of  females,  in  the  year  1792,  while  the  law 
school  was  in  successful  operation,  and  continued  it  under 
her  own  superintendence  for  nearly  forty  years.  During  this 
time  she  educated  between  fifteen  hundred  and  two  thousand 
young  ladies.  This  school  was  for  a  long  period  the  most 
celebrated  in  the  United  States,  and  brought  together  a  large 
number  of  the  most  gifted  and  beautiful  women  of  the  con- 
tinent. They  were  certain  to  be  methodically  taught  and 
tenderly  cared  for,  and  under  her  mild  rule  they  could  hardly 
fail  to  learn  whatever  was  most  necessary  to  fit  them  for  the 
quiet  but  elevated  spheres  which  so  many  of  them  have  since 
adorned.     Miss   Pierce  lived  to  the    advanced   age   of  83. 


604  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

She  was  small  in  person,  of  a  cheerful,  lively  temperament, 
a  bright  eye,  and  a  face  expressive  of  the  most  active  benev- 
olence. She  was  in  the  habit  of  practicing  herself  all  the 
theories  that  she  taught  to  her  pupils,  and,  until  phj^sical  in- 
firmities confined  her  to  her  room,  would  take  her  accus- 
tomed walk  in  the  face  of  the  roughest  March  wind  that 
ever  blew  across  our  hills.  The  intelli2;ence  of  her  death 
cast  a  shade  of  sadness  over  many  a  domestic  circle,  and 
caused  many  a  silent  tear  to  fall. 

While  these  two  schools  were  in  full  and  active  life,  Litch- 
field was  famed  for  an  intellectual  and  social  position,  which 
is  believed  to  have  been  at  that  time  unrivaled  in  any  other 
village  or  town  of  equal  size  in  the  United  States.* 

*  Several  excellent  and  flourishing  literary  institutions  have  been  established  in 
our  state  since  the  date  of  the  adoption  of  the  constitution. 

Trinity  (formerly  Washington)  College^  an  episcopal  institution,  was  founded  at 
Hartford,  1824,  and  in  1850,  had  nine  professors,  sixty-six  students,  and  a  library 
of  nine  thousand  volumes.  At  the  latter  date,  its  alumni  numbered  two  hundred 
and  fifty-seven,  of  whom  one  hundred  and  seventeen  had  taken  orders  in  the 
church. 

This  institution  has  already  taken  a  high  rank  among  the  colleges  of  the  United 
States,  and  is  believed  to  be  inferior  to  none  of  them  in  the  order  of  its  discipline 
and  the  faithfulness  of  its  officers.  It  has  already  sent  forth  from  its  halls  many 
able  clergymen  and  accomplished  scholars.  Its  buildings  are  handsome  and  look 
off  upon  a  landscape  as  lovely  as  can  be  found  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut. 
A  more  minute  account  of  it  will  be  given  in  the  appendix — Title,  "  Trinity 
College:^ 

The  Wesley  an  University  2ii  Middletown  was  founded  in  1831.  The  build- 
ings and  land  connected  with  them,  estimated  at  from  thirty  to  forty  thousand  dol- 
lars, were  presented  to  the  New  York  and  New  London  conferences  by  the  Lite- 
rary and  Scientific  Society  of  Middletown,  on  condition  that  forty  thousand  dollars 
more  should  be  raised,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  university,  to  be  under  the 
control  of  the  two  conferences  named,  and  any  others  that  might  unite  with  them 
in  the  enterprise.  These  conditions  were  complied  with,  and  a  board  of  trustees 
were  elected  by  the  New  York  and  New  England  conferences.  The  state  legis- 
lature soon  after  gave  a  very  liberal  charter  to  the  institution.  The  buildings, 
which  are  of  stone,  are  delightfully  situated  on  an  eminence  in  the  western  part  of 
the  city,  having  a  commanding  view  of  the  Connecticut  river  and  of  the  adjacent 
country.  As  I  have  elsewhere  stated,  the  Rev.  Wilbur  Fisk,  D.D.,  was  elected 
the  first  president  of  the  university,  and  with  the  assistance  of  a  corps  of  learned 
and  able  professors,  the  institution  went  into  operation  under  the  most  favorable 
auspices.  In  1850,  the  number  of  its  alumni  was  402,  and  of  its  students  116. 
The  hbrary  contains  over  12,000  volumes. 


THE   POETS.  605 

But  Connecticut  has  not  been  less  distinguished  for  genius  . 
than  for  scholarship.  In  poetry  she  may  well  claim  to  be 
the  Athens  of  America.  Trumbull,  Barlow,  Humphreys,  and 
D wight,  were  in  their  day  the  first  poets  of  the  western 
world.  But  since  their  time,  there  have  sprung  up  a  class  of 
writers  whose  genius  and  artistic  finish  place  them  among 
the  first  ornaments  of  our  literature.  Of  those  who  have 
passed  from  the  stage  of  life,  Hillhouse  is  by  far  the  most  clas- 
sical and  stately.  He  wrought^  his  poetical  compositions 
to  a  degree  of  polish  which  until  his  day  had  never  been 
attained  by  the  western  muse.  His  conceptions  are  of  that 
large  order,  belonging  only  to  men  of  high  genius,  and  his 
imagination  has  a  breadth  and  sweep  of  wing  that  remind 
the  reader  of  "  Paradise  Lost." 

Brainerd,  with  less  magnificence  of  drapery,  was  perhaps 
not  inferior  to  Hillhouse  in  vio;or  of  imasiination.  His  lines 
on  '•'  the  Falls  of  Niagara,"  inartificial  as  they  are  in  con- 
struction, are  probably  not  surpassed  by  any  poem  in  the 
world  of  equal  length,  for  the  vastness  of  the  thoughts  and 
the  boldness  of  the  grouping.  The  mighty  flow  of  the 
cataract,  its  voice  sounding  on  like  a  perpetual  anthem, 
the  bow  that  hangs  upon  its  "  awful  front,"  the  sublime  scrip- 
ture imagery  that  clothes  it,  and  the  marks  of  centuries 
"  notched  in  the  eternal  rocks,"  as  if  by  the  finger  of  God,  all 
present  a  picture  of  condensed  power  and  terrible  sublimity. 
The  names  of  Lemuel  Hopkins,  Richard  Alsop,  Elihu 
Hubbard  Smith,  Mrs.  Laura  Thurston,  Miss  Martha  Day, 
James  Otis  Rockwell,  Hugh  Peters,  Mason,  and  others,  are 
familiar  to  all  readers  of  American  poetry,  and  are  embalmed 
in  the  affections  of  the  people. 

Upon  all  former  pages  of  this  work,  the  acts  and  characters 
of  living  men  have  been  left  out  of  view  or  treated  of  only  in 
notes,  as  was  sometimes  necessary  to  explain  the  text.  But 
in  relation  to  literature,  which  may  be  said  to  be  "  an  immor- 
tality rather  than  a  life,"  and  which  is  not  liable  to  the  con- 
ditions of  ordinary  decay,  the  adoption  of  adiflferent  rule  will 
hardly  offend  the  taste  of  any  one. 


606  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

Not  inferior  to  the  works  of  any  other  living  poet,  are  the 
productions  of  the  author  of  "  Marco  Bozzaris."  Since  the 
death  of  him  who  wrote  the  "  Elegy  in  a  country  church- 
yard," no  other  writer  has  appeared  who  dared  commit  his 
fame  to  the  keeping  of  so  few  lines,  and  no  poet  has  seemed 
to  be  so  well  aware  that  to  write  little  and  well,  is  to  write 
much.  His  poem  upon  Connecticut,  the  one  which  recalls 
with  the  breath  of  a  faded  rose  plucked  from  "  Alloway's 
witch-haunted  w^all,"  the  fragrant  memories  and  suffering 
poverty  of  Scotland's  bes!  poet,  and  the  precious  tribute, 
half  epitaph  and  half  sigh,  that  tells  the  gentle  fate  of  Rodman 
Drake, — "like  flower-seeds  by  the  far  winds  sown,"  will 
bloom  in  all  lands  to  the  end  of  time. 

Percival,  who  sports  with  the  boughs  of  ocean-groves  the 
foliage  of  which  was  never  "  wet  with  falling  dew ;"  Pierpont 
who  has  identified  his  name  with  that  of  Warren,  and  con- 
secrated his  song  to  hymn  the  first  arrival  of  the  emigrant  to 
the  New  England  coast,  and  who  has  recorded  the  tenderest 
and  holiest  emotions  that  can  thrill  a  parent's  heart  for  the 
loss  of  sainted  infancy ;  and  Prentice,  smoothing  from  his 
forehead  the  distracting  wrinkles  of  business,  and  at  intervals 
withdrawing  to  some  sequestered  spot, 

"  Where  billows  mid  the  silent  rocks, 
Are  brooding  o'er  the  waters  mild," — 

these  poets  can  no  longer  be  circumscribed  by  the  limits  of 
our  state,  for  they  "  are  Freedom's  now,  and  Fame's." 

Nor  let  us  be  unmindful  of  that  daughter  of  song  whose  pages 
have  recorded  the  privations  of  "the  Western  Emigrant"  by 
the  hoarse  waters  of  the  Illinois  ;  w^hose  name  is  blistered 
upon  the  title-page  by  the  fast-falling  tears  of  the  poor  girl 
who  muses  with  the  book  in  her  hand  over  the  warbled 
notes  of  the  robin  that  she  petted,  and  the  "  fresh  violets  " 
that  she  tended,  by  the  bank  of  the  Connecticut ;  nor  of  her 
whose  woman's  ear  listened  not  unwillingly  to  the  whispers 
of  fame,  and  whose  eye  saw  its  hues  of  promise  as  she 
looked  upward  through  the  branches  of  "  The  old  Apple-tree ;" 
nor  yet  of  her  whose  playful  pen  has  made  us  almost  wish 


JOHX  TRUMBULL  607 

that  the  days  of  "Bride  Stealing"  might  return.*  Other 
names,  like  those  of  Goodrich,  Nichols,  Wetmore,  Hill, 
Brown,  Dow,  Burleigh,  Park,  and  William  Thompson  Bacon, 
who  may  well  be  called  our  Wordsworth,  gather  around 
this  bright  constellation,  and  make  a  galaxy  which  is  to 
be  still  further  extended,  as  one  orb  of  song  after  another  is 
evolved  from  the  chaos  of  darkness,  and  takes  its  place  in 
the  firmament  of  letters. 

But  poetry  is  not  the  only  field  of  art  that  has  been  suc- 
cessfully trodden  by  our  citizens. 

When  Master  John  Trumbull,  the  youngest  son  of  our 
first  Governor  Trumbull,  was  secretly  learning  how  to  use 
the  brush  and  to  mix  colors,  and  while  he  was  still  in  the 
hands  of  his  sisters,  who  on  account  of  his  feeble  frame 
and  delicate  constitution  regarded  him  as  little  more  than  a 
plaything,  his  father,  so  wise  and  discriminating  in  all  other 
matters  of  public  concern,  and  in  most  matters  of  private 
interest,  used  his  best  endeavors  to  dissuade  the  boy  from 
such  pursuits.  At  a  later  period,  when  the  youth  had 
broken  away  from  the  domestic  circle,  and  was  at  Harvard, 
in  the  early  part  of  his  academical  career,  the  governor 
wrote  to  Mr.  Kneeland,  who  had  charge  of  his  son  :  "  I  am 
sensible  of  his  natural  genius  and  inclination  for  limning,  an 
art  w^hich  I  have  frequently  told  him  will  be  of  no  use  to 
him."  Little  did  the  statesman  know  that  the  art,  the  in- 
fluence of  which  he  so  much  deprecated,  would,  in  the 
hands  of  that  son,  transfer  to  canvas  the  features  of  all  the 
signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  sketch  as 
if  with  the  beams  of  the  sun,  the  very  likeness  and  action 
of  the  great  battles  of  the  Revolution.  Yet  John  Trumbull, 
scarcely  less  important  than  his  father,  was  born  to  paint  his 
country's  history.  Nothing  could  divert  his  attention  from 
this  great  purpose.  New  as  the  subject  was,  devoid  of  all 
the  romantic  associations  which  a  long  lapse  of  time  is  sup- 
posed to  throw  over  events,  he  looked  at  the  history  of  his 

*  Mrs.   Sigourney,   Mrs.  Ann   S.  Stephens,   and   JNIrs.   Emma   AYillard   are 
among  the  most  gifted  and  eminent  writers  in  our  country. 


608  HISTOEY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

country  through  the  medium  of  great  principles,  political  and 
social,  developed  and  illustrated  by  great  characters,  and  saw 
in  them,  what  none  but  genius  can  see,  new  combinations 
of  greatness  and  new  forms  of  beauty.  As  the  result  has 
proved,  the  choice  was  wise  as  it  was  brave.* 

While  engaged  in  fighting  the  battles  of  American  liberty 
and  unfolding  the  germs  of  literature,  learning,  and  art,  Con- 
necticut has  not  lost  sight  of  the  great  demands  of  the  age 
for  a  practical  application  of  the  physical  sciences  to  the  com- 
mon place  uses  of  life,  and  for  that  moral  machinery  which 
has  at  last  been  made  to  turn  all  the  wheels  of  our  complex 
society.  Eli  Whitney,  ours  by  education  and  choice,  in- 
vented the  cotton-gin,  and  although  the  money  which  the 
two  Carolinas  had  the  justice  to  pay  him  for  the  labors  of 
his  brain,  was  expended  in  litigating  his  claims  in  some  other 
states,  yet  the  world  which  denied  to  his  heirs  the  property 
of  which  they  had  been  robbed,  has  done  justice  to  his 
memory.  John  Fitch  was  the  first  to  apply  steam,  now 
the  common  drudge  of  man,  to  the  uses  of  navigation.  Junius 
Smith  was  the  originator  of  the  grand  project  of  navigating 
the  ocean  by  the  same  motive  power.  Morse,  of  a  Con- 
necticut parentage  and  culture,  invented  the  magnetic 
telegraph,  and  thus  gave  to  the  world  a  courier  swifter 
than  the  light,  and  more  certain  than  the  carrier-dove. 
Jared  Mansfield  originated  the  present  mode  of  surveying 

*  Colonel  John  Trumbull  was  born  in  Lebanon,  June  6,  1756,  graduated  at 
Cambridge  in  1773,  and  was  appointed  adjutant  of  tlie  first  Connecticut  regi- 
ment under  General  Spencer  previous  to  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  At  the  age 
of  nineteen  years  he  was  aid-de-carap  to  General  Washington  and  major  of 
brigade  ;  and  at  twenty,  he  was  appointed  adjutant  general  with  the  rank  of 
colonel.  Soon  after  he  commenced  painting,  he  took  up  his  abode  in  London  as  a 
pupil  of  Mr.  West,  in  1780,  where  he  was  arrested  and  imprisoned  on  a  charge  of 
high  treason.  After  being  confined  for  eight  months  he  was  hberated.  He  re- 
ceived various  diplomatic  appointments  abroad,  and  resided  in  England  and 
France  for  several  years.  He  became  one  of  the  most  eminent  artists  of  his  day. 
Many  of  his  historical  paintings  and  other  works  of  art  are  preserved  in  the 
"  Trumbull  Gallery,"  New  Haven.     He  died  in  New  York  in  1843  aged  87. 

For  my  estimate  of  Trumbull  and  for  facts  in  relation  to  him,  I  am  indebted  to 
friend  Mr.  George  F.  Wright. 


[1787.]  THE   EEBEL   GOVERNOR.  609 

lands.  Ephraim  Kirby  published  the  first  volume  of  law 
reports  ever  issued  in  the  United  States.  John  Treadvvell 
was  the  first  president  of  the  American  Board  of  Com- 
missioners for  Foreign  Missions.  Samuel  Seabury  was  the 
first  episcopal  bishop  in  the  new  world,  and  the  first  epis- 
copal ordinations  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic  took  place 
In  Connecticut.  Joseph  Bellamy,  as  we  have  shown, 
founded  the  first  Sabbath  school  in  the  world.  The  first 
temperance  society  in  Christendom  was  formed  in  this  state. 
The  first  asylum  for  the  deaf  and  dumb  ever  instituted  on 
this  continent  was  established  by  the  enterprize  of  our  citi- 
zens, and  upon  our  soil ;  and  the  seeds  of  almost  all  the 
colleges  in  the  Union,  have  been  carried  from  our  fields  and 
planted  by  our  citizens.  The  first  British  flag  that  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  American  patriots  during  the  revolutionary 
war,  and  the  first  upon  the  land  as  well  as  upon  the  sea  that 
did  homao;e  to  our  valor  in  the  war  of  1812,  were  all  struck 
to  sons  of  Connecticut ;  and  her  Trumbull  was  the  only 
governor  of  all  the  old  thirteen  colonies  who  merited  the  now 
honored  title  o{  "reheV* 

Here  ends  the  task  so  long  ago  undertaken,  and  followed 
with  so  many  interruptions,  but  with  a  fondness  which 
has  clung  more  lovingly  to  the  subject  as  the  author  has  pur- 
sued it  from  year  to  year.  If  these  pages  shall  stimulate  to 
one  generous  effort,  or  arouse  one  heroic  sentiment  in  the 
hearts  of  the  young  generation  who  are  now  rising  up, 
to  fill  the  places  of  their  fathers,  they  will  not  have  been 
written  in  vain. 

The  enemies  of  our  ancestors  were  cold,  famine,  priva- 

*  Connecticut  has  educated  principally  tlii'ough  Yale  College  and  the  Litch- 
field Law  School,  one-eighth  of  all  the  senators  that  have  ever  been  in  Congress, 
from  all  the  states  of  the  Union,  and  more  than  one-ninth  of  all  the  cabinet 
officers,  besides  being  the  birth-place  of  more  than  one-twelfth  of  the  entire  list 
of  United  States  senators,  and  one-third  of  all  the  postmasters  general  of  the 
United  States.  She  has  also  been  the  birth-place  of  one  Secretary  of  the  Nav}"-, 
one  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  two  Secretaries  of  "War,  two  Speakers  of  the 
United  States  House  of  Representatives,  one  Judge  and  one  Chief  Judge  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States. 

71 


610  HISTORY  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

tions,  decimating  wars  and  taxes  that  pressed  heavily  upon 
them  ;  ours,  on  the  other  hand,  are  luxury,  extravagance, 
sloth,  and  the  natural  result  of  all  these,  moral  and  phy- 
sical weakness.  Let  us  study  their  history  with  sentiments 
of  filial  regard,  and  not  forget  to  thank  the  God  whom 
they  trusted,  that  we  are  able  to  say,  as  they  did,  when 
they  planted  those  three  vines  in  the  wilderness,  which 
have  since  afforded  fruit  and  shelter  to  millions, — "  Qui 
Transtulit  Sustinet* 


APPENDIX. 


ROLL  OF  DELEGATES 


TO  THE  CONVENTION  WHICH  RATIFIED  THE  CONSTITUTION  OF  THE 

UNITED  STATES, 

HOLDEN  AT   HARTFORD,  ON   THE  FIRST   THURSDAY  OF  JANUARY,   1788. 

Hon,  Matthew  Griswold,  President. 
Jedediah  Strong,  Esq.,  Secretary. 

HARTFORD  COUNTY. 


ii 


HARTFORD    COUNTY. 

Hartford. — 

Jeremiah  Wadsworth, . . . .  Y. 

Jesse  Root,* Y, 

Berlin. — 

"         Isaac  Lee, , Y. 

"         SelahHart, Y. 

Bristol. — 

"         Zebulon  Peck,  Jr., Y. 

East  Hartford. — 

"         William  Pitkin, ....  nil  dicif. 

"         Elisha  Pitkin, Y. 

East  Windsor. — 

*'         Erastus  Wolcott, Y. 

"         John  Watson, Y. 

Enfield. — 

"         Daniel  Perkins, N. 

"         Joseph  Kingsbury, ,  nil  dicit. 
Farmington. — 

"         John  Treadwell,* Y. 

"         William  Judd, Y. 

Glastenbury. — 

Josiah  Moseley, Y. 

Wait  Goodricli, Y. 

Granhy. — 

"         Hezekiah  Ilolcomb, N. 

Southington. — 

John  Curtis, Y. 

Asa  Barnes, Y. 

Suffield. — 

"         Alexander  King, N. 

"         David  Todd, N. 

Simsbury. — 

Noah  Phelps, N. 

Daniel  Humphrey, N. 


u 


u 
a 


Wethersfield. — 

"         Stephen  M.  Mitchell,* . . .  Y. 

"         John  Chester, Y. 

Windsor. — 

"         Oliver  Ellsworth, T. 

Roger  Newberry, Y. 


a 


u 


NEW    HAVEN    COUNTY. 

New  Haven. — 

Roger  Sherman, Y. 

Pierpont  Edwards,* Y. 

Branford. — 

William  Gould, N. 

Timothy  Hoadley, N. 

Cheshire. — 

"         David  Brooks, N. 

"         Samuel  Beach, Y. 

Derby. — 

"         Daniel  Holbrook, Y. 

"         John  Holbrook, Y. 

Durham. — 

"         James  Wadsworth, N. 

"         Daniel  Hall, N. 

East  Haven. — 

"         Samuel  Davenport, N. 

Guilford. — 

Andrew  Ward, N. 

John  Eliot, N. 

Harnden. — 

"         Theoph.  Goodyear,  nil  dicit. 
Milford. — 

Gideon  Buckingham,. . .  .T. 
Lewis  Mallet, Y. 


4( 


612 


APPENDIX. 


NEW    HAVEN    COUNTY. 

North  Haven. — 

"         Daniel  Bassett, N. 

Wallingford. — 

"         Street  Hall, N. 

"         Samuel  Whiting, N. 

Waterhury. — 

"         Joseph  Hopkins, T. 

"         John  Walton, Y. 

Woodbridge. — 

"         Samuel  Osborn, N". 

"         Samuel  Newton, N. 


MIDDLESEX    COUNTY. 

Middletown. — 

"         Ashur  Miller, T. 

"         Samuel  H.  Parsons, Y. 

Chatham. — 

"         Ebenezer  White, Y. 


a 


Hezekiah  Goodrich Y. 


East  Had  dam. — 

"         Dyar  Throop, Y. 

"         Jabez  Chapman, Y. 

Haddam. — 

"         Cornelius  Higgins, . . . . .  .Y. 

"         Hezekiah  Brainard, Y. 

Killingworth. — 

"         Theophilus  Morgan, Y. 

"         Hezekiah  Law, Y. 

Saybrook. — 

"         William  Hart, Y. 

"         Samuel  Shipman, Y. 


TOLLAND    COUNTY. 

Tolland. — 

"         Jeremiah  West, Y. 

"         Samuel  Chapman, Y. 

Bolton. — 

"         Ichabod  Warner, Y. 

"         Samuel  Carver, Y. 

Coventry. — 

"         Jeremiah  Ripley, Y. 

"         Ephraim  Root, Y. 

Ellington. — 

"         Ebenezer  Nash, N. 

Hebron. — 

"         Daniel  Ingham, ....N. 

"         Elihu  Marvin, N. 

Somers. — 

"         Joshua  Pomeroy, N. 

"         Abiel  Pease, N. 

Stafford. — 

"         JohnPhelps, Y. 

"         Isaac  Foot, Y. 

Union. — 

"         Abijah  Sessions, Y. 


TOLLAND    COUNTY. 

Willington. — 

"         Caleb  Holt, T. 

"         Seth  Crocker, Y. 

WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

Windham. — 

"         Eliphalet  Dyer, Y. 

"         Jedediah  Elderkin, Y. 

Ashford. — 

"         Simeon  Smith, Y. 

"         Hendrick  Dow, Y. 

Brooklyn. — 

"         Seth  Paine, Y. 

Canterbury. — 

"         Asa  Witter, Y. 

"         Moses  Cleveland, Y. 

Hampton. — 

"         (Unrepresented.) 

Killingly. — 

'•'         Simeon  Howe, Y. 

"         William  Danielson, Y. 

Lebanon. — 

"         William  Williams,* Y. 

"         Ephraim  Carpenter, N. 

Mansfield. — 

"         Constant  South  worth,.  ...N. 

"         Nathaniel  Atwood, N. 

Plainfield. — 

'•         James  Bradford, Y. 

"         Joshua  Dunlap, Y. 

Pomfret. — 

"         Jonathan  Randall, N. 

"     .    Simeon  Colton, N. 

Thompson. — 

"         Daniel  Learned Y. 

Voluntown. — 

"         Moses  Campbell, Y. 

"         Benjamin  Dow, Y. 

Woodstock. — 

"         Stephen  Paine, N. 

"         Timothy  Perrin, N. 


LITCHFIELD    COUNTY. 

Litchfield. — 

' '         Oliver  Wolcott, Y. 

"         Jedediah  Strong, Y. 

Barkhamsted. — 

"         Joseph  Wilder, N. 

Bethlem. — 

"         Moses  Hawley, .T. 

Colebrook. — 

"         (Unrepresented.) 

Canaan. — 

"         Charles  Burrall, Y. 

«         Nathan  Hale, Y. 


APPENDIX. 


613 


a 


LITCHFIELD    COUNTY. 

Cornwall. — 

"         Edward  Rogers, ...  .^fesent 

"         Matthew  PattersoD, N. 

Goshen. — 

"         Daniel  Miles, T. 

"         Asaph  Hall, Y. 

Hartland. — 

"         Isaac  Burnham, T. 

"         John  Wilder, T. 

Harwinton. — 

"         Abner  Wilson, N. 

"         MarkPrindle, Y. 

Kent.— 

"         Jedediah  Hubbell, Y. 

Neio  Hartford. — 

Aaron  Austin,* Y. 

Thomas  Goodman, N. 

New  Milford.— 

"         Samuel  Canfield, Y. 

"         Daniel  Everett, Y. 

Norfolk. — 

Asahel  Humphrey, N. 

Hosea  Humphrey, N. 

Salisbury. — 

Hezekiah  Fitch, Y. 

Joshua  Porter, Y. 

Sharon. — 

"         Josiah  Coleman, N. 

"         Jonathan  Gillett, N. 

Southbury. — 

"         Benjamin  Hinman, Y. 

Torrington. — 

"         Epaphras  Sheldon, Y. 

"         Eliphalet  Enos, N. 

Warren. — 

"        Eleazer  Curtis Y. 

Washington. — 

John  Whittlesey, Y. 

Daniel  N.  Brinsmade, . . .  Y. 


u 
ii 


u 


Watertown. — 

"         Thomas  Fen n, .Y. 


u 


David  Smith 


Winchester. — 

''         Robert  McCune, Y. 

Woodbury. — 

Daniel  Sherman, Y. 

Samuel  Orton, Y. 


u 


NEW    LONBON    COUNTV. 

New  London. — 

''         Richard  Law, Y. 

Amaza  Learned,* Y. 


u 


NEW    LONDON    COUNTY. 

Norwich. — 

"         Samuel  Huntington, Y. 

"         Jedediah  Huntington Y. 

Bozrah. — 

"         Isaac  Huntington, Y. 

Colchester. — 

"         Robert  Robbins Y. 

"         Daniel  Foot,... Y. 

Franklin. — 

"         Eli  Hyde, Y. 

Groton. — 

"         Joseph.  Woodbridge, . . .  .Y. 

"         Stephen  Billings, Y. 

Lisbon. — 

"         Andrew  Lee, Y. 

Lyme. — 

"         Matthew  Griswold, Y. 

"         William  Noyes, Y. 

Montville. — 

"  Joshua  Raymond,  Jr.,. .  .Y. 
Preston. — 

"         Jeremiah  Halsey, Y. 

"         Wheeler  Coit, Y. 

Stonington. — 

"         Charles  Phelps, Y. 

"        Nathaniel  Miner, Y. 

FAIRFIELD    COUNTY. 

Fairfield. — 

"         Jonathan   Sturges, Y. 

"         Tliaddeus  Burr, Y. 

Danbury. — 

''         Elisha  Whittlesey, Y. 

"         Joseph  M.  White, Y. 

Greenwich. — 

"         Amos  Mead, Y. 

"         Jabez  Fitch, Y. 

New  Fairfield. — 

"         Nehemiah  Beardsley, . . . .  Y. 

"         James  Potter, Y. 

Newtown. — 

"         John  Chandler, Y. 

"         John  Beach, Y. 

Norwalk. — 

"         Samuel  C.  Si]liman,.^6sen<. 

"         Hezekiah  Rogers, Y. 

Reading. — 

'•         Lemuel  Sanford,* Y. 

"         William  Heron, Y. 

Ridgefield.-^- 

Philip  B.  Bradley, Y. 

Nathan  Dauchy, Y. 


a 


*  Though  a  period  of  thirty  years  elapsed  between  this  convention  and  the  convention  which 
formed  the  state  ronstitiition,  it  is  a  remarkable  fact,  that  at  least  eight  persons  were  delegates  to 
both,  viz.,  Jesse  Root,  John  Treadwell,  Stephen  M.  ^Mitchell,  Pierpont  Edwards,  Aaron  Austin, 
Amasa  Learned,  Lemuel  Sanford,  and  William  Williams. 


614 


APPENDIX. 


FAIRFIELD   COUNTY. 

Stamford. — 

"        James  Davenport,  . . . . 
"        John  Davenport,  Jr.,. 


FAIRFIELD    COUNTY. 


.T. 
,.Y. 


Stratford. 


u 


William  S.  Johnson, Y 

Elisha  Mills, T. 


ROLL    OF    DELEGATES 


TO  THE  CONVENTION  WHICH  POMED  THE  STATE  CONSTITUTION, 

HOLDEN  AT   HARTFORD,  IN  AUGUST,    1818. 

His  Excellency  Oliver  Wolcott,  President. 

James  Lanman,  Esq.,  )    _,,    , 

^  -^  -r^         I  Clerks. 

Robert  JBairchild,  Esq,., 


Hartford. — 

Southington. — 

"         Sylvester  Wells, 

"         Roger  Whittlesey, 

"         Nathaniel  Terry. 

"         Chester  Grannis. 

Berlin. — 

Suffield.— 

"         Samuel  Hart, 

"         Christopher  Jones, 

"         Samuel  Norton. 

"         Asahel  Morse. 

Bristol. — 

Weihersfield. — 

"         Bryan  Hooker. 

"         Stephen  M.  Mitchell, 

Burlington. — 

"         Levi  Lusk. 

Bliss  Hart. 

Windsor. — 

Canton. — 

"         Eliakim  Marshall, 

"         Solomon  Everest. 

"         Josiah  Phelps. 

East  Hartford. — 

"         Richard  Pitkin, 

New  Haven. — 

"         Samuel  Pitkin. 

"         William  Bristol, 

East  Windsor. — 

"         Nathan  Smith. 

"         Charles  Jencks, 

Branford. — 

"         Abner  Reed. 

"         Eli  Fowler, 

Enfield.— 

"         Jonathan  Rose. 

"         Henry  Terry, 

Cheshire. — 

"         William  Dixon. 

"         Andrew  Hull, 

Farmington. — 

"         Charles  Shelton. 

"         Timothy  Pitkin, 

Derby. — 

"         John  Treadwell. 

"         John  Riggs. 

Glastenbury. — 

East  Haven. — 

"         Samuel  Welles, 

"         Bela  Farnham. 

,      "         David  E.  Hubbard. 

Guilford. — 

Granhy. — 

"         Nathaniel  Griffin, 

"         S.  Wilcox, 

"         William  Todd. 

"         Reuben  Barker. 

Hamden. — 

Hartland. — 

''         Russell  Pierpont. 

"         Aaron  Church, 

Meriden. — 

"         John  Treat. 

"        Patrick  Clark. 

Marlborough. — 

Middlebury. — 

"         Elisha  Buel. 

"         Aaron  Benedict. 

Simsbury. — 

Milford. 

"         Elisha  Phelps, 

"         Benjamin  Hull, 

"        Jonathan  Pettibone,  Jr. 

"        Samuel  B.  Gunn. 

APPENDIX. 


615 


North  Haven. — 

"         Daniel  Plerpont. 
Oxford. — 

"         David  Tomlinson. 
Southbury. — 

"         Sliadrach  Osborn. 
Wallingford. — 

"         John  Andrews, 

"         William  Marks. 
Waterbury. — 

"         Timon  jNIiles, 

"         Andrew  Adams. 
Wolcoit.— 

"         Ambrose  Ives. 
Woodbridge. — 

"         Justus  Thomas, 

"         Chauncey  Tolles. 

New  London. — 

"         Christopher  Manwaring, 

"         Amaza  Learned. 
Norwich. — 

"         John  Tm-ner, 

"         James  Lanman. 
Bozrah. — 

"         Roswell  Fox, 
Colchester. — 

"         David  Deming, 

"         John  Isham,  Jr. 
Franklin. — 

"         Joshua  Hyde. 
Griswold. — 

"         Elisha  J.  Abel. 
Grot  on. — 

"         John  Daboll, 

"         William  WiUiams. 
Lisbon. — 

"         Daniel  Braman. 
Lyme. — 

"         Moses  Warren, 

"         Ebenezer  Brockway. 
Montville. — 

"         Oliver  Comstoek. 
North  Stonington. — 

"         Chester  Smith, 

"         William  Randall,  Jr. 
Preston. — 

"         Nathaniel  Kimball, 

"         Denison  Palmer. 
Stonington. — 

"         William  Randall, 

"         Amos  Gallup. 
Waterford. — 

"        Charles  Avery. 

Fairfield. — 

"         David  Hill, 

"         Gideon  Tomlinson. 


Danbury. — 

"         Friend  Starr, 
"         William  Cook. 

BrooJcfield. — 

''         Noah  A.  Lacy. 

Greenwich. — 

'^         Clark  Sanford, 
"         Enos  Loekwood. 

Huntington. — 

"         Timothy  J.  Welles, 
"         William  Shelton. 

New  Canaan. — 

"         Nathan  Seeley. 

Neiv  Fairfield. — 

"         Samuel  T.  Barnum. 

Newtown. — 

"         Gideon  Botsford, 
"         James  B.  Fairman. 

Norwalk. — 

"•         Moses  Gregory, 
"         Jolin  Eversley. 

Reading. — 

*'         Samuel  Whiting, 
"         Lemuel  Sanford. 

Ridgefield. — 

''         Joshua  King, 
"         Abner  Gilbert. 

Sherman. — 

"         Jedediah  Graves. 

Stamford. — 

"         James  Stevens, 
"         John  Weed,  Jr. 

Stratford. — 

"         Pierpont  Edwards, 
"         Robert  Fairchild. 

Trumbull. — 

"•         Lewis  Burton. 

Weston. — 

"         Abel  Gregory, 
"         Isaac  Bennett. 

Wilton. — 

"         Erastus  Sturges. 

Windham. — 

"         Peter  Webb, 
"         Zaccheus  Waldo. 

Ashford. — 

"         Josias  Byles, 
"         William  Perkins. 

Brooklyn. — 

"         Roger  W.  Williams. 

Canterbury. — 

"         Luther  Paine, 
*'         Daniel  Frost. 

Columbia. — 

"        Silas  Fuller. 

Hampton. — 

"         Ebenezer  Griffin. 


616 


APPENDIX. 


Killingly. — 

"         Luther  Warren, 
"         Ezi-a  Hutchins. 

Lehanon. 

"         Thomas  Babcock, 
"         Stephen  D.  Tilden. 

Mansfield. — 

"         Edmund  Freeman, 
"         Artemas  Gurley. 

Plainfield. — 

"         Elias  Woodward, 
"         John  Dunlap. 

Pomfret. — 

"         Darius  Matthewson, 
"         Lemuel  Ingalls. 

Sterling. — 

"         Dixon  Hall. 

Thompson. — 

"         George  Lamed, 

"        Jonathan  Nichols,  Jr. 

Voluntown. — 

"         Daniel  Keigwin. 

Woodstock. — 

"         John  McLellan, 
"         Elias  Childs,  2d. 

Litchfield. — 

"         Oliver  Wolcott, 
"         John  Welch. 

Barkhamsted. — 

"         Samuel  Hayden, 
"         Oliver  Mills. 

Bethlem. — 

"         Nehemiah  Lambert. 

Canaan. — 

"         William  M.  Burrall, 
"         William  Douglas. 

Colebrook. — 

"         Arah  Phelps, 
"         George  Pinney. 

Cornwall. — 

"         Philo  Swift, 

"         Oliver  Burnham. 

Goshen. — 

"         Adino  Hale, 

"         Theodore  North. 

Harwinton. — 

"         James  Brace, 
"         Uriah  Hopkins. 

Kent. — 

"         Lewis  St.  John. 

New  Hartford. — 

"         Aaron  Austin, 
"         Jonathan  Marsh. 

New  Milford. — 

"         Orange  Merwin, 
"         Jehiel  Williains. 


Norfolk. — 

"         Augustus  Pettibone, 
"         Joseph  Battell. 

Plymouth. — 

"         Calvin  Butler. 

Poxhury. — 

"         John  Trowbridge. 

Salisbury. — 

"         Daniel  Johnson, 
"         Samuel  Church. 

Sharon. — 

"         Cyrus  Swan, 

"         Samuel  E.  Everett. 

Torrington. — 

"         Abel  Hinsdale, 
"         William  Battel!. 

Warren. — 

"         John  Tallmadge. 

Washington. — 

"         Hermanus  Marshall, 
"         Ensign  Bushnell. 

Watertown. — 

"         Amos  Baldwin. 

Winchester. — 

"         Levi  Piatt, 
"         Joseph  Miller. 

Woodbury. — 

Nathaniel  Perry, 
Daniel  Bacon. 


u 


MiDDLETOWN. 

"         Alexander  Wolcott, 
"         Joshua  Stow. 

Haddam. — 

"         Ezra  Brainard, 

"         Jonathan  Huntington. 

Chatham. — 

"         Enoch  Sage, 
"         Benjamin  Hurd. 

Durham. — 

"         Thomas  Lyman, 
"         Lemuel  Guernsey 

East  Haddam. — 

'"         Solomon  Blakeslee, 
"         William  Hungerford. 

Killingworth. — 

George  Elliott, 
Dan  Lane. 

Saybrook. — 

"         Charles  Nott, 
"         Elisha  Sill. 

Tolland. — 

"         Ashbel  Chapman, 
•'         Eliphalet  Young. 

Bolton. — 

"         Saul  Alvord,  Jr. 


ii 


APPENDIX. 


617 


Coventry. — 

"         Jesse  Root, 

"         Elisha  Edgerton. 

Ellington. — 

Asa  Willey. 

Hebron. — 

"         Daniel  Burrows, 
"         John  S.  Peters. 

Somers. — 

"         Benjamin  Phelps, 
"         Giles  Pease. 


Stafford.- 

u 

u 
Union. — 

u 


Ephraim  Hyde, 
Kathan  Johnson. 


Tngoldsby  W.  Crawford, 

Robert  Paul. 
Vernon. — 

"         Phineas  Talcott. 
Willington. — 

Jonathan  Sibley,  Jr. 

SpafFord  Brigham. 


a 


u 

a 


COMMON    SCHOOLS. 

For  a  minute  and  comprehensive  survey  of  the  "  Legislation  of  Connecticut 
respecting  Common  Schools,  and  other  means  of  Popular  Education,"  including 
academic  aud  collegiate  institutions  from  1638  to  1838,  the  reader  is  referred  to 
the  annual  report  of  Henry  Barnard,  superintendent  of  the  common  schools,  made 
to  the  General  Assembly,  May  session  1853.  The  state  may  well  be  proud  of  her 
early  legislation,  in  behalf  of  universal  education.  "  If  there  is  any  thing,"  re- 
marks Prof.  Kingsley,  in  his  historical  discourse  on  the  anniversary  of  the  first 
settlement  of  New  Haven,  "  If  there  is  any  thing  in  the  institutions  of  a  free  state, 
which  shows  the  character  of  its  founders,  it  is  the  regard  paid  to  the  education 
of  youth.  Religion,  morals,  enterprise,  whatever  benefits  or  adorns  society,  rest 
here  on  their  surest  foundation  ;  and  where  effectual  provision  is  made  in  the  in- 
fancy of  a  community,  for  general  instruction,  other  salutary  regulations  may  be 
expected  to  accompany  them.  Take  from  our  commonwealth  the  universal  edu- 
cation of  our  citizens,  and  our  social  system  is  at  an  end.  The  form  might  con- 
tinue for  a  time,  but  its  spirit  would  have  fled.  To  suppose  that  pure  religion, 
pure  morals,  an  upright  administration  of  government,  and  a  peaceable,  orderly, 
and  agreeable  intercourse  in  the  domestic  and  social  relations  of  life,  can  exist, 
where  the  people  as  a  body  are  ignorant  of  letters,  is  an  egregious  solecism.  I  do 
not  say  that  education  is  all  that  is  needed,  but  without  knowledge  generally  diffused, 
other  means  of  improving  human  society  are  comparatively  weak  and  unavailing." 

The  establishment  of  the  common  school  for  the  elementary  instruction  of  all  the 
children  of  a  neighborhood,  as  the  broad  and  firm  basis  of  a  system  of  public  edu- 
cation, embracing  the  grammar  school,  and  the  college  or  university,  by  the 
founders  of  the  colonies  of  Connecticut  and  New  Haven,  and  the  vigorous  and  pa- 
tient efforts  of  many  good  and  wise  men  for  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  afterward, 
to  bring  the  school  near  to  every  man's  door,  and  to  induce  towns,  parents,  and 
guardians,  by  these  facilities,  and  by  penalties  for  neglecting  them,  to  look  after 
their  "  proper  nurture  and  schooling,"  as  well  as  their  "  training  to  some  honest 
occupation,  of  all  children,  apprentices,  and  servants,"  until  it  could  with  truth  be 
said  that  not  only  the  high  places  in  church  and  commonwealth  were  fillod  with 
a  learned  ministry  and  an  intelligent  magistracy,  but  that  the  "  barbarism  "  of 


618  APPENDIX. 

having  a  "  single  person  unable  to  read  the  Holy  Word  of  God,  and  the  good 
laws  of  the  colony,"  was  not  to  be  found  in  any  household  however  poor,  entitles 
Connecticut  to  a  prominent  place  on  the  roll  of  civilized  states,  and  her  early  legis- 
lators to  rank  among  the  benefactors  of  the  human  race.  "  Did  I  know,"  Judge 
Swift  remarks  in  his  digest  of  the  laws  of  Connecticut,  "  the  name  of  the  legisla- 
tor, who  first  conceived  and  suggested  the  idea  of  common  schools,  I  should  pay 
to  his  memory  the  highest  ti-ibute  of  reverence  and  regard.  I  should  feel  for  him 
a  much  higher  veneration  and  respect,  than  I  do  for  Lycurgus  and  Solon,  the 
celebrated  lawgivers  of  Sparta  and  Athens.  I  should  revere  him  as  the  greatest 
benefactor  of  the  human  race  ;  because  he  has  been  the  author  of  a  provision  ^ 
which,  if  it  should  be  adopted  in  every  country,  would  produce  a  happier  and 
more  important  influence  on  the  human  character,  than  any  institution  which  the 
wisdom  of  man  has  devised."  It  may  be  difficult  to  assign  to  any  one  individual 
the  merit  of  having  originated  the  common  school  system  of  Connecticut,  or  New 
England.  Mr.  Barnard,  in  his  history  already  referred  to,  remarks,  "  The  outline, 
and  most  of  the  features  of  our  present  system  of  common  or  public  schools,  will 
be  found  in  the  practice  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  several  towns  which  composed 
the  original  colonies  of  Connecticut  and  New  Haven,  before  any  express  provision 
was  made  by  general  law  for  the  regulation  and  support  of  schools,  or  the  bring- 
ing up  of  children.  The  first  law  on  the  subject  did  but  little  more  than  declare 
the  motive,  and  make  obligatory  the  practice  which  had  grown  up  out  of 
the  characters  of  the  founders  of  these  colonies  and  the  circumstances 
in  which  they  were  placed.  They  did  not  come  here  as  isolated  individuals, 
drawn  together  from  widely  separated  homes,  entertaining  broad  differences 
of  opinion  on  all  matters  of  civil  and  religious  concernment,  and  kept  together 
by  the  necessity  of  self  defence  in  the  eager  prosecution  of  some  temporary 
but  profitable  adventure.  They  came  after  God  had  set  them  in  families,  and 
they  brought  with  them  the  best  pledges  of  good  behavior,  in  the  relations 
which  father  and  mother,  husband  and  wife,  parents  and  children,  neighbors 
and  friends,  establish.  They  came  with  a  foregone  conclusion  of  permanence, 
and  with  all  the  elements  of  the  social  state  combined  in  vigorous  activity — 
every  man,  expecting  to  find  or  make  occupation  in  the  way  in  which  he  had 
been  trained.  They  came  with  earnest  religious  convictions,  made  more 
earnest  by  the  trials  of  persecution  5  and  the  enjoyment  of  these  convictions  was 
a  leading  motive  in  their  emigration  hither.  The  fundamental  articles  of  their 
religious  creed,  that  the  bible  was  the  only  authoritative  expression  of  the  Divine 
will,  and  that  every  man  was  able  to  judge  for  himself  in  its  interpretation,  made 
schools  necessary  to  bring  all  persons  "  to  a  knowledge  of  the  scriptures,"  and  an 
understanding  "  of  the  main  grounds  and  principles  of  the  christian  religion  neces- 
sary to  salvation."  The  constitution  of  civil  government,  which  they  adopted 
from  the  outset,  which  declares  all  civil  officers  elective,  and  gave  to  every  inhabi- 
tant who  would  take  the  oath  of  allegiance,  the  right  to  vote,  and  to  be  voted  for, 
and  which  practically  converted  political  society  into  a  partnership,  in  which  each 
member  had  a  right  to  bind  the  whole  firm,  made  universal  education  identical 
with  self  preservation.  But  aside  from  these  considerations,  the  natural  and  ac- 
knowledged leaders  in  this  enterprise — the  men  who,  by  their  religious  character, 


APPEXDIX.  619 

wealth,  social  position,  and  previous  experience  in  conducting  large  business 
operations,  commanded  public  confidence  in  church  and  commonwealth,  were 
educated  men — as  highly  and  thoroughly  educated  as  the  best  endowed  grammar 
schools  in  England  could  educate  them  at  that  period,  and  not  a  few  of  them  had 
enjoyed  the  advantages  of  her  great  universities.  These  men  would  naturally 
seek  for  their  own  children  the  best  opportunities  of  education  which  could  be 
provided  ;  and  it  is  the  crowning  glory  of  these  men,  that,  instead  of  sending 
their  own  children  back  to  England  to  be  educated  in  grammar  schools  and 
universities,  they  labored  to  establish  free  grammar  schools  and  a  college  here, 
amid  the  stumps  of  the  primeval  forests  ;  that  instead  of  setting  up  "  family 
schools,"  and  "  select  schools  "  for  the  ministers'  sons  and  the  magistrates'  sons, 
the  ministers  and  magistrates  were  found — not  only  in  town  meeting,  pleading  for 
an  allowance  out  of  the  common  treasury  for  the  support  of  a  public  or  common 
school,  and  in  some  instances  for  a  "  free  school  " — but  among  the  families,  en- 
treating parents  of  all  classes  to  send  their  children  to  the  same  school  with  their 
own.  All  this  was  done  in  advance  of  any  legislation  on  the  subject,  and  was  more 
easily  made  the  habit  of  each  new  township  by  legislation  framed  in  this  spirit."* 

In  the  practice  above  referred  to,  for  near  a  century  and  a  half,  lay  the  peculiar 
excellence  of  the  common  school  system — the  universality  of  the  habit,  and  the 
equality  of  the  education  given  to  all  classes  of  the  same  community.  The  "  children 
of  the  rich  and  the  poor,  of  the  capitalist  and  the  laborer,  of  the  laborer  with  his 
hands  and  the  laborer  with  his  head,  were  found  side  by  side  in  the  same  school, 
and  in  the  same  playground,  without  knowing  or  caring  for  any  other  distinction 
than  such  as  industry,  capacity,  or  virtue  may  make.  The  teacher  of  the  common 
school  held  a  recognized  office  of  distinction  in  the  neighborhood,  not  overshadowed 
by  the  better  educated  and  better  paid  teacher  of  private  schools ;  one  family  bor- 
rowed its  practice  of  school  attendance  from  another,  and  any  new  family  fell  into 
the  general  habit  of  the  district ;  and  a  firm,  intelligent  and  public  opinion  in  favor 
of  the  school,  coerced  those  who  might  otherwise  have  proved  forgetful  or  delin- 
quent as  to  the  education  of  their  children.  By  degrees  the  supervision  of  the  com- 
mon school  was  transferred  from  the  town  where  other  public  interests  were  looked 
after,  to  an  independent  corporation,  whose  annual  meeting  was  thinly  attended 
because  nothing  was  to  be  done  except  the  election  of  officers  ;  the  support  of  the 
schools  was  thrown  mainly  on  the  avails  of  public  funds,  which  was  followed  by 
a  diminution  of  public  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  district  •,  the  means  of  the  rich, 
no  longer  taxed  for  the  support  of  the  common  school,  were  freely  expended  on 
academic  and  private  schools,  for  the  exclusive  benefit  of  a  few  families — and  thus 
this  noble  institution  came  to  occupy  a  secondary  place  in  the  regards  of  a  large 
and  influential  portion  of  every  district  and  town." 

From  1820  to  1838,  strenuous  efforts  were  made  by  individuals,  through  the 
press,  and  in  conventions  of  teachers  and  friends  of  educational  improvement,  to 
arrest  the  attention  of  the  people,  and  the  legislation,  to  the  want  of  progress  in 
the  common  schools,  and  to  causes  which  were  operating  to  diminish  their  useful- 
ness. But  it  was  not  till  1838  that  any  effectual  measure  was  adopted.  At  the 
May  session  of  the  General  Assembly  in  that  year,  Henry  Barnard,  whose  reports 

*  Barnard's  Legislation  of  Connecticut  respecting  Common  Schools  from  1636  to  1838. 


620  '  APPENDIX. 

have  been  referred  to,  then  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  from 
Hartford,  succeeded  in  carrying  through  both  branches,  by  au  almost  unanimous 
vote,  an  ''  Act  to  provide  for  the  better  supervision  of  common  schools,"  which 
commenced  a  new  era  in  the  history  of  our  school  system.  This  act,  while  it  left 
every  member  of  the  community  in  his  unabridged  rights,  as  regards  the  educa- 
tion of  his  own  children,  and  school  societies  and  districts  to  maintain  and  manage 
its  schools,  correct  abuses,  and  carry  out  desirable  reforms  according  to  their  own 
judgment,  aimed  to  secure  the  more  particular  attention  of  local  committees  to 
their  supervision,  and  to  enlist  the  counsel  and  experience  of  a  board  (consisting 
of  one  member  for  each  county),  and  the  entire  time,  strength,  and  talents  of  one 
person,  to  collect  and  disseminate  information  as  to  the  condition  of  the  common 
schools,  and  to  awaken,  enlighten,  and  elevate  public  sentiment  in  relation  to  the 
whole  subject  of  popular  education.  Mr.  Barnard  was  made  a  member  of  the 
board  for  Hartford  county,  and  finally,  and  at  the  earnest  solicitation  of  the  other 
members  of  the  board,  and  many  influential  citizens,  he  accepted  the  office  of 
secretary,  and  his  whole  time  and  strength  devoted  to  the  service  of  the  common 
schools  of  the  state. 

There  have  been  few  reformers,  whether  of  the  religious,  moral,  or  civil  condi- 
tion of  mankind,  who  have  been  popular  in  their  day.  They  have  to  encounter 
old  prejudices,  which  have  taken  deep  root  and  long  drawn  from  the  earth  the 
nourishment  that  should  have  been  absorbed  by  the  smaller  fibres  of  the  grains 
that  nourish,  or  the  flowers  that  adorn  our  fallen  humanity.  They  have  to  contend 
against  vanity,  jealousy,  envy,  and  ignorance.  The  world  does  not  love  to  be 
told  of  its  faults,  and  for  this  reason  has  almost  always  regarded  its  reformers  and 
teachers  as  its  enemies.  Besides  there  is  some  thing  connected  with  the  educa- 
tion of  the  young,  which  the  flippant  materialist,  the  frigid  fashionist  and  the 
callous  man  of  the  world,  looks  upon  with  a  kind  of  contempt  as  unworthy  of  his 
notice.  Hence  many  a  fop  who  spends  hours  before  his  looking-glass  in  adjusting 
his  hair  and  beard,  many  a  wily  politician  whose  life  has  been  spent  in  the  practice 
of  low  cunning  and  intrigue,  turns  his  eye  askance  and  curls  his  lip  in  scorn  at  the 
sight  of  a  Howard  or  a  Gallaudet,  as  w^orthy  only  to  be  a  nurse  or  a  schoolmaster. 
They  cannot  associate  the  idea  of  great  powers  with  occupations  that  seem  to  be 
so  humble.  It  will  be  noticed  that  such  men  almost  always  speak  lightly  of  the 
intellectual  powers  of  woman,  too,  and  skeptically  of  Him,  who,  in  His  divine  com- 
passion and  infinite  wisdom,  beholding  the  ripe  fruit  in  the  opening  bud,  stretched 
forth  hi^  arms  exclaiming  "  suffer  little  children  to  come  unto  me."  To  such 
men  the  wanderings  of  Hooker  through  the  wilderness,  the  patient  labors  of 
Muirson,  the  episcopal  missionary  on  the  western  border  of  Connecticut,  are  in- 
vested with  no  poetry,  and  look  forward  to  no  glorious  results  of  empire  or  tri- 
umphant faith.  To  sport  with  the  bubbles  so  constantly  bursting  and  forming 
a  new  on  the  changing  surface  of  life  is  a  pastime,  business,  hope,  and 
eternity  to  them. 

With  Henry  Barnard,  whose  name  is  so  intimately  associated  with  one  of  the 
great  reforms  of  the  world,  life  is  valuable  only  that  it  may  be  spent  in  improv- 
ing the  condition  of  mankind  not  only  in  the  present  generation,  but  in  all  ages. 
To  this  noble  work  he  has  consecrated  talents  and  acquirements  of  the  highest 


APPENDIX.  621 

order.     Descending  from  one  of  the  emigrants  who  settled  the  colony,  with  strong 
local  attachments  to  Hartford,  his  native  city,  and  to  the   old  mansion  where 
he  was  born, — with  academical  acquirements  among  the  best  that  Yale  College  can 
bestow  u{3on  her  sons, — with  intellectual  endowments  and  a  gift  of  elo(^uenee  which 
might  have  done  honor  to  the  senate, — with  a  mind  trained  by  the  best  models  of 
Greek  and  Latin  letters  and  enriched  by  the  poetry,  the  philosophy  and  science 
of  England's   best  minds,    a  thorough    lawyer  with  a  lucrative  and   honorable 
practice  opening  before  him,  at  the  age  of  27  years  he  abandoned  all  the  attrac- 
tions of  political  and  professional  life  and    the    pleasures   of  literary  and  social 
relations ;  and  went  forth  like  a  crusader  of  the  middle  ages,  to  wage  war  with  the 
bigotry,  the  parsimony  and  the  old  habits  of  thinking  which  encrusted  the  minds 
of  a  large  proportion  of  the  parents  of  Connecticut,  in  relation  to  that  most  vital 
subject,  the  education  of  their  children.     They  frowned  upon  him  as  an  inter- 
meddler  ;  and  intimated,  if  they  did  not  tell  him  in  so  many  words  that  he  had 
better  mind  his  own  affairs,  and  they  would  take  care  of  theirs.    He  expostulated 
with  them.     They  told  him  that  their  school-books  and  school-houses  had  been 
good  enough  for  themselves,  and  that  their  children  were  no  better  than  they.     He 
reasoned  with  them,  stated  facts  to  show  them  that  the  common  school  system 
had  degenerated  from  its  old  estate,  and  begged  them  to  remember  that  the  times 
were  changing,  and  that  especially  in  such  a  government  as  this,  every  gene- 
ration   ought  to  improve   upon    its    predecessors.     They  told    him  that  he  de- 
manded of  them  to  open  their  purses  and  contribute  to  him  ;  he  replied,  that 
he  only  wished  them  to  make  an  investment  for  themselves  which  should  add 
to  their  wealth  and  happiness  an  hundred  fold.     Gradually  their  views  began 
to  relax,  and   after  years  of   obstinate  resistance,  they  have  yielded  and    com- 
menced in  earnest  the  reformation  so  ardently  desired  and  advocated  by  him. 

We  cannot  here  review  his  labors.  After  encountering  the  honest  prejudices  of 
many,  and  the  active  opposition  of  not  a  few,  who  seem  to  have  misunderstood 
his  motives  and  his  aims — he  has  succeeded  in  collecting  and  disseminating  a 
vast  amount  of  information  as  to  the  actual  condition  of  the  schools  ;  in  making 
provision  through  a  state  normal  school,  county  teachers'  institutes,  a  state 
teachers'  association,  and  a  monthly  educational  periodical,  for  the  professional 
training  and  improvement  of  teachers ;  in  establishing  a  gradation  of  schools 
in  the  large  villages  and  cities  ;  in  working  not  a  change,  but  a  revolution  in 
the  construction  and  furniture  of  school-houses  5  in  restoring  the  old  Connecti- 
cut principle  of  property  taxation  for  the  support,  in  part  at  least,  of  the  com- 
mon school ;  in  securing  the  more  permanent  employment  and  better  compen- 
sation of  well  qualified  teachers  ;  in  drawing  back  again  to  the  improved  common 
schools  the  children  of  the  educated  and  the  wealthy ;  in  subjecting  the  district 
schools  to  some  general  society  regulations  as  to  attendance,  studies,  books,  and 
vacations  ;  and  as  the  source  and  pledge  of  still  greater  improvements,  in  interest- 
ing the  public  mind  in  the  discussion  of  questions  touching  the  organization,  ad- 
ministration, instruction,  and  discipline  of  common  schools. 

The  history  of  our  system  of  schools  would  be  manifestly  incomplete,  without  a 
special  reference  to  the  invaluable  services  of  the  Hon.  Seth  P.  Beers,  of  Litch- 
field.    His  successful  management  of  the  School  Fund  through  a  period  of  a 


622  •     APPENDIX. 

quarter  of  a  century,  has  been  referred  to  elsewhere.  In  his  hands  we  have 
seen  the  principal  of  that  fund  gradually  increasing  in  extent  and  importance, 
until  the  interest  annually  distributed  among  the  different  school  societies  of 
the  state,  is  of  itself  munificent.  To  his  office  of  commissioner  of  the  fund, 
was  for  some  time  added  that  of  superintendent  of  common  schools,  in  which 
capacity  he  exerted  an  important  influence  in  perfecting  the  system  of  general 
education  which  now  forms  so  interesting  a  feature  in  the  history  of  our  little 
commonwealth. 


TEINITY  COLLEGE. 

A  CONVOCATION  of  the  diocese,  held  at  East  Haddam,  in  February,  1792,  under 
Seabury,  first  bishop  of  Connecticut,  took  the  primary  steps  toward  establishing 
the  Episcopal  Academy  at  Cheshire.  This,  though  incorporated  in  1801,  with 
limited  privileges,  was  intended  as  the  foundation  of  a  higher  institution  so  soon 
as  a  charter  containing  full  collegiate  powers  could  be  obtained  from  the  state.  It 
was  often  styled  familiarly  "The  Seabury  College." 

Efforts  were  made  to  enlarge  the  powers  of  the  Academy  in  1804,  and  again  in 
1810  and  1811,  which  in  one  instance  only  were  so  far  successful,  that  an  act 
granting  a  college  charter  was  passed  by  a  full  vote  in  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives, but  rejected  in  the  Council. 

Vacancy  in  the  episcopate,  and  afterward  the  establishment  of  the  General 
Theological  Seminary,  among  other  causes,  occasioned  the  episcopalians  of  the 
state  to  defer  their  projected  college  to  happier  times,  which  seemed  to  have 
dawned  in  1818,  when  the  state  constitution  was  adopted.  Bishop  Brownell,  who 
was  consecrated  in  1819,  was  enabled  shortly  to  carry  the  design  into  execution. 
A  petition  to  the  legislature  numerously  signed,  was  presented  on  the  13th  of 
May,  1823.  The  bill  in  form  passed  the  lower  House  by  a  large  majority  on  the 
sixteenth,  and  received  the  governor's  signature.  The  news  of  the  final  passage 
of  the  bill  was  received  with  great  joy  by  the  citizens  of  Hartford.  Cannon  were 
fired,  and  bonfires  lighted.  Measures  were  immediately  taken  to  raise  the  requisite 
funds,  the  charter  having  provided  that  the  trustees  should  not  proceed  to  organize 
the  institution,  until  funds  to  the  amount  of  $30,000,  should  be  secured.  Over 
$50,000  were  immediately  realized,  about  three-fourths  of  which  sum,  was  sub- 
scribed in  Hartford,  and  its  immediate  vicinity.  A  most  eligible  site  was  procured, 
comprising  about  fifteen  acres.  The  buildings  were  begun  in  June,  1824,  and 
the  college  commenced  operations  in  September  of  the  same  year. 

It  was  considered  one  of  the  peculiar  advantages  of  Washington  College,  that, 
in  addition  to  the  regular  system  of  collegiate  education,  a  particular  course  of 
instruction^  designed  for  those  destined  to  pursuits  for  which  a  knowledge  of  the 
ancient  languages  constitutes  no  essential  preparation,  was  provided  for  ;  a  need,  if 
we  mistake  not,  then  unsupplied  in  nearly  all  the  other  colleges,  but  which  is  now 
filled  by  the  various  scientific  schools  of  our  country. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Wheaton,  being  desirous  of  visiting  England  for  the  benefit  of 


APPENDIX.  623 

his  health,  was  in  1824,  requested  by  the  corporation  to  act  as  their  agent  to  re- 
ceive donations  for  the  supply  of  a  library  and  philosophical  apparatus. 

The  first  commencement  was  held  in  the  Centre  Church,  in  August,  1827, 
when  ten  young  gentlemen  received  the  degree  of  B. A. 

Bishop  Brownell,  finding  the  cares  of  the  diocese  pressing  heavily  upon  him,  re- 
signed the  presidency  in  1831,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  N.  S.  "VVheaton, 
D.D.  During  his  incumbency,  which  was  terminated  in  1837,  and  chiefly  by  his 
exertions,  the  Hobart  Professorship  was  endowed  with  the  sum  of  $20,000.  The 
Seabury  Professorship  of  Mathematics  and  Natural  Philosophy,  with  $14,000,  and 
large  additions  made  to  the  general  fund.  The  Rev.  Silas  Totten,  D.D.,  was 
chosen  president  in  1837,  and  resigned  in  1848.  During  his  presidency  Brownell 
Hall  was  erected  in  1845,  and  the  same  year,  by  permission  of  the  legislature,  the 
name  of  the  college  was  changed  from  Washington  to  Trinity ^'-^io  attest  forever 
the  faith  of  its  founders  and  their  zeal  for  the  perpetual  glory  and  honor  of  one 
Holy  and  undivided  Trinity." 

The  Trustees  also  at  this  time  enacted  certain  statutes,  committing  the  course  of 
study  and  discipline  to  a  Board  of  Fellows,  and  empowering  the  Alumni  of  the 
college  to  assemble  together  in  accordance  with  their  own  rules,  under  the  name 
of  the  House  of  Convocation,  and  to  consult  and  advise  for  the  interests  of  their 
Alma  Mater.  This  House  of  Convocation  took  the  place  of  the  old  "  Association 
of  the  Alumni,"  which  was  dissolved  in  1846.  The  good  effects  of  this  change 
are  just  beginning  to  appear,  but  time  enough  has  not  yet  elapsed  to  reap  their 
full  advantage. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Totten  in  1848,  it  was  a  source  of  congratulation 
among  the  Alumni  that  the  choice  of  a  successor  fell  upon  one  of  their  own  num- 
ber, the  Rev.  John  Williams,  D.D.  Under  his  presidency  the  Library  was  con- 
siderably augmented,  and  the  number  of  students  steadily  increased  ;  a  new  pro- 
fessorship was  established,  that  of  Public  Economy,  and  the  Rev.  Calvin  Colton, 
LL.  D.,  appointed  to  it ;  a  Theological  department  was  also  organized.  In  1849, 
the  fourth  section  of  the  original  charter  was  altered  by  the  legislature,  and  it  was 
provided  that  the  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  Diocese  of 
Connecticut,  should  always  be  ex-officio^  a  member  and  president  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees.  In  1851,  Dr.  Williams  was  elected  Assistant  Bishop  of  this  Diocese, 
and  finding  that  its  duties  demanded  his  whole  time,  he  resigned  the  presidency  in 
1853,  when  the  present  incumbent,  the  Rev.  Daniel  R.  Goodwin,  D.D.,  late  of 
Bowdoin  College,  was  elected. 

The  grounds  comprise  about  sixteen  acres,  laid  out  with  walks  and  adorned 
with  trees  and  shrubbery  ;  the  site  is  elevated,  and  overlooks  on  one  side  the  city  of 
Hartford,  and  on  the  other  a  fine  expanse  of  country.  The  Little  River  forms 
their  western  boundary.  The  proposed  new  Park  is  to  be  connected  with  the 
college  ground,  and  the  whole  will  comprise  an  area  of  about  forty-six  acres.  There 
are  three  buildings,  of  Portland  stone,  in  the  Ionic  order.  Jarvis  Hall,  erected 
in  1824,  and  Brownell  Hall,  erected  in  1845,  are  each  150  feet  long  by  45  in 
breadth,  and  four  stories  high — and  a  wing  of  each  is  the  residence  of  a  professor 
and  his  family,  Seabury  Hall,  erected  in  1824,  90  by  55  feet,  contains  the  chapel, 
50  by  35  feet,  which  is  furnished  with  a  fine  organ,  the  library  and  cabinet,  each 


624  APPENDIX. 

of  the  same  dimensions,  the  laboratory,  philosophical  chamber,  and  other  public 
rooms. 

There  are,  including  that  of  the  professor  of  ecclesiastical  history,  about  12,000 
volumes  in  the  library.  The  college  library  is  rich  in  the  Latin  classics,  the  works  of 
the  fathers  of  the  church,  and  works  on  the  controversy  between  the  Protestant 
and  Romish  churches.  It  is  somewhat  deficient  in  English  hterature  and  in  scientific 
works.  There  are  also  two  libraries,  belonging  to  societies  of  undergraduates,  to- 
gether numbering  upwards  of  six  thousand  volumes,  principally  English  literature. 

The  cabinet  contains  an  extensive  collection  of  minerals  and  geological  speci- 
mens to  which  has  recently  been  added  one  of  the  finest  collections  of  shells  in 
New  England.  The  philosophical  and  chemical  apparatus  is  extensive.  There 
are  two  endowed  professorships,  the  Hobart,  endowed  with  $20,000,  and  the  Sea- 
bury  with  $14,000,  and  between  thirty  and  forty  endowed  exhibitions  which  yield 
their  incumbents  from  $30  to  $100,  per  annum.  A  few  years  since  the  college 
received  ^1 1 ,800  from  the  state.  Its  endowment  with  this  exception,  being  entirely 
from  private  liberality. 

In  addition  to  the  exhibitions  mentioned  above,  the  "  Church  Scholarship  So- 
ciety," established  in  1827,  gives  assistance  to  such  necessitous  students  as  design 
to  enter  the  ministry,  and  to  such  also  the  tuition  is  remitted. 

The  present  course  of  instruction  is  arranged  as  follows :  1st  term,  &:c. 

Examinations  are  held  at  the  close  of  each  term,  in  the  presence  of  examiners 
appointed  by  the  Board  of  Fellows,  from  their  own  number  or  otherwise.  Com- 
mencement day  is  the  last  Thursday  in  July.     The  necessary  expenses  are, 

Tuition,   ill  per  term, $33,00 

Room  rent,  from  $3  to  $4,50  per  term, 12,00 

Use  of  library,  attendance,  printing,  &c.,  per  term,9,00 

Assessments  for  public  damages,  &c., 4,50 

Board  from  $2  to  $3  per  week, 75,00  to  $95,00 


$133,50  to  $153,50  per  ann. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES. 

Adams,  Andrew^,  LL.D.,  was  born  in  Stratford  in  1736,  graduated  at  Tale 
in  1760,  and  settled  in  Litchfield  in  1774,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  life.  He  was  successively  king's  attorney,  judge  of  probate,  representative 
at  ten  sessions,  speaker  of  the  House  in  1779  and  1780,  member  of  the  Continen- 
tal Congress,  judge  and  chief  judge  of  the  superior  court.  He  received  the 
degree  of  doctor  of  laws  from  Tale  College  in  1796,  and  died  November  26, 
1797,  aged  61. 

Allen,  Ethan,  General,  was  born  in  Litchfield,  January  10,  1737 — and  died 


APPENDIX.  625 

on  his  estate  in  Colchester,  Vermont,  February  13,  1789,  aged  52.  His  history 
has  been  so  fully  detailed  in  the  course  of  those  volumes,  that  no  farther  sketch  of 
him  is  necessary. 

Allen,  Ira,  a  yovmger  brother  of  the  preceding,  was  born  in  Cornwall  in 
1752,  and  in  early  hfe  emigrated  to  Vermont,  where  he  became  distinguished  as  a 
civil  and  military  leader.  He  was  a  member  of  the  convention  which  formed  the 
State  Constitution,  in  1778  •,  and  was  one  of  the  commissioners  to  negotiate  for  the 
admission  of  the  state  into  the  Federal  Union.  He  was  the  first  secretary  of  state, 
and  was  subsequently  a  member  of  the  council,  state  treasurer,  and  surveyor  gen- 
eral. Having  risen  to  the  rank  of  senior  major-general  of  mihtia,  he  proceeded 
to  Europe  to  purchase  arms  for  the  use  of  the  state.  In  France,  he  purchased 
twenty  thousand  muskets,  and  twenty-four  brass  cannon,  \\ath  a  part  of  which  he 
was  captured,  November  9,  1796,  and  carried  into  England.  He  was  charged 
with  attempting  to  furnish  the  Irish  rebels  with  arms,  and  a  litigation  of  eight 
years  in  the  court  of  admiralty  followed,  which  was  finally  decided  in  his  favor. 
He  returned  to  this  country  in  1801,  and  spent  the  residue  of  his  life  mainly  at  his 
home  in  Colchester,  Vermont.  He  published  a  work  entitled  "  Tlie  Natural  and 
Civil  History  of  Vermont."  He  died  in  Philadelphia,  January  7,  1814,  aged  62 
years. 

Allyn,  John,  is  mentioned  for  the  first  time  on  the  colonial  records  of  Connec- 
ticut, in  1657,  in  connection  with  the  first  "  troop  of  horse"  formed  in  the  colony, 
of  which  he  was  chosen  cornet.  In  1661,  he  was  a  lieutenant,  and  a  deputy  to  the 
General  Court.  From  1662  to  1696 — a  period  of  thirty-four  years — he  was  one 
of  the  magistrates  of  the  colonj^ ;  in  1664,  he  was  chosen  secretary  of  the  colony, 
an  office  which  he  held  for  twenty-eight  years.  He  was  also  a  commissioner  of 
the  united  colonies,  a  member  of  the  committee  to  negotiate  the  union  between 
the  colonies  of  Connecticut  and  New  Haven,  and  a  member  of  the  committee  on 
the  New  York  boundary  line.  He  died  in  1696.  He  may  have  been  a  son  of 
Mr.  Mathew  Allyn,  of  Hartford  and  Windsor,  who  was  for  many  years  a  magis- 
trate, and  was  chosen  moderator  of  the  General  Court  in  1660. 

Alsop,  Richard,  was  born  in  Widdletown  in  January,  1761,  and  was  for  some 
time  a  student  in  Yale  College,  but  left  without  graduating.  He  became  a  pro- 
ficient in  the  ancient  and  modern  languages,  and  devoted  his  life  mainly  to  literary 
pursuits.  He  was  associated  with  Theodore  Dwight,  IMason  F.  Cogswell,  Elihu 
Hubbard  Smith,  and  Lemuel  Hopkins,  in  the  authorship  of  "  The  Political  Green 
House,"  and  "  The  Echo."  He  published  "  The  Fairy  of  the  Enchanted  Lake," 
and  a  "  Poem  on  the  Death  of  General  Washington,"  which  contained  about  five 
hundred  lines.  He  was  liighly  esteemed  in  his  day  for  his  learning,  talents,  and 
gentlemanly  manners,  and  the  literary  public,  as  if  by  common  consent,  have 
awarded  him  an  honorable  place  among  the  poets  of  America.  He  died  suddenly, 
of  a  disease  of  the  heart,  at  Flatbush,  Long  Island,  in  August,  1815. 

AusTLN,  Samuel,  D.D.,  was  born  in  New  Haven,  Oct.  7, 1760,  and  graduated 
at  Yale  in  1783.  He  was  for  many  years  pastor  of  congregational  churches  in 
Fair  Haven,  Conn.,  and  Worcester,  Mass.,  and  was  a  very  eloquent  and  popular 
preacher.  For  a  few  years,  he  was  president  of  the  University  of  Vermont. 
He  published  several  sermons  and  dissertations,  and  other  religious  works.     Dr. 

72 


626  APPENDIX. 

Austin,  became  partially  deranged  a  few  years  previous  to  his  death,  which  took 
place  December  4,  1830. 

Bacon,  Epaphroditus  C,  (son  of  Asa  Bacon,  Esq.,  an  eminent  lawyer  of 
Litchfield,)  was  born  in  Litchfield  in  1810,  graduated  at  Yale  in  1833,  and 
settled  in  his  native  town  in  the  practice  of  the  law.  In  1836,  he  Vv^as  a  dele- 
gate to,  and  secretary  of,  the  whig  national  convention;  and  in  1840  and  1841, 
he  was  elected  a  representative  from  Litchfield,  to  the  state  legislature.  He  was 
distinguished  for  his  historical  and  antiquarian  investigations,  and  was  highly 
esteemed  for  his  learning  and  courtesy.  While  traveling  on  the  continent  of 
Europe,  he  died  at  Seville,  in  Spain,  January  11,  1845,  aged  34. 

Backus,  Azel,  D.D.,  was  born  in  Norwich,  and  graduated  at  Tale  in  1787. 
He  became  the  successor  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bellamy,  as  pastor  of  the  church  in 
Bethlem,  in  1791  ;  and  was  inaugurated  as  the  first  president  of  Hamilton  Col- 
lege, ISTew  Tork,  in  1815.  He  received  the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  at 
Princeton,  in  1810.  Dr.  Backus  died  December  28,  1816,  aged  51  years.  He 
was  a  man  of  original  cast  of  thought,  and  was  distinguished  for  his  earnest 

piety. 

Baldwin,  Abraham,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  a  graduate  of  Tale  in  1772. 
From  1775  to  1779,  he  was  a  tutor  in  that  institution.  Having  studied  law,  he 
settled  in  Savannah,  Georgia,  and  in  about  three  months  after  his  arrival  there  he 
was  chosen  a  member  of  the  legislature.  He  originated  the  plan  of  the  University 
of  Georgia,  drew  up  the  charter  by  which  it  was  endowed  with  40,000  acres  of 
land,  and  finally  persuaded  the  Assembly  to  adopt  the  project.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Continental  Congress  from  1785  to  1788  ;  and  was  a  member  of  the  con- 
vention which  formed  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States.  From  1789  to  1799, 
he  was  a  representative  in  Congress  ;  and  from  the  last  date  until  his  death,  he 
was  a  member  of  the  United  States  Senate.  He  died  on  the  4th  of  March,  1807, 
aged  53  years.     He  was  for  some  time  President  of  the  University  of  Georgia. 

Baldwin,  Simeon,  was  born  in  Norwich,  December  14,  1761,  graduated 
at  Tale  in  1781,  and  was  a  tutor  in  that  institution  from  1783  to  1786.  He 
read  law  with  Charles  Chauncey,  Esq.,  and  settled  in  New  Haven.  He  was  clerk 
of  the  United  States  district  and  circuit  courts  for  fourteen  years,  a  member  of 
Congress  for  two  years,  and  a  judge  of  the  supreme  court  for  twelve  years.  He 
was  also  president  of  the  Board  of  Canal  Commissioners,  and  mayor  of  the  city 
of  New  Haven.  Judge  Baldwin  died  in  Nev/  Haven,  May  26, 1851.  His  son, 
the  Hon.  Roger  S.  Baldwin,  LL.  D.,  has  been  governor  and  United  States 
senator. 

Barlow,  Joel,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Reading,  in  1755,  and  graduated  at  Tale 
in  1778,  on  which  occasion  he  delivered  a  poem  "  On  the  Prospect  of  Peace," 
which  is  preserved  in  the  volume  of  "  American  Poems,"  edited  by  Elihu  Hub- 
bard Smith,  and  printed  at  Litchfield,  in  1793.  He  studied  divinity,  and  was  for 
sometime  a  chaplain  in  the  army.  In  1781,  on  the  occasion  of  receiving  the 
degree  of  master  of  arts.  Barlow  pronounced  a  poem  which  he  subsequently  em.- 
bodied  in  his  "  Vision  of  Columbus."  At  the  close  of  the  Revolution,  he  studied 
law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  For  some  years,  he  was  associated  with  the 
late  Major  Babcoek,  in  editing  a  weekly  gazette  at  Hartford,  called  "  The  Ameri- 


APPENDIX.  627 

can  INfercury."  In  1785,  by  request  of  the  General  Association  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Churches  in  Connecticut,  he  prepared  a  revised  edition  of  Dr.  Watts' 
psalms  ;  to  which  he  appended  a  collection  of  hymns,  several  of  which  were 
written  by  himself.  The  version  of  137th,  which  is  still  much  admired,  was  also 
from  his  pen.  The  work  was  published  in  the  year  last  named,  and  was  long  the 
authorized  version  of  psalms  and  hymns  in  use  among  the  congregational  churches. 
His  "Vision  of  Columbus,"  was  published  in  1787,  and  was  republished  in  Lon- 
don and  Paris.  In  1788,  he  visited  Europe  as  the  agent  of  a  laud  company,  and 
passed  several  years  in  England  and  France,  during  which  time  he  was  engaged  in 
various  political  and  literary  employments. 

In  1795,  Mr.  Barlow  was  appointed  American  Consul  to  Algiers,  and  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  that  post  for  two  years.  He  then  revisited  Paris,  where  he 
engaged  in  commercial  speculations,  and  amassed  a  fortune.  In  1805,  after  an 
absence  from  this  country  of  seventeen  years,  he  returned  and  fixed  his  residence 
in  Washing-ton  City,  where  he  erected  a  splendid  mansion.  In  1808,  his  great 
national  poem,  "  The  Columbiad,"  was  published  in  a  magnificent  quarto  volume, 
with  plates.  In  1811,  President  JNIadison  appointed  him  minister  plenipotentiary 
to  the  Court  of  France,  and  he  immediately  proceeded  to  Paris.  While  on  his 
way  to  Wilna,  to  meet  the  Emperor  Xapoleon,  he  was  overcome  by  fatigue  and 
exposure,  and  died  at  an  obscure  village  inn,  near  Cracow,  in  Poland,  on  the  22d 
of  December,  1812. 

Beebe,  Bezaleel,  was  born  in  Litchfield,  April  28, 1741.  He  served  first  as 
a  soldier  and  subsequently  as  an  officer  in  the  French  and  Indian  wars ;  and  in 
the  Revolution,  he  rose  to  the  rank  of  colonel  in  the  continental  army.  He  was  a 
brave  and  skillful  officer,  and  served  with  distinction  in  several  campaigns.  He 
was  often  a  representative  in  the  legislature,  and  held  other  civil  offices.  Colonel 
Beebe  died  in  Litchfield,  May  29,  1824,  aged  83  years. 

Beecher,  Lyman,  D.D.,  is  a  native  of  Xew  Haven,  and  was  pastor  of  the  con- 
gregational church  in  Litchfield,  from  1810  to  1826.  He  has  been  for  many  years 
president  of  Lane  Seminary,  near  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  His  complete  works  are  now 
being  published  in  Boston.  Six  of  his  sons  have  been  or  are  distinguished  as 
clergymen,  viz.,  Williarn,  of  Ohio;  Edward^  D.D.,  of  Boston,  (formerly  Presi- 
dent of  Illinois  College,  and  author  of  "  The  Conflict  of  Ages  ;")  George^  who 
died  at  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  in  1843  ;  Henry  Ward^  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  Charles, 
of  Newark,  N.  J.;  and  Thoinas  K.,  of  Williamsburgh,  L.I,  His  daughters, 
Miss  Catharine  E.  Beecher^  and  Mrs.  Harriet  Beecher  Stowe,  are  well  known 
authors. 

BoARDMAN,  Elijah,  was  born  in  New  Milford,  March  7,  1760,  and  became  a 
successful  merchant  in  that  town.  He  was  a  representative,  member  of  the  council, 
state  senator,  and  senator  in  Congress.  He  was  a  man  of  enterprise,  intelligence, 
and  great  activity  of  mind.  While  on  a  visit  to  his  children  in  the  town  of  Board- 
man,  Ohio,  he  died  August  18,  1823.  His  brother,  the  Hon.  David  S.  Board- 
man,  of  New  Milford,  formerly  a  senator  and  chief  judge  of  the  court  of  common 
pleas,  is  still  living.  The  Hon.  William  W.  Boardman,  of  New  Haven,  is  a  son 
of  the  subject  of  this  paragraph. 

Brace,  Jonathan,  was  born  in  Harwinton,  November  12,  1754,  graduated  at 


628  APPENDIX. 

Tale  College  in  1779,  and  studied  law  with  Oliver  Ellsworth.  He  commenced 
the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Manchester,  Vermont,  and  while  there  he  held 
the  offices  of  justice  of  the  peace,  state's  attorney,  and  member  of  the  council  of 
censors.  He  subsequently  settled  in  Glastenbury,  Connecticut,  and  represented 
that  town  in  the  General  Assembly  several  times,  uutil  August,  1794,  when  he 
removed  to  Hartford,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  decease.  He  was 
state's  attorney  for  the  county  of  Hartford,  judge  of  the  county  court,  judge  of 
probate,  assistant,  and  member  of  Congress.  After  the  adoption  of  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  state,  he  was  twice  elected  a  member  of  the  state  senate.  He  was  also 
frequently  elected  a  member  of  the  common  council  and  board  of  aldermen  of  the 
city  of  Hartford,  and  held  the  office  of  mayor  for  nine  years.  He  died  in  Hart- 
ford, August  26,  1837. 

Bradley,  Stephen  R.,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Cheshire,  October  20,  1754,  and 
graduated  at  Tale  in  1775.  He  was  the  aid  of  General  Wooster,  when  that 
officer  was  slain.  He  settled  in  Vermont,  and  became  one  of  the  most  popular 
men  in  that  state.  In  1791,  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  and 
continued  a  member  of  that  body  for  sixteen  years.  He  died  at  Walpole,  New 
Hampshire,  December  16,  1830,  aged  76. 

BuEL,  Jesse,,  was  born  in  Coventry,  January  4,  1778,  and  having  learned  the 
trade  of  a  printer,  he  commenced  the  publication  of  the  "  Troy  Budget,"  at  Troy, 
New  Tork,  in  1797.  He  subsequently,  for  ten  years,  published  a  paper  called 
"  The  Plebeian,"  at  Kingston,  Ulster  county.  In  1813,  he  removed  to  Albany, 
and  commenced  "  The  Albany  Argus,"  and  during  the  following  year  was  appointed 
state  printer^  a  lucrative  office,  which  he  continued  to  hold  until  1820,  when  he 
sold  out  the  Argus  and  abandoned  the  printing  business.  He  now  turned  his 
attention  to  other  matters.  Having  purchased  a  farm  of  eighty-five  acres  in  the 
vicinity  of  Albany,  he  soon  converted  it  from  "sandy  barrens"  into  what  has  long 
been  favorably  known  as  "  The  Albany  Nursery."  In  1834,  he  commenced  the 
publication  of  "  The  Albany  Cultivator,"  a  valuable  agricultural  periodical,  which 
under  his  management  soon  had  a  list  of  twenty-three  thousand  subscribers. 
While  residing  on  his  farm,  Mr.  Buel  was  several  times  elected  a  representative 
from  Albany  county  to  the  legislature  ;  was  a  judge  of  the  court  of  common  pleas, 
and  a  regent  of  the  state  university.  In  1836,  he  was  the  regular  whig  candidate 
for  the  office  of  governor  of  New  Tork.  He  died  at  Danbury,  Connecticut,  while 
on  his  way  to  Norwich  and  New  Haven,  October  6,  1839.  Besides,  the  periodi- 
cals already  named,  Judge  Buel  was  the  author  of  a  volume  on  agriculture,  pub- 
lished by  the  Harpers,  New  Tork,  and  "The  Farmers'  Companion,"  published 
tinder  the  auspices  of  the  jNIassachusetts'  Board  of  Education,  and  constituting  one 
of  the  members  of  their  District  School  Library. 

Burr,  Aaron,  was  born  in  Fairfield  in  1714,  and  graduated  at  Tale  in  1735. 
In  1 742,  he  was  settled  as  the  pastor  of  the  presbyterian  church  in  Newark,  N.  J. 
From  1748,  until  his  death,  (which  took  place  September  24,  1757,)  he  was  pre- 
sident of  New  Jersey  college,  at  Princeton.  He  was  an  accomplished  scholar  and 
an  able  divine.  He  married  a  daughter  of  the  great  Jonathan  Edwards,  and  had 
two  children — a  daughter  who  married  Chief  Justice  Reeve,  of  Litchfield,  and 
Aaron  Burr,  who  became  Vice  President  of  the  United  States. 


APPENDIX.  629 

Chauncey,  Charles,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Durham,  .June  11,  1747,  and 
studied  law  with  James  A.  Hillhouse,  Esq.,  of  New  Haven,  where  he  continued 
to  reside  until  his  decease.  He  was  not  only  a  sound  and  able  lawyer,  but  was 
learned  in  various  departments  of  literature,  history,  civil  policy,  and  theology.  lu 
1789,  he  was  appointed  a  judge  of  the  superior  court.  -Judge  Chauncey  died  in 
New  Haven,  April  18,  1823.  His  son  of  the  same  name,  graduated  at  Yale  in 
1792,  and  became  an  eminent  lawyer  in  Philadelphia.  He  died  in  Burlington, 
New  Jersey,  August  30,  1849,  aged  73.  Both  received  the  degree  of  doctor  of 
lavi^s. 

Chipman,  Nathaniel,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Salisbury,  November  15,  1752, 
graduated  at  Yale  in  1777,  and  settled  as  a  lawyer  in  Tinniouth,  then  the  capital 
of  Rutland  county,  Vermont.  In  1786,  he  was  elected  a  judge  of  the  supreme 
court;  in  1789  he  was  chosen  chief  justice ;  and  two  years  after,  he  received 
the  appointment  of  judge  of  the  United  States  district  court.  He  was  subsequently 
again  elected  chief  justice,  and  in  1797,  he  was  chosen  L^nited  States  senator. 
For  twenty-eight  years  he  was  professor  of  law  in  Middlebury  College.  He  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  doctor  of  laws  from  Dartmouth  College,  in  1797. 

In  1793,  Judge  Chipman  published  a  volume  entitled  "  Sketches  of  the  Princi- 
ples of  Government,"  and  another  entitled,  "  Reports  and  Dissertations."  The 
first  of  these  works,  with  additions,  was  revised  and  republished  in  an  octavo 
volumes,  of  333  pages,  in  1833.  He  died  at  Tinmouth,  February  15,  1843,  in 
the  91st  year  of  his  age. 

Chipman,  Daniel,  LL.  D.,  brother  of  the  preceding,  was  born  in  Salisbury,  Octo- 
ber 22,  1765,  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College  in  1788,  and  having  studied  law,  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1790.  He  commenced  practice  at  Rutland,  Vermont, 
and  in  1793,  he  represented  that  town  in  the  convention  held  at  Windsor  for 
amending  the  constitution.  During  the  following  year  he  removed  to  Middlebury. 
He  was  frequently  elected  a  member  of  both  branches  of  the  legislature,  and  in 
1813  and  1814,  he  was  chosen  speaker  of  the  House.  In  1815,  he  was  elected  to 
Congress;  was  subsequently  reporter  of  the  supreme  court ;  and  in  1836,  was 
chosen  a  member  of  the  constitutional  convention.  He  was  also  professor  of  law 
in  Middlebury  College,  and  a  fellow  of  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and 
Sciences. 

In  1822,  Mr.  Chipman  published  an  "Essay  on  the  Law  of  Contracts  for  the 
Payment  of  Specific  Articles  ;"  and  has  since  published  a  volume  of  "  Law 
Reports ;"  "  The  Life  of  Nathaniel  Chipman,  LL.  D.,  with  selections  from  his 
miscellaneous  Papers  ;"  "The  Life  of  Colonel  Seth  Warner;"  and  "  The  Life 
of  Governor  Thomas  Chittenden."  In  1848,  he  received  the  degree  of  doctor  of 
laws  from  Dartmouth  College. 

Chittenden,  Thomas,  was  born  in  East  Guilford,  in  1730.  At  the  age  of 
twenty  years  he  married  a  sister  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Johnson,  D.D.,  of  Stratford, 
and  soon  after  settled  in  Salisbury,  in  the  north-west  corner  of  the  colony. 
While  a  resident  of  that  town,  he  was  commissioned  as  a  colonel  of  militia,  and 
was  elected  a  representative  at  thirteen  sessions,  between  the  years  1764  and  1772, 
inclusive.  In  1774,  he  removed  to  Williston,  on  Onion  river,  in  the  "  New  Hamp- 
shire Grants,"  so  called.     He  was  a  member  of  the  convention  which,  January 


630  APPENDIX. 

16,  1777,  declared  Vermont  an  independent  state,  and  was  appointed  one  of  the 
commissioners  to  negotiate  for  her  admission  into  the  Union.  From  1778  to  1797, 
with  the  exception  of  a  single  year,  he  was  annually  elected  governor  of  Vermont. 
He  died  August  24,  1797.  His  son,  Martin  Chittenden,  was  a  member  of  Con- 
gress from  1803  to  1813,  and  governor  of  Vermont  in  1813  and  1814. 

Church,  Samuel,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Salisbury,  February  4,  1785,  and 
graduated  at  Yale  in  1803.  He  studied  law  with  the  Hon.  Judson  Canfield,  of 
Sharon,  and  at  the  Litchfield  Law  School,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Septem- 
ber, 1806.  In  the  spring  of  1808,  he  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  his  native 
town;  was  appointed  postmaster  in  1810,  a  justice  of  the  peace  in  1818,  and 
during  the  later  year  he  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  the  convention  which  formed 
the  present  constitution  of  this  state.  He  was  subsequently  a  member  of  the 
house  of  representatives  six  sessions,  judge  of  the  probate  court  eleven  years, 
state's  attorney  ten  years,  and  in  1832  was  chosen  a  judge  of  the  superior  court, 
and  of  the  supreme  court  of  errors.  In  May  1847,  he  was  appointed  chief  judge 
of  the  supreme  court,  and  at  the  following  commencement  of  Trinity  College  he 
received  the  degree  of  doctor  of  laws.     He  died  in  1854. 

Church,  Leman,  brother  of  the  preceding,  was  born  in  Salisbury,  and  pursued 
his  professional  studies  at  the  Litchfield  Law  School  in  1815  and  1816.  Soon 
after  his  admission  to  the  bar,  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Canaan,  where  he  con- 
tinued to  reside  until  his  death.  He  became  one  of  the  best  criminal  lawyers  in 
the  state,  and  had  a  very  extensive  practice.  He  was  occasionally  a  representa- 
tive from  Canaan ;  for  several  years  he  held  the  office  of  state's  attorney ;  and  in 
1835,  he  was  appointed  by  the  legislature,  in  connection  with  the  Hon.  Royal  R. 
Hinman  and  the  Hon.  Elisha  Phelps,  a  commissioner  to  revise  the  public  statutes 
of  Connecticut.     He  died  in  Canaan,  in  1849. 

CusHMAN,  John  Paine,  was  born  in  Pomfret,  graduated  at  Tale  in  1807,  mar- 
ried a  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Benjamin  Tallmadge  of  Litchfield,  and  settled  in 
Troy,  N.  T.,  in  the  practice  of  the  law.  He  was  elected  to  Congress,  was  recorder 
of  Troy,  a  judge  of  the  circuit  court,  and  a  regent  of  the  university.  He  was  a 
man  of  eminence  in  his  profession,  and  discharged  the  duties  of  these  various 
oflaces  with  fidelity  and  ability.     He  died,  September  16,  1848,  aged  64. 

Daggett,  David,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Attleborough,  Mass.,  December  31, 1764, 
graduated  at  Tale  in  1783,  read  law  with  Charles  Chauncey,  Esq.,  and  settled  in 
New  Haven.  He  was  frequently  a  representative  and  speaker  of  the  House,  and 
member  of  the  council.  From  1813  to  1819,  he  was  a  senator  in  Congress  ;  from 
1826  to  1832  he  was  a  judge  of  the  supreme  court,  and  was  chief  judge  from  the 
latter  date  until  he  reached  the  age  of  70  years — December  31,  1834.  He  was 
also  state's  attorney,  mayor  of  New  Haven,  and  professor  of  law  in  Tale  College. 
He  died  April  12,  1851. 

Deane,  Silas,  was  born  in  Groton,  graduated  at  Tale  in  1758,  and  became  a 
resident  of  TVethersfield.  In  1774,  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  and  continued  in  that  body  until  he  was  appointed  as  a  political  and 
commercial  agent  from  the  government  of  the  United  States  to  the  court  of 
France,  to  endeavor  to  obtain  her  assistance.  He  arrived  in  Paris,  in  June, 
1776.     Through  his  efforts,  Lafayette,  Rochambeau,  and  others,  were  induced  to 


APPENDIX.  631 

engage  witli  us  in  the  cause  of  independence.  "With.  Dr.  Franklin  and  Arthur 
Lee,  he  was  a  commissioner  for  negotiating  treaties  with  foreign  powers.  lie  died 
at  Deal,  in  England,  August  23,  1789. 

Dickinson,  Daniel  S.,  was  born  in  Goshen,  September  11,  1800,  and  at  the 
age  of  twenty-five  years  commenced  the  study  of  the  law  in  the  office  of  Messrs. 
Clark  and  Clapp,  Norwich,  New  York.  In  1829,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and 
after  practicing  his  new  profession  for  a  short  time  in  Guilford,  in  that  state,  he 
removed  to  Binghamton,  Broome  county,  his  present  residence.  Here  his  busi- 
ness increased,  and  he  soon  became  a  favorite  with  his  political  party.  In  1834,  he 
was  elected  president  of  the  village  of  Binghamton,  and  in  1836  he  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  senate  of  New  York  for  the  term  of  four  years.  In  1840,  he  was 
nominated  for  the  office  of  lieutenant-governor,  but  was  defeated  at  the  general 
election  ;  in  1842,  however,  he  was  elected  to  that  honorable  post  by  a  majority 
of  about  twenty-five  thousand.  In  1844,  he  was  elected  one  of  the  two  presiden- 
tial electors  for  the  state  at  large,  and  cast  his  vote  for  Mr.  Polk.  About  the  same 
time,  he  received  from  Governor  Bouck  the  appointment  of  United  States  Sena- 
tor, to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Tallmadge.  On  the 
assembling  of  the  legislature,  he  was  duly  elected  for  the  unexpired  term ;  and 
was  subsequently  reelected  for  the  full  term  of  six  years — which  expired  on  the 
4th  of  March,  1851. 

DwiGHT,  Timothy,  DD.,  LL,  D.,  was  born  at  Northampton,  Massachusetts, 
May  14,  1752.  His  father  was  Colonel  Timothy  Dwight,  who  graduated  at  Yale 
College  in  1744,  and  became  a  merchant  in  Northampton,  where  he  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  the  celebrated  Jonathan  Edwards.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  gradu- 
ated at  Yale  in  1769  5  and  was  a  tutor  in  that  institution  from  1771  to  1777.  In 
the  last  year,  he  served  as  chaplain  to  Parsons'  brigade  at  West  Point ;  and  dur- 
ing that  period  he  wrote  several  patriotic  songs,  the  most  celebrated  of  which  was 
entitled  "  Columbia."  On  the  death  of  his  father,  he  took  up  his  residence  in  his 
native  town,  in  1778,  where  he  spent  about  five  years  ;  and  was  chosen  a  repre- 
sentative in  1781  and  1782.  On  the  5th  of  November,  1783,  he  was  ordained  as 
pastor  of  the  church  in  Greenfield,  Connecticut,  where  he  remained  for  twelve 
years.  In  1785,  he  published  his  celebrated  poem,  "The  Conquest  of  Canaan," 
which  was  written  eleven  years  before;  and  in  1795,  he  published  another  poem 
entitled  "  Greenfield  Hill."  On  the  death  of  President  Stiles,  he  was  chosen  Pre- 
sident of  Yale  College,  and  was  inaugurated  in  September,  1795.  In  this  office 
he  remained  until  his  death,  which  took  place  at  New  Haven,  January  11,  1817. 
In  March,  1777,  he  had  married  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  Woolsey,  of  Long 
Island,  by  whom  he  had  eight  sons,  six  of  whom  survived  him.  One  of  these  was 
the  Rev.  Sereno  E.  Dwight,  D.D.,  President  of  Hamilton  College,  who  died  in 
1850.  The  principal  prose  works  of  President  Dwight,  are  his  Travels,  in  4 
octavo  volumes;  and  "Theology  Explained  and  Defended,"  in  4  volumes. 

He  was  succeeded  in  the  Presidency  of  Yale  College,  by  the  Rev.  Jeremiah 
Day,  D.D.,  LL.  D.,  who  had  been  proftssor  of  mathematics  and  natural  philoso- 
phy for  the  fourteen  years  next  preceding;  in  1851,  President  Day  resigned, and 
Professor  Theodore  D.  Woolsey,  D.D.,  LL.  D.,  was  elected  his  successor,  and 
still  remains  at  the  head  of  that  venerable  institution. 


632  '  APPEN-DIX. 

Dyer,  Eliphalet,  LL.  D.,  of  Windham,  graduated  at  Tale  in  1740.  In 
August,  1755,  he  was  commissioned  as  a  lieutenant-colonel  of  one  of  the  Connec- 
ticut regiments  designed  for  the  reinforcement  of  our  army  in  the  vicinity  of 
Crown  Point ;  and  in  March,  1758,  he  was  appointed  colonel  of  a  regiment  raised 
for  the  service  against  the  French  in  Canada.  In  1762,  he  was  chosen  a  mem- 
ber of  the  council ;  in  1765,  he  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  the  General  Congress  in 
New  York;  from  1766  to  1789,  he  was  a  judge  of  the  superior  court ;  and  from 
1789  to  1793,  he  was  chief  judge  of  that  court.  In  1774,  he  was  elected  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  continued  in  that  body,  with  the  exception 
of  one  year,  until  1783.  Judge  Dyer  received  the  degree  of  doctor  of  laws 
from  Yale  College  in  1787.     He  died  May  13,  1807,  aged  86  years. 

Edmond,  William,  was  born  of  Irish  parents,  in  South  Britain  (then  a  parish  of 
Woodbury,)  September  28,  1755,  and  graduated  at  Yale  in  1773.  He  was  a  vol- 
unteer soldier  at  the  burning  of  Danbury,  and  received  a  wound  in  his  leg  which 
made  him  lame  for  life.  He  studied  law  and  settled  in  I^ewtown,  where  he  mar- 
ried a  daughter  of  General  Chandler.  She  having  died,  he  married  a  daughter 
of  Benjamin  Payne,  Esq.,  of  Hartford.  He  was  chosen  a  representative  and 
speaker  of  the  House,  member  of  the  council,  representative  in  Congress,  and 
judge  of  the  supreme  court.  He  died  in  Newton,  August  1, 1838,  aged  82  years. 
He  was  a  man  of  powerful  frame  and  of  superior  intellectual  endowments. 

Edwards,  Jonathan,  D.D.,  son  of  the  great  divine  of  the  same  name,  was  born 
in  Northampton,  Mass.,  June  6,  1745,  and  graduated  at  the  college  of  New  Jer- 
sey in  1765.  Having  studied  divinity  with  Dr.  Bellamy  at  Bethlem,  he  was 
ordained  pastor  of  the  church  at  White  Haven,  in  the  town  of  New  Haven, 
January  5,  1769,  and  remained  there  until  May,  1795.  He  was  soon  after  set- 
tled over  the  church  in  Colebrook,  Litchfield  county,  and  in  June,  1799,  he  was 
elected  president  of  Union  College,  and  immediately  entered  upon  the  duties  of 
this  appointment.  He  died  August  1,  1801,  aged  56.  Dr.  Edwards  was  a  man 
of  uncommon  powers  of  mind.  He  published  a  large  number  of  sermons  and 
dissertations,  and  edited  several  volumes  of  his  father's  works. 

Edwards,  Pierpont,  of  New  Haven,  was  one  of  the  most  successful  lawyers  of 
his  time.  He  was  speaker  of  the  Connecticut  house  of  representatives,  member 
of  the  Continental  Congress,  judge  of  the  United  States  district  court,  and  mem- 
ber of  the  convention  which  formed  the  state  constitution. 

Edwards,  Henry  W.,  LL.  D.,  son  of  the  preceding,  graduated  at  the  college 
of  New  Jersey  in  1797,  studied  his  profession  at  the  Litchfield  Law  School,  and 
settled  in  New  Haven.  He  was  a  representative  in  Congress  from  1819  to  1823  ; 
United  States  senator  from  1823  to  1827;  member  of  the  state  senate  in  1828 
and  1829  ;  speaker  of  the  Connecticut  house  of  representatives  in  1830  ;  and 
governor  in  1833,  and  from  1835  to  1838.     He  died  in  New  Haven  in  1847. 

Fitch,  Thomas,  born  in  Norwalk,  graduated  at  Yale  in  1721,  and  settled  in  his 
native  town.  He  was  chosen  an  assistant  the  first  time  in  1734,  and  held  the 
office  for  twelve  years.  From  1750  to  1754,  he  was  lieutenant-governor  of  the 
colony,  and  from  1754  to  1766,  he  held  the  office  of  governor.  He  was  also  chief 
judge  of  the  colony  for  four  years.  In  October,  1742,  Mr.  Fitch  was  appointed 
by  the  legislature,  in  connection  with  Roger  Wolcott,  Jonathan  Trumbull,  and 


APPENDIX.  633 

John  Bulkley,  to  make  a  revision  of  all  the  laws  of  the  colony.     He  died  in  Nor- 
walk,  July  18,  1774,  aged  77  years. 

Fitch,  John,  was  born  in  East  \yindsor,  and  became  one  of  the  most  ingen- 
ious and  celebrated  mechanics  of  the  age  in  which  he  lived.  In  the  Revolution, 
he  was  principally  employed  in  repairing  arms  tor  the  continental  army,  residing 
during  the  war  in  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania.  In  1785,  he  conceived  the 
idea  of  propelling  water-craft  by  steam.  At  that  time,  he  did  not  know  that  there 
was  such  a  thing  in  existence  as  a  steam-engine.  In  1788,  he  obtained  a  patent  for 
the  application  of  steam  to  navigation.  During  the  year  previous,  he  had  con- 
structed a  boat  which  made  an  experimental  trip  on  the  river  at  Philadelphia,  the 
governor  and  council  of  Pennsylvania  being  present,  who  were  so  much  gratified 
with  the  result  that  they  presented  Fitch  with  an  elegant  silk  flag.  The  boat  at 
that  time  went  at  the  rate  of  eight  miles  an  hour.  Mr.  Fitch  subsequently  visited 
France,  for  the  purpose  of  introducing  the  invention  into  that  country ;  but  as  the 
French  were  then  in  the  midst  of  revolutions,  he  failed  in  the  accomplishment  of 
his  plans.  Mr.  Vaill,  our  Consul  at  L'Orient,  afterwards  subjected  to  the  examina- 
tion of  Mr.  Fulton^  the  papers  and  designs  of  Fitch.  Mr.  Fitch,  in  1790,  made 
still  farther  improvements  in  his  steamboat,  but  was  unable  to  obtain  the  means 
sutl;icient  to  perfect  his  great  invention.  He  was,  however,  sanguine  of  the  ulti- 
mate triumph  of  his  plan  of  navigation  ;  and  in  .June,  1792,  in  a  letter  to  Mr. 
Rittenhouse  on  his  favorite  theme,  he  wrote — ''  This,  sir,  will  he  the  mode  of 
crossing  the  Atlantic  in  time^  whether  I  bring  it  to  perfection  or  not."  It  is  now 
generally  conceded  that  the  honor  of  inventing  and  building  the  first  steamboat  in 
the  world,  belongs  to  John  Fitch, 

FooTE,  Samuel  A.,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Cheshire,  Nov.  8,  1780,  graduated  at 
Tale  in  1797,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  his  native  town.  He  was 
chosen  a  member  of  Congress  in  1819,  1823,  and  1833  ;  was  speaker  of  the  Con- 
necticut house  of  representatives  in  1825  and  1826;  and  was  a  senator  in  Con- 
gress from  1827  to  1833.  In  1834,  he  was  elected  governor  of  the  state,  and 
during  the  same  year  he  received  the  degree  of  doctor  of  laws  from  Yale  Col- 
lege,    Governor  Foote  died  September  16,  1846. 

Gallaudet,  Thomas  H.,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
December  10,  1787.  When  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age  the  family  removed  to 
Hartford,  and  in  1805  he  graduated  at  Yale  College.  He  engaged  in  the  study 
of  law  at  Hartford  until  he  was  chosen  tutor  in  Yale  College,  in  which  situation 
he  remained  for  two  years.  After  a  short  experience  in  the  mercantile  business, 
he  studied  theology,  and  was  licensed  to  preach  in  1814,  He  now  turned  his 
thoughts  to  the  instruction  of  deaf  mutes,  and  became  a  pioneer  in  that  work  of 
benevolence.  In  1815,  he  went  to  Europe  in  order  to  leani  the  best  method  of 
instruction.  Soon  after  his  return  to  this  country,  and  mainly  through  his  influ- 
ence. The  American  Asylum  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  was  opened  in  Hartford, 
and  he  was  appointed  principal.  This  was  the  first  institution  of  the  kind  in  the 
United  States.  He  subsequently  published  several  works  on  the  subject.  Fiom 
1838,  until  his  last  sickness,  he  was  chaplain  of  the  "  Insane  Retreat"  at  Hartford. 
He  died  September  9,  1851.     A  discourse  on  his  life,  character  and  services,  was 


634  APPENDIX. 

delivered  by  the  Hon.  Henry  Barnard,  LL.  D.,  at  Hartford,  in  January,  1852, 
which,  was  published. 

GoDDARD,  Calvin,  was  born  in  Shrewsbury,  Mass.,  July  17, 1768,  and  graduated 
at  Dartmouth  in  1786.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Norwich,  in  November, 
1790,  and  settled  in  Plainfield,  from  which  place  he  was  elected  a  representative 
at  nine  sessions,  three  of  which  he  was  speaker  of  the  House.  He  removed  to 
Norwich  in  1807.  From  1801  to  1805  he  was  a  member  of  Congress  •,  and  from 
1808  to  1815,  he  was  a  member  of  the  council.  He  was  also  state's  attorney  for 
the  county  of  New  London  for  five  years,  and  mayor  of  Norwich  for  seventeen 
years. 

Gold,  Nathan,  of  Fairfield,  v^-as  chosen  a  member  of  the  council  for  the  first 
time  in  1657,  and  held  the  ofiice  for  forty-eight  years.  He  was  also  chief  judge 
of  the  superior  court  for  ten  years,  and  deputy  governor  of  Connecticut,  from  1708 
to  1724,  Unless  there  were  two  persons  bearing  the  same  name  and  residing  in 
the  same  place,  holding  office  continuously,  the  period  of  his  official  life  extended 
over  a  period  of  sixty-seven  years, 

Goodrich,  Chauncey,  was  the  eldest  son  of  the  Rev.  Elizur  Goodrich,  D.D., 
of  Durham,  Connecticut,  and  was  born  on  the  20th  of  October,  1759,     After  a 
career  of  great  distinction  at  Yale  College,  where  he  spent  nine  years  as  a  student, 
a  Berkeley  scholar,  and  a  tutor,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Hartford  in  the 
autumn  of  1781.     It  was  the  leading  trait  in  his  character  as  an  advocate,  that  he 
studied  and  applied  the  law  chiefly  in  its  principles.     He  regarded  it  as  one  of  the 
noblest  of  human  sciences,  in  which  no  truth  stands  insulated,  but  each  new  case, 
as  it  arises,  is  only  part  of  a  great  and  harmonious  system  of  thought.     He  was, 
therefore,  a  "  black  letter  lawyer  ;"  thoroughly  versed  in  the  writings  of  the  early 
masters  of  the  profession,  whose  principles  he  was  continually  revolving  in  his 
mind,  or  contemplating  under  new  aspects  as  presented  in  later  elementary  trea- 
tises dovni  to  the  day  of  his  death.     In  studying  a  subject,  he  was  remarkable  for 
the  tenacity  with  which  he  clung  to  it  in  its  minutest  details,  until  all  were  ex- 
hausted ;  so  that  an  able  lawyer  once  observed,  after  consulting  him  for  some 
hours  on  a  point  of  great  importance,  "  He  has  given  us  every  thing  that  can 
possibly  belong  to  the  case  ;  he  has  said  all  that  can  truly  be  said  by  any  man,  on 
both  sides  of  the  question."  One  who  saw  him  only  while  weighing  a  subject  with 
this  extreme  nicety,  might  almost  have  thought  him  vacillating  in  his  opinions  ; 
but  when  the  balance  turned  and  his  judgment  was  finally  made  up,  it  was  immu- 
table as  the  law  of  gravity.     In  arguing  a  case,  he  laid  no  stress  on  the  minor 
points.     He  usually  waived  them  with  a  frankness  which  gained  him  the  favor  of 
all ;  and  taking  his  stand  upon  a  few  great  principles,  he  urged  them  with  a  dignity 
of  manner,  a  candor  towards  his  opponents,  a  copiousness  and  force  of  argument, 
an  evident  and  most  perfect  conviction  of  the  truth  of  what  he  said,  and  a  calm 
but  deep  earnestness  of  feeling,  which  gave  him  extraordinary  power  over  a  court 
and  j  ury . 

After  serving  in  the  state  legislature  for  a  single  session,  he  was  elected  to  Con- 
gress as  a  member  of  the  house  of  representatives,  in  the  year  1794,  For  this 
station  he  was  peculiarly  qualified  not  only  by  the  original  bent  of  his  mind  and 
his  habits  of  study,  but  also  by  the  fact  that  an  early  marriage  into  the  family  of 


APPENDIX.  635 

the  second  Governor  AVolcott,  had  brought  liini  into  the  closest  relations  with  public 
men  and  measures,  and  made  him  investigate  all  the  great  questions  of  the  day 
with  profound  interest  and  attention.  His  brother-in-law  (afterward  the  third 
Governor  Wolcott,)  held  one  of  the  highest  offices  under  the  General  Govern- 
ment. This  led  him,  from  the  moment  he  took  his  scat  in  Congress,  to  become 
intimately  acquainted  with  the  plans  and  policy  of  the  administration  •,  and  he 
gave  them  his  warmest  support,  under  the  impulse  alike  of  political  principle  and 
of  personal  feeling.  A  party,  in  opposition  to  General  Washington  was  now  organ- 
ized for  the  first  time  in  Congress,  as  the  result  of  INIr.  Jay's  treaty  with  Great 
Britain.  Mr.  Goodrich  took  a  large  share  in  the  debates  which  followed  ;  and 
gained  the  respect  of  all  parties  by  his  characteristic  dignity,  candor,  and  force  of 
judgment;  and  especially  by  his  habit  of  contemplating  a  subject  on  every  side, 
and  discussing  it  in  its  remotest  relations  and  dependencies.  Mr.  Albert  Gallatin, 
then  the  most  active  leader  of  the  opposition,  remarked  to  a  friend  near  the  close 
of  his  life,  that  in  these  debates  he  usually  selected  the  speech  of  Chauncey  Good- 
rich as  the  object  of  reply  ;  feeling  that  if  he  could  answer  him^  he  would  have 
met  every  thing  truly  relevant  to  the  subject  which  had  been  urged  on  the  part 
of  the  government. 

In  1801,  he  resigned  his  seat  in  Congress,  and  returned  to  the  practice  of  the 
iaw  at  Hartford.  The  next  year  he  was  chosen  to  the  office  of  councilor  (after- 
ward senator)  in  the  state  legislature,  which  he  continued  to  fill  down  to  1807, 
when  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States.  During  the  violent  con- 
flicts of  the  next  six  years,  he  took  an  active  part  in  most  of  the  discussions  which 
arose  out  of  the  embargo,  the  non-intercourse  laws,  and  the  other  measures  which 
led  to  the  war  with  Great  Britain.  The  same  qualities  which  marked  his  early 
efforts,  were  now  more  fully  exhibited  in  the  maturity  of  his  powers ;  while  the 
whole  cast  of  his  character  made  him  peculiarly  fitted  for  the  calmer  deliberations 
of  the  senate.  He  had  nothing  of  what  Burke  calls  "  the  smartness  of  debate." 
He  never  indulged  in  sarcasm  or  personal  attack.  In  the  most  stormy  discus- 
sions, he  maintained  a  courtesy  which  disarmed  rudeness.  No  one  ever  suspected 
him  of  wishing  to  misrepresent  an  antagonist,  or  evade  the  force  of  an  argument; 
and  the  manner  in  which  he  was  treated  on  the  floor  of  the  Senate,  shows  how 
much  can  be  done  to  conciliate  one's  political  opponents,  even  in  the  worst  times, 
by  a  uniform  exhibition  of  high  principle,  if  connected  with  a  penetrating  judg- 
ment and  great  reasoning  powers.  Mr.  Jcflferson  playfully  remarked  to  a  friend 
during  this  period,  "  That  white-headed  Yankee  from  Connecticut,  is  the  most 
difficult  man  to  deal  with  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States." 

In  1813,  he  was  chosen  lieutenant-governor  of  the  state,  and  continued  to  hold 
this  office  until  his  death.  At  the  meeting  of  the  legislature  in  1814,  he  was  ap- 
pointed a  delegate  to  the  celebrated  Hartford  Convention.  Though  in  feeble 
health,  he  took  a  large  share  in  the  deliberations  of  that  body,  and  especially  in 
those  healing  measures  which  were  finally  adopted.  During  its  session,  he  re- 
ceived communications  from  distinguished  men  in  other  states,  touching  the  vari- 
ous questions  at  issue  ;  and  particularly  from  Mr.  Daniel  Webster,  who  had  pre- 
viously sent  him  an  extended  argument  to  show  that  the  provisions  of  the  embargo 
law,  "  so  far  as  it  interdicts  commerce  between  parts  of  the  United  States,"  were 


636  APPENDIX. 

unconstitutional  and  oppressive  in  the  highest  degree.  Mr.  John  Randolph,  also, 
addressed  him  under  date  of  December  16,  1814,  forwarding  a  pamphlet  which  he 
had  just  published  against  the  administration,  in  the  hope  of  promoting  "  the  wel- 
fare of  the  country  in  these  disastrous  times."  At  an  earlier  period,  Mr.  Randolph 
had  been  one  of  the  strongest  political  opponents  of  Mr.  Goodrich  ;  but  he  now 
says,  "  Unfeigned  respect  for  your  character  and  that  of  your  native  state,  which 
like  my  own  is  not  to  be  blown  about  by  every  idle  breath — now  hot,  now  cold — 
is  the  cause  of  your  being  troubled  with  this  letter  ;  a  liberty  for  which  I  beg  your 
excuse."  In  reference  to  the  convention,  he  remai^ks,  "  I  make  every  allowance 
for  your  provocations ;  but  I  trust  that  the  '  steady  habits'  of  Connecticut  will 
prevail  in  the  Congress  at  Hartford,  and  that  she  will  be  the  preserver  of  the 
Union  from  the  dangers  by  which  it  is  threatened  from  the  administration  of  the 
General  Government,  whose  wickedness  is  only  surpassed  by  its  imbecility." 
The  anticipations  of  Mr.  Randolph  were  correct,  JS'othing  could  be  farther  from 
the  design  of  that  meeting,  or  the  wishes  of  Connecticut,  than  to  foster  disunion. 
The  object  of  the  convention  was  not  to  foment  but  to  restrain  violence.  When 
the  report  of  its  doings  arrived  at  the  city  of  Washington,  Mr.  David  Daggett, 
than  a  member  of  the  Senate,  wrote  to  Mv.  Goodrich  as  follows,  under  date  of 
Jan.  11,  1815.  "  The  proceedings  of  the  convention  reached  us  by  yesterday's 
mail.  The  pamphlet  was  announced  with  almost  as  great  sensibility,  as  would 
have  been  a  treaty  of  peace.  The  Senate  had  adjourned  a  few  minutes  before  the 
mail  was  opened  ;  and  many  of  the  members  being  present,  Mr.  Galliard  read  it 
audibly.  The  minds  of  our  friends  are  relieved.  To  those  of  us  who  know  the 
authors  of  these  proceedings,  they  are  not  more  discreet,  dignified,  and  wise,  than 
our  strong  partialities  had  led  us  to  hope.  Of  others  it  may  be  truly  said,  they 
exceed  their  most  sanguine  expectations."  He  adds  in  reference  to  the  friends 
of  the  administration,  "they  are  left  without  ground  either  of  complaint  or 
triumph — I  am  perfectly  satisfied."  Such,  the  writer  believes,  will  be  the  decision 
of  history ;  notwithstanding  the  odium  which  has  been  heaped  upon  this  conven- 
tion, by  those  who  had  no  personal  knowledge  of  the  men  who  composed  it,  or  the 
motives  by  which  they  were  actuated. 

Early  in  1815,  it  was  found  that  a  hidden  disease  under  which  Mr,  Goodrich 
had  for  some  time  labored,  was  an  affection  of  the  heart.  His  death  was  probably 
near — it  would  unquestionably  be  sudden — it  might  occur  at  any  moment !  He 
received  the  intelligence  with  calmness,  but  with  deep  emotion.  He  expressed  his 
feelings  without  reserve  to  his  pastor,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Strong,  and  at  a  later  period  to 
the  writer  of  this  sketch.  From  his  youth,  he  had  been  a  firm  believer  in  the 
divine  authority  of  the  Scriptures.  He  read  them  habitually  even  in  the  busiest 
scenes  of  his  life.  So  highly  did  he  prize  public  worship,  that  he  once  remarked, 
he  would  attend  on  preaching  of  a  very  low  intellectual  order,  which  was  even 
repulsive  to  his  taste — and  that  he  always  did  so  (if  he  could  find  no  better)  when 
away  from  home — rather  than  be  absent  from  the  house  of  God.  As  the  result 
of  all  his  studies  and  reflections,  he  had  become  more  and  more  fixed  in  his  belief  of 
those  great  doctrines  of  grace,  which  had  been  taught  him  by  his  father,  and  which 
are  generally  received  in  the  churches  of  Connecticut.  His  life  had,  indeed,  been 
spotless,  and  devoted  to  the  service  of  his  country.    But  in  speaking  of  our  ground 


APPEXDIX.  637 

of  acceptance  before  God,  he  said  in  substance,  "  A  moral  life  is  of  itself  nothing 
for  the  salvation  of  the  soul.  I  have  lived  a  moral  life  in  the  estimation  of  the 
world  ;  but  no  language  can  express  my  sense  of  its  deficiency  in  the  sight  of  a 
holy  God.  If  there  were  not  an  atonement,  I  must  be  condemned  and  miserable 
forever.  Here  my  hope  is  stayed.  A  sense  of  imperfection  often  sinks  my 
spirits  ;  but  generally  I  have  a  hope  that  supports  me ;  and  at  times  I  have  rejoiced 
in  God  without  fear,  and  have  wished  only  to  be  in  his  hands  and  employed  in  his 
service."  In  this  state  of  mind  his  summons  found  him.  On  the  18th  of  August, 
1815,  in  the  midst  of  the  family  circle,  while  walking  the  room  and  engaged  in 
cheerful  conversation,  he  faltered  for  a  moment,  sank  into  a  chair,  and  instantly 
expired  in  the  fifty-sixth  year  of  his  age.  His  death  was  a  shock  to  the  whole 
community.  Party  distinctions  were  forgotten  under  a  sense  of  the  general  loss  •, 
and  in  the  simple  but  expressive  language  which  was  used  at  his  funeral,  all  united 
in  "  a  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  man  who  has  so  long  been  dear  to 
us  and  done  us  so  much  goody 

In  his  person,  Mr.  Goodrich  was  a  little  above  the  medium  height,  of  a  full  habit, 
slightly  inclining  to  corpulency.  He  had  finely  turned  features,  with  prominent 
and  rounded  cheeks,  and  a  remarkable  purity  of  complexion  which  retained 
throughout  life  the  flush  of  early  youth.  His  countenance  was  singularly  expres- 
sive, showing  all  the  varied  emotions  of  his  mind  when  excited  by  conversation  or 
by  public  speaking.  His  eye  was  blue,  and  deep-sunk  under  an  ample  forehead. 
He  had  the  habit  of  fixing  it  intently  upon  those  to  whom  he  spoke  in  earnest  con- 
versation ;  and  no  one  who  has  felt  that  look,  will  ever  forget  its  searching  and 
subduing  power.  His  portrait  by  Colonel  Trumbull  is  one  of  the  best  productions 
of  that  celebrated  artist. 

In  domestic  and  social  life,  he  was  distinguished  for  his  gentleness  and  urbanity. 
He  had  a  delicacy  of  feeling  which  was  almost  feminine.  A  friend  who  had  con- 
versed with  him  intimately  for  many  years,  remarked  that  he  had  one  peculiarity 
which  was  strikingly  characteristic :  "  Xot  a  sentiment  or  expression  ever  fell 
from  his  lips  in  the  most  unguarded  moment,  which  might  not  have  been  uttered 
in  the  most  refined  circles  of  female  society."  He  had,  at  times,  a  vein  of  humor, 
which  shows  itself  in  his  familiar  letters  to  Oliver  Wolcott,  and  others,  as  published 
by  INIr.  Gibbs,  in  his  "  Memoirs  of  the  Administrations  of  Washington  and  John 
Adams."  But,  in  general,  his  mind  was  occupied  with  weighty  thoughts,  and  it 
was  perhaps  this,  as  much  as  any  thing,  that  gave  him  a  dignity  of  manner  which 
was  wholly  unassumed,  and  which  without  at  all  lessening  the  freedom  of  social 
intercourse,  made  every  one  feel  that  he  was  not  a  man  with  whom  liberties  could 
be  taken.  He  could  play  with  a  subject,  when  he  chose,  in  a  desultory  manner; 
but  he  preferred,  like  Johnson,  to  "  converse  rather  than  fflZA*."  He  loved  of  all 
things  to  unite  with  others  in  following  out  trains  of  thought.  The  late  Judge 
Hopkinson,  of  Philadelphia,  in  a  letter  to  ]Mr.  Gibbs,  classes  him  in  this  respect 
with  Oliver  Ellsworth,  Fisher  Ames,  Uriah  Tracy,  Oliver  Woleott,  and  Roger 
Griswold  ;  of  whom  he  says,  "  You  may  well  imagine  what  a  rich  and  intellectual 
society  it  vv'as.  I  will  not  say  that  we  have  no  such  men  now,  but  I  don't  know 
where  to  find  them." 

His  crowning  characteristic,  that  of  integrity  and  honor,  was  thus  referred  to  a 


688  APPENDIX. 

few  days  after  his  death,  by  a  writer  in  one  of  the  leading  journals  of  Hartford. 
"  His  judgment  was  so  guided  by  rectitude,  that  of  all  men  living  he  was,  perhaps, 
the  only  one  to  whom  his  worst  enemy  (if  enemy  he  had)  would  have  confided 
the  decision  of  a  controversy^  sooner  than  to  his  hest  friend.'''' 

Goodrich,  Elizur,  LL.  D.,  was  born  at  Durham,  on  the  24th  of  March,  1761. 
He  was  the  second  son  of  the  Rev.  Elizur  Goodrich,  D.D.,  who  was  for  many 
years  one  of  the  most  active  members  of  the  corporation  of  Yale  College,  and 
largely  engaged  in  preparing  young  men  for  that  institution.  Hence,  his  son  was 
trained  from  childhood  to  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  classics  ;  and  retained 
throughout  life  so  great  a  familiarity  with  the  Latin  language  especially,  that  he 
could  read  it  at  all  times  with  entire  ease,  and  continued  occasionally  to  write  it 
with  accuracy  and  elegance.  In  the  year  1775,  he  entered  Tale  College  at  the 
age  of  fourteen.  During  his  senior  year,  his  life  was  brought  into  extreme  dan- 
ger at  the  time  when  New  Haven  was  attacked  by  the  British.  On  the  landing 
of  the  troops,  July  5th,  1779,  he  joined  a  company  of  about  a  hundred  in  num- 
ber, who  went  out,  under  the  command  of  James  Hillhouse,  to  annoy  and  retard 
the  march  of  the  enemy  towards  evening,  when  the  town  was  taken  and  given  up 
to  ravage  and  plunder,  he  was  stabbed  near  the  heai't  by  a  British  soldier,  as  he 
lay  on  his  bed  in  a  state  of  extreme  exhaustion,  and  barely  escaped  with  his  life. 

Having  graduated  in  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  with  the  highest  honors  of 
his  class,  he  received  the  appointment  of  Berkley  scholar,  and  continued  at  college 
on  this  foundation  for  two  years,  when  he  was  elected  tutor,  September,  1781,  as 
successor  to  his  brother,  Chauncey  Goodrich.  He  now  commenced  the  study  of 
law  in  connection  with  his  college  duties,  under  the  tuition  of  his  uncle,  Charles 
Chauncey,  one  of  the  most  learned  lawyers  of  the  state  ;  and  resigning  his  tutor- 
ship at  the  end  of  two  years,  he  commenced  the  practice  of  the  law  at  New  Ha- 
ven, in  the  autumn  of  1783.  He  was  soon  after  married  to  a  step-daughter  of 
David  Austin,  Esq.,  collector  of  the  port  of  New  Haven,  and  gradually  rose  into 
a  valuable  and  extensive  business. 

In  1795,  he  v/as  elected  a  representative  of  the  town  in  the  state  legislature,  an 
office  which  he  continued  to  hold  for  many  years,  during  which  he  was  repeatedly 
chosen  clerk  and  speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  In  1799,  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  Congress,  and  was  present  at  the  last  session  of  that  body  in 
Philadelphia,  and  its  first  session  in  Washington,  when  the  seat  of  government  was 
removed  to  the  District  of  Columbia.  He  soon  made  himself  known  in  the  House, 
as  a  man  of  sound  judgment  and  strong  reasoning  powers,  but  was  invited,  during 
his  second  session,  to  an  office  of  much  responsibility  at  home.  On  the  death  of 
his  father-in-law,  Mr.  Austin,  there  was  a  general  desire  among  the  merchants 
of  New  Haven,  that  Mr.  Goodrich  should  accept  the  office  of  the  collector  of  tlie 
port;  and  recommendations  to  this  effect  having  been  forv^^arded  to  Washington, 
the  president  sent  for  him  and  proposed  to  make  the  appointment.  As  there  was 
a  probability,  however,  that  Mr.  Jefferson  might  be  elected  president  in  room  of 
Mr.  Adams,  it  was  thought  proper  by  Mr.  Goodrich  and  his  friends,  to  learn,  if 
possible,  whether  a  change  would  be  made  in  offices  of  this  kind,  if  a  change  of 
administration  took  place.  The  question  was,  therefore,  put  to  Mr.  Jefferson  by 
a  friend  of  the  two  parties,  and  he  said  at  once,  that  in  his  view  no  such  change 


APPENDIX.  639 

ought  to  be  made,  on  the  mere  ground  of  political  differences.  ]\Ir.  Goodrich, 
therefore,  accepted  the  appointment  early  in  1801 ;  but  in  this  case,  as  in  many 
others,  the  opinions  of  the  president  were  over-ruled,  by  party  influences,  and  Mr. 
Goodrich  was  removed  at  the  end  of  about  six  months.  He  was  immediately 
elected,  to  the  state  legislature,  first  as  a  member  of  the  house  of  representatives, 
and  soon  after  as  a  member  of  the  council  (afterwards  senate)  of  the  state  ;  which 
last  office  he  continued  to  hold  by  successive  annual  elections,  until  1818,  when 
he  and  his  associates  were  succeeded  by  those  who  opposed  them  in  politics.  He 
was  thus,  without  intermission,  a  member  of  the  state  legislature,  or  of  Congress, 
for  the  period  of  twenty-three  years.  His  habits  of  mind  fitted  him  peculiarly  for 
the  duties  of  a  legislative  body.  He  had  great  industry,  clearness  of  judgment, 
and  accuracy  of  knowledge  in  the  details  of  business.  He  was  much  relied  on  in 
drafting  new  laws,  as  one  who  had  been  long  conversant  with  the  subject,  and  had 
gained  a  perfect  command  of  those  precise  and  definite  forms  of  expression  which 
are  especially  important  in  such  a  case.  He  was,  also,  chief  judge  of  the  county 
court  for  the  county  of  New  Haven  thirteen  years  ;  and  judge  of  probate  for  the 
same  county  seventeen  years,  down  to  the  change  of  politics  in  1818.  In  the  lat- 
ter oftiee,  he  endeared  himself  greatly  to  numerous  families  throughout  the  county, 
by  his  judgment  and  kindness  in  promoting  the  settlement  of  estates  without  hti- 
gation,  and  by  his  care  in  providing  for  the  interests  of  widows  and  orphans.  He 
was  also  mayor  of  the  city  of  New  Haven,  from  September  1803  to  June  1822, 
being  a  period  of  nineteen  yeai*s,  when  he  declined  any  longer  continuance  in  this 
ofiice.  For  nine  years,  he  was  professor  of  law  at  Yale  College,  and  repeatedly 
delivered  courses  of  lectures  on  the  laws  of  nature  and  nations,  but  resigned  the 
office  in  1810,  as  interfering  too  much  with  his  other  public  duties.  His  interest  in 
the  college,  however,  remained  unabated.  For  many  years  he  was  a  leading  mem- 
ber of  the  corporation,  and  was  particularly  charged  with  its  interests  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  prudential  committee  ;  and  was  secretary  of  the  board  for  the  period  of 
twenty-eight  years,  until  he  tendered  his  resignation  in  1846.  It  is  a  striking  cir- 
cumstance, that  from  the  time  of  his  entering  college  in  1775,  he  was  uninter- 
ruptedly connected  with  the  institution,  either  as  a  student,  Berkley  scholar,  tutor, 
assistant  to  the  treasurer,  professor,  member  of  the  corporation,  or  secretary  of 
the  board,  for  the  space  of  seventy-one  years  !  He  received  from  the  college  the 
honorary  degree  of  LL.  D.,  in  the  year  1830. 

The  same  year,  1818,  in  which  he  retired  from  public  office,  Mr.  Goodrich  had 
the  misfortune  to  lose  his  wife  ;  and  from  this  period  he  divided  his  time  in  part 
between  his  children,  residing  not  only  at  New  Haven,  but  at  Hartford,  and  Utica, 
with  his  oldest  son,  and  at  Washington  City,  in  the  family  of  his  daughter,  who 
was  married  to  the  Hon.  Henry  L.  Ellsworth,  for  many  years  commissioner  of 
patents  for  the  United  States.  Wherever  he  resided,  his  society  was  highly  ac- 
ceptable in  private  life.  His  cordial  manners,  extensive  information,  and  genial 
humor,  rendered  him  an  object  of  interest  to  every  circle  he  entered  ;  and  with- 
out any  attempt  at  brilliancy,  he  made  an  impression  upon  the  minds  of  strangers 
by  his  powers  of  conversation,  such  as  few  men  have  ever  surpassed.  As  he  ad- 
vanced in  years,  he  resided  chiefly  at  New  Haven,  retaining  the  full  possession  of 
his  mental  powers  to  within  a  few  months  of  his  death,  whicli  took  place  w  thout 


640  APPENDIX. 

pain  or  any  apparent  disease,  from  tlie  mere  decay  of  nature,  on  the  first  day  of 
November,  1849,  in  the  eighty-ninth  year  of  his  age.  He  had  been  for  some 
years  "  the  senior  member  of  the  Connecticut  bar  ;"  and  at  a  meeting  of  the  pro- 
fession the  next  day,  it  was  "  Voted,  unanimously,  that  in  token  of  our  respect  for 
the  memory  of  the  deceased,  and  our  appreciation  of  his  long  and  honorable  pub- 
he  service,  we  will  attend  his  funeral  in  a  body." 

After  what  has  been  said,  it  is  unnecessary  to  give  any  labored  delineation  of 
Mr.  Goodrich's  character.  He  was  distinguished  for  the  clearness  and  strength 
of  his  judgment,  the  ease  and  accuracy  with  which  he  transacted  business,  and 
the  kindness  and  affability  which  he  uniformly  manifested  in  all  the  relations  of 
hfe.  His  reading  was  extensive  and  minute  5  and  what  is  not  very  common  in 
public  men,  he  kept  up  (as  already  stated)  his  acquaintance  with  the  ancient  clas- 
sics to  the  last,  being  accustomed  to  read  the  writings  of  Cicero,  Livy,  Sallust, 
Vii'gil,  and  Horace,  down  to  the  eighty-ninth  year  of  his  age,  with  all  the  ease  and 
interest  of  his  early  days.  He  professed  the  religion  of  Christ  soon  after  leaving 
college  ;  adorned  his  profession  by  a  consistent  life  ;  and  experienced  the  consola- 
tions and  hopes  which  it  affords,  in  the  hour  of  dissolution. 

Granger,  Gideon,  was  born  in  Suffield,  July  19,  1767,  and  graduated  at  Tale 
in  1787.  He  became  celebrated  as  a  lawyer  and  politician  ;  and  in  1801,  Presi- 
dent Jefferson  appointed  him  postmaster-general  of  the  United  States — an  office 
which  he  held  for  thirteen  years.  In  1814,  he  removed  to  Canandaigua,  N.  Y., 
and  in  1819,  was  elected  a  member  of  the  senate  of  that  state.  He  gave  one 
thousand  acres  of  land  in  aid  of  the  Erie  Canal.  He  died  December  31,  1822. 
His  son  Francis  Granger,  of  Canandaigua,  was  postmaster-general  under  Presi- 
dent Harrison. 

Griffin,  Edward,  Dorr  D.D.,  was  born  in  East  Haddam,  January  6,  1770, 
and  gi-aduated  at  Yale  in  1790.  In  1795,  he  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  congrega- 
tional church  in  New  Hartford  ;  and  in  1801,  he  became  the  colleague-pastor 
with  the  Rev.  Dr.  McWhorter,  in  Newark,  New  Jersey.  He  was  subsequently 
pastor  of  the  Park-street  church,  Boston,  professor  of  sacred  rhetoric  in  the  theo- 
logical seminary  at  Andover,  and  president  of  Williams  College.  He  returned  to 
Newark  in  1836,  where  he  died,  November  8,  1837,  aged  67.  Dr.  Griffin  was 
one  of  the  most  eloquent  preachers  of  his  time.  His  memoirs  were  written  by 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Sprague,  of  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Griswold,  Alexander,  V.,  D.D.,  was  born  in  Simsbury,  became  a  learned 
and  eloquent  divine  of  the  episcopal  church,  and  bishop  of  the  eastern  diocese  of 
Massachusetts.  He  received  the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  from  Harvard  Col- 
lege, Brown  University,  and  from  the  college  of  New  Jersey.  Bishop  Griswold, 
died  in  Boston,  February  15,  1843,  aged  76  years.  His  biography,  by  the  Rev. 
John  S.  Stone,  D.D.,  has  been  published. 

Griswold,  Matthew,  was  born  in  Lyme,  March  25,  1714  5  in  1751,  he  was 
chosen  a  representative,  and  in  1759,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  council.  He 
was  ako  a  judge  and  chief  judge  of  the  superior  court,  lieutenant-governor,  and 
from  1784  to  1786,  he  was  governor  of  the  state.  In  1788,  he  was  chosen  presi- 
dent of  the  convention  which  adopted  the  constitution  of  the  United  States.  He 
died  April  28,  1799,  aged  85.     He  was  father  of  Governor  Roger  Griswold. 


APPENDIX.  641 

Griswold,  Stanley,  was  born  in  Torringford,  November  176S,  and  graduated 
at  Yale  in  1786.  In  1 790,  he  was  installed  at  New  JMillbrd,  as  colleague-pastor  of 
the  church  in  that  place  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Taylor,  and  continued  in  the  pastoral 
office  in  New  JNlilford  until  1802,  when  he  resigned.  In  politics  he  was  a  Jeffer- 
sonian  democrat  —an  unusual  circumstance  among  the  congregational  clergy  of 
Connecticut  at  that  time.  It  was  claimed  that  in  consequence  of  his  pohtical  opin- 
ions, he  was  persecuted  by  his  clerical  brethren.  At  all  events,  he  was  excluded 
from  the  South  Consociation  of  Litchfield  county — but  the  people  of  his  charge 
warmly  espoused  his  course.  In  1804,  Mr.  Griswold  became  the  editor  of  a 
democratic  paper  in  Walpole,  N.  H.,  but  soon  after  was  appointed  by  President 
Jefferson  to  the  post  of  secretary  of  the  territory  of  Michigan.  He  was  subse- 
quently a  United  States  senator  from  Ohio,  and  United  States  judge  for  the  north- 
western territory.  He  died  at  Shawneetown,  Illinois,  August  21,  1814,  aged  46 
years. 

Hall,  Lyman,  was  a  native  of  Wallingford,  and  graduated  at  Yale  College  in 
1747.  He  studied  medicine  and  established  himself  at  Midway,  Georgia.  Hav- 
ing early  and  zealously  espoused  the  cause  of  his  country,  his  efforts  contributed 
much  to  induce  the  Georgians  to  join  the  American  confederacy.  He  was  chosen 
a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress  in  May  1775,  signed  the  declaration  of 
independence,  and  continued  in  that  body  till  the  close  of  1780.  In  1783,  he  was 
elected  governor.     He  died  in  February,  1791,  aged  66. 

HiLLHousE,  James,  LL.  D.,  was  born  at  New  London,  October  21,  1754,  and 
graduated  at  Yale  in  1773.  He  was  an  officer  in  the  revolution  ;  and  in  1791, 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  in  Congress.  From  1796 
to  1810,  he  was  a  member  of  the  United  States  Senate  ;  from  1810  to  1825,  he 
was  commissioner  of  the  school  fund  of  this  state,  and  from  1782  to  1832,  was 
treasurer  of  Yale  College.  He  died  at  New  Haven,  December  29,  1832,  in  the 
79th  year  of  his  age. 

HiLLHousE,  WiLLL\M,  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  James  Ilillhouse,  of  New  London, 
where  the  subject  of  this  paragraph  was  born  August  25th,  1728.  As  a  represen- 
tative and  member  of  the  council,  he  attended  the  legislature  at  one  hundred  and 
six  semi-annual  sessions ! — probably  a  much  longer  period  than  any  other 
person  who  ever  lived  in  Connecticut.  He  was  also  a  major  of  cavalry  in  the  rev- 
olution, judge  of  the  county  court,  and  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress 
from  1783  to  1786.  His  brother,  James  Abraham  Hillhouse,  (born  May  20, 
1730,  graduated  at  Yale  College,  1749,)  a  distinguished  lawyer  and  member 
of  the  council,  died  in  1775. 

Hlnman,  Benjamin,  Colonel,  was  born  in  "Woodbury  in  1720.  He  served 
against  the  French  in  Canada  as  early  as  1751,  under  a  commission  as  quarter- 
master of  the  troop  of  horse  in  the  13th  regiment.  On  the  19th  of  April,  1775, 
he  was  commissioned  as  a  captain  in  the  regiment  of  Colonel  Elizur  Goodrich, 
raised  for  the  defense  of  his  majesty's  territories  against  the  French  at  Crown 
Point  and  vicinity.  Before  the  close  of  the  French  and  Indian  wars,  he  had  risen 
to  the  rank  of  lieutenant- colonel ;  and  on  the  1st  of  November,  1771,  he  was  ap- 
pointed colonel  of  the  thirteenth  regiment  of  horse.  At  the  commencement  of 
the  revolution,  May  1st,  1775,  he  received  from  Governor  Trumbull  a  commission 

73 


642  APPENDIX. 

as  colonel  of  the  fourth  regiment  of  troops  enlisted  for  the  defense  of  the  colony. 
He  continued  in  active  service  until  January,  1777,  when  he  returned  home  in  ill 
health.  He  represented  the  town  of  Woodbury  in  the  legislature  at  about  twenty 
sessions  ;  and  after  Southbury  was  incorporated,  he  represented  that  town  at  eight 
sessions.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  convention  which  ratified  the  constitution 
of  the  United  States.  Colonel  Hinman  died  in  Southbury,  March  22,  1810,  at 
the  age  of  90  years. 

HiN.MAN,  Royal  R.,  (now  a  resident  of  Harlem,  N.  Y.,)  was  born  in  Southbury, 
and  graduated  at  Yale  in  1820.  He  pui-sued  his  professional  studies  at  the  Litch- 
field Law  School,  settled  in  his  native  town,  and  was  chosen  a  representative 
at  four  sessions  of  the  General  Assembly.  In  1835,  he  was  elected  to  the  office 
of  secretary  of  state,  and  continued  to  be  re-elected  every  year  until  1 842.  In 
1836,  he  published  a  volume  entitled,  "  Antiquities  of  Connecticut ;"  and  in 
1842,  he  compiled  and  published  a  work  of  643  large  octavo  pages,  entitled,  "  A 
Historical  Collection  of  the  part  sustained  by  Connecticut  during  the  war  of  the 
revolution" — a  valuable  book.  He  has  latterly  given  to  the  public  several  excel- 
lent genealogical  works.  In  1835,  he  was  appointed  chairman  of  a  committee  to 
revise  the  public  statutes  of  the  states ;  and  in  1838,  he  was  appointed  on  a  simi- 
lar committee.  Several  volumes  of  statutes  and  public  and  private  acts  were 
compiled  and  published  under  his  supervision.  In  September  1844,  IMr.  Hinman 
was  appointed  collector  of  customs  for  the  port  of  New  Haven  ;  and  he  also,  for  a 
short  time,  held  the  office  of  postmaster  at  Hartford. 

Hitchcock,  Peter,  was  born  in  Cheshire,  October  19, 1781,  and  graduated  at 
Yale  in  1801.  Having  pursued  the  study  of  law  in  the  county  of  Litchfield,  in 
his  native  state,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  March,  1804.  He  immediately 
opened  an  office  in  his  native  to%vn,  and  remained  there  for  about  two  years,  dur- 
ing which  time  he  married  Miss  Abigail  Cook.  In  the  spring  of  1806,  he  re- 
moved to  Geauga  County,  Ohio,  and  settled  upon  a  farm.  His  location  was  in  a 
wilderness,  and  far  away  from  the  county-seat.  Law  business  was  of  course  dull, 
and  for  several  years  his  time  was  divided  between  his  profession,  teaching  school, 
and  "  clearing  up"  and  cultivating  his  land.  In  1810,  he  was  elected  a  repre- 
sentative to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  state ;  and  from  1812  to  1816,  he  was 
a  member  of  the  state  senate,  and  was  elected  president  of  that  body  at  one  ses- 
sion. In  1817,  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  Congi'ess,  and  during  the  following 
year,  before  the  expiration  of  his  congressional  term,  he  was  chosen  by  the  legis- 
lature a  judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  state  for  the  term  of  seven  years.  He 
was  re-elected  to  the  same  office  in  February,  1826,  in  March,  1835,  and  in  Jan- 
uary 1845  ;  and  retired  from  the  bench  in  February  1852,  after  a  judicial  service 
of  twenty-eight  years.  A  part  of  this  time  he  had  filled  the  place  of  chief  justice. 
From  1833  to  1835,  he  was  again  a  member  of  the  senate,  and  once  more  was 
elected  speaker  or  president.  In  1850,  Judge  Hitchcock  was  elected  a  delegate 
to  the  convention  which  formed  the  new  constitution  of  the  state.  He  died  at  the 
residence  of  his  son,  the  Hon.  Reuben  Hitchcock,  in  Painesville,  Ohio,  March  4, 
1854. 

Hitchcock,  Samuel  J.,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Bethlem,  and  graduated  at  Yale 
in  1809.     He  was  a  tutor  from   1811  to  1815,  and  was  subsequently  until  his 


APPENDIX.  643 

death  instructor  of  law  in  that  college,  lie  received  the  degree  of  doctor  of  laws 
in  1842,  and  died  in  1845.  He  was  mayor  of  the  city  of  New  Haven,  judge  of 
the  court  of  common  pleas,  and  commissioner  of  bankruptcy  during  the  continu- 
ance of  the  national  bankrupt  law, 

IIoLLEY,  Horace,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Salisbury,  February  13,  1781,  and 
graduated  at  Yale  in  1803.  Having  studied  theology  in  New  Haven,  in  1805  he 
was  ordained  pastor  of  the  church  at  Greenfield  Hill,  Fairfield,  over  which  Presi- 
dent Dwight  had  formerly  been  settled.  In  1809,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Ilollis- 
street  church,  Boston,  where  he  remained  until  1818,  when  he  accepted  the  presi- 
dency of  Transylvania  University,  in  Kentucky.  Under  his  auspices  the  univer- 
sity so  increased  in  popularity  that  in  1825  it  numbered  four  hundred  students. 
He  resigned  in  the  spring  of  1827  ;  and  in  July  of  that  year  he  embarked  at  New 
Orleans  for  the  north,  but  on  the  fifth  day  out  he  died  on  ship-board,  July  31, 
1827,  aged  46  years.  He  was  a  man  of  great  learning,  and  was  one  of  the  most 
eloquent  and  distinguished  pulpit  orators  of  the  age.  Professor  Caldwell,  of  Tran- 
sylvania University,  pronounced  an  eulogy  upon  him,  which  was  published  in  a 
handsome  volume  in  connection  with  his  memoirs  by  his  widow. 

Holmes,  Abiel,  D.D.,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Woodstock  in  1763,  and  graduated 
at  Yale  in  1783.  For  six  years  he  was  pastor  of  a  church  in  Midway,  Georgia  ; 
and  in  1792,  he  became  pastor  of  the  first  church  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  He  was  highly  respected  for  his  talents,  learn- 
ing, and  industry.  In  1805,  he  published  his  "  Annals  of  America,"  one  of  the 
most  valuable  historical  publications  of  the  age.  The  work  has  since  been  repub- 
lished in  this  country  and  in  Europe.  His  life  of  President  Stiles  was  published 
in  1798.  His  other  publications,  consisting  of  sermons  and  historical  disquisitions, 
are  about  thirty  in  number.  He  received  the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  at  the 
Edinburgh  LTniversity,  and  in  1822,  the  degree  of  doctor  of  laws  was  conferred 
upon  him  by  Allegany  College.     He  died  June  4,  1837,  aged  74. 

Hopkins,  Samuel,  D.D.,  was  born  at  Waterbury,  September  17,  1721,  and 
graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1741.  For  many  years  he  was  settled  in  the  min- 
istry in  Great  Barrington,  Mass.,  and  in  Newport,  R.  I.  He  was  an  eminent  theo- 
logian, from  whom  the  Christians  called  "  Hopkinsians"  derive  their  name.  He 
was  the  author  of  "  A  System  of  Doctrines,  contained  in  Divine  Revelation, 
to  which  is  added  a  Treatise  on  the  Millenium,"  2  volumes  8vo.,  published  in 
1793  5  and  also  of  several  smaller  works.  He  died  December  20,  1803,  aged 
eighty-two. 

Hosmer,  Titus,  of  Middletown,  graduated  at  Yale  in  1757.  Having  been  for 
many  years  a  representative  of  the  Connecticut  Legislature,  he  was  chosen  a  mem- 
ber of  the  council  in  1778,  and  was  also  three  times  elected  a  member  of  the  Con- 
tinental Congress.  He  was  speaker  of  the  house  in  1777.  In  January  1780,  he 
was  appointed  by  Congress,  a  j  udge  of  the  court  of  appeals,  for  the  revision  of 
maritime  and  admiralty  cases.  He  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  greatest  men  in 
the  state  during  his  mature  years.     He  died,  August  4,  1780,  aged  44, 

Hosmer,  Stephen  T.,  LL,  D.,  son  of  the  preceding,  was  a  native  of  Middletown, 
and  graduated  at  Yale  in  1782.  He  was  a  member  of  the  council  for  ten  years, 
a  judge  of  the  superior  court  for  four  years,  and  chief  judge  for  fourteen  years. 


644  APPENDIX. 

He  received  the  degree  of  doctor  of  laws  from  Tale  College.     He  died  in  Mid- 
dletown,  August  6, 1834. 

Huntington,  Samuel,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Windham  in  1732,  and  settled  in 
Norwich  as  a  lawyer  in  1760,  where  he  soon  became  distinguished  in  his  profes- 
sion. Previous  to  the  revolution  he  had  held  the  office  of  representative,  assistant, 
king's  attorney,  and  judge  of  the  superior  court.  In  1775,  he  was  chosen  a  dele- 
gate to  the  Continental  Congress  ;  and  on  the  4th  of  July,  1776,  he  appended  his 
name  to  the  declaration  of  independence.  In  1779,  he  was  chosen  president  of 
Congress,  and  was  re-elected  to  that  honorable  office  in  1780.  In  1781,  he  was 
again  appointed  a  judge  and  member  of  the  council.  In  1783,  he  was  re-elected 
to  Congress,  and  during  the  following  year  he  was  appointed  chief  judge  of  the  supe- 
rior court  and  lieutenant-governor.  In  May  1786,  Judge  Huntington  was  elected 
to  the  office  of  chief  magistrate  of  the  state,  to  succeed  Governor  Griswold,  and 
was  annually  re-elected  until  his  death,  which  took  place  at  Norwich,  January  5, 
1796,  at  the  age  of  63  years.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  convention  which 
adopted  the  federal  constitution  in  1 788.  Plis  wife,  Martha,  the  daughter  of  Ebe- 
nezer  Devotion,  pastor  of  the  church  in  Windham,  died  June  4, 1794.  Governor 
Huntington  was  not  a  graduate,  but  received  honorary  degrees  from  Dartmouth 
and  Yale. 

Huntington,  Joseph,  D.D.,  brother  of  the  preceding  graduated  at  Yale  in  1762, 
and  became  pastor  of  the  congregational  church  in  Coventry.  He  published  sev- 
eral sermons  and  addresses,  and  was  the  author  of  a  work,  which  was  published 
after  his  death,  entitled,  "  Calvinism  Improved,  or  the  Gospel  illustrated  in  a 
sj^stem  of  real  grace,  issuing  in  the  salvation  of  all  men."  He  received  the  de- 
gree of  doctor  of  divinity  at  Dartmouth.  He  died  in  1795,  leaving  two  children  ; 
viz.,  a  daughter  who  married  Edward  Dorr  Griffin,  D.D.,  President  of  Williams 
College,  and  a  son,  Samuel,  who  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1785,  and  became 
chief  justice  and  governor  of  Ohio,  and  died  at  Painesville,  (Ohio,)  July  7,  1817, 
aged  49. 

Huntington,  Jabez,  General,  was  born  in  Norwich  in  1719,  graduated  at 
Yale  in  1741,  and  settled  in  his  native  town  as  a  merchant  and  importer.  He 
was  chosen  a  member  of  the  colonial  assembly  in  1750,  was  speaker  of  the  House 
for  several  years,  and  subsequently  a  member  of  the  council.  In  the  war  of  the 
revolution  was  a  member  of  the  council  of  safety,  and  major-general  of  militia. 
He  died  in  1786. 

Huntington,  .Jedediah,  General,  (a  son  of  the  preceding,)  was  born  in  Nor- 
wich in  1743,  and  graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1763,  on  which  occasion  he  pro- 
nounced the  first  English  oration  delivered  in  that  college  at  commencement.  He 
was  colonel  of  a  continental  regiment  in  1775  ;  and  two  years  after,  Congress 
gave  him  a  commission  of  brigadier-general,  which  office  he  held  during  the  war 
with  high  honor  and  usefulness.  In  1788,  he  was  appointed  state  treasurer,  and 
was  a  member  of  the  convention  which  ratified  the  constitution  of  the  United 
States.  He  removed  to  New  London  in  1789,  on  receiving  from  President 
Washington  the  appointment  of  collector  of  the  customs  for  that  port,  an  office 
which  he  continued  to  hold  for  twenty-six  yeai's.  He  died  September  25,  1818. 
His  first  wife,  Faith,  daughter  of  Governor  Trumbull,  died  at  Dedham,  Massachu- 


APPENDIX.  645 

setts,  in  1775,  while  on  her  way  with  her  husband  to  join  the  continental  camp  at 
Cambridge.  His  second  wife,  a  sister  of  Bishop  Moore  of  Virginia,  died  in  1831. 
Genei-al  Huntington  was  an  officer  of  the  church,  and  one  of  the  original  mem- 
bers of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  INIissions. 

Huntington,  Benjamin,  LL.  B.,  of  Norwich,  graduated  at  Yale  in  1761,  and 
having  settled  in  his  native  town  in  the  practice  of  the  law,  he  soon  rose  to  emi- 
nence in  his  profession.  He  was  a  judge  of  the  superior  court  from  1793  to  1798, 
and  was  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress  from  1780  to  1784,  and  from 
1787  to  1788.  After  the  reorganization  of  the  government,  he  was  elected  a 
Representative  in  Congress  from  1789  to  1791.  He  was  mayor  of  the  city  of 
Norwich  for  twelve  years.     He  died  in  1800. 

Huntington,  Ebenezer,  General,  of  Norwich,  graduated  at  Yale  in  1775,  and 
during  the  same  year  he  joined  the  army  near  Boston,  as  a  volunteer.  In  1776, 
he  was  commissioned  as  a  captain  and  appointed  deputy  adjutant-general.  In 
1777,  he  received  a  major's  commission,  and  during  the  following  year  he  was 
made  lieutenant-colonel.  In  1799,  he  was,  at  the  recommendation  of  Washing- 
ton, appointed  a  brigadier-general  in  the  army  raised  by  Congress  in  anticipation 
of  a  war  with  France.  He  subsequently  held  the  office  of  major-general  of  the 
militia  of  Connecticut.  General  Huntington  was  elected  a  representative  in  Con- 
gress in  1810  and  again  in  1817.  He  died  in  Norwich,  in  June  1834,  at  an  ad- 
vanced age. 

Huntington,  Jabez  "W.,was  born  in  Norwich,  November  8, 1788,  and  gradu- 
ated at  Yale  in  1806.  He  pursued  his  professional  studies  at  the  Litchfield  Law 
School,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Litchfield,  where  he  re- 
mained for  about  thirty  years.  In  1828,  he  was  elected  to  the  state  legislature, 
and  in  1829,  he  was  chosen  a  representative  in  Congress,  in  which  office  he  re- 
mained until  his  election  as  a  judge  of  the  superior  court,  in  1834.  In  1840,  he 
was  elected  to  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  and  continued  to  hold  that  office 
until  his  death,  November  1,  1847.  He  took  up  his  residence  in  his  native  town 
a  few  years  previous  to  his  decease. 

Tngersoll,  Jared,  LL.  D.,  (son  of  the  Hon.  Jared  Ingersoll,  stamp  master  and 
judge  of  the  admiralty  court,)  was  a  native  of  New  Haven  and  a  graduate  of 
Yale  in  1766.  He  settled  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  attained  a  high  rank  as  a 
lawyer.  He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress  in  1780,  and  was 
a  member  from  Pennsylvania  of  the  convention  which  framed  the  constitution  of 
the  United  States,  He  was  also  a  judge  of  the  district  court  and  attorney  general 
of  the  state.  In  1812,  he  was  the  candidate  of  the  federal  party  for  the  office  of 
vice  president  of  the  United  States.  He  died  October  31,  1822,  aged  73.  His 
sons,  Joseph  R.  and  Charles  J.,  have  both  been  members  of  Congress  from 
Philadelphia. 

Ingersoll,  Jonathan,  LL.  D.,  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Ingersoll,  was  born 
in  Ridgefield,  and  graduated  at  Yale  in  1766.  He  settled  in  New  Haven  and 
became  a  lawyer  of  distinction.  Besides  holding  many  other  offices  of  importance, 
he  was  a  judge  of  the  supreme  court  and  lieutenant-governor  of  the  state.  He 
died  in  the  latter  office,  January  12,  1723,  aged  76. 

Johnson,  William,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Middletown,  graduated  at  Yale  in 


646  APPENDIX. 

1788,  and  settled  in  New  York  city  in  the  practice  of  law.  In  1806,  he  published 
a  translation  of  Azuni's  "  Maritime  Law,"  accompanied  by  a  commentary.  He 
was  the  reporter  of  the  supreme  court  of  New  York  from  1806  to  1823,  and  of 
the  com-t  of  chancery  from  1814  to  1823.  In  1838,  he  published  a  digest  of 
cases  decided  in  these  courts  from  1799  to  1836.  He  received  the  degree  of 
doctor  of  laws  from  Hamilton  College  in  1819,  and  fi'om  the  college  of  New 
Jersey  in  1820,     He  died  in  the  city  of  New  York  in  July,  1848. 

Johnston,  Josiah  S.,  was  born  in  Salisbury,  and  emigrated  to  Kentucky  in 

1789,  with  his  parents.  He  settled  in  or  near  New  Orleans,  as  a  lawyer.  In 
1821,  he  was  chosen  a  representative  to  Congress,  and  in  1825,  he  was  elected  a 
United  States  senator.  On  his  return  homeward  from  Washington  City,  in  the 
spring  of  1833,  he  was  instantly  killed  by  the  bursting  of  a  steamboat  boiler  on  the 
Ohio  river.  May  19. 

KiLBOURNK,  James,  was  born  in  New  Britain  (then  a  parish  of  Farmington,) 
October  19,  1770.  He  studied  divinity,  and  became  a  clergyman  of  the  episcopal 
church.  In  l803-'4,  he  was  instrumental  in  forming  an  emigrating  colony  to 
Central  Ohio,  then  a  wilderness.  His  company  nearly  all  united  with  the  episco- 
pal society,  and  for  some  time  he  officiated  as  their  minister  ;  but  as  many  secular 
duties  devolved  upon  him,  he  finally  abandoned  his  chosen  profession  and  de- 
voted his  time  to  the  civil  affairs  of  the  settlement.  A  town  was  soon  organized 
and  named  Worthington.  In  1805,  he  was  appointed,  by  act  of  Congress,  to  the 
office  of  United  States  surveyor  of  public  lands  ;  and  during  the  following  year,  the 
legislature  of  Ohio,  in  joint  ballot,  chose  him  a  member  of  the  first  board  of  trustees 
of  Ohio  College,  at  Athens.  In  1812,  the  president  of  the  United  States  ap- 
pointed him  a  commissioner  to  settle  the  boundary  between  the  public  lands  and 
the  great  Virginia  reservation.  About  this  time,  he  was  commissioned  as  colonel 
of  the  frontier  regiment ;  and  during  the  year  1812,  he  was  elected  a  representa- 
tive to  Congress.  In  the  fall  of  1814,  he  was  re-elected  to  Congress.  He  was 
also  a  member  of  the  Ohio  legislature,  and  discharged  the  duties  of  many  other 
public  trusts  with  remarkable  fidelity  and  ability.  He  was  a  man  of  wonderful 
energy  and  perseverance,  and  an  earnest  friend  of  education,  good  order,  and  reli- 
gion. Colonel  Kilbourne  died  in  Worthington,  in  April,  1850,  in  the  80th  year 
of  his  age. 

KiNGSLEY,  James  L.,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Windham,  August  28,  1778,  and 
graduated  at  Yale  in  1799.  In  1801,  he  was  appointed  tutor  in  that  institution, 
and  in  1805,  he  was  chosen  professor  of  languages  and  ecclesiastical  history.  In 
1831,  on  the  appointment  of  Professor  Woolsey,  he  ceased  to  give  instruction  in 
Greek  ;  in  1836,  the  duties  of  his  office  were  again  divided,  and  from  that  date 
until  1851,  he  filled  the  chair  of  professor  of  the  Latin  language  and  literature. 
From  1805  to  1824,  he  was  also  the  librarian  of  the  college.  Professor  Kingsley 
was  a  gentleman  of  extensive,  accurate,  and  varied  learning,  and  his  w^ritings  are 
distinguished  for  perspicuity,  terseness,  and  force.  In  the  history  of  this  country, 
and  especially  of  New  England,  he  was  well  versed,  and  his  contributions  on  these 
subjects  possess  great  value.     He  died  in  New  Haven,  August  31,  1852. 

KiRBY,  Ephraim,  was  born  in  Litchfield,  February  23,  1757.  He  was  an  offi- 
cer in  the  revolution,  and  rose  to  the  rank  of  colonel  in  the  militia.     He  studied 


APPENDIX.  647 

law,  and  commenced  tlie  practice  of  his  profession  in  his  native  town.  In  1787, 
he  received  the  honorary  degree  of  master  of  arts  from  Yale  College.  Colonel 
Kirby  was  chosen  a  representative  in  the  legislature  at  fourteen  sessions,  and  in 
1801,  he  was  appointed  by  President  Jefferson,  to  the  office  of  supervisor  of  the 
national  revenue  for  the  state  of  Connecticut.  About  the  same  time  he  was  the 
democratic  candidate  for  governor.  Upon  the  acquisition  of  Louisiana,  the  presi- 
dent appointed  him  a  judge  of  the  newl}'^  organized  territory  of  Orleans.  While 
on  his  way  to  New  Orleans  to  enter  upon  the  duties  of  this  appointment,  he  died 
at  Fort  Stoddart,  in  the  Mississippi  Territory,  October  2,  1804,  aged  47  years. 
In  1789,  Colonel  Kirby  published  a  volume  of  "  Reports  of  the  decisions  of  the 
superior  court  and  supreme  court  of  errors"  in  this  state — the  first  wox'k  of  the 
kind  published  in  the  United  States.  The  wife  of  Colonel  Kirby,  was  Ruth  Mar- 
vin, the  only  daughter  of  Reynold  Marvin,  Esq.,  of  Litchfield,  who  had  been 
king's  attorney  for  the  county,  previous  to  the  revolution.  Major  Reynold  M. 
Kirby,  U.  S.  A.,  who  died  October  7, 1842,  and  Colonel  Edmund  Kirby,  U.  S.  A., 
who  died  August  20,  1849,  were  his  sons. 

Lanman,  James,  was  born  in  Norwich,  June  14,  1769,  graduated  at  Yale  Col- 
lege in  1788,  and  settled  as  a  lawyer  in  his  native  town.  lie  was  state's  attorney 
five  years,  representative  two  years,  state  senator  one  year,  senator  in  Congress 
six  years,  judge  of  the  supreme  court  three  years,  mayor  of  the  city  of  Norwich 
three  years,  and  a  member  of  the  convention  which  formed  the  state  constitution. 
He  died  in  Norwich,  Angust  7,  1841. 

Law,  Richard,  an  early  settler  of  Wethersfield,  and  afterwards  of  Stamford, 
was  for  many  years  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  New  Haven  colony,  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  which  he  was  for  many  years  a  representative,  commissioner 
and  magistrate.  At  the  first  session  of  the  general  court  of  Connecticut,  after  the 
union  of  the  two  colonies.  May,  1665,  Mr.  Law  was  appointed  a  commissioner, 
and  was  '"  invested  with  magistratical  powers  in  the  towns  of  Stamford,  Green- 
wich, and  Rye,  and  also  to  assist  in  the  execution  of  justice  in  the  courts  at  Fair- 
field and  Stratford."  At  a  special  session  in  July  following,  he  was  appointed  on 
the  committee  "  to  order  and  appoint"  the  means  of  defense  against  the  antici- 
pated invasion  of  our  coast  by  De  Ruyter,  the  Dutch  Admiral.  He  continued  to 
serve  occasionally  as  a  deputy,  and  nearly  every  year  as  a  commissioner  of  the 
united  colonies,  until  his  death.  His  wife  was  Margaret,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Kilbourn,  of  Wethersfield. 

Law,  Jonathan,  a  son  of  Mr.  Jonathan  Law  of  Milford,  and  grandson  of  the 
preceding,  was  born  in  Milford,  August  6th,  1674  ;  graduated  at  Harvard  College 
in  1695  ;  from  1715  to  1725,  except  one  year,  he  was  a  judge  of  the  superior 
court ;  and  in  1725,  he  was  elected  chief  justice  and  lieutenant-governor,  which 
offices  he  held  until  he  was  elected  governor  in  1741,  He  died  while  holding  the 
office  of  governor,  November  6,  1750.  He  was  frequently  a  representative,  and 
was  speaker  of  the  House. 

Law,  Richard,  LL.  D.,  son  of  the  preceding,  was  born  in  Milford,  March  17, 
1733,  graduated  at  Yale  in  1751,  and  settled  in  New  London,  where  he  died  Jan- 
uary 26,  1806.  He  successively  held  the  offices  of  representative,  member  of  the 
council,  judge  and  chief  judge  of  the  superior  court,  member  of  the  Continental 


648  APPENDIX. 

Congress,  ju(3ge  of  tlie  United  States  district  court,  and  mayor  of  New  London  for 
twenty-two  years.  Richard  Law,  Esq.,  collector  of  the  port  of  New  London, 
and  Hon.  Lyman  Law,  speaker  of  the  House  and  member  of  Congress,  were  his 
sons. 

Mansfield,  Jared,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  New  Haven  in  May  1759,  and 
graduated  at  Tale  College  in  1777.  In  1802  he  published  at  New  Haven  a  work 
entitled  "  Essays  Mathematical  and  Physical,"  which  was  the  first  volume  of 
original  mathematical  research  issued  in  this  country.  Li  1803,  he  was  ap- 
pointed surveyor  general  of  the  United  States  for  the  north  west  territories,  and 
while  employed  in  that  duty  he  devised  the  system  of  surveying  and  dividing  the 
public  lands  which  is  still  in  use.  From  1812  to  1828,  he  was  professor  of  natural 
and  experimental  philosophy  in  the  national  military  academy  at  West  Point,  with 
the  army  rank  of  lieut.-colonel  in  the  corps  of  engineers.  He  died  in  New  Haven, 
Feb.  3,  1830,  aged  71. 

Marsh,  Charles,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Lebanon,  July  10,  1765,  graduated  at 
Dartmouth  in  1786,  studied  law  at  the  Litchfield  Law  School,  and  commenced 
practice  at  Woodstock,  Vermont,  in  1788.  For  a  long  series  of  years  he  stood  at 
the  head  of  the  bar  in  that  state.  In  1815,  he  was  chosen  a  representative  in 
Congress,  and  while  a  member  of  that  body,  he  was  associated  with  Judge  Mar- 
shall, Henry  Clay,  and  others,  in  forming  the  American  Colonization  Society. 
He  was  a  trustee  of  Dartmouth  College  for  forty  years.  He  died  at  Woodstock, 
Vt.,  January  11,  1849.  * 

Mason,  .Jeremiah,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Lebanon,  April  27, 1768,  and  graduated 
at  Yale  College  in  1788.  Having  studied  law,  he  commenced  the  practice  of  his 
profession  at  Westmoreland,  near  Walpole,  N.  H  ,  and  in  1797  removed  to  Ports- 
mouth. He  was  appointed  attorney  general  in  1802 ;  and  in  1813,  he  was 
elected  a  senator  in  Congress,  a  post  which  he  resigned  in  1817.  In  1832,  he 
removed  to  Boston,  where  he  died  Nov.  14,  1848.  He  was  regarded  as  one  of 
the  greatest  lawyers  in  New  England.  Judge  Woodbury  of  the  supreme  court  of 
the  United  States,  said  of  him,  "  In  a  profound  knowledge  of  several  branches 
of  jurisprudence,  and  in  some  of  the  most  choice  qualities  of  a  forensee  speaker,  he 
had,  in  his  palmy  days,  not  merely  in  this  state  or  New  England,  but  in  this 
whole  country,  few  equals^  and  probably  no  superior^  Daniel  Webster,  in 
reference  to  Mr.  Mason,  wrote,  "  The  characteristics  of  his  mind,  as  I  think,  were 
real  greatness^  strength,  and  sagacity.  He  was  great  through  strong  sense  and 
sound  judgment,  great  by  comprehensive  views  of  things,  great  by  high  and  ele- 
vated purposes.  His  discrimination  arose  from  a  force  of  intellect,  and  quick- 
seeing,  far  reaching  sagacity,  everywhere  discerning  his  object,  and  pursuing  it 
steadily."  He  received  the  degree  of  doctor  of  laws  from  Bowdoin,  Dartmouth, 
and  Harvard  colleges. 

Meigs,  Return  J.,  a  son  of  Col.  R.  J.  Meigs  of  the  revolutionary  army,  was  a 
native  of  Middletown,  and  graduated  at  Tale  in  1785.  He  settled  in  Ohio,  and 
became  a  judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  that  state,  a  senator  in  Congress  and 
governor  of  the  state.  He  was  appointed  postmaster  general  of  the  United  States 
in  1814,  and  held  the  office  for  nine  years.     He  died  at  Marietta  in  March,  1825. 

Meigs,  Josiah,  was  born  in  Middletown,  graduated  at  Tale  in  1778,  and  was 


APPENDIX.  649 

professor  of  mathematics  and  natural  philosophy  in  that  institution  from  1794  to 
1801.  He  subsequently  became  the  first  president  of  the  university  of  Georgia, 
and  surveyor  general  of  the  United  States.     He  died  in  1822,  aged  65. 

Mills,  Samuel,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Torrington,  April  21, 1783,  and  graduated  at 
Williams  college  in  1810.  He  originated  the  foreign  mission  school  at  Cornwall, 
and  exerted  an  important  influence  in  the  establishment  of  the  American  board 
of  commissioners  for  foreign  missions,  the  American  bible  society,  and  the  Ameri. 
can  colonization  society.  Ho  visited  the  city  of  Washington,  and  urged  the 
scheme  of  colonization  upon  the  attention  of  the  eminent  men  gathered  there,  and 
attended  the  meeting  at  which  the  national  sociej^  was  organized.  In  his  mis- 
sionary tours  at  the  west  and  south,  he  found  thousands  of  families  destitute  of  the 
bible  5  and  in  his  report  he  urged  the  importance  of  a  national  bible  society.  The 
Rev.  Dr.  Spring,  (who  published  his  memoirs,)  says  "  The  formation  of  this  great 
national  institution  Mr.  Mills  thought  of,  suggested,  and  pressed  the  suggestion, 
long  before  it  probably  entered  into  the  mind  or  heart  of  any  other  individual." 
In  1817,  he  was  commissioned  by  the  American  colonization  society  as  its  agent 
to  explore  the  western  coast  of  Africa,  and  select  a  suitable  place  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  colony.  He  was  authorized  to  choose  his  colleague  for  this  import- 
ant mission.  He  accordingly  selected  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Burgess,  professor  of 
mathematics  and  national  philosophy  in  the  university  of  Vermont.  These  two 
young  men  set  sail  for  England  on  the  6th  of  November,  and  reached  Liverpool  late 
in  December.  Sailing  thence  in  February,  1818,  they  reached  the  African  coast 
on  the  12th  of  March.  After  spending  more  than  two  months  in  exploring  the 
coast,  they  selected  the  site  of  Liberia,  and  started  on  their  return  on  the  22d  of 
May.  On  their  voyage  homeward,  Mr.  Mills  died  on  the  16th  of  June,  aged  35 
years. 

Mitchell,  Stephen  Mix,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Wethersfield,  Dec.  20,  1743, 
graduated  at  Yale  in  1763,  and  was  a  tutor  in  that  institution  from  1706  to  1769, 
Having  settled  in  his  native  town  as  a  lawyer,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
Continental  Congress  in  1783,  and  was  re-elected  in  1785  and  in  1787.  In  1790, 
he  was  appointed  chief  judge  of  the  county  court-,  in  1793,  he  was  chosen  a 
senator  in  Congress,  which  station  he  held  until  he  was  chosen  a  judge  of  the 
superior  court  in  1795,  and  from  1807  to  1814  he  was  chief  judge.  Judge 
IVIitchell  also  held  the  office  of  assistant,  or  member  of  the  council,  for  nine  years. 
He  died  September  30,  1835,  aged  92. 

Morse,  Jedediah,  D.D.,  was  born  in  Woodstock,  in  1761,  graduated  at  Tale 
in  1783,  and  was  installed  pastor  of  a  church  in  Charlestown,  Mass.,  April  30, 
1789,  In  the  year  1821,  he  was  dismissed;  and  died  in  New  Haven,  June  9, 
1826,  aged  65.  His  wife  was  Miss  Breese,  a  granddaughter  of  President  Finley. 
Dr.  Morse  is  particularly  distinguished  for  his  geographical  and  statistical  works. 
In  1789,  his  "  American  Geography"  was  published  ;  in  1793,  it  was  greatly  en- 
larged and  published  in  two  volumes,  and  has  since  gone  through  many  editions. 
He  published  an  "  American  Gazetteer,"  in  1797,  and  1804  ;  and  subsequently, 
his  great  and  valuable  work,  "  Morse's  Universal  Gazetteer,"  made  its  appear- 
ance. In  connection  with  Mr.  Parish,  in  1804,  he  published  a  history  of  New 
England.     His  other  publications  are  numerous.     He  received  the  degree  of  doc- 


650  APPENDIX, 

tor  of  divinity  at  the  University  of  Edinburgh.  His  son,  Samuel  F.  B.  Morse, 
LL.  T>.,  (the  inventor  of  the  magnetic  telegraph,)  though  a  native  of  Massachu- 
setts, received  his  education  here,  and  has  been  a  resident  in  this  state. 

Parker,  Amasa  J.,  LL.  D.,  is  a  native  of  Sharon,  and  a  graduate  of  Union 
College.  He  studied  law  with  Judge  Edmonds,  at  Hudson,  N.Y.,  and  Colonel 
Amasa  Parker,  his  uncle,  at  Delhi,  Delaware  County,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  October  1828.  In  1833,  at  the  age  of  twenty-six  years,  he  was  elected  a 
representative  in  the  state  legislature  ;  and  two  years  afterwards,  he  was  elected 
by  the  legislature,  a  regent  of  the  university.  At  the  age  of  twenty-nine  years  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  Congress  from  the  counties  of  Delaware  and  Broome  ; 
and  in  1844  he  was  appointed  a  circuit  judge  and  vice  chancellor  of  the  court  of 
equity.  He  was  thrown  out  of  office  by  the  adoption  of  a  new  state  constitution, 
and  soon  after  was  chosen  a  judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  state  of  New  York. 
He  now  resides  in  Albany. 

Phelps,  Elisha,  a  native  and  resident  of  Simsbury,  graduated  at  Yale  in  1800, 
and  pursued  his  legal  studies  at  the  Lichfield  Law  School.  He  was  speaker  of  the 
house  of  representatives  in  1821,  and  again  in  1829  ;  was  elected  to  Congress  in 
1819,  1825,  and  1827  ;  and  was  comptroller  of  the  state  from  1830  to  1834.  In 
1835,  he  was  appointed,  with  Leman  Church,  Esq.,  and  the  Hon.  Royal  R.  Hin- 
man,  a  commissioner  to  revise  the  statutes  of  Connecticut.     He  died  in  1847. 

Phelps,  Samuel  S.,  was  born  in  Litchfield,  May  13,  1793,  graduated  at  Yale 
in  1811,  and  studied  his  profession  at  the  law  school  in  his  native  town.  He 
settled  in  Middlebury,  Vermont.  In  1827  he  was  chosen  one  of  the  council  of 
censors ;  in  1831  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  legislative  council,  and  a  judge 
of  the  supreme  court.  In  1838,  he  was  elected  a  senator  in  Congress,  and  was 
re-elected  in  1844.  He  retired  to  private  life  in  1850,  after  a  service  of  twelve 
years  in  that  body,  having  acquired  a  distinguished  rank  among  the  ablest  states- 
men in  the  Union.  He  has  since  been  appointed  to  the  same  office,  by  the 
governor  of  Vermont,  to  fill  a  vacancy. 

PiTKLN,  Timothy,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Farmington  in  1765  ;  and  graduated  at 
Yale  in  1785.  After  representing  his  native  town  for  several  years  in  the  legis- 
lature, and  having  discharged  the  duties  of  speaker  of  the  House  for  five  sessions, 
he  was  chosen  a  member  of  Congress  in  1805,  and  continued  to  be  re-elected 
until  1819.  In  1816  he  published  an  octavo  volume,  entitled  "  A  Statistical  View 
of  the  Commerce  of  the  United  States  ;"  in  1835,  an  enlarged  edition  of  this  work, 
continued  down  to  that  time,  was  published.  In  1828  he  published  his  "  Political 
and  Civil  History  of  the  United  States  from  1763  to  the  close  of  Washington's 
Administration,"  in  two  volumes  octavo.  These  works  are  highly  esteemed  for 
their  candour  and  accuracy.  Mr.  Pitkin  died  in  New  Haven,  December  18, 
1847,  aged  82  years.  The  degree  of  doctor  of  laws  was  conferred  upon  him  by 
Yale  College,  in  1829. 

Pitkin,  William,  of  Hartford,  was  a  member  of  the  council  from  1734  to 
1754,  when  he  was  elected  lieutenant-governor  of  the  colony.  He  remained  in 
the  latter  office  until  1766,  when  he  succeeded  Mr.  Fitch  as  governor.  He  died 
while  holding  the  office  of  governor,  Oct.  1st,  1769.  Governor  Pitkin  was  also  a 
judge  of  the  superior  court  for  thirteen  years,  and  chief  judge  for  twelve  years. 


APPENDIX.  651 

Plant,  David,  a  native  of  Stratford,  where  he  conthiued  to  reside  until  his 
death.  He  graduated  at  Yale  in  1804.  In  1819  and  again  in  1820,  he  was 
speaker  of  the  house  of  representatives  ;  in  1821  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the 
state  senate,  and  was  twice  re-elected  ;  from  1823  to  1827  he  was  lieutenant- 
governor  of  the  state  ;  and  from  1827  to  1829  he  was  a  member  of  Congress. 
lie  died  October  18,  1851. 

Porter,  Peter  Buel,  (son  of  Colonel  Joshua  Porter,)  was  a  native  of  Salis- 
bury, and  a  graduate  of  Yale  College,  where  he  took  his  first  degree  in  1791. 
He  was  for  some  time  a  student  at  the  Litchfield  Law  School,  and  subsequently,  in 
company  with  his  brother,  the  late  Hon.  Augustus  Porter,  en:iigrated  to  western 
New  York.  In  1809  he  was  elected  a  representative  in  Congress  from  that  state, 
and  was  re-elected  in  1811.  As  chairman  of  the  committee  on  foreign  relations, 
he  reported  the  resolutions  authorizing  immediate  and  active  preparations  for  war. 
In  1813,  he  was  appointed  major-general  and  chief  in  command  of  the  state 
troops,  and  in  1815  he  received  from  President  Madison  the  appointment  of  com- 
mander-in-chief of  the  United  States  army — a  post  which  he  respectfully  de- 
clined. Soon  after  the  war  he  was  chosen  secretary  of  the  state  of  New  York, 
and  was  again  elected  to  Congress.  In  1828  he  was  appointed  secretary  of  war 
by  President  Adams.  He  died  at  Niagara  Falls,  ]Mareh  20,  1844,  aged  71.  His 
wife,  a  daughter  of  the  Plon.  John  Breckenridge,  of  Kentucky,  died  in  August, 
1831. 

Prentiss,  Samuel,  was  born  in  Stonington,  March  31,  1782.  Having  com- 
pleted his  legal  studies  under  the  instruction  of  Samuel  Voce,  Esq.,  of  Northfield, 
Mass.,  and  John  W.  Blake,  Esq.,  of  Brattleboro',  Vermont,  he  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  December,  1802,  at  Montpelier,  where  he  commenced  practice.  Hav- 
ing served  as  a  representative  in  the  state  legislature  in  1824  and  1825,  he  was 
during  the  latter  year,  elected  a  judge  of  the  supreme  court.  In  1829,  he  was 
chosen  chief  justice,  and  in  1831  he  was  transferred  to  the  senate  of  the  United 
States,  in  which  distinguished  body  he  served  for  eleven  years.  He  drew  up  and 
presented  to  the  senate  the  existing  act  against  duelling  in  the  district  of  Colum- 
bia. In  May  1842,  Mr.  Prentiss,  took  his  seat  upon  the  bench  as  judge  of  the 
United  States  district  court. 

Riley,  James,  Captain,  was  born  in  Middletown  on  the  27th  of  October,  1777. 
At  the  age  of  fifteen  years  he  commenced  his  seafaring  life  as  a  sailor  on  board  a 
sloop  bound  to  the  West  Indies.  He  was  soon  appointed  to  the  command  of  a 
vessel  5  and  in  1808,  being  at  that  time  captain  of  the  Two  Mary's  of  New  York, 
his  ship  was  seized  by  the  French  while  in  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  and  confiscated 
under  the  Milan  Decree  of  December  17,  1807.  He  returned  to  this  country  in 
1809.  In  April,  1815,  he  was  master  and  supercargo  of  the  brig  Commerce,  of 
Hartford,  and  sailed  for  New  Orleans,  where  he  exchanged  his  cargo,  and  set  sail 
for  Gibraltar.  At  that  port  he  loaded  his  brig  with  brandies  and  wines,  and  de- 
parted for  the  Cape  de  Verd  Islands,  where  he  intended  to  complete  the  lading 
of  his.  vessel  with  salt.  In  this  voyage  he  was  shipwrecked  and  thrown  upon  the 
coast  of  Africa.  For  about  eighteen  months  he  was  detained  as  a  slave  by  the 
Arabs,  and  suffered  almost  incredible  hardships,  so  that  his  weight  was  reduced 
from  240  to  60  pounds.     He  was  finally  ransomed  by  Mr.  Wiltshire,  of  Magadore, 


652  APPENDIX. 

and  the  ransom  money  for  himself  and  his  companions  was  refunded  by  the 
United  States  government  during  President  Monroe's  administration.  On  his  re- 
turn to  this  country,  Captain  Riley  published  in  a  volume  a  narrative  of  his  adven- 
tures and  sufferings,  which  has  been  widely  circulated.  Such  were  its  extrordinaiy 
details,  that  the  account  was  for  a  long  time  regarded  as  a  mere  romance.  The 
subsequent  testimony  of  his  surviving  companions,  however,  abundantly  confirmed 
its  truthfulness.  For  some  years  after  his  return,  he  resided  in  Ohio,  and  was 
there  elected  a  representative.  He,  however,  finally  returned  to  his  old  employ- 
ment, trading  almost  wholly  at  the  port  of  Magadore,  He  died  on  board  his  brig 
William  Tell,  bound  to  Morocco,  March  15,  1840,  aged  63  years. 

Root,  Erastus,  was  born  in  Hebron,  March  16, 1773,  graduated  at  Dartmouth 
in  1793,  studied  law  with  the  Hon.  Sylvester  Gilbert,  of  his  native  town,  and  in 
1796  settled  in  Delaware  county,  New  Tork.  During  the  following  year,  when 
but  twenty-four  years  old,  he  was  elected  a  representative,  and  from  that  time, 
until  he  declined  holding  office,  he  was  almost  constantly  in  public  life.  Among 
the  honors  bestowed  upon  him,  were  the  following,  viz.,  representative  in  the 
Assembly,  eleven  years ;  speaker  of  the  House,  three  years  ;  state  senator,  eight 
years  5  member  of  Congress,  eleven  years ;  president  of  the  Senate,  and  lieu- 
tenant-governor of  the  state  of  New  York,  two  years.  He  was  also  a  member 
of  the  constitutional  convention  in  1821,  and  was  subsequently  appointed  by  the 
legislature  one  of  the  committee  to  revise  the  laws  of  the  state.  It  is  a  singular 
fact  that  during  his  first  two  legislative  terms,  he  was  the  youngest  member  of  the 
legislature ;  and  during  the  last  two  years,  he  was  the  oldest  member.  He  also 
rose  to  the  rank  of  major-general  of  militia.  He  died  in  New  Tork  city  at  the 
residence  of  his  nephew,  George  St.  John,  Esq.,  on  the  24th  of  December  1846, 
aged  seventy-three  years  and  nine  months.  He  was  a  man  of  powerful  frame, 
and  though  of  uncouth  manners,  he  had  a  highly  cultivated  intellect  and  a  correct 
literary  taste.  He  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Stockton,  of  Delaware  county,  and  had 
five  children,  viz.,  Charles,  who  died  at  Rio  Janeiro,  while  a  midshipman  in  the 
navy  ;  William,  who  now  resides  in  Wisconsin  ;  Julianne,  who  married  the  late 
Hon.  S.  R.  Hobble,  the  well-known  first  assistant  postmaster-general ;  Elizabeth, 
who  married  Henry  L.  Robinson,  Esq.  ;  and  Augusta,  who  married  William 
Fuller,  Esq.,  and  died  in  Alabama  in  1838. 

Root,  Jesse,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Northampton,  Mass.,  in  January,  1737. 
graduated  at  New  Jersey  college  in  1756,  and  preached  for  about  three  years. 
He  then  studied  law  and  in  1763  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  settled  in  Coventry, 
He  was  a  lieutenant-colonel  in  the  revolution ;  member  of  the  Continental  Con- 
gress for  five  years  ;  a  judge  of  the  superior  court  for  nine  years;  and  chief 
judge  for  nine  years.     He  died  March  29,  1822,  aged  85  years. 

Sai.tonstall,  Gurdon,  was  a  great  grandson  of  Sir  Richard  Saltonstall,  one 
of  the  original  patentees  of  Massachusetts  Bay.  He  was  born  at  Haverhill,  Mass., 
March  27,  1666,  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1684,  and  was  ordained  pastor 
of  the  church  in  New  London,  Conn.,  in  1691.  While  in  the  clerical  office  he  was 
often  employed  in  civil  affairs,  and  on  the  death  of  Governor  Winthrop  in  1707, 
he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  governor  of  Connecticut,  and  continued  to  discharge 
the  duties  of  that  important  trust  until  his  decease  September  24,  1724.     He  was 


APPENDIX.  65 


Q 


not  only  an  able  and  eloquent  divine,  but  he  proved  himself  a  consummate  states- 
man. To  a  noble  and  dignified  person,  he  added  the  graces  of  a  polished  manner 
and  the  powers  of  an  accomplished  oratory. 

Sedgwick,  Theodore,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  West  Ilartfurd  in  May  1746. 
When  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  about  three  years  old,]iis  parents  removed  to 
Cornwall  Hollow,  in  the  western  part  of  Connecticut,  where  he  continued  to 
reside  until  he  entered  college.  He  graduated  at  Yale  in  1765,  and  settled  as  a 
lawyer  in  Sheffield,  Massachusetts,  and  fi"om  thence  removed  to  Stockbridge,  in 
the  same  state  in  1785.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress  from 
1785  to  1787,  and  after  the  adoption  of  the  federal  constitution,  he  was  chosen  a 
representative  in  Congress.  From  the  11th  of  INIarch  17t)G  to  March  3d,  1799, 
he  was  a  United  States  senator,  and  was  chosen  president  pro.  tern,  of  that  borly 
in  1798.  Immediately  upon  the  expiration  of  his  senatorial  term  in  1799,  he  was 
again  elected  a  representative  in  Congress,  and  was  chosen  speaker  of  the  House. 
From  1802  until  his  death,  he  was  a  judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  Massacliusetts. 
He  died  in  Boston,  January  24,  1813,  aged  66.  He  received  the  degree  of 
doctor  of  laws  both  at  Princeton  and  Cambridge. 

Seyjiour,  Horatio,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Litchfield,  May  31,  1778,  graduated 
at  Yale  in  1797,  and  pursued  his  professional  studies  at  the  Litchfield  Law 
School.  He  settled  in  Middlebury,  Vermont,  his  present  residence.  Besides 
being  a  judge  of  probate  and  member  of  the  council,  he  was  a  senator  in  Congress 
from  that  state  from  1820  to  1832.  He  received  the  degree  of  doctor  of  laws  from 
Yale  College  in  1847. 

SiixiMAN,  Ebenezer,  of  Fairfield,  was  born  in  the  year  1708,  graduated  at 
Yale  in  1727,  and  was  called  to  take  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  public  affairs  of  the 
colony.  Soon  after  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  he  was  elected  a  representative 
from  Fairfield,  and  at  the  October  session  1736,  he  was  chosen  speaker  of  the 
House,  a  post  to  which  he  was  re-elected  at  the  three  succeeding  sessions.  In 
1739  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  council,  or  upper  house  of  the  legislature, 
and  was  annually  re-eleoted  for  twenty-seven  years.  At  the  end  of  that  period, 
he  was  again  chosen  a  representative,  and  at  the  sessions  in  May  and  October, 
1773,  and  in  May  1774,  he  was  elevated  to  the  speaker's  chair.  Mr.  Silli- 
man  was  also  annually  elected  a  judge  of  the  superior  court  for  twenty-three 
years,  besides  being  a  judge  of  the  probate  court,  judge  of  the  county  court, 
colonial  auditor,  and  a  member  of  various  important  committees.  For  a  period  of 
over  forty-five  years,  he  was  almost  constantly  in  public  life.  He  was,  says  his 
epitaph,  "  distinguished  by  a  clear  understanding,  a  sedate  mind,  and  dignity  of 
deportment,"  and  was  "well  versed  in  jurisprudence,  learned  in  the  law,  and 
religiously  upright."  He  died  at  his  residence  on  "  Holland  Hill,"  two  miles 
north  of  the  village  of  Fairfield,  on  the  18th  of  January,  1775,  aged  68 
years. 

SiLLiMAN,  Gold  Selleck,  son  of  the  preceding,  was  born  in  Fairfield  in 
1732,  and  graduated  at  Yale  in  1752.  Having  fitted  himself  for  the  bar,  he 
settled  in  his  native  town  in  the  practice  of  the  law,  and  soon  became  distin- 
guished in  his  profession.  In  May,  1775,  in  anticipation  of  serious  events,  the 
Assembly  voted  to   raise    troops  for  the  defense  of   the  colony,  and  Mr.  Silli- 


654  APPENDIX. 

man  was  commissioned  as  a  colonel,  and  on  the  14th  of  June,  1776,  he  was 
appointed  to  the  command  of  a  regiment  of  horse  raised  to  reinforce  the  con- 
tinental army  in  New  York.  In  December  of  the  year  last  named,  he  v<'as  ap- 
pointed by  the  General  Assembly  brigadier-general  of  the  fourth  brigade 
of  militia,  in  which  office  he  served  with  success  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
While  superintendent  of  the  coast  guard  in  the  Spring  of  1779,  his  vigilance 
and  energy  proved  a  serious  annoyance  to  the  enemy,  and  in  May  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  despatched  a  company  of  refugees  from  Lloyd's  ISTeck,  with  directions, 
if  possible,  to  take  him  prisoner.  Crossing  the  Sound  in  a  whale  boat,  the  com- 
pany proceeded  to  the  general's  residence  about  midnight,  under  the  guidance 
of  one  Glover,  who  was  well  acquainted  with  the  premises.  Seizing  General 
Silliman,  and  his  son  William,  who  was  major  of  brigade,  the  refugees  conveyed 
their  prisoners  to  Colonel  Simcoe,  the  officer  in  command  at  Lloyd's  Neck,  and 
in  a  short  time  they  were  taken  to  New  York  under  an  escort  of  dragoons. 
There  being  at  that  time  no  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  the  Americans  whom  the 
British  would  accept  in  exchange  for  General  Silliman,  a  friend  of  his.  Captain 
Daniel  Hawley,  of  Newfield,  (now  Bridgeport,)  determined  to  procure  one. 
Selecting  a  trusty  crew,  he  crossed  to  Long  Island  in  a  boat,  and  seized  the 
person  of  Judge  Jones,  of  the  supreme  court  of  New  York,  a  wealthy  and  influ- 
ential loyalist,  whom  they  soon  brouglit  in  safety  to  Newfield.  Mrs.  Silliman, 
hearing  of  the  judge's  arrival,  sent  for  him  and  entertained  him  at  her  house  for 
several  days.  It  was  not,  however,  until  May  1780,  that  an  exchange  was 
effected.  General  Silliman  was  a  brave,  prudent,  and  efficient  officer  ;  and  was 
highly  esteemed  in  private  life  as  a  neighbor,  gentleman,  and  christian.  He 
served  his  fellow  citizens  as  a  magistrate,  representative,  and  state's  attorney, 
and  vras  long  a  deacon  in  the  church  in  Fairfield.  He  died  July  21st,  1790, 
aged  fifty-eight.  He  was  the  father  of  Benjamin  Silliman,  LL.D.,  the  distin- 
guished professor  of  chemistry  and  minerology  in  Yale  College. 

SKI^'NER,  Richard,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Litchfield,  May  30,  1778,  and  re- 
ceived his  legal  education  at  the  Litchfield  Law  School.  He  settled  in  Manches- 
ter, Vermont,  where  he  soon  distinguished  himself  at  the  bar,  and  in  public  life. 
He  held  the  offices  of  state's  attorney,  judge  of  probate,  member  of  Congress, 
judge  and  chief  judge  of  the  supreme  court,  speaker  of  the  house  of  representa- 
tives, and  governor  of  the  state  from  1820  to  1823.  He  received  the  degree  of 
doctor  of  laws  from  Middlebury  College.  Governor  Skinner  died  in  Manchester, 
May  23,  1833,  aged  55  years. 

Smith,  Israel,  a  native  of  this  state,  was  born  April  4, 1759,  and  graduated  at 
Yale  in  1781.  He  studied  law,  and  settled  at  Rupert,  Vermont.  He  was  chosen 
a  representative  in  Congress  in  1791,  and  held  the  office  for  seven  years  ;  in  1802 
he  was  elected  a  senator  in  Congress,  but  resigned  in  1807,  and  Jonathan  Robin- 
son was  chosen  to  fill  the  vacancy.  He  was  also  chief  justice  and  governor  of 
the  state.     He  died  December  2,  1810,  aged  51. 

Smith,  Junius,  LL.D.,  a  son  of  Major-general  David  Smith,  was  born  in 
Plymouth,  October  2,  1780,  graduated  at  Yale  in  1802,  and  read  law  in  the 
Lichfield  Law  School.  In  1805,  he  went  to  London  on  business  connected  with 
his  profession,  and  he  finally  became  a  resident  merchant  of  that  city,  and  remained 


APPENDIX.  655 

there  until  1832.  In  the  year  last  named,  he  commenced  the  great  project  of 
navigating  the  Atlantic  by  steam.  After  pressing  the  matter  upon  the  attention 
of  the  leading  capitalists  and  merchants  of  London  and  New  York,  and  crossing 
the  ocean  several  times  in  the  prosecution  of  his  plans,  he  at  length  succeeded  in 
forming  "The  British  and  American  Steam  Navigation  Company,"  with  a  capital 
of  £1,000,000.  In  July  1836,  this  company  (of  which  Mr.  Smith  was  a  chief 
director,)  gave  notice  that  they  would  receive  plans  and  proposals,  and  in  Sep- 
tember a  contract  was  made  with  some  ship-builders  in  London  to  construct  a 
steam  ship  of  2016  tons  burthen.  The  keel  of  the  "  British  Queen,"  the  first 
ocean  steam  ship  ever  built,  was  accordingly  laid  on  the  1st  of  April,  1837. 
Not  long  after,  the  company  contracted  for  a  steam  ship  of  700  tons,  the  "  Sirius," 
which  was  actually  completed  before  the  "  British  Queen,"  and  was  the  first  to 
cross  the  Atlantic.  On  the  12th  of  July,  1839,  the  "  British  Queen  "  left  Liver- 
pool for  New  York,  for  the  first  time,  having  on  board  150  passengers,  among 
whom  were  jNIr.  Smith  and  his  family  •,  and  arrived  in  New  York  on  the  morning 
of  the  28th  of  July — after  a  voyage  of  fourteen  and  a  half  days.  Mr.  Smith  subse- 
quently turned  his  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  the  Tea  Plant,  and  for  that 
purpose  purchased  a  plantation  in  Greenville,  South  Carolina,  and  was  pi'osecuting 
the  business  with  much  success  at  the  date  of  his  decease,  in  1853.  In  1840 
Yale  College  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  doctor  of  laws. 

Smith,  Nathan,  was  born  in  Roxbury  in  1770,  studied  law  with  his  brother, 
the  Hon.  Nathaniel  Smith,  and  commenced  his  legal  practice  in  New  Haven, 
where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death.  He  became  one  of  the  most  cele- 
brated lawyers  in  the  state,  and  had  a  very  extensive  business.  In  1808  he  re- 
ceived the  honorary  degree  of  master  of  arts  at  Yale  College.  He  was  a  repre- 
sentative from  New  Haven,  state  senator,  member  of  the  convention  which  formed 
the  state  constitution,  state's  attorney  for  the  county  of  New  Haven,  United 
States  attorney  for  the  district  of  Connecticut,  and  a  senator  in  Congress.  He 
died  in  the  city  of  Washington,  December  6,  1835,  aged  65  years. 

Smith,  Perry,  was  born  in  Washington,  pursued  his  professional  studies  at  the 
Litchfield  Law  School,  and  settled  in  New  Milford  in  1807.  He  was  a  representa- 
tive four  years,  judge  of  probate  two  years,  and  United  States  senator  six  years. 
He  died  in  New  Milford  in  1852. 

Spencer,  Ambrose,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Salisbury,  December  13,  1765,  and 
graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1783.  Having  studied  law  with  John  Canfield, 
Esq.,  of  Sharon,  and  others,  he  established  himself  at  Hudson,  N.Y.  He  succes- 
sively held  the  offices  of  member  of  the  House  of  Assembly,  state  senator,  assistant 
attorney  general  and  attorney  general  of  the  state,  member  of  the  council  of  ap- 
pointment, judge  and  chief  judge  of  the  supreme  court,  member  of  Congress, 
mayor  of  Albany,  &c.  In  1844,  Judge  Spencer  was  president  of  the  whig 
national  convention  held  at  Baltimore,  which  nominated  Henry  Clay  and  Theodore 
Frelinghuysen  for  president  and  vice  president  of  the  United  States.  Before  he 
had  completed  his  professional  studies.  Judge  Spencer  married  Laura  Canfield,  a 
daughter  of  his  preceptor  above  named.  Their  son,  John  Canfield  Spencer,  was 
formerly  a  member  of  Congress  from  the  state  of  New  York,  and  has  since  been 
secretary  of  the  treasury  and  secretary  of  war.  ' 


6dQ  appendix. 

Stowe,  jNIrs.  Harriet  B.,  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Lyman  Beecher,  DD,,  and 
wife  of  Professor  Stowe,  of  Bowdoin  College,  was  born  in  Litchfield.  She 
is  the  author  of  several  works  of  merit,  the  principal  of  which  is  "  Uncle  Tom's 
Cabin,"  in  two  volumes,  which  was  published  at  Boston  in  1852.  It  has,  doubt- 
less, had  a  more  extensive  and  rapid  circulation  in  this  country  and  in  Europe, 
than  any  work  ever  issued  from  the  press. 

Strong,  Jedediah,  was  born  in  Litchfield,  November  7,  1738,  and  graduated 
at  Tale  in  1761.  He  then  studied  theology,  but  finally  became  a  lawyer.  lie 
was  a  representative  at  thirty  sessions,  member  of  the  council,  justice  of  the 
quorum,  member  of  the  Continental  Congress,  member  and  secretary  of  the  con- 
vention which  adopted  the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  commissary  of 
supplies  in  the  revolution.  He  married  a  daughter  of  the  Hon.  George  Wyllys, 
secretary  of  state,  in  1788;  and  in  about  a  year  afterwards,  she  procured  a 
divorce  from  him  on  account  of  intemperance,  personal  abuse,  &c.  He  died  in 
poverty  and  obscurity  in  1802. 

Stuart,  Moses,  D.D.,  was  born  in  Wilton,  Fairfield  county,  March  26,  1780, 
graduated  at  Yale  in  1799,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Danbury  in  jSTovember, 
1802.  About  the  same  time  he  was  appointed  tutor  in  Yale  College,  and  held 
the  office  for  some  two  years.  Having  resolved  to  leave  the  profession  of  law,  he 
devoted  much  of  his  time  while  a  tutor,  to  the  study  of  theology.  In  March, 
1806,  he  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  first  congregational  church  in  JSTew  Haven. 
In  February,  1810,  he  was  inaugurated  professor  of  sacred  literature  in  the  theolo- 
gical seminary  at  Andover,  Mass.,  in  which  office  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  He  published  numerous  commentaries  and  theological  treatises  which  have 
had  an  extensive  circulation  both  in  this  country  and  in  Europe.  He  died  in 
Andover,  Mass.,  January  4,  1852. 

Talcott,  Joseph,  of  Hartford,  w^as  for  several  years  a  representative  and 
speaker  of  the  House,  and  in  1711  was  elected  a  member  of  the  council,  in 
which  body  he  continued  until  he  was  elected  lieutenant-governor,  in  May,  1724. 
In  September  of  that  year.  Governor  Saltonstall  died,  and  lieutenat-governor 
Talcott  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy.  He  continued  to  hold  the  office  of  gov- 
ernor until  his  death  in  1741. 

ToMLiNsoN,  Gideon,  LL.  D.,  a  native  and  resident  of  Fairfield,  was  successively 
clerk  and  speaker  of  the  house,  a  representative  in  Congress  for  eight  years.  United 
States  senator  six  years,  and  governor  of  the  state  for  four  years.  He  received 
the  degree  of  doctor  of  laws  at  Washington  College,  in  1827.  Governor  Tomlin- 
son  died  in  1854. 

Tracy,  Uriah,  born  in  Franklin,  near  Norwich,  February  2,  1755,  graduated 
at  Yale  in  1778,  read  law  with  Judge  Reeve,  in  Litchfield,  and  settled  in  that 
town.  He  was  often  chosen  a  representative,  and  in  1793  was  speaker  of  the 
House.  From  1793  to  1796,  he  was  a  representative  in  Congress,  and  from  1796 
to  1807,  he  was  a  United  States  senator.  In  1800,  he  was  president  pro  tern,  of 
the  senate.  He  rose  to  the  rank  of  major-general  of  militia.  General  Tracy  was 
a  leader  of  the  old  federal  party,  and  an  intimate  friend  of  Hamilton,  Ames, 
Morris,  and  their  associates.     He  was  a  man  of  powerful  intellect,  and  was  par- 


APPENDIX.  657 

ticularly  famed  for  his  wit.     lie  died  at  Washington  city,  July  19,  1807,  and  was 
the  first  person  buried  in  the  congressional  burying  ground. 

"Wales,  Samuel,  D.D.,  son  of  John  Wales,  minister  at  Ra}'nham,  Mass.,  was 
one  of  the  most  eminent  divines  of  his  day.  lie  graduated  at  Yale  in  1767,  and 
was  settled  in  Milford  from  1770  to  1782.  In  June  of  the  latter  year,  he  was  in- 
augurated as  professor  of  divinity  in  Yale  College,  and  continued  to  discharge  the 
duties  of  that  office  with  great  ability  and  fidelity,  until  his  death,  which  took 
place  in  1794.  His  son,  the  Hon.  John  Wales,  graduated  at  Yale  in  1801,  and 
was  recently  a  senator  in  Congress  from  the  state  of  Delaware. 

Walworth,  Reuben  Hyde,  LL.  D.,  was  born  in  Bozrah,  a  part  of  the  old 
town  of  Norwich,  on  the  26th  of  October,  1789,  and  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Renselaer  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1793.  Having  studied  law  with  John  Russell,  Esq., 
of  Troy,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  that  place,  and  commenced  the  practice  of 
law  in  Plattsburg,  Clinton  County,  in  1810.  He  was  soon  appointed  a  justice 
of  the  peace  and  master  in  chancery.  In  1813,  during  the  war  with  Great  Britain, 
he  was  appointed  aid  to  INIajor  General  IMooers,  and  at  the  time  of  the  siege  of 
Plattsburg,  he  was  assigned  the  duty  of  acting  adjutant  general.  In  1818,  he 
was  appointed  supreme  court  commissioner,  and  in  the  spring  of  1821,  he  was 
elected  a  representative  in  Congress.  Having  declined  a  re-election,  he  was  ap- 
pointed judge  of  the  circuit  court  for  the  fourth  circuit,  in  1825.  In  the  fall  of 
this  year,  he  removed  to  Saratoga  springs,  his  present  residence.  In  1828,  Judge 
Walworth  was  appointed  to  the  office  of  chancellor  of  the  state  of  New  York,  a 
post  of  distinguished  honor,  which  he  continued  to  adorn  until  the  office  was  abol- 
ished by  the  new  constitution.  During  the  administration  of  President  Tyler,  a 
majority  of  the  New  York  delegation  in  Congress,  together  with  every  member 
of  the  New  York  legislature  of  both  political  parties,  united  in  recommending 
Chancellor  Walworth,  for  the  seat  on  the  bench  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  rendered  vacant  by  the  death  of  Judge  Thompson.  The  president 
accordingly  sent  his  name  to  the  senate  for  confirmation,  but  that  body  having 
neglected  for  so  long  a  time  to  act  upon  the  nomination,  the  executive  became 
convinced  that  it  was  determined  to  postpone  the  matter  until  a  new  administra- 
tion should  come  into  power.  The  chancellor's  name  was  therefore  reluctantly 
withdrawn,  and  that  of  chief  justice  Nelson  substituted.  In  1835,  Chancellor 
Walworth  received  the  degree  of  doctor  of  laws  from  New  Jersey  College,  at 
Princeton,  and  in  1839,  Yale  College  conferred  upon  him  the  same  degree. 

Webster,  Noah,  LL.  D,,  was  born  in  West  Hartford,  October  16,  1758,  and 
graduated  at  Yale  in  1778.  During  his  junior  year,  he  enlisted  into  the  army, 
and  served  for  several  months  in  a  company  commanded  by  his  father.  After 
graduating,  he  studied  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1781.  For  some  years 
he  gave  his  attention  to  the  subject  of  education,  and  published  several  elemen- 
tary works,  which  were  used  as  manuals  for  a  long  period  throughout  the  country. 
"  Webster's  Spelling  Book,"  "  Webster's  School  Dictionary,"  "  Webster's  His- 
tory of  the  United  States,"  and  "  Webster's  Grammar,"  have  had  a  greater  circu- 
lation than  any  works  of  the  kind  that  have  emanated  from  the  American  press 
more  than  24,000,000  of  the  former  having  been  issued  from  the  press  previous  to 
1847.     His  "  Sketches  of  American  Policy,"  published  in  1784,  and  his  other  po- 

74 


658  APPENDIX. 

litieal  writings,  had  great  influence  in  forming  public  opinioij,  at  an  important 
period  in  our  history.  In  1793,  he  commenced  the  publication  of  a  daily  paper  in 
'New  York,  which  is  still  continued  under  the  title  of  The  Commercial  Advertiser. 
In  1798,  Air.  Webster  settled  in  New  Haven,  where  he  continued  to  reside,  except 
a  few  years  spent  in  Amherst,  Massachusetts,  until  his  decease.  In  1807,  he  en- 
tered upon  the  great  business  of  his  life,  the  compilation  of  a  complete  dictionary 
of  the  English  language.  He  informs  us  in  his  preface  that  he  "  spent  ten  years 
in  the  comparison  of  radical  words,  and  in  forming  a  synopsis  of  the  principal 
words  in  twenty  languages^  arranged  in  classes  under  their  primary  elements  or 
letters."  The  first  edition  of  this  great  work,  which  was  published  in  1828,  con- 
tained twelve  thousand  words  and  between  thirty  and  forty  thousand  definitions, 
which  are  not  to  be  found  in  any  preceding  work.  In  subsequent  editions  the 
number  of  new  words  had  been  swelled  to  thirty  thousand.  The  work  has  since 
gone  through  many  editions  both  in  this  country  and  in  Europe.  In  1823,  Mr. 
"Webster  received  the  degree  of  doctor  of  laws  from  Yale  College.  In  1843,  he 
published  "  A  Collection  of.Papers  on  Political,  Literary,  and  Moral  Subjects,"  in 
one  octavo  volume. 

Mr.  Webster  was  for  a  number  of  years  an  alderman  of  the  city  of  New  Haven, 
and  a  judge  of  one  of  the  state  courts.  He  frequently  represented  the  town  in 
the  legislature ;  and  while  a  resident  of  Amherst,  he  was  chosen  to  represent 
that  town  in  the  legislature  of  Massachusetts.  He  died  in  New  Haven,  May 
28,  1843. 

Wheelock,  Eleazer,  D.D.,  was  born  in  Windham,  in  April,  1711,  and  grad- 
uated at  Yale  in  1733.  He  was  settled  as  pastor  of  the  second  society  in  Leba- 
non, (now  Columbia,)  and  while  in  that  place  he  opened  a  school  for  the  purpose 
of  fitting  young  men  for  college,  to  which  he  admitted  several  Indian  youths.  In 
1764,  he  had  imder  his  instruction  about  thirty  pupils,  one  half  of  whom  were 
Indian  lads.  His  institution  he  named  "  Moor's  Indian  Charity  School,"  in  honor 
of  ]Mr.  Joshua  Moor,  of  Mansfield,  one  of  its  most  liberal  benefactors.  Large 
sums  were  contributed  to  aid  this  school,  in  England  and  Scotland,  which  were 
placed  in  the  hands  of  a  board  of  trustees,  at  the  head  of  whom  was  the  Earl  of 
Dartmouth.  The  institution  was  at  last  so  well  endowed  that  it  was  removed  to 
Hanover,  New  Hampshire,  and  in  1769,  it  was  incorporated  by  the  name  of  Dart- 
mouth College.  In  the  act  of  incorporation,  Eleazer  Wheelock  was  declared  to 
be  its  founder  and  president,  with  the  right  of  appointing  his  successor.  He 
died  in  1779,  and  was  succeeded  in  the  presidency  of  the  college  by  his  son.  He 
published  several  sermons  and  narratives.  In  1811,  his  memoirs  were  published 
by  Drs.  McClure  and  Parish,  in  an  octavo  volume,  with  extracts  from  his  corres- 
pondence. He  received  the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity  from  the  University  of 
Edinburgh,  in  1767. 

Wheelock,  John,  LL.  D.,  son  of  the  preceding,  was  born  in  Lebanon,  Jan- 
uary 28.  1754,  graduated  with  the  first  class  at  Dartmouth  in  1771,  and  was  ap- 
pointed tutor  in  1772.  In  1775,  he  was  elected  a  representative  in  the  legislature 
of  New  Plampshire  ;  in  the  spi'ing  of  1777,  he  was  appointed  a  major  in  the  ser- 
vice of  New  York,  and  in  November,  he  was  commissioned  as  a  lieutenant-colo- 
nel in  the  continental  army.     He  remained  in  the  army  until  the  death  of  his 


APPENDIX.  659 

father  in  1779,  when  he  succeeded  him  In  the  presidency  of  Dartmouth  College, 
at  the  age  of  25  years.  He  visited  France,  Holland,  and  England,  in  1783,  bear- 
ing with  him  letters  from  General  Washington,  Governor  Trumbull,  and  others, 
and  succeeded  in  procuring  valuable  donations  for  the  college,  in  money  and  books. 
He  published  an  eulogy  on  Dr.  Smith,  in  1809  ;  and  a  history  of  Dartmouth  Col- 
lege, in  1816;  and  left  in  manuscript  a  large  historical  work.  He  died  April  4, 
1817,  aged  63  years,  bequeathing  about  half  of  his  estate  to  the  Princeton  Theo- 
logical Seminary. 

Whittlesey,  Elisha,  Is  a  native  of  Washington,  in  the  western  part  of  the 
state.  In  early  manhood,  he  settled  in  the  "  AVestern  Reserve,"  Ohio,  as  a  law- 
yer ;  and  in  1823,  was  elected  to  Congress — an  ofRce  which  he  continued  to  hold 
for  18  years.  Upon  the  election  of  President  Harrison,  Mr.  Whittlesey  was  ap- 
pointed auditor  of  the  post  office  department ;  and  in  1849,  he  received  the  ap- 
pointment of  first  comptroller  of  the  United  States  treasury.  He  continues  to 
reside  in  the  city  of  Washington  as  general  agent  and  director  of  the  Washington 
National  Monument  Society. 

WiLLEV,  Calvin,  born  in  East  Haddam,  September  15,  1776,  read  law  with 
Judge  Peters,  of  Hebron,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Tolland  county  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1798.  He  practiced  for  several  years  in  Chatham  and  Stafford,  but  settled 
in  Tolland  in  1808.  He  was  successively  a  representative,  judge  of  probate,  presi- 
dential elector,  state  senator,  and  senator  in  Congress. 

Williams,  Elisha,  son  of  the  Rev.  W^illiam  Williams,  of  Hatfield,  Mass., 
graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1711.  Having  been  for  several  years  pastor  of 
the  congregational  church  in  Newington  parish,  in  Wethersfield,  he  was  inaugu- 
rated president  of  Yale  College  in  1726,  as  the  successor  of  Dr.  Cutler.  He  re- 
signed in  1739,  and  was  soon  after  appointed  a  judge  of  the  superior  court.  In 
1745,  he  was  a  chaplain  in  the  expedition  against  Cape  Breton  ;  and  in  the  follow- 
ing year  he  was  a  colonel  in  the  n(>rthern  army.  He  afterwards  visited  England, 
where  he  married  a  lady  of  superior  accomplishments.  He  died  in  Wethersfield, 
July  24,  1755,  aged  60.  Dr.  Doddridge,  who  knew  him  intimately,  represents 
him  as  uniting  in  his  character  "  an  ardent  sense  of  religion,  solid  learning,  con- 
summate prudence,  great  candor  and  sweetness  of  temper,  and  a  certain  nobleness 
of  soul,  capable  of  contriving  and  acting  the  greatest  things,  without  seeming  to  be 
conscious  of  his  having  done  them." 

Williams,  William,  son  of  the  Rev.  Solomon  Williams,  D.D.,  of  Lebanon, 
was  born  in  that  town,  April  8,  1731,  and  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1751. 
In  1776  and  1777,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress  from  Connecti- 
cut, and  signed  the  declaration  of  independance.  He  married  a  daughter  of  Gov- 
ernor Trumbull.  He  made  great  efforts  and  sacrifices  in  the  cause  of  his  country. 
Mr.  Williams  died  August  2,  1811,  aged  80. 

Yale,  Elihu,  was  a  son  of  Thomas  Yale,  who  came  to  New  Haven  in  1637, 
with  Governor  Eaton  and  the  Rev.  John  Davenport.  The  family  came  from  the 
vicinity  of  the  city  of  Wrexham,  in  North  Wales,  where,  for  many  generations, 
they  had  i)ossessed  an  estate  of  the  yearly  value  of  £500.  Elihu  Yale  was  born 
in  New  Haven,  April  5,  1648.  At  the  age  of  ten  years,  he  was  carried  to  Eng- 
land, where  he  received  his  education.     About  the  year  1678,  he  went  to  the  Ejist 


660     '  APPENDIX. 

Indies,  where  he  acquired  a  great  estate,  was  made  governor  of  Fort  St.  George, 
(Madras,)  and  married  a  lady  of  fortune,  the  widow  of  Governor  Hinmers,  his  pre- 
decessor. On  his.  return  to  England  in  1692,  he  was  chosen  governor  of  the 
East  India  Company.  Some  years  after,  hearing  that  a  college  had  been  estab- 
lished in  his  native  town,  he  sent  over  at  different  times  large  donations  of  goods, 
books,  and  money,  for  its  encouragement.  On  the  10th  of  September,  1718,  the 
trustees  gave  to  the  institution  the  name  of  "  Yale  College,"  in  commemoration 
of  his  generosity.  He  died,  July  8, 1721,  and  was  buried  at  Wrexham,  the  home 
of  his  ancestors. 

Young,  Ebenezer,  was  born  in  Killingly  in  1784,  and  graduated  at  Yale  in 
1806.  In  1823,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  state  senate  and  was  twice  re- 
elected ;  in  1827  and  1828,  he  was  speaker  of  the  house  of  representatives  ;  and 
from  1829  to  1835,  he  was  a  member  of  Congress.  He  died  at  West  Killingly, 
August  18,  1851. 


IsToTE. — In  the  foregoing  biographical  notes,  it  jvill  be  observed  that  only  those 
persons  are  sketched  who  are  deceased  or  who  are  residing  out  of  the  state. 
While  the  rule  thus  adopted  must  necessarily  exclude  from  these  pages  many  gen- 
tlemen of  eminence  and  worth,  it  has  seemed  the  only  practicable  course  to  be 
pursued.  Indeed,  but  a  few  of  the  many  distinguished  sons  and  daughters  of 
Connecticut,  who  have  finished  their  course,  or  who  have  left  their  native  state  for 
other  fields  of  usefulness  or  fame,  could  possibly  be  named  in  a  work  hke  this. 
The  good  deeds  and  public  services  of  the  living,  will  not  be  forgotten.  With  a 
full  heart,  I  commend  them  to  the  historian  and  chronicler  of  the  future. 


APPENDIX.  061 


SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  COLONEL  THOMAS  KNOWLTON* 

The  subject  of  this  brief  memoir,  Colonel  Thomas  Knowlton,  was  the  third  son 
of  William,  who  emigrated  from  Ipswich,  Massachusetts,  to  Ashford,  Connecticut, 
at  which  place  the  former  was  born,  about  the  year  1740.  The  father  died  early 
in  life,  leaving  besides  a  widow,  three  sons,  and  four  daughters. 

When  the  war  broke  out  between  England  and  France,  in  1755,  Thomas  com- 
menced his  military  career  by  joining  himself  to  Captain  Putnam's  rangers,  which 
composed  a  part  of  Lyman's  regiment  of  provincials  which  were  raised  in  Con- 
necticut. During  the  six  campaigns  in  which  he  served  in  the  vicinity  of  Crown 
Point,  and  on  the  Canadian  frontier,  he  held  successively  the  offices  of  sergeant, 
ensign,  and  lieutenant.  He  was  promoted  to  the  last  rank  in  the  campaign  of 
1760,  which  ended  in  the  conquest  of  Canada  by  the  English  and  provincials. 

He  was  with  Putnam  at  Wood  Creek,  in  the  campaign  of  1758,  when  the  latter 
was  made  a  prisoner.  On  the  morning  of  the  8th  of  August,  some  officers  were 
incautiously  engaged  in  firing  at  a  target  for  a  dinner.  The  enemy  taking  advan- 
tage of  the  firing  lay  in  ambush  and  nearly  succeeded  in  surrounding  Putnam's 
division,  which  had  just  commenced  its  march,  before  they  were  discovered. 
Knowlton  having  become  separated  from  his  party  found  himself  surrounded  by 
eight  or  ten  Indians  who  rose  up  on  every  side.  Each  being  anxious  to  make  him 
a  prisoner  made  signs  to  that  effect.  He  immediately  shot  down  one  of  the  num- 
ber and  having  fled  over  his  body  succeeded  in  reaching  his  company  which  at 
the  lime  were  engaged  with  the  enemy  at  some  considerable  distance  from  this 
scene  of  peril.  He  often,  on  other  occasions  encountered  dangers  and  endured 
hardships  common  in  Indian  warfare  5  but  his  courage  and  daring  were  equal  to 
any  emergency. 

When  the  war  occurred  between  Great  Britain  and  Spain,  in  1762,  Lieutenant 
Knowlton  joined  the  expedition  against  Cuba,  and  was  present  at  the  reduction  of 
Havana. 

A  campaign  in  1764,  under  General  Bradstreet,  into  the  Indian  country  ended 
his  military  course  till  the  commencement  of  hostilities  with  England  in  1775. 

He  married  April  5,  1759,  Miss  Anne,  daughter  of  Samson  Keyes,  of  Ashford. 

Having  served  his  country  faithfully  for  a  long  period  in  the  field,  he  now  re- 
tired to  private  life,  and  to  the  quiet  and  peaceful  pursuits  of  agriculture,  in  the 
bosom  of  a  happy  and  rising  family. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1775,  he  held  no  military  command.  Yet  he  was 
often  honored  by  his  townsmen  with  civil  offices,  and  was  at  the  time  of  which  we 
speak  one  of  their  selectmen. 

*  This  interesting  sketch  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Ashbel  Woodward,  of  Franklin,  was  received  too 
late  to  be  inserted  in  the  te.xt,  or  even  in  its  alphabetical  place  in  the  appendi.x.  Rather  than  fail  to 
present  it  to  the  public  I  have  placed  it  here.  It  is  due  to  Mr.  Woodward,  to  say,  that  every  sylla- 
ble of  it  is  the  production  of  his  pen.  He  has  been  indefatigable  in  collecting  the  few  fragments 
that  remain  of  the  personal  history  of  a  hero  of  whom  Washington  said  that  "  any  country  in  the 
world  might  well  be  proud." 


662  APPENDIX. 

When  the  news  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  reached  Connecticut,  the  miht'a 
company  of  Ashford,  was  without  a  captain.  The  members  of  this  company 
spontaneously  assembled  on  the  eastern  border  of  the  town,  and  unanimously 
selected  Lieutenant  Knowlton  for  their  commander.  He  immediately  proceeded 
with  one  hundred  brave  men  to  Cambridge.  This  was  the  first  body  of  armed 
men  that  entered  Massachusetts  fi'om  a  sister  colony, 

"While  at  Cambridge,  Putnam  and  luiowlton,  held  frequent  consultations.  The 
latter  ever  enjoyed  the  confidence  of  the  former. 

The  provincial  officers  having  been  apprised  of  the  design  of  the  British  com- 
mander-in-chief to  occupy  the  heights  on  the  peninsula  of  Charlestown,  detached 
a  large  body  of  men  on  the  night  of  the  16th  of  June,  1775,  to  proceed  there  and 
throw  up  entrenchments.  About  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  one  thousand  who 
were  engaged  in  constructing  these  foi'tifications,  were  taken  from  the  Connecticut 
regiments.  These  men  with  Captain  Knowlton  at  their  head,  were  the  first  that 
commenced  throwing  up  the  redoubt  on  Bunker  Hill. 

When  the  fighting  commenced.  Captain  Knowlton  left  the  redoubt,  and  took  a 
position  behind  the  rail-fence  which  extended  from  thence  to  Mystic  river.  His 
division  having  been  reinforced,  numbered  now  about  four  hundred  men,  all  frofn 
his  own  state.  This  constituted  the  left  wing  of  the  provincial  army,  the  imme- 
diate command  of  which  was  entrusted  to  him. 

The  troops  from  behind  this  temporary  breastwoi'k  fought  with  such  terrible 
effect  as  to  almost  annihilate  the  force  directly  opposed  to  them.  On  the  third 
attack  when  the  enemy  carried  the  Hill,  the  commander  of  this  division  so  forped 
his  men,  as  to  use  their  arms  with  eflTect  while  on  the  retreat.  In  this  way  they 
kept  the  enemy  at  bay  till  the  main  body  of  the  American  army  had  left  the 
heights,  being  himself  the  last  officer  that  retired  from  the  field. 

Soon  after  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  he  was  promoted  by  the  commander-in- 
chief,  to  the  rank  of  major,  with  the  privilege  of  selecting  his  battalion  from  the 
New  England  troops. 

After  distinguishing  himself  in  several  acts  of  great  personal  daring  and  bravery 
in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  at  the  end  of  seven  months  he  returned  to  Connecticut, 
and  paid  off  his  men  in  scrip. 

In  the  campaign  of  1776,  he  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel,  and 
given  the  command  of  a  regiment  of  rangers.  His  military  operations  were  now 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  city  of  New  York,  under  the  immediate  observation  of  the 
commander-in-chief,  whose  friendship  and  confidence  Colonel  Knowlton  fully 
enjoyed. 

Being  anxious  to  wipe  oflT  the  stain  which  rested  on  the  Connecticut  militia  in 
the  affair  at  Kip's  Bay,  and  to  revive  the  flagging  hopes  of  Washington,  he  made 
a  daring  attempt  to  gain  the  rear  of  an  advanced  detachment  of  Highlanders  and 
Hessians  under  General  Leslie,  at  Harlem  Heights,  where  he  fell  mortally  wounded 
at  the  head  of  his  regiment  on  the  16th  of  September,  1776. 

Thus  fell  this  war-worn  soldier  full  of  honors,  after  faithfully  fighting  the  battles 
and  defending  the  rights  of  his  country,  during  ten  successive  campaigns,  at  the 
early  age  of  thirty-six. 


APPENDIX.  663 

Of  his  family  it  only  remains  tliati  should  add,  that  he  left  eight  children,  born 
as  follows : 

1,  Frederic,  born  December  4,  1760.  2,  Sally,  born  November  23,  1763. 
Thomas,  born  July  13,  1765.  4,  Polly,  born  January  11,  1767.  Abigail  born 
June  20,  1768.  6,  Samson,  February  8,  1770,  died  September  10,  1777.  7, 
Anne,  born  June  8,  1771,  died  June  4,  1772.  8,  Anne,  2d,  born  March  19. 
1773.  9,  Lueinda,  born  (after  the  death  of  the  father,)  November  10,  1776.  Ilis 
widow  Anne,  died  May  22, 1808. 

His  eldest  son  Frederic,  was  with  his  father  on  the  fatal  battle  field  at  Harlem 
Heights.  He  soon  after  received  a  discharge  from  Washington,  and  returned  to 
the  care  of  his  father's  family. 

Lieutenant  Daniel  Knowlton,  was  an  elder  brother  of  Colonel  Thomas,  and 
served  with  the  latter  through  the  old  French  war.  Of  him  it  was  said  by  Gen- 
eral Putnam,  "  that  such  was  his  courage  and  want  of  fear,  that  he  could  order  hira 
into  the  mouth  of  a  loaded  cannon."  Captain  Miner  Knowlton,  of  the  army,  is  a 
grandson  of  Lieutenant  Daniel  Knowlton. 

Yours,  AsHBEL  Woodward, 

G.  H.  HoLLisTER,  Esquire. 


rsw